Born with the Nine Magatama Samsara Eye, Rebuilding the Glory of Uchiha

Times have changed, and past experience may not be useful.

The ninjas on the front line, when they returned to the village, couldn't help but wonder if they had come to the wrong place.

Is this still the Konoha they are familiar with?

Where are the people? Where are the villagers?

Flowers, cheers, and the welcoming team formed by the village ninjas, where are they today!

"Have we come to the wrong place?"

One of the returning ninjas said

"Could it be that we gave the wrong time to come back? That doesn't make sense. The guards and the people in the Hokage building are all here, but why aren't there any villagers? Something happened in Konoha!!"

"How is it possible? With Minister Wanye here, how can anything go wrong in the village?"

While chatting, the guards came forward with banners.

In fact, if they had a choice, they would not be willing to come here.

The positions of maintaining the parade were taken by the old hands in the guards in advance, so the remaining welcoming task naturally fell on these unlucky guys.

"What on earth happened? Where are the villagers?"

The Anbu raised his hand and pointed at the back of the guards, the main gate of Konoha, and the empty road.

"It’s hard to explain this matter clearly at the moment, but now that you are back, if you stay in the village for half a day, you will be able to figure it out."

The trial of the Third Hokage provoked a counterattack from too many conservative forces. When they saw that Uchiha Manye did not show any obvious opposition, they became more and more rampant.

With the support of these people, the Third Hokage was almost praised to the sky by these people. The only thing missing was to engrave the word"Saint" on the Hokage's divine robe behind him.

The Third Hokage's achievements were constantly exaggerated.

Regardless of whether there were any, the credit was first attributed to Sarutobi Hiruzen.

Anyway, the dead people in Konoha could not crawl out of their graves to correct those who spread rumors.

The current situation in Konoha was also what Uchiha Manye wanted to see.

He planned to build momentum for Orochimaru.

At present, he had been away from the village for too long, so long that many villagers in the village had completely forgotten him.

As a rebel ninja, he became the Hokage of Konoha. This dramatic result would definitely spare the people of Konoha and remember it for a lifetime. Orochimaru was also born a commoner. Like Minato at the beginning, he established a grassroots personality. Although the current position of Hokage is still under the Hokage lineage, the same lineage It is said that sooner or later, a disciple who is not a disciple of the Hokage can also reach the height of the Kage of a village.

A half step ahead is a genius, and a step ahead is a madman.

No matter how the power structure of Konoha is reformed, Uchiha Manye will need time for the world to adapt.

Whether it is the Ninja Village, the Land of Fire, or even the entire Ninja World, it will take time to adapt.

In the Land of Earth.

Uchiha Obito

, who is studying the Impure World Reincarnation, and Black Zetsu, both have their own ulterior motives and have never trusted each other once. Impure World Reincarnation is about the soul. The two above are not experts, and it can even be said that they know nothing.

The initial exploration and activation of the Impure World Reincarnation formation have already consumed four or five days.

After deducting the preparation work for the living sacrifice, it has finally come to the highlight.

Black Zetsu wants to revive Uchiha Madara. At present, he can only rely on the opponent's strength to have the qualifications to compete with Uchiha Manye on the same stage.

The complete crushing of strength forced Black Zetsu to become a scholar meeting a soldier, and he couldn't explain his reason!

"Are you ready? Next, we are going to use the remains of Madara's body, go to hell, and drag his soul back!"

Underground, Black Zetsu stood at the main position of the formation and said to Obito who was suppressing the living sacrifice.

Uchiha Madara is not an ordinary person. Ordinary people can't bear it at all. His strength is the same even for the soul body.

As the person who carries the power sacrifice, he must be a ninja at least. The stronger the strength, the better. It's a pity that Obito didn't catch one or two jonin that day, otherwise Madara's strength could be further restored after the Impure World Reincarnation.

"Are you sure you want to take down Uchiha Madara? Why not do some experiments first, just in case?"

Obito was obviously a little hesitant. He had finally waited until Madara died, and it had only been a few years since he took over. Moreover, even if he was in charge, he had not lived well for a few days.

Uchiha Manye had been hunting him for so many years, and Obito had a bad temper, so he had long been cut off by the reflection of the prison.

"I have tried so many times, I believe I will not be wrong!"

