Chapter 277 : Fugaku: It's all Hatake Kakashi's fault! #(There is a main plot)
The rest of the journey went smoothly, and the team arrived safely at the Eastern Front to report.
Uchiha Fugaku held the report, listening to the Jonin of his clan who was leading the team, while glancing sideways at Naraku, who stood nearby with his head down, not daring to make eye contact with him.
—You brat, you were so bold when you ran off, but now you're feeling guilty?
—If you hadn't accidentally thwarted the Hidden Mist's plan to attack Konoha with the Three-Tails, and if Lady Tsunade hadn't covered for you, what would you have done?… After a long internal monologue, Fugaku looked at Naraku's pitiful expression and quickly softened.
—Forget it, forget it, it's all Hatake Kakashi's fault!
With that thought, he glared fiercely at Kakashi, who was standing next to Naraku, causing the latter to shiver unexpectedly, feeling his hairs stand on end, and immediately look around for the source of the killing intent.
Seeing Kakashi suddenly a bit tense, Naraku moved slightly backward to get closer to him, and asked in a low voice, "What's wrong?"
"Probably nothing."
Kakashi slowly relaxed, thinking that there couldn't possibly be enemies in the very center of the Uchiha camp.
After the report concluded, the leading Jonin bowed to the clan head and left the tent, going with Feng Yao to arrange accommodation for the youths.
Kakashi was dismissed by Fugaku in a few words, under the pretext of internal Uchiha matters, leaving Naraku alone to face his adoptive father's "wrath."
Naraku braced himself and walked to Fugaku's side, but a large hand vigorously ruffled his head.
"Next time you want to do something, remember to tell me. That day, I didn't even know where you went, how could I be at ease?"
"I'm sorry, Uncle Fugaku, I understand."
"Hmm, since Lady Tsunade wants you to partner with Hatake Kakashi, and Strategist Nara also agrees, then let it be for now."
Fugaku lowered his hand and added, "Be good to yourself. If the Hatake boy makes you suffer any grievances, the entire Uchiha will not let him off."
"He wouldn't, Kakashi he..."
Naraku paused for a moment; the embarrassment of being caught by Rin during their previous two acts was still fresh in his mind, and his voice unconsciously dropped by two tones.
"...Kakashi wouldn't do that."
However, in that brief moment, Fugaku, who already had issues with Kakashi, immediately sensed something amiss.
—Alright, Hatake Kakashi, I see you have a death wish! (╬￣dish￣)
But for Sakumo's sake, Fugaku reluctantly decided to spare Kakashi's life for now, making a mental note to settle the score later... Back at his lodging that night, Naraku slept alone on a small bed, hearing a system notification that two new anime episodes had been updated.
It's probably about Shisui going to the battlefield, right?
As an Uchiha genius after Naraku, Shisui had a lot of screen time before, so it wouldn't make sense for such a big event as going to war not to be shown.
He opened the anime website to check, and indeed it was.
—
The new episode began with the narration from Uchiha Shisui's perspective.
The eastern war front was gradually stabilizing, and the new generation of Uchiha had grown up; the most talented children were summoned to the battlefield for training.
This was a centuries-old tradition of the Uchiha Clan: high talent meant receiving preferential resources from the clan, but it also meant bearing more responsibility.
As for the mortality rate... what Ninja mission could guarantee no deaths?
Every child and parent who agreed to go to the battlefield had already prepared for the sacrifice.
It was still the same sentiment: why should others in the clan fight on the battlefield, but not me and my child?
Shisui was among the youngest of this group of youths; he was only exceptionally allowed due to having awakened his Sharingan early.
Younger individuals like Kazuki, Hefeng, and Hibiki, despite their excellent aptitude, had not yet awakened their Sharingan and were not qualified for frontline combat.
[Sigh... they're all just teenagers!]
[Shisui is only about nine years old, right? If he hadn't awakened his Sharingan, he probably wouldn't have to go to the battlefield.]
[The Ninja World as a whole is just that cruel.]
