In Year 41 of Konoha, the war between Konoha and the Cloud had ended!
It had ended so abruptly that the villagers of Konoha, still on edge because of the Uchiha Clan's outrageous antics and the tense wartime atmosphere, were caught completely off guard.
The news had barged into their world just like that.
In the early hours of the morning, the Cloud had unilaterally surrendered and had already sent people to discuss war reparations. The news spread throughout Konoha like the wind.
Never mind the ordinary citizens—even Sarutobi Hiruzen was stunned by the sudden announcement.
There hadn't been anything about this in last night's intelligence reports! They'd only mentioned the fighting!
"So you're saying you negotiated with the Raikage last night?"
"The Third Raikage was no match for me. His son was there at the time, and he had no way to deal with my teleportation or protect his son and subordinates." Uchiha Yuji folded his arms, displaying the Uchiha pride to its fullest.
"Even if they'd rejected my proposal, I could've charged into the Cloud Village alone and killed until the place ran red. They couldn't have stopped me."
The Jonin, who usually thought the Uchiha were simply arrogant, now felt that this pride was only natural.
This guy really could fight!
After all, the man standing before them had defeated the Raikage, who was said to possess the Strongest Shield and the Strongest Spear. Anyone who defeated a Kage from one of the Five Great Nations had every right to be a little proud.
"Though his appearance and some of his actions make the Third Raikage seem like a hotheaded old man, anyone who sees him that way will eventually get killed by him."
"He sees things very clearly."
Looking straight into Uchiha Yuji's eyes, Sarutobi Hiruzen understood the implication.
So he was saying I was blind. No big deal.
"This operation will be rewarded as an S-rank emergency mission. Do you have any other requests? I can offer you some compensation, depending on the circumstances."
"After all, you practically changed the course of the war single-handedly. You brought us victory."
Uchiha Yuji waved his hands repeatedly. "The war was already close to ending. I merely acted as a catalyst and brought that outcome about sooner. I can't take credit for that."
Everyone had more or less realized that the war was nearing its end.
The fighting had dwindled to nothing but small-squad raids. Anyone who wasn't a complete idiot could see what that meant.
Sarutobi Hiruzen was a minefield of traps. If Yuji accepted the credit now, what would the ninjas who'd spent so long stationed at the border, sacrificing countless lives to hold back the enemy, think?
The shameless Uchiha who reaped the fruits of victory?
That old monkey never had a good bone in his body—even his ass was black! Good thing Uchiha Yuji had a bit of quick wit.
"Heh, your modesty reminds me of Kagami." Sarutobi Hiruzen acted as if he had no idea he'd just laid a trap, smiling as he smoothly changed the subject.
"I'm not a good person like Senior Kagami. I wouldn't trust my teammates wholeheartedly without the slightest bit of caution, only to be betrayed by Root, who claim to do everything for Konoha."
There was always a barb in the exchanges between the two, and the various clans had grown used to it.
The clans that had leaned somewhat toward the Hokage fell silent at the mention of Root, and their distance from Sarutobi Hiruzen widened a little.
Shimura Danzō's existence was undoubtedly more loathsome than that of an enemy. Even the slightest mention of him made everyone grit their teeth in hatred.
So many promising young talents from their clans had been used and ruined by that man.
External enemies were easy to deal with. Internal enemies were the truly terrifying ones.
With an external enemy, all you had to do was take his life. With an internal enemy, you couldn't even tell who he was, or whether his actions served his own interests or the collective good.
If they were told Sarutobi Hiruzen knew nothing about Shimura Danzō's actions, they'd sooner believe the Uchiha Clan would become Hokage.
That was never going to happen!
"If Lord Hokage insists on giving us an extra reward, I hope a few promising Uchiha can join the Anbu next year." Uchiha Yuji was talking nonsense.
Don't be fooled by how pleasantly you're speaking with me right now. Surely you understand how things stand between the Uchiha and the Hokage faction behind the scenes.
If the Uchiha joined the Anbu, wouldn't it be to prepare for assassinating me, the Hokage?
Sarutobi Hiruzen rejected Uchiha Yuji's suggestion outright, without even giving it a moment's thought.
"Then surely it wouldn't be too much to ask for a few team leader positions next year?" Uchiha Yuji finally showed his hand.
"The Uchiha Clan's abilities are all tied to their Kekkei Genkai. I'm afraid they'd have a hard time teaching students trained in the standard curriculum." Sarutobi Hiruzen gave an eloquent explanation he didn't even believe himself. "Only the Uchiha in this Shinobi World possess the Sharingan."
"Eye-based Kekkei Genkai are rare. Konoha doesn't have enough people with ocular techniques to fill those roles right now."
"If the Hyuga Clan agreed, I wouldn't object."
That was practically an impossible challenge!
Just as the Hyuga were well suited to being medical ninjas, the Uchiha would actually make excellent team leaders.
The Sharingan's copying ability and the clan's inherited records gave the Uchiha a wealth of ninjutsu resources. The wealthy Uchiha wouldn't care about a few extra techniques.
If they were given a few team leader positions, then as time went on, the Uchiha could build up enough influence to overthrow the Hokage faction.
Sarutobi Hiruzen had clearly thought of that too.
After his proposal to tear the ceiling wide open was rejected, he tried asking for a skylight instead. Sarutobi Hiruzen rejected that just as mercilessly!
Uchiha Yuji hadn't expected anyone to be so shameless. He stood there stunned for a moment before finally saying, "Next time, please think twice before promising something you can't deliver, Lord Hokage."
"Hahaha! The Uchiha Clan really does have no talent for teaching. If you'd asked for something else, I might have agreed." Sarutobi Hiruzen laughed, looking exactly like a Mount Emei monkey that had stolen a tourist's backpack.
What an ass.
At Sarutobi Hiruzen's suggestion, Uchiha Yuji shrugged and said nothing more.
He'd have to be an idiot to trust you again.
Sarutobi Hiruzen then began loudly extolling the Will of Fire over the Cloud's surrender—an idea he didn't believe himself, or perhaps one he had completely "forgotten."
The boring meeting quickly passed while Uchiha Yuji dozed off. When his stomach began to protest, he snapped awake.
Without saying goodbye to anyone, the freshly roused Uchiha Yuji vanished.
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