Chapter 30: Testing the Waters
Moonlit Contemplation
Uchiha Kazuki leaned thoughtfully against the windowsill, bathed in pale moonlight that streamed through and illuminated his loosely worn robe—highlighting an ethereal, almost otherworldly presence.
He glanced down at Hikari sleeping peacefully beside him, curled up like a contented kitten. He couldn't help but sigh softly, rubbing his throbbing temples with deliberate pressure.
"It seems the research on the First Hokage's cells needs to be expedited and moved to the top priority."
After their deep, revealing conversation earlier, Kazuki had gained considerably clearer understanding of Hikari's unique Mangekyō ability—Yachihoko.
Among all known Uchiha Mangekyō Sharingan techniques throughout history, Yachihoko was perhaps the most terrifying ability, bar absolutely none.
Unlike Amaterasu's inextinguishable flames or Tsukuyomi's mental torture, Yachihoko didn't directly harm enemies through conventional damage. Instead, it functioned more like an enhanced, multi-target version of the legendary Kotoamatsukami—completely dominating victims' minds and chakra systems through contact with the user's chakra signature.
It could erase memories entirely. Implant completely fabricated ones. Brainwash subjects with perfect precision.
But this overwhelming power didn't mean Yachihoko was without significant flaws.
Every technique has its price—its risks and weaknesses.
Of course, absurdly overpowered individuals like the First Hokage were obvious exceptions to this rule.
The most critical risk of Yachihoko lay in its horrific consumption of ocular power. While not as extreme as Kotoamatsukami—which required years-long intervals between uses—Yachihoko continuously drained the user's ocular power during active control.
If too many targets were controlled simultaneously, it functioned like a high-powered water pump rapidly draining a reservoir—quickly accelerating the path to complete blindness.
As for compensating weaknesses, the ancient Uchiha clan's ancestors had actually addressed this issue cleverly.
They had specifically inscribed both Tsukuyomi and Amaterasu into Hikari's paired Mangekyō Sharingan eyes as supplementary abilities.
Tsukuyomi perfectly compensated for Yachihoko's primary limitation—the need for direct chakra contact when initially marking control targets. Anyone illuminated by Tsukuyomi's unique light could be instantly marked from a distance.
However, the fundamental problem remained unchanged: releasing multiple ocular techniques simultaneously dramatically accelerated the consumption of Mangekyō power.
It's practically a terrifying, chakra-devouring monstrosity!
Even with the First Hokage's cells implanted to bolster regeneration and vitality, unless someone intended to use Hikari as a purely disposable weapon, extreme caution would still be absolutely necessary.
Time passed gradually amid Kazuki's scattered contemplations. The night went by without further incident.
Morning Audience with Hanzō
The next morning, after an entire night of careful deliberation, Hanzō finally decided to formally receive Konoha's delegation.
Kazuki donned his ANBU owl mask once more, fully adopting the professional persona expected of a black ops operative. He maintained appropriate distance and protocol, following silently behind Tsunade and Hikari.
Amegakure's architecture possessed a peculiar, distinctive character. Steel pipes crisscrossed throughout the entire village in bewildering patterns, forming a unique industrial landscape. The towering structures—densely packed with interconnected pipes—were typically uninhabited. Most Amegakure residents lived in the lower, more accessible areas beneath.
The assigned Rain shinobi guide led them deep into a dark, oppressively damp pipe network. Its internal structure was incredibly complex and deliberately disorienting.
Countless pipes intersected at impossible angles. The dim, flickering lighting combined with the monotonously similar environment made navigation by sight alone practically impossible—it formed a vast, three-dimensional maze designed to confuse intruders.
Hanzō is clearly terrified of assassination.
Constructing such an elaborate underground pipe labyrinth served one primary purpose: maximizing defense against assassination attempts while creating layered protection against external invasions.
Soon enough, they arrived at their destination—a deceptively ordinary Japanese-style sliding door.
The Rain ninja guide opened the door respectfully and stepped aside. "Please enter. Lord Hanzō awaits you in the inner chamber."
Passing through the entrance corridor, Tsunade opened the innermost door with practiced ease.
The Demigod's Chamber
"It's been quite some time, Tsunade-hime."
An elderly man dressed in traditional kimono sat in formal seiza position on the tatami mat—his posture perfect despite his age.
A small, low table sat before him bearing two cups of steaming green tea.
He wore a distinctive iron respirator over the lower half of his face—a permanent reminder of his poisonous salamander's gift. His gray hair was casually draped over his shoulders in a style that had once been more carefully maintained.
Although Hanzō was no longer as physically powerful and vigorous as in his legendary youth—years of constant warfare having weakened his body considerably—this absolutely did not mean he'd lost his intimidating presence.
