Chapter 180: Shisui! Even You With Your Thick Eyebrows And Big Eyes Have Betrayed Us?
Star Capital, night.
This city that rose rapidly under Shura’s rule remained brightly lit even after nightfall.
Unlike Konoha’s tranquility, the Star Capital’s nights carried a vibrant, forward-driving energy.
In the Star Capital’s core area, inside a dome building constructed of black basalt, it was brightly lit, permeated with a cold, unnatural silence.
This was Menma’s exclusive research and command hub. In the vast space, aside from the complex three-dimensional star map composed of pure chakra suspended in the center and slowly rotating, only a few strange instruments connected to unknown lines emitted low hums.
Menma stood before the star map, his posture upright.
He wore that signature three-eyed fox mask, appearing exceptionally serene under the reflection of the dim blue light, with only those deep blue pupils sharp as if they could pierce the stars.
He extended his index finger, a point of faint light gathering at the fingertip, and gently tapped a node on the suspended star map.
That node instantly lit up, like a stone thrown into a calm lake, sending out an invisible ripple perceptible to specific souls that spread instantly.
This was the chakra network constructed through “Engraved Tsukuyomi” and “Eight Thousand Spears,” transcending distance, ignoring barriers, issuing a silent call to assemble.
Soon, the air rippled like water waves, and a figure in dark high-collared combat uniform emerged as if peeling directly from the shadows.
Uchiha Hikari remained aloof, her exquisite cold face expressionless; when she appeared, the air seemed to carry a chilling blade edge aura.
But in those Mangekyo Sharingan eyes looking toward Menma, there was a faint trace of softness.
Immediately after, the side door opened, and Uzumaki Kushina’s figure stepped out from it.
She wore an improved red Uzumaki Clan robe convenient for movement, overlaid with a standard Star Ninja vest, her fiery red long hair cascading smoothly, her expression gentle yet capable, her demeanor warm with the maturity of years.
Almost simultaneously, the heavy metal door slid open silently.
Kimimaro Kaguya walked in, the boy’s posture straight as a spear, gray-white long hair draped over his shoulders, his face still carrying a sickly pallor, those transplanted Byakugan eyes occasionally flashing with the ferocity of a battle race.
Finally, in the corner shadow of the laboratory, space slightly distorted, and Uchiha Shisui’s figure materialized.
His expression carried lingering complexity, hiding deep worry and a faint struggle, his newly transplanted Three-Tomoe Sharingan warily scanning the cold surroundings and the members gathered here, who could be called the core combat power of the Land of Stars.
He knew that those summoned here were the forces Shura trusted most and were the sharpest.
“Lord.” The group saluted in unison, their voices echoing in the vast command room.
Even Uchiha Shisui bowed slightly.
Menma’s gaze swept slowly over the four through the white three-eyed fox mask.
He turned, his fingertip swiping across the chakra star map, which instantly shifted, focusing and zooming in, finally settling on a model of the Ninja World planet.
That sphere hanging high on the outer side of the model, specially enlarged, emanating cold lunar glow.
“Gathered you all because there’s a mission requiring you to come with me.” Menma pointed at that enlarged moon.
His voice was low but clearly pierced through the instruments’ hums.
At these words, everyone was slightly surprised.
Shura’s strength was evident; he had assaulted Konohagakure and Cloud Village single-handedly, caused chaos, and retreated calmly. Even besides Uchiha Shisui, the other three knew Shura had also gone to Kirigakure, taking advantage of the Kaguya Clan’s rebellion to bring back Kimimaro and White.
“The moon?” A faint surprise entered Uchiha Hikari’s cold voice.
Even with her experiences, this was too incredulous.
“This mission is to assault the Otsutsuki Clan living inside the moon.” Menma continued.
Uchiha Shisui’s pupils contracted sharply, looking incredulously at the figure in the main seat.
The moon?
Otsutsuki Clan?
This had completely exceeded their understanding of the Ninja World!
Menma gave them no time to digest, continuing in a steady yet unquestionable tone, the information flooding their cognition like a torrent.
“The Otsutsuki Clan on the moon are the younger brother of the Sage of Six Paths, descendants of Otsutsuki Hamura, and the ‘main family’ of the Hyuga Clan. A thousand years ago, Hamura led part of the clan to migrate to the space inside the moon to guard the seal. They call themselves the Ninja World’s ‘watchers’ and ‘guardians,’ viewing the Ninja World as a filthy place, intending to ‘purify’ it.”
“For certain reasons, they lost the Byakugan, their combat style vastly different from the Ninja World, relying on a special dojutsu ‘Giant Tenseigan’ formed by fusing countless Byakugan, which can manipulate gravity and repulsion, command puppet legions; their chakra is ancient and powerful, not to be underestimated.”
Menma briefly recounted the origins of the moon’s Otsutsuki Clan, and their history of splitting due to ideological differences, ultimately erupting into main family-branch family war.
