The Uchiha Clan's Oath

Three days later.

All members of the Uchiha Clan gathered at the gates of Konoha.

Uchiha Fugaku had arranged this specifically; after all, if they wanted to gain the support of the villagers, they naturally had to let them see the sacrifices the Uchiha Clan was making.

One must know that in every previous Ninja World War, although the Uchiha Clan had contributed significantly, not a single villager felt that the clan had sacrificed anything, and they were even resented for their role in the Military Police Force.

This was the root cause of the conflict between the Uchiha Clan and the village: those who gave were not receiving their due reward and were instead targeted, which naturally led to a deteriorating relationship. This was especially true for the strong, and due to their bloodline and past glory, the Uchiha Clan considered themselves to be the strong.

At the same time, when they were first targeted, the Uchiha Clan—understanding that there was no hope while the Senju Clan held them down—naturally did not dare to express any desires. But as the Senju slowly faded away, leaving only Tsunade, who had abandoned her surname, the Uchiha Clan, having been suppressed too harshly, naturally began to harbor thoughts of rebellion.

After all, even a rabbit will bite when cornered, let alone the Uchiha Clan, who possessed the power of the Sharingan—and now, they were a Uchiha Clan no longer suppressed by the Senju.

But now, thanks to the efforts of Uchiha Fugaku, the treatment of the Uchiha Clan had improved, so naturally, no one wanted to carry out an armed revolution anymore. After all, who would want to risk their life when they were living well?

At the same time, with Danzo no longer there to stir up trouble, the Uchiha Clan's fair enforcement of the law even began to win the favor of some villagers.

After all, a person's efforts can naturally be seen by others.

There were even some villagers who came to see the Uchiha Clan off on this departure.

Seeing that the atmosphere was just about right, Uchiha Fugaku began the main purpose of this event.

A pledge of allegiance, declaring the difficulties and sacrifices the Uchiha were about to face.

"For the sake of the village, our Uchiha Clan will face the invasion of Kumogakure alone."

"Although the enemy is powerful—a village on the same level as Konoha—we, the Uchiha Clan, are on our own."

"But I am not afraid."

"Although this operation is destined to be difficult, clansmen, I ask you now: for the sake of the village, do you have the confidence?"

Hearing Uchiha Fugaku's words, the Uchiha clansmen shouted out with great fervor.

"We do! For the peace of the village, for the stability of every villager, even if we all die in battle, we will definitely repel Kumogakure!"

"For the village, we will definitely repel Kumogakure!"

"For peace, for the village..."

"..."

Seeing this scene, the villagers could not help but change their impression of the Uchiha Clan and began to wonder if they had been too harsh on them in the past.

Since the founding of the village, there had never been an instance where a single clan defeated an entire village. People are always inexplicably sympathetic to the weak, just as Danzo used to stir up conflict by disguising himself as a weakling to file complaints, inciting the sympathy of others and then provoking the anger of Uchiha ninjas to cause uncontrollable consequences.

And now, the Uchiha Clan was disguising themselves as the weak; at the very least, when facing Kumogakure, the Uchiha Clan was ostensibly the weaker party.

Just as the Uchiha clansmen were shouting, Uchiha Fugaku secretly observed the expressions of the Konoha villagers.

Finding that things were developing in the direction he had imagined, Uchiha Fugaku gave the order, and led the Uchiha clansmen toward the Land of Hot Water.

At the same time, the Uchiha clansmen who had been secretly intercepting the Anbu also withdrew and vanished.

Hokage Building.

Sarutobi Hiruzen, who had clearly seen this scene through the Telescope Technique, turned ashen-faced.

He subconsciously reached for the pipe beside him, wanting to take a few puffs to soothe his emotions.

Sarutobi Hiruzen had not expected that Uchiha Fugaku would pull such a stunt right before leaving.

With this move, the villagers' impression of the Uchiha Clan had completely changed.

After all, as the Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen naturally understood the consequences of such an action.

