Chapter 278: All Sides Gather in Yunming City!

Chapter 278: All Sides Gather in Yunming City!

"On the night of the Hell Valley battle, which led to Uchiha Ci's disappearance..."

"Far away in the Daimyō's residence in the capital of the Land of Lightning, the Daimyō was once again attacked by the leader of the Immortal Heretics—'Uchiha Ci.'"

"The guardian shinobi were slain. If not for the timely arrival of the Third Raikage's son, A, the Daimyō would have perished."

"Furthermore, during the Hell Valley battle, Orochimaru launched the 'Cloud Collapse Plan' in Kumogakure, leading to a massive leak of the Land of Lightning's defense intelligence."

"At this moment, the Daimyō of the Land of Lightning is enraged beyond measure."

---

Nighttime.

In a rundown town in the Land of Frost, Uchiha Ci and Oyashiro En sat around a campfire, listening to Sasori recount the major events of recent days.

A crude, hand-drawn map was spread out in front of them.

Sasori raised his finger, pointing at Kumogakure on the map, then traced a line toward Yunming City, located in the heart of the Land of Lightning.

"One week from now, the Third Raikage will travel to Yunming City with his son to formally apologize to the Daimyō."

"At the same time, they will finalize a new offensive strategy."

Hearing this, Oyashiro En frowned in confusion.

"After suffering such heavy losses, why is Kumogakure still intent on war? Shouldn't they be wary of other great nations taking advantage of their weakness?"

"Naïve!" Sasori snorted coldly.

"Though Kumogakure has suffered greatly, its core combat forces—the AB Combo and the Third Raikage—are still intact. Their army remains capable of battle."

"In this era, to not fight is to die."

"If Kumogakure does not seize this opportunity to demonstrate its strength, it will truly face a situation where the whole world turns against it."

Uchiha Ci narrowed his eyes at the map.

"So the key question now is: where will Kumogakure direct its next attack?"

"And that decision will be made after the Raikage and the Daimyō finalize their plan."

"Which means..."

"The Daimyō's stance is the most critical factor!"

Sasori glanced at Uchiha Ci in surprise before responding calmly, "Exactly. That's why so many forces are now trying to gauge the Daimyō's intentions."

"In this process, the so-called 'Immortal Heretic Uchiha Ci,' who assassinated the Daimyō, has become a valuable bargaining chip. A severed head that can be presented as an offering."

As he spoke, Sasori watched Uchiha Ci from the corner of his eye, trying to discern any reaction.

There were still many suspicious aspects to this "Uchiha Yanzu" character.

But Uchiha Ci remained composed.

Of course, he wasn't about to tell Sasori that the two of them sitting here—one aimed to kill the Daimyō, and the other… also aimed to kill the Daimyō.

Still, something puzzled him. He looked at Sasori and asked, "What's the deal with these Immortal Heretics? This is their second attempt on the Daimyō's life, isn't it?"

"How did they manage to escape both times?"

Uchiha Ci knew full well that the Immortal Heretics were a group assembled by his little brother, Hidan.

But attempting to assassinate the Daimyō twice and getting away unscathed? That was absurd.

Uchiha Ci was intimately familiar with the combat strength of the Jashin cultists from the Land of Hot Water—they were wildly inconsistent. Even their strongest member, Tōgō Hayato, wouldn't last a single move against the Third Raikage's son, A.

Any elite jōnin from a major village could skewer them like candied fruit on a stick.

"Who knows? Maybe someone is helping them."

Sasori chuckled and shrugged, then turned serious, staring into the fire.

"Now, the most crucial question is..."

"Hmm?"

Uchiha Ci and Oyashiro En turned to Sasori in unison.

The most crucial question?

What could be more important than gathering their forces and heading to the Daimyō's residence to take him out—along with the Third Raikage?

Then, they could step over the heads of young A and Killer B, making them sing "Conquered," and announce the dawn of the Gangdam Era to the entire shinobi world!

