Chapter 163 – The Six Paths' Ninja Tools
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The moment Uchiha Sihu and Uchiha Setsuna realized what lay before them, their eyes lit up in awe.
"Step aside," Jiraiya said curtly. "Let me seal it again. The air here might damage the scrolls. These need to be taken back to the village for preservation."
Without waiting for permission, he pushed Setsuna aside and began weaving hand signs, resealing the sandalwood box with practiced precision. Setsuna, though irritated by Jiraiya's abruptness, didn't protest—he understood exactly how valuable these scrolls were.
This wasn't just treasure.
It was history.
And knowledge like this was worth more than any amount of gold.
If every box contained secret writings of the Uzumaki Clan, then these sandalwood chests were priceless beyond measure—artifacts that no one in the shinobi world could hope to obtain again.
"Hokage-sama," Sihu said quickly, "what about the rest of the boxes?"
Fugaku folded his arms, eyes narrowing slightly. "Leave them sealed for now. Opening them all would take too much time—and the risk isn't worth it. Pack everything. We'll open them once we're back in Konoha."
"Yes, Hokage-sama!"
This time, Sihu didn't delegate. He personally unrolled a high-grade storage scroll, carefully sealing each sandalwood box inside. When Jiraiya finished with his sealing work, Sihu added that box to the collection and tucked the scroll close to his chest.
He didn't trust anyone else with it—not even his own clansmen.
That single scroll was now worth more than his life.
"Alright," Fugaku said, turning toward the corridor. "Let's move on to the next chamber."
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Several more secret rooms were unlocked, and each was filled with treasure. Piles of rare chakra metal, crates of high-value silver coins, and even sealed containers of raw materials used to forge ninja tools.
One room, however, stood out.
Inside were rows of bookshelves stacked with scrolls—each marked with the insignia of Kumogakure.
When Hyūga Hiashi inspected the contents, his brows rose. "These are Kumogakure's ninjutsu archives."
Fugaku glanced over. Among the scrolls, one resembled Konoha's Scroll of Seals—an immense compilation of forbidden techniques. Inside, they found records of Kumogakure's famed Lightning Release Chakra Mode, reserved only for the Raikage, along with several advanced Lightning Release jutsu.
"These," Fugaku said quietly, "will be invaluable to the village."
Sihu didn't hesitate. He packed the scrolls himself, stuffing them carefully into a separate storage scroll which he kept close, as if guarding a newborn.
The jonin accompanying them didn't complain.
It was standard for Hokage Advisors to safeguard critical findings.
In fact, many of them looked excited—because once these scrolls returned to Konoha, they might eventually be declassified, giving them a chance to learn new Lightning Release techniques themselves.
The very thought made their blood stir.
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Before long, only one secret room remained unopened.
Fugaku's gaze lingered on the heavy door. Strange… he thought.
Where are Kumogakure's Six Paths Ninja Tools? I haven't seen a trace of them… not even on the Fourth Raikage.
When he had annihilated the Raikage earlier, he'd checked the man's body—nothing. The Raikage had been half-naked, wearing only a pair of pants, with no visible storage scroll or pouch.
Unless he had some kind of space seal… or hid it somewhere ridiculous, Fugaku mused, lips twitching. Like inside his waistband… tch. I'd rather not imagine that.
Shaking his head with amusement, he turned his attention back to the final chamber, where Jiraiya was already kneeling by the seal formula, hands moving with ease.
If they're anywhere, it has to be here, Fugaku thought. If not—so be it. Perhaps it's simply not my fate to see them.
The truth was, the Six Paths Tools weren't crucial to his strength.
But ever since hearing of them, he'd been curious—wanting to see the legendary weapons crafted from chakra itself.
He couldn't help but smirk. Those things always reminded me of those old relics from Journey to the West. I suppose Kishimoto just gave them a shinobi twist…
He chuckled under his breath. Still, I'd like to play with that Amber Purifying Bottle once—"Hey, demon! I call your name! Do you dare answer?"—ha!
As Fugaku entertained his thoughts, a sharp click echoed through the corridor.
The final door creaked open.
Jiraiya straightened, dusting off his hands. "Done. Your turn."
Fugaku nodded, gesturing for the others to enter first. The jonin surged forward eagerly, crowding into the narrow space. Even before Fugaku could step inside, a wave of excited voices erupted.
Then he heard it—the words that made him pause and smile faintly.
"Six Paths Ninja Tools!"
A knowing grin tugged at his lips. "So… they are here."
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As he entered, a faint light illuminated the chamber. In the center stood a display rack upon which rested five distinct relics, each exuding an ancient and overwhelming aura.
There weren't many—but each was legendary.
From left to right:
The Golden Rope,
The Seven Star Sword,
The Crimson Gourd,
The Bashōsen (Banana Palm Fan),
and The Amber Purifying Bottle.
Even to those who had never seen them before, their presence was unmistakable—heavy with chakra and history.
"Fugaku—it's the legendary Tools of the Sage of Six Paths!" Uchiha Sihu gasped, his composure momentarily slipping as he used Fugaku's given name.
Setsuna nudged him sharply, whispering, "Mind your tongue."
Realizing his mistake, Sihu quickly corrected himself, bowing slightly. "Forgive me, Hokage-sama! These… these are the genuine Six Paths Tools!"
Fugaku chuckled softly. "I see them."
An older jonin in the back stepped forward, eyes gleaming with nostalgia. "I remember these from decades ago… when the brothers Kinkaku and Ginkaku wielded them. They were unstoppable—half-demons in human skin."
He sighed deeply, gaze fixed on the relics. "And now, those same weapons belong to us. To Konoha. The wheel turns, doesn't it?"
A Nara Clan jonin smirked. "All thanks to the Fifth Hokage-sama. Without his leadership, we wouldn't be standing here, claiming the treasures of Kumogakure."
Fugaku coughed lightly. "Ahem. Don't give me too much credit. This was a team effort."
Despite his modest words, the gleam in his eyes betrayed his satisfaction.
The jonin around him began congratulating him one after another, their praise echoing through the chamber. Fugaku's smile deepened.
From the side, Hyūga Hiashi watched the scene, a faint twitch at the corner of his eye. He sighed internally. Tch, why didn't I say that first?
His pale eyes darted toward the smooth-talking Nara jonin, and he cursed inwardly:
Damn it. Are all the Nara this good at flattery? Nara Shikaku's the same way… that silver tongue of theirs could rival a genjutsu.
He clenched his fists slightly, suppre
ssing a chuckle. Next time, I'll be faster.
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To be continued…
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