Konoha: The Absolute Justice of the Uchiha

Chapter 175 The Disheveled White Snake Sage, the Uchiha's "Fatherly Love and Filial Piety"

After the three Snake Princesses of Ryuchi Cave were executed by Uchiha Ikezumi, the entire Ryuchi Cave underwent a "great purge." One of the so-called three great holy lands of the ninja world was almost transformed into a magma inferno.

Only a few remote and secluded areas were spared from the magma's devastation.

That's because most of the snakes living in those remote and secluded places in Ryuchi Cave are outcasts in Ryuchi Cave, and are among the few that are not cruel or vicious.

But to Uchiha Ikezumi's surprise, his most desired target was the White Snake Sage.

They've vanished without a trace!
Uchiha Ikezumi has found the cave where the White Snake Sage has lived for many years, but apart from a large chair that belonged to the White Snake Sage, there is no trace of him.

"Did you run away..."

Uchiha Ikezumi clicked his tongue: "Is this one of the reasons it has been able to survive for thousands of years? When it encounters a dangerous element that it cannot control, its first reaction is to run away."

As she murmured this, Uchiha Ikezumi shifted her gaze slightly to the side, her eyes landing on a black snake not far away.

The black snake, which was trying to sneak away, suddenly froze after realizing it had been discovered.

Immediately, it heard light footsteps behind it.

There was also a surging heat wave that sent chills down its spine.

"Where did that white snake go?" When the cold voice sounded from behind, the black snake's scales almost stood on end.

It didn't dare turn its head, and spoke in human language, trembling as it replied, "I...I don't know where the White Snake Immortal went...I just came here as usual to clean the cave for the immortal. I never expected...I never expected to meet you here."

When it heard footsteps again, it was already heartbroken and thought it was going to die here today.

But to their surprise, the footsteps didn't get closer; instead, they grew farther and farther away.

When it turned around in surprise, it found that the terrifying human had disappeared into the White Snake Immortal's cave.

"Why didn't he kill me? He had already gone on a killing spree in Ryuchi Cave, killing countless of my kind."

Black Snake couldn't understand the other party's line of thinking.

Unexpectedly, it was because it had lived in Longdi Cave for many years and had never gone out, and had never had the opportunity to do evil, that its life was saved.

In other words...

It saved itself.

……

at the same time.

In the Shikkotsu Forest, one of the three great sacred sites of the ninja world, a large white serpent appeared, completely surrounded by a massive number of slugs, so numerous that just one glance would make one's scalp tingle.

The small slugs gradually closed and merged, eventually forming a giant slug almost the same size as the white snake.

The slug spoke in human language, saying, "White Snake Immortal, it's been a long time, at least a thousand years. I never expected that our reunion after a thousand years would be in such a way."

"But are you sure you won't protect your Ryuchi Cave? I can vaguely sense that your Ryuchi Cave is in a huge crisis. Many of the snakes in Ryuchi Cave have lost their lives today."

The White Snake Immortal had a pipe dangling from his mouth.

It stared straight at the Slug Sage in front of it, its tone completely calm as it said, "Ryuchi Cave is destroyed, but I can rebuild it; it's just a matter of time, and time is the last thing I lack. But if that Uchiha ninja who believes in 'absolute justice' finds me, even I can't guarantee whether I can survive in his hands."

"It will most likely end in a lose-lose situation, and I can't accept that, because once those toads from Mount Myōboku find out I'm seriously injured, they'll definitely take the opportunity to come and give me a hard time."

The slug immortal said, "Did you choose such a high-sounding excuse for your escape? After much thought, is it only here that you can seek refuge?"

White Snake Immortal: "..."

This is why it is unwilling to deal with the other two holy sites.

The White Snake Sage instinctively disliked the toads of Mount Myōboku, and many snakes in Ryūchi Cave also disliked the toads of Mount Myōboku.

In the eyes of the White Snake Sage, the Slug Sage could be considered a "good person," but every word he uttered was too sincere, and he spoke the truth without any regard for the feelings of others.

However, since he currently needed the other party's help, the White Snake Immortal suppressed his displeasure.

It said, "So, may I stay in Shikkotsu Forest for a while? Not long, about a hundred years will be enough. After a hundred years, that Uchiha righteous brat will be nothing but bones in a grave."

