c88: Familiarity With You
The conditions he mentioned essentially prevented Nishiyo Fujita from targeting ordinary, law-abiding civilians.
In this chaotic city, while the disappearance of civilians might not immediately attract scrutiny, most of them lacked sufficient physical strength or chakra to be viable experimental material.
Those with stronger constitutions typically fell into ambiguous societal categories gang members, missing-nin, rogue samurai, criminals, smugglers, and even black-market medics individuals who operated in gray zones outside lawful society.
There was no avoiding it. The pool of missing-nin, Wave Country shinobi, and independent chakra-wielding samurai residing in Uzushio's capital was limited. Capturing them all too quickly would certainly alert the Five Great Shinobi Villages particularly Konoha, whose historical alliance with Uzushiogakure made it especially sensitive to any disturbance here.
Moreover, such aggressive moves would spook the rest. In the chaotic ninja world, the rogue shinobi who managed to survive were hardly fools. Mass disappearances would draw attention. Once or twice might be passed off as coincidence or gang disputes, but more than that and someone would start digging.
Even the ever-observant ANBU of the Five Great Villages were not idle. Should multiple independent operatives go missing, they would launch investigations, relying on informants and sensory units. Though results might not be immediate, they would eventually trace things back to Fujita Nishiyo and he would have to be silenced in advance to protect the deeper secret.
Thus, the best strategy was a steady, covert harvest of souls and lifespan. It was subtle, sustainable, and kept the operation beneath suspicion. Over time, the cumulative gains would rival those of any large-scale offensive.
No resource could be wasted. After all, the practice of harvesting souls and lifespan was taboo even among missing-nin factions. Until he reached the apex of ninja power, Gen Uchiha had to exercise patience.
When does one truly stand at the summit of strength?
For him, it would be when the Mangekyō Sharingan is awakened combined with the base power and spiritual might he already possessed. At that point, he would stand at the top, regardless of how high the power ceiling of the ninja world rose.
He wasn't eager to trigger the trauma required for Mangekyō. Even if events mirrored the original timeline with Uchiha Shisui's demise and Uchiha Itachi's betrayal he would ensure he had the strength to protect himself and his loved ones on the fateful night of the Uchiha Clan Downfall.
As for Namikaze Minato's life or death it was secondary.
Should his Sharingan awaken and grant him enough strength to intervene, he could play the savior, secure his reputation, elevate the Uchiha name, and even rescue Minato.
But if he couldn't awaken it? Then so be it.
He would still try, but survival would depend on Minato's fate. He refused to recklessly harvest souls or hasten his plans just to save one man. His own future took precedence.
Even if Minato fell, he had faith that the Uchiha Clan, under his future leadership, would not repeat history. They wouldn't grovel for Konoha's trust. They would rise, with or without outside validation.
"Do you know how to subdue the targets once you locate them?" he asked calmly.
"My subordinates will host a celebratory banquet in their honor," Fujita Nishiyo replied. "We'll lace their food or wine with a paralytic to reduce them to helpless ghosts."
Gen curled his lips. As expected of a man from a wealthy underworld family quick-witted, ruthless, and effective.
"A good plan," he nodded, "but poison that kills is unsuitable. The test subjects must be alive. Render them powerless, but keep them breathing."
"Understood, my lord."
"Many of those missing-nin and rogue samurai possess Kekkei Genkai, forbidden techniques, or unusual chakra flow. Screen them thoroughly before acting. If one resists capture and causes a scene, it could unravel your entire operation."
"Your concern honors me, sir. I will leverage the Fujita family's information network to ensure no such errors occur."
"Good. How long until the first batch is ready?"
"Three days at most."
"Fine. I'll return then."
Gen Uchiha stood, wove a quick seal, and vanished into the shadows. A nearby window slid silently open.
"Farewell, my lord," Fujita bowed to the darkened space.
…
Three days later at dusk, in a private villa belonging to the Fujita family, more than twenty individuals including rogue-nin, wandering shinobi from the Land of Waves, and samurai gathered around an opulent dining table. The scents of grilled meat and sweet sake filled the hall.
Fujita Nishiyo, sharply dressed in a charcoal suit with a neatly tied gray-striped cravat, stood at the head of the table, wine glass raised, wearing a warm, deceptive smile.
Then it began. One samurai leaned back in his chair, appearing drunk. The others laughed, teasing him for his weak constitution. But then another collapsed face-first into his plate.
Then another. And another.
Only when half the table had gone silent did the others realize something was off. Some stood abruptly, questioning their host. But it was already too late.
Even the strongest among them could only mutter a sentence before their knees gave out. None managed to escape.
Fujita clapped slowly, walking around the table to bow respectfully as a masked figure descended from the villa's second floor.
"Well done," Uchiha Gen said with restrained approval.
"You honor me with your praise, my lord."
The captives were still semi-conscious some tried to resist the drug's effect, whispering threats or pleas, while others desperately struggled to channel chakra. None succeeded.
"Transport them to the outskirts," Gen ordered.
"Right away."
Five minutes later, three ox-drawn carriages bearing the Fujita crest departed from the rear gate. They traveled in silence under a moonless sky, covered by a thick shroud of clouds.
Flashlights cut through the darkness as the carriages stopped at a secluded, uninhabited field. Core retainers of the Fujita family and their masked enforcers offloaded the cargo quickly.
Soon, twenty-three prisoners lay on the ground like logs, spaced with precision.
Gen Uchiha, hands clasped behind his back, gave a slight nod. "Good work. Search them. You may keep anything valuable you find."
"Thank you, my lord!"
The enforcers immediately began stripping weapons, scrolls, and coin purses. While most valuables had already been taken, what remained was still a worthwhile haul for them.
The prisoners, though conscious, could only watch helplessly. Some glared, eyes filled with hate—but lacking dōjutsu, their stares were powerless. A few bolder guards struck those who glared too long.
Once the looting was done, the enforcers bowed again and departed with their reward. Only Uchiha Gen and the paralyzed victims remained under the night sky.
"Unfortunate for you," he said softly, forming hand seals. "But don't worry… it won't hurt."
Genjutsu: Crimson Nirvana Naraku.
Blood-red feathers began falling from the pitch-black sky. Those still aware instantly recognized it as genjutsu but they had no strength to dispel it.
One by one, they succumbed to hallucinations of their greatest fears.
With a cold expression, Uchiha Gen activated his Soul-Soul Fruit technique, gently harvesting their souls and lifespans. The expressions on the corpses froze in agony distorted masks of terror.
"Zhu Rong."
"Yes, Master."
A red streak shot through the air, revealing Zhu Rong, Gen's summoned beast. Aware of its role, it inhaled deeply.
Fwoosh!
A torrent of golden-orange flame erupted, engulfing the corpses. The fire spread swiftly, leaving nothing but ash and scorched earth.
When the flames subsided, Uchiha Gen whispered:
"Wind Release: Dancing Air Currents."
A gentle breeze carried the ashes into the night sky.
A flawless operation—clean, efficient, practiced.
"Let's go back and rest."
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