c45 – Little Conscience
Half an hour later, Uchiha Gen arrived at a secluded mountain ridge blanketed in thick vegetation, where he slipped through a camouflaged entrance into a cave nestled beneath a granite outcrop.
This cave was one of the safe houses Uchiha Gen had prepared ahead of the campaign. Stocked with essential supplies mountain spring water collected via a natural runoff and long-lasting rations like instant ramen, canned fish, and preserved vegetables it was equipped to support two individuals for at least two weeks.
The provisions had been purchased covertly during a solo reconnaissance mission, during which Gen used a Transformation Jutsu to assume the appearance of a wandering merchant.
After lighting the chakra-sensitive candles embedded in the cave walls, Gen approached the unconscious form of Uchiha Yuichi his distant cousin. He methodically removed all of Yuichi's gear: flak vest, ninja pouch, forehead protector, and even the backup kunai sewn into his sandal. Once stripped, Gen secured Yuichi to a reinforced wooden cross, locking both wrists and ankles with wire-enhanced chakra restraints a technique modeled after Konoha's ANBU interrogation units.
Satisfied, Gen exited the cave.
Out in the forest, he approached a tree nearly as thick as a man's torso. From behind his back, he drew the Kusanagi sword. Exhaling sharply, Gen expelled a stream of light blue chakra Wind Release and coated the blade. With a single slash, the blade sliced through the tree effortlessly.
This was the nature transformation of Wind Release, which Gen had recently mastered. As shown in the original manga, Shimura Danzo enhanced his shuriken with wind chakra to cut through boulders, and had refined his kunai into devastatingly sharp weapons. Gen's use followed the same principle amplifying the sword's cutting power to superhuman levels.
He quickly stripped away the branches and sliced the trunk into segments three meters and four meters long respectively then began carving. Blade flashing, sawdust spraying, he gradually shaped two humanoid figures from the logs. While the results were crude and abstract, lacking true craftsmanship, they retained recognizable human contours.
Sliding the Kusanagi sword back into its sheath, Gen extended both hands. Twin white streams of soul-chakra the power of the Soul-Soul Fruit flowed into the wooden constructs. This temporarily granted them basic life and a limited lifespan, enough to function as intelligent subordinates.
Within moments, the two wooden figures shuddered to life. They dropped to one knee, movements stiff but serviceable.
"Master."
Gen nodded curtly. "There's one person in the cave now soon there will be two. Your job is to make sure they don't die of hunger or thirst. Keep the space clean."
"Yes, Master."
"You two are fragile. Don't go wandering off. Stay near the cave. You can move around outside, but don't stray beyond the clearing."
"Understood, Master."
"You are not to speak with the people in the cave. Treat yourselves as mute Homiz."
"Yes, Master."
"Disobey me and you'll be kindling," Gen said coldly. "If you ruin this mission, I'll burn you to cinders and scatter your ashes."
The wooden Homiz quivered. At that moment, Zhu Rong the flame dragon Homiz—burst from Gen's arm, while Wu Sheng, the shuriken Homiz, flew out of his scabbard. The two began performing a synchronized demonstration: one twirling mid-air, the other unleashing controlled fire, simultaneously chopping and igniting logs.
"N-No, Master! We'll get it done!"
"Yes! Yes! We'll do everything properly!"
The two wooden men babbled in fear, their makeshift carved faces trembling.
"If there is punishment," Gen added, "there will also be reward. If you fulfill your tasks, I will not reclaim your souls or lifespan."
"Thank you, Master! Thank you!" The wooden men's panic melted into grinning gratitude. Their carved mouths twisted upward into crooked smiles.
"Wait here."
"Yes, Master."
As Gen returned to the cave, Zhu Rong and Wu Sheng remained outside, circling the wooden Homiz like wolves. They loomed over them, warning with every movement.
"Remember the Master's words," hissed Zhu Rong. "If you mess up, I'll turn you into charcoal. No ash. Not even splinters will remain."
"Mess up," echoed Wu Sheng with a mechanical hiss, "and I'll cut you into toothpicks."
"Yes! Yes! We understand!" The two wooden men hugged each other, trembling violently.
Being Homiz themselves, they could feel the spiritual might of Zhu Rong and Wu Sheng and knew it was hopeless to resist them.
Moments later, Gen stepped out of the cave again. In his hands were two hooded black cloaks, the kind worn by generic shinobi of A-rank criminal cells.
"Put these on."
"Yes, Master."
The wooden Homiz took the cloaks and clumsily dressed themselves. After securing the clasps and hoods, the once-awkward constructs now looked like standard shinobi in black robes, their identities obscured.
"Zhu Rong, Wu Sheng," Gen said after a pause, "go sweep the mountains. Eliminate any chakra-signature-bearing beasts or patrol summons nearby."
He was taking precautions clearing the surrounding area of any potential scouting ninken, bird summons, or chakra beasts that might threaten his hidden base.
