Chapter 136: Puppets and the Necropolis

The ground was desolate, pitted and scarred everywhere. This landscape, as if battered by countless meteorites, was distinctly different from the Ninja World.

Uchiha Li was the first to break free from the spatial passage of the Lake of the Moon, standing firmly on the surface. Itachi followed closely behind, remaining at his side.

Itachi closed his eyes for a moment to sense his surroundings, then asked, "Teacher, where is this?"

The environment felt alien to him, but most importantly, he could clearly perceive a sense of profound, ancient desolation.

"We are on the moon," Uchiha Li replied, no longer concealing the truth.

He had originally assumed the passage to the Lake of the Moon had been sealed, and thus they should not have ended up here. However, after entering the lake, the sheer magnitude of the chakra source had left him little choice. For Terra, such an opportunity to absorb energy was far too rare to pass up. Unexpectedly, under his frantic absorption, the Lake of the Moon had revolted in self-defense, dragging them into a space-time tunnel. Fortunately, such issues were no obstacle for him; with Terra’s presence, he had no reason to worry.

"This is the moon?!"

While Uchiha Li remained calm due to his prior knowledge, Itachi was startled. He had never imagined that one day he would set foot on such a place.

"Teacher, is it possible to live on the moon?" Itachi pointed ahead. He could vaguely make out some buildings and wondered if his eyes were deceiving him.

Uchiha Li glanced in the direction Itachi indicated and said, "Since we can stand here unaffected, it stands to reason that the moon is indeed habitable." He paused before adding, "According to reliable information, there should still be people living here. Be vigilant; this clan does not view us favorably. If a battle breaks out, remember to stay by my side."

Itachi nodded instinctively. Although he was curious about how his teacher had obtained such information, he wisely chose not to ask. If his teacher hadn't specified, it was better not to pry, he reasoned.

"Very well, since we are here, let us go and see for ourselves."

Uchiha Li took the lead, heading toward the abandoned village ahead. Though he was wary of the Otsutsuki clan on the moon, the existence of a teleportation array meant he didn't need to worry too much about an escape route. Since they had arrived, scouting for intelligence was a logical step. Moreover, he was deeply interested in the Tenseigan; such a massive energy source was likely more terrifying and useful than the Tailed Beasts.

They traveled in silence, the scenery ahead remaining monotonous and unchanging. However, as they reached the perimeter of the abandoned village, things shifted. Low-lying vegetation had sprouted across the desolate lunar surface, though it was tangled and overgrown from long neglect. What drew their attention most were the rows of standardized buildings. Though now utterly derelict, one could easily imagine the prosperity they had once housed.

Uchiha Li knew well that these crumbling structures were the former residences of the Otsutsuki descendants. Much like the Hyuga clan on Earth, the lunar Otsutsuki were divided into the main and branch families. Due to irreconcilable differences in their ideologies, a war had erupted between them. In the end, the branch family had gathered all the eyes of their clan to create a giant Tenseigan, wiping out the main family in one fell swoop. Consequently, they had fallen into decline, seemingly unable to produce any new generation due to the ravages of the conflict. Otsutsuki Toneri was likely the last of the new generation among the lunar descendants.

Entering the ruins, Uchiha Li surveyed the area carefully. "Stay alert," he warned. "There may be danger."

"Understood." Itachi was already on high alert. Although his strength did not match his teacher's, his excellent combat training ensured he would not be caught off guard. Even if a crisis arose, he could not rely solely on Uchiha Li; he needed his own means of response.

They pressed forward, detecting no life signs. Suddenly, Uchiha Li stopped, pulled Itachi into an alleyway, and whispered, "Chakra signatures—a great many of them!"

Itachi gripped his kunai, ready for battle. At that moment, a squad of puppets flew through the low air, passing directly over the area they had just occupied.

"They are all puppets!" Itachi swallowed hard. "Are they searching for us?"

Uchiha Li watched the formation intently. "They likely detected the disturbance when we exited the spatial passage," he replied. His brow furrowed as he watched the puppets begin their search.

These puppets were not hard to handle, but the unseen operator behind them was the real concern. Being stranded on the moon, they would eventually be found no matter how well they hid.

"Let's move," Uchiha Li decided. "We must gather as much intelligence as we can before they pinpoint us."

"Yes!"

After confirming the area was temporarily clear, Uchiha Li led Itachi toward the center of the village. They encountered increasingly dense puppet patrols, but thanks to his Kaleidoscope Sharingan's superior sensory abilities, he was able to guide them around the patrols.

They finally reached the heart of the village without incident. A strange, large hall stood before them. Surprisingly, the puppets seemed to be deliberately avoiding this area during their search. Exchanging a nod, they leaped onto the roof and slipped inside through an unsealed window.

The hall was dark and thick with dust, clearly abandoned for a long time. Yet, it was the best-preserved structure in the entire village, making it stand out in stark contrast.

"There seems to be an underground passage over there," Itachi noted after scanning the room.

Having come this far, there was no turning back. They entered the passage and descended a long flight of stairs deep into the ground.

The scene that greeted them was chilling. Row upon row of tombstones stretched out before them.

"Teacher, this is..." Itachi instinctively raised his kunai. He had seen graveyards before, but never one of this scale. It seemed as though an entire clan had been laid to rest here.