"Why do you insist on bringing this guy along? Can't we find somewhere to bury him?"
Yumi expressed her confusion about Aoba bringing Hidan along.
"Hidan's abilities are very special. He's highly useful to me. If used correctly, he will be a trump card in my hand."
The ruins of the Uzumaki clan were located on a small island between the Land of Fire and the Land of Water.
At this point, he couldn't help but criticize Konoha's decision to let the Land of Whirlpools fall. It was incredibly foolish.
The Land of Whirlpools was strategically positioned right in between the Land of Water and the Land of Fire. It could have been developed into a frontline defense against the Land of Water. Its strategic value was comparable to Taiwan's value to China.
But Konoha did nothing and simply abandoned it. Of course, the performance of the Land of Water and other allied forces was equally foolish. They didn't even try to control the island, instead killing everyone and then leaving...
Upon reaching the border, the two rented a boat to set sail.
However, less than a day at sea, the crew saw the two young travelers spending generously and thought to make an easy profit.
Since they didn't reveal their Konoha ninja identities, and Yumi appeared delicate and weak while Aoba looked like a typical pretty boy, the crew decided to take advantage.
In a fit of anger, Yumi skewered the crew and hung them from the stern of the boat to feed the fish.
As a result, neither of them knew how to steer the boat. They drifted aimlessly at sea for several days.
Eventually, Aoba used Water Release to control the boat. What was supposed to be a two-day journey stretched into nine days before they finally reached the ruins of the Land of Whirlpools.
This small island, once chosen by the Uzumaki clan for settlement, was undoubtedly an ideal living environment with suitable climate and conditions.
Unfortunately, after the fall of the Land of Whirlpools, it had been completely abandoned. When Aoba and Yumi arrived on the island, they found it had been occupied by pirates.
This only made Yumi lose control even more. In a rage, she used the "Needle Jutsu" to impale the pirates on the ruins of the Land of Whirlpools.
Aoba did not stop her. After all, they were just pirates; killing them was no big deal.
When one is powerless, national grievances only add to the troubles. But now that Yumi had the power for revenge, those repressed emotions were fully unleashed.
Aoba wasn't worried; he even welcomed the phenomenon. The world was essentially governed by the law of the jungle. If not for the oddity of Hashirama, the world would either be in total chaos or unified by now.
Hashirama's forced cessation of war resulted in ongoing conflicts between the Five Great Nations after his death. Hatred between them had reached unprecedented levels.
No one knew how many effects were extinguished by the momentary intentions of the Five Great Nations. The hatred of the Land of Whirlpools, at least, was still remembered. The countries obscured by history, the lives whose names had been forgotten, their hatred had even been scattered with the wind.
Aoba always believed that revenge was the most righteous thing in this world. As a descendant of the Uzumaki clan, Yumi naturally had the right to avenge the fallen nation.
After killing the pirates, Yumi led Aoba to the ruins of the Uzumaki clan based on her memories.
Most of the buildings here had been severely damaged by the war and later by the pirates.
Yumi eventually found the Uzumaki Shrine, one of the few structures that was still relatively intact.
Entering, everything inside had long been looted. Only a crude and grim mask remained hanging on the wall.
This mask was Aoba's target. The inconspicuous mask was the only item in the shrine that hadn't been destroyed or taken. It was also the most important thing in the shrine.
After retrieving the mask, the primary objective of their mission was complete. The rest was to accompany Yumi in reminiscing about her homeland.
Unfortunately, this small nation had long been completely destroyed. They explored the entire island but found little trace of the Land of Whirlpools.
Standing by the sea, Yumi gazed at the distant ocean. That direction was towards the Land of Water, the main force behind the fall of the Land of Whirlpools.
"Aoba, I want to find any remaining survivors of the Uzumaki clan and gather them. Let's see if we can carry on the legacy of the Uzumaki clan."
"I support you." As a person from the Land of China in his past life, heritage was deeply ingrained. Aoba felt regret over the fall of the Uzumaki clan. If it was possible to revive this powerful clan, he would be happy to see it.
A few days later, Aoba noted that his one-month leave was nearly over.
Though he never took the time seriously, he didn't mind giving Konoha's higher-ups some face if there were no special circumstances. After all, now was not the time to fall out.
The return trip went much faster. The two traveled straight back to Konoha.
They arrived back at Konoha exactly after one month.
The Third Hokage only smiled at Aoba's punctual return, while Danzo's expression was somewhat peculiar.
Once Aoba had left, Danzo spoke up.
"Hiruzen, I've found a promising candidate at the ninja school. I need her to join Root."
"A promising candidate?"
"Yes, that little girl named Karin. She has already shown characteristics of the Uzumaki clan. Her chakra is five to ten times higher than that of children her age. Her chakra control and ninjutsu learning ability are also top-notch. Such a good candidate would only reach her full potential in Root."
If Aoba had been there, he would have been furious to hear Danzo had plotted on Karin.
After all, he had been intimate with Karin's mother and considered Karin like a half-daughter. Danzo's intentions towards Karin were unacceptable.
"Impossible, Danzo. Give up on this idea. I have other plans for that little girl. She will not be joining Root."
"Hiruzen, such a promising candidate will only waste her potential at the ninja school."
"I've made my decision, Danzo. That's final."
"Hiruzen, you'll regret this."
"Danzo, I am the Hokage."
If Aoba had been present, he might have laughed at this classic exchange.
But once he returned home, he was unable to smile.
"Karin, you said someone with a mask followed you? That should be the Anbu."
"No, it was different. These people also wore masks, but they felt... very dangerous."
The relaxed expression on Aoba's face disappeared, replaced by a serious look.
"Danzo!!"
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Currently on Chapter 98 - Looming Crisis