Night of the Clan Massacre: Leading the Uchiha to Defect from Konoha!

If Kaede had squeezed a little harder, that soldier's head would have been torn clean from his neck.

The surrounding army heard his warning and immediately lowered their weapons. The officer who had been strangled, trembling with fear, now obediently led the way.

Ōtsutsuki Kaguya and Kaede followed him toward the Land of Ancestors.

Along the road, Kaede extended his senses through natural energy. The three great holy lands existed already, but they had not yet matured to the scale they would reach in the future. They absorbed the world's energies, yes—but everything here was still wild, chaotic, and unrefined.

Elements swirled thick in the air.

That was why even though this age had no ninjutsu, there were already traces of yin–yang arts and other secret methods. A world fertile enough to nurture a Shinju was no ordinary land. Left to grow on its own, it could easily breed power equal to any in the future.

The army moved quickly, and soon they reached the Land of Ancestors' capital.

"Capital" was a generous word—this country had only two cities total. Its strength was feeble, surrounded by hungry neighbors waiting to carve it apart.

"Exalted sages, please wait here…" The officer bowed deeply before hurrying into the palace.

Kaede glanced around. This so-called palace was pitiful—smaller and poorer than the manors of future clan heads. The guards were few and pathetic, the attendants dressed like they had only just abandoned barbarism.

"Please, enter," the officer said, returning after a few minutes with a new deference in his eyes.

Kaede and Kaguya stepped inside. The king of the Land of Ancestors was already waiting.

"You two are—"

"Silence! Bow before the sages!" Kaede cut him off coldly.

"What?" The king blinked, stunned by the audacity.

"We are immortals from the divine court," Kaede declared. "We came to restore order to this chaotic world, to aid a chosen one in unifying it. We have selected your realm. As its ruler, you should be kneeling already. Do you not know respect?"

The king froze, then dropped into a bow without hesitation.

"Yes, sages! If you have chosen the Land of Ancestors, it is the greatest fortune for us. Our kingdom is weak, surrounded by enemies. If you aid us…" He trailed off, practically giddy.

Kaguya blinked. She had expected Kaede would bargain or test this king, not bluff as a "sage." Yet the fool believed instantly.

He didn't understand—these people were still ignorant. A little power displayed, and they would believe anything. And this king in particular was useless, weak, and desperate for someone to lean on.

Kaede pressed on. "I hear the neighboring Land of the Other covets your water sources, preparing for war?"

"Yes, exactly, exalted sage!" the king said, eyes wide. "The Vermilion Bird Minister and the Black Tortoise Minister of that land are here even now, demanding we cede land or they will invade!"

Kaede's eyes narrowed. "Vermilion Bird and Black Tortoise? Two insects daring to wear such names. Bring them before me—I would like to see."

The king bowed and quickly gave orders.

Not long after, the two envoys entered. The Vermilion Bird Minister sneered. "King, this is your last chance. Yield part of your land, and we will allow you access to our water. Refuse, and we will march. You'll lose not only your soil, but your throne—you'll kneel as our prisoner."

"I thought such grand titles meant strength. But in the face of death, you are nothing. From this day forward, the Land of Ancestors is under divine protection," Kaede said calmly.

The envoy laughed. "King, what is this farce? You hired two strangers to bluff for you? Do you think they can stop our army? And that woman—" His eyes fixed hungrily on Kaguya. "Give her to me, and maybe I'll—"

He never finished.

A hole the size of a fist blossomed in his chest. He stared in dumb shock before toppling lifeless to the floor.

"Insulting a god is a crime beyond measure," Kaede said coldly. "You must be the Black Tortoise. Go back to your lord. Tell him divine judgment is coming. Tell him to wash his neck and wait."

"You—you dare!" the Black Tortoise envoy shouted, paling. "You've killed our Vermilion Bird Minister! Our army will reduce this land to ash!"

He didn't believe in divine punishment. To him, this was the king's ploy, a trick. The Land of Ancestors was too weak, too laughable, to have true gods on its side.

But soon enough, he would learn otherwise.

(End of Chapter)

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