On the contrary, with the passage of decades, tempered by accumulated wisdom and brutal experience, he had become increasingly ruthless and coldly composed.
Age had made him more dangerous, not less.
"You've grown old, Hanzō."
Tsunade showed absolutely no fear or deference. She sat directly opposite the legendary figure, scrutinizing the man who had once defeated all three Sannin simultaneously in their youth.
"Save your empty provocations."
Hanzō—possessing deep-seated cunning cultivated over decades—wasn't remotely swayed by such transparent attempts at manipulation. Without even raising an eyelid, he picked up his teacup with practiced grace, took a measured sip, and spoke with complete indifference.
"Tell me plainly—what brings Konoha to my territory?"
"Tsk. Still as unpleasant as ever."
Seeing that the old shinobi remained completely unmoved, Tsunade felt genuine irritation. She crossed her arms beneath her chest and spoke directly. "You should have heard of the Warring States Period's Sealed History Records, correct?"
"I'm aware of it."
Hanzō's brow furrowed slightly—finally deigning to look at them directly with calculating eyes. He spoke slowly and deliberately. "Dangerous entities sealed away during the Warring States era. What of it? Is that truly why you've come here?"
"Just routine verification."
Tsunade's tone turned deliberately provocative. "I'm simply curious whether the legendary 'Demigod of the Shinobi World' still retains any of his former strength."
A direct challenge.
The Tiger Shows His Fangs
"Is this Konoha's official position... or merely your personal opinion?"
The instant those words left Tsunade's mouth, the atmosphere in the chamber became oppressively heavy.
Hanzō—who had maintained the carefully crafted demeanor of a frail old man throughout their conversation—suddenly transformed. Like an ancient tiger finally baring its fangs, revealing the predator beneath the aged exterior.
He made no overt physical movement, yet everyone present felt chills race down their spines.
His menacing, aggressively hostile gaze seemed ready to devour all three visitors. Within that frail, aged body lurked terrifying, barely restrained power.
"Don't look at me with those eyes, Hanzō."
Tsunade appeared seemingly unconcerned, casually picking up her teacup. Her tone carried layered meaning. "Does hiding in a place like this truly make you feel any safer from the threats surrounding you?"
"Shut your mouth."
Visible veins bulged at Hanzō's temple, his voice dropping to a dangerous register laced with pure anger.
"Can this aging demigod still keep those restless, ambitious souls properly in check?"
Tsunade toyed idly with her teacup, allowing a slight, knowing smile to play across her lips. "You've grown old, Hanzō. You've lost the magnanimous strength of your youth—reduced to nothing more than a paranoid, power-hungry tyrant clinging desperately to control."
"I said shut your mouth, Tsunade-hime!"
Having clearly struck a deeply sensitive nerve, bloodshot veins appeared prominently in Hanzō's eyes. His barely contained rage threatened to explode outward violently.
"Seeing you like this... it makes me feel genuine disgust."
Tsunade set down her teacup with deliberate finality and sneered openly. "Can you smell it, Hanzō? That rotten, putrid, foul stench of decay emanating directly from you?"
BOOM!!!
Suddenly, the entire chamber shook violently—the walls trembling from contained force.
A massive surge of chakra—like a breaking dam releasing devastating floods—erupted forth. It carried chilling killing intent that physically blew away nearby tatami mats.
In a blinding flash, the sharp sound of metal colliding against metal rang out with explosive force.
A visible shockwave rippled outward from the impact point.
Kazuki reacted with practiced speed, reaching out to pull Hikari protectively into his arms before leaping backward several meters to safety.
WHOOSH!
Dozens of Rain shinobi appeared instantly throughout the chamber—surrounding the Konoha delegation with openly hostile expressions and drawn weapons.
In the epicenter of swirling smoke and settling dust, Hanzō and Tsunade faced each other directly. Their fists were locked in perfect stalemate—both still seated in their original positions.
The surrounding floor, unable to withstand the tremendous impact of their colliding strength, had cracked dramatically outward like a massive spiderweb.
The True Purpose
Observing this explosive confrontation from his position, Kazuki finally understood completely why the Third Hokage had specifically sent Tsunade on this mission.
This was never about the seals.
This was a test.
The shinobi world currently existed in a state of extreme turbulence and volatility—balanced precariously on the edge of another great war.
At this critical juncture, Amegakure—positioned strategically between major powers—had become Konoha's primary concern and focus.
The Hidden Leaf needed to accurately assess Hanzō's current political stance and, more importantly, his remaining combat capabilities.
That was the Third Hokage's true objective.
The so-called investigation into the Warring States Period's Sealed History Records had been nothing more than convenient diplomatic pretext.
Politics and violence—forever intertwined in the shinobi world.
[End of Chapter 30]
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