"This ninja world is so evil, and there are influences in this regard. No wonder so many ninjas in the original work have extreme thoughts. It seems that it is not only a problem of brainwashing, but also the influence of the world."
Uchiha Kiyo inexplicably thought of the emperor in a certain catastrophe, which is equivalent to integrating the Dao of Responsibility into the world. But the Ninja world isn't the Dao of Responsibility; it's more akin to the rules of brainwashing and limiting thinking.
"Simply."
Uchiha Kiyo was speechless to the extreme but felt relieved after checking again.
"The impact is only temporary, not permanent. Before I was annihilated, it should have only been a shallow impact, and it will not be permanently affected. As long as I check myself at a fixed time, there will be no problem."
Uchiha Kiyo thought about An Lushan's affairs. He hadn't continued the chase at that time—wouldn't he have been affected as well?
In this case, it's still necessary to find a way to isolate the influence of the rules.
Moreover, another point: there are such rules, and Naruto's mouth escape does not really exist, right? No way?
Leaving a replacement at the core of the Dragon Vein, and setting up an isolation barrier to prevent detection, Uchiha Kiyo departed.
"First, to a black market and gather information."
In the Land of Wind, there was only one black market. The Land of Wind had too few surviving places, and its population wasn't large. Naturally, the black market had only set up a small stronghold within the Land of Wind, though it was based on the scale of the five major countries.
"Just a black market—there should be a lot of information."
Ma Jia's clone had been undercover in Sand Village for a long time in the original timeline. Naturally, the black market was frequented, and Uchiha Kiyo also knew the location of this black market.
Upon finding the black market, Uchiha Kiyo changed his appearance and entered.
Uchiha Kiyo, dressed in a white robe, stood out, but no one approached him.
Coming to the information station, Uchiha Kiyo changed his voice to a hoarse tone.
"Give me a copy of the major events in the ninja world from the past year, and also a copy of the specific information of the five major ninja villages."
The receptionist immediately understood.
This was a "strong man" who had lived in seclusion for a long time. Such people existed, though they were rare. Most were just jounin-level ninjas, but this one seemed unusual.
To gather the latest information on the ninja world and understand the situation in it was the first thing these ninjas did after they left seclusion.
"Two million taels," the receptionist said. "The situation in the ninja world has been tense recently, and the specific information of the five major ninja villages is very valuable."
Perhaps seeing the doubt in Uchiha Kiyo's eyes, the receptionist added an explanation.
Uchiha Kiyo handed over two million taels.
Time and space money should be universal, right? Anyway, Uchiha Kiyo didn't think there was anything unusual…
After receiving the information, Uchiha Kiyo looked through it on the spot. Despite the various illegal activities within the black market, no one dared to disturb him.
"Konoha 67 years?"
Uchiha Kiyo first judged the time from the newspaper, then continued scanning the information.
"Shayin Village was attacked? The Fifth Kazekage disappeared? The murderer was able to fly and used a technique similar to Explosive Release?"
Uchiha's eyes narrowed.
It seemed the Akatsuki organization had already started collecting the tailed beasts, but to what extent?
Though the black market information was detailed, they wouldn't release anything about the tailed beasts that easily. The proximity to Sand Village made it hard to conceal the situation, so they included that in the information.
Any information on other tailed beasts was, however, absent.
"A mysterious organization with black trench coats embroidered with red clouds?"
It seemed that the various forces in the ninja world had become aware of the Akatsuki organization's existence but didn't yet pay enough attention to it.
After finishing the reading, Uchiha Kiyo received his ninja kit and left the black market.
"I wonder how many tailed beasts they've already caught? Let's go to Konoha first."
As the strongest ninja village in the world, Konoha likely had the most complete intelligence. Maybe they could find something out there.
Also, Uchiha Kiyo wanted to see the Uchiha clan. Though he knew it was probably gone, he still wished to visit.
Fire Country.
Uchiha Kiyo, wearing his white robe, walked along the road, lost in thought.
"Hmm?"
Uchiha Kiyo stopped his contemplation and looked up at the grass nearby.
"Come out," he said lightly.
"Hey, you discovered me."
A ninja wearing an orange swirl mask and a black trench coat embroidered with red clouds emerged, acting erratically and sounding absurd.
It was Uchiha Obito.
Uchiha Kiyo frowned.
What was this guy up to? Clearly looking for me, yet I don't even know him. My presence was well hidden.
It was honestly quite annoying to bump into him. Obito, of all people?
