What Uchiha Yoru used wasn't the Shadow Clone Technique.
It was a Sharingan-based clone—an Uchiha-exclusive technique born from ocular power. In fact, it was the very prototype that Tobirama Senju had "referenced" when developing the Shadow Clone Technique.
Once the Shadow Clone Technique was created, this Uchiha technique—requiring the three-tomoe Sharingan—was completely outclassed.
In practicality, endurance, functionality, flexibility… in every aspect, the gap was overwhelming.
Naturally, this relic from the Warring States era was abandoned. Even Uchiha clan members no longer used it.
Only Yoru—
As a mere chunin who hadn't yet learned the Shadow Clone Technique—
Had no choice but to rely on this outdated substitute.
Of course, the Uchiha clan possessed the Shadow Clone Technique.
He just hadn't learned it.
Blame his own low profile.
Within both Konoha and the clan, he was nothing more than an invisible nobody. Naturally, no resources were ever allocated to him.
Without backing from a clan elder, techniques could only be purchased.
But before, he had been too poor to afford an A-rank ninjutsu.
And by the time he finally secured revival funds…
He had already thrown himself into cultivation.
Adapting to the changes of the Foundation Establishment stage, wrestling with the strange "heart demon" lurking in his mind—
He had no time to think about combat techniques.
And so, it was delayed.
Fortunately, he found a substitute technique within the Uchiha revival assets.
Otherwise, dealing with those Root shinobi earlier would have been troublesome—
And he might have ended up on Danzo Shimura's blacklist.
Yoru had already begun gathering intelligence on Danzo and Root.
But at the Foundation Establishment stage, his strength only gave him the confidence to kill.
If Root shinobi appeared before him—
He wouldn't let them leave.
At the same time…
He wasn't confident he could kill Danzo.
Nor was he confident he could kill Hiruzen Sarutobi.
In truth, he wasn't yet in a position to fully turn against them.
This was just preliminary work done in his spare time.
There was no reason to delay his cultivation progress just to eliminate Danzo.
As long as there was no direct threat—
He wouldn't take the initiative.
After all—
Time was on his side.
With each passing day, his strength grew.
Meanwhile, the nearly fifty-year-old Third Hokage and Danzo only continued to decline.
Given time—
Crushing Danzo would be no harder than pinching an ant.
So why rush?
He was already walking the path of cultivation.
Naturally, he should adopt a cultivator's mindset.
A being destined for longevity—
Competing with short-lived mortals over fleeting victories without life-threatening stakes—
Was simply foolish.
Danzo's life was long.
There would be plenty of time to play with him.
Yoru could quietly manipulate fate from the shadows.
Use Shisui Uchiha to protect the clan.
And then—
Sit back and enjoy Danzo's powerless rage.
That would be interesting.
Watching him struggle.
Watching him desperately resist the erosion of age.
And at the right moment—
Casually placing a fatal piece on the board.
Under the weight of time itself—
Yoru could effortlessly grasp Danzo's weakness.
When Danzo finally seized power, stood at the peak of his life—
Yoru would only need to extend a single finger.
A gentle push—
And everything would collapse.
Ninjutsu. Secret arts. Forbidden techniques. Sealing techniques.
Root. Clan. Authority.
Everything Danzo possessed—
Reduced to nothing before his own eyes.
Perhaps…
Letting an enemy experience that kind of despair—
And savoring their suffering—
Was the true pleasure befitting one who pursued immortality.
Killing Danzo now?
At Yoru's current level, it would have to be a silent assassination.
If it failed—
He would either die or be forced into hiding like a rat.
Perhaps even end up under Madara Uchiha as a mere pawn.
That outcome—
He refused.
And even if the assassination succeeded?
What then?
All it would do was grant Danzo the title of a hero—
Fulfilling his lifelong vow to serve Konoha.
Would that be revenge?
Or fulfillment?
…
After dispelling the Sharingan clone and retrieving its memories—
Yoru felt a sudden clarity.
His mind opened.
The irritation toward Root's interference vanished.
He smiled at Miwa Masayo.
"Let's go. We'll meet Granny Cat together."
"Okay, meow."
The calico cat took a few steps—
Then suddenly stopped.
She turned back.
Looked at him once.
Then again.
And again.
Only after a long moment did she move forward again, puzzled.
"Strange, meow… Yoru feels different all of a sudden."
"I can't tell where, meow…"
"But something's changed. So strange."
Lost in thought, her pace slowed.
Yoru walked past her, then bent down—
Picked her up—
And placed her on his shoulder.
"What are you thinking about?"
"You. How you changed. And where you changed… even though everything looks the same."
"…I left a clone behind before accepting your reverse summoning."
"I killed people. Figured some things out. Of course my mental state changed."
"I see, meow…"
"That way of dealing with Danzo sounds interesting. I won't rush you to kill him anymore."
"But when you do—take me with you."
"Of course."
"With something this fun, how could I leave you behind?"
…
Granny Cat wasn't at her residence.
Miwa Masayo wasn't surprised at all.
"At this time, Granny should be at the Kūza Weapon Shop, overseeing things. Hina and Tahuo should be helping too, meow."
"No need to rush. I've already sent a ninja cat to notify her."
Yoru nodded.
"We're already at the Cat Castle. No need to hurry to meet her."
"Let's check on the ninja cats who had problems with Sage training first."
"And Mao You…"
"That big white cat is definitely the most seriously injured."
"Mm. Mao You is indeed the worst off. You guessed it, meow?"
"Of course. For him to grow that large, the natural energy accumulated in his body must be enormous."
"That's a great asset for Sage training."
"But once something goes wrong…"
"That same energy becomes a hidden danger."
"And it'll cause severe damage."
"So—how is he now?"
"Still okay, meow. Breathing fine. Still eating."
"Just can't get up. His whole body's gone limp."
"But his mouth is as stubborn as ever."
"…Let's go take a look."
Mao You had once been the strongest ninja cat in the Cat Castle.
With many followers, he established his own fortress—
Calling himself the Lord of the Ninja Cat Stronghold.
The division among the ninja cats stemmed from the absence of a true leader in the Cat Castle.
Though Granny Cat managed affairs well—
She was still human.
And many ninja cats were dissatisfied.
Cats weren't creatures known for obedience or discipline.
Ninja cats were no different.
Even powerful members of their own kind couldn't unify them all—
Let alone a human.
Yet the ninja world was dangerous.
Individually, ninja cats weren't strong enough to survive alone.
To endure—
They needed unity.
So Mao You and Granny Cat adopted opposing stances.
Forcing the ninja cats to choose sides.
Through that balance—
They maintained internal cohesion.
As long as the two leaders coordinated properly—
It effectively preserved unity within the clan.
Combined with their covert alliance with the Uchiha—
The Cat Castle gained enough strength to survive in the perilous ninja world.
Even thriving.
Mao You—
Was the hidden leader of the Cat Castle.
The military pillar of the ninja cats.
His condition—
Was crucial.
Until Miwa Masayo grew strong enough to stand alongside Gamamaru and White Snake Sage—
Mao You's strength remained the foundation of the Cat Castle's existence.
Naturally—
Yoru would prioritize restoring him.
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