Under the expectant gazes of the two, Sasori fell silent, lowered his head, and hesitated as he looked at the map.

Then, he muttered in a low voice,

"Do either of you actually know how to read this map?"

Uchiha Ci and Oyashiro En exchanged glances, their expressions freezing simultaneously.

They could see each other's stiff, twitching faces.

Wait, Sasori was also directionally challenged?!

Thus, just as they were about to set off, the three of them sat down again in unspoken agreement—falling into a heavy silence.

---

Meanwhile, in Yunming City, the capital of the Land of Lightning.

Structurally, the city resembled Tanzaku City in the Land of Fire—quintessentially a traditional Japanese castle town, divided into inner and outer districts.

The inner city housed the Daimyō's residence, a towering castle keep fortified with high walls and tight security.

The outer city was a bustling metropolis, its shorter walls serving more symbolic than defensive purposes. With dense foot traffic, market stalls, and a constant flow of merchants and commoners, it was a hive of activity.

The cities of the Land of Lightning were all built in mountainous, open areas, featuring architecture reminiscent of flattened onion domes, with tiered platforms and pointed towers—somewhat resembling Byzantine styles.

Commercial activities took place beneath the elevated platforms of these mountain-hugging buildings. Vendors set up tents or occupied structures similar to the round Hakka tulou, repurposed as trade hubs.

At this moment…

On a narrow balcony overlooking the bustling streets of the outer city, Hidan stood by the railing, his face dark.

Below, a squad of Kumogakure shinobi was parading a group of captured rogue shinobi—former allies from the Land of Hot Water—toward a newly erected execution site.

"Damn it!"

Watching his comrades, one by one, die because of him—for the so-called "greater cause"—Hidan clenched his fists, trembling with rage.

BANG!

He slammed his fist onto the railing.

At that moment, he finally understood why Uchiha Ci had abandoned him.

After witnessing the endless swamps and ruins of Hot Water's capital, Yukemuri City…

Uchiha Ci must have felt the same crushing guilt, blaming himself for everything.

Doubt must have crept into his heart, making him question the very oath he once swore.

That's why he had left. Why he had abandoned that promise.

Hell, maybe he was already dead.

But it didn't matter.

Hidan would be the one to take revenge.

If the Third Raikage killed his big brother, then Hidan would kill his son—along with the Daimyō of the Land of Lightning!

Blood for blood!

Just then…

As the first light of dawn broke over the horizon, a slender figure in a black cloak and wide-brimmed hat approached from behind.

A few strands of chestnut-red hair peeked from beneath the hat's rim, glowing like the morning sun.

Beneath the shadow of the hat, a pair of deep green eyes, clear as glass, gazed at Hidan with quiet resignation.

"Hidan, I'll help you this time—for old times' sake."

"But if you called me here just to save those rogue Hot Water shinobi, I won't help you anymore."

"Right now, all eyes are on this city. The Five Great Nations have sent envoys. Various organizations are plotting. Everyone wants your head for their own agenda."

"If you keep acting recklessly, I'll knock you out and drag you away myself."

Hidan shook his head, his young eyes filled with stubborn defiance.

"Nee-san!"

"That's not it!"

Gritting his teeth, he pulled out a small vial of blood.

"I've already obtained the Daimyō's blood!"

"One week from now, if he chooses to continue waging war and invading my homeland…"

"I'll curse him to death at the Five Kage Summit!"

Mei Terumi froze.

Her pupils shrank sharply.

Her face flushed red beneath the hat.

"What did you just say?!"

"I said, I'm going to kill the Daimyō at the Five Kage Summit!"

"No, before that!"

"I obtained the Daimyō's blood."

"No, before that!"

"Nee-san!?"

Mei Terumi took a deep breath and smiled.

"Alright. I'll help you kill the Daimyō of the Land of Lightning!"

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