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Chapter 23 - Escalation of Conflict

The moment his words fell—

Another stream of information surged into their minds.

Cold.

Precise.

As if the space itself was revealing its rules.

[Notice: Mission cycle — 10 days]

[Notice: First mission completed → Personal Private Space unlocked]

Uchiha Xiuren's gaze shifted instinctively—

Toward the edge of the fractured platform.

There—

Within the void—

A simple, ancient door appeared.

Silent.

Still.

Visible only to him.

"…Looks like your room is ready."

Uchiha Mo spoke casually.

"Go take a look."

"You can shape it however you want."

"It's completely secure."

"Without your permission—"

"Even I can't enter."

Xiuren nodded.

Stepped forward.

And pushed the door open.

Inside—

Was not a room.

But a boundless—

Hazy—

Empty space.

Vast.

Limitless.

Waiting.

He understood immediately.

With a single thought—

He could construct anything.

A training ground.

A research laboratory.

A library.

Even—

A perfect replica of the Uchiha compound.

After a brief observation—

He stepped back.

The door vanished.

Without hesitation—

He opened the exchange interface.

And purchased—

Everything.

Every technique—

Under:

[World: Mr. Zombie]

In an instant—

A torrent of knowledge flooded his mind.

Refined.

Integrated.

As if he had practiced them—

Thousands of times.

[Points: 4541 → 641]

Mo watched calmly.

"Let's go."

"Anything else—tomorrow."

"Mm."

...

Xiuren opened his eyes.

Back in his room.

Cold.

Quiet.

Moonlight still lingered beyond the window—

As if nothing had happened.

He glanced at the clock.

"…Ten days in another world."

"Less than ten minutes here."

"…Remarkable."

His voice was low.

Thoughtful.

This wasn't just world travel.

It touched—

Time itself.

Even broken—

The Main God Space—

Was beyond anything in the ninja world.

At the same time—

He felt it clearly.

A connection.

Stable.

Constant.

With a single thought—

He could return.

And more importantly—

He would reappear—

At the exact same location.

This—

Changed everything.

Escape.

Re-entry.

Ambush.

Reset.

A battlefield tool.

A survival guarantee.

No wonder—

Mo had no fear of the clan.

With this—

Even the most dangerous situations—

Could be controlled.

"…So this is your confidence."

Xiuren murmured softly.

But—

There was a limit.

During rest periods—

Time flowed normally.

No acceleration.

No shortcuts.

No cheating.

One day inside—

One day outside.

...

Elsewhere—

Uchiha Mo smiled faintly.

"Xiuren should already be thinking about…"

"Abusing that 'return' function."

...

Morning.

Uchiha Mo dressed neatly.

His expression—

Returned to ordinary.

Unremarkable.

On the way to headquarters—

Several radical faction members glanced at him.

Nodded.

Then continued their discussion.

To them—

He was nothing.

Just another chūnin.

Insignificant.

Today's patrol—

Mo.

Xiuren.

Izumi.

But the area—

Had changed.

Around the Uchiha compound.

Multiple squads—

Positioned at key points.

Their expressions—

Cold.

A faint killing intent—

Lingering in the air.

This was no patrol.

This was defense.

Mo's brows furrowed slightly.

His voice lowered.

"Izumi…"

"Something feels off today."

"What else?"

Izumi didn't turn back.

"Last night."

"Some of our patrols spotted ANBU."

"Not one or two."

"Several."

"Acting suspiciously."

"The moment we noticed them—"

"They retreated."

Her fist tightened.

"If you ask me—"

"They're watching us."

"Preparing to act."

"The elders have already met."

"We're strengthening defenses."

Xiuren, walking behind—

Hesitated slightly.

"…Could it be a misunderstanding?"

"Maybe they were on another mission…"

"Xiuren!"

Izumi spun around sharply.

Her eyes—

Sharp.

"You're too naïve!"

"I know you hate conflict."

"But this isn't the time!"

"Shisui is dead!"

"And Itachi…"

"…has changed."

"The village keeps tightening the pressure."

"If we don't prepare—"

"Do we wait until the blade is at our throats?!"

Her voice—

Carried both anger—

And fear.

But—

No suspicion.

To her—

Mo and Xiuren—

Were simply Uchiha.

Flawed—

But not threats.

Xiuren shrank slightly.

"I understand…"

"I just worry…"

"This might escalate things…"

"It already has!"

Izumi cut him off.

"Some people just refuse to see it!"

Then—

She turned to Mo.

"What do you think?"

Mo's expression grew serious.

"You're right."

"It's better to be cautious."

"Strengthening defenses is necessary."

"…I just hope it doesn't come to that."

Izumi nodded.

Satisfied.

"Exactly."

"We can hope."

"But we can't rely on mercy."

She turned forward.

Determined.

Meanwhile—

Mo and Xiuren—

Exchanged a glance.

Brief.

Silent.

But full of meaning.

Because they both knew—

The conflict—

Had already begun.

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