ALL NOVEL Chapter 72: Chapter 72: A Twisted World
Chapter 72: A Twisted World
Deep Underground
From the cold, damp ground, a white figure rose, his fluid-like body gleaming in the dim light.
Sitting upon a stone chair, Uchiha Madara slowly opened his eyes.
"What's happening outside?"
White Zetsu chuckled sinisterly. "Uchiha Kagami has consolidated his clan and merged them with the eastern frontline forces. He's now leading a combined force of 700 shinobi toward Konoha."
Madara's eyes gleamed faintly in the darkness.
"A shame."
He spoke softly, almost to himself.
"He has achieved the Eternal Mangekyō but remains fixated on the plight of his clan. If only he could recognize the true despair of this world, he would be the perfect candidate for my plans."
He turned his gaze back to White Zetsu.
"Is everything in place with the Three-Tails?"
White Zetsu grinned mischievously. "It's all set. Thanks to Kagami gathering the Konoha forces, things have been much easier to arrange."
"The Mist shinobi, carrying the girl implanted with the Three-Tails, are avoiding Kagami's path and heading straight toward Konoha. They'll cross paths with Kakashi soon enough."
Madara's lips curled into a faint smile.
"Good. It's time for Obito to awaken."
"Go and inform him."
White Zetsu gave an exaggerated nod, vanishing into the earth without a sound.
---
In the Forest
A group of shinobi marched in formation, their movements disciplined and synchronized. The ranks included not only Uchiha members but also Hyūga, a handful of minor clan representatives, and a significant number of civilian-born shinobi.
For many of the clan shinobi, death had seemed a better option than submission to the Uchiha.
For the civilian shinobi, however, allegiance to the Uchiha was simply a matter of practicality.
To them, power dictated loyalty.
---
Among these ranks, Uchiha Kagami strolled with an air of indifference, perched atop a large ninja cat. His eyes were half-closed in feigned rest, seemingly disinterested in the throng of soldiers marching behind him.
Nearby, Zorun, a portly ninja cat, glanced nervously at Kagami.
"Uh, Kagami-sama… may I ask what we're about to do?"
Kagami's voice was calm, almost dismissive.
"Stupid cat, can't you tell?"
"We're going to war."
---
Zorun's tail twitched uneasily.
"But… isn't this the direction to Konoha?"
"Indeed," Kagami replied with a faint smirk. "We're heading to Konoha. To attack it. Is there a problem with that?"
Zorun quickly straightened up.
"Finally! It's about time! Kagami-sama, should I call reinforcements from the Cat Sanctuary? The ninja cats have always been loyal allies of the Uchiha!"
His pudgy frame quivered with excitement.
Kagami chuckled softly.
"I appreciate the offer, but we wouldn't want to ruin the atmosphere of impending doom with too many cats."
"Just keep running, and stop shaking so much."
---
Elsewhere in the Forest
On a different route to Konoha, Kakashi Hatake moved with blinding speed, his short sword crackling with electricity.
He struck like a thunderbolt, taking down two Mist shinobi in one fluid motion.
Over time, Kakashi had developed a unique combat style—an integration of Hatake swordsmanship, teachings from Jiraiya, and techniques observed from Minato and Kagami.
The result was a deadly combination of lightning-infused blade work and pinpoint precision.
Unlike the Chidori, which required a headlong charge and the user's ocular skills, this "Lightning Sword" technique focused on controlled bursts of speed and power.
It resembled the Lightning Release Chakra Mode of the Raikage but was more refined for single strikes.
Still, it was far from perfected.
---
Even with his newfound strength, Kakashi's face was pale, his breaths labored. Bloodshot eyes scanned the battlefield with desperation.
"I've already lost Obito… I won't lose anyone else!"
Ahead, he caught sight of his target: Rin Nohara, held captive by two Mist shinobi.
Rin appeared unconscious, her body draped between her captors.
---
In truth, Rin was wide awake, though she feigned otherwise.
Stay calm. Kakashi will save me. I just need to wait for the right moment to act.
The Mist shinobi carrying her were too focused on their mission to notice her subtle breaths.
One of them broke the silence.
"Ha! Lord Mizukage's plan is genius."
"Sealing the Three-Tails inside this girl and sending her straight into Konoha? Brilliant!"
"When the beast is unleashed, the damage will cripple Konoha's defenses. Maybe we can finally take Fire Country for ourselves!"
Their laughter echoed through the trees, each word a dagger in Rin's heart.
---
Her mind flashed back to a moment years ago.
Kagami had once asked her:
"If completing the mission required a sacrifice, what would you do?"
Her answer had been resolute.
"If someone must be sacrificed, let it be me."
Tears welled in her eyes, but her resolve remained firm.
This was the moment she had prepared for.
For the village, I will sacrifice everything. I'm sorry, Kakashi…
---
Finally, Kakashi caught up.
His eyes lit with determination as he locked onto Rin.
"Rin… hold on! I'm coming for you!"
Channeling every last ounce of his chakra, Kakashi surged forward, a lightning-covered blur racing toward the Mist shinobi.
---
Blood splattered across the ground.
Kakashi stood frozen, his hands trembling violently.
Warm blood trickled down his short sword, pooling in his palm.
He had killed countless enemies before, but this… this was different.
For the first time, his blade had taken the life of a comrade.
---
"Ka… Kakashi…"
Rin's voice was weak, her hand reaching out to touch his face one last time before falling limp.
His sword had pierced straight through her chest, the lightning tearing her heart apart.
---
Kakashi's mind shattered. His vision blurred, and his knees buckled under the weight of his guilt.
"No… no, no, no…"
---
From a distance, a young boy watched, his face pale with shock.
The sight of Rin's lifeless body struck something deep within him, a pain too profound to bear.
The Sharingan in his eyes spun wildly, the tomoe merging into a new shape.
---
The world seemed to twist and distort.
The boy's vision burned with crimson, and his mind spiraled into madness.
---
Somewhere far away, in the cold silence of the underground, Madara's lips curled into a knowing smile.
The pieces were falling into place.
End of Chapter
---
Read up to 20 Chapters ahead on patreon.com/Fanglin
[Please leave a 5 Star review and power stone for this novel]
*Thank you*