Chapter 274: We Need a Guide—Oh, Here They Are!

Chapter 274: We Need a Guide—Oh, Here They Are!

"I'm heading to Yunming City to assassinate the Daimyō of the Land of Lightning!"

The campfire blazed, casting flickering shadows over the ruined town in the Land of Frost.

The night wind whistled through the empty huts, producing a mournful wail.

Two figures, having retracted their supernatural abilities, sat in silence around the fire.

Through the man's eyes and the young girl he carried, Uchiha Ci had already recognized him.

The man before him was none other than the hidden boss from the original work—the one who slaughtered the Blood Pool clan—Yuyashiro Homura, also known as Oyashiro En.

At this moment, Homura gently placed his sleeping daughter on a makeshift cushion of tattered clothing, fell into silence for a moment, and then spoke hoarsely:

"Three months ago, my wife was chosen by the clan to travel to the Daimyō's residence in the Land of Lightning to present a letter of confession."

"Because my wife was beautiful."

"She had violet eyes, like the most exquisite gemstones in the world. Anyone who saw her would be entranced by her beauty."

Listening to Homura's story, Uchiha Ci suddenly recalled a pair of clear, emerald-green eyes—eyes that fit the description perfectly. Like gemstones, like drifting clouds in the sky, like a lake shimmering under the sun as the breeze ruffled its surface, filled with tenderness.

He couldn't help but curl his lips into a faint smile.

Homura, however, fell silent again for a long while before continuing, his voice hollow and lifeless:

"But at that time, she was already pregnant with my daughter."

"And yet, she was chosen by the clan to go to the Land of Lightning and meet the Daimyō."

"I knew exactly what they wanted her to do."

"I couldn't refuse, nor could I resist. Because I was the young patriarch of the clan, and only by offering my woman to the Daimyō could we be considered truly… submissive."

"But instead, my wife smiled and comforted me, saying, 'Homura, we'll soon be free.'"

"She promised that once it was over, we would build a grand castle for our daughter—named after me. Then, we would live there happily together for the rest of our lives."

"Haha… Hahahahaha!"

At this point, Homura couldn't help but laugh. His laughter was twisted, his face contorting grotesquely.

"But I have to admit—Kumogakure's ninja did an excellent job!"

"They intercepted the Daimyō's returning envoy!"

"My wife's sacrifice was in vain. And soon after returning to the clan…"

"She chose to take her own life."

"It was on that very day that I awakened these eyes—eyes that surpass all others in my clan."

"And on that day, as I was about to slaughter every last one of those wretched clan members…"

"The Raikage's son arrived,"

"Bringing with him his so-called 'Brotherhood Pact.'"

At that moment, Homura's expression froze like an ice sculpture, radiating a chilling intensity.

"This world is built on one lie after another."

"My clan deceived my wife, my wife deceived me, and the Raikage's son deceived those foolish clan members."

"Everyone lives within a web of lies, consoling themselves with the hope that tomorrow will be better."

"And those who stand at the top, those in power, enjoy everything without a care."

"But only I—"

Homura clenched his teeth, his eyes burning with uncontrollable fury.

"With these very eyes, through the tears of regret my wife shed even in death—"

"I saw the truth!"

Uchiha Ci tried to put himself in Homura's shoes and couldn't help but shudder.

Though he had some understanding of the dark side of the ninja world and had somewhat expected Homura's tragic backstory, hearing the man recount it firsthand still sent chills down his spine.

He remained silent for a moment. While Homura spoke, he had finally pieced together what had happened to him.

After falling unconscious from his cliffside battle, it was Homura who had taken him and implanted a pair of Blood Dragon Eyes in him.

Fortunately, Uchiha Ci's body was highly adaptable—his heart, eyes, and various body parts seemed to support all kinds of plug-and-play modifications. A true walking hot-swappable ninja.

Anyone else would have died instantly.

But because of this, a series of coincidences occurred, allowing him to awaken a power that should have only been possible through the Mangekyō Sharingan—

Susanoo.

And this was precisely what Uchiha Ci couldn't understand.

In the end, he owed Homura a favor.

So, he lifted his head, looked at Homura, and asked,

"Then why did you save me?"

"You massacred an entire clan, yet spared an Uchiha who imprisoned you for over twenty years. I just don't get it."

"You could have killed me."

Homura didn't answer and had no intention of explaining his momentary lapse of mercy.

Instead, he simply lifted his head and said flatly,

"The battle in Hell Valley—only Kumogakure was supposed to intervene, as per the agreement between the Raikage's son and the Blood Pool clan."

"If I'm not mistaken, you must have been attacked by Kumogakure ninja and fell off the cliff. That means we share a common enemy."

"And coincidentally, I need a guide."

"I have never left Hell Valley since I was born. I need you to help me understand the outside world,"

"And lead me to the Land of Lightning's capital—Yunming City!"

Hearing this, Uchiha Ci's eyes lit up. He didn't even bother nitpicking Homura's wording.

Because Yunming City was exactly where he needed to go!

That group of cultists, brainwashed into stupidity by Hidan, had gathered there, and his little brother's situation was probably not looking great.

At this crucial moment, big bro had to descend from the heavens to deliver justice!

"Anyway, thanks." He nodded, then glanced at Homura.

"I always repay my debts. Since I owe you—"

"It doesn't matter if you want to kill the Daimyō of the Land of Lightning, take down the Third Raikage, or tear apart the entire capital—I'll help you."

"I might not be good at much, but if it's a fight against Kumogakure, I'm all in!"

Uchiha Ci pounded his chest, grinning broadly.

Homura glanced at him in surprise.

This brat had been so stubborn earlier—why was he suddenly so agreeable?

He hadn't even brought up compensation for the deal, yet Uchiha Ci had already accepted without hesitation.

Were kids these days… this unpredictable?

Just then, Uchiha Ci clutched his empty stomach, feeling the hunger gnawing at his cells. He was desperate to reach Yunming City and devour a feast to replenish his chakra!

Then, he turned to Homura and asked in surprise,

"Since the misunderstanding's cleared up—"

"What are you waiting for? Lead the way!"

"Let's go! Let's hit it big!"

Homura was stunned. He stared at Uchiha Ci in disbelief and asked,

"I wanted you to be my guide, and now you're asking me to lead the way?"

Uchiha Ci froze.

"Wait, but… I don't know the way either!?"

For heaven's sake, he'd only been in this world for a little over a year! Apart from running missions all over Konoha, he was completely clueless about the rest of the ninja world!

Thus—

Just as they were about to set off, the two of them sat back down in sync, falling into another awkward silence.

Homura massaged his temples.

He just wanted to find a guide—how did he end up with this guy?

So they were both… hopelessly lost?

Gazing at the flickering campfire, Uchiha Ci rested his chin on his hand and solemnly declared,

"I think… we need a guide!"

Homura scanned their surroundings. The war-torn town was utterly deserted—not even bandits would settle here.

"Where the hell are we supposed to find one?"

But just then—

A rustling of footsteps came from the far end of the abandoned street.

"Oh, here they are!"

Both of them perked up, turning toward the sound.

A figure emerged from the darkness—a young man in a black robe with short, fiery-red hair.

His eyes lit up with equal excitement upon spotting them.

"Perfect! Even in this wasteland, I've managed to find two chakra-rich specimens!"

Sasori's eyes gleamed as he reached for the pistol holstered under his cloak.

With his revolutionary weapon, these two mere flesh-and-blood shinobi wouldn't stand a chance.

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