Chương 193: Chapter 194: Honoka: Don’t Misunderstand, I Just Wanted to Visit My Clan in Konoha

Yamato seized the moment, hands forming rapid hand seals. From his right hand, several wooden branches shot forth, wrapping the beast tightly like a rice dumpling. Yet he grunted under the strain.

"I can't hold it for long, Captain. This thing… it can absorb chakra to break through ninjutsu." Preposterous. In the ninja world, wood release was known to draw others' chakra—but to have a creature absorb wood release in return? Unthinkable. The gap between Yamato and the First Hokage was evident. Had Hashirama been here, the beast would've been reduced to a shriveled snack in an instant.

"Enough time," Dongye zhen said. He flashed in front of the fallen creature. But the beast seized its moment: its long-shut eyes flung open, releasing a surge of immense, chaotic spiritual power that poured into Dongye zhen. It… could cast genjutsu. Most ninjas would fall victim to such a sudden attack. But for someone whose mastery of yin chakra bordered on perfection—Dongye zhen—it was useless.

[Genjutsu: Reflection] The massive spiritual force, carrying the beast's gift, was bounced back along its original path, forcing the creature to obediently close its eyes again. Dongye zhen rarely used genjutsu in combat, but that didn't mean his skill was weak. The abundance of Sharingan users in Konoha had trained him in counter-genjutsu. Anyone foolish enough to use illusions on him would soon learn the terror of an octagonal all-around ninja.

The genjutsu subdued the beast, slowing its chakra-absorption of wood release. It seemed to have abandoned resistance. But Dongye zhen wasn't going to leave it alive. If it could be killed, he'd do so—no seals, no mercy. He crouched, pressing his right hand to the ground. Sealing runes spread along the floor, crawling over the beast's massive body. [Sage Art: Sealing Technique – Nightmare Bind] With the beast contained, he extended both hands, unleashing torrents of chakra.

Flames erupted, constructing a massive spherical cage that completely engulfed the creature. [Sage Art: Fire Release – Inferno Prison] Unlike the defensive "One-Horned Fire Prison," this fire release was designed for attack. High-temperature chakra formed a cage that trapped and incinerated the enemy alive, finally ending the awkward record of fire release being unable to kill. Capture, kill, incinerate, turn to ash—an all-in-one service. Everyone who'd used it praised its thoroughness.

Dongye zhen had originally wanted to call it "Fire Release: Crematorium," but deemed it too intimate and lacking grandeur, so "Inferno Prison" it became. The colossal beast was under triple control. Even the wood release burning within couldn't free it. Amid its anguished roars, it was reduced to ashes. The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement. If it could still revive after this, Dongye zhen would gladly call it the strongest in vitality.

As the flames dissipated and the barrier collapsed, the creature vanished from the ninja world, leaving only a layer of black ash on the ground. The Uzumaki girl gaped. The ultimate summoning beast, the creature that slaughtered with impunity, had been defeated so easily? In that instant, all her effort felt meaningless, a cruel joke. Yet her inherently kind heart felt relief. This uncontrollable horror, if unleashed, could've devoured countless innocents. Its death was a mercy.

Outside the central island's volcano, Dongye zhen and Yamato combined earth release, burying the laboratory and all evidence deep underground. Such uncontrollable experiments were better left erased—preventing future discovery and pointless archaeological studies. The Uzumaki girl remained impassive. Nothing mattered anymore. She bowed deeply to the four: "Thank you… for saving me. Truly, thank you." Dongye zhen shook his head.

"No need. What are your plans now?" The girl's eyes were blank.

"Plans…? I don't know. Everything I knew is gone."

"I understand you belong to a ninja faction in the Land of Seas. You're not returning?"

"All my people are dead. If I go back, I'll be suspected… maybe killed."

"You're Honoka, right?"

"Yes… but how did you know my name?"

"I heard a researcher call you that before."

"Before? So… you've been inside the lab all along?" Dongye zhen didn't deny it.

"Yes. All along." Thinking of her fallen comrades, Honoka's eyes darkened.

"Then why didn't you save them? That should have been easy for you, right?"

"Secret experiments, breeding uncontrollable monsters, then being killed by them… isn't that a fitting conclusion? If we'd saved them, would they have given up? No. They'd start again, creating something even worse. How many more would die then?" Honoka slumped, realizing he was right.

"True… the experiments were too dangerous. We all deserved death. So why save me?"

"Because you are Uzumaki. And we are Konoha ninjas." Dongye zhen removed his mask, revealing the Konoha forehead protector on his head. Honesty was his way; clarity spared all parties unnecessary pain. As for her choice—whether to go to Konoha—that was entirely hers. He would never forcibly drag anyone, even "for their own good." The girl shifted her gaze from his striking face to the Konoha symbol.

"So… you're a Konoha ninja. Konoha and the Uzumaki… it goes back a long way."

"You know the history between Konoha and the Uzumaki?"

"Yes. My parents told me as a child. But we abandoned our surname; we're no longer considered Uzumaki."

"I understand. Survivors without a nation or village risk envy if they keep their names. I met someone like you in Grass Hidden Village, who chose to abandon the surname too." Honoka's curiosity sparked.

"And… where is she now?"

"She's a lady. She has a daughter. They lived poorly in the Land of Grass, and after my invitation, chose to live in Konoha."

"So… Konoha intends to rebuild the Uzumaki clan?"

"No. Konoha doesn't plan that. This is merely an invitation extended to Uzumaki survivors I encounter on missions. Just like now. If you decline, we part ways." Honoka looked at Dongye zhen.

"May I know your name?"

"Konoha ninja, Dongye zhen."

"You seem… unusually interested in the Uzumaki." Dongye zhen smiled faintly.

"My sealing arts teacher is Uzumaki Kushina. Sometimes I think she misses her clan. If more of her kin lived in Konoha, she'd be happier. That's why I invite Uzumaki survivors." Honoka lowered her gaze softly.

"You really do think about your teacher's feelings, don't you?"

"Thanks. So… your choice?" Honoka thought carefully, then glanced at Dongye zhen. For some reason, she recalled the moment he saved her, flying through the air with her in his arms. He had worn a mask then—but now, the mask vanished in memory, replaced by his face.

"Perhaps… going to Konoha isn't such a bad choice." Yamato, watching her decision, silently jotted a note in his mental notebook. Be sincere, and you earn sincerity in return. Avoid lies, and you avoid future trouble. That's true human interaction. Unlike the Root days, when Danzo's intimidation, brainwashing, and cursed seals only created a legion of puppets. Moonlight Hayate wasn't surprised by the progress.

Uzuki Yuyaka felt the same, though the way Honoka's gaze flicked toward Dongye zhen carried a certain tension. The girl sensed imminent danger—her crystal might shatter. Hmph. Red hair may be impressive, but purple is far superior.