Chapter 77: Revealing One’s Edge

Chapter 77: Chapter 77: Revealing One’s Edge

As Uchiha Xuan’s words fell, an indescribable sense of oppression inexplicably enveloped the entire command room.

Nara Shikarin looked up and saw that within Uchiha Xuan’s eye sockets, a pattern completely different from the Three-Tomoe Sharingan flickered with an eerie red light.

"!!!!"

After clearly seeing the eyes within Uchiha Xuan’s sockets, Nara Shikarin’s heart was filled with shock. At the same time, his mind raced rapidly.

A moment later...

"Let’s do it!"

.......

Night.

"So, we’re taking sides?"

Inside a small tent, three ninjas with distinct appearances, including Nara Shikarin, sat on a bed, chatting with serious expressions.

The question just asked was posed by Yamanaka Kenji, the "Ino" of this generation’s Ino-Shika-Cho trio, to Nara Shikarin.

"Whether we take sides or not depends on what happens next. If the Uchiha clan truly intends to ascend to that position... then we have no other choice.

After all, isn’t that person already siding with the Uchiha? Moreover, Uchiha Xuan successfully convinced me. Although I dislike war, it’s better for it to end in our generation.

Shikaku is lazy by nature, so let him have more time to sleep in. Even if the final outcome isn’t the best, we won’t be affected."

Nara Shikarin spoke with a calm expression.

"Understood. Then... should we communicate with Senior Torifu?"

Yamanaka Kenji nodded lightly. Although he didn’t fully understand what Nara Shikarin meant, he knew that following Shikarin’s lead was always the right move.

"Crunch, no need. Just talk to my dad. With his temperament, he’ll end up listening to Shikarin anyway."

Beside them, the Akimichi chubby guy, munching on potato chips, quietly interjected.

"Then it’s settled. You two go make preparations. Instruct the clansmen well—the Hidden Sand Village won’t be easy to take down. So, make sure to stay close behind the Uchiha ninjas. On the battlefield, only these Uchiha are the most reliable."

Upon hearing this, Nara Shikarin paid it no mind and simply spoke softly to the two, giving them instructions. The three clans of Ino-Shika-Cho coexisted, and in matters of decision-making, the "Shika" always had the final say.

"Understood. We’ll go make arrangements now."

Yamanaka Kenji nodded upon hearing this, stood up, and left Nara Shikarin’s tent together with the Akimichi chubby guy.

Watching the two leave, Nara Shikarin leaned back against the headboard of the bed, closed his eyes, and kept recalling those eyes that were completely different from the Three-Tomoe Sharingan.

"Truly... it’s hard not to take sides. To possess eyes like Uchiha Madara’s at just over ten years old... This almost indicates that he will be a ninja on the level of the next First Hokage.

The current Konohagakure has no new Wood Release ninjas. Or rather, the entire Ninja World now lacks a new Senju Hashirama to stop a new Uchiha Madara. Sigh... troublesome."

.......

In the northern desert of the Land of Wind.

Dozens of ninja wearing Hidden Sand forehead protectors stood coldly at the edge of a cliff, gazing toward the direction of the Land of Fire.

At their forefront was the Third Kazekage of the Hidden Sand Village—the man known as the strongest Kazekage in legend.

Those standing beside him were, at the very least, Elite Jonin. These individuals represented the limited high-level combat strength of the current Hidden Sand Village.

"To recall me so urgently from the Land of Fire, Lord Kazekage... is Konohagakure truly planning to directly invade the Land of Wind and attack our Hidden Sand Village?"

Beside the Third Kazekage, a female ninja with her back exposed stared ahead and spoke with a hint of doubt.

"The source of the information is the same shadowy figure who previously provided us with intelligence on Uzushiogakure and Hanzo of the Salamander. Judging by subsequent events, his information has indeed been accurate.

However, someone who stirs up trouble from the shadows while possessing such intimate knowledge of all sides... Hmph. Still, such a person proves quite useful in times like these.

The Uchiha clan... I never expected Sarutobi Hiruzen to actually unleash that clan. And that ninja named Uchiha Xuan...

If what that shadowy figure says is true... eyes like those of Uchiha Madara. Konohagakure truly is blessed by the heavens.

But now that their information is in our hands... I suppose I’ll reluctantly take those eyes for myself."

The Third Kazekage kept his gaze fixed ahead as he solemnly answered Pakura’s question.

"He’s just a teenager, barely more than a child. Only a failure like Rasa would—"

Upon hearing this, Pakura curled her lip. Though she knew that Rasa—with whom she had always been at odds—had died at the hands of Uchiha Xuan, in her view, Rasa’s death was merely the result of being surrounded by Konoha ninja and his own underestimation of the enemy.

"Pakura, set aside your contempt. With Rasa dead, you are the most likely candidate to succeed me. In this position, you must never underestimate anyone.

Because the meaning of this position has never been about power—it is about the fate of the entire Hidden Sand Village. Moreover, an Uchiha who has awakened eyes like Madara’s should not be taken lightly."

The Third Kazekage sternly cut off Pakura’s next words.

Deep down, the Third Kazekage was not satisfied with Pakura. For the position of the Fourth Kazekage, his ideal successor had always been a Magnet Release user like Rasa.

But now... that perfect successor had died on the battlefield. For the future of the Hidden Sand Village, he had no choice but to set aside his personal dissatisfaction.

Until a new Magnet Release ninja could rise to prominence, Pakura was indeed the best candidate for the Fourth Kazekage.

"Lord Kazekage, this isn’t about contempt. It’s just... mobilizing so many of us for the sake of one Uchiha Xuan... If the village were to be attacked at this moment... I’m merely concerned."

Upon hearing this, Pakura lowered her head slightly and spoke softly. She held great respect for the Third Kazekage.

"No need to worry. Konohagakure’s movements have been under constant surveillance by that mysterious figure in the shadows. Their route... leads them right here."

The Third Kazekage continued to gaze straight ahead, yet beyond the reach of his vision, pairs of crimson eyes flickered with an eerie red glow amidst the swirling sand.

Uchiha Xuan stood at the forefront of the Uchiha ninja, smiling as he looked toward the position where the Third Kazekage and his companions were.

"Showing off your edge, I see."