Chapter 79 » Konoha's Crushing Defeat! Fugaku: We Have Enough Test Subjects! But You Must Give Me Results!
Kirigakure ninjas seized this opportunity to launch a counterattack. In just three days, they reclaimed all previously lost territory. Moreover, there was a growing momentum to continue advancing towards Konoha itself.
Yusuke's arrival on the battlefield further boosted the morale of the entire Kiri ninja army. They were eager to charge into Konoha, fantasizing about decapitating Hiruzen Sarutobi and presenting his head to their Captain Yusuke.
The war's tide had turned completely one-sided since he defeated the Three Sannin three days ago. Konoha's forces were being pushed back on all fronts, teetering on the brink of total collapse.
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Konohagakure, inside the Hokage's office.
The sound of sighs filled the air...
"Sigh... What on earth happened? Why have all our medical and logistics ninja forces vanished?" Hiruzen frowned with worry, "Orochimaru, Jiraiya, Tsunade — those three have disappeared without a trace. And that damned Kumogakure! They've been watching from the sidelines this whole time! I was naive to think they would send ninjas to attack Kirigakure..."
As soon as he mentioned Kumo, Hiruzen's fury ignited. After all, three days ago was the perfect opportunity for the Cloud Village to launch a large-scale attack on the Mist Village!
But what happened? Kumogakure didn't make a single move. Not a peep of news emerged.
This infuriated Hiruzen! He never imagined that the Cloud Village, renowned for its strong ambitions, would hesitate at such a crucial moment — watching Kiri turn the tables right before their eyes!
Hiruzen even suspected that the Fourth Raikage might have secretly struck some bizarre agreement with the Fourth Mizukage.
"The situation with Kumogakure... is indeed peculiar." Danzo slowly rose, his brows deeply furrowed.
Even now, Danzo couldn't fathom why Kumo was holding back. Moreover, this morning, the Root ANBU had reported intelligence from within the Cloud Village.
They seemed to be in the midst of a major mobilization, with their defenses becoming even more stringent. Could they be afraid? Danzo couldn't wrap his head around it.
"What's going on with the Uchiha clan? They were performing so bravely on the battlefield before. Why did they suddenly become ineffective three days ago? And just like last time, they've been continuously withdrawing their clan members from the battlefield!" Hiruzen's face twisted with displeasure.
"Sarutobi... I've warned you about this before. We can't trust the Uchiha clan. That clan... haven't they caused enough problems already?" Danzo muttered in a low voice.
Upon hearing this, Hiruzen fell silent immediately.
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Inside the Uchiha compound.
"Those thirty-some clan members not a single body was intact. I'm afraid... the Mangekyō Sharingan have also been destroyed..." An Uchiha elder spoke in a low voice inside the clan leader's residence.
His body faintly emanated a violent aura, his eyes constantly flashed with a crimson light. Clearly, he was also an Uchiha clan member who had transplanted the Mangekyō Sharingan.
"Hmm. I understand." Fugaku nodded. His face, as if carved from stone, was filled with coldness. His complexion was even paler than usual.
Just as the clan elder left, Orochimaru slowly emerged from the shadows behind Fugaku.
On the previous battlefield, he had unhesitatingly used his Snake Style Substitution Jutsu to escape. Now, instead of reporting directly to the Third Hokage, he first went to the Root headquarters.
Afterwards, he came to the Uchiha leader's residence.
"What a pity... Over twenty pairs of Mangekyō Sharingan. Wasted just like that." There was no trace of regret in Orochimaru's snake-like eyes.
These Mangekyō Sharingan were all inferior versions. Only those with Uchiha clan bloodline could successfully transplant them. If placed in anyone else's body, it would lead to the test subject's death due to bodily rejection!
The authentic Mangekyō Sharingan, however, didn't have this limitation. But it would constantly drain the chakra of the person it was transplanted into.
"When will the next batch of Mangekyō be ready?" Fugaku's voice was devoid of any emotion.
"It's estimated to take about a month." Orochimaru said slowly, "The speed of vessel cultivation is already quite fast. One month to evolve a regular three-tomoe Sharingan into a Mangekyō Sharingan."
"One month, huh..." A flicker of emotion passed through Fugaku's eyes. Then, he asked, "So... how are those ten special clan members doing?"
"They're performing well." Orochimaru replied, taking a deep breath, "However, I didn't expect the Mangekyō Sharingan to be so difficult to awaken."
Over a month ago, Fugaku had informed Orochimaru about the trigger for awakening the Mangekyō in the Uchiha clan: a mental shock. The greater the shock, the higher the chance of awakening the Mangekyō. Anger, hatred, resentment, the death of a loved one, or severing bonds — any negative emotion could accelerate the awakening of this Dojutsu.
Then, he had selected ten elite members from his clan's ninja squad for this arduous task. He told them about the mission and showed them the Mangekyō. Then, he handed these ten clan members over to Orochimaru, knowing the snake-like man had a knack for manipulating people's minds.
But after more than a month of torment, not a single person had been able to awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan.
Upon hearing this, Fugaku immediately let out a cold snort.
"Orochimaru, don't compare that inferior Mangekyō you've cultivated with the authentic Dojutsu. That Mangekyō Sharingan of yours... It can barely enhance the clan members' strength, raising them to about half-Kage level. Moreover, it only amplifies combat power, without any other use. It can't unlock the abilities of the left and right eyes, nor can it unlock Susanoo. It's worse than useless!"
A hint of coldness flashed in his eyes. Then, his impassive face filled with pride.
"But our clan — as long as we can awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan, not only can our power skyrocket to Kage level, we can also unlock new abilities in both eyes and gradually master the powerful technique of Susanoo! And... never mind." Fugaku thought for a moment, then waved his hand and said, "Let's wait until our clan members awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan."
