The Hakimaster of Naruto

Chapter 214 CHAPTER 214: THE SANNIN ARE BORN

Outside the tent, Uchiha Mikoto finally felt her composure returning.

But... had she just been ordered to leave? Had she made Ragnar-kun angry?

Panic fluttered in her chest. She couldn't understand what she had done wrong. She reviewed every moment, every word, every action—and finally concluded that she had done nothing wrong at all.

It's completely because I'm overthinking. This must be Ragnar-kun's way of expressing himself.

Besides, he praised my cooking! He said he'd never had such a delicious dinner before!

Yes. That must be it.

Having settled her thoughts, Mikoto headed toward her quarters.

She hadn't walked far when Uchiha Fugaku emerged from the shadows, apparently having been following her.

"Mikoto." He fell into step beside her. "Were you preparing dinner for Rakshasa?"

Mikoto glanced at him briefly, making no attempt to hide anything. "Yes."

"Mikoto, don't you understand the relationship between Rakshasa and our Uchiha clan? By doing this, you put yourself in a difficult position."

"Rakshasa is a hero of Konoha. He made tremendous contributions to peace. Is it wrong for me to show gratitude?" Mikoto's response was calm but firm.

"That's not the point. Village interests are village interests. Clan interests are clan interests. If the clan leader learns what you're doing, he won't let this slide."

Mikoto's expression remained unchanged. "I'm simply following my grandfather's wishes. If the clan leader feels my actions are wrong, he can discuss it with my grandfather directly. I'm sure my grandfather will provide him with a satisfactory answer."

Her grandfather's line was a small branch of the vast Uchiha clan—one that remained close to the Hokage faction. By now, her branch had few remaining members.

But that hardly mattered. Even the Uchiha clan leader treated her grandfather as an elder. And her grandfather's convictions were no secret within the clan.

"You mean Lord Kagami?" Fugaku's voice softened. "Mikoto, Lord Kagami can't protect you forever. Some people will vent their anger on you. Even if they can't touch you now... they might in the future."

Mikoto's expression shifted. Became deadly serious.

"I am a ninja. I don't need anyone's protection."

Her dark pupils dilated. Shifted. Transformed into a bewitching blood-red scarlet.

Three tomoe slowly materialized, spinning in her gaze. At this moment, she looked almost demonic—beautiful and terrifying in equal measure.

After this war, Mikoto's Sharingan had unexpectedly evolved to the three-tomoe stage. No longer inferior to Fugaku. Those who entered ANBU were genius ninja by definition, and Mikoto's talent ranked among the finest of the Uchiha clan.

"Three tomoe!" Surprise flickered across Fugaku's features. "Mikoto, your progress is remarkable. Truly worthy of being Lord Kagami's descendant."

"If there's nothing else, I'll be going."

With three scarlet tomoe spinning in her eyes, Mikoto's face had returned to perfect indifference.

She stepped past Fugaku and continued on her way.

He stood frozen for a moment, then suddenly spoke:

"Mikoto. These changes in you... they're because of Rakshasa, aren't they?"

Mikoto paused mid-stride. Only for an instant.

"Fugaku." Her voice carried back to him. "Please stop attributing every problem to Ragnar-sama. Have you considered looking for the cause within yourselves?"

She didn't turn around.

"The roots of the current Uchiha clan have long rotted. Full of selfishness. Violence. Arrogance. This is undoubtedly pathological. A family like this won't last."

She disappeared into the darkness, leaving no trace behind.

Uchiha Fugaku stood rooted in place, utterly shocked by her words.

Such rebellious sentiments—from someone who had once seemed so weak, so lacking in strong opinions? They had been childhood friends, playmates who grew up together. But after Mikoto entered ANBU, everything had changed.

Now, he could feel her disappointment in the clan radiating from every word.

And he—living in this same clan, stuck in its ways, turning a blind eye to everything, becoming increasingly narrow-minded—he was part of the problem.

In the end, he wasn't as clear-sighted as Mikoto.

Maybe Mikoto never changed at all, he realized. Maybe I'm the one who changed. Assimilated by this decaying family.

"Mikoto." His fists clenched as he stared into the darkness where she had vanished. "I won't let you down."

The Land of Rain battlefield. Gloomy weather. Pouring rain.

The battle with the Rain ninja had stalemated for three days. Orochimaru, Jiraiya, and Tsunade had reached their absolute limits.

At this moment, the three supported each other, standing in the vast battlefield. Around them, nothing remained except fallen Rain ninja.

Ahead, Hanzo stood atop his Sansho's head, looking down at them.

"To have persisted this long... your strength has earned my recognition."

"Tch." Jiraiya managed a mocking grin despite his gasping breaths. "We don't need your recognition. Who cares what you think?"

"Well said, Jiraiya." Tsunade's hands rested on her knees as she squatted, breathing heavily.

Orochimaru said nothing. Rain covered his face as he watched Hanzo with wary eyes.

This man—called a demigod—possessed strength far beyond what they could currently handle.

I still know too few techniques, Orochimaru thought. If I learned all ninjutsu—even the forbidden ones—if I explored the deepest secrets... then I could definitely defeat the Sansho.

A new idea crystallized in his mind—one he had never considered before.

The more he encountered powerful existences, the smaller he felt. His knowledge was insufficient. Lacking.

Learning all ninjutsu... that might change this situation.

"If the battle continues," Hanzo said calmly, "the three of you will certainly die."

"Death?" Tsunade straightened, standing proudly despite her exhaustion. "We Konoha ninja have never feared death."

Hanzo studied them with an unreadable expression.

Truthfully, he wanted to kill them. But as a demigod, he disdained slaughtering mere jonin who had fought honorably.

His voice carried across the rain, condescending but not mocking:

"Konoha has already won. The battle for the Land of Rain is decided. Continuing this fight serves no purpose."

He paused.

"The three of you are strong. I, Hanzo, shall name you—the Legendary Sannin of Konoha."

His eyes swept over them one last time.

"Accept this title as the price of your lives. May you each live up to the reputation I have given you."

The Sansho vanished. Hanzo with it.

CRASH.

The rain continued pouring down.

A war had ended.

(End of Chapter)

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