[The Uchiha are already considered a very united and loving clan in the Ninja World; other places are even worse.]
[Hashirama and Madara established Konoha back then precisely so that children wouldn't have to die on the battlefield, but the Third Great Ninja War has been more brutal each time.]
[There's no helping it; the Village allowed Ninja to develop faster, stronger, and in greater numbers, so the intensity of war naturally escalated with it.]
On the march during the latter half of the episode, the Uchiha actually encountered a large ambush by Hidden Mist Anbu, indicating their route had been exposed early.
Learning that reinforcements would arrive in just one hour, the Uchiha Jonin leading the team gritted his teeth and chose to hold out.
As prime assassination targets, the new generation of Uchiha were protected in the very center by adult Clan Member, but even so, the enemy broke through their defenses at all costs.
Fortunately, a newly introduced pair of twin sisters and Shisui were powerful, eliminating the danger in its infancy.
[There are bad people in Konoha (thoughtful.jpg)]
[Who could it be, it's so hard to guess!]
[Could it really be the Konoha F3? To this extent just to suppress the Uchiha? It's still wartime, you know!]
[The vital forces of the new Uchiha generation are basically all here! If they're all wiped out in one go, there will be a talent gap for the next ten to twenty years, with Naraku alone holding the fort, which is unsustainable.]
[Bu Hao Bu Hao Bu Hao!!]
[Oh my god! New characters! And twin sisters!?]
[Shisui, well done! Besides Naraku, he's the most promising kid in the entire Uchiha.]
[The Uchiha have so many geniuses... other Ninja Clans must be drooling with envy, right?]
[No wonder they fought so hard for intermarriage back then; with this genius birthrate, who wouldn't be jealous?]
[The passionate older sister and the gentle younger sister, simply amazing!]
[Shisui is quite lucky with women, isn't he? First Inuzuka Hana, then Tou and Shizuku, childhood friend and fated encounter, he's got them all.]
In the next episode, the battle grew even more perilous, the Uchiha's leading Jonin was burning with anxiety, and reinforcements finally arrived just in the nick of time.
When the iconic large-scale Fire Release and the shrill bird cries appeared, everyone, both on and off screen, became excited.
The tacit and magnificent interplay of lightning and fire shone brilliantly, making the withered winter forest appear a few shades more vibrant.
When Kakashi realized the effect of Yin Seal: Modified, the camera focused specifically on his face; the upturned corner of his mouth beneath his mask was incredibly clear in the frame.
The final segment where the two of them jointly unleashed [Death Sentence] made the bullet comments incoherent with excitement and screams.
[Tsunade: Hidden Mist, do you like the surprise I prepared for you? Speak!]
[Hiss... Kakashi's move made my molars ache! (Too brutal.jpg)]
[One must be as ruthless as an autumn gale sweeping away fallen leaves when dealing with enemies!]
[Ah ah ah ah ah ah! Kakashi and Naraku can partner up again! I'm so happy!]
[The legend of Konoha's rising twin stars! So incredibly cool, friends!]
[This can also be considered a 'reunion' for KakaNara in another sense; from being inseparable to partnering again, they've waited for several years...]
[Is Yin Seal: Modified so overpowered? Naraku is practically Kakashi's exclusive cheat-code generator.]
[Kakashi, don't be so obviously pleased with yourself, okay? We should just call you 'Mr. Obvious Pleasure' from now on!]
[The previous person understands Kakashi very well.]
[Kakashi & Naraku: Taste our passionate combination technique!]
[What a spectacular 'meteor shower', even more beautiful than when Naraku performed it alone!]
[Kakashi, who mooches off others' ultimate moves, is such a scumbag!]
[Kakashi: Jealous of me? Pathetic creatures... (smug)]
[To be sent off together by KakaNara, these Kirigakure Ninja certainly have a lot of prestige.]
Kakashi's words were cut short by Shisui's shout. Naraku, busy checking on his Clan Member, didn't notice the complex and helpless look Kakashi gave him after he jumped down.
