Seeking Common Ground While Reserving Differences

Hatake Sakumo truly was immensely popular in the village.

When Uchiha Tokimitsu and Elder Setsuna recounted their conversation with Hatake Sakumo at the Military Police Force, as well as his initiative in suggesting they travel back together, Elder Setsuna gave them high praise.

Elder Setsuna called Hatake Sakumo Konoha's true heir to the Will of Fire, a powerful and upright ninja, one of Konoha's most principled powerhouses... The string of lavish praise made Uchiha Tokimitsu wonder whether something was wrong with his ears.

The reason was simple—Hatake Sakumo never abandoned his teammates or gave up on his companions. He kept his word and always delivered results. That was how his reputation and renown had steadily accumulated.

A few Uchiha Clan ninja had also briefly teamed up with Hatake Sakumo, and their assessments of him had likewise been consistently high.

"Then... should we try supporting him in his bid for the Hokage position?" Uchiha Tokimitsu asked, somewhat uneasily.

The Hokage position was the Uchiha Clan's obsession and inner demon. Yet in Uchiha Tokimitsu's view, unless the clan could produce one or two experts comparable to a Kage, the Uchiha Clan had no chance unless some unforeseen accident outside the established course of events occurred in Konoha.

No matter how many Jonin there were, they could not compare to the weight of a Kage-level expert. The gap in quality could not be made up by numbers. Especially now, after the Second Generation had been ambushed and killed, every village's Kage placed tremendous importance on systematic defenses.

As for Fugaku? It would be more reliable to hope the Uchiha Clan could successfully rebel.

Elder Setsuna fell silent at Uchiha Tokimitsu's words as well. After a long while, he shook his head and said it would be inappropriate. "No. Sakumo is an upright man. Running for Hokage would get him killed..."

Uchiha Tokimitsu had no answer either.

After several days of rest and recuperation, Uchiha Tokimitsu was ready to depart.

This time, in addition to the six members of Uchiha Tokimitsu's own Guard Squad, twelve ninja from the Uchiha Dark Guard accompanied him as attendants, along with the first forty-two Uchiha ninja returning to the village for rest and family visits.

A full sixty ninja born of the Uchiha Clan—the procession was anything but small.

"Jonin Tokimitsu, you're up early~"

As Uchiha Tokimitsu led his people in formation at Konoha's gates, Hatake Sakumo's distinctly languid voice rang out behind him.

"Good morning, Jonin Sakumo." Uchiha Tokimitsu did not slight this highly renowned Jonin. Moreover, Sakumo had always treated the Uchiha Clan with particular gentleness, without the arrogance of a powerful man.

"Young Lord Tokimitsu truly holds great authority~" Hatake Sakumo teased with a hint of amusement. "To be able to mobilize so many ninja under your command at any time really puts this senior Jonin to shame."

"You flatter me, Jonin Sakumo," Uchiha Tokimitsu replied politely. "Everyone knows of your achievements. For a strong man like you, numbers hold no meaning..."

After exchanging pleasantries, the two prepared to set out. The departure registration procedures at the village gates further displayed the difference between them.

The Uchiha ninja on duty at the Military Police Force handled the departure paperwork for Uchiha Tokimitsu and his subordinates. Hatake Sakumo, meanwhile, personally registered on behalf of his men, laughing and joking loudly with several Chunin guarding the gate, arms thrown around their shoulders.

So this was Hatake Sakumo, whose efficient and cold exterior concealed a compassionate heart?

Uchiha Tokimitsu silently observed him.

He always felt that judging a living, breathing ninja's achievements and future solely through so-called knowledge of the story was inadequate. To truly understand someone—especially an expert like Hatake Sakumo—one still needed close contact and conversation.

At the very least, since meeting Hatake Sakumo, he had yet to see what "efficient and cold" Hatake Sakumo looked like.

Yet a Senior Jonin who had rendered countless meritorious services to Konoha would, in the future, end up taking his own life over such ridiculous political struggles. It was truly lamentable.

Uchiha Tokimitsu also did not believe that a strong man like Hatake Sakumo would be unable to bear one setback in a mission and commit suicide. If that were true, every ninja whose mission completion rate was not one hundred percent would have to die, and Konoha's ninja ranks would be nearly emptied out.

Hatake Sakumo had brought only eight ninja with him this time. They appeared unremarkable, but every one of them possessed a lean, capable air. With a little disguise, they would be the sort who vanished into a crowd without a trace. They were surely elite ninja skilled at lurking.

"Jonin Tokimitsu, sorry to keep you waiting. Let's get moving." Having finished the procedures, the cheerful Hatake Sakumo called for everyone to set out with a brilliant smile.

Uchiha Tokimitsu said nothing. He merely waved a small hand, and the sixty Uchiha ninja moved at once, splitting into five groups—left, right, front, rear, and center—as they surrounded Uchiha Tokimitsu and Hatake Sakumo's party and formally departed.

