"So, Third, you called us all here over such a trivial matter? Isn't that making a mountain out of a molehill?"
Uchiha Yuji was deeply dissatisfied with Sarutobi Hiruzen, his tone thick with ridicule. "Or is it that Lord Third can't even handle something this small anymore?"
"Then I'd advise you to step down soon."
I'd only just been flirting with Kushina, and my Zetton was getting along swimmingly with the Nine-Tails. And now this old bastard had to pull this stunt?
Did he just hate seeing me outside the Hokage Tower, showing off right in front of him?
"This is a matter between nations. No matter how you look at it, it isn't trivial."
Sarutobi Hiruzen liked seeing Uchiha Yuji annoyed. Whenever he saw that displeased expression, it seemed to ease his aching back.
"They're just a defeated nation. Why should we save face for them? We can always fight again—fight until they're all on their knees, crying and begging us to let them go."
"In this world, might makes right."
Sarutobi Hiruzen didn't see it that way. "No one wants war. Everyone longs for peace. Mutual understanding is the true path to achieving it."
He didn't merely believe in that approach; he intended to put it into practice.
For instance, by reducing the reparations owed by the defeated Cloud Shinobi. He believed that after showing such goodwill, the Cloud Shinobi—whom Uchiha Yuji had slashed—wouldn't start another war for many years.
He felt Konoha had enough resources and reserves to afford it.
The other jonin and clan representatives didn't want to speak up just then. Whatever they said, someone else would remember it.
Sarutobi Hiruzen wasn't exactly a good man, but he had a terrifying amount of power. Uchiha Yuji, meanwhile, was the sort who was quick to act and ruthless when he did.
Besides, they felt Uchiha Yuji had a point.
There was no reasoning with someone still asleep. Uchiha Yuji had no intention of arguing with Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Uchiha Yuji gave a scornful laugh. "I'll arrange for the Uchiha Clan to receive those Cloud Shinobi barbarians. Lord Hokage won't have to fret over it any longer."
"Don't bother informing me about little things like this in the future."
"By the way, Fugaku gave me a nomination form to pass on to you, Lord Third."
Uchiha Yuji slapped a scroll down in front of Sarutobi Hiruzen, then vanished with the Body Flicker Technique.
Even without looking at the document, Sarutobi Hiruzen knew what it contained. It was surely a list nominating members of the Uchiha Clan to teach at the Ninja Academy. This time, they might even have nominated someone to teach the Genin graduates.
Yesterday's hot potato had become the inevitable solution by today, no longer anything to fret over.
"Sorry, sorry for the wait, Kushina." Uchiha Yuji scratched the back of his head and apologized sheepishly.
Uzumaki Kushina gave a considerate shake of her head, a hint of admiration in her eyes. "Yuji, you're so young, yet Lord Hokage invited you to a jonin meeting. That's amazing."
She understood her own strength. She could hold her own against an average Chunin, and although she wasn't yet proficient with the Uzumaki Clan's secret techniques and Sealing Jutsu, they were more than enough against ordinary ninja.
But if she had to face a jonin, she really couldn't manage it.
"I'd much rather go shopping with you than waste time talking with that bunch of old men." Uchiha Yuji meant every word.
Who wanted to sit around blabbing with a bunch of old men? Wasn't it much nicer to be close to a girl?
"Besides, I'm sure it won't be long before I can attend a jonin meeting with you."
Those words instantly ignited Uzumaki Kushina's fighting spirit. Her beautiful red hair seemed to flare like flames as she clenched her little fist.
"I'll work hard and keep up with you. I'm going to become a jonin!" the young girl declared firmly.
For now, though, she was only a newly graduated Genin.
"I believe in you." Uchiha Yuji held Uzumaki Kushina's hand tightly, passing his confidence to her through their joined palms.
"If you don't mind, let me train with you. With my help, you should be able to get there faster."
Uzumaki Kushina grinned and nodded foolishly.
Inside her, the Nine-Tails had completely given up. It lay sprawled on the ground, letting Hyper Zetton absorb its chakra.
There was no rush to train, so the two of them leisurely resumed wandering the streets in search of food. Their peaceful outing lasted only a little while.
"Clan Leader." Uchiha Fugaku bowed his head slightly and spoke respectfully.
"You're here, Fugaku. Want some dango?"
Uchiha Yuji held out a skewer of three-colored dango. Uchiha Fugaku accepted it without hesitation and started eating.
"Those Cloud Shinobi barbarians have entered the Land of Fire. I've taken over the task of receiving and monitoring them from the Hokage. The Cloud Shinobi are used to acting like bandits, so they surely don't know much about manners. We'll have to show them what good hosts we are and teach them proper etiquette."
"Let those highland barbarians experience the Uchiha's hospitality."
Uchiha Yuji put special emphasis on the word "hospitality," and Uchiha Fugaku immediately understood.
"I'll have Senior Yashiro and the others come along. If they don't know how to behave, they'll learn what our hospitality is like."
Uchiha Fugaku had arrived in a hurry, and he left just as quickly. After finishing his dango, he headed off at once.
Originally, Uchiha Fugaku had been the next Clan Leader, but he felt he wasn't cut out for it.
He knew his own shortcomings. When faced with a choice, he'd struggle to decide, hesitate, lack sound judgment, and have no courage to stake everything on one move.
Now, things were better. He didn't need to make any decisions; someone else had already arranged everything.
He didn't even have to use his head. All he had to do was bring his blade and cut people down. Many members of the Uchiha Clan were quite pleased with this arrangement.
And just as Uchiha Yuji had said, the Cloud Shinobi had no manners.
The Third's weak stance made the Konoha Ninja assigned to host the Cloud Shinobi extremely cautious. They were afraid they might become the ones to trigger a war. It was precisely this weakness that emboldened the Cloud Shinobi even further.
Their arrogance made it seem as if they were the victors, and they constantly provoked the Konoha Ninja with words and actions.
The Three-Tomoe in Uchiha Fugaku's eyes spun furiously. A Kunai flashed through the air, covering the distance in an instant before lodging in the ground in front of the Cloud Shinobi.
"I, Uchiha Fugaku, have come on the orders of Clan Leader Uchiha Yuji to 'receive' you Cloud Shinobi."
The elite Three-Tomoe shinobi following Uchiha Fugaku wore cruel smiles. Their cold eyes fixed on the Cloud Shinobi as they swiftly closed in.
The sudden move threw the members of the delegation into a panic. "Uchiha Clan, are you trying to ruin the peace between our two nations?"
"Hmph. Then let's fight. If you're not satisfied, fight the Uchiha Clan again."
Wicked Eye Fugaku bared his fangs.
Before you continue