The last thing Uchiha Kiyo wanted to face was Obito, especially with his Kamui.
Uchiha Kiyo didn't know why Obito suddenly appeared, and while he was wondering, Obito seemed equally strange.
"I was heading to Konoha, and yet I meet you here," Obito said. "But... why does this guy feel familiar? His presence is threatening."
Obito had been planning to observe Uchiha Kiyo from the shadows, but his confidence in the hidden abilities of Kamui had been shattered when Kiyo immediately discovered him.
"Ahahaha, you continue," Obito awkwardly laughed, preparing to leave.
But Kiyo wasn't about to let him go.
At this point, Uchiha Kiyo realized that Obito was acting alone.
"Pervert?" Uchiha Kiyo sneered.
Obito stopped, confused. How did this guy know him? No one outside the organization should know my true identity.
Uchiha Kiyo's lips twitched, a thought forming.
"Or should I call you Uchiha Madara?"
Obito turned to look at Kiyo. This person knew a lot. It must have been someone in the organization who leaked information. Nagato, Konan, and a few others knew about Madara, but it wasn't public knowledge.
Obito's expression changed when Kiyo named him.
"That's right. I am Madara Uchiha!" Obito dropped the pretense, speaking in a serious tone, trying to imitate Madara's usual demeanor.
The acting was good, but it lacked the domineering aura Madara was known for. Madara wouldn't hide his face or act so secretly.
Uchiha Kiyo's grin widened as he stared at Obito, trying to see through his facade.
Obito started to feel uneasy under the intense gaze. Why didn't his acting feel right?
"Heh, Madara Uchiha was a legendary figure. Though you imitated well, you still lack the true domineering presence. Madara would never hide like this," Kiyo teased.
Obito was still processing Kiyo's words when Kiyo hit him with a bombshell.
"Really, Uchiha Obito?"
Obito's eyes widened, his entire body tensing. His secret identity—how did this guy know?
A murderous aura erupted from Obito.
This guy must die!
Obito's thoughts were chaotic as he realized his secret could no longer be hidden. His identity could not be exposed—not now.
Uchiha Kiyo wasn't shaken by the murderous intent but smiled instead, amused by Obito's reaction.
Panicked—he's panicking.
Hey, you came looking for me, yet I'm the one causing trouble now?
Uchiha Kiyo chuckled internally as Obito was clearly off-balance.
Without warning, a kunai appeared at Uchiha Kiyo's neck, and Obito materialized before him.
"Not so fast. No need for such threats."
Just as Obito thought he had succeeded, Uchiha Kiyo's body turned into a puddle of mud.
"Hehe, you started it. Don't blame me for bullying the weak."
Kiyo's voice came from behind Obito.
"Where?"
Before Obito could react, Uchiha Kiyo struck.
"Wind Release: Blade of Wind!"
A long sword made of Wind Release Chakra materialized in Kiyo's hand. He slashed at Obito, but—
It was cut off.
Obito had entered his Kamui state.
"Tsk tsk, Kamui, an enviable technique."
Kiyo's voice carried a note of disdain as he quickly formed more hand seals.
"Qi Yuan Slash!"
Wind Release Chakra concentrated in sharp discs that hovered in front of Obito's distorted form. Under Kiyo's control, dozens of Qi Yuan Slashes circled around, each disc relentlessly targeting the blurry form of Obito.
Obito's pupils constricted violently. The storm inside his chest was intense.
This guy knows the weakness of Kamui!
The wind-based attacks weren't explosive, but their cutting power was terrifying. If Obito didn't act fast, he would be cut down.
His Kamui could only keep him in a blurred state for five minutes, but against Kiyo's relentless attacks, even his technique seemed insufficient.
Who is this guy? How does he know everything about me?
Seeing Obito's confusion, Uchiha Kiyo's sharingan eyes suddenly shifted.
Both of Kiyo's eyes turned to the iconic three tomoe of the Sharingan before shifting into the complex design of the Kaleidoscope Sharingan.
"Kaleidoscope Sharingan!"
Obito understood immediately. This man wasn't just any Uchiha—he was a formidable one, with an incredibly powerful sharingan.
Instinctively, Obito thought Kiyo's pupil technique was some kind of "All-Knowing" ability.
Kiyo didn't explain. Some techniques were meant to remain secret, as were the hidden abilities in his arsenal. Knowledge about an opponent's weakness could turn the tide of any battle—especially against someone at the super-shinobi level.