77: The Dark Hand In The Shadows

The garrison is one of Konoha's most splendid strokes.

　　It was established during the reign of the second-generation Hokage Senju Tobirama, and all the positions in it were held by the Uchiha clan ninjas, who were responsible for maintaining public order in the village.

　　This is not only an affirmation of the strength of the Uchiha family of ninjas, but in a sense, it also allows prevention and surveillance.

　　Because most of the ninjas of the Uchiha family who have opened the sharingan are not very stable, therefore, strict attention should be paid to these people.

　　But in any case, because the power of the garrison is too large, and Uchiha is a super-first-class bloodline limit ninja of Konoha, based on this situation, even Hokage often sells them a face.

　　The garrison building is where the members of the garrison work. Most of the people who come and go here are ninjas from the Uchiha clan. Occasionally, there are ninjas or civilians who commit crimes and are brought inside for instruction. These ninjas and civilians are likely to be violating some regulation in the village, but it is usually not harmful, often a civil dispute, and at most it is detention for a few days and a half months.

　　If the circumstances are serious, they will be sent to Konoha Prison for rehabilitation.

　　As for the workforce, there is basically no need to report to Hokage. As long as there are no major problems, Hokage will not pay attention to this kind of thing.

　　As a result of the arrogance and domineering of the police force, there are already a whole bunch of letters of complaint about detaining people indiscriminately.

　　There are those who were really wronged because of negligence, and there are those who fan the flames behind and want to slander the Uchiha family.

　　After joining the garrison, Ruri sees such trivial things every day.

　　After all, it is very rare to find a spy in the village, or encounter an enemy to attack Konoha.

　　Most of the time, the garrison is tasked with dealing with these civil disputes.

　　If they are handled well, most of them will not get a good reputation. Once they are not handled well, various complaints will come to the door.

　　Coupled with the temperament of the Uchiha family of ninjas, most of them are very direct. When they can't help it, they will beat up those who speak out, which will lead to more accusations.

　　"It's so boring..."

　　Ruri was standing inside the Guards Building, on the third floor corridor, looking at the people coming and going through the glass, and clearly could see in front of the square of the Guards Building, two Uchiha ninjas from the Guards, pushing several people. After entering, the two sides were arguing fiercely in the square.

　　"It's boring, but that's what the garrison has to go through every day. Especially after stepping back from the front line, it's hard to adapt to such a peaceful life."

　　Walking beside Ruri was an Uchiha Jonin and Uchiha Fugaku.

　　He knew that Ruri had just been transferred from Sakumo's team to the guard team, and he couldn't switch his current identity for a while.

　　Unlike the exciting life of the Sakumo squad, the work of the garrison is indeed much more monotonous.

　　Seeing the dispute in front of the police force building, Fugakudid not make any comments. This situation he has long been accustomed to.

　　"This kind of thankless job should let the rest of the ninja join in. Our family alone can't deal with the rumors of these people."

　　Contrary to Fugaku, Ruri is not afraid of such useless rumors, but listening and watching too much will also make her annoyed.

　　Like chattering flies.

　　There are too few ninjas and civilians in Konoha who can really look at any situation rationally.

　　Like Sakumo, it is even rarer among the rare.

　　Uchiha is not without friends in Konoha, but there are very few people who can call him friends.

　　Some are neutral, and more are complaining about the arrogant attitude of the garrison.

　　This is also what Ruri is dissatisfied with. Since he is accused, all the ninjas will be accused together, and they can share a lot of Uchiha's pressure.

　　And once the rest of the ninja ninja joined, these civil disputes can be handled more easily.

　　For example, the three clans of the pigs, deer and butterflies, or the Hyuga, who is also a blood-based boundary ninja clan, their secret skills and abilities are also arranged to serve in the garrison.

　　"But this is a big beam that only our Uchiha clan can carry, and the power of the garrison is distributed to the rest of the ninja clan. Many people in the clan will have opinions."