“This assault mission.” Menma’s voice was resolute, breaking the heaviness: “The goal is to locate their core area ‘Tenseigan Chamber,’ assess their war potential, acquire key intelligence, and if necessary, eliminate threats.”
Then, Menma said gravely: “After years of war, the Otsutsuki Clan on the moon has withered; now there should be two clan members left, and a large puppet legion. However, there are still two mysterious strong practitioners on the moon, though they currently lack the ability to interfere in the living world. But it can’t be ruled out that one of them will try to talk with me.”
Two… mysterious strong practitioners unable to interfere in the living world?
Strong practitioners that even Shura valued and specially warned about?!
How powerful exactly?!
And how did Shura learn of these secrets?
Menma’s gaze fell on Uchiha Hikari: “So, Hikari, your combat power is key to confronting the moon’s Otsutsuki Clan in case I’m not there.”
Feeling Menma’s emphasis, Uchiha Hikari raised her head slightly, nodding firmly.
Menma then looked at Kushina: “Kushina, prepare more sealing jutsu scrolls, especially powerful seals for energy bodies and puppets.”
“Yes!” Kushina was eager.
Finally, his gaze swept over Kimimaro: “Speaking of which, the Otsutsuki Clan on the moon are also ancestors of your Kaguya Clan; cherish this mission.”
“Yes! Lord!” Kimimaro responded gravely, knowing his strength was the weakest this time, thus valuing this opportunity especially.
“Additionally.” Menma paused, his gaze turning to Shisui with deep meaning: “This time, the head of the Hyuga Branch Family, Hizashi Hyuga, will accompany us. He, and the Hyuga Branch Family, will be part of the Land of Stars in the future.”
This sentence was like a bomb dropped into deep water.
“What?!” Uchiha Shisui could no longer stay silent, exclaiming in shock!
He jerked his head up, the Three-Tomoe Sharingan in his pupils contracting slightly, his face filled with utmost shock, even overshadowing the astonishment at “moon” and “Otsutsuki Clan”!
Hyuga Branch Family head?
Defecting from Konoha?
Joining the Land of Stars?
How was this possible?!
The Hyuga Clan, especially the branch family, due to the “Caged Bird” curse mark, had always been seen as the ninja clan least likely to betray Konoha!
Was it… because of that cruel “Caged Bird”?
This thought flashed instantly in Shisui’s mind, a chill rising from his spine.
If even the Hyuga Branch Family, renowned for loyalty and discipline, had… then inside Konoha…
A strong impulse nearly made him want to transmit this news back to Konoha immediately!
But reason and cold reality instantly sobered him.
This was the core of the Star Capital!
Surrounding him were Shura of immeasurable strength, Uchiha Hikari whose dojutsu was several times more powerful than his, the Uzumaki Clan head skilled in sealing jutsu, and that Kaguya boy emanating dangerous aura!
Shura dared say it straight to his face, unafraid of him escaping.
Any unusual move would be suicidal!
Shisui could only clench his fists; this sense of powerlessness made even his new Sharingan tremble faintly.
Konoha’s foundations were being eroded in ways he couldn’t imagine.
The rifts inside Konoha were once again nakedly displayed before him.
A flicker of understanding and indifference passed in Uchiha Hikari’s eyes; she held no feelings for Konoha, and her feelings for the Uchiha Clan were only because Menma needed it.
The Hyuga Branch Family leaving Konoha was, to her, just dead branches naturally falling from a decaying tree.
Uzumaki Kushina’s expression remained calm, merely gaining a hint of relief in her eyes for the Hyuga Branch Family escaping restraint.
Kimimaro Kaguya was completely unconcerned with these; his attention focused only on “battle” and “enemies,” white pupils burning with fighting spirit.
“Mission clear; prepare immediately.” Menma issued the final order.
The three responded solemnly: “Yes!”
Uchiha Shisui roughly guessed the purpose of taking him along and could only follow suit.
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Valley of the End.
The massive waterfall hung like an inverted heavenly river, crashing roaring into the deep pool, stirring up sky-filling mist that refracted a hazy glow under the moonlight.
The two hundred-meter-tall giant stone statues of Hashirama Senju and Uchiha Madara faced each other across the water, silently standing on the banks of the rushing river like eternal monuments, recounting that legend and hatred from decades ago.
Atop Uchiha Madara’s stone statue, several figures stood quietly as if appearing from thin air.
Menma stood at the forefront, his black robe flapping in the night wind, his gaze under the mask piercing the mist toward Hashirama’s statue opposite.
Uchiha Hikari stood to Menma’s left, night wind tousling her dark garments, her Mangekyo Sharingan like two cold stars in the darkness, vigilantly scanning the surging river below and the dark jungle on the opposite shore.