"Tokimitsu-kun, there's a question I don't know whether I should ask." As they traveled, Uchiha Tokimitsu and Hatake Sakumo walked side by side. Their subordinates had spread out in all directions ahead and behind, ready to engage enemies at any time, leaving the two ample space to talk.

"Jonin Sakumo, now that you've asked it that way, can I still say you shouldn't?"

Hatake Sakumo smiled awkwardly. "Why has the Uchiha Clan's relationship with the village become so strained?"

"That is a long story..."

"Then make it short."

"Jonin Sakumo, do you know Uchiha Madara?" Uchiha Tokimitsu turned to look Hatake Sakumo straight in the eyes.

"I do, but..." Hatake Sakumo hesitated to speak.

"Lord Madara and Lord Hashirama founded Konoha together, only for Lord Madara to later betray the village over a conflict of ideals..." Uchiha Tokimitsu carefully chose his words. "Later, Lord Madara used the Nine-Tails to attack the village, but was defeated and killed by Lord Hashirama. Lord Hashirama also died of his wounds not long afterward. You know these old events as well, don't you?"

Hatake Sakumo nodded silently.

"When Lord Madara left the village, he called upon the clan to leave with him. But the entire Uchiha Clan had long grown weary of endless chaos and slaughter. We only wanted to remain and enjoy the peaceful days that had been unattainable for a thousand years during the Warring States period. In other words, everyone—including our clan—abandoned Lord Madara..."

"But that did not mean the village trusted us. In some people's eyes, the Uchiha Clan bears original sin. No matter what we do, we are scrutinized through colored lenses. Thus, we were branded an evil clan. Even the Military Police Force tailored specifically for us, seemingly endowed with immense authority, is in truth a cage for the clan, trapping every Uchiha within it and preventing us from advancing even an inch..."

Hatake Sakumo continued listening in silence.

"Even the Sharingan that our clan takes pride in..." Uchiha Tokimitsu pointed at his own eyes. "Jonin Sakumo, do you know the conditions for awakening the Sharingan?"

"I know a little..." Hatake Sakumo answered with some hesitation. "Intense emotional fluctuations?"

"That is right..." Uchiha Tokimitsu sighed with emotion. "The Sharingan's power is nurtured by the blood and despair of Uchiha clan members. Thus, most Uchiha—including me—sometimes experience emotional swings so severe that we are practically insane. That is also why the Sharingan is called the cursed eye..."

"Then why not give up the Sharingan and seek another path?" Hatake Sakumo could not help asking.

"Jonin Sakumo, having sins is not frightening. Weakness is the greatest original sin." Uchiha Tokimitsu's voice was quiet. "If we gave up the Sharingan, would the Uchiha Clan still have so many Jonin? Could we still maintain even the small amount of power we possess through the Military Police Force? Could we still gain a foothold in the Ninja World—or in Konoha?"

Hatake Sakumo was left speechless.

"Power brings fairness. Strength is justice." Uchiha Tokimitsu looked ahead. "Jonin Sakumo, what do you think of that saying?"

"...Should I understand that as pursuing power by any means necessary?" Hatake Sakumo said hesitantly.

"That is fine. As a ninja clan that stood tall throughout the Warring States period for a thousand years, the Uchiha Clan indeed has certain practices that cannot be changed overnight. It is only that the village's people do not understand."

Whether they understood did not matter. Strength would explain everything. Uchiha Tokimitsu thought silently.

"Alas..." Hatake Sakumo sighed. "Has the Uchiha Clan never tried to change?"

"Change? Of course we have." Uchiha Tokimitsu blurted out, "Kagami Uchiha was one such example, but he is already dead."

Hatake Sakumo's eyelid twitched.

"Senior Kagami's death was highly suspicious, but none of it matters anymore." Uchiha Tokimitsu's tone was as cold as though he were speaking of a complete stranger. "After Senior Kagami died, the relationship between the clan and the Hokage Faction turned completely cold. Following the suppression we suffered, the clan members naturally gravitated toward the Radical Faction. As the Radical Faction grew far stronger, our relationship with the village naturally worsened..."

"The Radical Faction... Tokimitsu-kun, is that the faction you belong to?"

"Yes." Uchiha Tokimitsu answered firmly. "But for the Uchiha Clan, whether one is from the Radical Faction or the Conservative Faction, or labeled with some other modifier like hawk or dove, is irrelevant. Everyone is merely fighting to claim a position that better matches their strength. Nothing more."

"Tokimitsu-kun... you truly are frank..." Hatake Sakumo was also stunned by Uchiha Tokimitsu's bluntness.

"It is nothing. Even Great Elder Setsuna of our Radical Faction holds you in very high regard."

"What did Elder Setsuna say?" Hatake Sakumo grew interested as well.