Black Zetsu is determined to revive Madara, just to have the same level of power as Uchiha Manye.

As long as he can contend with Uchiha Manye, and make it difficult for this guy to come and destroy his plan to save his mother, then everything will be worth it.

Konoha now has two of the nine tailed beasts.

The stump of the sacred tree was also pried away by Uchiha Manye. Hundreds of years of planning have all come to nothing in the end. Black Zetsu is lucky that he is not crazy now.

"No, what I mean is, before resurrecting Uchiha Madara, why not practice with Senju Hashirama!"

Obito suddenly had a brainwave and came up with an unreasonable reason.

"Why did you want to practice with Senju Hashirama?"

Hei Jue was puzzled.

"Black Zetsu, do you think that you can control Uchiha Madara with just the Impure World Reincarnation Formation left by the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama?

Are you underestimating this powerful man who once led the Uchiha clan to the peak?"

Obito's worry is not without reason. Although he did not intend to do so, he had no way back after the words came out of his mouth.

Moreover, Obito himself felt that it made some sense. The one who persuaded Black Zetsu to give up Madara was not only afraid that it could not be controlled, but also Obito, who had evil intentions.

His original plan was actually Senju Hashirama, but considering that the cells in his body were an improved version of Madara who knew how many times.���After that, he gave up the idea.

Madara did not leave the complete body tissue of Hashirama Senju to Obito, and Obito did not know where to get it, which led to the current situation.

"Listen, it's not that I don't want you to be resurrected, Uchiha Madara. I also know that he is now our only power that can deal with Uchiha Manye!

It's just that Black Zetsu, don't forget who you want to control now! Is it really so easy for Uchiha Madara to pin his hopes of resurrecting himself on you alone?"Obito patiently advised Black Zetsu with words, asking it to be careful, while also leaving a way out for himself.

As grasshoppers on the same line, how could the two not know each other's consideration for Uchiha Madara.

Madara was never told about Uchiha Manye. From that time on, the world-destroying team composed of Obito, Black Zetsu and Madara had begun to fall apart.

"What you said makes sense, but why do you think that we can control Senju Hashirama?"

Black Zetsu cleverly replaced the subject with"we" instead of"I", and through the details, Obito's guard in his heart was reduced.

"You are wrong. Even if we can't control it, we may not suffer any losses.

Whatever Hashirama Senju said, everything that Uchiha Manye, the Hokage of Konoha, is doing now, is there anything that is not provoking this old man from the Warring States period?

We don't need to do anything. Hashirama Senju, I am sure that Black Zetsu, you can't control Uchiha Madara, it's probably not much different!" Obito's thoughts turned quickly, thinking about how to fool Black Zetsu to the greatest extent, and it would be best if he believed his nonsense.

"There is no way that anyone can tolerate the other between Senju Hashirama and Uchiha Manye. Once you find that you can't control the First Hokage, you can tell him what is happening in Konoha. By then

, Senju Hashirama will go to Uchiha Manye without our urging. You can also take this opportunity to find out where the problem lies!

It is not an easy task to control Uchiha Madara and Senju Hashirama, who are strong men of this level!"

It's okay for Hashirama, he was never in the plan of the two, but Madara was very different.

He was the first person to evolve the Mangekyō Sharingan into the Rinnegan, and the two of them placed too much hope on his Rinnegan.

Whether it was the Infinite Tsukuyomi or Kaiyue to save his mother, the Rinnegan was an indispensable factor.

Look at Uchiha Manye, the awakening degree of this guy's Rinnegan is obviously not as high as the one left by Uchiha Madara for Nagato, but the level of power, Uchiha Manye, is enough to crush Nagato. The Rinnegan in Uchiha

Manye's eyes is obviously at a higher stage of evolution than Uchiha Madara's.

If he was not sure, Uchiha Manye would not have gone along with people like them. Now Obito has the intention to get rid of Uchiha Madara and run to hug Manye's arms. It

's not that Hei didn't have the idea of Uchiha Manye, but this guy, at a glance I knew he was not as easy to fool as Madara.

Uchiha Manye, although he had no parents since childhood, he had a happy family with his eldest brother Uchiha Fugaku, and he now has two nephews.

He is not short of confidantes.

He has nothing to do, so he comes to this black thing to make some plan to destroy the world.

Is he crazy!

