[Read up to 69 Chapters in advance on P atreon at: p-atreon.com/Knockturn_Alley]
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Uchiha Police Station, Konohagakure
Seated in his office chair, Kanzou listened to Souta's report while his gaze remained fixed on Tsubaki, who stood before him with a tense expression.
"Well… whoever it was, Tsubaki-san engaged the intruder," Souta explained. "However, she failed to prevent their escape. The station was searched thoroughly afterward, but no further traces were found. We also conducted a complete inspection of all prisoners; none are missing. It's hard to determine who the target was, and as for the intruder's identity… since they were using a Transparency Jutsu, Tsubaki-san was unable to identify them."
"I see…" Kanzou murmured, tapping his chin thoughtfully before turning his gaze toward the kunoichi. "Tsubaki-san… do you have anything to say for yourself?"
Tsubaki lowered her head nervously, her voice trembling. "Please forgive me, Patriarch… I—I tried my best, but… I don't know how that person managed to escape…"
She had truly fought with everything she had, yet the intruder had vanished before her eyes; it was completely unexpected. Even after searching, she couldn't find a single trace. Now, standing before Kanzou, she didn't know how to justify her failure. Her stomach churned with worry, fearing punishment for her mistake.
But Kanzou merely shrugged. "It's fine. Since you've apologized, it doesn't matter."
"Huh?" Both Tsubaki and Souta looked stunned. Neither of them had expected Kanzou to dismiss such a failure so casually.
"I can probably guess who the intruder was, who he came for, and what Jutsu he used to vanish like that," Kanzou said calmly. "So, it's not really your fault. Considering who it was and the jutsu he uses, it's no surprise you couldn't stop him or track him down afterward. I don't blame you."
From Tsubaki's description, Kanzou was certain the intruder had been Namikaze Minato. The disappearance could only have been the result of the Flying Raijin Jutsu. Stopping someone who could use that technique was almost impossible; no one in the entire Uchiha Clan, or even in all of Konoha, could do it. Not unless they had his level of power, and even then, he would've needed to rely on his Amenotokotachi.
Knowing that, there was no reason to blame Tsubaki for failing.
As for why Minato would risk breaking into the Police Station, it was obvious. He had come for Jiraiya and his two squadmates. Unfortunately for him, Kanzou had already transferred them to the Isolation Chambers hidden within the Uchiha Compound. And the exact location of those chambers was known only to him and the Zodiacs.
Even if Minato had managed to capture Tsubaki, it wouldn't have made a difference.
Hearing Kanzou's words, Tsubaki felt relieved and bowed to him. "Thank you, Patriarch…" She was really moved that Kanzou hadn't punished her for her failure. Before this, knowing Kanzou's ruthless nature, she was really worried that he'd punish her for her failure… unexpectedly, he didn't blame her at all.
Kanzou waved his hand, saying, "Alright… if there's nothing else… then you two can go… I have things to handle…"
Souta and Tsubaki bowed and left his office… as Kanzou took out a notebook along with a scroll and began to scribble something on it while studying the Scroll…
"The Mark of Ownership… I suppose it's time I begin designing it," Kanzou murmured with a smirk, his fingers tracing the outline of a heart-shaped symbol as he etched intricate sealing patterns around it.
Of course, this wasn't just another variation of the Flying Raijin mark; Kanzou was constructing something far more intricate, layered with multiple integrated functions beyond a simple teleportation seal.
He planned to merge Summoning Jutsu into the mark, allowing him to summon any of the women he owned directly to his side whenever he wished. He would also embed chakra transfer and control arrays, giving him the ability to both drain and bestow chakra at will. With an additional layer to seal their chakra entirely, ensuring they couldn't use it when he doesn't want them to.
'Suicide prevention is also essential,' he mused. 'After all, not every woman would have a Nine-Tailed fox sealed inside her to keep her alive under my control.'
Beyond these practical functions, Kanzou intended to include a few… personalized features such as pain infliction, burn infliction, and so on to indulge his sadistic whims…
Altogether, these were the key elements he envisioned for his Mark of Ownership.
'But then again… this mark is extremely complicated… will I even be able to create it?' Kanzou wondered, a flicker of doubt crossing his mind.
