Shinobi World Situation

Konoha, Hokage Office Building.

Ever since Tsunade became one of the candidates for the Fifth Hokage after the last Jonin Meeting, an eerie atmosphere has permeated Konoha.

With the Konoha Military Police Force now in control of the Konoha Six Departments, their power has greatly increased. In order to ease the tense situation, the Sarutobi, Shimura, Nara, Akimichi and other families have moved away from the center of power in Konoha, which can be considered a step back.

However, the Konoha Military Police Force reacted most strongly, directly dividing the circular Konoha in two and creating a semi-circular barrier, which clearly conveyed their intentions to everyone.

The Hokage Building became the center of the power struggle between the two sides.

The Hokage Office.

"Tsunade, what are your thoughts on this Five Kage Summit?"

Although Hiruzen Sarutobi publicly announced his resignation, he still wore the Third Hokage's robes. This time, he arrived at the Hokage Office with a solemn expression.

This place used to be practically his residence, but now it has become the battleground for Tsunade and Uchiha Yoru's rivalry.

"Tch, old man, even the Kazekage Rasa admitted to the Five Kage Summit. Now, the Four Great Ninja Villages have made it clear that they are inviting the Hokage Uchiha Yoru, to participate. Do you really want me to go?"

Tsunade said dismissively, and just then the door was suddenly pushed open.

Then Uchiha Yoru appeared, and upon seeing the two people in the office, he slowly walked in with a smile on his face.

"So it's the Third Hokage. Are you here to guide us two Acting Hokage in our administrative affairs?"

From the moment they met Uchiha Yoru's words were full of sarcasm. Even the usually composed Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn't help but look rather unpleasant after being confronted like that.

This seems to imply that the Third Hokage has already abdicated, and the two of them are now the owners of the Hokage Office Building, although there can only be one ultimate victor.

As Uchiha Yoru entered, he was followed by Uchiha Itachi and Hatake Kakashi.

Upon entering, Uchiha Yoru sat directly on the right side of the Hokage's desk, flanked by Tsunade. The Third Hokage stood in the middle, appearing as if he were a ninja reporting for duty.

Despite such humiliation, Hiruzen Sarutobi remained unmoved, calmly observing everything.

Uchiha Yoru, who had sat down, smiled and slowly took a scroll from Uchiha Itachi's hand. "This is an invitation scroll for the Five Kage Summit. This time it will be held in the Land of Iron. I wonder which Hokage will be attending this time?"

The question, "Which Hokage will go?" was blatant mockery. Tsunade snorted coldly upon hearing this.

"Oh right, I almost forgot." Suddenly, as if remembering something, Uchiha Yoru slapped his forehead, looking annoyed. He turned to Hatake Kakashi and said, "Kakashi, I almost forgot to bring all my things."

At this moment, Hatake Kakashi slowly opened the bag on his back, revealing a red straw hat. On the front corner, a large white character for "fire" was written, which is the symbol of the Hokage and also the Hokage Hat.

Kakashi respectfully handed over the brand-new Hokage Hat. Upon seeing this, Uchiha Yoru immediately smiled and easily accepted it in front of the two of them, especially the ashen-faced Hiruzen Sarutobi.

The Hokage Hat, made of top-quality materials, was smooth and dust-free, and Uchiha Yoru wore a smile on his face.

"As the youngest Kage in this Five Kage Summit, I am also a newcomer and not yet familiar with the Kage of each country. Moreover, the village is not entirely safe. I plan to have Kakashi and Shisui stay in the village."

"But this trip to the Land of Iron is a long journey, and the other Kage are all accompanied by guards. So, I would like to invite the experienced Third Hokage to accompany me. After all, you are the strongest Hokage."

Suddenly, Uchiha Yoru covered his mouth, a mocking smile appearing on his face. "The Third, the strongest and longest-reigning Hokage. I wonder if the Third would be willing to accompany me to the Land of Iron for the Five Kage Summit?"

This time, Uchiha Yoru blatantly revealed his true strength. Now the entire Shinobi World acknowledges my identity. Although everyone knows the ulterior motives of these village kage, at least my name has been proven.

"Uchiha Yoru." At this moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke in a hoarse and solemn voice.

"We are all ninjas of Konoha, all working for this village. If you think I haven't done well, you can impeach me, but you should know that the Four Great Ninja Villages of the Shinobi World all have wolves in sheep's clothing. Do you know that the Shinobi World is afraid that we won't fight each other!"

"I will endure it again and again!"

Seeing Hiruzen Sarutobi's explanation, Uchiha Yoru's expression gradually turned cold. "Ninja? Are you referring to the Ninja legion responsible for the border of the Land of Lightning? Or the elite Sarutobi Clan you secretly dispatched, or perhaps other Ninja legion within the Land of Fire?"

Facing Hiruzen Sarutobi, Uchiha Yoru coldly recounted everything that had happened during that time.

Hiruzen Sarutobi, after all, ruled for such a long time, and almost all the commanders of the Ninja legion guarding the Land of Fire were promoted by this Third Hokage during his reign.

