Naruto: The Hyuga Mastermind

Chapter 181: Dragon Vein Eruption

What do you do when faced with an unbeatable enemy?

The ability to bend and endure is the mark of a true hero!

This was what Kitsuchi believed, and it was exactly what he was doing.

And so now, he found himself chatting amicably with Gari... while being tied up like a bundle of straw!

"I have no grievance with Hyuga Fuji. Perhaps there's been some misunderstanding between us."

In the underground base, Kitsuchi had returned once more.

His tone carried a hint of helplessness, but he maintained his composure, attempting to resolve the current situation through negotiation.

Gari, who was responsible for guarding him, watched with interest. "What kind of misunderstanding could it possibly be?"

Kitsuchi flexed his limbs, which had gone slightly numb from being bound, feeling the powerful sealing jutsu embedded in the ropes. With a serious expression, he said,

"I meant no offense. I was merely intrigued by the hope for revival that Uchiya Shinji mentioned, so I came to investigate. If I've been disrespectful in any way, I ask for your forgiveness."

Hearing Kitsuchi's diplomatic tone, Gari smirked with amusement. "I didn't think you were capable of this."

Ignoring Gari's increasingly teasing expression, Kitsuchi acknowledged his own misstep and probed, "You were surprised by my arrival, weren't you? Uchiya Shinji didn't report to you and told me about the Dragon Vein on his own. Perhaps his intentions aren't pure."

"That has nothing to do with whether or not we keep you detained," said, Gari leaning against the corner of the temporary cell. "To Pakura, Uchiya Shinji might be somewhat useful, but that person likely doesn't care."

Kitsuchi kept his face composed and said in a low voice, "I've long admired Hyuga Fuji. My father also wishes to exchange insights with him. Unfortunately, we've had no progress in locating him. Perhaps we could have a proper discussion and work together on plans for annihilation."

Gari: "..."

Even Gari was momentarily stunned by his former comrade.

Shameless.

How could he say something like that?

Ohnoki had always claimed Kitsuchi wasn't fit to be Tsuchikage, citing a lack of adaptability. Turns out, it was just a matter of timing!

After composing himself, Gari replied, "Don't try to get any breakthroughs from me. Wait for Pakura or White Fang to come. Your arrival has caused us a bit of trouble."

At these words, KItsuchi's eyelid twitched.

Being overwhelmed and captured in moments counts as trouble for you?

…

At the deepest part of the underground base, Pakura sensed the increasingly restless chakra of the Dragon Vein and narrowed her eyes. "Since Kitsuchi arrived, the situation here has changed."

White Fang, standing beside her, frowned as well. "It seems like it could explode at any moment. Should we evacuate first?"

Just as Pakura was about to answer, the surrounding space suddenly distorted violently. The blinding light made it difficult for the two to discern what changes were occurring in the Dragon Vein's chakra flow.

Then, the dazzling light gradually shifted into a mysterious white-purple hue. Along with this transformation, a vast surge of purple chakra erupted from the core of the Dragon Vein, like a raging river, unstoppable.

The purple chakra shot into the sky, breaking through the ceiling as if piercing the heavens, reaching straight into the clouds.

The power was so immense that even the air trembled, emitting a low, rumbling roar.

As the chakra erupted, the entire room shook violently. Cracks formed along the walls and floor, as if the very space itself was crumbling under the weight of this energy.

…

"Is there truly a demon there?"

Kakashi, gazing from a distance at the terrifying pillar of chakra piercing the sky, glanced briefly at Yakumaru, who had stubbornly followed him, and exhaled softly.

If he were alone, handling this might be more difficult.

After all, Kitsuchi could be there as well...

With that thought, Kakashi quickened his pace.

If it was truly a dangerous demon, Kitsuchi might not have subdued it yet. Better to kill it first.

…

"A purple chakra pillar shooting into the sky?"

Uchiya Shinji looked at the messenger ninja who had come to report, his expression calm as he asked, "Are you certain it's in the direction of Roran?"

"Yes, sir."

The messenger ninja nodded. "According to reports, it began with a violent chakra outburst, which caught their attention. When they arrived, they saw the purple light pillar shooting into the sky. It looked just like a Tailed Beast Ball explosion, with terrifying chakra levels."

Roran wasn't far from here, within range of the scouting ninjas who had reported back through their communication devices.

Upon hearing this, Kohei, the jonin behind Uchiya Shinji, furrowed his brow.

Although Shukaku rarely used Tailed Beast Balls, as an experienced jonin, he had witnessed their destructive power before.

For such a force to erupt… it meant someone or something there possessed equivalent chakra. His first thought was of the Dragon Vein.

Leaning closer to Shinji, Kohei whispered, "Elder Shinji, is this the result of the Dragon Vein research?"

Shinji shook his head. "I haven't received any reports. This was unexpected."

He then looked at Kohei with a serious expression. "The priority right now isn't to find the cause. The Dragon Vein is an extremely valuable chakra source, and we must protect it."

"I'll assemble the troops immediately," Kohei responded with a firm nod.

…

Wind Country Daimyo's palace.

Otsutsuki Shinichi gazed into the distant sky as if listening to someone's voice, murmuring softly,

"Roran?"

For his companion on the moon to send him such a specific message, the situation there must be severe.

Behind Otsutsuki Shinichi, the Wind Daimyo, unaware of his thoughts, looked down at the plaza filled with tens of thousands of seemingly lifelike puppets, swallowing nervously.

These were the entire puppet reserves of Sunagakure.

The reason Kitsuchi hadn't encountered any puppet masters in Tsukimi City and why Sunagakure seemed so weak was because most of the puppet masters' puppets had been collected here.

It could be said that every ounce of Sunagakure's exploitable value had been taken.

"Lord Shinichi, about this…"

Interrupting the Daimyo, Otsutsuki Shinichi glanced at him. "Not bad. As promised, I'll grant you a place on the moon before the world is destroyed."

The Wind Daimyo immediately breathed a sigh of relief, bowing repeatedly. "Thank you, my lord!"

After placating the nameless Daimyo, Otsutsuki Shinichi turned his gaze toward Roran, his eyes narrowing slightly.

…

Pakura and Sakumo Hatake were pushed back by the sheer force of the chakra eruption, their hearts filled with awe.

"This chakra… it's far beyond the level of a Tailed Beast," Pakura murmured, quickly regaining her focus as she and Sakumo fixed their gaze on the center of the purple chakra.

At the moment of the Dragon Vein's eruption, several chakra signatures appeared within their sensory range. The suddenness of these presences felt akin to a space-time ninjutsu.

At the center of the light pillar, several blurry figures began to emerge, struggling amidst the torrent of chakra.

The two focused intently, trying to identify the figures, but the purple radiance and the dust from the eruption made it impossible to see clearly.

However, they didn't need to see them to recognize the familiar voices that drifted over, "Did we succeed?"