"I'll start by teaching you the basic functions of the Byakugan. First is the 'Telescopic Vision'—with proper chakra control, you can enhance your eyesight. In the beginning, you'll be able to see about one kilometer away."
"Got it!"
Ao patiently instructed Nonō on how to use the Byakugan, as well as its foundational techniques for daily use.
Nonō listened intently and took everything seriously.
A Kirigakure ninja teaching a former Konoha ninja how to use the Byakugan—this alone was quite the sight for the surrounding Uchiha, who watched with great interest.
After five or six minutes…
Nonō had already grasped the three basic capabilities of the Byakugan: Telescopic Vision, X-Ray Vision, and Insight Vision.
The Byakugan wasn't too difficult to get the hang of.
With this newfound power, her strength had increased exponentially. Nonō couldn't help but reflect on how, in this world, the easiest way to change one's destiny was to possess a kekkei genkai.
Just then—
The Iwagakure team that Orochimaru and Ao had scouted earlier was already approaching the summoning serpent.
However, they were still far enough away that their faces couldn't be clearly seen with the naked eye.
Nonō, eager to test her new abilities, looked toward the incoming group of Iwa-nin. She raised her right hand and held up her index and middle fingers.
Following Ao's instructions, she molded her chakra and directed it through the brain's chakra pathways into her Byakugan.
In an instant—
Veins bulged at the corners of her eyes. Her pale lavender pupils and the whites of her eyes transformed into a bluish-white hue—Byakugan activated, and she engaged Telescopic Vision.
Her vision shifted into a black-and-white scan-like perspective, similar to medical imaging.
Though she wasn't used to the strange visual format, Nonō could now clearly see the people approaching.
It was a team of six Iwa-nin.
They were escorting a group of civilians—twenty people total, all dressed like citizens of the Land of Earth. Ten men, ten women—each with sturdy builds or good looks.
"…"
Nonō frowned.
Among the six Iwa-nin, she spotted a face that felt both familiar and unfamiliar.
The ninja had silver hair, a slim figure, and wore the standard Iwagakure shinobi uniform. He wore round glasses—just like Kabuto.
His appearance was a little different from the photos Danzo had once given her, but…
Using the Byakugan, Nonō instantly recognized the glasses she herself had once given Kabuto.
"Kabuto?"
Her expression shifted in shock as realization dawned. The one hiding among the Iwa-nin was none other than her adopted son—Kabuto Yakushi!
Uchiha Yu noticed the change in her expression. Based on her reaction and the name she called out, he quickly deduced that Kabuto must be among the Iwa-nin.
It made sense.
Without Uchiha Yu actively contacting Iwagakure, even with the Uchiha Clan's downfall, Iwa wouldn't have risked attacking Konoha with such little intel.
If Danzo hadn't died, Nonō would've still been executing assassination missions. At some point, she would've tried to kill the undercover Kabuto within Iwagakure.
The two would have fought in a nearby valley—mother versus son—and Nonō would've died at Kabuto's hands. In her final moments, because of her nearsightedness, she wouldn't have recognized the round glasses and realized who he was.
As for Kabuto, he would then be lured away by the ever-watching Orochimaru.
"…"
Uchiha Yu glanced at Orochimaru, whose pale, feminine face curved into a subtle smile. He nodded politely toward Yu.
Now this was awkward.
Uchiha Yu, of course, also wanted to recruit Kabuto.
But the truth was, Kabuto wouldn't learn much if he followed the Uchiha. With Orochimaru, however, Kabuto could truly flourish.
So be it—let Kabuto train under Orochimaru.
Besides, when Yu had used Perfect Susanoo, he had already branded Orochimaru with the Yasakani.
A few minutes later—
The Iwagakure team finally reached the area near the summoning serpent. Their leader was a middle-aged Iwa-nin with a thick beard.
The squad leader glanced nervously at the massive beast before them—nearly the size of a mountain—and swallowed hard. Forcing a smile, he shouted:
"Uchiha Yu! We were sent here by Lord Tsuchikage—"
Uchiha Yu, now a household name across the ninja world thanks to Konoha's bounty, interrupted before he could finish:
"This is the 'gift' the Tsuchikage spoke of?"
His eyes scanned the Iwa-nin, skipping over the civilian escort… and settling directly on Kabuto Yakushi, who was quietly trying to blend into the group.
