It was the most obscure area of the Land of Mountains, one few often tread — a blessing in disguise, as it would turn out. Since his retreat from the national stage, Ryun Uchiha, the legendary grandson of Madara Uchiha, had lived here in seclusion, free to practice his techniques away from the prying eyes of the shinobi world. For the first time since his reclusion, Ryun removed the mask he had used to cover his face. Though he was around fifty-six, in age, he hadn't seemed to age at all — thanks to a special technique that he had developed during his hermitage. He sighed, almost in relief, letting his spiky, long, blue-tinted black hair flow freely in the wind. At that moment, the ground contorted beneath him, as Black Zetsu rose up from the earth.