Troy's eyes were red, though it was unclear if it was from anger or tears.
"My father... he always treated that bastard as his best brother and friend, but what about him?! For power, he didn't hesitate to kill his own kin."
"I discovered this secret, and before I could tell anyone... he noticed me."
Troy's voice became hoarse and desperate.
"He sent his most trusted Anbu—those three who were hunting me—to clean up this 'unstable factor'... The high-sounding reason? It would probably be betraying the Village or colluding with foreign enemies. Anyway, dead men tell no tales."
The Third Kazekage claimed to be the strongest Kazekage, but his performance in the original work was somewhat underwhelming. It's clear he and Hiruzen Sarutobi were the same type of person—vainglorious and fond of being praised by others.
He gave a miserable laugh and looked at Uchiha Shao Yu and the others.
"Now you know? Saving me is equivalent to offending the Hidden Sand's Third Kazekage. Well? Do you regret it? Are you planning to hand me over, or... just kill me to get rid of the trouble?"
Uchiha Shao Yu looked at the Magnet Release Ninja before him, who had been betrayed by kin, lost his home, and was being hunted to the brink of death, rapidly weighing the options in his mind.
A Jonin who harbored deep-seated hatred for the current leader of Sunagakure, possessed the precious Magnet Release Bloodline Limit, and had nowhere to go... this was simply... a recruitment target tailor-made for Kumogakure.
Uchiha Shao Yu, Young Ai, and Uchiha Renka exchanged a glance.
No words were needed; the tacit understanding formed from their cooperation over these days allowed them to quickly reach a consensus.
The value of the Troy before them had already exceeded their initial expectations.
Not only did he possess the precious Magnet Release Bloodline Limit and decent strength, but more importantly, he harbored an unresolvable, deep-seated hatred for the Sunagakure higher-ups, especially the Third Kazekage himself. Furthermore, he no longer had a place in Sunagakure and had even become a target for elimination.
If such a person could be recruited into Kumogakure, his loyalty and utility would be extremely high.
He was familiar with Sunagakure's tactics, Ninja configurations, and even some internal secrets. His Magnet Release ability could also greatly enrich Kumogakure's tactical system.
But... "Chachamaru, is he lying?"
Sho U looked at the Hidden Cloud Village Jonin to the side.
This man was specifically transferred by the Third Raikage from his own Anbu subordinates to assist Sho U.
He possessed a family secret technique.
Word-Truth Mirroring Technique
It could judge whether a person was lying based on the words they spoke.
It could be said to be a very practical secret technique.
Among the Five Great Nations, there were all kinds of talents, with Konoha having the most.
Whether it was the Ino–Shika–Chō who cooperated seamlessly, or the Uchiha and Hyuga with their impressive combat power, there was even Ibiki Morino, who specialized in interrogation.
There were so many talents in Konoha.
Over the past year, the Third Raikage has lamented to Uchiha Shao Yu countless times.
But their Hidden Cloud Village wasn't without its own.
This Chachamaru was one of them.
With him, it was impossible for Troy to hide anything from them.
Chachamaru shook his head.
"It should be fine; I didn't sense the aura of a lie."
Then... it was time to show their cards.
Uchiha Shao Yu slowly stood up and walked over to Troy.
He didn't immediately remove his disguise, but his voice returned to its original calm and clarity, no longer deliberately altered.
"Troy, we understand your situation. It's a pity that Sunagakure failed you and your father."
Troy suddenly looked up, staring at Sho U with shock and uncertainty. The other person's voice had changed?
And those words... Sho U continued.
"You asked who we are and why we saved you. Now, I can give you the answer."
He nodded slightly to Young Ai and Uchiha Renka beside him.
Ai grinned. Although still masked, his movements were clearly much more relaxed, and he even reached out to scratch his signature spiky hair.
Renka gently pulled down his mask, revealing a face with a Three-Tomoe Sharingan.
"Sharingan?! Uchiha?!"
Troy's pupils shrank as he cried out in shock.
Konoha currently had a tendency to align with Sunagakure, so it shouldn't be them.
The news of the Uchiha Clan defecting from Konoha to join Kumogakure was not a top secret among the high-level officials of the Ninja World. As a Sunagakure Jonin, he had naturally heard of it.
Then, this group of people... Uchiha Shao Yu also removed his mask and disguise, revealing a young but dignified face.
