Three days later
All the Uchiha clan members gathered at the entrance to Konoha.
Uchiha Fugaku had arranged this deliberately. If they wanted the villagers' support, they naturally had to make them aware of the Uchiha Clan's sacrifices.
After all, during every previous Shinobi World War, the Uchiha Clan had contributed greatly, yet in the end, not a single villager thought they had sacrificed anything. They had even earned resentment because of their role in the Military Police Force.
This was the root cause of the conflict between the Uchiha Clan and the village. Those who made sacrifices had not received the reward they deserved, but had instead been targeted. Naturally, this caused relations to worsen and worsen. This was especially true of the strong—and because of their bloodline and past glory, the Uchiha Clan considered itself strong.
At first, when they began to be targeted, the Uchiha Clan knew there was no hope of resisting because the Senju were keeping them in check, so they naturally kept their ambitions hidden. But as the Senju gradually disappeared, until only Tsunade remained, having abandoned her surname, the Uchiha Clan—after being suppressed so harshly—naturally began to harbor thoughts of rebellion.
After all, even a rabbit would bite when cornered, let alone the Uchiha Clan, with the power of the Sharingan. And now the Uchiha had lost the Senju's restraint.
Now, thanks to Uchiha Fugaku's efforts, the Uchiha Clan's treatment had improved, so no one wanted to start a revolution by force anymore. After all, who wanted to risk their life when things were going well?
And with Danzo no longer stirring up trouble, the Uchiha Clan's fair enforcement of the law had even earned them some goodwill from the villagers.
After all, people could see when someone was making an effort.
Some villagers even came to see the Uchiha Clan off this time.
Seeing that the atmosphere was right, Uchiha Fugaku began the main part of what he had planned to do.
He would rally his people and declare the difficulties and sacrifices the Uchiha were about to face.
"For the sake of the village, our Uchiha Clan will face the invasion from Kumogakure alone this time."
"Though our enemy is powerful, a village on the same level as Konoha, and our Uchiha Clan stands alone."
"I'm not afraid."
"This mission is certain to be difficult. Clan members, I ask you now: do you have confidence in the village?"
Hearing Uchiha Fugaku's words, the Uchiha clan members, their blood stirred, shouted out loudly.
"We do! For the village's peace and for the safety of every villager, even if we all die in battle, we will drive Kumogakure back!"
"For the village, we will drive Kumogakure back!"
"For peace, for the village..."
"..."
Seeing this, the villagers couldn't help but change their opinion of the Uchiha Clan. They began to wonder whether they had been too harsh on them in the past.
Ever since the village was founded, no single clan had ever defeated an entire village. People naturally tended to sympathize with the underdog. It was just as when Danzo had stirred up trouble: he had disguised himself as a victim and gone to lodge a complaint, winning people's sympathy and then provoking the Uchiha ninja's anger, which led to consequences that spiraled out of control.
Now the Uchiha Clan was presenting itself as the underdog. At least when facing Kumogakure, the Uchiha Clan was clearly the weaker side.
As the Uchiha clan members shouted,
Uchiha Fugaku watched the Konoha villagers' reactions from the side.
Seeing things develop as he had hoped, Uchiha Fugaku gave the order and led the Uchiha clan members toward the Land of Hot Water.
At the same time, the Uchiha clan members who had been secretly holding back the Anbu withdrew and disappeared.
Hokage Building
Sarutobi Hiruzen had seen the whole scene clearly through the Telescope Technique, and his face turned livid.
Almost unconsciously, he reached for the tobacco pipe beside him, wanting to take a few puffs to calm himself down.
Sarutobi Hiruzen had never expected Uchiha Fugaku to pull a stunt like this just before leaving.
By doing this, he had completely changed the villagers' impression of the Uchiha Clan.
As Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen naturally understood what this would lead to.
And judging by Uchiha Fugaku's actions, Sarutobi Hiruzen had already understood his goal: the next Hokage.
If he returned with the achievement of defeating Kumogakure,
the next Hokage Position might not be out of reach.
After all, a clan capable of defeating an entire village was clearly powerful enough to stand toe-to-toe with Konoha. Many fence-sitting clans would surely choose to support him.
Combined with the villagers' changed opinion, Uchiha Fugaku might well become Hokage.
Actually, it wasn't that he might become Hokage. His chances were very good.
But Sarutobi Hiruzen couldn't personally step in to stop what had just happened. The Uchiha Clan needed to depart safely and hold back Kumogakure.
Sending the Anbu was one thing, but if Sarutobi Hiruzen himself got involved, it would cause a much bigger problem.
If he was too forceful, it might cause the conflict between the two sides to erupt outright. At worst, it could even lead to a clash—or the destruction of the village. After all, the results of that night had already shown just how resolute the Uchiha Clan could be.
But if he was too weak, Sarutobi Hiruzen's personal involvement would represent the Hokage's dignity. Backing down would mean slapping himself in the face and showing the other clans that
the Third was a coward.
Neither outcome was one Sarutobi Hiruzen wanted to see.
As Sarutobi Hiruzen sank into thought, brooding and puffing away at his pipe, someone kicked open the Hokage's office door again.
"Hiruzen, what's going on with the Uchiha Clan?"
"How dare they?"
"Putting on a show like that at the village entrance? They're openly trying to win people over."
"It's obvious they're coveting the Hokage Position and trying to claim the next Hokage seat."
"Why didn't you stop them?"
Hearing Utatane Koharu's words, Sarutobi Hiruzen didn't even raise his head from the smoke. He simply said,
"How was I supposed to stop them? What do you want me to do?"
"The Anbu I sent over were already blocked by the Uchiha ninja hiding in the shadows."
"Are you telling me you want me—Sarutobi Hiruzen—to stop them personally?"
"Then who's going to deal with Kumogakure? You?"
"Will your clan take the Uchiha Clan's place?"
At this, Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu, who had been fuming, fell silent at once.
But they also felt a trace of fear. They were afraid of the Uchiha Clan's retaliation, since they had both helped Danzo target the Uchiha Clan.
And when they thought of Uchiha Fugaku vying for the Hokage Position, and the possibility of the Uchiha Clan producing a Hokage, Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu found themselves unable to eat or sleep in peace.
They had their own clans to worry about. Having seen the Uchiha Clan's situation, they could hardly imagine what would happen if Uchiha Fugaku became Hokage and settled scores with them, targeting their clans.
Seeing the two of them fall silent, Sarutobi Hiruzen let out a deep sigh and said,
"Get ready. Hopefully Kumogakure will give them enough trouble."
"Or..."
Hearing this, Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu's expressions darkened, their emotions uncertain.
After leaving Konoha,
once they were far from the village, Uchiha Itachi still couldn't help asking,
"Father, was it really a good idea to do that?"
"Could it make the relationship between the village and the clan deteriorate again?"
Hearing Uchiha Itachi's question, Uchiha Fugaku answered decisively.
"No."
Uchiha Fugaku had prepared that answer long ago. He had been waiting for Uchiha Itachi to ask.
After he had gained the ability to hear his clan members' thoughts, Uchiha Fugaku had been working to solve their problems and build a united clan.
His eldest son was stubborn and easily misled, so Uchiha Fugaku naturally kept a close eye on him as well.
Hearing Uchiha Fugaku's firm answer, Uchiha Itachi thought for a moment, then asked,
"Why?"
Uchiha Fugaku didn't answer right away. Instead, he said,
"You'll understand after this war."
Looking at his father's back, Uchiha Itachi fell into thought.
After this war?
Before you continue