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This place was a bloody mill using shinobi as "raw materials," employing the most primitive production techniques.
From the casual descriptions of this shinobi named Tsuchishi, Yūshin could already roughly assess his "research level."
Transplanting shinobi hearts into beasts was meant to grant naturally robust bodies the ability to produce chakra.
Replacing beast brains with shinobi brains was because human intellect was superior, easily comprehending others' commands...
One could imagine these brains were definitely under genjutsu or curse seal control.
Observing this "extract from here, stuff in there" research methodology—utterly crude and brutal. Based on this assessment, Tsuchishi's "products" were mostly shoddy workmanship, not only questionable in quality but also severely limited in lifespan.
As for Tsuchishi's combat methods—or rather, his ability to subdue other shinobi—that remained quite impressive.
On one hand, using genjutsu to deprive sensory perception; on the other, employing special ninjutsu to drain chakra. Combined, while not "invincible," this could handle most shinobi lacking intelligence advantages.
Unfortunately, he encountered Yūshin.
Yūshin knocked Tsuchishi unconscious, then waited until the underground space's inhabitants—human and beast—were half-drowned before "opening the floodgates."
He formed hand seals, employing another Water Release technique—Water Formation Wall.
Water surrounding Yūshin's body moved slowly then swiftly; instantly, a ring-shaped cylindrical "water tornado" centered on him simultaneously displaced surrounding water flow while spiraling upward at high velocity.
The shaped water flow, like underground insect eggs awakening in spring, gradually pushed aside overhead dead branches and fallen leaves.
Under Yūshin's control, the water easily lifted the surface coating, destroying the building above before "spiraling" toward the highest point.
The underground space's water level rapidly declined as massive volumes flowed directly into the town.
This wasn't Yūshin harboring destructive desires toward civilian towns—merely issuing a warning. Townspeople witnessing this Water Release, if possessing any intelligence, would immediately evacuate and seek shelter.
No one wished to remain on a shinobi battlefield.
How many intelligent people existed in town? The answer: when facing mortal danger, everyone becomes intelligent.
In the underground space, heavy breathing and violent coughing arose continuously—they'd barely recovered their lives.
Yūshin dragged Tsuchishi along, allowing most of his body to soak in water, then began walking while observing the caged prisoners.
Since the caster had lost consciousness, the genjutsu controlling these captives had already dissolved. Additionally, being drenched with cold water, they quickly regained awareness.
Approximately thirty-plus shinobi were imprisoned here, so Yūshin's search proceeded rapidly. After examining just a few cages, he discovered a familiar face.
Precisely the person he sought—Chihori Hagūgen.
Fortunately, Yūshin had found his clanswoman; unfortunately, she appeared to be the only one here.
Perhaps only she had suffered "human trafficking," or possibly other clan members had already become consumed materials for those cruel experiments.
Chihori was a kunoichi around seventeen or eighteen years old. Currently, her complexion was deathly pale, her gaze somewhat vacant.
Yūshin stood at this cage door. When she realized something was blocking the faint light ahead, Chihori instinctively raised her head.
Upon seeing Yūshin's face clearly, a glimmer of vitality appeared in her eyes.
She was about to speak but was gently stopped by Yūshin's head shake.
With numerous survivors present, out of instinctive caution, he wouldn't reveal his true purpose for being here.
He'd act as if he hadn't come specifically to rescue someone particular, but rather to rescue everyone.
Honestly, based on typical shinobi operational principles, after rescuing the designated target, all remaining individuals should be slaughtered completely.
After all, they possessed neither value nor resistance capability—they were fellow shinobi, but survival would only create future enemies... Regardless, these people were better off dead.
But Yūshin didn't wish to act thus.
Not because he truly harbored benevolence, possessed hypocritical character traits, or was saintly—he simply didn't want to do so.
These shinobi held no value for him; killing or sparing them was inconsequential.
His reluctance to act stemmed from Yūshin's slight "mental fastidiousness."
