"Lukaku, are we really going to help the Uchiha sideline the Third Hokage?"
"Yeah! How much has the Third done for the village all these years? Everyone knows that! What right does some brat have?"
"If we recall all the jōnin currently on missions, the Uchiha won't be able to do anything!"
"Exactly! We could even seek assistance from the Land of Wind!"
At the same time—
On the ruins of the Hokage Tower, more and more figures gathered.
Led by the Ino–Shika–Chō clans, the Third Hokage's direct faction arrived one after another.
After the initial chaos faded, the clan heads gradually calmed down.
And once calm returned—
other thoughts followed.
Hearing this, Nara Shikaku let out a long sigh and gave a bitter smile.
"It's useless. You didn't see how strong that one is…"
"So I really hope everyone will cooperate."
"Cooperate?" Aburame Shibi's eyes flickered. "The Uchiha have already started checking accounts and subsidies. Do you all know what that means?"
The moment those words fell, silence spread.
Everyone present had deep ties to the Third.
Some were even closely connected to Danzō.
Naturally, village finances had long tilted heavily in their favor.
In other words—
a huge chunk of Konoha's deficit had flowed straight into their clans.
And now… an audit?
How do you audit that?!
Hand back decades of embezzled wealth?
"Impossible! Absolutely impossible!"
At this, Yamanaka Inoichi's expression turned oddly subtle.
"Anyway, the Uchiha already caused a huge scene once. As long as we stall and brush it off, this will die down sooner or later."
"I don't believe the Uchiha would really turn against every clan in Konoha over finances."
The moment he said this, relief appeared on many faces.
Delay.
No open rebellion.
No returning money.
Once the new broom's fire burns out, the Uchiha will naturally let it go.
Shikaku wanted to argue again—
but several clan heads were already smiling as they turned and left.
Satisfied.
At last, they could sleep peacefully.
In the blink of an eye, only the Nara, Akimichi, and a few others remained.
"…Sigh," Shikaku murmured. "I hope I'm just overthinking this…"
Uchiha compound.
After confirming that stepping left foot on right foot truly let him hover, Kaicouldn't help feeling delighted.
Earlier, while testing the Three Feet Domain, he'd had a sudden idea.
If the domain could condense into solid steps beneath his feet—
could he stay airborne?
Reality proved him right.
He was hovering now.
Like standing on rippling water, faint luminescence swaying beneath him.
Kaieven had a feeling—
if he released repulsive force beneath his feet, he could launch himself into the air.
Rustle, rustle, rustle.
Suddenly, the sound of insects writhing came from behind.
Poison mist slammed into an invisible barrier, sizzling violently.
A corpse-like stench filled the air, as if something had been scorched under sunlight.
"Did it fail?" Aburame Torune's eyes flickered.
Watching his treasured nano poison insects burn away in large numbers, his heart was strangely calm.
No waves at all.
Because all his attention was on his companion.
"Mind Body Switch Technique!"
Yamanaka Fū narrowed his eyes, his body snapping taut like a drawn bowstring.
This close—
this time it had to work!
As long as he controlled Kaifor even a moment, Torune's insects would reach his skin.
Then victory—or death—would be theirs to decide!
But—
even at point-blank range, Fū's mental assault struck Kai's mind like a clay ox sinking into the sea.
Not even a ripple.
"More… I need more!"
Fū clenched his teeth, draining every last shred of mental energy.
Just one opening—just one!
But the instant he tried to force his way in—
his brain felt like it had been smashed by a hammer.
Dizziness.
Blackened vision.
"Pff—"
Blood sprayed from his mouth.
His head felt like it was being stabbed again and again with needles.
"Failed… again?" Torune gritted his teeth and forced himself onward.
Bzzzzzz—
Even finer, denser purple dust poured from his sleeves, trying to seep through.
Watching their stubborn persistence, Kaishook his head.
"Middle of the night…"
"Disturbing my sleep."
He slowly raised his hand toward them, palm opening slightly.
And spoke softly:
"Shinra Tensei."
BOOM! BOOM!
A violent repulsive force exploded outward from the Three Feet Domain!
The two were smashed away like sacks of trash, slamming hard into a nearby tree!
Bang!
Thud.
They slid down like mud, unmoving—life or death unknown.
Kaiwilled it, and the steps beneath his feet released a gentle push, drifting him toward the tree.
He looked down at them from above.
"Danzō's loyal dogs?"
He grinned, lowering his foot onto their arms.
"Drop some loot."
[Defeated Aburame Torune. Attempting to copy traits.]
[Available traits: Jar Poison Technique (Purple), Nanoscopic Poison Insect Control (Blue), Poison Dust Technique (Blue), Poison Insect Affinity (Green), Poison Resistance (Green).]
[Defeated Yamanaka Fū. Attempting to copy traits.]
[Available traits: Mind Body Switch Technique (Purple), Mind Body Puppet Technique (Blue), Tachi Mastery (Blue), Perception (Green).]
[Copy successful. Congratulations, Host has obtained Excellent Trait: Nanoscopic Poison Insect Control (Blue): Able to control highly toxic nanoscopic insects.]
[Copy successful. Congratulations, Host has obtained Fine Trait: Perception (Green): Able to sense disturbances within a hundred-meter radius.]
Jackpot.
Kaismiled faintly and activated Nanoscopic Poison Insect Control.
He curled a finger and beckoned.
Bzzzzzz—
Instantly, massive swarms of nanoscopic poison insects poured out of Torune's body.
Dense.
Endless.
Like wind, like rain, like fog.
"This is—!"
Torune and Fū exchanged looks, smiles tugging at their lips.
This kid dared touch the poison insects?
He didn't even know how he'd die!
Everyone knew—
Torune's insects killed on contact.
Even he himself needed protective gear.
And now… Kaiwas calling them?
But as they watched—
Torune's smile froze.
Then shattered.
"How is this possible?!"
Above them—
the poison insects that once obeyed Torune without question now circled obediently before Kai's hand.
Docile.
Well-behaved.
Like a pet cat.
Not a single aggressive move.
Even the poisonous fumes they constantly exhaled were fully withdrawn.
"No… no… no… impossible! Impossible!!!"
Torune was stunned.
Completely stunned.
This wasn't shock anymore—
this was total collapse.
His secret art.
His poison insects.
Toyed with by a child.
This—
was more painful than watching someone mess with his girlfriend!
His eyes flooded with blood, turning terrifyingly red—almost like an Uchiha's.
"No… no… I won't allow this! I'll kill—"
Pshk!
In the middle of his scream, a poison insect crawled up—
and bit down on his ankle.
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