If he were being honest, the Mark of Ownership he envisioned was perhaps even more complex than the Hyuga Clan's Caged Bird Cursed Seal, which can easily be considered one of the most complex Cursed Marks in existence.
Compared to that, the Mark of Ownership would be much more complex.
The construction of such a mark would require an exceptional level of mastery in Fuinjutsu and an immense amount of time.
Although Kanzou has gained a decent level of understanding of Fuinjutsu… but… he isn't sure if his understanding is enough for that level.
'It doesn't matter… I'll create it anyway,' he resolved firmly. No matter how long it took, he intended to devote himself completely to perfecting the mark exactly as he desired.
After all, once it was complete, it would make everything far more… interesting.
'Fufu… it'll be quite fun to brand the women I own with this mark of ownership,' Kanzou thought, licking his lips with a dark, sadistic grin, and delved into creating the mark as per his desire.
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Somewhere in Konohagakure
While Kanzou was occupied with the creation of the Mark of Ownership, Uchiha Makoto and Uchiha Seiji quietly made their way to a tea shop.
After entering the shop and being led by the owner to a concealed underground chamber, the two men came face to face with three men wearing ANBU's uniform and mask waiting inside.
Their eyes immediately fixed on the man standing at the center and on the left.
"Fugaku-sama…" they greeted hesitantly, their expressions uneasy and conflicted as they looked at the man who was once the heir of their clan but now lived in exile.
Indeed, the ANBU at the center was none other than Fugaku himself, who, after being expelled from the Uchiha Clan, has now become the ANBU commander. The ANBU to his right was Akito, another Uchiha who had been expelled alongside him, while the one to his left was a loyal subordinate of Hiruzen's, assigned to accompany Fugaku.
Officially, this man was placed beside Fugaku to assist him in adjusting to the ANBU division. But the real reason was to ensure Fugaku didn't deceive or betray Hiruzen's trust. It was only natural for Hiruzen to keep a close watch; after all, he didn't fully trust Fugaku yet.
Fugaku understood that perfectly well, but he didn't care. Or rather, it wasn't as if he had any choice in the matter.
Putting that aside, he looked at the Clansmen with a cold, unreadable gaze. Deep down, he was far from pleased to see them. When he had been expelled from the clan, neither Makoto nor Seiji had stood by him; they had chosen neutrality, allowing Kanzou's faction to cast him out in disgrace. The memory still stung, and resentment simmered beneath his calm exterior.
Even so, he didn't let his displeasure show. Instead, he said flatly, "You came."
Despite his tone and displeasure underneath, there was also a hint of relief in his eyes. He hadn't been sure they would answer his summons, but the fact that they did was, at least, something.
Just then, Akiko asked, "What about Tsubaki-san? Did she refuse to come?"
Fugaku also looked at them for the same answer. After all, Tsubaki is one of the clan's elite jōnin, and her presence is certainly something he wants among his people.
Makoto shook his head. "We didn't get the chance to inform her. She's kept under watch because of something that happened last night."
Seiji added quietly, "And even if we had… I doubt Tsubaki-san would've agreed to come."
Fugaku was silent for a moment, hearing their response, then shook his head, "It doesn't matter…"
"So then… why did you call us here? You should know how dangerous this is for us," Makoto said sharply, his tone low but tense. "If word gets out that we met you… it could mean our deaths, or, at the very least, exile."
In fact, Makoto hadn't wanted to meet Fugaku at all. But as the son of the late Uchiha Dōma, and now the ANBU Commander, Fugaku still carried weight. Out of lingering loyalty to Uchiha Dōma's memory, Makoto came. Even so, caution gripped him tightly.
If Kanzou learned of this meeting, the consequences would be catastrophic. He had seen what happened to Uchiha Araki and his family. Kanzou was merciless to those who betrayed him. If Makoto wasn't loyal to Dōma's memory, he would have stayed far away.
Seiji's case, however, was different. As the son of the late Uchiha Kagami, he had inherited his father's sense of loyalty to the village rather than the clan. Because of that, he deeply despised Kanzou's methods and the clansmen's growing arrogance. When Fugaku reached out, Seiji saw the meeting as a chance, perhaps as an extension of the Hokage's will, to find a way to stop Kanzou's lawlessness and put the Uchiha on the right path.