Moreover, based on Uchiha Fugaku's movements, Sarutobi Hiruzen had already grasped his goal: the next Hokage.

If he returned carrying the merit of defeating Kumogakure, the position of the next Hokage was not impossible.

After all, a clan capable of defeating a village naturally represented the power to go toe-to-toe with Konoha; he believed many fence-sitting families would choose to support him.

Coupled with the change in the villagers' perception, it was not that Uchiha Fugaku had no chance of becoming Hokage. Or rather, it wasn't just a possibility—the probability was quite high.

But Sarutobi Hiruzen could not personally intervene in the scene that had just occurred; after all, he needed the Uchiha Clan to fight steadily and hold back Kumogakure.

Sending the Anbu would be fine, but if Sarutobi Hiruzen himself stepped in, the problem would be huge.

If he were too heavy-handed, it might cause the conflict between the two sides to erupt directly. At worst, it could lead to a clash, or even the destruction of the village—after all, the results of that night had already shown the Uchiha Clan's resolve.

And if he were too weak, Sarutobi Hiruzen appearing in person would represent the dignity of the Hokage; to step forward and concede would be to slap his own face, letting those families realize that the Third Hokage was a coward.

Both of these outcomes were things Sarutobi Hiruzen was unwilling to see.

Just as Sarutobi Hiruzen was lost in thought, puffing away at his pipe in melancholy, the door to the Hokage's office was kicked open once again.

"Hiruzen, what is going on with the Uchiha Clan?"

"How dare they?"

"To stage such a scene right at the village gates? Buying people's hearts in broad daylight."

"This is clearly a bid for the position of Hokage, a grab for the next term."

"Why didn't you stop them?"

Hearing Utatane Koharu's words, Sarutobi Hiruzen, hidden behind a veil of smoke, didn't even look up as he replied directly.

"How was I to stop them? How would you have me stop them?"

"The Anbu I sent were already intercepted by those Uchiha ninjas lurking in the shadows."

"Are you suggesting that I, Sarutobi Hiruzen, should have gone to stop them myself?"

"And would you two be the ones to handle Kumogakure then?"

"Shall your clans step up to replace the Uchiha?"

Hearing this, the previously furious Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu were instantly silenced.

Yet, a sliver of fear rose in their hearts—fear of retaliation from the Uchiha Clan, for they had certainly played their part when Danzo targeted the Uchiha.

And at the mere thought of Uchiha Fugaku vying for the Hokage seat, at the prospect of an Uchiha becoming Hokage, Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu found themselves unable to rest or eat in peace.

Because they both had their own clans to look after, and having witnessed the plight of the Uchiha, they could hardly imagine the consequences for their own families should Uchiha Fugaku become Hokage and decide to settle old scores.

Seeing the two of them fall silent, Sarutobi Hiruzen let out a deep sigh and said.

"Prepare yourselves. Let us hope Kumogakure can cause them enough trouble."

"Or perhaps..."

Hearing this, the expressions of Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu darkened, shifting with uncertainty.

After leaving Konoha.

Once they were a good distance from the village, Uchiha Itachi could not help but pose the question.

"Father, is it really wise to do this?"

"Won't this cause the relationship between the village and the clan to deteriorate further?"

Hearing Uchiha Itachi's inquiry, Uchiha Fugaku replied decisively.

"It will not."

Uchiha Fugaku had prepared this answer for a long time, and he had been waiting for Uchiha Itachi to ask.

After all, ever since he gained the ability to hear the inner voices of his clansmen, Uchiha Fugaku had been constantly resolving their difficulties to forge a united clan.

And his eldest son, stubborn and easily swayed, was naturally a primary focus of Uchiha Fugaku's attention.

Hearing Uchiha Fugaku's resolute answer, Uchiha Itachi pondered for a moment before asking further.

"Why?"

Uchiha Fugaku did not answer immediately, but instead said.

"You will understand once you have experienced this war."

Watching his father's back, Uchiha Itachi fell into deep thought.

Experience this war, he wondered?