025 Conclusion or Harvest

“Crack, crack, crack…”

Under the shocked gaze of Jinso Uchiha, the crimson barrier forged by the Uchiha Fire Flame Formation began to split, fissures spreading from where the serpent’s tail had struck. The entire shield fragmented inch by inch.

Fugaku quickly withdrew, and freed from the constraints of the barrier, the Eight-Headed Serpent howled skyward, issuing a series of guttural roars that reverberated through the air, the sound waves rolling out in tangible ripples.

The remaining Uchiha elites felt their hearts skip; none could summon the will to resist. They looked up in awe—the Eight-Headed Serpent stretched its heads toward the heavens, occupying more than half the sky in their field of vision.

“How can one possibly defeat such a monster?”

As they wrestled with this question, the colossal beast vanished with a resounding “bang.” When the smoke cleared, amid the rubble and shattered stone, stood a man with a deathly pale face. He looked weak, his aura diminished, but now, not a soul dared underestimate him.

The Uchiha Police Force had always known the Three Legendary Sannin were powerful, but the true extent of that power was beyond their comprehension—until now. One Sannin alone could take on the entire Uchiha clan.

A family famed for their inherited eye techniques, passed down for a thousand years, was rendered helpless before sheer individual might.

The emotions of the Uchiha elite were tangled and unspeakable; they could not say if they felt humiliation or exhilaration.

Unlike the turbulent Uchiha, Orochimaru was unmoved, for all that transpired was largely within his expectations. Few things in this battle had truly surprised him.

He lightly leapt before Fugaku, an intrigued smile on his face.

“Clan leader Fugaku, your barrier technique had impressive defensive strength. Why did you withdraw midway?”

Fugaku shook his head. “I only recently mastered the Uchiha Fire Flame Formation. I’m still unfamiliar with some aspects, and my chakra control faltered.”

Unlike most Uchiha, after the night of the Nine-Tails, as captain of the police force, Fugaku began to study methods to confine tailed beasts within the village.

Barrier techniques were the answer he found. After all, battles too fierce within the village, even if the beast was subdued, left nothing but ruins behind.

Hearing their leader’s explanation, the surrounding Uchiha felt their frustration ease a little.

“The Uchiha Fire Flame Formation is a fine barrier technique.”

Orochimaru, a master of all ninjutsu, had studied barrier techniques—a variant of sealing jutsu. He was familiar with them.

The village’s common barrier, the Four Violet Flame Formation, required four elite ninja to activate. Its defense could restrain even Kage-level opponents, but against tailed beasts, it was barely sufficient.

Fugaku’s Uchiha Fire Flame Formation was different.

Orochimaru’s keen eyes immediately discerned it as a secret technique developed exclusively for the Uchiha. Compared to the Four Violet Flame Formation, it was limited by bloodline, yet its effectiveness was clearly superior.

Moreover, the external fusion of two chakra natures was intriguing.

Orochimaru glanced at Fugaku and smiled, “If you don’t mind, Clan leader Fugaku, perhaps I could study it a bit?”

“This…” Fugaku’s face showed hesitation. The Uchiha Fire Flame Formation was a clan secret; how could it be casually shared with outsiders—even one who had just demonstrated such power?

“I won’t take advantage of the Uchiha for nothing. The barrier is impressive, but its flaws are obvious…”

Orochimaru went straight to the point. “If one man alone maintains a barrier capable of containing a tailed beast, then he might as well fight the beast directly.”

Fugaku fell silent. He had anticipated this; even if he could deploy the Fire Flame Formation, his chakra reserves would not sustain it long against the relentless assault of the Eight-Headed Serpent.

“For me, refining the barrier technique and adapting it for joint operation like the Four Violet Flame Formation would not be difficult.”

Orochimaru wore a proud smile.

With those words, Fugaku’s doubts vanished. “Then, I’ll leave it in your hands, Lord Orochimaru.”

“We’ll discuss it after this matter is settled.”

Orochimaru smiled, turning his gaze forward.

While he spoke with Fugaku, the Uchiha Police Force had regrouped. Compared to a few minutes ago, their expressions and bearing were entirely changed.

Each looked like a defeated rooster, many bearing fresh wounds.

Orochimaru’s face took on a ‘kind’ smile. “Arrange yourselves as you see fit. I’ll help with your treatment.”

“Treatment?”

The police force members exchanged glances. The man who had just beaten them was now offering medical aid—how bizarre.

But they quickly realized: if they didn’t accept Orochimaru’s treatment, they’d have to go to the Konoha Hospital together.

Imagining the entire Uchiha Police Force, wounded, marching to the hospital under the curious and suspicious gaze of the villagers made them feel thoroughly uncomfortable.

That discomfort far exceeded the strangeness they’d just experienced.

In truth, the Uchiha elite knew the events of this battle could not be concealed for long. The news of Orochimaru single-handedly besting the Uchiha clan was too sensational.

But hearing about it was different from witnessing it firsthand.

The Uchiha possessed the Sharingan, seeing more than ordinary people, more sensitive to such differences.

Their morale depended on others seeing as little as possible.

Seeing the police force’s hesitant movements, Fugaku issued a direct order, “Immediately form up by squad, those with serious injuries to the front…”

The force began to move, stirring among the crowd. Meanwhile, Orochimaru produced twelve shadow clones and drew three sets of medical equipment from his scroll.

The Uchiha elite noticed this, their expressions darkening further.

Their first thought was not about the beating they’d just endured, nor that Orochimaru had planned ahead. Instead, they realized he still had enough energy to create shadow clones.

How much had he held back during the tailed beast exercise?

Soon, the injured lined up in three columns, the most seriously wounded Uchiha lay on beds with the help of their comrades, beginning Orochimaru’s treatment.

Noticing that Orochimaru, while tending to wounds, sent a shadow clone to record notes in a notebook, Jinso Uchiha couldn't help but ask,

“Lord Orochimaru, what are you doing? This doesn’t seem like ordinary treatment.”

Under the scrutiny of the many Uchiha, Orochimaru narrowed his eyes and countered, “Are you a medical ninja?”

“I’m not, but other medical ninja wouldn’t…” Jinso opened his mouth, unable to find the right words, but his meaning was clear.

—I’ve never eaten pork, but I’ve seen pigs run. This is no ordinary pig.

“Other medical ninja? Mere incompetents.”

Orochimaru snorted dismissively. “I’m collecting body data for more accurate treatments in the future.”

Though the explanation was somewhat forced, it perfectly fit the persona Orochimaru had just established.

After all, such a powerful ninja would naturally treat injuries differently than ordinary medical ninja. That made sense.

“Is that really necessary?” Jinso remained skeptical.

“Of course.”

A strange smile crept onto Orochimaru’s face.

“Did you think there would only be one tailed beast exercise?”

“There will be many days of injury ahead.”