Kakashi's Resolve

When Yichen uttered the words about killing Hiruzen Sarutobi, Kakashi suddenly realized why Yichen had been guiding him to think in that direction.

Yichen was more ruthless than he had imagined. This was no longer a simple attempt to sow discord; he was instigating and bewitching him to betray Konoha.

However, Yichen didn't give Kakashi much time to think, and continued, "The second direction is to completely dispel the Uchiha Clan's dissatisfaction with the Konoha High-ranking officials."

"This requires two steps. First, you need to eliminate the War Faction of the Uchiha Clan. These people are ambitious, and their dissatisfaction with the Konoha High-ranking officials isn't solely due to unfair treatment; it also harbors their own ambitions."

"The second step is that after the ambitious members of the Uchiha Clan disappear, you must persuade the Konoha High-ranking officials not to take advantage of the Uchiha Clan's weakness and act hastily. Instead, you must get the Konoha High-ranking officials to begin reforming the Uchiha Clan."

"That so-called Police Force must be abolished. The Uchiha should not live together as a ninja clan; it would be best if they could disperse into Konoha like the Senju."

"However, this method has two problems. First, killing the War Faction of the Uchiha Clan will inevitably incite hatred among the neutral or Peace Faction towards the Konoha High-ranking officials, thus turning them into a new War Faction. Fortunately, this problem shouldn't be difficult to solve once you go back and think of a solution."

"Secondly, it comes down to the same issue: the Konoha High-ranking officials won't act according to your wishes. They won't let the Uchiha Clan Konoha High-ranking officials Hiruzen Sarutobi."

Kakashi's breath hitched.

Kakashi was initially quite interested when Yichen mentioned eliminating the War Faction Uchiha Clan. If doing so could solve the problem, he was willing to accept the sacrifices involved, and he believed Fugaku Uchiha would accept it as well.

Perhaps this is the way to solve the problem with minimal cost.

However, Yichen's words about the Konoha High-ranking officials taking advantage of the situation shattered Kakashi's plans. Indeed, the root of the Uchiha Clan's problems lies with the Konoha High-ranking officials; it is the Konoha High-ranking officials who have been suppressing the ninja clans.

"What's the third method?" Kakashi asked bitterly.

"The third one!" Yichen revealed a strange smile, which sent a chill down Kakashi.

"When there are internal conflicts, create external ones. As long as the propaganda is done properly, it can divert attention and shift the focus away from the real issues."

Kakashi's eyes lit up.

Seeing this, Yichen said, "Hehe, don't be too happy yet. I know this trick, and so does Hiruzen Sarutobi. He's used it many times before; he did it this way last time when he tricked the Uchiha Clan into joining the war."

"Therefore, it's probably impossible for you to find a specific ninja village to act as this common enemy. No one in the Uchiha Clan will believe you anymore. Hiruzen Sarutobi's decision to watch the Uchiha Clan and Mist ninja weaken each other has completely destroyed his credibility."

However...

"But what?" Kakashi asked instinctively.

"However, you can create a new enemy. A ninja who is an enemy of both Konoha and the Uchiha Clan," Yichen said. "For example, yourself!"

Kakashi looked at Yichen blankly, what did that mean?

"Slaughter War Faction of the Uchiha Clan, then defect to Konoha. Before you defect, you can discuss it with Tsunade and have her negotiate with Hiruzen Sarutobi. If Hiruzen Sarutobi dares to attack the Uchiha Clan, you will become a true missing-nin."

"Otherwise, you can pretend to defect and just live somewhere else, like infiltrating the Dark Akatsuki Organization as an undercover agent. Or, for example, infiltrating Iwagakure as an undercover agent."

"The Dark Akatsuki Organization is recruiting rogue missing-nin. If you go, they should accept you. If you're even stronger when you defect, the chances of them accepting you will be even higher."

"As for our Iwagakure, we welcome you anytime!"

Kakashi stared at Yichen in disbelief and said, "You, you actually want me to become missing-nin? To defect to Iwagakure?"

Yichen said, "I didn't force you. Your choice is your own business! I just gave you three options."

Kakashi was in a state of confusion and couldn't calm down at all.

He struggled one last time, saying, "Danzo was also against the Uchiha Clan. If it weren't for Danzo, could the Fifth Hokage have persuaded the Third Hokage?"

Yichen said coldly, "Kakashi, you don't understand the relationship between Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo. They are actually the same person. From the moment Hiruzen Sarutobi became Hokage and Danzo turned into darkness, Konoha ceased to Danzo."

"Everything Danzo did was something Hiruzen Sarutobi needed to do but couldn't do openly. He was a manifestation of Hiruzen Sarutobi's dark side."

"You're still too young. Everyone in the other Great Ninja Village in the Ninja World can see that. Even the clan leaders of your Konoha clans know it. If you don't believe me, go back and ask Shikaisen Nara."

Kakashi closed his eyes in pain.

Seeing this, Yichen said, "Your mind is too narrow. Let me take you out into the sky to feel the breeze. If you look at the world from a different perspective, you might have a different perspective."

"Flight, Light-Weight Rock Technique?" Kakashi thought for a moment and nodded.

