Chapter 43
Uchiha Clan Meeting
Bloodspot raised its tail, pointed in two directions, and stammered:
"East... cave, black snake, armored crow, hiss~, you, can you beat them?"
"Alright, then I'll go to the cave in the east and bring you a sheep tomorrow as an apology for beating you up like this."
Uchiha Gen said, pointing at the bloodstains.
The latter lay there, nodding gratefully to Uchiha Gen.
Soon after, Uchiha Gen, whose chakra had been fully restored, set off again for the location mentioned by Bloodspot.
When Uchiha Gen arrived at the cave and saw the black snake, he realized that he didn't seem to need to lift a finger.
Because this black snake named Jiawu is the same black-scaled snake that he beat back to Dragon Cave in the Forest of Death a month ago!
Although it was outmaneuvered and badly beaten by its own tactical maneuvering, the snake's strength was still decent.
Although not as strong as Bloodspot, Kou's strength is not something that ordinary genin can easily handle.
After his trip to Ryuchi Cave, aside from the two powerful serpents, Bloodspot and Kou-oka, Uchiha Gen didn't attempt to capture any more powerful summoning beasts.
Maintaining the summoned beasts takes time. Uchiha Gen's chakra reserves are not small compared to his peers, and even more after equipping the cards of young Madara. However, he is not a super stat monster like Naruto with massive chakra reserves. Being able to summon two at a time to assist in battle is already quite good.
As for more powerful summoning beasts, if they were too much stronger, Gen Uchiha wouldn't have the ability to tame them.
When they emerged from Ryuchi Cave, the three returned to their previous training ground.
Orochimaru's figure had long since disappeared, and even the sun was already setting in the west, nearing dusk.
Before they knew it, the three of them had been in Ryuchi Cave for almost a day.
"Tsk, what a pity, I didn't find that two-headed snake that chased me last time."
Sarutobi Enjun stood with his hands on his hips, looking regretful.
"Not to mention me, I had just made a contract with some ordinary pythons when I entered the territory of a crazed red serpent and had to quickly dispel the Reverse Spirit Spell to return."
Uzuki Ruri said, speechless.
If it weren't for the fact that she had successfully formed a spirit contract and still had a chance to return to Ryuchi Cave, she would have been incredibly depressed.
"I'm alright. I've contracted two powerful serpents, Flame Falcon and Ruri. It's getting late, so I'll take my leave now. There's a clan meeting tonight."
Gen Uchiha waved to his two teammates.
"Okay, bye then, Yuan."
Uzuki Ruri nodded gently.
"Alright, you should go back now. This is your first time attending the clan gathering, so don't be late."
Sarutobi Enjun pretended to be serious, but actually stole a glance at Uzuki Ruri, and a hint of joy involuntarily appeared between his brows.
Great!
Now we can naturally move into our own little world as a couple!
Uchiha Gen watched this scene unfold, chuckled to himself, and then turned and walked towards the location of the clan's territory.
Those who can't get what they want are called "licking dogs"; those who can get what they want are called "wolf warriors."
Sarutobi Enjun is currently in a state of wolf-dog duality, being both wolf and dog.
Ruri Uzuki is actually a very clever teammate. On the surface, she seems to be slowly getting closer to Enjun Sarutobi, but in reality, she is able to maintain a proper distance.
While I'm still a bit naive when it comes to tea ceremony, it's quite effective against innocent types like Sarutobi Enjun.
It's like a carrot hanging in front of a donkey's head, seemingly within reach but always just out of reach.
What we can't have is always the best.
As the son of the Hokage, Sarutobi Enjun has a special status. For Uzuki Ruri, this is the choice that maximizes the interests of herself and her family.
Things that are easily obtained are cheap to people of high status, who don't know how to cherish them. But you can't create too much distance between you, lest they give up on them.
However, Gen Uchiha didn't seem to care much about whether the relationship between the two would affect the normal operation of the team.
Because Ruri Uzuki is smart enough to know how to behave appropriately.
Everything she can do must be done without affecting the team.
Whether it's the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Enjun, the Uchiha clan behind Uchiha Gen, or Orochimaru, who possesses near-Kage-level strength, they are all behemoths that Uzuki Ruri and her small clan cannot afford to offend.
It's a little past 5 p.m. now, and the clan meeting starts at 7 p.m., so there's still some time.
Uchiha Gen first ate a meal at a snack shop in the clan's territory, then returned home, took a shower, and changed into his most classic outfit.
She wore a gray-blue cylindrical high-necked long coat, gray loose trousers with leg bandages tied at the ends, and open-toed ninja gaiters.
On the back of the garment is a striking red and white fan-shaped family emblem.
It's almost time, let's go!
Gen Uchiha examined his own energy and spirit in the mirror for a while, then kicked open the door and strode confidently toward the Naga Shrine.
Along the way, several clansmen dressed similarly to Uchiha Gen also came out and headed towards the same spot.
The Naka Shrine, located on the banks of the Naka River, became the site where the Uchiha clan held clan assemblies and offered sacrifices to their ancestors after they moved from their former clan homeland to Konoha.
"Yuan, come to this old man."
Beneath the towering golden statue of Indra, the Grand Elder glanced at his cane and addressed Uchiha Genji.
"Elder, Sister Mikoto."
Uchiha Gen ran up to the statue and greeted it.
"Yes, the order of the clan meeting is determined by the Sharingan and ninja level, as well as the time when they awakened their Sharingan. When you go in later, you should be seated in the last row."
After giving a few instructions to Uchiha Gen, the elder waited quietly in place.
The remaining Uchiha clansmen entered the Naga Shrine one after another, until the seven o'clock bell rang and the shrine gates slammed shut.
The shrine immediately fell silent, filled with solemnity.
A man with slightly graying beard and hair, who looked to be about fifty years old, held a long incense stick and offered incense to the golden statue of Indra, the ancestor of the Uchiha clan.
Fugaku Uchiha stood quietly to one side.
The person offering incense to Indra is none other than Uchiha Hisasu, the current head of the Uchiha clan.
After offering incense, he bowed to the golden statue of Indra, and the rest of the clansmen followed suit in unison.
Gen Uchiha reacted quickly, and with the elder's gesture prompting him, he also bowed in unison.
After bowing, Uchiha Hisasu leisurely rose and pressed a mechanism on the altar in front of the statue.