He also didn't notice that among the group of Uchiha children and youths, there was a "familiar face" with a complicated expression, silently clenching his fists.
Having just announced that he and Kakashi would escort them the rest of the way, Naraku was immediately surrounded by enthusiastic Clan Member.
Faced with the sincere requests of his clan, he couldn't bear to refuse, but before he could even utter an agreement, he was wrapped in steel wire and hoisted into the air, dangling.
"It's time to go."
The familiar sensation scared Naraku so much that he didn't dare to say half a word of protest: "...Okay."
Kakashi pulled Naraku to his side, calmly organizing his weapons and equipment, completely unconcerned by the seething resentment of the Uchiha on the ground.
[Oh my, Baby Naraku, could Shisui have done that on purpose?]
[Little Shisui, who is innocent on the surface but dark underneath, is also very exciting! Doing anything to snatch his idol...]
[Wait, who is this? Why do I feel like he looks a bit unconvinced?]
[Oh my god, isn't this Uchiha Genya? The one who led his younger brothers to bully Naraku back then!]
[Oh-ho, now there's going to be trouble.]
[Heh, our Naraku is really popular~]
[Kakashi, you guy, manually helping Naraku escape? Hahahahaha]
[Only Kakashi's weapon can get close to Naraku... This is too shippable, boo hoo hoo hoo!]
[I always feel like Kakashi's tone sounds like he's jealous.]
[Indeed, there's a hint of sourness.]
[Naraku: Can't move, can't move at all...]
[Every time Naraku forces himself but gets caught red-handed by Kakashi, he has that guilty and helpless expression, hahahahahahaha]
[It's now a confirmed fact that the Uchiha hate white-haired people.]
[Put up a sign at the clan entrance: No white-haired people or dogs allowed!]
Upon arriving at the Eastern Front, this was Naraku's first time returning before Fugaku after performing the "Blood Pact Teleportation Jutsu" and disappearing from his sight; he didn't even dare to breathe loudly.
In the end, Fugaku was the first to soften, self-deceptively blaming everything on Kakashi.
A murderous aura made Kakashi shiver.
Fugaku even kept Naraku alone, instructing him that if Kakashi dared to bully him, the entire Uchiha would take revenge, which made the audience burst into laughter.
[Naraku: Can't see me, can't see me, can't see me...]
[Playing ostrich is useless, Baby Naraku~]
[Fugaku: Every mistake, every fault, is Kakashi's fault!]
Kakashi still doesn't know he's already in the 'enemy's' main camp, hahahahahaha.
All the little Uchiha dislike him, hahahaha.
Fugaku's way of speaking, it's like marrying off a daughter.
Wuwuwuwu, is Naraku remembering that previous incident?
I was suddenly struck by a blade again... Old Thief, I hate you for eight lifetimes.
If Fugaku knew Naraku cried so sadly at Kakashi's doorstep, there would probably be a spectacular scene of the Uchiha Clan chasing Kakashi all over the world.
Be confident, remove 'probably'.
Naraku: This absolutely cannot be known by Fugaku! Otherwise, how wronged Kakashi would be!
He then thought that since Rin chose to conceal it, she probably wouldn't reveal it in the future, so he could temporarily rest assured.
"Let's check the forum~"
Naraku temporarily put his heart at ease, humming a little tune as he opened the forum to find interesting posts and watch the drama.
—
"Speculation on the Leak of Uchiha Advance Route Information"
1L (OP): Friends, what else is there to say? The Uchiha couldn't possibly harm their own juniors, right?
Which other Konoha family hasn't benefited from the healing talisman? Besides, they probably don't have the ability to steal Uchiha's intelligence.
What's left are the Konoha F3, who dislike the Uchiha and want to curb their development.
2L: The Uchiha will not swallow this insult. I estimate that at the latest by the end of the war, Fugaku will make a move.