However, Yichen did not use the Light-Weight Rock Technique. Instead, he used Porcelain Release to create a platform, carried Kakashi, and then used the Light-Weight Rock Technique himself.

Just kidding. Yichen is a ranged attacker, while Kakashi is a ninja from an enemy country. If Yichen were to use the Light-Weight Rock Technique to carry him away, the higher-ups of the Yichen Iwa ninja would be overjoyed.

Sitting on the Porcelain Platform, Kakashi flew higher and higher, watching the Iwagakure below grow smaller and smaller, and the anger that had been weighing on his heart did indeed dissipate a little.

"Don't just stare at our village, look around, look into the distance," Yichen reminded him.

Kakashi raised his head and looked into the distance. Feeling the wind blowing in his face and looking at the endless land, Kakashi felt much more comfortable.

Looking at the distant sky, Kakashi relaxed completely, silently enjoying the breeze.

A long time passed.

"Indeed, looking at the problem from outside my original perspective gives a completely different feeling. Perhaps I was too narrow-minded before, and perhaps I really should use a perspective that transcends the confines of Konoha to find the answer," Kakashi muttered to himself.

Upon seeing this, Yichen let out a silent laugh; Kakashi had become a Quasi-Kage.

A Konoha genius, brainwashed by this Tsuchikage, became a quasi-Kage.

If Hiruzen Sarutobi knew about this, would he kill Kakashi immediately, or would he hesitate before doing so?

Yichen wasn't worried that Kakashi would change his mind again after returning to Konoha; the Ninja Way is something that can't be changed easily.

In the original story, Neji was a top genius before he changed his Ninja Way, and after he changed his Ninja Way, he became a genius of the Hyuga Clan.

If Kakashi were re-brainwashed by Hiruzen Sarutobi, Kakashi would be essentially finished. If he wasn't re-brainwashed, Kakashi would be the sharpest blade hidden deep within Konoha —a blade that even Yichen) doesn't know when or where it will strike.

After a long while, Kakashi woke up. At this moment, Kakashi was no longer confused; his eyes were filled with determination.

"Congratulations on becoming a Quasi-Kage after witnessing the strength of the Tsuchikage and Ikura," Yichen said.

Kakashi was taken aback, then nodded. He understood; Yichen was making up an excuse for him. He did indeed need a plausible reason.

The explanation that Yichen, a famous teacher in the Ninja World, came up with was obviously more credible.

"Thanks," Kakashi said.

"Do whatever you want. You don't need to be grateful to me or Iwagakure. If you hadn't come to me today, it means you still cling to the Will of Fire. In that case, I can tell you definitively that you won't have a chance to return to Konoha alive."

"Hiruzen Sarutobi and the others thought I would care about the Tsuchikage's reputation and wouldn't harm you members of the delegation. But I think it's necessary to eliminate an enemy who has an 80% chance of becoming Kage Level in the future."

"So, if you join our Iwagakure in the future, I will accept you. But if you don't plan to defect and join Iwagakure, then we have nothing to do with each other."

"My guidance is merely to plant a seed in Konoha. Whether that seed will be effective or not is neither my concern nor my responsibility."

After saying that, Yichen landed on the ground with Kakashi.

After dealing with Kakashi's matter, Yichen was in a great mood, and the two returned to the finals venue together.

After returning to the arena, Ikura created two Shadow Clones, one impersonating Yichen and the other impersonating Kakashi.

Now that Yichen and the other person have returned, Ikura had his two Shadow Clone leave their seats and go backstage to switch places with them.

Although the finals are not over yet and will take another day or two, for Yichen, the matter of this Joint Chunin Exams has been resolved.

The Monkey Clan was wiped out, Kakashi was brainwashed, and many Iwa ninja gained combat experience by fighting against Konoha ninja or Sunagakure.

Rasa has given everything he promised, except for a treaty for deeper cooperation. Yichen and Rasa have reached a preliminary agreement on this, and Yichen doesn't need to worry about the detailed negotiations that follow; someone else will handle it.

Yichen needs to do is wait for the outcome of the upcoming clash between Rasa and Konoha. It would be best if one or two Kage Level ninjas died, but if not, Yichen would be happy if a group of elites were to perish.

With a "the more the merrier" mentality, Yichen turned his attention southward. "It's a pity I can't be there to watch the battle live and get firsthand intelligence."

Yichen had considered following Rasa, but Rasa was clearly on guard. Was Yichen questioning Rasa's intelligence if he still wanted to follow him?

The gaze shifted to Rasa and his group. Rasa hadn't brought many people with him to the Land of Earth, only three elite Anbu, a dozen or so people, plus Pakura who had just escaped from the Iwa ninja, making a total of fourteen.

The fourteen people hurried along the shortest route back to Sunagakure.

"Pakura, how are you feeling now?" Rasa asked Pakura as he hurried forward.

Pakura lowered her head, not daring to look at Rasa, and whispered, "Although the seal has been broken, my Chakra hasn't recovered yet. Right now, I can only exert the strength of Jonin at most."

Rasa nodded and said, "It's not your fault you lost to the Tsuchikage. Cheer up, the road ahead isn't safe. You're their target, so be careful."

Pakura was startled, quickly composed himself, and said, "Yes."