"I reject."

"Hmm... Hmm? What?" The slug sage's brief question almost stunned the white snake sage, who stared at the slug sage in disbelief.

It was hard for her to believe that this "good person" had suddenly changed his personality.

The Slug Sage said, “My best summoner has a very good relationship with Uchiha Ikezumi. I can’t ruin her relationship with Uchiha Ikezumi because of you, and I can’t make things difficult for her. So I’m sorry, Shikkotsu Forest cannot take you in.”

The White Snake Immortal felt that there might be something wrong with his hearing.

Why would the Slug Sage want to drive me away just for a psychic contractor?
Is a mere psychic contractor more valuable than the personal favor of the dignified White Snake Immortal?
The White Snake Immortal didn't understand!
Just as the White Snake Immortal was about to say something, it noticed that the number of slugs gathering around it seemed to be increasing, and the slug immortal in front of it was also growing larger. Before, it could look at it at eye level, but now it could only look up at it.

This means that the Slug Sage is ready to fight him.

If you stubbornly refuse to leave Shikkotsu Forest.

The Slug Sage will definitely make a move without hesitation.

Damn...

A dignified immortal from the sacred land of Shig Bone Forest could have their so-called spiritual contract so easily torn up unilaterally. Those contracts couldn't restrain an immortal in any way. Was it worth it for a human?
"...I understand." Although the White Snake Immortal was in a terrible mood, it still maintained the composure of an immortal from a sacred land.

It took a deep breath, gave the slug fairy a long look, and then turned and left without hesitation.

After the White Snake Sage left, a small slug separated from the Slug Sage's body.

The little slug made a "bang".

It turned into white smoke and disappeared.

……

"What? That kid Ikezumi chased Orochimaru all the way to the sacred Ryuchi Cave? He even wrecked Ryuchi Cave and scared the White Snake Sage so much that he abandoned the sacred Ryuchi Cave and ran away?"

If the information hadn't come from a split version of the Slug Sage, Tsunade would have thought someone was trying to fool her.

Tsunade was completely bewildered by the information shared by the Slug Sage.

Although she was already aware of the extent of Uchiha Izumi's "trouble-making" abilities, wasn't this incident a bit too serious?

The voice of the little slug perched on Tsunade's shoulder echoed in Tsunade's mind: "That Uchiha Ikezumi cleaned up Ryuchi Cave to carry out his absolute justice, because many snakes in Ryuchi Cave are rather cruel and violent. In particular, some of the snakes that have lived for a long time have done many things that are intolerable to human morality, and the victims have all been humans."

Upon hearing this, Tsunade's shock subsided considerably.

“Then they deserved it,” Tsunade said. At that moment, Tsunade suddenly thought of something, her expression becoming somewhat complicated, and continued, “The Slug Sage, even the White Snake Sage was chased away by that brat Izumi. Does that mean that Orochimaru, who escaped to Ryuchi Cave, has already…”

"Hmm." The slug fairy's voice sounded softly.

"call……"

Tsunade slowly exhaled. Although she had long anticipated Orochimaru's fate, he had ultimately been a rare and dear friend of hers.

"This outcome isn't necessarily a bad thing for him; at least he hasn't gone any deeper into the abyss of evil. Although, judging by the evil deeds he's committed, he's already at the bottom of the abyss."

"But then again," Tsunade muttered, "he chased Orochimaru all the way to Ryuchi Cave, so did he know how to get out?"

The slug sage said, "I have already sent one of my clones to guide him."

Tsunade was stunned.

Why does it feel like the Slug Sage is taking better care of Uchiha Ikezumi than he is?

They probably haven't met before, right?

You probably don't know them, right?
……

"Go another ten kilometers ahead, and after crossing a canyon that is a thousand meters deep and filled with mist and poisonous miasma, you can leave Ryuchi Cave."

A tiny slug, no bigger than a finger, perched on Uchiha Ikezumi's left shoulder, making a sound in a female tone.

"Thank you." Uchiha Ikezumi never hesitated to express her gratitude to those who helped her or to any other living being.