"Hmm... you're a good person." After thinking it over, Uchiha Tokimitsu gave an exceedingly concise answer.

Hatake Sakumo felt as though he had been struck by a muffled blow.

"Haha, just joking." Uchiha Tokimitsu grinned. "Elder Setsuna's exact words were that Sakumo-kun is the true heir to the Will of Fire, a powerful and upright ninja, one of Konoha's most principled powerhouses..."

Uchiha Tokimitsu went on and on, repeating Elder Setsuna's words.

"I should thank Elder Setsuna for thinking so highly of me..." Hatake Sakumo was somewhat surprised. "So I actually have such a reputation among the Uchiha?"

"To the Uchiha, the strong are worthy of respect and must be respected." Uchiha Tokimitsu blinked. "After all, 'power brings fairness, strength is justice,' isn't that so?"

"Then if one day someone possessed strength greater than the Uchiha Clan's, would the Uchiha submit to him?" Hatake Sakumo could not help asking a pointed question.

"Of course!" Uchiha Tokimitsu answered very directly.

So directly that Hatake Sakumo was stunned.

"Jonin Sakumo, though the Uchiha are radical, we are not all fools. We can still distinguish good from bad." Uchiha Tokimitsu became even more blunt. "The one who could suppress the Uchiha Clan through sheer strength was Lord Hashirama, was he not? We could abandon Uchiha Madara, our own clansman, for Lord Hashirama."

Though Uchiha Tokimitsu's words contained a shift in concepts, Hatake Sakumo could not find any angle from which to refute them.

"But... why has the relationship between the Uchiha and the village reached the point where you draw blades against one another?" Hatake Sakumo asked, referring to the recent standoff.

"Because we are unwilling to accept it."

"Unwilling?"

"Jonin Sakumo, the Hokage position is, in principle, elected through nomination and voting by the Jonin Council, correct?"

"Yes, uh..." Hatake Sakumo had been about to answer decisively, but then his words caught in his throat.

"Do you understand now?" Uchiha Tokimitsu glanced at him.

"Alas..." Hatake Sakumo could only sigh again.

He felt that he had sighed more times during today's conversation than he usually did in an entire month.

According to the village's original system, the Hokage position should have been elected through a vote by the Jonin Council. Senju Tobirama had established this system to exclude Uchiha Madara, who was powerful but unpopular. Yet afterward, neither the Second Generation nor the Third Hokage had assumed the Hokage position through this process. In practice, the system existed in name only.

"I even suggested to Elder Setsuna that we support you in running for Hokage. Do you know what the Great Elder said?"

"What did he say?" Hatake Sakumo's curiosity was piqued.

"Elder Setsuna said that would only get you killed..."

Hatake Sakumo's eyelid twitched several times.

"Jonin Sakumo, as I said, the Uchiha Clan does not actually want much." Uchiha Tokimitsu's tone remained as calm as ever. "We only want fairness and respect. Is even that so difficult?"

"But has the village not placed considerable trust in the Uchiha Clan? After all, there has never been another case in Konoha—or even the Ninja World—of someone your age serving as commander of a Border Defense Force."

"Jonin Sakumo, after the Northwest Border Defense Force was reorganized, more than half its registered ninja were Uchiha Clan ninja or relatives by marriage." Uchiha Tokimitsu spoke word by word. "The post of Border Defense Force commander was indeed not earned through my abilities or record. It was merely the clan using its strength as an endorsement and having me serve as its representative. Besides, was it not because the village wanted to weaken the Uchiha's power that we were allowed to stand alone on one front? It was only that the village had not expected Iwagakure's strategic objective not to be in the Land of Grass."

"Then... Tokimitsu-kun, do you also not think highly of my chances in a Hokage election?" Hatake Sakumo deliberately changed the subject.

"Jonin Sakumo, there is a saying among military families: 'One general's success is built upon myriad bones withered,' but I do not agree with it." Uchiha Tokimitsu said seriously. "I believe that if one chooses to run, one must have the resolve to sink or swim. Whether one lives or dies should be decided by oneself."

"It is only... have you truly prepared yourself mentally? Do you truly dare accept the Uchiha Clan's publicly visible support?"

Hatake Sakumo merely continued on his way in silence, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.

After a moment, Hatake Sakumo finally said quietly, "Tokimitsu-kun, thank you..."

Uchiha Tokimitsu was somewhat surprised as well.

"Though our ideals differ, I still thank you for your candor..."

"It does not matter. We can seek common ground while reserving differences." Uchiha Tokimitsu remained as direct as ever. "The Uchiha have never intended to convince others with words."

"Seeking common ground while reserving differences..." Hatake Sakumo silently pondered the meaning behind those words.

Uchiha Tokimitsu said no more and simply continued onward.

The large group of ninja sped through the forest, casting layer upon layer of shadows behind them. Beneath the setting sun, the dark mountains stretched like a sea, and the dying light was red as blood.

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