Indeed, even though his own son was personally being trained by one of Kanzou's most loyal subordinates and enjoying every privilege under the new Patriarch's rule, Seiji didn't seem to care about that as much. What concerned him was the clan's path, its gradual descent into lawlessness, and its growing hostility toward the village.
He wanted to prevent conflict between the Uchiha and Konoha and ensure that the Clan remained loyal to Konoha, just as his father had once tried.
If Kanzou were present and heard Seiji's thoughts, he would have sneered at the man, "Like Father, like son… Kagami was a dog, and so, naturally, his son is one too."
Anyway…
Fugaku turned his sharp gaze toward Makoto and Seiji before speaking bluntly. "The reason I called you here is simple," he said, his tone cold and resolute. "I intend to reclaim what that bastard Kanzou stole from me. I will take back my position and become the Patriarch of the Uchiha Clan once again."
Makoto sighed; he'd half-expected Fugaku to say as much.
While he respected Fugaku's resolve to reclaim what was taken from him, he couldn't hide his scepticism.
"Fugaku-sama, this is unrealistic," he said, shaking his head. "How do you plan to do it? Do you have the strength to defeat Kanzou-sama? Do you have subordinates who can stand against Mikoto-sama? Remember, both of them possess the Mangekyō Sharingan. You should know better than me what that means."
Fugaku fell silent under the weight of the question.
Makoto pressed on. "Unless you've awakened the Mangekyō yourself, your ambitions are nothing more than delusions. And it's not just those two; there are also Uchiha Shin, Uchiha Souta, and Uchiha Hazuki. Those three and their followers won't be easy to handle."
Fugaku met his gaze steadily. "Which is why I need the support of our clansmen," he said firmly. "If the clan stands behind me instead of Kanzou, I can overturn this. Kanzou's subordinates alone can't suppress the entire Uchiha clan."
Makoto frowned. "I highly doubt the clan would support you, especially after what you did to Mikoto-sama."
Fugaku's expression darkened into a scowl. "Do you really believe those lies?" he snapped. "It was all a setup, fabricated by that bastard Kanzou and that bitch Mikoto! I never ordered her to seduce him. They were already involved long before I even broke off my engagement with her!"
Of course, he conveniently left out the part where he had agreed to break off his engagement with Mikoto and hand her over to Kanzou, without even asking for her opinion, in exchange for political support.
At the time, even though he hadn't fully trusted Kanzou or believed his promises, he had still allowed himself to be tempted into selling Mikoto out.
And in the end, that decision had cost him everything, leaving him exiled from the clan like a disgraced dog.
Kanzou had outplayed him from the very start, exploiting his ambition and his arrogance. And though Fugaku knew the truth in his heart, he refused to take responsibility for his own choices.
Makoto, who didn't know of these things, fell silent for a moment.
Knowing Fugaku from a young age, he didn't truly believe Fugaku would order his fiancée to seduce another man, and knowing Kanzou, it wouldn't be surprising if Kanzou and Mikoto had colluded to frame him.
At the same time, Makoto wasn't certain: Mikoto's reputation suggested she wasn't the type to enter an illicit relationship with someone who wasn't her fiancé. She was far too dignified and well taught for that to be the case.
Hence, the whole matter was delicate and hard to judge.
He decided not to make any judgments for the time being and instead decided to bypass it.
"Alright, let's assume you're right and you were framed," he said, fixing his gaze on Fugaku. "How do you plan to convince the rest of the clan? No one would accept your words over Kanzou-sama and Mikoto-sama's."
After all, when it came down to it, the clansmen would sooner believe the words of their current Patriarch than those of a disgraced man who'd been exiled. Even in the off chance Fugaku somehow managed to convince them of his innocence, it wouldn't matter much in his fight to attain what he lost.
Yes, the clansmen might care a little that he'd been framed, but it wouldn't erase the fact that he was defeated by Kanzou.
At best, he might reclaim a shred of reputation and honor, that too assuming Kanzou and Mikoto didn't mind the truth spreading and chose not to act against him, which Makoto seriously doubts, but beyond that, nothing else would change because Fugaku doesn't have the strength to be the Patriarch… let alone defeating Kanzou… he probably can't even defeat Mikoto…
That was why Makoto wasn't confident in Fugaku's chances.
