59 BSNW CH 055 Visit to the Sulfurous Valley (1/2)
The next day the Team left for Yugakure, since they once had ninja posted for fighting against this banished clan. Itachi was extremely quiet during the journey to Yugakure, as if fighting an inner battle. Jun decided to confront him one night while the team was taking a break.
”What is bothering you Itachi ? You have been very off ever since you heard about this clan .” Jun asked while sitting beside him
”It is nothing major, but this was the first time I have been exposed to the past horrors of my clan and its ancestors. I always knew Uchiha Clan has been all about power and supremacy and if it was not for Senju and Uzumaki clan there would have been none that would have stood up to it. But hearing they used their power in such way , to destroy an entire clan just because someone had assigned them to and that too because they were afraid of the clan's power doesn't sit well with me.”
”I know it might be hard to stomach, but your ancestors sins are not yours. If they were the ones to sin , we can wash it off by helping others. All we can do is keep our hands free of the blood.”
”Maybe you are right. Anyway we need to focus on our mission for now.”
”Yes, we need to find the mirrors as soon as possible. We have already spent around one and a half months of the 2 year maximum limit master gave us; and it is not even sure that he will be able to hold on for that long. The sooner we complete this the better.”
--------------------------
Two weeks later, they finally reached Yugakure through assistance of a few small villages that usually employed their services. The team also enjoyed a few excellent Hot-springs on the way there, Jun especially had a very nice time since he found that hot springs are laced with traces of pure nature energy due to their geothermal relations. On reaching the village, Kakashi discussed with the village guards and they were escorted to the Yukage's office to meet the Yukage.
The meeting with Yukage went extremely smoothly. The Valley of Hell was thought to be uninhabitable. Ninja from the nearby Yugakure checked in on the Chinoike clan a few months after they were relocated to the valley and found them drinking what appeared to be blood (Niks :it was actually only water, turned red by minerals in the earth). Unwilling to investigate further, Yugakure declared the Valley of Hell off limits. Over the years, the valley's location was forgotten and the Chinoike clan faded from history. He told them that they suspected everyone of the Chinoike Clan had already died since they found that the whole valley was covered in blood like substance from distance and the whole valley emitted a strong smell of rust and sulphur.
”The Chinoike were famous for their Ketsuryugan, a dojutsu that, when active, makes their eyes appear blood‒red. The Ketsuryugan allows them to perform powerful Genjutsu, of comparable strength to your Uchiha clan's Sharingan. They can also use the Ketsuryugan to manipulate liquidssuch as blood ” the Yukage explained the supposed 'Devil's eyes' of the clan. ”The white parts of the eye glows blood red while the pupil turns into a double layered on with a slit in middle like those of some amphibians. Its said they need conflict and blood of others spilled for it to awaken. It was quite unfortunate we had to lose such rare bloodlines.”
Itachi was at his limit by then so he excused himself and rushed off. Jun followed him at Kakashi's signal. Following his tracks, Jun found him at the entrance of the building, leaning on the wall while clenching his fists. He sensed Jun coming and opened an eye to look at him.