While it's not fair to say he could command an entire army, this Shinobi Hero could mobilize at least ten thousand of the more than twenty thousand Konoha ninjas within the Land of Fire.

While Uchiha Yoru may seem powerful and aggressive now, he only commands a little over five thousand ninjas, and he is responsible for the border region of Mist Ninja.

Both sides are currently exercising restraint, as the entire Shinobi World is watching. It's foreseeable that once they start fighting each other, the Fourth Great Ninja War will break out when the Konoha civil war ends.

The fact that two Hokage Hat and a Third Hokage Ceremonial Robe were found in Hokage Office is undeniably ironic.

"The Hokage! It's not that you become the Hokage and then you're recognized; rather, you become the Hokage because you're recognized."

In the oppressive atmosphere, the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi, uttered these words in a hoarse voice, his cloudy eyes gazing at Uchiha Yoru with profound depth.

"No ninja in the village wants to see a civil war break out."

Uchiha Yoru scoffed at the Third Hokage's lectures, but he agreed that ninjas didn't want to see a civil war break out.

The current restraint between the two sides is largely due to the fact that the Third Shinobi War ended not long ago, and as ninjas from the same village, none of them want to see each other fighting.

In the emotional world of ninjas, bonds are highly valued.

"Since the First, the selection of Hokage has always been an election system. I hope you can proceed peacefully."

No matter how stubborn the Third Hiruzen Sarutobi, even now he stubbornly only recognized his own Will of Fire, one thing was true: he did not want to see a civil war break out in Konoha.

Because he has already lived within the Will of Fire he himself created.

This is also the reason why both sides exercised restraint.

"Heh, a normal election system." As he said this Uchiha Yoru narrowed his eyes and a smile appeared on his face.

"Then, I wonder if Lady Tsunade would be willing to divide the land and govern with me as Acting Hokage, with Konoha and the Land of Fire split in two, each of us responsible for one half and exercising the rights of Hokage separately?"

Uchiha Yoru's suggestion was practically splitting Konoha in two. At this moment Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression was extremely grim. As a stubborn person, he could not allow such a situation to continue.

However, the current situation has plunged the entire Konoha into an extremely dangerous predicament.

Even with this stalemate, Konoha's missions have almost come to a standstill. There's nothing to worry about in the short term, but the longer it goes on, the greater the turmoil and losses Konoha will suffer.

Moreover, they currently lack the ability to directly overpower their opponent.

"Uchiha Yoru! You're trying to Splitting Konoha!" Hiruzen Sarutobi said, his face grim, each word distinct.

It was clear that Hiruzen Sarutobi rejected the proposal, given that Tsunade was now in the spotlight and, with Hiruzen Sarutobi's assistance, they held the upper hand.

However, at this moment, Uchiha Yoru slowly stood up, placed the Hokage Hat on his waist, and even revealed a smile on his face, a scene that the Third Hokage found extremely irritating.

"Weren't you going to the Daimyo's Mansion to discuss the matter of the Fifth Hokage? It just so happens that I, the Hokage, am going to attend Shinobi World Five Kage Summit."

Uchiha Yoru's arrogant laughter echoed unrestrainedly throughout the Hokage Building, causing countless Konoha Ninja to turn solemn upon hearing it.

Uchiha Yoru was provoking the Daimyo of the Land of Fire, and clearly telling everyone that it was none of the Konoha's business to interfere in the affairs of Konoha's Kage.

Uchiha Yoru's dominance made many Konoha Ninja seem to see a glimpse of the future when Konoha was the dominant force in the Shinobi World, while the Third Hokage's old-fashioned approach had already worn down the Konoha Ninja' fighting spirit.

After Uchiha Yoru and his men left, only Tsunade and Hiruzen Sarutobi remained in the Hokage Office.

At this moment, Tsunade and leisurely took out a bottle of sake from the cabinet, continuing to pour and enjoy it at her own pace, without a trace of tension.

Seeing this, the Third Hiruzen Sarutobi, had veins bulging on his forehead and said in a hoarse voice, "Tsunade!"

However, Tsunade simply sneered disdainfully, "Old man, I'm still willing to address you respectfully, that's out of respect. Do you think I'm some brat like the Fourth Hokage, using me as a pawn?"

It's obvious that the Third Hokage introduced her to stabilize the morale of Konoha, and the proud Tsunade would never allow herself to become a mere mascot.

Tsunade, holding a wine glass, gazed at Hiruzen Sarutobi and a slow smile crept across her lips. "Hand over the Wood Release ninja, and I demand one billion yen to establish a new Anbu."

"Tsunade, you!" Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes widened, his anger blazing, his lungs practically bursting with rage.

Tsunade is taking advantage of the situation, and she's blatantly demanding power. In other words, if Tsunade were to become Hokage, she would definitely not be the kind of Hokage controlled by the Third Hokage.

Seeing the furious Hiruzen Sarutobi, Tsunade casually lowered her head and said to herself, "Old man, this is why Jiraiya didn't want to come back to help you."

"I'll set off for the Daimyo's Mansion when the funds and Wood Release ninja arrive."