　　As the only two ninja clans who took the lead in founding Konoha, the Uchiha clan should enjoy this kind of treatment, not on an equal footing with the rest of the ninja clan.

　　"Only one family maintains absolute power. How much power is divided will not affect the family's status in Konoha, and no one with discernment will look down on us. As for those mediocre people, Uchiha's power is not for those idiots to watch."

　　Ruri looked at it this way.

　　Fugakudidn't say anything. He knew that Ruri's strategy could not be passed at the family meeting and would be rejected by many people.

　　"Speaking of which, aren't you on a mission outside?"

　　Ruri knows that Fugaku is currently serving in the Naruto faction, and forms a new team with the rest of the village ninjas to perform tasks.

　　"I have also been given a position in the garrison, so after the task is completed, I will come back here and have a look. It is still the same as before, not much has changed."

　　Fugaku sighed.

　　"A little bit wanting to go out on a mission."

　　Ruri said so.

　　"Be patient, this is something that every Uchiha ninja will experience. Speaking of which, how much do you know about the mangekyou sharingan?"

　　Fugaku turned to chatting with Ruri about other topics.

　　"You're asking the wrong person. I don't necessarily know as much about mangekyou sharingan as you do."

　　Ruri shook her head. In the past few years, she has met with the Sifang elders only a handful of times. On the one hand, it was because of the task, and on the other hand, she really felt that he was getting old.

　　She is no longer the elder who is full of wisdom in her mind and can give her a lot of effective experience.

　　Especially the incident at the root has always been a thorn in her heart.

　　Until the thorn was pulled out, she felt that her thoughts were inaccessible.

　　"Elder Sifang's tone is very strict. The reason why he didn't say it may be because the conditions for opening the mangekyou sharingan are very harsh for us."

　　Fugaku nodded and expressed his opinion.

　　The information that is available so far can only be guessed at.

　　For example, more intense emotional stimulation?

　　The sharingan of the Uchiha family is the power that has evolved in this way.

　　If it is not for the belief in elder Sifang, Fugaku feels that the so-called mangekyou sharingan is really just a legend.

　　Ruri is not very interested in this topic. For the mangekyou sharingan, she also holds the idea that it is best if it can be opened, but if it cannot be opened, she will go to learn immortality and use natural energy to fight.

　　It cannot be led by power, and the real strength should be to turn power into a part of oneself, rather than simply become a puppet dominated by power.

　　The more you know about the infinite possibilities of natural energy, in the face of this boundless world, manpower is sometimes really very small.

　　No matter how powerful ninjas are, they can't escape from this world, and they need this world to live and nurture.

　　People should be in awe of the world.

　　"Well, the person looking for you is here. I won't disturb your date. Let's talk again next time."

　　Fugaku turned his head to see something, smiled at Ruri, and walked away wisely.

　　On the opposite side of the corridor, Shiraishi is standing there, he is looking for Ruri.

　　In the eyes of many Uchiha ninjas, Shiraishi can be regarded as half of the Uchiha tribe.

　　Genius child's boyfriend.

　　Although I don't know why the talented girl in Uchiha likes such an ordinary man, I can only say that the taste is unique. As outsiders, they only need to give blessings.

　　Sooner or later, you will have to get married.

　　Therefore, under normal circumstances, Shiraishi can come and go freely in the guards that most are not allowed to visit. Occasionally, there will be Uchiha ninjas to greet him, and Shiraishi also smiles back at them.

　　Some Uchiha ninjas are very short-tempered, and their attitude is really arrogant.

　　On the roof of the Guard Building.

　　The breeze blew slowly, and Ruri, wearing a black tight-fitting ninja outfit, leaned lightly on the railing on the edge of the rooftop, and asked first, "When you come to me at this time, is there not enough money?"

　　"Why do you think it has something to do with money?"

　　Shiraishi suddenly felt a little helpless.

　　"Because every time you come to me suddenly, it's because of money."

