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Chapter 72: The More Beautiful a Woman Is, the Less Her Words Can Be Trusted
Chapter 72: The More Beautiful a Woman Is, the Less Her Words Can Be Trusted
Despite bearing deep grudges, there were also warm moments in Sasuke Uchiha's life.
His peers, Naruto Uzumaki and Sakura Haruno, were a source of comfort and friendship. But there was also Kakashi Hatake, the man beneath the mask, who left a lasting impression on Sasuke.
Along with Naruto and Sakura, Sasuke recalled the mischievous times they schemed together to catch a glimpse of Kakashi's face, only to end in chaotic failure without ever reaching their goal.
There was also the matter of Kakashi's apparent affection for a woman, a topic that was never far from Sasuke's mind.
Indeed, that woman stood before him now—the very same one rumored to have stolen countless secrets from Konoha—her name was Ali.
"Kakashi said you were dead," Sasuke stated, his eyes fixed on the enigmatic woman.
"Is that what he reported? Poor Kakashi, the burden he carries," Ali replied with a hint of sadness, her eyes softening as she regarded the handsome young man before her.
Sasuke understood Kakashi's character well. He knew that his mentor was not one to be swayed by beauty at the expense of the village's interests. It was Kakashi who had insisted on not letting Ali return and had then pursued her alone. With Ali's skills, it was impossible for her to have escaped Kakashi's pursuit.
Yet, here she stood.
There could only be one explanation—Ali had somehow deceived Kakashi. She must have convinced him that she no longer posed a threat to Konoha, and so he had let her go, returning to report her as dead.
Indeed, that was the truth. Ali had poured her heart out to Kakashi, expressing her weariness of the spy life and her desire for a fresh start and a quiet existence. Perhaps, at that moment, she had truly meant those words.
But Kakashi, the eternal bachelor who found solace in his "Hot Paradise" novels, failed to grasp one crucial truth—women are fickle.
"Born for espionage, that is my destiny," Ali said softly, her hand gently brushing the dust from Sasuke's shoulder. A fleeting look of nostalgia crossed her eyes as she continued, "I once said those very words to Kakashi. So, when I deceived him, I felt regret, but I do not regret my choice."
"Also," Ali added, noticing that Hyui Gengen had finished speaking with Moting and was now turning their gaze towards them, "the more beautiful a woman is, the less her words can be trusted. Remember that, Uchiha Sasuke." She bowed her head respectfully to Hyui before turning back to Sasuke with a sincere warning.
"I have no need for women," Sasuke scoffed, dismissively shaking his head as if the very idea was beneath him. In his heart, he now sought only strength and the path of the sword.
"It seems you two are getting along well. This is a good start to integration," Hyui commented as he approached Sasuke and Ali.
"My respects, Clan Leader," Ali said, her eyes shining with admiration for the man.
Moting, who had accompanied Hyui, introduced Ali to him, "This is Ali, the best spy from Lock Front Village. It is because of her that we obtained a plethora of important and confidential intelligence from Konoha."
"Well done," Hyui acknowledged, nodding his head in approval. With the need to gather more intelligence on Konoha, Ali's skills would undoubtedly prove useful.
From the way Ali and Sasuke seemed to know each other, it was clear that she had also appeared in the original story. However, Hyui's memory of her was vague, as the Naruto series was incredibly long, filled with flashbacks and side stories. The characters he could recall with clarity were those who had made frequent appearances.
Later, under the guidance of Moting, Ali, and the others, Hyui brought Sasuke to the Lock Front Village.
At first glance, the village appeared similar to any other, but as the name suggested, each house had a thick lock on its door, symbolizing the village's unwavering commitment to keeping their intelligence secure, no matter the cost.
In a sense, Lock Front Village could be considered the current headquarters of the Hyui Clan.
After letting Yu Xuan Yue, also known as Ali, and Sasuke wander around the village, Hyui Gengen introduced Sasuke to the Hyui Clan members in the village over the following days.
The process is not worth mentioning further.
Just as the Senju Clan revered Hashirama Senju, and the Uchiha Clan...cough cough! Scratch that last part.
To the Hyui Clan, Hyui Xuan Yue was an object of worship.
Especially after Hyui Xuan Yue miraculously lived a second life, the admiration of the Hyui Clan members for him only increased.
"Several decades have passed, and it seems the Hyui Clan is doing well," Hyui Xuan Yue remarked after meeting with the last clan member.
Having reincarnated into this world, he approached his new life with a playful attitude, but ever since becoming the leader of the Hyui Clan, he had also come to embrace the responsibilities that came with his position.
After his previous life ended in disaster, he had always worried about the fate of the Hyui Clan.
Now that he had seen it for himself, he felt much more at ease.
However, Mokuton, who stood by his side, felt guilty and said, "I'm sorry, Clan Leader. The Hyui Clan is not as prosperous as it was decades ago."
Hyui Xuan Yue waved his hand dismissively, "All things rise and fall, and all tides ebb and flow. It is the way of the world. Compared to clans that have been eradicated, like the Uzumaki Clan, the Hyuga Clan, the Yuki Clan, and the remnants of the Senju and Uchiha Clans, the Hyui Clan is doing very well."
Satisfaction is often relative.
Hyui Xuan Yue had just noticed that while there were many Hyui Clan members who came to pay their respects, their strengths varied greatly, and there were only about five or six with chakra levels comparable to a Jonin-level ninja.
Although not all clan members were present, compared to the Hyui Clan during the Warring States period, there was indeed a significant difference.
This explained Mokuton's earlier self-reproach.
After all, he had personally experienced the Hyui Clan at its peak.
But Hyui Xuan Yue understood their situation very well.
While it sounded good to integrate and disperse, becoming like branches and leaves, it also came at a tremendous cost.
Once the thousand-year foundation was scattered, it would be impossible to restore it to its former glory.
Additionally, ninja training required a lot of resources, and it was challenging for the Hyui Clan to continue the elite cultivation that they had practiced in the past.
Decades had passed, and without a solid foundation and limited territory, it was natural for the overall strength of the dispersed Hyui Clan to gradually weaken.
If Hyui Xuan Yue had returned to find the Hyui Clan powerful enough to challenge the five major hidden villages, that would have been abnormal.
He was already very satisfied with their current state.
Additionally, his return was quite timely.
If another decade or so had passed, the Hyui Clan, dispersed for so long, might have let go of their clan identity, and truly gone their separate ways.
Just like in the past few decades, the Hyui Clan had been unable to elect a new leader and had been managed by the elders instead.
Setting aside the superficial explanations,
Hyui Xuan Yue understood the underlying meaning very well.
(End of Chapter)
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