3L: Hiruzen Sarutobi and his two Advisors have plenty of weaknesses, so investigation is not a problem. Coupled with the dissatisfaction of other clans towards the Sandaime, if the Village doesn't gain much advantage by the end of the war, Hiruzen Sarutobi, as the Sandaime, might really be in danger.
4L: Could it be Mitokado Homura and Koharu Utatane acting behind Hiruzen Sarutobi's back?
5L: Those two don't have Danzo's ability; they couldn't hide it. But I estimate they still proposed it, and Hiruzen Sarutobi silently agreed. With Danzo dead, they will definitely gain corresponding ecological positions, as Hiruzen Sarutobi needs someone to take the blame.
6L: Reply to 5L: When you put it that way, I'm a bit confused as to who was using whom between Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzō Shimura.
7L: Reply to 6L: They used each other, those two were in cahoots, neither could do without the other... "Sisters, these two episodes are a complete shuraba, I loved watching them!"
1L (OP): Shisui, the younger, black sesame tangyuan, little puppy, is too charming! I strongly suspect he deliberately interrupted Kakashi to steal Naraku's attention!
Of course, our Kakashi was not to be outdone, strongly counterattacking directly with a steel wire to show his unshakeable, rock-solid position in Naraku's heart.
In my opinion, Kakashi still had the slight edge this round.
However, Shisui's offensive is fierce. If Kakashi isn't careful, he'll suffer a big loss, hehe!
2L: And that large group of young Uchiha who swore to get Naraku back, I absolutely love this chaotic feeling, hahahahahaha.
3L: I'm more interested in Uchiha Genya's follow-up.
When he sees the person he bullied as a child transform into an unattainable genius, will he be blinded by jealousy and hatred, or will heFrom then on, she fell at the feet of the Uchiha succubus.?
I'm so excited~
4L (OP): Reply to 3L: Oh oh oh oh oh oh this is also so exciting! If it's a mix of love and hate, that would be perfect!
5L: Reply to 4L: I can't quite get into this pairing... He bullied Naraku so badly back then...
6L: Reply to 5L: I think it was more a case of being frustrated with Naraku back then, forcing him to learn to resist.
But now Naraku is no longer as weak as he was, and this reversal of status can lead to psychological distortion and jealousy, making it easier for twisted, dark emotions to grow~
Perfectly matches my XP!
7L: Reply to 6L: Your XP is quite niche... but, to each their own (grinning.jpg).
8L: Reply to 7L: Thanks for understanding~
9L: Do you guys think Kazuki and Rin seem to be shipping Naraku and Kakashi?
10L: Reply to 9L: Yes, yes, I feel that way too! They are practically acting me out!
11L: The Kakanaru CP shippers are truly everywhere hahahahaha.
12L: The Old Thief has really found the traffic password — creating CP ship wars! Hahahahaha!
13L: Alas, he's been doing this for more than a day...
—
Naraku: Me and Genya? Ugh~
Thinking of Uchiha Genya, who had been unlucky for nearly a month because of his tripping, Naraku couldn't help but frown in disgust.
Who wants to be shipped with that guy?
Kakashi is the best~
After browsing the plot discussion forum for a while, he dove into the fanfiction section and ate his fill.
Perhaps because Shisui appeared more in these two episodes, a flood of fanfiction labeled "KakanaruShisu" and "Kakanaru/ShisuNaru" emerged, and the various love triangle plots gradually got him hooked.
If he didn't have things to do tomorrow, Naraku would definitely pull an all-nighter to satisfy his craving.
But it's also good to save them for later, so he doesn't run out of things to pass the time after watching them all at once... Winter passed, and spring arrived, marking a new year.
Naraku and Kakashi remained active on the eastern and northern front lines, stepping over countless enemy corpses to successfully advance to Elite Jonin, solidifying their reputation as the "Azure-Scarlet" Twin Stars.
The two also became the new generation of deterrents after "White Fang" and "yellow flash", with the enemy openly declaring that "ordinary Ninja encountering them may abandon their mission and retreat."
At the same time, Shisui's strength was also rapidly increasing.