　　Ruri is used to it.

　　"Although the funds are indeed a little short, it is still enough to splurge. I have other things to say to you this time."

　　"Tell me, what's the matter?"

　　Since it's not about money, it shouldn't be a very important thing.

　　"Insect men and a few of them found a few remnants of the Uzumaki clan in the tea country."

　　Shiraishi told her this information.

　　Ruri immediately looked at Shiraishi's face, and her relaxed posture disappeared from her.

　　"The Uzumaki Clan?"

　　I want to confirm the authenticity of this information.

　　"Well, the Uzumaki family."

　　Shiraishi made sure of this.

　　"Oh, that's really interesting."

　　Even someone like Ruri, who can ignore many things, couldn't help but laugh when he heard the news.

　　The reason why the organization was established was mostly due to Ruri's contribution. Although the manager was Shiraishi, it was undeniable that Ruri's status is higher in the organization.

　　To a certain extent, Ruri is the real commander of the organization, but she is usually too lazy to take care of things.

　　And the Uzumaki clan, which is closely related to the Senju clan, is now down to the point of needing help from the Uchiha clan, which is really an irony.

　　After all, the Uchiha family has been in a hostile relationship with the Senju family for many years, and the relationship with the Uzumaki family is naturally very bad.

　　I don't know how the ancestors of the Uzumaki Clan, who were friends with the Senju Clan, would feel knowing how the country was destroyed.

　　I really want to see what kind of complicated expressions the first Hokage will show after learning about it.

　　Most of Konoha's existing sealing techniques, including the sealing ninjutsu for tailed beasts, all come from the Uzumaki clan.

　　As a result, the country of the Uzumaki, where the Uzumaki clan is located, is the neighboring country of the country of fire.

　　The current country of Uzumaki is full of destroyed ruins, and the population loss is very serious.

　　"I remember when I was in school, there was a red-haired transfer student in the next class whose name seemed to be Uzumaki Kushina."

　　After laughing, Ruri's face returned to normal, and she remembered something to say.

　　"That's right. The Uzumaki clan's life force is very powerful, it is very suitable to be the jinchuriki, and they have a powerful seal technique. The seal technique that seals the nine tails was given to Konoha by the Uzumaki clan. The vitality force is strong, suitable for the jinchuriki, and also using their sealing technique, this ensures that the tailed beast will no longer have the possibility of running wild."

　　"It turns out that after the country was destroyed, he came to Konoha immediately... Is it related to the nine-tailed jinchuriki?"

　　Regarding the matter of the nine-tailed jinchuriki, this is the top secret of Konoha, and it is impossible for the high-level Konoha to let unrelated people know.

　　Although many people have already guessed who Konoha's previous Nine-Tails jinchuriki was, as this is the most likely and the most suitable candidate.

　　Uzumaki Mito - the wife of the first Hokage.

　　It is estimated that when the country of Uzumaki was destroyed, her body will no longer be able to act as a jinchuriki, so a young Uzumaki clan member is needed as a jinchuriki to become a new container for sealing the nine tails.

　　"It's very likely that she is the nine-tailed jinchuriki now. According to the information provided by the remnants of the Uzumaki clan, Konoha did take one of their clan members from the Uzumaki clan at that time."

　　Shiraishi was not very impressed with Uzumaki Kushina, but only remembered that the red hair was more distinct.

　　But after contacting the information he got and analyzing it before and after, it is easy to get these answers.

　　Even if there is a discrepancy, Uzumaki Kushina is a very important existence for the senior executives of Konoha.

　　Otherwise, it cannot be explained, the country of Uzumaki perished, and Konoha only brought back a little girl.

　　Apart from bringing it back as the new Nine-Tailed jinchuriki, the other possibilities are not very large.

　　"Do you want to go for the Nine-Tails?"

　　Shiraishi pays so much attention to the Uzumaki family, which makes Ruri have such a guess.

