I, Uchiha, will not be whitewashed!

A secret outpost, late at night.

Shuoge sat at the end of the corridor, looking at the eye power storage scroll in the drawer.

Ten three-comma jewels.

He calculated that even if all the three-tomoe Jonin of the Uchiha clan were included, they still couldn't reach that number. Moreover, Orochimaru's method only delayed the problem, not cured it.

He needs another way.

—Tsunade!

One of the Legendary Sannin of Konoha, and the greatest medical ninja in the ninja world. If even she can't handle it, then we'll have to resort to the old methods.

-

The next day, in the Hokage's office.

Minato was reading documents when Sakugo pushed open the door and placed his ANBU mask on the table. "I heard there's a mission to deliver a message to Lady Tsunade."

Minato looked up. "You're quite well-informed."

He took an envelope from the drawer, sealed with the Hokage's wax seal. "Tsunade is in the Tanabata area. This letter needs to be delivered to her. Are you going?"

"Yes." Shuoge took the envelope without asking what was written inside.

Minato picked up a pen, wrote a few lines on a blank mission sheet, signed his name, stamped it with the Hokage seal, and pushed it over. "Time limit: half a month."

Given the long time involved, one possibility was that they might not find Tsunade in Tanabata Street, and another was that Minato wanted Sakugo to relax.

It's not good to always be so tense.

Shuoge took the task sheet, folded it, and stuffed it into his pocket.

"This mission can be delayed a bit, there's no need to rush." ​​Minato's voice was very soft.

Shuoge nodded, turned and left.

---

Tanzaku Town, in the central part of the Land of Fire, is a bustling town famous for its casinos.

Shuoge walked back and forth along the main street twice, asking three people before finally finding Tsunade's whereabouts.

Someone told him that the "fat sheep" had just entered the biggest casino at the end of the street.

He pushed open the curtain and went inside.

Smoke filled the air. A dozen or so gambling tables were surrounded by people, the sounds of dice hitting the bottom of bowls, chips hitting the tables, cheers and curses mingling together.

Sakugo's gaze swept across the crowd and found Tsunade in a corner.

She sat at the gambling table, a small stack of chips piled up in front of her, not many.

Jingyin stood behind her, holding the little pig Tun Tun in her arms, her expression a mix of worry and helplessness.

Tsunade's long, golden hair was slightly disheveled, and the diamond-shaped mark on her forehead was faintly visible in the dim light. She held a pair of dice in her hand, ready to roll them.

"Lady Tsunade, it's about time..." Shizune said in a low voice.

"Let's play one more round." Tsunade didn't turn around.

Shuoge walked over and sat down across from the gambling table.

Tsunade looked up at him. She recognized the Konoha headband, but not Sakugo's face. "Kid, this isn't a place for you. Go play pinball over there."

Sakugo placed Minato's letter on the table and pushed it towards him. "A letter from Lord Minato himself."

Tsunade frowned slightly.

Although she wasn't in Konoha Village, she knew everything that was happening there.

Watergate looks good.

She put down the dice, picked up the envelope, and opened it. The letter was short; she read it for a few seconds, folded it, and tucked it into her sleeve.

The letter contained the same old things: some greetings and a hope that she could return to the village.

Tell me your question.

Shuoge's voice was calm. "I have a problem with my eyes, and I'd like to know if you have any treatment options."

Tsunade stared into his eyes.

Sakugo did not dodge; his Mangekyou Sharingan silently activated, and three black crescent moons slowly rotated in his red pupils.

Tsunade's pupils contracted slightly—she had seen eyes like that before, on another Uchiha.

"Kaleidoscope...no wonder."

She leaned back in her chair, arms crossed over her chest.

"Your pupils are overworked, causing optic nerve atrophy. I can help repair your optic nerve, but that's only a temporary fix. As long as you continue to use those eyes, they will deteriorate again."

"How long can it last?"

"It depends on how you use it. Use it sparingly, for a few years. Use it frequently, for a few months." Tsunade paused. "Besides, I don't treat people for free."

Sakugo pulled a sealed scroll from his pocket and placed it on the table. Inside was a large sum of money he had withdrawn from the Uchiha treasury before setting off, enough to pay off all of Tsunade's gambling debts in Tanabata Street, with a considerable amount still left over.

The Uchiha clan is rich!

Tsunade glanced at the scroll but didn't open it. "You're certainly well-prepared."

Back then, most of my grandfather's gambling debts were paid off by Madara Uchiha.

"Money isn't the problem. The problem is my eyes," Schogor said.

Tsunade was silent for a moment. She stared at Sakugo's eyes for a few seconds—those Mangekyou Sharingan were not something anyone could see.

The fact that this Uchiha was able to deliver the message for Minato shows that he is trustworthy, or at least that Minato trusts him.

Moreover, it was just a minor optic nerve repair surgery, and the money earned was enough to pay off most of the gambling debts on Tanbata Street.

She has no reason to refuse.

Tsunade stood up and brushed the dust off her skirt. "Come with me."

