Chapter 56: The Other Side of the Legend
"Alright everyone, now it's your turn for introductions," Kurenai said, having composed herself after her own heartfelt revelation. She turned to the energetic boy with the dog on his head. "Kiba, you begin."
"I'll go first!" Kiba Inuzuka jumped forward with theatrical flair, puffing out his chest. "Name's Kiba Inuzuka! Taijutsu specialist! My nose is so sharp I can smell what you ate for breakfast three days ago! I love dogs, hate squishy things 'cause you can't sink your teeth into 'em. My dream?" He grinned, all bravado. "To become Hokage! And when I do, I'm passing a law—every household in Konoha keeps at least one dog!"
[System Notification: Live Stream Active]
[Viewers: 121 Pure Land Residents]
[Current Donation Pool: 355 viewer points]
[VIP Highlight: Various clan ancestors - "Madara ate our what?!" ]
Tobirama Senju (VIP5): Is this child deranged? Mandatory canine ownership for an entire village?
Uchiha Izuna (Regular Viewer): His specialties and preferences are... feral. He's practically a human beast.
Hashirama Senju (Regular Viewer): Sighs. The Inuzuka clan lives in symbiosis with their ninken. It's their way.
Uchiha Madara (VIP1): I objected to their clan joining the village first. Made the whole place reek of wet dog and excrement.
Tobirama Senju: If I recall correctly, you were rather fond of the dog meat hotpots they inspired.
Uchiha Madara: That was environmental remediation! Besides, I practiced moderation—only consumed one ninken every other day.
Hyuga Hizashi (VIP1): I suddenly understand the historical grievances of the Inuzuka clan.
Yuhi Shinku (Regular Viewer): Indeed. All those carefully bred ninken... no wonder they still spit at the mention of your name.
Next was Shino Aburame. The boy pushed up his sunglasses, his voice monotone and precise. "Shino Aburame. Proficient in insect manipulation. No particular likes or dislikes. Objective: cultivate the perfect kikaichū strain."
Tobirama Senju: This Aburame child possesses an irritating arrogance. The sunglasses, the brevity... unnecessary posturing.
Hashirama Senju: Are all youths nowadays so performative? At their age, we were already commanding battalions.
Uchiha Madara: Performance without power is worthless. On a real battlefield, such weaklings perish first.
Hyuga Hizashi: The Aburame's insect techniques are formidable within Konoha. Reconnaissance, combat support, infiltration—their utility shouldn't be underestimated.
Yuhi Shinku: Correct. When the Kamizuru clan from Earth Country night-raided Konoha years ago, it was the Aburame's insects that turned the tide.
Uchiha Madara: Kamizuru... that name rings a bell.
Uchiha Izuna: That's the third-rate clan that used to send you larvae shipments, brother!
Hyuga Hizashi: Larvae shipments? For what purpose? Did Madara-sama study entomological techniques?
Uchiha Madara: Snorts. Study such mediocre clan secrets? The larvae were for consumption. Undeveloped specimens are protein-rich. Deep-fried until golden, lightly salted... even Hashirama would salivate.
Hashirama Senju: Madara, must we revisit every ancient transgression?
Hyuga Hizashi: ...
Yuhi Kurenai (in the stream): But Konoha has the Aburame clan. Why import larvae from Earth Country?
Tobirama Senju: Because he'd already decimated the Aburame clan's breeding stock.
Yuhi Shinku: It appears the Aburame clan endured considerable hardship in those early days.
Third Raikage (VIP2): Dogs and insects? The legendary Uchiha Madara was... a gourmand?
Tobirama Senju: The Inuzuka and Aburame were not his only victims. The Sarutobi's messenger monkeys, the Nara's sacred deer, the Akimichi's prize swine...
Uchiha Madara: ENOUGH, TOBIRAMA! SILENCE!
Hyuga Hizashi: Now I comprehend the visceral terror your name still evokes among the elder clans.
Tobirama Senju: This, incidentally, was a significant factor in the village favoring my brother for Hokage over you, Madara. Leadership requires restraint. Not... culinary adventurism.
Uchiha Izuna: Brother... I was unaware of these... extracurricular activities.
Uchiha Madara: ...
In the training ground, Hinata was giving her own introduction in her soft, stumbling voice, but Ren's attention was divided. The live stream revelations were more entertaining than any genin introduction.
