Chapter 68 — When Great Nations Clash, Clans Suffer
"Since that's the case," Yami asked calmly, "what does Senior Yashiro think should be done about this mission?"
"I support whatever decision benefits the Uchiha."
Yashiro did not answer directly. Instead, he looked at Yami meaningfully.
"But before that, let me remind you—
the Chinoike clan is more dangerous than you imagine.
"Their Ketsuryūgan may not equal the Sharingan, but in certain aspects… it is even more bizarre."
"Thank you for the warning, Senior."
Yami nodded in acknowledgment.
"But since I've come, I naturally didn't come unprepared."
Yashiro studied him carefully.
"The village wouldn't send you here without reason. Your strength likely isn't as simple as it appears."
Yami smiled without answering.
Yashiro took that as confirmation.
"Follow me," he said at last. "There's information you may find useful."
---
They entered the concealed outpost built along the mountainside.
Inside, it was far more spacious than it appeared from the outside.
A detailed map of Hell Valley hung on the wall, marking Chinoike settlements and Uchiha patrol routes.
"Sit."
Yashiro gestured to a wooden chair and seated himself opposite.
"First, understand this clearly—due to our agreement with Kumogakure, the Uchiha cannot provide you any overt assistance."
"I understand."
Seeing Yami's lack of surprise, Yashiro continued:
"However… the Chinoike clan has been increasingly unstable. Riots and escape attempts occur from time to time.
"If you can provoke them into making a major disturbance—
shattering their illusion of being recalled by the Raikage… or even causing internal conflict to weaken themselves…"
He paused deliberately, observing Yami's reaction.
"As long as Uchiha interests are not harmed, I will choose to look the other way."
Yami's eyes flickered with comprehension.
"Senior Yashiro wishes to use me to free the Uchiha from this guard assignment?"
"For years, day after day, we have guarded this place," Yashiro said, a faint dissatisfaction in his tone. "The Uchiha have paid enough."
He lowered his voice slightly.
"If you can make this happen, the Uchiha will not forget the favor."
Yami tapped his fingers lightly on the table, not immediately agreeing.
"As I understand it, Kumogakure truly does intend to recall the Chinoike clan.
"The Third Raikage has a strong relationship with the current Daimyō. Strengthening the village by reclaiming bloodline limits would make sense.
"They've tried to collect bloodline abilities from other villages before—why wouldn't they reclaim meat already within reach?"
"That is precisely the issue."
A sharp glint flashed in Yashiro's eyes.
"Konoha does not wish to see Kumogakure grow stronger.
"But the Uchiha are bound by contract to guard this place for Kumogakure.
"We stand awkwardly between the two."
Yami considered this.
"So you want either the Chinoike clan or Kumogakure to abandon the recall plan on their own?"
"Exactly."
Yashiro leaned forward slightly.
"If the Chinoike clan proves too unstable to recruit—or too dangerous to control—
"Kumogakure will reconsider.
"And when that happens, the Uchiha can finally withdraw from this burden."
Yami nodded slowly.
He had anticipated complications before coming.
Only now did he see the full extent—
This wasn't just a mission.
It was a piece in the chessboard of great nations.
And somehow, the Uchiha had agreed to sit on the most uncomfortable square.
Still—
The murkier the waters, the easier it was to fish.
Simply put—
He was quite practiced at stirring chaos.
Yashiro pulled a scroll from his robe.
"Intelligence on the Chinoike clan's internal structure."
He met Yami's gaze.
"Once you leave this room, I will deny this conversation ever happened."
Yami accepted the scroll with a faint smile.
"Of course. I'm merely a Konoha chūnin executing a mission. I know nothing of Uchiha internal affairs."
As he rose to leave, Yashiro added quietly:
"Be wary of Batō. He's been in Hell Valley too long.
"He may no longer know who he truly serves."
The implication was unmistakable.
"Thank you for the reminder."
Yami inclined his head and slipped silently out of the outpost.
After he departed—
Yashiro remained seated, staring at the Hell Valley map on the wall.
A complicated expression flickered in his eyes.
When great nations wrestle—
It is always the clans that bleed.
He had heard many rumors about this so-called "civilian prodigy."
Perhaps… he truly could break the deadlock of Hell Valley.
---
The night was thick as ink.
Using the shadows cast by the rock walls, Yami moved swiftly, Kagura's Mind's Eye fully expanded.
The deeper he went toward the valley floor, the heavier the nauseating stench of sulfur became. Beneath it lingered a faint but unmistakable trace of blood.
The Chinoike clan's settlement had been built on a relatively flat stretch at the bottom of the gorge. Crude stone huts stood scattered in uneven rows.
Several figures wandered through the darkness. In each of their eyes flickered an unnatural crimson glow.
Yami concealed himself within a narrow crevice and unfolded the scroll Yashiro had given him.
When his gaze fell upon the name Oyashiro En, a meaningful curve lifted at the corner of his lips.
"A peripheral figure within the Chinoike clan…" he murmured softly, a sharp glint flashing through his eyes.
He rolled up the scroll.
If he could first locate this so-called "genius of clan annihilation," a talent rumored to rival Uchiha Itachi—
Then the plan could begin from there.
Rather than act immediately, he remained hidden, refining the details in his mind while quietly mapping out the clan's residential layout.
Suddenly—
He sensed two comparatively strong chakra signatures approaching.
Without hesitation, he layered Ice Release with sealing techniques, suppressing his heartbeat and presence to the bare minimum.
After all, the Chinoike clan were ocular specialists—not simple brute warriors like the Kaguya.
Caution never hurt.
Soon, two Chinoike clansmen in worn kimono passed nearby, their eyes glowing eerily red in the darkness.
"The envoy from Kumogakure will arrive soon," one whispered. "This may be our last chance."
"Clan Leader Momoe is still hesitating," the other replied hoarsely. "She still believes the Raikage will honor his promise."
"Foolishness!" the first hissed. "Kumo only wants to exploit our bloodline limit. Have you forgotten who brought us this suffering?"
Their voices gradually faded into the night.
Yami stepped out from the shadows, a sharp light flashing in his eyes.
An envoy from Kumogakure was about to arrive?
That was unexpected intelligence.
It seemed his plan would require a slight adjustment.
---
At the opposite end of Hell Valley, Uchiha Batō stood atop the outpost, gazing in the direction where Yami had disappeared.
The scarlet Sharingan in his eyes slowly rotated.
"Yashiro… what exactly are you plotting?" he muttered to himself, before his figure melted back into the darkness.
At this moment, Hell Valley felt like a powder keg on the verge of ignition.
Multiple forces were converging here at once.
And Yami—
Was preparing to be the one who lit the fuse.