A Way Out for the Uchiha Clan

Yichen and Rasa were not paying attention to the Chunin Ninja Exams; instead, they were discussing the general direction of their future in-depth cooperation.

Finally, two points of consensus were reached: first, the Sunagakure would, like the Konoha, reach an agreement with the Iwa ninja, allowing their ninjas to enter their country to escort merchant caravans.

Secondly, it allowed caravans from both sides to cross their respective borders and trade with the countries on the other side.

What does that mean?

The Iwa ninja can escort their country's caravans through the Land of Wind, and then trade with countries further south of the Land of Wind, such as Rōran, and even the Land of Tea a sea.

Similarly, caravans from the Land of Wind can also cross the Land of Earth to trade with the Land of Iron and the Land of Lightning, which are separated by the sea.

The fact that Yichen facilitated this consensus between the two sides shows that Yichen's ambitions are definitely not limited to the area near the Land of Earth; Yichen is already trying to expand the influence of Iwagakure.

However, Rasa still agreed, even though these two agreements would harm the future interests of the Sunagakure or the Land of Wind. But Rasa needed to consider his immediate interests at the moment.

After reaching an agreement, Rasa said he wanted to return to Sunagakure.

Yichen was taken aback for a moment, then smiled and said, "So Kazekage was prepared all along."

"It's only right to be more prepared when dealing with the Tsuchikage," Rasa said calmly.

"Should we join forces?" Yichen asked.

"No need!" Rasa replied without hesitation.

"Ah, that's a pity! In that case, I wish Kazekage a safe journey," Yichen said.

The final match lasted only half a day before the Kazekage had to return. At the entrance of Iwagakure, Yichen handed Pakura back to Rasa and then watched him leave.

"Are we just going to let him go like that? Are we really not going to follow? The Land of Wind's strength is so-so; they probably can't handle Konoha," Ikura said.

Yichen sighed, "Sigh, there's nothing we can do. Rasa is wary of us. If we go with him, the Sunagakure and Konoha won't even have a chance to fight. He's afraid that after we join forces to take down Konoha, we'll turn around and wipe them out."

Ikura also said regretfully, "Indeed, if such an opportunity arises, we certainly won't let it slip by."

This is normal. If they could first unite with the Sunagakure to kill the Konoha ninja who might come to intercept them, then Konoha would directly lose its position as the number one nation in the Ninja World.

Because the people who come to intercept them will definitely not be weak, at least two Kage Level fighters, this is a consensus between Yichen and Rasa.

If Konoha loses two Kage Level, and if Iwa ninja work hard and take down one or two Kage Level from Sunagakure as well, then only Cloud ninja will be able to compete with Iwa ninja for supremacy.

Therefore, Rasa was certain that if things really came to that, Yichen would definitely take action.

"However, the fact that Rasa could think of us secretly informing Konoha shows he's no ordinary person. I think he must have made thorough preparations," Ikura said.

"Hmm, Chiyo's probably here too," Yichen said. "Alright, let's go back. Have the Anbu keep a close eye on the Sunagakure, lest Rasa launch a surprise attack."

"Don't worry, it's all arranged." Ikura said.

As Yichen and his companion walked back, they encountered Kakashi just before reaching the finals arena.

Yichen Ikura a few instructions, and Ikura left with a strange look on his face.

Looking at Kakashi in front of him, Yichen asked, "Is there something you can't figure out?"

Kakashi nodded.

"Is it a matter concerning your father or the Uchiha Clan?" Yichen asked again.

Kakashi gritted his teeth and said, "The matter of the Uchiha Clan."

Yichen thought to himself, "Sure enough, in the Naruto World, best friends are more important than family."

"Why are you asking me? I'm the Kage of Iwagakure, not your Konoha. If you have a problem, you should go find your Hokage and have him give you a lesson in the Will of Fire," Yichen laughed.

"Because it was you who led me into this mental trap," Kakashi said.

"Well... okay, I admit it," Yichen said. "In that case, let's talk as we walk."

After saying that, Yichen began to show Kakashi around Iwagakure (the Iwagakure).

"I heard that you and Shikaisen Nara explored the village on your first day in Iwagakure. Tell me, what are your impressions of Iwagakure?" Yichen didn't get straight to the point with Kakashi, but instead started chatting.

"The Iwagakure is very unfriendly to us Konoha ninja, and they seem to be mocking us," Kakashi said.

"You're right. This is actually a concept I've only recently come to everyone's mind. It wasn't like this before. In the past, everyone admired Konoha a lot, including us Iwa ninja. When facing Konoha ninja, we always felt inferior," Yichen said.

"Do you think the mentality of the Iwagakure is good or bad for our Iwagakure and for the Iwa ninja?"

Kakashi recalled Shikaisen Nara's words from back then and said, "It should be a good thing!"

"That's right, it's a good thing. I learned this from your Konoha. Last time, when Orochimaru, Sasori of the Red Sands, and the Cloud Ninja envoy were causing trouble in your Konoha, I was testing the morale of your Konoha. By the way, we even met at Ichiraku Ramen Shop." Yichen said proudly.

Kakashi:...

