"Lightning Release—Ground Flow!"
Lightning exploded across the battlefield.
Blinding arcs surged outward, covering everything in range. Every remaining zombie was caught instantly, their bodies convulsing as electricity tore through them.
Sizzle—!!
White zombies. Green zombies.
They blackened, collapsed, and were reduced to ash in seconds.
This wasn't ordinary chakra.
Lightning Release mimicked nature itself—true lightning, pure and absolute. And zombies, creatures of extreme yin, had no resistance against it.
The moment it struck, their corpse energy melted like frost under the sun.
Without it—
Their bodies simply fell apart.
Uncle Jiu and Qiu Sheng froze.
Stunned.
Moments ago, they had been cornered, ready to risk everything.
And now—
It was over.
Just like that.
Their minds went blank.
Then the same thought hit them—
…Then what were you two doing earlier?!
Uchiha Hideki adjusted his glasses calmly, then looked toward Mo—who was still "struggling."
A faint sigh escaped him.
"Satisfied now?" he said quietly. "Hurry up and finish it. We need to talk."
"Finally."
Uchiha Mo's aura changed instantly.
The weakness was gone. The hesitation vanished.
Only cold certainty remained.
He pressed his hand against the wound, and strange markings spread across his skin like living threads, forming a seal. The corpse energy surged violently—but couldn't escape.
It was forced inward.
Compressed.
Sealed.
Within seconds, it condensed into a dark mark.
Gone.
Uncle Jiu fell silent.
This level of control was absurd.
Uchiha Hideki narrowed his eyes.
As expected.
This had all been planned from the beginning.
Now Mo turned, his gaze sharp and cold.
"Shadow Clone Jutsu."
Bang!
A clone appeared beside him.
One formed Fire seals.
The other—
Lightning.
"Fire Release: Great Dragon Fire!"
"Lightning Release: False Darkness!"
Fire and lightning surged forward.
But instead of repelling each other—
They fused.
Lightning coiled through flame, while flame wrapped around lightning, forming a roaring red-white torrent.
The hairy zombie tried to move.
Too late.
BOOM—!!
The attack pierced through its chest.
Lightning destroyed the core.
Fire burned everything else.
When the light faded—
Nothing remained.
Silence returned.
Only scorched ground—
And drifting ash.
Mo dispelled the clone, his breathing steady, as if nothing had happened.
Then he turned.
"We need to talk."
"I've been waiting," Hideki replied calmly. "You started this. I just followed."
Their eyes met.
No hostility.
No trust.
Only understanding.
The test—
Was over.
Uncle Jiu stepped forward.
"Brother Mo… corpse poison is dangerous. Allow me to treat it."
Mo nodded. "Then I'll trouble you."
The seal loosened slightly as glutinous rice was applied. The reaction was minimal.
Uncle Jiu's gaze deepened.
This body…
Was abnormal.
"All right," he said. "The poison is suppressed. But soak it tonight."
"Understood."
Their tone was natural.
Equal.
Uchiha Hideki watched silently.
Mo had allowed treatment for a reason.
Renjia Town.
That was the next step.
And Mo—
Knew more.
Much more.
"Since things are settled…" Mo said calmly, "why not travel together?"
"Renjia Town. We can resupply."
Hideki nodded. "Agreed."
Uncle Jiu smiled. "You can stay at my mortuary. Simple—but quiet."
"Master…" Qiu Sheng muttered.
"Silence."
Uncle Jiu shot him a glance before continuing, "It's about two hours from here. With some cleaning, it's livable."
"We'll take it."
The group began moving toward Renjia Town.
Uncle Jiu led the way, with Qiu Sheng following behind.
At the rear, the two Uchiha walked side by side in silence.
After a moment, Hideki spoke softly.
"You seem… very familiar with this place."
Uchiha Mo smiled faintly.
"I just know…"
"…a little more than you."