From the corner of his eye, Uchiha Yu noticed Orochimaru staring at Kabuto as well—his face lit up, as if he'd just discovered the perfect gem he'd been seeking.
Clearly, Orochimaru was just as interested in Kabuto's potential.
Since defecting from Konoha, Orochimaru had traveled the world in search of talent.
Inside the Iwagakure team—
Kabuto, confident in his disguise, had no idea that both Uchiha Yu and Orochimaru, two S-rank rogue ninjas, had already set their sights on him.
"The one speaking… is that really Uchiha Yu?"
Kabuto thought to himself as he subtly raised his head to follow the gaze of the Iwa-nin beside him. He discreetly looked up at the head of the giant summoning serpent—toward the now infamous Uchiha Yu.
But before he could lay eyes on Yu himself, Kabuto's gaze clashed with Nonō's, who stood atop the serpent's head.
In that instant, his scalp tingled, and his whole body froze in place.
"That's… the Director??"
"No—"
"Those eyes… they're the Byakugan. That woman should be a member of the Hyūga clan… but aside from her eyes, she looks exactly like the Director… and she's even wearing a black nun's robe?"
Behind his round glasses, Kabuto's pupils shrank sharply as a wave of emotions surged through him. His thoughts spiraled into a storm of disbelief.
Atop the serpent's head, the Uchiha, along with the recovering Tsunade, Mei Terumi, and Ao, had all shifted their focus toward the civilian group the Iwa-nin were escorting.
None of them spoke.
The method Iwagakure was using—offering its citizens to another clan—was a practice that had been common during the Warring States period.
It was no different from capturing people of other clans to use as labor during war.
The bearded Iwa-nin squad leader offered a bitter smile.
"Yes. Lord Tsuchikage mentioned that if you plan to rebuild the Uchiha Clan within the shinobi world, you'd undoubtedly need a large population."
"From today on—these people will be your servants."
Uchiha Yu said bluntly:
"Take them back. Tell Ōnoki, if he truly wants to help, then once the Uchiha are settled, he can send over Iwa-nin skilled in Earth Release to help us construct our settlements."
Seeing that Yu had no intention of taking the civilians, the people from Iwagakure—especially the so-called "gifted" civilians—actually breathed a sigh of relief. After all, who would willingly follow a fugitive rogue ninja faction?
"Helping you build a settlement is no problem at all," said the squad leader. "But if you don't accept this group… we'll have a hard time explaining ourselves once we return. I hope you'll understand."
The Iwa-nin leader's face showed his struggle.
But Uchiha Yu wasn't fooled by Ōnoki's ploy.
The real focus was on those "attractive" women within the civilian group.
It was obvious: Ōnoki hoped these women would bear Uchiha children—and through those despicable means, obtain the Sharingan. No doubt, among these women were embedded Iwa spies.
Just as Yu was about to speak, a mission prompt suddenly appeared in his mind:
---
[Side Quest]: Tribute.
[Options]:
1. Accept Iwagakure's "gift."
[Reward]:
+100 cubic meters to storage space.
---
"…"
Yu's face darkened.
He had clearly rejected the offer already, yet the system had to issue this quest now—as if it were mocking him.
After thinking for a moment, Yu spoke coldly:
"Take the civilians back. For now, they're just a burden to us."
"However—"
"I'll trade you one of your own shinobi for them. That way, you'll have something to report when you return."
The others didn't immediately react, but Orochimaru and Nonō both realized what Yu meant.
Their expressions turned strange as they simultaneously looked toward Yu.
The Iwa-nin squad leader's expression sank. He considered the request carefully, then nodded:
"Fine. Choose whoever you want."
Offering up one of their own ninja as a show of goodwill to the Uchiha was certainly better than being outright rejected.
As the man agreed, Uchiha Yu scanned the faces of the uneasy Iwa-nin before finally locking eyes with Kabuto.
"The one with the round glasses."
The Iwa-nin leader's eyes lit up. He turned toward Kabuto, thinking to himself, That guy? Average strength, no parents. Giving him to the Uchiha won't cost us much.
The man barked out the order:
"Tatsuryū!"
"Sir!"
Kabuto's expression tightened. Tatsuryū—his cover name while undercover in Iwagakure.
"Step forward!"
°°°
Hungry for more chaps? Then check out our pătreon!
Link: Påtreon.com/BaphometFiction
I post 20 advanced chapters of this fanfic there.
If you do subscribe, please do so in the web patreon, not the ios app.