"I don't intend to convince anyone about Kanzou and Mikoto's lies; it's my personal vendetta against them. I won't drag the entire clan into it," Fugaku said firmly.
He also knew that exposing the truth about that matter wouldn't accomplish much, so he didn't plan to rely on it. Instead, he shifted focus to a far more pressing concern, one that he was certain many clansmen already shared, including Makoto.
"What truly matters," Fugaku continued, "is making everyone see that under Kanzou's leadership, the clan is marching straight toward destruction."
"Marching towards destruction?" Makoto blinked at the words that Fugaku suddenly spoke.
"That's right… Isn't this the case?" nodded Fugaku. Leaning forward slightly, he continued, "You should already know how much enmity the clan has earned from the rest of the village in the recent months. Every major clan, the Hyuga, the Inuzuka, the Sarutobi, the Aburame, they're all dissatisfied with the Uchiha, and this dissatisfaction is constantly growing. There is only a limit to which people can continue to tolerate… and sooner or later, it would reach a point that it would only take a single spark for the entire village to unite against the Uchiha. And when that happens… what do you think the outcome will be?"
Makoto didn't want to admit it, but he already knew the answer: if the entire village united against the Uchiha Clan… the best case would be expulsion from the village or being pushed to the very edge, and the worst cast would be the Clan's annihilation.
Still, he tried to resist the thought. "Both Kanzou-sama and Mikoto-sama possess the Mangekyō Sharingan… with them…"
"Hah… the Mangekyō Sharingan," Fugaku scoffed. "It's not invincible, you know. That Dōjutsu carries a fatal limitation; every use brings blindness closer. Sooner or later, both of them will lose their sight. And neither of them has a sibling… meaning they'll never awaken the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan. When that happens, what then? The Uchiha Clan would no longer have enough power to protect themselves… Kanzou and Mikoto themselves would die a dog's and a bitch's death; I'll see to that personally. As for everyone else, their fate will depend on the choices they make."
Makoto fell silent, unsure how to respond. He knew all too well that the Mangekyō Sharingan came with grave side effects. Sooner or later, Kanzou and Mikoto would lose their sight, and with it, the overwhelming power that kept the clan untouchable.
When that day came… what fate would await the Uchiha, who had already earned the dissatisfaction and hatred of nearly every clan in the village? The answer was clear enough in his mind, though he wished it weren't. It was a grim reality, one he desperately wanted to deny, but could not ignore.
Just then, Seiji, who had been quiet until now, finally spoke. "Fugaku-sama… what does Hokage-sama think about all this?"
So far, despite everything Kanzou had done, Sarutobi Hiruzen had remained silent. That silence alone was the reason the other clans continued to restrain their anger and dissatisfaction toward the Uchiha.
They wanted the Hokage to take action, they wanted him to put down the Uchiha's arrogance and their lawlessness… but he hadn't.
Or rather, he hadn't dared to.
The one time he tried, Kanzou had trapped him in a Genjutsu, leaving him bedridden ever since. Now, all he could do was send ANBU to search for Senju Tsunade so that she could return to the village and heal him.
Those unaware of these details, like Uchiha Seiji, believed that sooner or later, the Hokage would no longer be able to remain silent or tolerate the Uchiha's insolence, no matter how magnanimous his heart. And when the Hokage finally takes action, the other clans would undoubtedly follow his lead and join forces with him against the Uchiha.
It was precisely why Seiji asked; he wanted to understand the Hokage's stance.
Hearing Seiji's question, Makoto turned his gaze toward Fugaku as well, waiting for his answer.
"Kanzou was the one responsible for the death of Hokage-sama's eldest son," Fugaku said sharply. "What do you think Hokage-sama's stance would be?"
He didn't need to explain further; both Makoto and Seiji understood perfectly well. Even a man as magnanimous and great as Sarutobi Hiruzen could never forgive the one responsible for his eldest son's death.
Fugaku continued, "Hokage-sama too has grown more and more dissatisfied with the Uchiha Clan… and despite being given repeated warnings, Kanzou hasn't shown any intention of improving… not only that, he even dared to attack the two elder advisors as well as Hokage-sama using his Mangekyō Sharingan… that is an open act of rebellion against the village…" and added after a pause, "And now to make matters worse, Kanzou has erected that barrier formation around the Clan Compound. What the hell kind of message would that send? In the first place, what is that barrier formation about? Why create such a thing? What is he hiding behind it? Is he preparing for war against the village?"