　　Shiraishi once obtained the Chakra of the One-Tailed beast on the battlefield, and obtained a lot of important information from the tailed beast Chakra. In Ruri's view, it is a matter of course to be interested in the other tailed beasts.

　　"Although I really want to do it, I haven't lost my mind to that point."

　　Shiraishi knew how much his strength was now, although he was not afraid of the current Konoha, that was his judgment based on the premise that he could save his life.

　　If you really want to face such a large-scale Shinobi Village, you will only be defeated.

　　And there are many taboos that can't be violated in Konoha, and Nine-Tails is one of them.

　　"I came to you, not just to tell you this, there is a more important thing to tell you, you have to be mentally prepared."

　　"What?"

　　Ruri frowned.

　　"High-level Konoha, they are studying Wood release, and now they may have very rich results."

　　◎

　　Tea country, underground stronghold.

　　Insect man stayed in a room to communicate with an Uzumaki clan member. This was the eldest Uzumaki of the eight people he rescued, and he was also the most talkative among the eight people.

　　At this moment, he changed into clean clothes, and the odor on his body were washed away, and his whole person seemed to be much more energetic.

　　He is undoubtedly full of gratitude for the savior of Bug Man.

　　Over the years, with his meager strength, he has led his family to wander around in the Ninja world. Since the demise of the Kingdom of Uzumaki, their family has not lived a peaceful life.

　　It's a bit ridiculous to say that the life after being captured by those wandering ninjas was the most stable life in these years.

　　Even eating moldy food every day is sweet.

　　Recalling the glory of the Uzumaki clan in the past, compared with the current situation, his eyes couldn't help but feel sad.

　　"As for your arrangement, the leader has given detailed instructions. We will help you settle in the country of ghosts, but in that case, you will need to remain anonymous temporarily, and you cannot be exposed to the public. Wait until the right time. Only then can you arrange for you to live under the sun."

　　Because the identity of the Uzumaki family is too easy to cause trouble, and their organization is not currently planning to do something high-profile.

　　Whether it is collecting intelligence or building a stronghold, it is carried out quietly and silently.

　　"No problem, we're ready to go incognito."

　　The old man of the Uzumaki clan did not object to the leader's proposal, rather, it was very in line with the current situation of the Uzumaki clan.

　　In the past, when the country of Uzumaki was alive, I didn't have this feeling, but with what I have seen and heard over the years, and the pain I have personally experienced, now it is enough to be able to continue the blood of the Uzumaki family in a stable manner.

　　"But don't worry, this time will not be too long. For us, you can share a lot of our pressure by joining the organization. Our organization has always been open to outstanding talents."

　　"May I ask, what does the organization do?"

　　The old man of the Uzumaki family couldn't help but ask.

　　Now that you have decided to accept the blessing of this unknown organization, you must know a thing or two about the purpose of the organization.

　　Bug Man gave a very helpless smile: "Actually, I'm just a not-so-small cadre, what is the purpose of the organization? I know very little, I can only feel that the leader has a very large objective. What is it, you can only ask our leader in person, I am also very curious about the answer. "

　　When he said this, there was an obvious awe in his tone.

　　The old man of the Uzumaki clan remained silent and did not ask any further questions.

　　Seeing that his goal has been achieved, the bug man does not intend to stay here any longer.

　　"Then, you can rest here for a while. In a few days, we will arrange for someone to send you to the country of ghosts. It is a very peaceful country. I hope the peace there can sweep away the haze in your hearts."

　　After saying this, the bug man left the room.

　　The four team members outside had been waiting for him to come out of the room.

　　"How about the conversation?"

　　"They have already come in. It's not easy to go out. The favor of the organization is not so easy to repay, not to mention..."

　　The leader is also a research maniac.

　　How could it be possible to spit out the fat in his mouth.

　　They could hear what the worm man meant, and they all smiled knowingly.

　　"However, these people should have something to hide from us."

　　The bug man stood there and pondered.