He calmly expressed his doubts: "The Slug Sage suddenly appeared in front of me and said he could show me the way and take me away from Ryuchi Cave. Surely he wouldn't have done it just for this?"

The slug fairy answered frankly, "Indeed."

It didn't beat around the bush with Uchiha Izumi, but frankly stated its purpose: "You are the second excellent summoner I have met after Tsunade. Because you, like Tsunade, have a very sincere and pure heart, which is what makes you different from other ninjas in the ninja world."

Uchiha Izumi said, "Most people describe me as having an extreme personality, but you are the only one who says that my heart is sincere and pure."

The Slug Sage said, “Staying true to one’s ninja way is something many people in the ninja world can do. But the problem is that not everyone’s ninja way is good. And I can see that your pursuit of absolute justice, while currently somewhat extreme, is actually very beneficial to the entire ninja world overall.”

"Shikkotsu Forest rarely gets involved in the major and minor events in the ninja world. Even when it does get involved, it's always passively. I won't judge what changes you want to make for the ninja world; that's your own choice, and I have no right to interfere."

"In short, I would like to invite you to become the summoner of Shikkotsu Forest. In this way, after Tsunade, Shikkotsu Forest will have another qualified summoner that I can appreciate."

"And I also believe that you will not only use the power of Shikkotsu Forest to fight, but also use this power to benefit the entire ninja world."

"This is the real reason why I believe you are the best candidate."

The Slug Sage was indeed very frank, saying everything that could and could not be said in order to avoid any misunderstandings.

It essentially conveys these points: Shikotsu Forest needs talents like you, but Shikotsu Forest will never interfere with your thought processes or choices, nor will it require you to pay any price.

It's more like seeking a powerful alliance based on equality.

As expected of the Slug Sage who single-handedly transformed Shikkotsu Forest into one of the three sacred sites, on par with Ryuchi Cave and Mount Myoboku.

Its calm, amiable, and unassuming nature is something that neither the Great Toad Immortal nor the White Snake Immortal possess.

Uchiha Izumi said, "Instead of having only me as a partner, Shikkotsu Forest should include all those who believe in absolute justice."

The Slug Sage was taken aback. It knew that Uchiha Ikezumi's words meant he had agreed, but the other party had put forward conditions.

However, the Slug Sage can accept this condition.

It said, "Then I also have my conditions. All those who believe in absolute justice must pass your test. Those who pass your test are the people I consider excellent."

Uchiha Ikezumi calmly replied, "Okay."

……

Konoha, at Uchiha Setsuna's residence.

After school, Sasuke Uchiha noticed that the atmosphere within the Uchiha clan had become extremely strange, which puzzled him greatly.

When I got home, I found that both my mother and father had tense expressions, and there seemed to be a lingering anger between them.

Sasuke immediately realized that his father and mother seemed to be arguing again, and perhaps the argument was still related to Ikezumi-sensei.

After all... this is the only conflict between the two of them.

My father doesn't agree with absolute justice, while my mother does; that's their biggest disagreement.

Sasuke broke the awkward silence by speaking up: "Father, don't police officers usually get off work after more than an hour? Why are you back early today?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Sasuke noticed that his father's expression seemed to be on the verge of breaking down.

Sasuke suddenly realized...

It seems that I said the wrong thing.

"...I am no longer the captain of the Konoha Police Force. I am not even the head of the Uchiha clan anymore. From now on, I don't have to wait an hour to go home. I can be home anytime." After giving his second son a deep look, Fugaku Uchiha turned and walked into the depths of the courtyard without looking back.

Sasuke was stunned for a moment.

“Your father isn’t in a good mood, there’s no need to take his words to heart,” Uchiha Mikoto said with a gentle smile, comforting Sasuke.

"Mother, what happened within the Uchiha clan?" Sasuke felt his mind was a little foggy.

Mikoto Uchiha sighed and patiently explained it again.

After hearing this, Sasuke didn't know how to describe his feelings.

As the second son of Fugaku Uchiha, he should have felt angry after learning that his father had been forced to abdicate and lost two positions.

but……

What if the one who forces their father to resign is the one who believes in absolute justice?

Sasuke found himself actually wanting to laugh!

He quickly composed himself, trying to keep his expression straight.

……

……

(End of this chapter)