Meeting Uchiha Obito!

"Since the Uchiha Clan is departing at dawn the day after tomorrow, we should arrange for ninjas to lie in ambush along the road to the Land of Waterfalls tomorrow!"

Upon hearing Mitokado Homura and Danzo, Utatane Koharu offered a reminder.

It was clear that Utatane Koharu also supported their plan to strike outside the village.

"Sarutobi, what do you think?"

Danzo's gaze remained fixed on Sarutobi Hiruzen, his expression suddenly darkening as he spoke in a sharp, urgent tone.

The three of them were merely advisors; the only one who could make the final decision was Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Third Hokage.

The moment Danzo's words fell, Sarutobi Hiruzen's face stiffened.

If the entire Uchiha Clan left Konoha, they would be considered defectors, and according to Konoha's regulations, they were to be annihilated—not a single one left behind.

Furthermore, if the Uchiha Clan were allowed to leave, given their terrifying talent, they would undoubtedly become a new power in the ninja world within a few years.

The Land of Fire already faced many hostile forces; adding the Uchiha Clan to that list would be absolutely detrimental to the future of Konoha.

At this thought, an uncontrollable urge surged within Sarutobi Hiruzen, sweeping over him like a tidal wave.

The Uchiha Clan could not be allowed to remain; otherwise, once they grew powerful, they might one day truly destroy Konoha.

"Danzo, I leave the ambush to you. You may command the Anbu ninjas and combine them with your Root operatives; that should be no problem, right?"

After a moment of contemplation, Sarutobi Hiruzen looked up and spoke sternly to Danzo, who had been watching him intently.

"No problem. I will ensure not a single member of the Uchiha Clan leaves the Land of Fire."

Danzo was a sinister and cunning man by nature; ambushing others was a task that came naturally to him.

"Homura, Koharu, go and notify the major clans tomorrow. Have them dispatch their elite members to assist us in this operation!"

Konoha still needed to keep some ninjas behind for defense, and fearing that the number of ninjas pursuing the Uchiha Clan might be insufficient, Sarutobi Hiruzen turned to them.

"Understood!"

Hearing Sarutobi Hiruzen's words, Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu nodded quickly.

"To ensure there are no slip-ups, I will summon the Jonin tomorrow and have them join the battle as well."

Sighing softly, Sarutobi Hiruzen continued his arrangements.

Although Sarutobi Hiruzen was decisive in making these plans, his expression remained somewhat complex.

He did not wish to be this ruthless, but his position as the Third Hokage dictated that he could not act according to his own personal feelings; in his heart, Konoha always came first.

"Since everything is settled, Bohuo, you may return to the Uchiha Clan now. Report any changes immediately!"

Glancing at Bohuo, who was waiting nearby, Danzo said in a low voice.

"Yes!"

Bohuo did not hesitate and vanished from the spot instantly.

Sarutobi Hiruzen narrowed his eyes, a trace of fatigue flashing through them, before he said indifferently, "It is getting late. Tomorrow's mission will be heavy, so you should all return and rest early."

Nodding, Danzo, Mitokado Homura, and Utatane Koharu slowly left the room.

Once they had departed, Sarutobi Hiruzen scanned the quiet room and sighed.

In this moment, he felt the weight on his shoulders once again; it was not light, and at his age, having to deal with the Uchiha Clan made him feel somewhat overwhelmed.

However, recalling the Second Hokage's dying declaration naming him Hokage and entrusting Konoha to him, Sarutobi Hiruzen steeled himself, and a firm statement echoed through the room.

"Teacher, please rest assured. Even if I must sacrifice this old life, I will protect this village!"

Night in Konoha. Hidden within the darkness, the faint lights of the village were scattered like fireflies.

Though the night was deep, Sasuke could not sleep as he lay in bed. Sighing, he put on his clothes, opened the door, and stepped out.

Walking through the streets of the Uchiha district, illuminated by the streetlights, he looked at the crest on the walls—the fan symbol representing the Uchiha Clan. Sasuke's hand clenched involuntarily. The Uchiha Clan was to leave the village at dawn the day after tomorrow; he wondered what the outcome would be.

Back on Earth, "Sasuke" had read many transmigration novels. To cater to readers and maintain a style of constant posturing and face-slapping, authors always wrote their protagonists as invincible, easily resolving every disaster.

But Sasuke knew that those were just stories, while he existed in the real ninja world. If he did not work hard and stay cautious, he could easily die here!

Even during the last C-rank mission, if he hadn't awakened the Sharingan at the final moment, his corpse might have already been buried in the dirt.

He did not know how long he had been walking. As the night breeze brushed through his hair, he suddenly smiled and said softly, "I didn't expect to come here again!"

The place before him was the Naka Shrine, where the clan meeting had just been held. Feeling a bit tired from walking, Sasuke entered the shrine and sat down on a stone step.

"Sasuke, this is the third time already. Do you really want to see me that much?"

Shortly after Sasuke sat down, the space behind him suddenly rippled, and a masked figure slowly emerged.

Turning to see the masked figure, a surge of surprise quickly flooded Sasuke's face.

"You finally decided to show yourself?"

Not expecting to run into Obito Uchiha by pure chance tonight, Sasuke felt his body tremble slightly, and a moment later, he spoke with excitement.

"Heh heh... do you know who I am?"

Hearing Sasuke's words, as if he recognized him, Obito Uchiha smiled.

Of course I know who you are! Aren't you just Uchiha Obito, the one being used by Madara?

Internal monologue finished, Sasuke shook his head and said, "Although I don't know you, I know you are from the Uchiha Clan, and you are very powerful!"

To avoid trouble, Sasuke did not want to expose Uchiha Obito's true identity; some things were simply too difficult to explain clearly.

"How did you know I am from the Uchiha Clan?"

Filled with disbelief, Uchiha Obito asked immediately.

"It's simple. You always appear at Naka Shrine, a place where outsiders rarely come. Plus, the way you vanished in an instant last time, I figured you must have already awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan, and that your eyes possess the ability to travel through space-time!"

Coming up with a random excuse, Sasuke replied quickly.

"I never expected you to have studied space-time ninjutsu and the Mangekyo Sharingan. That is truly remarkable!"

Without denying Sasuke's theory, Uchiha Obito couldn't help but exclaim in admiration.

"Haha, a ninja never loses by learning a little more!"

Sasuke smiled slightly at Uchiha Obito's praise.

"Fine, what do you want with me?"

Crossing his arms over his chest, Uchiha Obito asked suddenly.

(The brothers on Qidian and QQ Reading have been voting like crazy lately, and I am very moved! Thank you all!

I am a new author, which means I am destined not to get good recommendations, or perhaps none at all! This means that no matter how well I write, very few Naruto fans will see this book. But as I have said before, I want to write one of the top five Naruto fanfictions, so I haven't given up, and I keep calling on everyone to vote for recommendations.

There might only be about a thousand brothers reading this right now, but I hope that one day, just by relying on us, we can defeat all other works! We are the best team!)