Hiruzen opened his eyes and looked at his old partner, a hint of curiosity flashing in his gaze:
"Which ninja clan?"
A mysterious smile appeared on Homura Mitokado's face:
"The Chinoike clan."
Hiruzen frowned, confusion showing in his eyes.
He had never heard this name before.
Seeing this, Homura Mitokado explained unhurriedly:
"The Chinoike clan possesses a Kekkei Genkai: the Ketsuryugan."
"Similar to the Sharingan, the Ketsuryugan can also cast powerful genjutsu, but its focus is different."
"The Sharingan excels at perception and copying, while the Ketsuryugan is better at manipulating the blood within the human body."
He paused, his tone carrying a hint of admiration:
"In my view, the Chinoike clan has potential no less than the Uchiha."
"If we can recruit them, it will be enough to fill the gap left by the Uchiha's departure."
Hiruzen's eyes lit up upon hearing this:
"Are you confident you can win them over?"
Homura smiled:
"Of course. They would likely welcome it eagerly."
Hiruzen grew even more puzzled.
Homura explained:
"In ancient times, the Chinoike clan stood alongside the Uchiha clan, known as the Eyes of Ten Thousand Guests in the Land of a Thousand Guests."
"Both clans were employed by the Feudal Lord of the Land of Lightning, and they even intermarried, maintaining close relations."
He paused, his tone shifting:
"Later, due to a certain incident, conflict arose between them."
"The Chinoike clan was exiled by the Uchiha and sealed within Hell Valley in the Land of Hot Water, forced to remain in that sunless place for generations, harboring deep hatred toward the Uchiha clan."
"Now, for our Hidden Leaf Village, they can replace the Uchiha. And even better…"
A glint flashed in Homura's eyes.
"We can use the Chinoike clan's hatred toward the Uchiha to deal with the Uchiha in turn!"
Hearing this, a long-unseen smile finally appeared on Hiruzen's face.
He nodded repeatedly:
"Good! I'll leave this matter to you! Make sure to bring the Chinoike clan to the Hidden Leaf Village as soon as possible!"
Homura nodded slightly:
"Don't worry, leave it to me."
At that moment, a knock sounded at the office door.
A silver-haired Anbu pushed the door open and entered, kneeling on one knee:
"Hokage-sama, Shisui Uchiha has returned!"
"Come, follow me to take a look."
Hearing this, Hiruzen immediately stood and walked outside.
When he arrived at the Uchiha clan district, the sight before him left him frozen in place.
Empty.
There was nothing there.
The once vast Uchiha clan district, filled with rows of houses, was now nothing but bare land.
Houses, streets, walls, even the trees that had grown for decades…
All of it had vanished.
It was as if a god had reached down and taken the entire district away along with the very ground itself.
An Anbu couldn't help but exclaim:
"How… how is this possible?"
Another Anbu crouched down and touched the ground.
The soil was fresh, as if it had just been turned over.
At the edges were neat cut marks, as though severed in a single stroke by some invisible force.
"Hokage-sama… this…"
Hiruzen's expression gradually turned serious.
...
Land of Hot Water, Cerulean Harbor.
Gento stood on the open ground and took out a card from his clothes.
[Item Name: Clan Relocation Card]
⟩ Performs a spatial transfer of the entire clan area, including buildings and clan members. After use, the target area will be completely relocated to the designated location, with buildings, items, and personnel suffering no damage.
He took a deep breath and no longer hesitated.
"Use!"
The card in his hand turned into countless points of light and scattered.
The next second, Gento's vision abruptly changed.
It was as if he was floating high in the sky, overlooking the Uchiha clan district of the Hidden Leaf Village from a god's perspective.
With a thought, he activated it.
"Rise."
The entire Uchiha clan district, along with its foundation, walls, trees, and streets, was instantly enveloped by an invisible light.
In the next instant, the view shifted.
He overlooked the empty land beside Cerulean Harbor.
"Fall."
Boom!
A thunderous crash shook the earth.
A complete town appeared out of thin air, landing firmly onto the open ground.
Houses were neatly arranged, streets crisscrossing in order.
The Uchiha clan district had been completely relocated from the Hidden Leaf Village to the Land of Hot Water.
The dust gradually settled.
From the windows of the buildings, heads began to peek out one after another.
"Th-this… where is this place?"
Someone rubbed their eyes in disbelief.
"The sea! It's the sea!"
Someone pointed toward the distant blue ocean and cried out.
"That's… a port? What a bustling port!"
More people walked out of their homes, standing on the streets as they looked at the unfamiliar yet prosperous scene before them.
In the distance, the masts at Cerulean Harbor's docks stood like a forest, with merchant ships coming and going.
Nearby, their new homes were neatly arranged. The sea breeze brushed against their faces, and everything felt so fresh.
"We've really arrived in the Land of Hot Water!"
"What Shisui said was true!"
"Hahaha! From now on, we don't have to put up with those bastards from Leaf anymore!"
Cheers erupted from all directions, rising and falling one after another.
