The sky was dim, and clouds of dark red hue covered the firmament, turning the scattered sunlight into a blood-red color. The earth was a barren desert, appearing from afar like a massive piece of flesh lying across the canyon.
This was Hell Valley.
Within the canyon, an area of several dozen li was sealed within a massive Barrier. This was a Genjutsu Barrier unique to the Uchiha, impossible to break from the inside. Anyone approaching the barrier would be enveloped in mist, losing consciousness, ranging from confusion to severe cases of dementia.
With this Barrier, the Uchiha had steadily suppressed the Blood Pond Clan for decades.
According to intelligence, the Uchiha squad originally responsible for guarding the Barrier had mysteriously disappeared three months prior, and the squad sent to take over the mission had also gone missing. In other words, for a full three months, no one knew what had happened here.
When Uchiha Chiri and her group arrived at the canyon, they were all shocked to the point of scalp tingling by the scene before them.
The Four Seal Barrier, which had been maintained for decades, was gone.
This meant that the Blood Pond Clan had… escaped!
But strangely, the group had also scouted the Uchiha camp outside the Barrier and found no signs of destruction. Apart from the Uchiha clansmen who had vanished into thin air, everything was as usual.
"Logically speaking, after we've confined them for so long, the first thing they should do after escaping is to annihilate all the guards, right..." Uchiha Kirito frowned, "They actually refrained from doing it?"
"Maybe they just killed the people and didn't destroy the items," Jiraiya said coolly, arms crossed.
Orochimaru shook his head, "That's impossible. Although I don't understand the methods of the Blood Pond Clan, it's normal to lose reason when enemies meet. Who would have the mind to only kill people but not destroy items?"
"I've checked the records. The Blood Pond Clan possesses a Bloodline Limit Eye Technique called 'Blood Dragon Eye', which specializes in manipulating blood and creating human bombs with Genjutsu. This explosive fighting style shouldn't leave no trace," Tsunade said, touching her smooth chin.
Uchiha Nen remained silent, being the youngest and least experienced here, yet he crossed his arms, pretending to be mature.
"I think the best course of action is to return to the Hidden Leaf Village as soon as possible and report the escape of the Blood Pond Clan to Master!" Tsunade gave a very rational suggestion.
"Um..." Kirito hesitated, "I think we should confirm the specific situation before reporting back, just in case, I mean, just in case, the situation isn't what we imagine it to be?"
"Are you kidding? The Barrier is gone, do we still need to investigate?" Jiraiya was the first to object, winking at Kirito, "Are you afraid the Uchiha Clan will be held accountable and want to delay?"
Orochimaru reached out and put his hand on his shoulder, "Jiraiya, no one here will shirk responsibility, don't speak so harshly."
At this moment, Nen looked at Chiri, "Chiri nee-san, we'll listen to you on what to do."
Chiri frowned slightly, pondered for a moment, and exhaled softly, "Everyone, follow me into the valley, and be sure not to leave my line of sight."
"Huh? Seriously? What if there are still remnants in the valley, wouldn't we become turtles in a jar?" Jiraiya suspected he had misheard.
"You said they are remnants, we can handle them," Nen said softly, "Besides, I believe Chiri nee-san will protect us."
"That makes sense, maybe staying outside would be more dangerous," Tsunade flipped her hair and walked to Chiri's side.
"Yes, if there's no one in the valley, then the Blood Pond escape is confirmed. If there is someone, we can gather information," Orochimaru nodded in agreement.
"I will naturally listen to nee-san," Kirito said.
Thus, everyone's eyes were focused on Jiraiya.
"Sigh..." Jiraiya covered his face, feeling hopeless, "There's really no way."
And so, under the leadership of Uchiha Chiri, the group stepped into the former Barrier range and entered the canyon.
The air in the valley was heavy, and a faint bloody smell permeated every corner. Just a shallow sniff would cause physiological discomfort. It was hard to imagine that the Blood Pond Clan had lived here for decades.
Behind the mountain was a scarlet maple forest, its environmental conditions were average, but it was home to some wild game. Therefore, in addition to the self-sufficient valley fields, they would also hunt in the mountains for food.
Over such a long period, they had already built a small settlement here, with orderly houses standing in rows, matching the valley's terrain and forming simple streets.
However, the streets were currently deserted, appearing quite desolate.
"I say, let's just go back, we've already confirmed there's no one here, this place looks eerie no matter how you look at it." Jiraiya tiptoed along at the back, a gust of cold wind blew, and he shrank his neck.
"We're already here, let's search around before we leave." Nen said.
"Hey, even a kid has more courage than you, Jiraiya." Tsunade glanced at Jiraiya, her tone slightly disdainful.
"He's just reckless!" Jiraiya argued, "I checked before we came, the Blood Pond Clan's methods are extremely cruel, even ninjas can easily fall victim!"
"Compared to understanding the Blood Pond Clan, we Uchiha should know better than anyone." Nen retorted lightly.
"I smell something." Orochimaru suddenly said.
"Nonsense, it's the smell of rust, it's the smell of blood." Jiraiya said, dissatisfied.
"No, it's the smell of conspiracy." Orochimaru frowned, "The disappearance of the clansmen, the disappearance of the Barrier, the timing is too strange."
"What do you mean?"
"Logically speaking, if they lost control of Hell Valley three months ago, then the Blood Pond Clan should have gone to the village for revenge, or at the very least, we should have heard news of them appearing in the Shinobi World. According to this clan's extreme nature, they would never willingly swallow their anger."
Orochimaru stroked his chin, "I have a bad feeling, the time when this Barrier disappeared is likely to be today!"
"Damn, don't scare me, it feels like they're coming for us!" Jiraiya exclaimed in alarm.
Chiri, who was walking at the front, sighed softly. What Orochimaru had thought of, she had naturally thought of before entering the valley.
She had thought that this Clan Head would dig a pit for her, but she didn't know how deep this pit was, or how crazy the trap was.
If he was really willing to release the Blood Pond Clan in order to consolidate his position, then this approach would be... too foolish.
What exactly is going on? Doesn't he worry about being sanctioned by the village?
Or does he have the confidence to face everything?
This Clan Head was also a very rational person before, but since he won the position of Clan Head, he began to become arrogant and conceited, his posture was simply not putting everything in his eyes.
Eyes...
Chiri bit her lip, recalling a line that could not be ignored.
Every person who wins the deathmatch seems to lose an eye, becoming pale and hollow, without the slightest light.
Is this some kind of price? Or... some kind of unknown Secret Technique?
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