Especially those deep, calm eyes that seemed to see through everything, making Troy feel an invisible pressure.
"Let's get reacquainted."
Sho U's voice was flat but carried weight.
"I am Uchiha Shao Yu, an Elder of the Hidden Cloud Village. This is Yatsuki Ai, son of the Third Raikage. This is Uchiha Renka, my clansman."
Kumogakure Elder?! Son of the Raikage?!
Troy's mind went "buzz" as it fell into complete chaos.
He never would have thought that the ones who saved him would actually be from the Hidden Cloud Village, and such a high-level group at that.
"You... Kumogakure... why..."
Troy was incoherent; the massive shock of information made it difficult for him to process for a moment.
"Why save you?"
Young Ai took over, his tone direct.
"Two reasons. First, I couldn't stand the sight of those three Sunagakure bastards—bullying with numbers and trying to kill their own. I couldn't watch that! Second..."
He sized Troy up.
"Your Magnet Release is quite interesting. Our Kumogakure lacks talents with special skills like yours."
Troy's heart jolted.
Recruitment? Kumogakure wants to recruit me?
Uchiha Shao Yu took over the conversation, looking directly at Troy with sharp and direct words.
"Troy, reality is cruel. Sunagakure no longer has a place for you, and the Third Kazekage will not let you go—an unstable factor who knows his secret."
"If you stay in the Land of Rain or flee elsewhere, you will face endless pursuit from Sunagakure's Anbu, and you might even implicate other relatives and friends still in Sunagakure."
Troy shook his head; he had no relatives left.
Sho U paused, his tone softening but carrying even more persuasive power.
"And Kumogakure can provide you with protection. It's not just a hiding place, but a new starting point. Kumogakure worships strength and respects those with ability."
"Your Magnet Release will be valued and given the space it deserves to develop in Kumogakure. You can rely on your own strength to earn status, respect, and even... the possibility of seeking revenge against Sunagakure and the Third Kazekage in the future."
"Revenge..."
This word struck the most painful chord in Troy's heart.
A terrifying light instantly erupted in his eyes, but it was immediately shrouded by a sense of powerlessness against reality.
"Just me? Against the entire Sunagakure?"
"Not alone."
Uchiha Shao Yu spoke, his voice steady.
"It's joining Kumogakure. With the Hidden Cloud Village, one of the Five Great Ninja Villages, backing you, what you possess will no longer be just personal strength. You should be clear about the relationship between Kumogakure and Sunagakure. If there is a suitable opportunity in the future..."
He didn't finish, but the meaning was already obvious.
Troy fell silent.
Is Kumogakure... really trustworthy?
Going there would just be changing places to be a Ninja, perhaps still being used as a tool.
But... staying outside meant certain death, and his father's blood feud would be buried forever.
At least, Kumogakure gave him a chance to live and accumulate strength.
Moreover, the other party was a high-level official of Kumogakure, personally coming forward to recruit him, which seemed to show a certain level of sincerity.
More importantly, his heart had completely cooled toward Sunagakure and the Third Kazekage; he no longer felt any sense of belonging.
After a long time, Troy slowly raised his head. In his emerald eyes, the previous despair and gloom were replaced by a resolve to burn his bridges.
He looked at Uchiha Shao Yu, his voice hoarse but clear.
"I need your guarantee that Kumogakure will protect me and... won't be like Sunagakure, discarding or even eliminating me at will after I'm used up."
Uchiha Shao Yu hardly hesitated and nodded.
"I can. In my capacity as an Elder of Kumogakure, I can promise you that as long as you sincerely serve Kumogakure, Kumogakure will treat you as one of its own and provide corresponding protection and status."
This answer caused the last trace of hesitation in Troy's heart to vanish.
He struggled, trying to sit up straight. The movement of his wounds turned his face pale, but he persisted, facing Uchiha Shao Yu.
"In that case... I, Troy, a Rogue Ninja of Sunagakure and Magnet Release user, am willing to join the Hidden Cloud Village, pledge loyalty to the Raikage, and follow orders. I only ask... if there is an opportunity in the future, please allow me... to personally seek justice for my father!"
Uchiha Shao Yu reached out and gave a slight supporting gesture.
"Welcome to Kumogakure, Troy. Kumogakure will remember your hatred. But now, you need to recover from your injuries first. Ai, Renka, help Troy tend to his wounds."
Advance chapter available on pãtrêon Got1808