Unlike Uchiha Madara, he lost everything, his family, his younger brother, and his best friend Senju Hashirama, who he met only after a fight.

Out of despair for the world, and then he gave up on the cursed Uchiha family. All the reasons accumulated gave Black Zetsu the opportunity.

Black Zetsu didn't know how many years he had waited to cultivate an Uchiha Madara. With the arrival of Uchiha Manye, he really couldn't be sure whether he could continue to persevere.

Obito's suggestion made Black Zetsu very excited, but he didn't show it on his face.

"Senju Hashirama……"

Seeing that Black Zetsu was moved, Obito struck while the iron was hot and continued to deceive him.

"Isn't Uchiha Manye trying the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen?

How could I not know what he was planning? The Hokage's lineage is passed down from generation to generation, and he is always displeased with him. Now he is trying the Third Hokage's crimes, just to completely destroy the sacred and inviolable status of the Hokage in the hearts of the villagers of Konoha.

In order to pave the way for the rise of the Uchiha family, the Uchiha clan should have been the most promising one. The Hokage's family has become what it is today after Madara left and betrayed the village!"

"Let me think about it for a while……"

Black Zetsu was indecisive, so he could only ask Obito to shut up temporarily to avoid being disturbed by the outside world.

It must be admitted that Obito's plan was very tempting to Black Zetsu.

Hashirama Senju was not Uchiha Madara, and he knew nothing about him and Obito.

The interests of Uchiha Manye and the old man of Konoha were in irreconcilable conflict. As long as they met, it would be impossible to end without the two of them deciding who was better.

No matter who wins or loses, as long as Hashirama Senju can entangle Uchiha Manye for a period of time, he can't spare his hands and pay more for it and Obito.

Then he won't lose no matter what.

Even if Hashirama Senju, who was reincarnated by the Impure World Reincarnation, is not as powerful as Uchiha Manye now, but you have to know that Impure World Reincarnation is a business without capital.

As long as the ninjas in the ninja world don't die all overnight, it will give Obito a chance. As long as the Kamui's elusiveness doesn't run into Uchiha Manye, he will be invincible.

The jonin may not be so easy to deal with. It is not impossible to capture them, but it is too time-consuming to do so.

There is no jonin from that ninja village, and there is no interest in the ninja village. The living people are the biggest clues. Once there is a jonin, he disappears inexplicably.

It is okay if the news is only spread within the ninja village, but I am afraid that it will spread outside Konoha and reach Uchiha Manye.

At this time, not only Obito, but also Black Zetsu will be implicated.

The layout of the Land of Earth has taken Black Zetsu a lot of effort. It will be furious if Uchiha Manye destroys it.

After wandering underground for a long time, Black Zetsu made up his mind and turned to look at Obito.

Although Obito could not see anything from the dark face, he could see everything from the firm look in Black Zetsu's eyes.

Done!

"This is the cell tissue of Senju Hashirama. Be careful not to touch it directly with your hands, otherwise it will wrap around you until it merges with your body and evolves into a second Senju Hashirama!"

Black Zetsu carefully took out the Hashirama cell and handed it carefully to Obito.

"The second Senju Hashirama?"

Obito was puzzled.

"Don't think too much, it's just a body, and it's simplified and degraded."

Black Zetsu has relevant experience. When Uchiha went to experiment, it watched from the side.

It has seen too many guys who were greedy for the power of Senju Hashirama and were assimilated into nature one by one by these terrifying devourers.

Natural energy is the powerful source of the immortal body. The three major spiritual holy places have studied it for a lifetime, from ancient times to the present, and they dare not say that they can completely control natural energy.

If you are not careful, the next natural creation in the ninja world is because of the excessive devouring of power.

"Oh, really?"

Obito used earth escape to condense a layer of stone armor on the surface of his palm, then he stretched out his hand and took away the body tissue of Hashirama Senju from Black Zetsu.

Watching the palm of his hand constantly squirming, like a living first-generation cell, part of the blood power related to Wood Release in Obito's body became active under the call of this group of tissue cells in his hand, which he didn't know how to describe.

Countless Wood Release-related memories, under the cells of Hashirama Senju, opened up some forgotten escape techniques in Obito's body by the simplified cells implanted by Uchiha Madara.