---

Tanbata Street, inn.

Tsunade's room was bigger than Sakugo had imagined, but it was also very messy.

Bottles of liquor and casino chips were piled on the table, the bed was unmade, and a few pieces of clothing were scattered on the floor. Jingyin blushed as she tidied up and made room for Shuoge with a chair.

"Lie down," Tsuna said, pointing to the bed.

Sakugo lay down and closed his eyes. Tsunade sat on the edge of the bed, her hands covering his eyes. Green chakra flowed from her palms, warm and gentle, like a spring breeze.

Shuoge's left eye began to burn—not the stinging burning sensation of Orochimaru, but a warm, slow burning sensation, like being soaked in lukewarm water.

"Don't move." Tsunade's voice was very focused.

Shizune stood beside her, holding Tunade tightly, barely daring to breathe. The treatment lasted about half an hour. Tsunade released her grip, a fine layer of sweat beading on her forehead.

"alright."

Shuoge opened his eyes. His left eye's vision was clear, not like Orochimaru's "70% restored" clarity, but completely, sharply, as clear as when he first opened his eyes.

He blinked to make sure it wasn't his imagination.

"The optic nerve has been repaired. But your pupil power is still being depleted, and it will continue to atrophy as long as you use those eyes." Tsunade stood up, walked to the table, poured a glass of water, and drank it all in one gulp.

Use it sparingly. It's best not to use it at all.

Shuoge sat up in bed and slung the knife behind his back. "Thank you."

"Don't thank me. Thank you, Minato." Tsunade pulled Minato's letter from her sleeve and waved it. "He said you're Konoha's sword and asked me to help you no matter what."

Shuoge didn't reply. He walked to the door, stopped, and didn't turn around. "You're not planning to return to Konoha?"

Tsunade was silent for a moment. "Not for now."

Shuoge didn't ask any more questions, pushed open the door and went out.

He knew, of course, why Tsunade left Konoha, and the reason he asked one more question was simply because he wanted to ask one more question.

---

Silent voice chased after them down the corridor.

"Um... Mr. Sakugo." Shizune's voice hesitated. "Lady Tsunade... she doesn't actually not want to return to Konoha. She just..."

"Whether she returns to Konoha or not, she is still a part of Konoha." Sakugo did not turn around.

Shizune was stunned. "You're right—"

Shuoge walked down the stairs, his footsteps fading into the distance.

Shizune stood in the hallway, watching him disappear at the top of the stairs. The little piggy in her arms whimpered, and she lowered her head to gently pat its back.

---

Shuoge walked out of the hotel and stood on the street. The sunlight was dazzling, and he squinted his left eye, but felt no discomfort.

Tsunade's medical ninjutsu is indeed far superior to Orochimaru's; a simple, bloodless surgery actually restored his eyes—the world's number one medical ninja truly lives up to her reputation.

But she's right, that's just a temporary fix. He needs an eternal kaleidoscope, but he doesn't know how to get there yet.

He walked towards the village entrance. The knife was behind him, his hands hanging at his sides. His pace was neither fast nor slow. Behind him, the hustle and bustle of Tanpaku Street gradually faded into the distance.

There was still plenty of time, so he didn't rush this time.

Instead, they walked slowly.

---

half a month later.

Konoha Village, Hokage's office.

Shuoge placed the mission report on the table.

Minato glanced at the report but didn't open it. "Did you see Tsunade?"

"I saw him."

Minato didn't press the matter. He took a scroll from the drawer and pushed it in front of Shogo. "New mission. Departing in three days."

Shuoge picked up the scroll and stuffed it into his pocket.

"Is your problem resolved?" Minato's voice was very soft.

"Lady Tsunade's medical ninjutsu is very powerful."

Minato nodded. "That's good."

Shuoge turned and left. He returned home, leaned the knife against the wall, and sat down.

His left eye's vision had fully recovered, but he knew it was only temporary. He needed the Eternal Mangekyou Sharingan, but he had no brothers. Tsunade couldn't help him, and Orochimaru couldn't help him.

He had to figure it out himself.

He closed his eyes, then opened them again. The Mangekyou Sharingan activated silently, the three black crescent moons in his left eye clearly defined, like a freshly sharpened knife.

He stared at himself in the mirror for a long time.

……

……

……

On the border of the Land of Rain, in an unnamed town.

Kakuzu sat in a corner of the tavern, a bounty poster spread out on the table in front of him.

The portrait depicts a burly man with a menacing face, and bears the inscription: "Reward of eight million taels, dead or alive."

He picked up his glass, took a sip, and glanced at the people in the tavern.

No one looked at him, no one dared to look at him.

Kakuzu's straw hat was pulled low, revealing only half of his face, with the stitching marks faintly visible in the shadows.

He stood up, stuffed the bounty poster into his pocket, and walked out of the tavern.

The target was in another town not far away—a defector businessman hiding in the mansion of a local tycoon.

Kakuzu has already scouted the place. The mansion has a dozen or so guards, all of whom are retired wandering ninjas and not worth mentioning.