He already knew. The Mangekyō Sharingan is not the end! Above it is the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan!
In the underground of the Naka Shrine within the clan, that stone tablet left by the Sage of Six Paths has many more parts beyond. Fugaku currently can't decipher it with his own Mangekyō Sharingan.
He must evolve to the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan to do so!
"It seems that Clan Leader Fugaku still doesn't trust me." Orochimaru's snake-like eyes narrowed slightly.
From what Fugaku just revealed... Could it be that the Mangekyō Sharingan is not the limit?
Indeed! The Uchiha clan is a clan with unlimited potential! In that case, I'm even more eager to study your clan's bodies!
While Orochimaru was researching the Uchiha clan, he hadn't given up on his research into forbidden techniques. For example, the Impure World Reincarnation!
It was still in his research process!
"Aren't you also keeping things from me? Enough, Orochimaru. You and I are both intelligent people. Both sides have things they don't want the other to know." Fugaku let out a cold laugh, his eyes filled with ambition, "When the time is right, I will let you witness the true power of the Uchiha clan!"
"I'm looking forward to it." Orochimaru nodded slightly.
"Orochimaru." Fugaku glanced at him, "How is the research on the First Hokage's cells progressing?"
Orochimaru's brow twitched slightly.
"It's not ready yet. The time isn't ripe. And... we still don't know what side effects there might be. After all, we don't have many test subjects. Danzo Shimura's performance, at present, is subpar." He said slowly.
"Then use our clan members who have been implanted with the Mangekyo for experiments." Fugaku said coldly.
"!!!" Orochimaru's brow twitched once again.
He hadn't expected Fugaku to propose this voluntarily. After all, he had planned to do this long ago. However, he just hadn't found the right opportunity.
After all, the danger level of implanting the First Hokage's cells is hundreds of times higher than implanting the Mangekyo Sharingan into Uchiha clan members!
It's possible the result could be total annihilation!
"Don't worry, I've already withdrawn many clan members from the battlefield. Moreover, after this war, many more in the clan have awakened the three-tomoe Sharingan, so we have enough test subjects." Fugaku grinned viciously, "But, Orochimaru, I need to see research results in the shortest time possible! I've been unconditionally supplying you with test subjects. You must give me results!"
Orochimaru looked at the ferocious Fugaku Uchiha, then let out a hoarse laugh.
"No problem."
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At this moment, in one of the three great sacred places of the ninja world — Mount Myoboku — Jiraiya was receiving treatment.
"Little Jiraiya, your injuries are too severe. Even if you recuperate here, it will take at least a month. And to think Gamabunta was also so heavily injured!" The two toads, Shima and Fukasaku, were saying angrily.
"That Yusuke Kamizuki's strength... Far exceeded our estimates. I want to ask the Great Toad Sage to predict that guy's future." Jiraiya's entire body was in bad shape at this point.
On the previous battlefield, after that lightning bolt struck the ground, Jiraiya used the Reverse Summoning Technique at the last moment to summon himself to Mount Myoboku. He barely managed to escape the explosion of that terrifying lightning bolt! But he also paid the price of severe injuries!
"The Great Toad Sage has been waiting for you for a long time," Shima and Fukasaku nodded.
Jiraiya took a deep breath and walked towards the great temple in Mount Myoboku with a solemn expression.
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In the Ninja World, the war between Konohagakure and Kirigakure had reached its conclusion.
After seven days of fierce resistance, Konoha finally announced a full retreat. Once again, the Leaf Village found itself defeated.
Over the past half year, every conflict between the two villages had ended in Konoha's defeat.
Yusuke, following his established pattern, dispatched Kisame to lead the ninja force in collecting reparations. This time, they seized all of Konohagakure's resources for the next three years — a complete pillage.
Despite the Third Hokage's reluctance, he was powerless to intervene. This defeat dealt a crushing blow to Konoha.
Kirigakure, on the other hand, celebrated a resounding victory. Their forces returned in triumph, laden with abundant resources!
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Kirigakure. In the basement of the ANBU headquarters.
Yusuke listened to the reports from Mangetsu and Juzo. A smile played across his face.
"With these resources, our Kiri will grow stronger and stronger!" Juzo exclaimed excitedly, "Moreover, the village's medical care, transportation, equipment, construction, schools, and more have all undergone significant changes! While we can't claim to be the best among the Five Great Ninja Villages, we're no longer as backward as before."
Seeing the transformation of the village, he was genuinely happy.
"Alright. Notify all the ninja to take a good rest for now." Yusuke said with a light smile, "Konohagakure is already half-crippled. Even if they want to recover their strength, it will take at least half a year, if not more than a year. We're in no hurry."
"Yes!" Juzo immediately obeyed the command.
"Lord Yusuke..." Mangetsu scratched his head, "Um... My younger brother has recently awakened the Hydrification Technique. He also wants to join the ANBU."
"Approved." Yusuke nodded with a smile.
Mangetsu's younger brother: Suigetsu Hozuki.
Although his strength isn't very high, he can increase his power in a short time, raising it to the semi-Kage level. He doesn't mind having more subordinates; quite the opposite. The more subordinates he has, the better!
When the time comes, he might even be able to sit here and control the entire ninja world in his hands!
After Mangetsu left, Yusuke pondered whether he should go find Jugo and continue to intercept Orochimaru.
There was a click sound. The side door of the bedroom opened.
Tsunade walked out with an angry expression on her face. She marched up to Yusuke, pointing her finger at his nose.
When she heard the conversation from the next room, she immediately started trembling with anger from head to toe.
To think that Konohagakure had suffered such a devastating defeat! This made her furious beyond measure.
"You! You demon!! I'm going to kill you!!!"
After saying this, she immediately swung her fist, aiming straight for Yusuke's face!
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