I've been deliberately avoiding the topic, why did you bring it up again?

"Although your Konoha is plagued by internal strife, Third Hokage's policies toward the great ninja clans are even more perplexing, he has indeed done a good job in building the villagers' self-confidence," Yichen remarked.

As the two talked, they arrived at a Training Ground. Yichen pointed to several children practicing in the Training Ground and asked Kakashi, "What do you think of our Iwa ninja's juniors?"

Kakashi looked in the direction Yichen pointed, then frowned. These people were clearly students from the Ninja Academy, and all of them had only average talent. In Konoha, students like these wouldn't even catch his eye.

"Look at that kid on the far side, shouting and practicing Kunai throwing. What do you think of him?" Yichen said to Kakashi, pointing to one of the children.

Upon hearing this, Kakashi stared at the child for a while, then said, "This one has the worst talent; he'll probably have trouble even graduating."

"Haha! That's right, this is the Dead Last of their Advanced Class this year, they'll Liangtiancheng Zhongxing." Yichen said with a loud laugh.

"Two-day title?" Kakashi was somewhat surprised; he knew this title was related to the Third Tsuchikage Iwa ninja.

"Yes, but that wasn't his original name. His original name was Sokai Uchiha," Yichen said casually.

Ignoring the shocked Kakashi, Yichen called out to Sokai Uchiha, "Zhongxing, come here for a second."

Sokai saw Yichen, he was taken aback at first, but then he obediently came over. He didn't know why Yichen was looking for him; the two hadn't spoken since their conversation after he Awakening Eyes.

Amidst the envious gazes of his companions, Sokai approached Yichen.

As Yichen led Sokai and Kakashi to a secluded spot, he said, "Let me introduce you two."

"Sokai Uchiha, whose name in Iwagakure is Liangtiancheng Zhongxing. I originally stole Sokai from the Uchiha Clan, but later gained the approval of Fugaku Uchiha, and now he is a member of our Iwagakure Ninja Academy."

"Kakashi Hatake, Konoha ninja, and a teammate of Obito Uchiha from your Uchiha Clan. Before Obito Uchiha died, he entrusted his Sharingan to Kakashi Hatake."

After speaking, Yichen gave the two time to process the information. Once they reached a secluded spot, Yichen cast a hand seal on Sokai's head. "Release."

As Yichen Hand Seals, Sokai suddenly felt as if his eyes were freed from a constraint. Subconsciously, he activated his Sharingan: Single-Tomoe in his left eye and Two-Tomoe in his right.

Kakashi was shocked. "The Sharingan?!"

Then he lifted the Forehead Protector over his left eye, revealing the Three-Tomoe Sharingan inside.

"Only members of the Uchiha Clan can freely activate and deactivate the Sharingan, so there should be no doubt about Kakashi's identity Sokai," Yichen said to Kakashi.

Kakashi nodded.

"When outsiders transplant Sharingan, there will be a strong rejection effect. Only Sharingan transplanted with the true wishes of the Sharingan owner can be used by others with difficulty. So, Sokai, do you have any doubts about Kakashi being Konoha ninja?" Yichen asked again.

After thinking for Sokai said, "No."

"Alright, you two talk first, I'll listen." Yichen gave the two of them some time.

Next, Kakashi inquired in detail about Sokai's entire experience of coming to Iwa ninja and his experiences over the years. Sokai, in turn, asked about the current situation of the Uchiha Clan.

After a long while, when the two finished talking, Yichen said to Sokai, "Sokai, you should continue your cultivation."

Then the seal on the eyes of those Sokai was reactivated.

"Kakashi, let's walk around some more." After Sokai left, Yichen said to Kakashi.

Kakashi watched as Sokai's departing figure completely disappeared, then sighed and said, "Lord Tsuchikage, I want to know if you have any way to resolve the Uchiha Clan's crisis."

Seeing this, Yichen said, "First of all, you need to understand that my interests conflict with those of Konoha, and I will not act in Konoha's best interests."

Kakashi nodded; he understood this. He had known all along that Yichen harbored ill intentions.

"Alright, let me share my thoughts. There are three approaches we can try to resolve the Uchiha Clan's predicament."

"The first direction is to resolve the conflict between the Uchiha Clan and the Konoha High-ranking officials. However, the root of this conflict does not lie with the Uchiha. In fact, the Uchiha Clan head Fugaku Uchiha, is Peace Faction and does not want to be enemies with the Konoha High-ranking officials. If he can see hope for the Uchiha Clan, he will unite the voices within the Uchiha Clan."

"It's the Konoha High-ranking officials that's been making things difficult for the Uchiha Clan. So, from the first perspective, the only solution is to change the Konoha High-ranking officials's opinion."

"This method was impossible before, but things are different now. Konoha has a new Hokage, and Tsunade is a Hokage who doesn't discriminate against the Uchiha Clan."

"However, Tsunade did not have absolute authority. Facing Hiruzen Sarutobi, who was both her teacher and the former Hokage, she was powerless to change the relationship between the higher-ups and the Uchiha."

"Therefore, if you can kill Hiruzen Sarutobi, the crisis of the Uchiha Clan will be completely resolved."