With a flash of acknowledgment, Zhu Rong and Wu Sheng shot off into the dense foliage flame and blade in perfect harmony.
The strength of these two wooden men was not much greater than that of ordinary humans. Their bodies, carved from solid wood, were harder and more durable, but their flexibility was limited. This made them ill-suited for fast or fluid combat, which was a significant disadvantage against the wild beasts roaming the mountains.
The beasts in this shinobi world were far more powerful than those in Gen's previous life; they possessed heightened senses, dangerous chakra-based attacks, and vicious instincts. Gen knew well that these creatures could easily overwhelm ordinary shinobi without proper caution.
"Understood, Master."
Zhu Rong immediately transformed into a towering, two-meter-long fire dragon, its scales flickering with orange flames. Wu Sheng, the shuriken Homiz, perched lightly on Zhu Rong's back. In moments, the two vanished into the dense forest canopy.
Although Wu Sheng and the shuriken Homiz could fly, their abilities were limited to low altitudes and short distances. Zhu Rong, on the other hand, excelled at long-distance flight at high altitudes, making him ideal for wide patrols and quick reconnaissance.
"You two come with me. I'll teach you how to use some tools and ration the food for the cave residents."
"Yes, Master."
This troublesome procedure stemmed from Uchiha Gen's reluctance to recklessly sacrifice his own people. Otherwise, it would have been simpler to eliminate his captives after completing his research.
Gen admitted to himself that he was selfish otherwise, he wouldn't have kidnapped members of his own clan for experimental purposes, all in the pursuit of greater power. Yet, he still held some moral boundaries.
If those people had no role in his plans or posed no interest, especially if they were fellow Uchiha, Gen would not hesitate to kill them.
But Gen believed in preserving a sliver of conscience to avoid being consumed by the darkness that had engulfed many shinobi in the ninja world.
Once one falls completely into darkness, it is no longer the person who controls their power; rather, the power takes control of the person.
Gen understood he could not dictate the actions of others, but he could control himself.
His style was never to be strict with others while lenient with himself.
From his careful research, Uchiha Yuichi was living a happy, peaceful life. His parents were alive and well, and his younger siblings were growing up in harmony. There was no reason for Yuichi to be disturbed or harmed.
If possible, Gen preferred that Yuichi's family remain unaware and intact, so they could continue their lives without tragedy.
It wasn't that such a scenario was impossible it was simply more troublesome.
As long as Yuichi remained ignorant of his true origins, there was still hope for his eventual redemption.
After the experiments concluded, Gen planned to assign Yuichi a mission that would inevitably bring him into conflict with Kirigakure ninja. During the mission, Yuichi would eliminate several Kirigakure operatives.
The information that Yuichi had been secretly captured and experimented on by Kirigakure had already leaked via intercepted enemy intel. Kirigakure forces were now searching for his location.
Gen's strategy was to confront them directly, staging a battle scene complete with the corpses of several Kirigakure shinobi as evidence. This would settle the matter in Konoha's favor.
If all went according to plan, Gen would also gain two loyal Uchiha ninja as his personal subordinates.
Though cumbersome, this strategy promised greater long-term benefits.
Half an hour later, the two wooden men still with limited intelligence but learning quickly mastered the use of basic tools and how to consume food properly. Meanwhile, Zhu Rong and Wu Sheng successfully cleared the nearby mountain area of predatory beasts.
With the mission complete, Uchiha Gen left the mountain and returned to Konoha's frontline camp to submit his report.
Though slightly delayed, as a prodigy of the Uchiha clan and a disciple of Orochimaru, the ninja tasked with reviewing missions accepted Gen's report without complaint.
Afterwards, Uchiha Gen sought out Orochimaru, requesting assistance in acquiring a solo mission.
During wartime, no ninja could afford to be picky; assigned tasks had to be executed without question. Still, where there are people, there are always loopholes.
With Orochimaru's influence, power, and extensive network, arranging such a covert solo mission was simple. Even Tsunade and the higher-ups would have difficulty intervening.
Gen was unsure when his next solo mission would come, so waiting idly was not an option.
The reasoning was simple: constant mission execution was tiring, but completing a solo mission meant having more downtime afterwards.
Laziness was no shame in Orochimaru's eyes.
Not long after, another Uchiha named Mori was attacked by Kirigakure Jonin during his mission.
With two Uchiha prodigies abducted by Kirigakure operatives in quick succession, the clan's fury surged. Following the completion of their tasks, they assembled without rest to search for their missing kin.
Uchiha Shisui, Uchiha Gen, and the two elders personally participated in the search.
Yet, the surprising truth was that the saboteur was none other than a mole within their ranks.
In the end, no progress was made and no resolution found.
---
30+ advanced chapter on patreon....Visit patreon now to read my exclusive content... posting 5 chapters per day, Our collection is now available on PATREON
visit patreon.com/Elbertovic to view 30+ advanced chapters
Please subscribe guys