The Uchiha's Path to the Top, Starting from Konoha

Chapter 64 is full of flags

After traveling for two days, crossing the Land of Hot Water and the Land of the Moon, the Konoha Kage-level squad arrived at the border of the Land of Lightning and stopped at the foot of a secluded cliff.

"Everyone, take a break. Ashikaga, please use your Byakugan to keep watch. If there are any ninjas nearby, capture them and interrogate them for information."

Hyuga Ashikaga nodded, his eyes turning bluish-white, veins bulging around them, and black marks appearing in his pupils. He stood there looking around.

A fully developed white eye is enough to see every blade of grass and every tree within an eight-kilometer radius.

With Hyuga Ashikaga present, the three members of the Ino-Shika-Cho trio sat to one side to rest, while Inuzuka Jin fed his beloved dog with its tongue lolling out. After two days of intense marching, even the Kage-level warriors, who were still within the human realm, felt exhausted.

Uchiha Setsuna formed hand seals and slammed his hands on the ground, summoning a ninja cat. He handed the cat the current information, patted its head, and then sent the cat back to deliver the message.

He then took out a Flying Thunder God kunai and stuck it into the ground.

"The Hokage will be here soon, everyone can get some rest."

"I also watched the second Hokage's Flying Thunder God Technique back then, and it's really difficult to learn."

As Tobirama Senju's capable assistant, Shikame Nara looked at the Flying Thunder God kunai with genuine admiration and a desire to get closer to him.

"The Third Hokage's talent is truly astonishing; he has the potential to become the next generation's God of Shinobi."

Faced with the former chief strategist's flattery of Uchiha Takeo, Uchiha Setsuna was naturally very pleased and said proudly, "Of course, our clan's young lord has the appearance of an Asura."

"And after this matter is settled, it will be around the time of our clan's young lord's wedding. Everyone, please remember to attend."

"The Third Hokage's wedding is a major event in Konoha, how could we not come?"

Inuzuka Blade laughed from the side, and the huge black and white wolfhound beside him barked a few times.

"We'll drink until we drop!"

Nara Shikame joked, "Captain Setsuna, don't try to run away like last time by using the Hokage's drunkenness as an excuse."

"What a joke! Me, running away? I, Uchiha Setsuna, have never been afraid since birth!"

Uchiha Setsuna, with his neck stiff and chest puffed out, said, "After we finish attending Young Master's wedding, we'll have a second round, and then we'll see who's the best."

The atmosphere was very relaxed, and no one felt much pressure about the mission.

Before they arrived, everyone already knew the current situation of the Land of Lightning: the Kinkaku and Ginkaku of Nangumo Village, and a Two-Tails Jinchuriki; and the Third Hokage A of Hokumo Village, with two Kage-level ninjas and an Eight-Tails Jinchuriki.

The Jinchuriki of the Land of Lightning are not properly sealed, making them a ticking time bomb. In the event of a fierce battle, the Tailed Beasts could escape.

Based on the resentment the Tailed Beasts harbor towards humans who imprisoned them, all the humans present were enemies. If the two Jinchuriki were to participate in the battle, they would only cause trouble for the Land of Lightning.

Therefore, the two strong Kage of Nanyun Village and the one strong Kage of Beiyun Village, both Kage-level, are no longer as powerful as they once were.

Not to mention that Golden Horn has already been severely injured by the third generation Ai, and it is now unknown whether Nanyun Village still exists.

Therefore, in the eyes of the six members of the Uchiha Setsuna group, the biggest difficulty of this mission was traveling.

Now that they have arrived in the Land of Lightning, they have no idea that any force can withstand their attack, unless the two ninja villages in the north and south merge into the original Hidden Cloud Village, but how could that be possible?

With the Third Hokage arriving soon, there will be a total of seven Kage-level figures. They can simply crush their way through this divided land.

"Two teams of Lightning Country ninjas have been spotted; one team is in pursuit, and the other is fleeing."