Ren Arakawa (subvocalizing): So the great Uchiha Madara, terror of the ninja world, was basically a roaming food critic with extreme tastes. History really does gloss over the details.
Minato Namikaze (VIP1): It does put his later "destroy the world" motivations in a new light. Perhaps he was just... hangry.
Kushina Uzumaki (VIP1): Don't make jokes! Though... it is somewhat... humanizing.
Uchiha Mikoto (VIP2): Our ancestor does have... varied interests.
Uchiha Fugaku (VIP1): Let us focus on the living world, please. My son is attempting to observe the Hyuga girl while pretending not to.
Indeed, Sasuke had appeared at the edge of the training ground, leaning against a tree with practiced casualness. His eyes tracked Hinata's movements during a gentle fist demonstration, but his gaze kept flicking to Ren.
Ren Arakawa (to Kurenai): "We have an observer."
Kurenai followed his gaze, her eyes narrowing slightly. "Uchiha Sasuke. Shouldn't he be in the hospital?"
"He's... motivated," Ren said diplomatically.
Sasuke approached, his movements still stiff from his injuries. He ignored Kiba's defensive posture and Shino's analytical stare, stopping before Kurenai with a slight bow that clearly pained him.
"Yuhi-sensei. I was... passing by. Saw the training."
Kurenai's expression softened. "You should be resting, Sasuke. But since you're here... would you care to join the exercise? Light activity only."
Sasuke's eyes flicked to Ren. "I'd prefer a spar. With him."
The air tightened. Kiba bristled. "Hey! We're in the middle of team exercises here!"
"Hinata's introduction was ending," Sasuke said flatly. "Unless you need to hear more about her 'hopes to become stronger to protect precious people.'"
Hinata flushed, but didn't deny it.
Hyuga Hizashi: That Uchiha brat! Mocking my niece!
Uchiha Fugaku: He's direct. I appreciate that.
Uchiha Mikoto: But he's still injured! He shouldn't be sparring!
Kurenai studied Sasuke, then Ren. "Ren? Your thoughts?"
Ren shrugged. "If he wants another lesson, I'm happy to provide. But maybe without the... medical aftermath this time."
Sasuke's jaw tightened. "I won't break so easily."
"Famous last words," Ren murmured, but he stepped into the cleared area.
Tobirama Senju: This should be educational. The Last Uchiha versus the boy with... eclectic training.
Uchiha Madara: My descendant better not embarrass the clan. If he loses to this brat again, I'll haunt him personally.
Minato Namikaze: Ren, please try not to hospitalize another teammate. The Hokage's budget can't take it.
As they took positions, a new notification appeared in Ren's vision:
[Special Event: Historical Reenactment Opportunity]
[Recreate: Uchiha vs. Senju Rivalry (Lite Version)]
[Requirements: Use only techniques donated by Uchiha Madara/Tobirama Senju]
[Bonus Reward: 100 Viewer Points + Random Technique from Opposite Faction]
[Accept Challenge? Y/N]
Ren's lips quirked. Now this is interesting.
He mentally accepted.
Ren Arakawa (to Sasuke): "Let's make this historical. You represent the Uchiha legacy. I'll represent... a certain rival."
He didn't form hand seals. Just raised a hand, fingers moving in a precise pattern as he drew on Tobirama's knowledge.
Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique!
A torrent of water coalesced from the humid air, forming a roaring dragon that surged toward Sasuke.
Sasuke's eyes widened, but he responded with Uchiha instinct—leaping back, hands already forming seals of his own.
Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!
The collision of elements filled the clearing with steam.
In the Pure Land, two ghosts leaned forward.
Uchiha Madara: Hmph. My Great Fire Annihilation would have vaporized that pathetic water dragon.
Tobirama Senju: Your extravagance with chakra was always your weakness. Efficiency triumphs over spectacle.
On the ground, through the steam, Ren's voice carried, calm and clear.
"Your turn, Sasuke. Show me what the Uchiha are made of."
And somewhere in the shadows, a bandaged figure watched, a single eye recording every technique, every movement, every revelation. Danzo's fingers twitched, already composing the report in his mind.
Subject: Ren Arakawa. Capabilities: expanding. Threat level: escalating. Recommended action:...
But even Danzo didn't notice the second observer—a pale, plant-like figure half-emerged from a tree, its single yellow eye fixed on the spar with unsettling intensity.
Black Zetsu had arrived.