Suddenly, a bold idea emerged in Obito's heart. While turning around, he used his body to block Black Zetsu's line of sight. The three-magatama Sharingan in his eyes rotated at a high speed, the Mangekyo appeared, and the divine power was released! The stone armor was close to the cell tissue area of Hashirama Senju, cracking. A hole was opened, and an invisible hourglass emerged from it, absorbing the flesh and blood in the palm of the hand and infiltrating into the Kamui space.

The thread dissipated, and Obito pretended to be calm, and handed Black Zetsu to his first-generation body tissue and placed it in the auxiliary array of the Impure World Reincarnation.

Black Zetsu was not unaware of Obito's small movements, but just pretended not to see them. Obito's actions were also within his expectations.

In the world today, only Orochimaru, who is still studying, can compete with the power of Hashirama Senju's cells. Black Zetsu is very clear about the attraction of cells to the simplified Wood Release cells.

Let Obito handle the cells, and there is also the idea of strengthening him. Obito's current strength is somewhat unable to keep up with the version change of Uchiha Manye's strength.

Always when he thinks he can fight the opponent on equal terms, let Uchiha Manye, From the clouds to the ground. (To read exciting novels, go to Faloo Novel Network!)

If he didn't have an extra three-magatama Sharingan that could activate Izanagi, his ashes would probably be scattered now.

After finally confirming the preparations and everything was correct, Obito took the lead in escaping into the void, allowing the Kamui Space to devour him.

He now has a part of Hashirama's cells and genetic information in his body. In a sense, he can be regarded as a descendant of a certain generation of Hashirama.

In order to avoid unnecessary associations from the god on earth after Black Zetsu could no longer control Hashirama, Obito had to go ahead.

The Impure World Reincarnation is placed underground, no longer in the Land of Earth. There are too many arrangements made by Black Zetsu there, and almost half of the underground of the Land of Earth has been hollowed out by it.

Hashirama Senju is a master of Wood Release, and also the entire In the history of the ninja world, the strongest Wood Release owner, the roots of plants and trees, are relatively under the rule of the other party's Wood Release.

In the Land of Earth, Hashirama doesn't need to fully open his perception to feel that Black Zetsu is arranging underground and mobilizing the power of plant creatures, and Hashirama will only be above it.

Only by staying away from the Land of Earth can Black Zetsu feel at ease.

But he can't run too far, lest after Senju Hashirama is resurrected, he will not be able to catch up with Uchiha Manya to build the stage for him.

The Konoha Ninja Clan's trial of the shadow of a village is simply unheard of.

How could Hashirama Senju, such a conservative person, recognize Uchiha Manya's approach.

The formation glowed brightly, the rune chains penetrated, and the remaining cells of Hashirama Senju tore open the gate of hell and reached his hand into the endless darkness.

The chains flickered, and the dark chains collided with each other in sections.���, making a crisp sound.

At the same time, in Orochimaru's No. 1 Research Institute, the sealed compartment in the dungeon.

The coffins containing the two Senju brothers vibrated, the frequency was not particularly high, and there was a regular tremor, which cleverly avoided the warning seal barrier that Orochimaru had left underground.

The chains of nothingness penetrated the endless hell and stretched out their palms to the human world.

At the moment when the runes manifested entities, the special rhythm emitted by the coffin next to the Senju Hashira seized some of the scattered power of the Impure World Reincarnation Formation. The scattered runes condensed into two palms in mid-air, and the five fingers slowly evolved until they were fully formed!

Zi, Chou, Shen, Yin, Chen, Hai, release!

The last handprint fell, floating in the void, and the scattered rune chains lost their last strength.

The coffin of the Senju Tobirama no longer trembled, but completely returned to calm.

Konoha.

Guard building.

Uchiha Fugaku and Hatake Sakumo visited one after another

"Manye, I heard that you want to push Orochimaru to the position of the fifth Hokage. Is that true?"

After receiving the news, Uchiha Fugaku didn't even have time to attend the commendation meeting of the clan, and went directly to the guard team.

The person he bumped into on the road was Hatake Sakumo. He had waited for this day for too long. After hearing the news that the third generation was arrested, he was at the front line at that time, otherwise Hatake Sakumo would have returned to Konoha and found Sarutobi Hiruzen and Shimura Danzo.