Ever since he arrived in the east, the Healing Seal on him was actively removed by Naraku, and his Dōjutsu Power (Pupil Power), which had been suppressed and dormant by Sealing Jutsu for years, began to grow rapidly.
Soon, he successively activated his Two-Tomoe Sharingan and Three Tomoe in battles against the Hidden Mist Village.
Coupled with his unique Body Flicker Technique, he was enough to strike fear into the Kirigakure.
For a time, Uchiha Shisui became famous.
In just two or three months, he earned the title of "Shisui of the Body Flicker" just like in the original timeline.
Other young Uchiha who came for training also performed well; apart from a few who sacrificed themselves on missions, the remaining ten or so all made significant progress, and even their Sharingan had at least opened to One-Tomoe.
Including Uchiha Genya, this pampered, arrogant fellow, after being tempered by the fires of war, became much more capable and composed than before.
This made Naraku a little regretful: it seems he can no longer use [Gaiten Jimei] to prank him with a clear conscience.
After making Uchiha Genya trip over his own feet for a final time, performing a flat-ground fall, Naraku secretly announced to the system that he would completely stop.
The system, long used to its host's occasional erratic behavior: [Do you think I care about this? Why are you telling me?]
Naraku: It's about a sense of ritual, understand? You tasteless fellow.
System: [...Understood.]
As spring arrived, the situation of the Third Great Ninja War became increasingly clear.
Smart people could see that Iwagakure and Kumogakure were now running out of steam, unable to muster any more troops for a large-scale offensive against Konoha, and it was only a matter of time before they ceased hostilities.
Konoha, however, with its healing talisman, was still vibrant and could easily outlast them for another year.
If they hadn't been outmatched, Iwagakure and Kumogakure would have long since teamed up to abduct Naraku and have him research more advanced healing talisman for them.
When Ōnoki first learned the intelligence that "the person who developed the healing talisman is Uchiha Naraku," he was so jealous his eyes turned green.
Whether it was combat strength or research capabilities, Scarlet Hunter's abilities were shockingly high.
Damn it! Why was such a genius born in Konoha and not in our Iwagakure?
Fourth Raikage Ay also pounded his chest and stomped his feet, ordering that by any means necessary, the secrets of the healing talisman must be stolen.
If Anbu could find an opportunity to capture Uchiha Naraku, that would be even better!
The only remaining hope for opposing Konoha was the Hidden Mist Village.
They lived up to expectations, sending out the legendary "Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist," still hoping to defeat Konoha with a surprise attack.
However, as soon as the seven approached Konoha, they were caught red-handed by Maito Dai, who had just been promoted to Special Jonin and was responsible for guarding the final defense line, and a conflict immediately erupted.
To ensure Konoha's safety to the maximum extent, Maito Dai directly activated the Eight Gates, facing them alone.
The outcome surprised everyone, even shaking the entire Ninja World three times over.
No one expected that an ordinary-looking Ninja, only skilled in taijutsu, could inflict such heavy casualties on the esteemed Seven Ninja Swordsmen.
Among the seven, only Biwa Jūzō, Suikazan Fuguki, and Kurotsuchi Raiga managed to escape, while the other four died on the spot.
By then, the Seven Ninja Swordsmen had become the Three Ninja Swordsmen, posing no further threat to Konoha.
When Naraku saw this episode in the anime, he was still nervous about whether Maito Dai would forget what he had told him.
But thankfully, he remembered everything. In his last moments, he managed to pull out a red talisman from a specially made pouch close to his body.
With the medical Chakra, natural energy, and a small amount of Sage Jutsu contained within this talisman, Maito Dai managed to hold on until the Medical Ninja arrived to save him, barely surviving.
Although his body suffered extremely severe and irreversible damage, as long as he was alive, Naraku would ensure that he would have a day to regain his youth.
With their last desperate effort failed, the Hidden Mist no longer had the capacity to continue fighting.
The fact that they hadn't withdrawn their troops yet probably meant they were still hoping to gain some more benefits to minimize their losses...
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