Amidst their conversation, Hyuga Ashikaga suddenly spoke up. After a moment of contemplation, Uchiha Setsuna decided to leave Inuzuka Blade, who possessed investigative and surveillance abilities, to wait for Uchiha Takeyasu, while the other five went to capture the person.

Soon, the five captured the two teams of ninjas from the Land of Lightning alive. Through the secret torture technique of the mountain bamboo, they learned that Kinkaku and Ginkaku of Nangumo Village had abandoned the village and fled, the Two-Tails Jinchuriki had lost control, and the Two-Tails had regained its freedom.

Kitakumo Village has now reverted to its former name as Kumogakure and is hunting down rogue ninja who followed Kinkaku and Ginkaku.

"Golden Horn and Silver Horn are running towards Cloud Thunder Gorge. The other side of Cloud Thunder Gorge is the coastline. It seems they are going to rely on their abundant chakra and the sea to escape their pursuit."

Nara Shikamei began to analyze and organize the information from the vast amount available.

"After the Third Hokage of Kumogakure sealed the Two-Tails by stealing the Six Paths Treasures from Kinkaku and Ginkaku, he also relentlessly pursued Kinkaku and Ginkaku, while simultaneously using ninjas to move supplies back to Kumogakure's former base, Kumogakure."

"Our mission is to dismantle the resistance of the Land of Lightning and retrieve the Tailed Beasts. The Cloud and Lightning Gorge is a place we must explore. If we have the opportunity, we might be able to control the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki. If the treasure that seals the Two-Tails is also being transported to the Cloud and Lightning Gorge, and the Third Hokage A is chasing after the Gold and Silver Brothers, we may be able to achieve great things."

"Does Chief Luming mean we should head to Yunlei Gorge immediately?"

After listening, Uchiha Setsuna asked a question.

"The decision rests with Captain Setsuna."

Nara Shikamei understood his own position and had no intention of taking command, but his previous analysis had also implied that speed was of the essence in warfare.

The others all looked interested.

At the previous mobilization meeting, Uchiha Muan had hinted that those who contributed more to the Land of Lightning would get a share of the spoils.

"I'll use the ninja cat to inform Inuzuka Blade and tell him to keep waiting. We'll go to Cloud Thunder Gorge to gather information first."

Having lived through the Warring States period, and knowing that opportunities don't come twice, Uchiha Setsuna, looking at his own forces, didn't think anything would go wrong. With a flick of his wrist, he summoned a ninja cat, gave instructions, and headed towards Cloud Thunder Gorge.

………………

"It's so noisy and annoying!"

A pair of giant hands, formed entirely of blue chakra, grabbed Kinkaku and Ginkaku, who had transformed into tailed beasts, as if they were squeezing a chick.

They stared in disbelief at the colossal giant that rose from the ground, surpassing the mountain peaks, like a god of war descending to earth. Just as they were about to say something, their images were crushed into two mosaics.

"Hey!"

"Madara-sama!"

The Third Hokage, A, kneeling on one knee, was drenched in cold sweat. "I am extremely sorry for disturbing Lord Madara's rest. I am at Lord Madara's mercy!"

"Send someone over to clean up immediately. This won't happen again."

"Lord Ban, Ai understands."

Madara Uchiha, having retracted his Susanoo, clad in red armor and with a flame fan on his back, glanced at the Cloud and Thunder Gorge, which had been bombarded by the Tailed Beast Ball, snorted coldly, and returned to the underground space below.

Madara Uchiha stared at the dust-covered ground and the numerous boulders that had been blasted down, destroying equipment and injuring or killing researchers. His mood grew increasingly grim.

He didn't care at all about the war to unify the North and South, but anyone who interfered with his experiments would die!

Suddenly, Madara Uchiha felt a gaze that was watching him.

"That feeling is... being rolled your eyes!"

Madara Uchiha's expression suddenly darkened, and he turned around and disappeared from the spot.

(End of this chapter)