After hiding for so many years, Hatake Sakumo could no longer suppress his longing for his son. Pretending to be nothing, he lingered beside Kakashi for five years. I don't know how he endured it.

"Of course he is the real big brother, how can this be fake?"

Uchiha Manye put down the documents in his hand and looked at the two uninvited guests who broke into his office.

"How can this be possible? The position of the Fifth Hokage should belong to you. Manye, you must know how long the clan members have been looking forward to this day, right?

Many clan members hope that one day, our Uchiha clan will also be able to produce a generation of Hokage in Konoha!"

Uchiha Fugaku's tone was a little excited. It was related to the expectations of the Uchiha clan members of all generations, which made it difficult for him to calm down.

Madara's departure was a fatal blow to the Uchiha itself, and the subsequent attack on the village with the Nine-Tails made the Uchiha completely strangers to the village, without even a chance of reconciliation.

Over the years, the Uchiha clan leaders have paid countless efforts to ease the relationship between Konoha.

Speaking of which, Uchiha Fugaku is not qualified as the clan leader. The Uchiha clan can be what it is today all thanks to Uchiha Manye.

""Brother, calm down. Sooner or later, someone from our Uchiha clan will take the position of Hokage, but not now, and not by me!

The Hokage may be supreme to other people in the village, but to me, it is really useless. What do I want this position for?

The Hokage is a symbol, but it does not mean that what the Hokage does is necessarily true. Just like Sarutobi Hiruzen, who was once the ninja hero of Konoha, he was also entrusted with countless expectations by countless villagers, but in the end, didn't he make a mess?

If I wanted to take this position, I would have taken it five years ago!"

Uchiha Manye shook his head and gave his own thoughts.

It would be a lie to say that he had never thought about the position of Hokage, but today's Uchiha Manye no longer needed this illusory power to prove himself.

He alone, if Manye wanted, would be the leader of the entire village.

"But just give it to someone else like this? This is too……"

Uchiha Fugaku is unwilling

"Don't worry, big brother, Orochimaru will be a good candidate. Konoha will only become stronger under his leadership.

I will not be a qualified village Hokage."

Technology is the primary productive force. With Orochimaru here, Konoha's problems, and even the exhausted resources of the Land of Fire, can be revitalized.

How could Uchiha Manye do it? Of course, it is not impossible to have Orochimaru help, but asking him to sit in the office all day long is simply asking Uchiha Manye's life. To date, he has been staying at home in Konoha Village for five years. Five years, after this year, it will be six years!

He has had enough of the life of a otaku. If he continues to stay in Konoha, Uchiha Manye will probably go crazy.

The position of Hokage is naturally for anyone who wants to sit there. Uchiha Manye, he has a hole in his brain, so he would find things to do for himself!

"Oh... never mind���"Just do as you planned!"

Fugaku sighed, and finally chose to believe his brother. Over the years, Uchiha Manye had never let him down.

To let Orochimaru take the position of the Fifth Hokage, Manye must have his own plans.

Uchiha Manye nodded and said with a smile:"Brother, thank you for your understanding."

"Manye, can I go see Kakashi now?"

After Uchiha Manye finished talking to Fugaku, Hatake Sakumo, who had been waiting for a long time, said:

"What I mean is, if I use my true identity, Sarutobi Hiruzen and Shimura Danzo have been caught, so there should be no need for me to hide, right?"

"Of course, Senior Hatake, thank you for your hard work over the years!

When I was too busy, it was all thanks to you. Without you helping me, I, Uchiha Manye, wouldn't be where I am today!" 563 Uchiha Manye stood up. It was hard for him to say no to Hatake Sakumo, the man who had followed him for so many years and trusted him wholeheartedly. His biggest wish had been fulfilled, and there was no need for Hatake Sakumo to continue hiding.

The days of hiding everywhere were gone forever!

"No, I should be the one thanking you. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't be able to hug Kakashi again now!"

Hatake Sakumo's mouth curled up, and a rare smile appeared on his cold face. It can be seen how good his mood must be after his great revenge.

"Hatake... Are you Hatake Sakumo?"

Listening to the conversation between Manye and Hatake Sakumo, Uchiha Fugaku on the side was incredulous. Hatake

Sakumo has been dead for many years, why would he appear here? He might have heard it all.

""Long time no see, Fugaku, I'm back!"

