As he spoke, Arata separated a Wood Clone to remain behind, then activated his pupil technique, Takamagahara, vanishing into space.
Even with his clone present, Tsunade's mood remained somewhat low.
Part of it was because Arata had left. Another part came from her own heart.
She suddenly realized just how dependent she had become on him.
Every time he left, an inexplicable sense of emptiness and unease rose in her chest. Tsunade clearly noticed this change, and it made her emotions even more complicated.
Shizune quietly watched Tsunade drinking one cup after another and didn't dare interrupt.
In truth, she didn't object to Tsunade-sama being with Arata at all.
Although Kato Dan had once been Tsunade's lover, Shizune herself had practically been raised by Tsunade.
Her emotional attachment to Tsunade far surpassed her feelings toward her deceased uncle.
What she truly wished for was for Tsunade-sama to find happiness again.
And aside from being younger, Uchiha Arata was outstanding in every aspect.
From Shizune's point of view, Tsunade-sama was actually the one getting the better deal.
After entering the spatial dimension, Arata wasted no time. Locking onto Fugaku's spatial mark, he teleported directly to the designated location.
Land of Earth — A Forest Outside Iwagakure Village
Deep within a dense forest not far from Iwagakure, Uchiha Fugaku stood alert, carefully observing his surroundings, wary of any unexpected movements.
Suddenly, a figure appeared beside him without the slightest warning, like a ghost materializing from thin air.
Yet instead of panicking, Fugaku visibly relaxed when he saw the newcomer.
"Arata," he said, letting out a quiet breath.
After arriving, Arata first scanned the surroundings, then casually marked a new spatial coordinate before turning to Fugaku.
Noticing the civilian clothes Fugaku was wearing, Arata frowned slightly.
"Clan Head, you're moving too slowly. It's been half a month since I sent you here, and only now are you calling me."
Fugaku sighed helplessly. "I had no choice. I was infiltrating Iwagakure, so to avoid attracting attention, I joined a merchant caravan heading into the village. That's why it took so long."
Arata nodded in understanding.
In truth, he harbored no particular hostility toward Fugaku. But now that Mikoto had become his woman, the presence of Fugaku in Konoha inevitably made things awkward for all three of them.
So he had deliberately sent Fugaku away, making use of his remaining value.
Fugaku was no fool. He clearly understood Arata's intentions. Otherwise, he wouldn't have volunteered to scout dangerous territory for him.
After delivering his intelligence regarding Iwagakure, Fugaku quietly waited for Arata's decision.
After a moment of contemplation, Arata turned to him and spoke calmly.
"Clan Head, I'll give you three choices. You can return to Konoha and rest, go to Whirlpool Island to inspect the construction of the Uchiha clan's new homeland, or continue onward to the Land of Lightning to investigate Kumogakure."
In his heart, Arata had already decided.
Fugaku would never be allowed to meet Mikoto again.
If Fugaku chose to return to Konoha, Arata would ensure he spent the rest of his life wandering outside, never stepping back into the village.
Fugaku's weathered face tightened slightly.
He hadn't expected Arata to even offer him the chance to return.
But he also understood that going back to Konoha now would only make everything awkward.
After a brief pause, he said, "Then please send me to Whirlpool Island. I want to see how our clan's future homeland is developing. After resting for a few days, I'll head to the Land of Lightning."
Arata studied him deeply, then nodded.
Without another word, he placed his hand on Fugaku's shoulder and activated the spatial mark, instantly transporting them to Whirlpool Island.
---
The arrival of Uchiha Fugaku and Uchiha Arata did not overly surprise the Great Elder, Uchiha Ryo .
He had always believed Fugaku remained stationed in Konoha. Seeing him now, he assumed Fugaku had simply come to relieve him temporarily and allow him to return to the village.
Thus, the elders warmly welcomed both of them.
By the time Uchiha Arata finished escorting the elder who had completed the handover back to the Konoha clan, it was already late at night.
He did not disturb anyone else. Instead, he directly returned to the vicinity of Iwagakure Village through the spatial mark he had previously left behind.
Although it was late, the timing was perfect.
If he caused enough disturbance now, Ōnoki, the Third Tsuchikage, would certainly appear. He might even personally come out to deal with the intruder.
Arata's purpose in coming to Iwagakure was simple....obtain the Third Tsuchikage's bloodline limit, Dust Release, along with the technique that allowed flight: Light and Heavy Rock Technique.
When the First Tsuchikage established Iwagakure Village, he had carefully selected the terrain. Surrounded by towering rocky mountains, the village was naturally fortified, easy to defend and difficult to assault.
Because of this, directly infiltrating the village without alerting anyone was somewhat difficult.
But Arata didn't intend to sneak inside.
He merely wanted to draw the Tsuchikage out.
Standing within the forest, Arata calmly surveyed his surroundings, then formed a hand seal.
"Secret Technique — Camouflage Concealment."
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