The Land of Hot Water is an ultra-thermal volcanic zone characterized by numerous hot springs and mountainous terrain. The largest volcanic remnant in this nation is the Valley of Hell.
This is a bizarre, jagged valley formed by lava after a massive volcanic eruption. Volcanic gases vent from the surface of grayish-yellow rocks, and the air is thick with the pungent stench of sulfur. As one passes by the vents in the rock walls, they emit roaring plumes of white steam, making visitors feel as though they are standing in a literal hell of fire. Smaller, nameless vents trickle water with a weeping sound, like cries rising from the depths of the earth.
The caravan entered a narrow path winding through the valley.
They soon crossed a barren gravel beach, successfully avoided the heavy miasma, and reached a cleared section of primeval forest dominated by Mizunara trees and bamboo. Deep within this forest lay their destination: The Uchiha Clan's defensive outpost, built atop the encircling cliffs of the Valley of Hell.
The caravan came to a halt in front of a row of newly constructed wooden houses. Setsuna Uchiha hopped down from the carriage followed by Ren Uchiha, who looked utterly drained after being lectured for the entire duration of the trip. Setsuna walked toward the Konoha reinforcement ninjas and spoke with a cold, stern expression:
"I thank you all for reinforcing the Valley of Hell."
"Your specific assignments will be issued shortly, and specialists will guide you through the local terrain. The main objective is cliff-side patrol and the elimination of members of the Chinoike Clan who have gone mad and crawled out of the valley."
"Be warned: those of you without the Sharingan must operate in groups of at least two for daily tasks. Otherwise, stay in the camp and go nowhere!"
"Furthermore, do not enter the camp with open wounds. Not even a scratch from a tree branch! That is all."
Setsuna Uchiha was a man of action. Having delivered the necessary warnings, he turned and walked away with his hands behind his back. Before leaving, he glanced back at Ren, who was standing obediently.
"Come find me after dinner. It is time you learned a few things."
With that, a group of Uchiha led the bound Kakuzu away, leaving Ren and the Konoha reinforcements behind. Because the old man's briefing was so brief, the group looked at each other in confusion.
"Groups of two? No wounds?" In the group, Shinnosuke Sarutobi frowned, looking perplexed.
Hizashi Hyuga, who had been silent throughout the journey, spoke up: "I know a bit about this. According to the Hyuga clan's records from the Warring States period, the Chinoike clan possesses a Dojutsu Bloodline Limit similar to our own: the Ketsuryūgan (Blood Dragon Eye)."
"This Dojutsu has 'Hypnotic Eye' capabilities that are not inferior to the Sharingan. Facing one of them is like facing an Uchiha. As you all know, in a one-on-one situation against an enemy with such genjutsu prowess, things become extremely dangerous."
"Hiss..."
The Konoha ninjas gasped. The shinobi world had a saying: "If you encounter an Uchiha one-on-one, you must flee." Now they were being told they had to face a "Hypnotic Eye" that could rival the Sharingan. It was no wonder Konoha had sent such elite reinforcements. This was an enemy that could not be underestimated.
"Lord Hizashi, then what about the 'no wounds' rule?" Kenji Hyuga, a member of Hizashi's squad, asked curiously. As a member of a branch family, he didn't have access to the same high-level secrets as Hizashi.
Hizashi paused, his brow furrowed. "Because it was so long ago, the records are vague. The Ketsuryūgan seems to be able to use blood as a medium to perform various unique ninjutsu. Only the Uchiha, who have guarded the Chinoike for generations, know the exact nature of those techniques."
The group instinctively turned their gaze toward Ren. Shinnosuke Sarutobi stepped forward and asked earnestly: "If Elder Setsuna said so, there must be a reason. Ren, do you know anything more about the specifics?"
Ren shook his head decisively. "Sorry, I don't know much either."
Having read the original story, Ren knew exactly what the old man was talking about. The Ketsuryūgan has the ability to create "Human Bombs."
By hypnotizing an enemy, a Ketsuryūgan user can inject chakra into the victim through a wound, manipulating their blood to turn them into a living bomb that can be detonated at will. Skilled users can even mask the fact that an encounter ever happened; a victim might think they were just scratched by a branch, only to return to their allies and explode, causing massive casualties.
However, Ren couldn't reveal this. He didn't have a credible source for such sensitive intel. He couldn't blame everything on Orochimaru. In this world, knowledge is a dangerous wealth, and Ren knew the proverb: "An ordinary man is innocent, but a man carrying a jade treasure is guilty." If someone realized how much he knew about the future, he wouldn't just be a talent—he'd be a target for dissection.
"I see..." Shinnosuke rubbed his temples with a sigh. "Everyone is exhausted from the journey. Let's rest. Ren, since the Great Elder is seeing you after dinner, please ask him for more details then."
Ren nodded. "No problem."
Meanwhile, in the Land of Frost:
The Kumo vanguard was stationed along the coast—the same area where the Allied Shinobi Forces would later fight the White Zetsu army in the Fourth Great Ninja War. The Kumo team that had retreated through the Land of Fields and the Land of Frost had finally returned to camp to report to A, the son of the Raikage and commander of the vanguard.
Inside the tent, A frowned deeply as he listened to the report and saw Killer Bee's tattered state, covered in burns and blade wounds.
"A twelve-year-old kid pushed Bee this far?" A mused. "Unique swordsmanship, massive Fire Style, and a way to make the Eight-Tails go berserk..."
He exhaled a heavy breath. "It doesn't matter. If Bee and I fight together, killing that brat won't be an issue. And the sooner, the better!"
A knew that a twelve-year-old genius grew stronger every day. With a Sharingan to copy techniques, who knew how strong he would be the next time they met? Konoha's "Yellow Flash" was already enough of a headache.
He turned to his assistant, the bespectacled, dark-skinned young woman, Mabui. "Mabui! Using the coordinates I gave you, contact the Chinoike clan in the Valley of Hell via the Heavenly Transfer Technique immediately. Have them coordinate with our move. Within three days, I want that brat's head!"
However, Mabui pushed up her glasses and shook her head calmly.
"No, Lord A. A message has arrived from the Daimyo in the capital of the Land of Lightning. A group of assassins calling themselves the 'Undying Heretics' has infiltrated the Daimyo's palace."
"Lord Raikage has specifically ordered you to head to the capital immediately to capture them. This concerns our funding for the upcoming Third Great Ninja War. Someone else will take over the operation at the Valley of Hell."
A froze. "Undying Heretics? What kind of low-life organization is that?"
Mabui looked at her files, her brow slightly knit. "Well... that part is actually quite strange. Because the leader of this organization shares the same name as the Konoha genius you want to kill."
"His name is... Ren Uchiha!"
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