Excited Uchiha, Jin's Advance Preparations!

Within the Uchiha Compound, at the Clan Head's residence.

All the Uchiha higher-ups had gathered here, their faces filled with joy and excitement.

"Everyone, did you see that?"

"The Konoha Higher-ups still wanted the Anbu to replace the Konoha Military Police Force? Now the Anbu's reputation has gone completely rotten, hasn't it?"

"This is hilarious!"

"What nonsense about the Uchiha being arrogant and unable to integrate into Konoha being the Uchiha's problem?"

"The Anbu's actions have now thoroughly proven that this was all a lie fabricated by the Konoha Higher-ups. The Konoha Military Police Force was something Senju Tobirama deliberately used to trap the Uchiha."

"We were muddleheaded before. Good thing the heavens couldn't bear to watch any longer and sent us Elder Jin!"

"Everyone, join me in thanking Elder Jin!"

Uchiha Yashiro burst into loud laughter, raising his cup in a toast to Uchiha Jin.

Only now did he truly understand how foolish he had been before, actually hoping to genuinely integrate into the village.

When he had first joined the Radical Faction, he had still been acting out of resignation. But the Anbu's current predicament had thoroughly made him realize that Uchiha Jin's ideas and methods were the right ones.

Had it not been for Uchiha Jin, if the Uchiha had continued down their old path, they might truly have been exterminated.

The other Uchiha naturally began speaking up as well.

Toward the Uchiha Jin before them, they held only one feeling in their hearts: loyalty.

Even someone as stubborn as Fugaku had no choice but to admit that Uchiha Jin's strategy was correct. The Uchiha's ability to turn things around rested entirely on Uchiha Jin alone.

As for that—

A faint smile filled Uchiha Jin's face, and he did not refuse anyone's toast.

After draining his cup, he gently raised a hand.

In almost an instant.

The clamorous courtyard immediately fell utterly silent.

"Gentlemen, listen to me."

"Though we have indeed achieved quite a few results, now is not the time for true celebration."

"When you have traveled a hundred miles, eighty is only halfway. The greatest taboo is holding a banquet before reaching the end."

"Although the Konoha Military Police Force's move did indeed screw the village over once, it did not truly harm the village."

"On the contrary, I believe it will further provoke the Konoha Higher-ups, driving them to take desperate risks and overturn the table."

"So, from this point on—"

"You must be even more cautious than before, lest the village lash out at us in desperation!"

Uchiha Jin spoke in a grave tone.

Yes.

No matter how many results he had achieved, unless he completely eliminated Sarutobi and the other Konoha Higher-ups, he would never let down his guard.

Upon hearing this, everyone present calmed down once more.

Since they had begun following Uchiha Jin and clashing repeatedly with the Konoha Higher-ups, they had thoroughly seen those Konoha Higher-ups' filthy, ugly true faces.

So they understood clearly that Uchiha Jin was right.

The excitement in everyone's eyes slowly faded, replaced by depth, coldness, caution, and vigilance. Only upon seeing this did Uchiha Jin finally reveal a faint smile.

"Mm, very good!"

"Seeing everyone being so cautious puts me somewhat at ease."

"However, in my view, even if the Konoha Higher-ups want to make a move, they will most likely try to kill me directly. As long as I, the Uchiha's core, collapse, they will be satisfied."

"Since I generally do not leave the compound, the only way they can act against me is by using my parents!"

In almost an instant.

As Uchiha Jin spoke, every person present was filled with fury.

After all, based on their understanding of the Konoha Higher-ups' character, they believed Uchiha Jin's judgment was absolutely correct.

Uchiha Tenno immediately spoke up. "There's nothing else to discuss. We rescue them directly!"

"That's right, Elder Jin!" Uchiha Yashiro's tone brimmed with Killing Intent. "I know that the reason you have not rescued your parents is, ultimately, because you wanted to put the Uchiha first."

"But there is no need for that!"

"The Uchiha are one whole. Even if we have to pay any price, we must rescue your parents."

"Even if it means death, I will not hesitate!"

The others also began volunteering for the mission.

Including—Fugaku!

His tone was filled with iron-blooded resolve, and Killing Intent filled his gaze. "For this rescue operation, I am willing to personally lead the team!"

For a moment.

The atmosphere throughout the courtyard abruptly became grim and murderous.

As for that—

A trace of emotion appeared in Uchiha Jin's eyes. Yet after taking a deep breath, he still made everyone calm down before speaking in an exceptionally cold tone.

"Everyone, there is no need to worry!"

"Since I can guess the Konoha Higher-ups' intentions, I naturally devised an operational plan long ago."

"From what I know of the Konoha Higher-ups, Sarutobi Hiruzen places too much importance on face and reputation, so he cannot possibly act personally. Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura are useless, so the one most likely to personally carry out the operation to kill me will be Danzo."

"And Danzo..."

"Though he has earned the name Darkness of the Shinobi World, he is fundamentally someone who cherishes his own life and is cowardly. Considering that I fought him last time, he will most likely send a large number of Cannon Fodder to exhaust my Dojutsu Power!"

"Danzo has another trait: arrogance and conceit. So he will most likely show himself personally."

"And even if he uses my parents as bait to lure me to an appointment, he definitely will not keep them at his side. Instead, he will hold them in the most heavily guarded core area of Root."

"So, heh."

"For the coming operation, we will act simultaneously!"

"I will take the initiative and enter the trap Danzo has set. At the same time, you will break into Root and do everything possible to rescue my parents."

"Of course, if you have any strength left to spare, seize as many valuable items as possible—Root's past operation records, all kinds of experimental materials, results, and so on."

"However, considering that the Konoha Higher-ups still possess considerable power, it would be better to find some excuse. After all, once this is over, we will still have to fool the Konoha Higher-ups."

"Let's do this. Find a spy from another ninja village!"

"During the operation, use the Sharingan to control him and have him run straight toward Root's territory."

"Our Konoha Military Police Force is qualified to arrest spies as well!"

Uchiha Jin's tone was calm.

Yet the expressions of everyone who heard those words instantly turned incomparably astonished.

Spies were a minor matter. As members of the Konoha Military Police Force, they had long grasped many leads; it simply was not yet time to cast the net.

The only thing that unsettled them was letting Uchiha Jin go alone into the trap.

However...

Uchiha Jin's decision was naturally not something they could defy, so in the end, they could only choose to accept it.

"One final matter!"

"The only people I am truly uneasy about are Shisui and Uchiha Itachi!"

"Does anyone know what those two have been busy with lately?"