Removing his disguise, Hatake Sakumo revealed his true face for the first time in his life in front of people other than Uchiha Manya and Orochimaru. Hatake Sakumo and Uchiha Fugaku can be said to be the best of the same era. The two were a few years older than Minato's generation. Hatake

Sakumo was slightly older than Fugaku, and the same was true for Fugaku, who was much older than Minato.

Every decade marks a generation, and Fugaku barely caught up. He was the end of Hatake Sakumo's generation of geniuses.

The three ninjas, as well as Konoha's White Fang, were all masters who rose in the same period. Speaking of it, the name of Fugaku's evil eyes is far less loud than those who became famous in their early years.

"It's really you, but you're not... No, what's wrong with you now? Why is there a circle of death energy around your body?

It seems that there's something wrong with your body!"

Fugaku showed a happy face, and then he found something wrong. The sign of the Impure World Body was too obvious. Not to mention the black death energy, the Impure World Sand that kept dissipating around Hatake Sakumo's body was clearly wrong.

"You are right. I am indeed dead. Now I am just a dead body, relying on the ritual to maintain myself so that I can appear in front of you."

Hatake Sakumo himself did not have any objection. As a lonely ghost, being able to return to the world again is already a great blessing. What else can he pray for?

Besides, Uchiha Manye gave him the resurrection.���Hatake Sakumo had thought of it as a perfunctory plan from the beginning, and then he came to Uchiha Manye step by step until today, and he no longer had any doubts.

If there was something in the world that Uchiha Manye couldn't do, Hatake Sakumo could believe it, and naturally there would be no second person in the world who could succeed.

"When did you come back to life?"

Fugaku asked curiously.

Although Hatake Sakumo couldn't be said to be completely alive, at least he could appear in front of the world. For those who didn't know the truth, it was no different from being alive.

"Some years"

"You are Itachi's teacher, no wonder you take good care of Kakashi. By the way, Kai's recent accident, is it not caused by him?"

Fugaku mentioned it. Kakashi has always been paying attention to the gossip that Itachi let slip. After all, he is the one who inherited Obito's eyes. He is not a member of the Uchiha clan, but the owner of the Sharingan officially recognized by the Uchiha.

If he doesn't pay attention, it would be strange.

Kakashi has been looked at with all kinds of eyes since the beginning, from the death of Hatake Sakumo, to Obito and Rin, one layer after another, until he was thrown into the abyss.

In the end, God did not forget him, and he was stepped into the abyss by others, and he was hit with the last blow. The Minato couple died, and Kakashi completely lost the hope of living.

The three disciples under Minato are synonymous with tragedy.

Kakashi is luckier. No one has been greedy for his body for the time being. With the protection of Minato's old subordinates and the care of Kai, he can barely survive.

"Yes, Kakashi is in such a state now, not to mention me, even if Minato were alive, he wouldn't want to see him, I have no choice, it was Itachi who told me to attack Kai."

Hatake Sakumo nodded in agreement. Hatake

Sakumo spent a lot of effort to set a trap for Kakashi, and the extras he invited were enough to shock half of Konoha, Uchiha Manya, and Orochimaru.

One super shadow, plus two shadow-level masters, they joined forces to set a trap, even if Kakashi had the ability to reach the sky, he couldn't escape.

Of course, the two of them were shadow clones, only Hatake Sakumo was the real body.

"You've worked really hard for Kakashi."

"There is no other way, it is all for the sake of the children."

The two middle-aged men left hand in hand, and talked about their parenting experiences on the way.

The two old men kept complaining to each other about the troubles of raising children.

Itachi and Kakashi before the accident were both role models among other children, and parents did not need to worry about them at all, but it was also because they were role models too much.

One was worse than the other, which made the two old fathers feel uneasy.

Not long after Hatake Sakumo and Uchiha Fugaku left, someone knocked on the door of Manye's office again.

The visitor was Murami Watari.

"Minister, the time has come. Do you think we should go there first or wait for the guard escort team to arrive before we set off?"

"Let's talk about it when they arrive. Sarutobi Hiruzen is the Hokage of Konoha after all, so he should be given the highest courtesy. I will personally accompany him on his journey!"

Knocking on the table, Uchiha Manye raised his head and said to Murakami Watari.

"OK, I understand!"

"Yeah."