The sky was gloomy, with dark crimson clouds shrouding the heavens, transforming the sunlight into a bloody hue. The barren wasteland stretched endlessly, resembling a massive slab of flesh lying within the canyon when viewed from afar.
This was Hell Valley.
The canyon spanning dozens of miles was sealed within an enormous barrier—a genjutsu barrier unique to the Uchiha clan. From the inside, it was utterly impossible to break, and those who approached the barrier would be enveloped in mist, losing consciousness. The lightly affected would become dazed and confused, while the severely affected would be reduced to a vegetative state.
With this barrier, the Uchiha had maintained absolute control over the Chinoike clan for decades.
According to intelligence reports, the Uchiha squad originally tasked with guarding the barrier had mysteriously lost contact three months ago. The squad sent to relieve them had also vanished without a trace. In other words, for three whole months, no one had known what was happening here.
When Uchiha Naori and his group arrived at the canyon, the sight before them sent chills down their spines.
The Four Symbols Seal that had been maintained for decades had vanished.
This meant the Chinoike clan... had broken free from their imprisonment!
Yet strangely, when the team investigated the perimeter of the Uchiha encampment near the barrier, they found no signs of destruction. Aside from the Uchiha members who had mysteriously disappeared, everything remained normal.
"Logically speaking, after being imprisoned by us for so long, their first act upon escaping should have been to eliminate all the guards..." Uchiha Kirito frowned. "Yet they restrained themselves from attacking?"
"It's also possible they only killed people without damaging any property," Jiraiya said coolly, crossing his arms.
Orochimaru shook his head. "Impossible. Though I'm not familiar with the Chinoike clan's methods, when enemies meet, losing rationality is normal. Who would have the presence of mind to only kill people without destroying anything?"
"I've checked the records. The Chinoike clan possesses a dojutsu kekkei genkai called 'Ketsuryūgan' that excels at blood manipulation and creating human bombs through genjutsu. Such explosive combat methods would hardly leave no traces," Tsunade remarked, stroking her smooth chin.
Uchiha Nian remained silent. Being the youngest and least experienced here, he nonetheless stood with his hands clasped behind his back, putting on an air of maturity.
"I believe our best course of action is to return to the village immediately and report the Chinoike clan's escape to our teacher!" Tsunade offered a highly rational suggestion.
"Well..." Kirito hesitated, "I think we should first verify the actual situation before reporting back. What if—just what if—the circumstances aren't as we imagined?"
"Are you kidding? The barrier's already gone—what more investigation do we need?" Jiraiya was the first to object, winking suggestively at Kirito. "You're not trying to buy time because you're afraid the Uchiha clan will be held accountable, are you?"
Orochimaru placed a hand on his shoulder. "Jiraiya, no one here is shirking responsibility. There's no need to speak so harshly."
At this moment, Nian turned to Naori and said, "Sister Naori, we'll follow your lead. Just tell us what to do."
Naori's delicate brows furrowed slightly as she pondered for a moment before exhaling softly. "Everyone, follow me into the valley. Make sure not to leave my line of sight."
"Eh? Seriously? What if there are still remnants of enemy troops in the valley? We'd be like turtles in a jar!" Jiraiya doubted he'd heard correctly.
"You said it yourself - they're just remnants. It's not like we can't handle them," Nian said quietly. "Besides, I trust Sister Naori will protect us all."
"That makes some sense. Maybe staying outside would be even more dangerous." Tsunade brushed her hair aside and walked over to Naori.
"Indeed. If the valley is empty, it would confirm the Chinoike escape incident. And if there are people inside, we can gather some intelligence." Orochimaru nodded in agreement.
"Naturally, I'll listen to my sister," Kirito said.
Thus, under the leadership of Uchiha Naori, the group stepped into the former boundary of the barrier and entered the canyon.
The air inside the valley was heavy, with a faint scent of blood permeating every corner. Even a shallow breath would cause physical discomfort. It was hard to imagine that the Chinoike clan had lived here for decades.
Behind the mountains lay a grove of crimson maple trees. Though the environmental conditions were harsh, it still harbored some game. Therefore, aside from their self-sufficient valley fields, they also hunted in the mountains for sustenance.
After such a long time, they had already built a small settlement here. The houses were orderly arranged, row upon row, blending with the terrain of the valley to form simple streets.
However, the streets were completely deserted at this moment, appearing extremely desolate.
"I say, we should just go back. We've already confirmed there's no one here. This place looks creepier the more I look at it," Jiraiya whispered as he tiptoed at the rear. A cold wind blew, making him shrink his neck.
"Since we're already here, let's search the area before leaving," Nian spoke up.
"Tch, even a kid has more courage than you, Jiraiya," Tsunade shot Jiraiya a glance, her tone laced with disdain.
"He just doesn't know the severity of the situation!" Jiraiya argued. "I looked into it before coming—the Chinoike's methods are extremely cruel. Even ninja can easily fall victim to them!"
"When it comes to understanding the Chinoike Clan, we Uchiha should know better than anyone," Nian retorted lightly.
"I smell something peculiar," Orochimaru suddenly remarked.
"No kidding—that metallic stench is the smell of blood," Jiraiya grumbled.
"No, it's the scent of a conspiracy." Orochimaru frowned. "The clan members disappearing and the barrier vanishing—the timing is far too suspicious."
"What do you mean?"
"Logically, if they lost control of Hell Valley three months ago, the Chinoike clan should have sought revenge against the village by now. At the very least, we should have heard some rumors of their activities in the shinobi world. Given this clan's extremist nature, they would never quietly endure such humiliation."
Orochimaru stroked his chin. "I have an unsettling theory—the barrier likely disappeared today!"
"Damn, don't scare me like that! It really feels like they're coming straight for us!" Jiraiya exclaimed nervously.
Walking at the forefront, Naori let out a soft sigh. What Orochimaru had realized, she had naturally considered before even entering the valley.
She had anticipated that this clan leader might set a trap for them - she just didn't know how deep the pit would be or how insane the trap might become.
If he was truly willing to unleash the Chinoike Clan just to secure his own position... then this approach would be utterly foolish.
What exactly is going on? Doesn't he worry about being sanctioned by the village?
Or does he have the confidence to face everything?
This clan leader was originally a very rational person, but ever since he won the position of leader, he's become arrogant and self-important, acting as if nothing matters to him anymore.
In his eyes...
Naori bit her lip, recalling a clue that couldn't be ignored.
Every victor of the death matches seemed to have lost an eye, becoming pale and hollow, devoid of any light.
Was this some kind of price? Or perhaps... some unknown secret technique?
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