He crossed the street, scaled the wall, and landed silently in the courtyard. The guards were still playing cards, laughter drifting from inside the house. Kakuzu pushed open the door and went inside.

"Who are you?" The first guard stood up and placed his hand on his kunai.

There was no reply from the corner. His hand emerged from his sleeve, and black tentacles wrapped around the guard's neck.

Blood spurted out, and the person collapsed.

The other guards reacted quickly, drawing their swords, forming hand seals, and unleashing ninjutsu.

Kakuzu's tentacles swung in the air, piercing a person's chest, snapping a person's neck, and sending a person's kunai flying from his hand, only to be bounced away by the tentacles.

In less than a minute, all twelve guards fell to the ground.

Kakuzu went into the inner room.

The businessman huddled under the bed, trembling all over.

Kakuzu reached out and dragged him out, his tentacles piercing his heart. The merchant twitched twice, then remained still.

Kakuzu cut off his head, wrapped it in cloth, and stuffed it into his ninja tool pouch.

He stepped out of the mansion, the moonlight shining on him. He looked at the wanted poster in his hand: eight million taels of silver, now in his grasp.

-

Akatsuki's stronghold, Amegakure.

Konan stood on the high platform, holding an account book. Kakuzu, sitting on the stone steps below, handed her a stack of banknotes. "Eight million."

Xiao Nan took it, counted the items, and made a note in the ledger.

Kakuzu stood up and dusted off his trousers. "Where's the next target?"

"The Land of Rivers. A deserter samurai, bounty of five million taels."

Kakuzu nodded, turned and left.

Payne stood atop the tower, looking down at the village shrouded in rain. Konan walked up and stood behind him.

"Kakuzu has already earned 30 million ryo this month. Adding Sasori's, his total income this month exceeds 50 million."

"Not enough," Payne said flatly. "The organization needs more money, more people."

Xiao Nan was silent for a moment. "The five great powers have already started paying attention to us, haven't they—"

Payne turned to look at her. "By the time they take us seriously, it will be too late."

"Increase your actions and don't worry about the five major powers."

As Nagato became more proficient in controlling the Rinnegan, his fear of the Five Great Nations diminished.

Especially after Kakuzu attacked Uchiha Sakugo, the Land of Fire did not react at all.

Gradually, Akatsuki began to target the black market ninjas belonging to the five great nations who had high bounties on their hands.

-

River Country, a small border town.

Scorpion stood on a hillside outside the city, rain streaming down his reddish-brown hair.

He wore a black robe with red clouds, and a mask covered half of his face, revealing only a pair of amber eyes.

Behind him were three puppets—not ordinary puppets, but puppets of the Third Kazekage, which were already completed.

It stood in the rain, its dark blue hair plastered to its face, its yellow eyes staring blankly, and a crack in its chest revealing a dense network of chakra lines.

Several guards stood at the city gate, dressed in tattered armor and holding spears. They saw Scorpion but paid him no heed—what threat could a thin man and three puppets pose?

The scorpion's fingers twitched.

The third Kazekage puppet slid down the hillside at such a speed that the guards only saw a blurry shadow.

The puppet's hands opened, and iron sand surged from its palms, condensing into countless fine needles in the air.

As the needles rained down, the guards didn't even have time to cry out before their bodies were pierced.

Blood spurted out, staining the city gate red.

The scorpion walked down the hillside and into the city.

People were running, shouting, and kneeling on the ground begging for mercy in the streets.

The scorpion ignored him, its face expressionless.

The third Kazekage puppet followed behind him, and the iron sand spread in the air, forming a thin mist.

Wherever the mist passed, people's throats began to itch, then they suffocated, and then died. The Iron Sand Poison Mist, the Third Kazekage's signature ninjutsu, was perfectly transplanted into a human puppet by Sasori.

"Monster!" someone shouted. "Run!"

There's no escaping it. The iron sand mist is faster than a person.

Scorpion walked down a street, leaving behind a trail of corpses.

He walked down the second street, then the third street.

Panic gripped the city, and some attempted to fight back, attacking Sasori with kunai, shuriken, and ninjutsu. But the Third Kazekage's puppet stood in front of Sasori, its sand shield blocking all attacks.

Sasori's fingers danced along the chakra lines, and the Third Kazekage's puppet raised its hand, condensing iron sand into a massive iron pillar, which slammed towards the rebels.

Houses collapsed, debris flew everywhere, and people were buried under the rubble.

In less than half an hour, the small town became a dead city.

Scorpion stood in the center of the city, with the Third Kazekage puppet standing behind him, and the sand and iron mist slowly dissipated.

He glanced at the corpses scattered on the ground, his face expressionless.

He didn't come here to kill for the sake of killing; he came for money. Someone offered to buy the city, and he accepted the deal. Xiao needs money, and he needs Xiao's resources.

That's it.

He took out a sealing scroll from his pocket and put the Third Kazekage puppet back into place.

He turned and walked towards the outside of the city.

Rainwater washed away the blood on the streets, forming a red river.

-