Chapter 238 — The Whereabouts of the Kusanagi Sword
Uchiha Ryoichi folded his arms, looking down at the swollen-faced boy on the ground.
"Speak. What 'important information' do you have? I'm listening."
Uchiha Yota, still trembling, tried to maintain some pride.
"T-This information concerns… Grayfield's medicinal research. I can only report it directly to Uchiha Fug— I mean, to the Clan Head!"
He nearly blurted out Fugaku's name again. His face was swollen so badly that his eyes were just narrow slits, but he could still see well enough to notice Ryoichi's expression instantly darkening. Yota immediately corrected himself to "Clan Head," and only then did Ryoichi's expression lighten.
Yota exhaled in relief—
Smack! Smack!
Two more slaps landed before he could react.
He stared at Ryoichi in disbelief.
"I didn't even say the Clan Head's name! Why are you still hitting me?!"
Ryoichi snorted.
"You didn't call the Clan Head by name, true. But when I asked you to share your information, you hesitated and wasted my time. For that alone, you deserve a beating."
A surge of resentment flashed in Yota's swollen eyes.
This bastard… he's doing this on purpose!
He clenched his teeth, swallowing his rage.
Just wait… when Clan Head Fugaku recognizes my worth, when I'm in a position of influence… we'll see who's laughing then.
As he prepared to speak, Ryoichi suddenly slapped him twice more.
Yota froze.
"H-Hey! I was about to tell you! Why hit me again?!"
Ryoichi's tone dripped with disdain.
"I saw your eyes shifting around like some scheming rat. That alone tells me you were plotting something. Of course you deserve another beating."
Yota stared blankly.
You… saw my eyeballs move?
His entire face was so swollen that even he could barely see. How could this demon possibly tell where he was looking?!
He fell silent.
Ryoichi raised his hand.
"No answer? Oh, seems you're begging for another slap—"
"I'll talk! I'll talk!" Yota cried instantly. "Just don't hit me again!"
Ryoichi finally paused. He truly was curious what this little troublemaker thought he knew.
Yota didn't dare stall any longer. He blurted out the first thing that came to mind:
"I know the whereabouts of the divine weapon—the Kusanagi Sword."
He hadn't planned anything; the words simply slipped out.
Ryoichi's eyes narrowed.
"…The Kusanagi Sword?"
There was genuine suspicion in his gaze.
Where would this brat hear information like that? Did he get contact from outside forces? A spy? A plant?
Thinking back on Yota's earlier arrogance, disrespect toward the Clan Head, and suspicious attitude, the pieces didn't sit right. Still, Ryoichi didn't reveal his suspicions. Instead, he asked calmly:
"Oh? And just where is this Kusanagi Sword you 'know' about?"
Yota thought smugly, Forget a tiny Kusanagi Sword—I even know where your clan's divine relics, the Totsuka Blade and the Yata Mirror, are.
But he kept that to himself.
He nodded.
"I know. But I'll reveal it only if you take me to see the Clan Head in person—"
Ryoichi snapped, voice sharp:
"Cut the nonsense. Tell me. Now."
Yota yelped and instinctively shielded his face—
But Ryoichi didn't strike.
Relieved, Yota hurriedly spilled the information.
"Fine! Fine! I'll talk! Just don't hit me anymore!
The Kusanagi Sword is with Orochimaru. He has two of them."
Ryoichi's eyes brightened.
Had this been before, he might have dismissed it. Orochimaru's whereabouts were unpredictable, and knowing he possessed legendary weapons was useless without being able to find him.
But the situation had changed.
Orochimaru was currently in the village, serving under Clan Head Fugaku. If Fugaku wished it, getting those Kusanagi blades from Orochimaru would be trivial.
The Uchiha Clan possessed extensive records on legendary armaments, especially the various types of Kusanagi blades—some razor-sharp enough to cut chakra constructs as if they were air, others capable of stretching, shrinking, or possessing special elemental properties.
His expression suddenly sank as he stared intensely at the boy.
Yota felt a chill shoot down his spine.
That look… is he planning to kill me?!
He broke into a cold sweat.
Could he be trying to silence me? Over something like this?
Surely not—
…Right?
Panicking, he blurted out:
"W-Wait! I have more information! Something far more important!"
Ryoichi's voice dropped.
"…Speak."
Yota swallowed hard.
"But this information… is extremely confidential. Can you please let me report it to the Clan Head directly?"
Ryoichi stared at him for a long moment.
Yota thought there was hope—
SMACK! SMACK!
Two heavy slaps hit even harder than before.
All hope vanished.
This demon just doesn't want me to meet Clan Head Fugaku!
Yota cursed him endlessly in his heart, but he could do nothing. He had no strength to resist, no chance to escape, and absolutely no way to force an audience with Fugaku.
For the moment, he could only endure.
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