If You're Not Convinced, Fight Us Uchiha

"So, Third Hokage, you summoned us all here for such a trivial matter? This is making a mountain out of a molehill."

Uchiha Yuji was deeply dissatisfied with Sarutobi Hiruzen, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "Or is it that you, Lord Third, are no longer capable of handling even such minor affairs?"

"If that's the case, I would advise you to abdicate sooner rather than later."

I was just enjoying some romantic time with Kushina, and my Hyper Zetton was getting along swimmingly with the Nine-Tails, yet you old geezer decide to pull this stunt?

Are you just annoyed that I made a point of appearing in front of the Hokage Building to show off right under your nose?

"This is a matter of diplomacy between nations; by no means can it be considered trivial."

Sarutobi Hiruzen enjoyed the sight of Uchiha Yuji's displeased expression; whenever he saw that look of dissatisfaction, his own aches and pains seemed to ease significantly.

"They are merely a defeated nation. Do we really need to give them face? If nothing else, we can just fight them again—beat them until they are all kneeling on the ground, weeping and begging us to spare them."

"In this world, might makes right."

Sarutobi Hiruzen did not share this view. "No one desires war. Everyone yearns for peace, and mutual understanding is the only true path to achieving it."

He didn't just think this way; he intended to act on it as well.

For instance, by waiving the war reparations from the Cloud Ninja, he believed that by demonstrating such sincerity, the Cloud Ninja—who had been slashed by Uchiha Yuji—would not launch another war for many years to come.

He felt that Konoha possessed the advantage and the leeway to afford such gestures.

The other Jonin and clan representatives present did not want to interject at this moment; whatever they said would surely be remembered by one side or the other.

Sarutobi Hiruzen wasn't exactly a saint, but he held immense power, while Uchiha Yuji was the type who was exceptionally capable of taking action and ruthless in his execution.

In fact, many of them felt that what Uchiha Yuji said actually made a lot of sense.

It is impossible to reason with someone who is still living in a dream, and Uchiha Yuji had no intention of arguing with Sarutobi Hiruzen.

Uchiha Yuji gave a disdainful laugh. "I will immediately arrange for the Uchiha Clan to receive the Cloud Ninja barbarians, so you don't have to trouble yourself with it here, Lord Hokage."

"Don't bother notifying me about such trifles in the future."

"Oh, right. Fugaku handed me a nomination list to pass on to you, Lord Third."

Uchiha Yuji slammed a scroll down in front of Sarutobi Hiruzen and vanished using the Body Flicker Technique.

Even without looking at the scroll, Sarutobi Hiruzen knew what was inside: it was nothing more than a list nominating Uchiha Clan members to serve as instructors at the Ninja Academy, and perhaps this time, it even included nominations for teachers of graduating Genin teams.

What was a hot potato yesterday had become an inevitable solution today that required no further headache.

"Sorry, sorry, kept you waiting, Kushina," Uchiha Yuji apologized, scratching the back of his head with an embarrassed smile.

Uzumaki Kushina shook her head understandingly, her eyes filled with a hint of longing. "It's amazing that you're still so young, Yuji, yet you're already invited by the Hokage to attend the Jonin meetings."

She understood her own strength; she could handle average Chunin, and while she wasn't yet proficient in the various secret techniques and sealing arts of the Uzumaki Clan, they were more than enough to deal with ordinary ninja.

But if she were to face a Jonin, she truly wouldn't stand a chance.

Rather than wasting breath with that group of old men, I'd much rather go window-shopping with Kushina. This was Uchiha Yuji's true inner thought.

Who wants to bicker with a bunch of old geezers when you could be getting cozy with a girl?

"And I believe it won't be long before I can attend the Jonin meetings together with you, Kushina."

These words instantly ignited Uzumaki Kushina's fighting spirit; her beautiful red hair seemed to flare up like flames, and her small hands clenched into fists.

"I will definitely work hard to keep up with you and become a Jonin!" the young girl declared firmly.

Though, at the moment, she was merely a newly graduated Genin.

"I believe in you." Uchiha Yuji gripped Uzumaki Kushina's hand, transmitting his confidence through his palm.

"If you don't mind, let me train with you. With my help, we should be able to speed up that process."

Uzumaki Kushina grinned and nodded foolishly.

Inside her, the Nine-Tails had completely given up, lying flat on the ground and letting Hyper Zetton absorb its energy.

Training wasn't something that needed to be rushed, so the two began to wander slowly through the streets looking for food, though this leisure only lasted for a short while.

"Clan Head," Uchiha Fugaku said, bowing his head respectfully.

"You're here, Fugaku. Want some dango?"

Uchiha Yuji handed over a skewer of three-colored dango, and Uchiha Fugaku didn't stand on ceremony, taking it and starting to eat.

"The Cloud Ninja barbarians have already entered the Land of Fire. I've taken over the reception and surveillance duties from the Hokage. The Cloud Ninja, accustomed to their bandit ways, surely won't understand etiquette, so we must properly demonstrate the grace of a host and teach them manners."

"Let those mountain barbarians get a good taste of our Uchiha hospitality."

Uchiha Yuji emphasized the word "hospitality," and Uchiha Fugaku understood instantly.

"I will have Yashiro and the others head out as well. If they don't understand etiquette, they will certainly learn about our hospitality."

Uchiha Fugaku came and went in a hurry; once he finished the dango, he left immediately.

Originally, Uchiha Fugaku was supposed to be the next clan head, but he felt he truly wasn't cut out for the role.

He knew the flaws in his personality: he found making choices extremely difficult, often being indecisive and lacking both judgment and the courage to go all-in.

Now, however, it was fine; there was no need for judgment at all, as someone had already arranged everything.

He didn't even need to use his brain; he just needed to bring his blade and hack away, and many Uchiha clansmen were very satisfied with this arrangement.

Just as Uchiha Yuji had said, the Cloud Ninja possessed no manners whatsoever.

The weak stance of the Third Hokage caused the Konoha ninja tasked with hosting the Cloud Ninja to exercise extreme restraint, terrified that they might become the sinners who ignited a war; it was precisely this weakness that emboldened them.

The Cloud Ninja grew increasingly arrogant, acting as if they were the victors of the war, frequently using words or actions to provoke the ninja of Konoha.

The Three-Tomoe in the eyes of Uchiha Fugaku spun frantically, and a kunai transformed into a streak of cold light, instantly crossing the distance to embed itself right in front of the Cloud Ninja.

"Uchiha Fugaku, acting under the orders of Clan Head Uchiha Yuji, has come to 'host' you gentlemen of the Cloud."

The Three-Tomoe elites following behind Uchiha Fugaku revealed cruel smiles, their cold, piercing eyes fixed on the Cloud Ninja as they closed in rapidly.

Such actions immediately threw the delegation into a panic. "Uchiha clan, do you intend to destroy the peace between our two nations?"

"Hmph, if you want war, then let's have war. If you aren't satisfied, then come and fight another round with our Uchiha clan."

Wicked Eye Fugaku bared his fangs.