White Ram's chest was caved in, ribs piercing through muscle.
Blood-mud mixed with fragments of organs seeped from the gaps where bone protruded.
"Disengage from combat first! Treat the wounded immediately!"
Not only was White Ram critically injured — many of the Uchiha bore fractures of varying severity.
The group retreated several kilometers before finally slowing down.
Yako found a dense patch of forest and pressed his hand against a large tree.
Wood Release chakra surged into the trunk. The bark shifted and twisted, quickly forming a hollow.
He repeated the process, creating three tree shelters.
One day I should invent something like Yamato's Wood Release: Four Rooms, Two Halls, One Kitchen, Two Baths… camping would be much easier, he thought idly.
"Rest. Recover as quickly as possible," Yako said. "Madara is extremely prideful. He won't waste time chasing us."
Uchiha Kagen felt puzzled.
Why did it feel like this ANBU knew Madara even better than he did?
The Uchiha occupied one tree hollow. The rest took another.
Yako carried White Ram into a separate chamber.
White Ram's breathing sounded like a broken bellows. His lungs had ruptured.
Through the wound, one could see a torn vein near his heart. It continued beating only because insects had temporarily stitched the vessel together with their mandibles.
White Ram looked at Fox, eyes filled with resolve.
Yako nodded.
With injuries this severe… it was time to attempt that technique — the Aburame clan's highest secret.
The insect clone technique mastered by Aburame Ryōma allowed the body to shift freely between flesh and swarm — transforming entirely into insects.
Yako crouched down.
"I know a healing technique. I'll assist you."
Water Transformation Healing — the only medical ninjutsu he knew.
He transferred chakra into White Ram's body.
Blood plasma and shredded flesh began to liquefy and regenerate.
At the same time, insects crawled out from within White Ram's body and began devouring him.
Their abdomens swelled grotesquely as they ate.
Skin disappeared, revealing fresh red flesh beneath.
After consuming the tissue, the insects burst — transforming back into flesh.
Flesh became insects.
Insects became flesh.
Again and again the cycle repeated until the original flesh was replaced by specialized insects.
These insects were red and tender, indistinguishable from living tissue.
They began differentiating — some resembling muscle, others fat, others flowing like red blood.
It was an excruciating process.
Each time White Ram nearly lost consciousness, he released the Ten Seal on his hands, forcing himself onward with chakra.
Whenever his condition worsened, Yako reinforced him with Water Transformation Healing.
Three days later, White Ram had become a massive cocoon.
The cocoon seemed stable. At least he was alive — a clear pulse of life emanated from within.
Now came the waiting.
Waiting for him to emerge.
Yako approached Hyuga Ketsu.
"Captain Fox… the Inuzuka shinobi didn't make it," Ketsu said quietly.
"It couldn't be helped. Taijutsu specialists suffer higher casualty rates."
Ketsu glanced toward the two ANBU squads.
They had relied mostly on long-range combination techniques and coordinated seamlessly with Fox. None had died.
Yako turned toward the other tree hollow, but Ketsu called out:
"Captain Fox!"
Yako looked back.
"You… you were really using Wood Release? The First Hokage's secret technique?"
Even now, Ketsu could hardly believe it.
Madara possessing Wood Release was already shocking — but an ANBU squad leader?
"Wood Release? Yeah. It's Wood Release," Yako said casually.
"Orochimaru-sama gave me an injection. After hundreds of experimental subjects died, I was among the few who survived."
Ketsu clicked his tongue in amazement.
Red Maple Fox…
Fox Squad Leader would surely become one of the village's greatest assets because of Wood Release.
Yako entered the Uchiha tree hollow.
The clan members sat quietly, recovering from injuries.
Uchiha Kagen spoke:
"Captain Fox, we lost four people. Jonin Uchiha Dōma… and three Special Jonin. All three-tomoe users."
He paused.
"How is White Ram?"
"His condition is critical. The Inuzuka sensory ninja also died," Yako replied.
"Madara is too strong. Half the Uchiha elite and half an ANBU unit couldn't even force him to move."
He shook his head.
"The gap is enormous. Next time we hunt down rogue ninja Uchiha Madara, we'll need at least three full shinobi battalions and two ANBU squads."
Kagen nodded repeatedly.
He was starting to doubt the purpose of this investigation. With Madara's strength, shouldn't they simply deploy overwhelming force immediately?
He looked at his wounded clanmates, mood heavy.
No one could move recklessly. Everyone remained hidden inside the tree hollow, waiting.
Several days later, brothers Uchiha Gogo and Uchiha Tōka approached Kagen.
Gogo's expression was solemn.
"Clan Head Kagen, we need to talk."
Kane glanced toward the other tree hollow — where ANBU and the reconnaissance team rested.
"I mourn Dōma as well. Whatever it is, we'll discuss it after returning to the village."
"No!" Gogo said firmly.
"If we keep hesitating forever, when will it end?"
He continued:
"Fox is strong — I admit it. But if the Uchiha want to stand at the top of Konoha, we must defeat powerful figures like him. The Uchiha need not fear anyone!"
Kagen was about to reprimand him — had this man damaged his brain after losing consciousness?
Then his gaze met Gogo's eyes.
His expression froze.
That… was…
"Come. Let's talk somewhere else."
The three slipped quietly away from the tree hollow.
As soon as they left, Uchiha Suigiku opened his eyes.
A crow landed on a nearby branch.
The crow and Suigiku exchanged a distant glance.
It took flight, following after Kagen and the brothers.
Hyuga Ketsu was resting, completely unaware.
Yako suddenly tilted his head.
"I'll check on White Ram," he said casually before leaving.
Elsewhere in the forest, hidden among bushes, a single ear emerged from behind a leaf.
If Purple Cat were here, they would recognize it immediately — Fox's ear.
Behind a large tree, Kagen stared intensely at Gogo's eyes.
"You…"
Gogo said quietly:
"After Teacher Uchiha Dōma died… I awakened the legendary Mangekyō Sharingan."
Behind the leaves, Yako's ear twitched.
What?
Gogo revealed his Mangekyō.
Four curved lines spiraled inward toward a dark pupil.
Kagen asked, stunned:
"What is your Mangekyō ability?"
"Heavenly Pillar," Gogo replied.
"The exact ability remains confidential. I can only tell you this — it is connected to Teacher Dōma's tragic death."
He recalled again the brutal crushing of his teacher — bones shattered, body reduced to pulp — and his breathing grew heavy as he closed his eyes in pain.
Hidden nearby, Yako pondered silently.
Heavenly Pillar…?
What kind of ability is that?