At this, both Makoto and Seiji shook their heads. "We don't know much," Makoto admitted. "We were only told it's meant to block outside surveillance from Hokage-sama's ANBU, Shimura Danzō's Root, and the Hyugas. As for what Kanzou-sama is really doing… we weren't told anything... perhaps Mikoto-sama would know… or maybe Shin, Souta, and Hazuki would know… But even if they do know… they won't talk about it without Kanzou-sama's permission."
Fugaku snorted. "Hmph, it doesn't matter… Kanzou must have realized his days are numbered. That barrier is likely his way to conceal his preparations for war." He paused before adding grimly, "Hokage-sama is also making up his mind to deal with Kanzou. Preparations are already underway; it's only a matter of time. A clash between the Uchiha and the village is now inevitable."
Of course, all of this was merely Fugaku's hope, speculation, and a method to deter Makoto and Seiji.
While he certainly wants this to happen to exact his vengeance on Kanzou and Mikoto, he is not completely certain whether it will really happen any time soon.
After all, even he feels that Hiruzen hadn't truly committed himself to confronting Kanzou.
And indeed he is right… Hiruzen still wants to avoid the conflict with the Uchiha Clan.
It wasn't out of pacifism, aversion to conflict, or anything like that, in his heart, he couldn't help but want to tear apart Kanzou limb from limb… but out of fear of the potential consequences that would come from clashing with the Uchiha Clan, he didn't dare even try.
Uchiha Kanzou's strength had really scared him and traumatized him… and he doesn't want to conflict with Kanzou and his Uchiha Clan at all. In fact, at the moment, even at this very moment, he is still hoping to resolve any possible crises against the Uchiha Clan without bloodshed.
Even the preparations he is trying to make are purely defensive, measures meant only to respond if and only if the Uchiha clan struck first.
Which means, unless Kanzou initiated hostilities, Hiruzen had no intention of striking first.
Especially if his current state is considered.
With his injuries still severe and his combat ability greatly diminished, he was in no condition to lead a direct confrontation. On top of that, he had to remain cautious of the other hidden villages, which made him reluctant to take any action that could weaken Konoha and give other nations a chance to attack the Land of Fire.
Thus, at the moment, Hiruzen pinned his hopes on Fugaku, hoping he could stir internal change within the clan. If Fugaku succeeded in rallying enough support and shifting the balance from within, only then would Hiruzen step forward to support him openly.
But Makoto and Seiji, unaware of the full story behind the scenes, grew visibly tense upon hearing Fugaku's words.
Fugaku, noticing their unease, continued calmly, "There's no need to worry. I have Hokage-sama's assurance, once Kanzou, Mikoto, and their loyalists are eliminated, the rest of the clan will be spared as long as they surrender. He's also promised that no harm will come to the civilians."
Hearing this, both of them breathed a sigh of relief…
Fugaku was pleased with their reactions and said, "So… this is the moment of decision. What will it be? Will you continue to follow Kanzou on his doomed path, or will you stand with me and have a better future?"
Seiji nodded without hesitation. "I never agreed with Kanzou's methods to begin with. His actions are only deepening the village's hostility toward us. Compared to him, you, now the ANBU Commander with Hokage-sama's support, are the far better choice."
After all, the position of ANBU Commander was one of the highest in Konoha, second only to the Hokage and his elder advisors. Fugaku holding that rank made him a far more credible leader for the Uchiha Clan.
To Seiji, it was simple: Fugaku had the Hokage's trust and backing, just like his father, Kagami, once had backing from the Nidaime Hokage Senju Tobirama and later from Hiruzen. That kind of trust was what allowed the Uchiha Clan its peace and trust… something Kanzou utterly lacks and doesn't even intend to strive for.
As the ANBU Commander, Fugaku held one of the highest positions in the village. If he played his cards right, he could even become the next Hokage… indeed, Seiji even feels that Fugaku may have a solid chance of becoming the Godaime Hokage… or at the very least, an elder advisor, much like his father would have been if not for his untimely death on a secret mission.
Thus, Uchiha Seiji, the son of Uchiha Kagami and the father of Uchiha Shisui, is firmly willing to support Fugaku.