　　"Hide?"

　　"These remnants of the Uzumaki clan scattered all over the Ninja world may have a way of connecting. Through these people, we may be able to find more remnants of the Uzumaki clan and absorb them into the organization."

　　"Are you putting a long line to catch a big fish?"

　　"This is also the meaning of the leader. In short, appease them first, and when they see our sincerity, even if we don't take the initiative to mention it, they will come over and ask us for help, tell us the location of the other remnants of the Uzumaki clan, and let us rescue their clansmen from the sea of ​​misery."

　　If it was an ordinary person, the insect male would not be so concerned, but the remnants of the Uzumaki clan were another matter.

　　Therefore, mutual trust is the key.

　　Asking them directly about the whereabouts of the other Uzumaki clansmen would easily arouse distrust in their hearts, exhausting the meager trust they had built up with great difficulty.

　　◎

　　The dark and damp cave looks unbelievably wide here.

　　The entire space is sealed, and there is no so-called exit.

　　A frail old man was sitting on a wooden chair made of trees. His face was wrinkled and his hair was gray. Even sitting on the wooden chair, his body was hunched.

　　His long white hair covered his right eye, and only his tightly closed left eye was exposed, and he sat on the chair to rest in a serene manner.

　　There was an object similar to a white strip behind him, and at the other end of the white strip, in the endless darkness extending behind him, the outlines of huge trees and fruits could be vaguely seen.

　　After a while, the ground in front of the old man suddenly wriggled slightly, and two pale-skinned humanoids emerged from it.

　　The old man did not open his eyes, but as if he knew that there was someone in front of him, he asked:

　　"Is there still no definite news?"

　　The old man's voice was extremely old.

　　But when this old voice sounded, everything around it seemed to be still, becoming the only loud thing in the darkness.

　　"No, the zetsu who was monitoring Nagato, I don't know what happened, suddenly disappeared. The other white zetsu searched for a long time, but they couldn't find the whereabouts of white zetsu."

　　One of the two white humanoids replied to the old man.

　　"Lord Madara, could it be Nagato who discovered the trace of zetsu and disposed of him?"

　　On the other hand, another white humanoid creature started to speculate on its own and reported to the old man.

　　"Idiot, based on past intelligence analysis, Nagato's reincarnation eye is still very immature. With Nagato's power at the moment, there is no way to detect zetsu's trace."

　　"But apart from Nagato, none of his trash fish companions are perception type ninjas, and it is impossible to detect zetsu's trace."

　　The white humanoid said with a puzzled expression.

　　And even if it is a perception ninja, it may not be able to detect the trace of zetsu , unless it is a special perception ninjutsu.

　　Or a pupil technique with a very strong perspective like Byakugan, for them, it is much more troublesome than a perception ninja.

　　"Continue to monitor Nagato and let Tobi also act together. In addition, send some zetsu to Konoha."

　　The old man's voice sounded again, giving a clear order.

　　"Konoha? Master Madara suspects it's Konoha's action?"

　　"It's not just because of white zetsu's disappearance, my time is short, and Nagato alone is not enough to promote the 'Eye of the Moon' plan. I also need a spokesperson who can act in my place... Go. "

　　The old man's tone was still contemptuous, but it gave people an undeniable deterrent.

　　"Yes, Master Madara."

　　After the two white humanoids retreated, the old man opened his tightly closed left eye, which was a scarlet three-tomoe sharingan, which was especially conspicuous in the dim environment.

　　"Hashirama... The future you entrusted me with has no place for peace at all... This time I won..."

　　In the darkness, the old man sighed with regret.

　　But even so, it is impossible to prove anything to anyone.

　　Because the man whom he cherished all his life, who is both an opponent and a close friend, no longer exists in this world.

　　He slowly raised his hand and touched his chest lightly.

　　The wound pierced by that man created pain as if it had just happened yesterday, and there was a nostalgic smile on Madara's old face.

　　Hashirama...