Chương 191: Chapter 192: The Secret Laboratory on Summoning Island

Aboard the fishing fleet, Dongye zhen spoke calmly: "Your request to Konoha has been fulfilled. But we have other matters to attend to, so it may be a few days before we return to Fish Country." The town official, relieved that the threat had been neutralized, bowed deeply.

"We are profoundly grateful, noble ninjas. I will prepare the mission completion documents for you—just come by when convenient."

"That would be helpful. In the meantime, search the surrounding waters for any overlooked dangers. If you find anything, we'll deal with it in one sweep."

"Truly, Konoha is worthy of its reputation as the strongest village. Such thorough foresight." This was exactly why Konoha was well-regarded across the shinobi world. Following the ideals of the First Hokage, its people might not be saints, but when ordinary civilians faced trouble, help was always forthcoming. Dongye zhen continued: "Could you gather a few veteran fishermen for me? I have some questions to ask."

"Certainly, please wait a moment." Soon, the official summoned five older fishermen from the fleet. Dongye zhen asked: "Do any of you know where these sea monsters originated?" The five exchanged glances, shaking their heads. One spoke: "About five years ago, strange large fish occasionally appeared in our usual fishing grounds. They weren't dangerous at first.

Then, roughly six months ago, the large fish vanished, replaced by the water-spitting sharks and that octopus monster—but nobody knows where they came from."

"Is that so… Around Fish Country, or perhaps near the Sea Country to the northeast, are there any islands teeming with large creatures?"

"Sorry, noble ninja. Not near Fish Country. The Sea Country is far away; we seldom venture there, so we don't know." Dongye zhen pondered, recalling what he knew of Summoning Island, then asked: "Are there many volcanoes in this area? I mean active ones." Another elderly fisherman thought back: "Not around Fish Country. But over forty years ago, I heard a sailor say there was a terrifying volcanic eruption on a large island in the southern waters of the Sea Country.

The island used to have many residents, but after the eruption, the few who survived all moved away." Following Dongye zhen's explanation, the fisherman marked an approximate location on a high-precision map used exclusively by ninjas. Armed with this vital intelligence, Dongye zhen and his team boarded a wooden vessel Yamato had crafted, stocked with fresh water and provisions gifted by the official, and set sail immediately. Yamato's craftsmanship proved invaluable.

Whatever they needed—a boat, a structure—he could conjure it with Wood Release on the spot. The people of Fish Country stared in disbelief. To them, seeing someone craft a boat with a simple gesture was mind-blowing.

"Ninjutsu… really can do that? If that masked guy opened a shipyard, he'd make a fortune without even trying." Ninjas were versatile by nature. Navigation was trivial for them. You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story. As they sailed, the trio had no objections to seeking islands with large creatures. Any organization capable of producing chakra-infused summoning beasts must have a ninja connection.

Orochimaru, known for such research, likely had a lab on one of these islands, aligning with their mission. What they didn't know was that Dongye zhen's target wasn't Orochimaru at all. Uzuki Yuyaka asked: "Zhen, why specifically look for islands with active volcanoes? Does it relate to our mission?" Dongye zhen didn't reveal the truth. Instead, he replied earnestly: "Tell me—if you were establishing a large-scale laboratory, aside from funds and equipment, what would be most essential?"

"Researchers?"

"That's important, yes. But energy is paramount. A stable, abundant power supply is crucial. If the lab is to remain concealed long-term, geothermal power is ideal."

"Eh? Really?" Hayate Moonlight nodded thoughtfully: "That actually makes sense." Yamato said, impressed: "So if the ninja approach doesn't yield answers, you can analyze it from a civilian perspective too." Dongye zhen inwardly acknowledged the advantage. While some rural areas looked primitive, the world's overall technology was far from backward. The vast sea stretched endlessly.

Even with Dongye zhen enhancing speed with Water and Wind Release and occasionally scouting from above, it took them two days to reach their destination. Throughout the journey, he felt no trace of the shark—they weren't the type to return home. Perhaps it wasn't from Summoning Island, but a stray from Mist Village. They arrived at a scattered cluster of islands, spaced closely together. On the main island, black smoke spiraled intermittently from a mountain peak. Dongye zhen flew above, surveying the archipelago.

Many islands appeared to fit together, suggesting a single landmass shattered by volcanic eruptions and earthquakes, forming the current layout. The main island was barren in places, a stark reminder of the eruption's destructive power. Steering the boat closer, Hayate observed giant birds rising from the islands.

"This must be it. Few other places could support such concentrations of large animals." Nearby, a massive purple-spotted spider darted through the forest, oblivious to the intruders. Uzuki Yuyaka, wary, whispered: "Did you see that? That spider's enormous… It looks dangerous." Yamato reassured her: "We're ninjas. Don't worry. Large doesn't always mean strong—otherwise the Hidden Cloud would have claimed it long ago." Uzuki Yuyaka fell silent. His logic was irrefutable.

The islands were near the Land of Lightning; if these creatures were truly dangerous, the ruthless men from the Land of Lightning wouldn't have passed up the opportunity. After hiding the boat, Dongye zhen descended from the sky. Hayate asked: "Any discoveries?"

"This area is uninhabited, full of massive summoning beasts. Only near the central volcano are human-made structures, seemingly recent. The laboratory must be there."

"Then let's start gathering intel from that location." Following Dongye zhen's lead, the four moved stealthily, avoiding the large animals, and reached the central building area. After preliminary scouting, they infiltrated the volcano itself. The secret lab for creating summoning beasts had been hollowed out inside the mountain. Dangerous, but with endless geothermal energy for power. The staff numbered fewer than twenty.

Besides seven researchers, there were four logistical support personnel and two squads of shinobi acting as security. These guards bore no identifiable village markings and, judging by their chakra, were ordinary in strength. Hiding in a cavern above the lab, Dongye zhen observed the researchers below. They clustered around a massive tank, recording observations. Inside floated a massive, hairless creature of unknown species. Its features hinted at human origins. Ugly, yet radiating a potent, sinister aura.

The shinobi world had no academic conventions—these researchers would do anything for knowledge. Dongye zhen sensed the creature's mental state: chaotic, primal, ravenous. It could awaken at any moment, yet the researchers seemed oblivious. Hayate, Uzuki, and Yamato noted the lab's style differed from Orochimaru's, yet the activities bore his signature audacity. Half a day of patient observation revealed no sign of Orochimaru. Instead, a girl with striking red hair appeared. Uzuki whispered: "That hair…

could she be kin to Kushina-sensei?" Dongye zhen confirmed with chakra sensing: "Judging by the chakra, yes."

"What a surprise. No Orochimaru, but a member of the Uzumaki clan. Captain, should we bring her to Konoha?"

"Look at how she interacts with the researchers—they seem on good terms. Why would she come with us? Force her?"

"Ah… so we just leave her?" Dongye zhen smiled faintly.

"No. Just wait. She's about to have trouble of her own."