"This matter cannot be rushed. Even if the Third steps down, Danzo remains the Hokage Assistant, a position of great power and influence. With the Third still around, I fear we cannot completely take him down over the human experimentation issue," Uchiha Fugaku said in a deep voice.
He looked at Uchiha Akira and added, "Even if we were to act, we must wait until Minato Namikaze has fully consolidated control over Konoha. Otherwise, Minato Namikaze will be too constrained, inevitably finding his hands tied."
"I am aware of this," Uchiha Akira nodded. "Once Minato Namikaze takes office, he will have the full support of the Uchiha Clan. Coupled with the assistance of the Ino-Shika-Cho trio, it won't take long to bring Konoha under control."
"Danzo harbors too much hostility toward our Uchiha Clan. The position of Hokage Assistant and the Root must no longer be under his control," Uchiha Akira continued.
The reason Danzo can act so recklessly is precisely because of the Root, which operates independently of the Anbu, and his status as Hokage Assistant.
Once stripped of these two titles, Danzo would be like a tiger without claws or fangs, posing no significant threat to the Uchiha Clan.
Much like Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu; although they are advisors, they do not hold much real power in their hands.
They find it difficult to intervene in Konoha's political affairs; it is only because Sarutobi Hiruzen was their old friend that they have any say at all.
Minato Namikaze is not Sarutobi Hiruzen. Once he takes office, the advisors' suggestions will certainly not carry the same weight as they did during Sarutobi Hiruzen's era.
"You are right," Uchiha Fugaku nodded. "We must find a way to remove Danzo from the position of Hokage Assistant, and we must also find a way to dismantle his Root. This man is too dangerous."
"The only thing to worry about is whether the Yellow Flash has the resolve to do it," Uchiha Akira said.
Uchiha Fugaku glanced at him and said, "Rest assured. Minato Namikaze has never lacked resolve. The boldness of the current Minato Namikaze is not something the aging Third can compare to."
"Then I am relieved," Uchiha Akira nodded.
Uchiha Fugaku has spent far more time interacting with Minato Namikaze than he has, and he understands Minato Namikaze much better.
Since he says so, it means Minato Namikaze is indeed full of boldness and resolve at this moment.
That evening, the ninja tools purchased from Nekomata's shop arrived.
A half-man-tall, chubby orange tabby cat licked its paw and said vaguely, "Nekomata told me to tell you that there is a lead on the person we were asked to find."
Hearing the cat's words, Uchiha Akira immediately understood and took a bag of dried fish from the drawer to hand over, then asked:
"Is it the Uzumaki Clan? Or that clan capable of Sage Mode?"
The orange cat, known as Jubupang, pulled the bag of dried fish over before saying unhurriedly:
"Nekomata said it is the Uzumaki Clan. It seems to be in the Land of Rain—a young woman. Her abilities are exactly as you described: she possesses immense life force and the ability to heal the wounds of those who bite her."
"We Ninja Cats have already memorized that woman's scent. When you go to the Land of Rain, there will be cats there to tell you her location," Jubupang said slowly.
"I understand. Thank you," Uchiha Akira's lips curled into a smile.
Jubupang looked at Uchiha Akira and said seriously, "Nekomata said this information is worth three million. She wants you to send the money as soon as possible."
"Wait a moment," Uchiha Akira said, walking into his room.
Before long, he walked out with a scroll and said, "There are four million in here. Please trouble yourself to give it to Nekomata."
"Are you ninjas all this rich?" Jubupang was somewhat surprised. Although it was just a cat, it knew that four million was a huge sum.
Even if I ate the most expensive dried fish every day, I could eat for ten years! Jubupang thought to itself.
"Where there is a will, there is a way!" Uchiha Akira laughed.
For others, making money might be difficult, but for Uchiha Akira, it was effortless.
The Sharingan is not just for show. Under the Sharingan, those companies, organizations, and underground black market trading spots are all glittering vaults; one can simply go and take what is needed.
He is not like the current ninjas. As a transmigrator, he wouldn't say he has no scruples, but he certainly has no qualms about taking action against these companies and organizations.
Under the genjutsu of the Sharingan, Uchiha Akira could never be short of money.
The next morning, Uchiha Akira and his three temporary teammates gathered in front of the Konoha gate.
Uchiha Akira looked at the three and introduced himself first: "Uchiha Akira, skilled in Fire Style, Lightning Style, and Wind Style."
"Aburame Shigang, skilled in the Aburame Clan's Insect Manipulation Jutsu," said Aburame Shigang, who was wearing a trench coat with a hood and sunglasses, as he spoke second.
"Hyuga Kaoru, skilled in the Gentle Fist," followed Hyuga Kaoru, whose appearance was exquisite and whose temperament was cold, not at all like a typical ninja.
"Yamanaka Shigeyoshi, skilled in the Yamanaka Clan's secret techniques, such as the Mind Transfer Jutsu," finally said the stern-faced Yamanaka Shigeyoshi.
The three were dressed differently, with no features identifying them as Konoha ninjas, nor any signs of their clan affiliations.
This mission was to enter the Land of Rain to gather intelligence, so naturally, they would not openly wear their Konoha Jonin vests.
Even Hyuga Kaoru had a piece of gauze wrapped around her forehead to cover the green Caged Bird Seal.
"These are the details of the mission. Read them carefully, and if you have any questions, ask now," Uchiha Akira said, handing a scroll to Aburame Shigang, who was standing first in line.
Aburame Shigang took the scroll and spread it out to read carefully.
Soon, the three people present had finished reading the scroll.
The difficulty of this mission was very high, and it had been classified as an S-rank mission by Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Since there was no third-party client, each of them would receive a mission reward of at least 100,000 ryo upon completion.
The mission rewards issued by Konoha official channels were naturally not as high as those from third-party clients.
Looking at the silent trio, Uchiha Akira asked, "Do you have any other questions? If not, we shall depart."
"Captain, no questions," Hyuga Kaoru's voice, clear and cold as a spring, rang out.
Uchiha Akira nodded slowly and said, "Then let us depart. During the mission, follow orders."
"Understood!" the three replied in unison, each pulling out a mask and donning it.
Seeing this, Uchiha Akira gave a slight nod and took out a Tiger-Pattern Mask to put on himself.
As a few fallen leaves drifted down, the figures of the four vanished from the spot, sprinting straight toward the Land of Rain.
Not long after Uchiha Akira and his squad departed from Konoha, Danzo, situated within Root, received the news.
"Lord Danzo, Uchiha Akira has already led his squad out, heading toward the Land of Rain."
The masked Root ninja knelt on one knee, reporting the information respectfully to Danzo, who sat upon the high seat in the main hall.
"Mm." Danzo nodded slightly and spoke, "Immediately notify the Root squads lurking in the Land of Rain. Leak some of the things we have done previously to Akatsuki, and at the same time, leak Uchiha Akira's information as well."
"Yes!" As the words fell, the Root ninja vanished using a Body Flicker technique.
"Very good. This way, I shall be able to witness a scene of dogs biting dogs!" Danzo's lips curled upward, a cold glint flickering in his eyes.
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