Compared to the person he was dragging, he simply didn't want to appear as the same type of individual—nothing more.
Chaotic times offered many paths. In this "kill or be killed" era, Yūshin didn't reject becoming a cold-blooded assassin, but he absolutely refused walking the path of dehumanization.
Thus, this slight mental fastidiousness maintained certain bottom lines or principles for Yūshin as a human being.
If others knew his thoughts, they'd certainly scoff first, then immediately question:
"Exactly how stubborn must you be to believe you're different from us?"
Regardless, based on Yūshin's unwillingness to kill everyone here, he needed to employ careful methods when rescuing people.
Yūshin retrieved a key ring from Tsuchishi, successfully opened Chihori's cage door, first released her shackles, gestured for Chihori to leave immediately, while stating:
"You're free."
Chihori understood his meaning, departing at maximum speed.
Subsequently, Yūshin began liberating other captives.
After these people were unbound and gained freedom, they first glanced at Yūshin with timid, fearful eyes, then rapidly distanced themselves as if avoiding plague, squeezing through cage doors at maximum speed to escape outside.
He could understand these people's behavior—certainly couldn't expect rescued individuals to express grateful thanks.
By releasing everyone here, Yūshin's liberation of Chihori wouldn't appear conspicuous, preventing anyone from discovering his true purpose.
After all cage occupants escaped, Yūshin approached the next cage entrance.
At this moment, a shinobi inside suddenly lost emotional control, shouting hysterically:
"Haha, I knew it! Clan members would never abandon me—they definitely commissioned someone to rescue me!"
Not only Yūshin, but even other dazed shinobi were attracted by this commotion.
The previously unconscious Tsuchishi also awakened due to the sudden noise, his facial expression immediately becoming furiously enraged.
This person's neck was already "remarkably damaged," yet unexpectedly possessed tenacious vitality—not only avoiding cerebral dysfunction but even capable of effective counterattack.
Yūshin looked toward Tsuchishi, curious about his intentions.
Then he witnessed Tsuchishi's hands clasp together, forming seals at maximum speed.
The next moment, dozens of earth spikes suddenly protruded from stone walls—sharp protrusions like spear points directly impaled the shouting shinobi completely.
Yūshin: "..."
This was beyond his expectations.
"Indeed, I shouldn't have targeted shinobi from great clans," Tsuchishi's words were filled with regret.
"You talk rather excessively... Regarding survival, you're quite persistent?"
This was an excellent question; the only problematic aspect was it didn't sound like human speech.
Actually, Yūshin should have inquired whether the opponent operated alone, had criminal organization involvement, or possessed behind-the-scenes masterminds, but these answers wouldn't interfere with his mission's purpose, so he didn't care.
He didn't ask; the opponent didn't answer.
Yūshin simply broke the opponent's arms.
He'd noticed immediately upon the opponent's consciousness recovery and prepared for potential sneak attacks, just hadn't expected the attack target wouldn't be himself.
Although Yūshin had destroyed Tsuchishi's "research enterprise," the latter most detested whoever had summoned Yūshin.
In Tsuchishi's view, Yūshin was merely "working for payment," while whoever summoned Yūshin was the true instigator of his downfall.
Now someone had voluntarily admitted to summoning Yūshin, making this person Tsuchishi's priority revenge target.
Yūshin observed this person—about to be rescued yet desperately seeking death—thinking this world contained individuals simply impossible to save.
Great clan origins? Probably accustomed to arrogance.
Yūshin examined the deceased's forehead protector, discovering a symbol of three-and-a-half curved lines supporting a circular orb, though he didn't recognize which clan this represented.
Though this person had died, he provided Yūshin with an excuse for self-exoneration.
"What great clan? However great, could they surpass my Izuna Uchiha background?"
"I didn't come here because of anyone—I simply couldn't tolerate your methods, so I destroyed this place."
Indeed, when walking the world, one maintains their true name without change.