Children ran excitedly through the streets.
Women held their husbands' hands, gazing at the distant sea, their eyes full of longing.
At that moment, Shisui and Fugaku led a group of ninjas over quickly to Gento:
"Clan Head!"
Gento smiled and nodded:
"From this day on, our Uchiha clan has fully broken away from the Hidden Leaf Village. We will establish our own ninja village!"
He looked around at the clan members gathering nearby and said loudly:
"Everyone, put your heads together and come up with a resounding name for our new ninja village!"
Suppressing their shock at the relocation of the clan district, everyone began discussing excitedly.
"I think we should just call it Uchiha Village. Simple and direct!"
A young clan member was the first to suggest.
Someone beside him immediately refuted:
"What ninja village has two words? It sounds weird!"
"Then let's call it Hidden Uchiha Village! It represents us Uchiha perfectly!"
Another middle-aged ninja said loudly.
In the shinobi world, the casualty rate among ninjas was high.
A middle-aged ninja like him was already considered relatively senior within the clan.
Hearing this, many people shook their heads.
Hidden Uchiha Village…
It didn't sound quite right.
Was there a name that was both elegant and resounding?
Suddenly, one ninja's eyes lit up:
"Why not use the Clan Head's name? How about Hidden Gento Village?"
Everyone's eyes sparkled.
"Good! That's a great name!"
"Yes, yes! Let's call it Hidden Gento Village!"
"It's Clan Head Gento who led us to this good life today. I completely agree!"
"I agree!"
"I agree too!"
More and more people echoed, excitement shining on their faces.
Gento nodded as well.
Hidden Gento Village…
It did sound quite good.
He then continued:
"Alright, next is the design of the ninja village headband. Does anyone have any ideas?"
As soon as he finished speaking, almost everyone said in unison:
"Use our Uchiha clan crest!"
"Yes! Use the fan!"
"That way others will recognize us as Uchiha at a glance!"
"Good! That's a great suggestion!"
Everyone agreed enthusiastically, their faces full of pride.
Seeing their excitement, Gento's mouth twitched a bit.
The Uchiha clan crest…
That red fan design looked more and more like a ping-pong paddle to him.
He had originally had several alternative ideas in mind–flame patterns, Sharingan motifs, even designs incorporating the hot springs of the Land of Hot Water…
Albeit seeing everyone so enthusiastic, he could only swallow his words.
Fine. As long as you're happy.
And just like that, the major matter of establishing the ninja village was settled.
A moment after, a long-awaited system notification sounded in Gento's mind:
[Ding! Congratulations to the Host for completing the mission: Establish a Shinobi Village!]
[Reward: SSS-rank item - Divine Tree Seed]
Gento's heart trembled as he quickly checked.
A green seed appeared in his hand out of thin air.
The seed was about the size of a thumb, entirely emerald green, with faint light flowing across its surface.
Holding it in his hand, he could feel a warm and mysterious life force.
[Divine Tree Seed]
⟩ A supreme treasure originating from the Otsutsuki clan, the primordial form of the Divine Tree.
⟩ After planting, the Divine Tree will absorb the life energy of all living beings within its range through its roots, converting it into chakra to sustain its growth. As it grows, it will bear Divine Tree Fruit.
⟩ The Divine Tree Fruit contains immense life energy and chakra. Consuming it will gradually transform a ninja's body into the bloodline of the Otsutsuki clan, granting a lifespan and power beyond mortal limits.
⟩ Note: The growth of the Divine Tree requires continuous absorption of life energy. You may actively feed it life. If planted in a densely populated area, it will cause living beings within the area to gradually weaken or even die. Please carefully choose the planting location.
After reading the description, Gento's heart pounded.
An SSS-rank reward truly lived up to its name!
As long as the Divine Tree's growth could be ensured, his strength could be elevated to the Six Paths level!
At that point, even against those descending beings like Kaguya or Momoshiki, he might stand a chance!
As for the issue of absorbing life force…
The planting location of the Divine Tree would indeed need careful consideration.
It couldn't be in a densely populated area, but it also couldn't be too remote.
After all, it needed to continuously absorb life energy to grow.
As he was thinking, he suddenly felt two unfriendly gazes from behind.
Gento's heart tightened as he slowly turned around.
He saw Kushina Uzumaki approaching with Kurenai Yuhi, both radiating an imposing presence.
Kushina stood with her hands on her hips, her fiery red hair flowing in the sea breeze, a half-smile on her face.
Kurenai followed behind her with her arms crossed, her beautiful eyes filled with scrutiny.
Further back, Anko Mitarashi was holding a skewer of dango, watching the scene while eating.
Pakura leaned against a pillar, a gloating smile on her lips, her expression clearly saying, "You're done for."
Gento inwardly cried out in alarm.
…It seemed that during the past few days he had been in the Land of Hot Water, these women of his had gotten to "know" each other quite well in private.
...
TL: Decided to change "Bloodline Limit" to "Kekkei Genkai". Also, decided to just use the english honorifics instead of the JP.
...
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