Although Fugaku knew that Seiji's support came more from the Hokage's influence than his own merits, he was still somewhat satisfied. Having some support was better than nothing… moreover, this was just the start… sooner or later, he'd be sure to have most of the Clansmen's support.
With that in mind, he turned his gaze toward Makoto and questioned him, "And what about you?"
Unlike Seiji, Makoto was hesitant to pledge his support to Fugaku right away. The weight of everyone's expectant gazes pressed heavily on him, making it difficult to speak.
He wasn't sure if siding with Fugaku was truly the right choice just because Hiruzen happened to back him.
What if Hiruzen decided to abandon Fugaku later?
After all, it hadn't been long since Hiruzen had cast aside Araki; what guarantee was there that he wouldn't do the same again?
By contrast, Makoto knew that Kanzou, ruthless as he was and doomed as his leadership seemed, would never abandon those loyal to him. That much, he felt quite certain of. The only problem… was that Kanzou's path was leading the entire clan toward destruction, and Makoto couldn't deny it.
So the choice before Makoto was a bitter one, to follow someone known for abandoning allies when things got difficult, or to side with someone who'd never abandon him but would inevitably lead him to his death.
'Heh… what kind of choice is this?' Makoto laughed internally at himself. He'd never imagined he'd face such a dilemma.
Seeing his silence, Fugaku frowned. "What's the problem? Are you unable to make a decision?"
In truth, Fugaku had been worried that Makoto might refuse to support him—or worse, report everything to Kanzou. That possibility was very real, and Fugaku knew it could easily earn Makoto greater favor in Kanzou's eyes.
'If that had happened… then I would've had no choice…' he thought, a cold glint flashing in his eyes. The thought of eliminating Makoto had already crossed his mind.
Makoto pressed his lips together, clearly wanting to say something, perhaps even question Fugaku directly, but with others present, he held his tongue.
Fugaku seemed to notice his hesitation. His Sharingan spun to life as his gaze locked onto Makoto's, and in an instant, Makoto found himself drawn into a genjutsu.
Within that silent illusory space, Fugaku's voice echoed clearly in his mind. "Did you want to say something but held back because of the others?"
Makoto exhaled softly, then straightened his posture within the illusion. His tone turned serious as he asked, "Fugaku-sama… do you truly trust the Hokage?"
"Is that what's troubling you?" Fugaku asked, a hint of surprise flickering in his eyes. Still, he couldn't help but feel a bit satisfied. Makoto's doubt showed he wasn't a fool.
"I'm not an idiot, Makoto," Fugaku said calmly. "To place complete trust in Sarutobi Hiruzen would be sheer stupidity."
"I see… that's a relief," Makoto admitted, genuinely reassured. Hearing those words confirmed to him that Fugaku truly was Uchiha Dōma's son. Fugaku might have lost to Kanzou before, outmatched by that young man's cunning, ruthlessness, and deceit, but he is his father's son and might be able to overturn the situation.
After all, Dōma himself had once faced a similar struggle before becoming patriarch. He had stood against strong rivals, Kagami, Naka, and others, and yet, in the end, it was Dōma who prevailed.
Perhaps Fugaku, like his late father, would also reclaim the position of the Patriarch one day.
Makoto nodded with new resolve, breaking free of Fugaku's genjutsu. "Very well then," he said firmly. "I'll support you too."
Hearing Makoto's firm declaration, Fugaku felt genuinely satisfied, far more than when Seiji had pledged his support earlier.
Makoto's backing carried real weight; his strength and influence within the clan were far greater compared to Seiji's, making his support far more valuable.
"So… what do we need to do?" asked Makoto and Seiji almost in unison.
Now that they had declared their support for Fugaku, they both understood that action would be required.
Fugaku glanced at the two ANBU standing beside him, then turned back to the two Uchihas and began to give a few instructions.
"It's not complicated. For now, I need constant updates on what Kanzou is doing and what he's planning against the village… At the same time, we also must rally support among the clansmen and quietly sow doubt about Kanzou's actions without alerting him. I'll need your help with both."
Makoto and Seiji exchanged a glance before nodding. "We'll do what we can," they said in unison.
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Drop Power Stonessssssssss!
[Read up to 69 Chapters in advance on P atreon at: p-atreon.com/Knockturn_Alley]