Hiruzen Sarutobi furious at Tsunade's shameless tactics, his face turning extremely ugly, but he still gritted his teeth and said, "Fine! The Wood Release ninja will arrive soon, and the funds will be available in three days at most."

Hiruzen Sarutobi, his face ashen from the humiliation of being robbed, slammed the door shut and stormed out. His anger wasn't directed at the money or the Wood Release ninjas, but rather at Tsunade's obvious dissatisfaction with his policies.

In other words, Tsunade will not follow his policies after taking office, which is what Hiruzen Sarutobi cannot tolerate the most. Konoha is now at its most dangerous moment.

Uchiha Compound.

The power of ninjas is immense; in just a few days, the Uchiha Clan re-established their Uchiha Compound in what was once the heart of Konoha.

At this moment, during the clan meeting, or rather, the Uchiha Yoru faction meeting, the Meeting Room was crowded with a dense mass of ninjas kneeling and sitting.

At this moment, everyone's face was filled with excitement. The entire Shinobi World had now acknowledged the identity of Uchiha Yoru Hokage, and in terms of momentum, their side was in no way inferior to the other.

Uchiha Yoru surveyed the crowd, and at that moment, everyone's gaze was clearly burning with desire, their eyes almost entirely fixed on his waist.

Or perhaps it's the Hokage Hat at the waist, which is a symbol of status.

"Gentlemen, the Five Kage Summit is scheduled to be held in the Land of Iron this time. I think that goes without saying."

Looking around at everyone Uchiha Yoru directly delivered this reassuring news and began issuing his orders.

"I'm going to the Five Kage Summit in the Land of Iron. As for who will accompany me and who will stay behind!"

Facing Uchiha Yoru's gaze, everyone was extremely excited, but many also showed signs of worry. With their leader gone, it would be easy for someone to take advantage of their vulnerability.

Uchiha Yoru naturally saw everyone's worries, but he confidently smiled and said to them, "This time, I've decided to take Uchiha Itachi and Might Guy as my bodyguards to the Five Kage Summit."

As Uchiha Yoru finished speaking, the guards landed on Uchiha Itachi and Might Guy. Some people showed disappointment, while others secretly breathed a sigh of relief, knowing that the village still had fighting power.

"And after I left, the Konoha Military Police Force maintained the stability of Konoha." When talking about those who stayed behind, under everyone's gaze, Uchiha Yoru glanced around at everyone before finally speaking.

"The Konoha Military Police Force's responsibility for maintaining Konoha's political affairs will be handled by Uchiha Shisui and Hatake Kakashi, while the Uchiha Clan will be entrusted to Elder Setsuna."

This choice was also a decision made after careful consideration by Uchiha Yoru. Two of the three are from the Uchiha Clan, Elder Setsuna makes up for Shisui's lack of political experience, and Kakashi is currently the most popular ninja.

At this moment, the elderly but ruddy-faced Elder Setsuna smiled and slowly removed the bandages in front of everyone, revealing a Mangekyō Sharingan that clearly told everyone.

This Sharingan belongs to the former Shimura Danzō leader, Uchiha Fugaku's eye.

Uchiha Setsuna and Hatake Kakashi each possessed one Mangekyō Sharingan, while Uchiha Shisui had both Mangekyou Mangekyo, giving them an advantage in high-end combat.

However, Uchiha Yoru's last words were the most reassuring, and also the decision that shocked countless people before they were overjoyed.

"In the name of the Hokage Konoha, I hereby announce to Konoha that, effective immediately, the expulsion order against Konoha Jonin 'Orochimaru Sannin Sannin a Jonin of Orochimaru is restored. Furthermore, I have decided to inscribe the name of Konoha's White Fang, who was willing to give his life to protect his comrades, on the Memorial Stone as a hero."

Beneath Uchiha Yoru's smiling face, countless ninjas were instantly overjoyed. Did this mean that Orochimaru, one of the Sannin Orochimaru, would return to Konoha?

Moreover, Uchiha Yoru's undisguised disclosure of this news was essentially telling everyone that their side had gained another powerful ally.

The fact that Orochimaru, one of the Sannin Orochimaru, has returned to Konoha is enough to serve as a deterrent.

In this way, even if Uchiha Yoru participates in the Five Kage Summit, the village still has Kage Level combat power left behind, including Uchiha Shisui, Hatake Kakashi, and Elder Uchiha Setsuna. Even if this elder's eyes are transplanted and he is already old, a single Mangekyo is enough to change the course of the battle.

Then came Orochimaru, who became the backbone of the organization.

On the other hand, Konoha's forces— Hiruzen Sarutobi, Tsunade, and Jiraiya —did not have much of an advantage, and Tsunade was also heading to the Daimyo's Mansion.

Recently, some people have been saying that this is filler content. Well, the outline was already in place from the very beginning of writing the book, for example, the title "Splitting Konoha." Jinli don't know if everyone will like the plot I wrote, but I can only say be patient and read it for another three or four Tenten. No matter how the plot is structured, it will still come to pass.