Chapter 288: I'll Pave Every Stone on Itachi's Path
"Itachi already left?"
While performing surgery on "trial heroes" sent by clans, Yasushi asked casually.
"Yes, he left the village this morning. Based on direction, definitely heading toward the Land of Grass."
Shizune, serving as assistant nearby, answered.
"Excellent."
An intoxicated expression appeared on Yasushi's face. He abandoned the "hero" on the operating table, beginning to sway his head while indulging in fantasies.
"Konoha Village—finally approaching curtain call!"
"I can hardly wait to see what expression appears on his face when Konoha Village is personally destroyed by Itachi's hands."
"Hehe... haha..."
"Hmph!" Shizune stiffly twitched her lips. "Completely can't understand your thinking."
"If you wanted to destroy Konoha Village, you could have done so long ago. Why go through these inexplicable motions?"
"Hey, that's completely wrong." Yasushi glared, explaining seriously: "Konoha Village destroyed by my hands versus destroyed by Itachi's hands—how can those be the same?"
"I have grudges against Konoha Village. My destroying Konoha Village proves completely justified. No one would feel regret."
"But Itachi is different!"
"Itachi's constant obsession has always been saving Konoha Village, restoring the village's peace and tranquility."
"Itachi with such ideals ultimately single-handedly promoting Konoha Village's destruction—that provides the best dramatic irony!"
"To achieve this goal, I first repeatedly crushed him, then repeatedly eliminated Konoha Village's living strength, destroying villagers' loyalty toward the village. How much painstaking effort I invested!"
"Not to mention, for better guidance, I personally intervened, helping him pass trials. While transforming him into a Wood Release ninja, I also implanted 'Curse Transference' into his eyes, subtly influencing him bit by bit."
"I've invested so much effort. Only today have I finally guided him onto the correct path!"
"How easy do you think this was for me?"
As though echoing Yasushi's words, the "trial hero" on the operating table—completely ignored—exploded entirely, transforming into a pile of rotten flesh.
Bang!
A massive spray of blood, flesh, and organs shot outward in all directions like freshly popped popcorn.
However, Yasushi merely waved his hand. The blood rain falling overhead was caught by repulsive force, spraying toward the operating table's opposite side instead.
Fresh blood painted the floor. Yasushi didn't even glance, directly waving his hand.
"Next!"
The door opened. Someone wheeled in a bed, sending a new "trial hero" onto the "trial platform."
Over these many days, everyone inside this "trial chamber" had been gradually controlled by Yasushi.
Since they normally lived here without leaving, outsiders couldn't discover any abnormalities.
After the new "trial hero" was positioned, Yasushi casually stabbed him, tossed Wood Release cells inside, then ignored him—only chatting with Shizune.
"I heard the Hyuga clan surprisingly hasn't disbanded?"
"Yes, we all underestimated that Lady Hinata!" Shizune's voice carried several traces of admiration.
"That night, besides Lady Hinata—who'd been confined to the compound—all other Hyuga Main House members died."
"But only she remained from the Main House."
"Originally her personality proved quite timid. But after experiencing so many events, seems this little girl received stimulation and grew bolder."
"In the leaderless situation, she surprisingly stepped forward resolutely, announcing abolition of the Main House-Branch House system, abolishing the Caged Bird curse seal, never again synthesizing Tenseigan."
"To prove this, she refused suggestions to transplant fallen Main House members' Byakugan to herself, deciding to live the rest of her life with ordinary human eyes."
"Through sincere words, sorrowful tears, plus extended prostration bowing, quite a few Branch House members surprisingly agreed to remain."
"Though many departed as well."
"Hinata specifically sought Lord Mizuki, pleading for those Branch House members wanting to leave Konoha Village, hoping the village would allow these people free departure."
"Under normal circumstances, how could the village possibly permit such things?"
"But current Konoha Village isn't normal circumstances!"
"After 'careful' consideration, Lord Mizuki ultimately 'reluctantly and painfully' agreed to Hinata's request."
"Hahahaha..." Yasushi listened with tremendous delight, unable to resist repeatedly clapping while cheering. "Truly excellent support!"
"I was still worried Konoha Village wouldn't easily scatter!"
"Now with this precedent, people fleeing Konoha Village will only increase!"
"Ah, I must perfectly pave the way for Itachi, awaiting him to toll Konoha Village's final death knell!"
As though responding to Yasushi's words, with a "bang," the "trial hero" on the operating table exploded again.
"Next!"
Quickly, a new "trial hero" was sent onto the "trial platform."
Yasushi glanced down, discovering surprisingly a familiar face.
"Oh my, it's Nara Shikamaru!"
"The Nara family can't sit still this time?"
Previously though hero trials continued, only ordinary clans participated. The Ino-Shika-Cho trio never sent anyone.
Since the three families acted as one, none appearing was definitely the Nara family's idea.
However, Yasushi didn't care—anyone coming proved the same.
This time, Nara family direct lineage appeared inside the "trial chamber." Very obviously, even the usually calm Nara family now couldn't sit still.
But other families all started from peripheral clan members. The Nara family proved different—sending their future clan head first.
Worried about other clan members' wavering loyalty?
Bold!
"Go see if Akimichi and Yamanaka family members are also outside."
Shizune left and circled around before returning to report:
"Akimichi Choji and Yamanaka Ino are also outside."
As expected!
Yasushi nodded with satisfaction, raising his hand to inject Wood Release cells into Shikamaru's body.
"Consider yourself lucky. I'll make you a demonstration."
After numerous surgeries, Yasushi now possessed tremendous experience transplanting "Uchiha Yasushi Brand Wood Release Cells," manipulating them with ease.
Deliberately baiting the Ino-Shika-Cho trio again, he magnanimously spared Shikamaru, letting him smoothly become a Wood Release ninja.
But Akimichi Choji and Yamanaka Ino following proved less fortunate—one died, one lived. Only Yamanaka Ino passed the "trial."
The Nara family's secret techniques proved genuine Yin Release. He also wanted to know whether this level of Yin Release combined with Wood Release's Yang Release could produce some higher-tier reaction.
If Shikamaru's strength greatly advanced because of this, perhaps the Nara family would send people en masse to join "trials"!
But regrettably, the Nara family proved excessively calm. Once obtaining Shikamaru as a successful Wood Release ninja, they surprisingly refused sending a second person.
The Yamanaka clan also stopped sending people. Instead, the Akimichi family sent several consecutively.
Since he knew the Ino-Shika-Cho families took bait then fled, Yasushi naturally had to promptly lift the hook—catching whatever he could.
Thus, unfortunate Akimichi family "trial participants" consecutively failed—not a single success.
Back and forth, perhaps exceeding the Akimichi family's acceptable psychological limits, they also stopped sending shinobi.
Yasushi didn't care. Those coming got used. Those not coming were forgotten. He prioritized going with the flow.
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