Beside her, Uchiha Shisui held his arms crossed, his figure somewhat stiff, his newly transplanted Sharingan also activated, his complex gaze crossing the canyon to land in the direction of Hashirama’s statue opposite, slightly dazed, lost in thought.
Uzumaki Kushina stood quietly a bit to the right, several specially made sealing talismans in her hand flowing with faint light under the moonlight.
Kimimaro Kaguya’s gray-white hair strands moved slightly in the wind, standing at the rear.
The massive water flow’s roar masked all subtle sounds.
At the same time, outside Konohagakure.
Hizashi Hyuga had changed into dark casual wear convenient for movement, his aura restrained.
Beside him were his plainly dressed wife and young son Neji.
Neji seemed nervous about visiting relatives, his first time leaving Konoha, gripping his mother’s hand.
Hiashi Hyuga personally escorted them to the village entrance, looking at his twin brother with a complex expression.
Hizashi had taken leave citing “visiting old friends of the Takarai Clan, and taking Neji out to relax,” perfectly reasonable, with time, route, and even return date specified clearly.
“Go and return early, Hizashi.” Hiashi’s voice carried a faint heaviness.
Hizashi gave his brother a deep look, that gaze holding too much unspeakable, ultimately just bowing solemnly: “Yes, Clan Head.”
Then, he took his wife and son, their figures vanishing swiftly.
The Takarai Clan was also within the Land of Fire; after Hizashi arrived at the Takarai Clan territory with his wife and son, he soon received the Takarai Clan Head’s welcome, old friends naturally sharing several drinks.
Late night.
Hizashi soothed his worried wife and sleeping son, left a shadow clone behind, and quietly left the temporary residence.
Like a leopard blending into the night, he maximized his Byakugan ability, evading the Takarai Clan’s guards, racing toward the Valley of the End.
Using the secret coordinate mark left by Shura, Hizashi precisely arrived at this legendary battlefield.
He took a deep breath, chakra circulating in his body, leaping lightly; in a few bounds, he steadily landed on the broad, sturdy shoulder of Hashirama Senju’s statue.
Night wind tousled his short hair, the “Caged Bird” curse mark on his forehead glaringly conspicuous under the moonlight.
He steadied himself, activating Byakugan first thing!
Veins bulged! The powerful Byakugan penetration instantly pierced the canyon’s pervasive mist and hundreds of meters, precisely scanning the several figures atop Uchiha Madara’s statue opposite!
In the Byakugan vision, chakra outlines were crystal clear.
First to enter the Byakugan was that signature black robe and fox mask, Shura!
Hizashi’s heart settled.
But immediately after, he made out the people behind Shura, his expression instantly freezing into utmost horror!
Two Uchihas?!
The Uchiha Clan’s chakra characteristics were distinct; one of them’s chakra form was so familiar?!
Hizashi Hyuga’s breath hitched!
That face, those eyes; though the chakra intensity seemed weaker, that unique chakra fluctuation form—he who had fought alongside in the Third Great Ninja War would never forget!
Uchiha Shisui!
The famous “Shisui the Teleporter” in Konoha, who mysteriously disappeared recently, genius of the Uchiha Clan, elite jonin trusted by the Third Hokage!
He was actually… still alive!
And standing beside “Shura,” in the Land of Stars’ camp!
And one with warm, vast chakra and signature red hair… an Uzumaki clansman?!
The last… a boy with chakra carrying eerie white bone aura, that feeling…
He absolutely wouldn’t mistake it!
A survivor of the Kaguya Clan?!
The immense absurdity and impact nearly made Hizashi unsteady!
Konoha’s Uchiha genius had also… betrayed?!
How was this possible?!
Uchiha Shisui’s appearance here carried implications far more terrifying than seeing any Land of Stars strong practitioner!
This meant Konoha’s intelligence might have long leaked, even whether the Uchiha Clan was also like him… seeking something from Shura?
Uchiha Clan, Uzumaki Clan, Kaguya Clan… and their Hyuga Clan!
What exactly was Shura planning!
And atop the opposite Uchiha Madara statue, Uchiha Shisui’s gaze similarly pierced the mist, landing on Hizashi Hyuga.
Upon clearly seeing the distinct “Caged Bird” curse mark on the other’s forehead and confirming his identity as the Hyuga Branch Family head, Shisui’s heart was struck like by a heavy hammer!
He had clung to a faint hope before, hoping it was some scheme of Shura…
But now, seeing with his own eyes!
Hizashi Hyuga had truly appeared here!
Truly betrayed Konoha!
The complexity in Shisui’s eyes was instantly replaced by deep pain and bewildered collapse of belief.
He stared deathly at Hizashi on the opposite statue; separated by the surging river, roaring waterfall, and that invisible gulf called “stance,” at their gazing intersection, unspeakable shock and bitterness flowed silently.
It’s the end of the month again; if you have monthly votes, feel free to cast them, thanks.
