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The dimly lit cavern was illuminated by a faintly glowing pool.
By the water's edge, spread across a fur rug, Madara, Izuna, and Hikaku sat idly playing cards. Meanwhile, Kaito was seated alone nearby, scribbling furiously on parchment.
For the past two days, he had been deeply engrossed in studying the various curse techniques and genjutsu within the passage before them. He had even ventured deep inside several times, gaining considerable insight.
This passage was likely constructed by the Sage of Six Paths and his brother. The structure of its curse techniques bore a direct lineage to the sealing inscriptions left by Kaguya on the consciousness of the Divine Tree.
Unlike the techniques displayed in combat, researching curse inscriptions allowed him to understand the Ōtsutsuki clan's knowledge more directly and accurately.
Meanwhile, at the entrance of the cavern, Sasuke's team of four encountered three Hyūga clansmen who had set out from Konoha.
"Neji-nii-san!" Hinata exclaimed in delight upon seeing him.
Neji, however, frowned disapprovingly. "Lady Hinata, what are you doing here?"
"I... I wanted to help Hanabi by doing more," Hinata replied, mustering her courage.
Neji stared at her silently for a moment before sighing. "Do as you wish."
"I'll do my best!" Hinata clenched her fists, refusing to back down this time.
"That's good." Neji then nodded at the other two. "Sister Tōka, Ruka-nii."
"It's been a while, Neji," Hyūga Tōka greeted him warmly.
"Indeed," Ruka agreed, clapping him on the shoulder enthusiastically. "Actually, we should be thanking you, Neji."
"No." Neji shook his head firmly. "I didn't do anything worth gratitude. In the end, I was just acting impulsively and selfishly for my own freedom."
"But you gave us hope," Ruka insisted. "And because of you, Lord Kaito developed the technique to remove the Caged Bird Seal."
Tōka smiled gently. "Neji, regardless of your motives, we of the branch family have benefited from it."
She then turned to Sasuke, her smile widening. "And this must be Sasuke-kun. What an outstanding young man. Thank you for looking after our Neji."
"Neji is my chosen teammate," Sasuke replied awkwardly before turning away and striding into the cavern. "Let's go find my uncle first."
"Oi, Sasuke, are you blushing?" Suigetsu teased loudly.
"Shut up!" Karin punched him again before hurrying after Sasuke.
"That girl's impossible to get along with," Suigetsu muttered, taking a swig from his water flask before glancing at Neji. "Right, Byakugan-brat?"
'No, I think you're the difficult one.'
Neji shot him a deadpan look before walking past him into the cavern.
"Hey, wait for me!" Suigetsu scrambled after him.
"My, my, let's go as well," Tōka chuckled, covering her mouth before leading Hinata and Ruka inside.
Deep within the cavern, Kaito suddenly set down his brush.
"They're here."
He rolled up the scroll he had been writing on and tucked it, along with the brush, into his sleeve.
"Finally!" Izuna tossed his cards aside.
"..."
Madara shook his head and also set down his hand.
"Huh? We're not finishing this round? Lord Madara, Lord Izuna?" Hikaku gathered the scattered cards.
"Card games are unbearably dull," Izuna grumbled, rubbing his neck. "Especially for Uchiha with the Sharingan."
When everyone could read and calculate each other's moves, there was no fun left in it.
"Well then, let's take a break with some tea, Izuna-senpai."
Kaito knelt beside them, flicking his sleeve to reveal a low table and tea set in the center. He then began preparing the tea with graceful, fluid motions, the aroma soon filling the cavern.
Thus, when Sasuke and the others arrived at the heart of the cavern, they were greeted by an almost ethereal sight—
The shimmering glow of the water, an elegant tea master performing a refined ceremony, three distinguished figures lounging casually on the rug, steam curling upward like mist in a dreamlike scene.
"You've arrived."
Kaito poured the tea into small cups, set down the pot, then smiled warmly as he straightened his sleeves.
"..."
The group was momentarily stunned by the serene beauty before them.
"Uncle."
Only Sasuke remained unaffected, stepping forward to sit on the rug. "Grandfather Madara, Grandfather Izuna."
"And this is Grandfather Hikaku," Izuna added, gesturing to the man beside him.
"Ahahaha..." Hikaku laughed awkwardly. "Well, chronologically speaking, 'grandfather' is accurate, but considering the years I've actually lived, it feels a bit strange to be called that."
"You could always have Sasuke call you 'Hikaku-nii' instead," Izuna remarked dryly. "As long as you don't mind calling me grandfather."
"Ahahaha..." Hikaku coughed, lifting his cup. "Tea! Let's just drink tea!"
"Lord Kaito."
The others approached and bowed respectfully.
"Please, sit."
With another flick of his sleeve, Kaito conjured two more rugs. He then began preparing tea for the newcomers.
"Sasuke," he said, glancing at Suigetsu and Karin. "I see you've found new companions?"
Sasuke nodded, sipping his tea. "Yes. These two are Suigetsu and Karin. They were originally under Orochimaru's command, but he recommended them to me."
"Oh?"
Kaito's gaze swept over them, sharp enough to make both flinch.
"Interesting!" He smiled. "A Hōzuki and an Uzumaki!"
"Uzumaki?"
Izuna, Madara, and Hikaku all turned to Karin.
"That bright red hair does resemble the Uzumaki," Madara mused.
"Uzumaki?" Karin blinked in confusion. "Is that some famous clan?"
Having grown up with only her mother in the harsh conditions of Kusagakure, she had never known she belonged to a clan, let alone had a surname.
It was strange, wasn't it?
If she had a family, why had she and her mother lived such isolated, miserable lives? Why had her mother been drained of chakra until she died in agony?
"The Uzumaki clan once ruled the Land of Whirlpools, neighboring the Land of Fire. They specialized in sealing techniques and were known for their vibrant red hair and immense vitality." Kaito explained kindly. "Unfortunately, the clan was nearly wiped out after the fall of Uzushiogakure."
"Wiped out?" Karin's emotions churned violently. "When?"
"During the Second Shinobi World War," Kaito said. "I suspect you are a descendant of one of the survivors."