The Uchiha Clan Fights Well, But Doesn't Like to Fight!

After hearing Natsume's description, Orochimaru's eyes lit up even more.

"So that's how it is! These side effects are much better than those from previous experiments!"

Clearly, compared to before, this transplant of Natsume's was undoubtedly the most successful, with the fewest side effects!

It could almost be considered more than halfway to total success!

It was even a massive step forward for Orochimaru in the field of transplant surgery!

It was just that he didn't know how many people would be haunted by terrifying nightmares in the future once this brat Natsume perfected his eyes through this surgery.

Well! It has nothing to do with me anyway; I'm just a researcher.

Orochimaru thought with a helpless sigh.

If he had been able to contend with Natsume by giving it his all just a few days ago, then now, even if several of him were tied together, he probably wouldn't be a match for this brat, right?

Sigh!

Has the ninja world changed so much recently?

With such astonishing monsters appearing one after another, he was afraid he wouldn't be able to keep up with the times!

After the surgery was successful, there was no need for Natsume to continue lingering here.

To be honest, the atmosphere and the smell inside this laboratory were both unpleasant.

Soon, Natsume dispelled his shadow clone, retrieved the Divine Blade, and put on his clothes.

Of course, before leaving, he specifically asked about the arrangements in the Land of Fields.

"Is everything ready over in the Land of Fields?"

To put it bluntly, his relationship with Orochimaru was one of mutual utilization and transaction.

Getting what each needed was the cornerstone of this relationship.

And his own strength was the bond that guaranteed it.

As long as he was strong enough and continued to grow stronger, Snake Auntie, as cunning as a snake and as shrewd as a rat, would never dare to tear off the mask and turn against him!

To this, Orochimaru immediately responded:

"Of course!"

"Everything has been arranged. I estimate that the lord of the country will personally issue the state decree today."

"Recognizing the legitimacy of the Uchiha Clan and the Flame Hidden Village!"

Natsume laughed, "You really did find a good puppet!"

Orochimaru: "Lord Natsume is too kind. It's just for convenience; I haven't laid a hand on the citizens of the Land of Fields."

"Besides, most of the test subjects here are bandits and rogue ninjas captured from various places..."

"I don't care who else you capture."

"But if you dare to reach into my village."

"You know the consequences!"

Natsume glanced at him again; those still-scarlet Mangekyo Sharingan were truly too terrifying.

"Of course, I will be careful!"

Orochimaru nodded with a smile; he still knew how to measure his boundaries.

Just like that, Natsume quickly left Otogakure and returned to his own village.

When he returned to the village, it was already noon.

It was evident that he had spent the better part of the day in Orochimaru's base.

Of course, having successfully transplanted the Hashirama Cells, gained a massive boost in strength, and shed the side effects of the Mangekyo Sharingan, Natsume was in a great mood and feeling quite elated.

He didn't even bother to hide his figure.

Instead, he strolled back along the main street with a swagger.

It was a good opportunity to see how the village's construction was coming along.

"Young Clan Head!"

"Greetings, Young Clan Head!"

"Big Brother Natsume!"

"Young Clan Head, these are freshly grilled skewers, please have a taste!"

"We just traded for these fruits from the commoners in the neighboring village, try some!"

Seeing their Young Clan Head appear, many simple and enthusiastic clansmen along the street crowded around him.

While greeting him, they handed Natsume all sorts of delicious food and fruits.

Soon, a high pile had accumulated in Natsume's arms.

It was evident that although Natsume was young, for the Uchiha Clan, which revered the strong, an outstanding Young Clan Head was naturally worthy of their respect and love.

Moreover, it was the Young Clan Head who had led them away from the 'Konoha den of demons'.

Therefore, almost every clansman here regarded Natsume as their benefactor and their true Young Clan Head.

If anyone dared to stand up and oppose the Young Clan Head, it was likely that the others would tear them apart before Natsume even had to lift a finger.

Just like that, Natsume chatted happily with everyone while collecting various gifts as he walked toward his residence.

By the time he reached his front door, the pile of offerings in his arms was already taller than he was.

Just looking at it was quite a pleasant sight.

Just then, before Natsume could open the door, the [Wandering Shrine Maiden] Nonō came running out, dressed in a maid outfit.

She took most of the gifts from Natsume.

"Director Nonō, what is this?" Natsume's eyes lit up, slightly surprised.

"This was given to me by Lady Hazuki."

"Since I have received the great kindness of Lord Natsume in allowing us to live here, I will do my best to take care of your daily life for the time being!"

"I hope for your permission, my lord."

"Aunt Hazuki really loves to worry for nothing!"

"Fine, do as you please. I can't exactly kick you out, can I?"

Natsume waved his hand, granting permission.

Besides, it had to be said, this shrine maiden looked quite good in a maid outfit!

"And that guy Kabuto?"

"I heard that an Orphanage is being built in the West District of the village. He went to help out."

"That's fine. There's plenty of food here, so there's no need to cook lunch. Also, take some of this to Kabuto and the construction workers to share."

"Thank you, my lord!"

Nonō bowed her head in gratitude.

"They really are something. Most of them followed me in defecting with nothing to their names. They don't have much surplus food at home, yet they gave me so much..."

Looking at the large pile of offerings in front of him, Natsume couldn't help but smile with a hint of distress.

"Doesn't this just prove how deeply loved you are by your clansmen, my lord?"

"Are all shrine maidens this good at flattery?"

Nonō gave a gentle smile and continued:

"Although I haven't been here long, the villagers here, and you, Lord Natsume, are completely different from the Uchiha Clan I was told about!"

"When I was in Root, all the ninjas were indoctrinated with the idea that the Uchiha were an evil clan, extremely warlike and insidious, and must be guarded against at all times!"

"But right now, all I see is a group of enthusiastic and kind-hearted ordinary people, all working hard to build the village and striving to survive..."

"Perhaps, this is the true Uchiha Clan?"

Nonō sighed from the bottom of her heart.

Here, she felt even more at ease than she ever did back in Konoha...

"Of course!"

"No one is born inherently evil."

"Discrimination and prejudice are often the very sources that incite sin."

"Root is like that, and Konoha is no different!"

"From the very beginning, it wasn't that we hated Konoha, but rather that Konoha hated us..."

"In any case, this place will surely become a new village that is vastly different from Konoha in the future!"

Natsume stated with earnest conviction.

The Uchiha Clan is skilled in battle, but they do not crave it!

There is a fundamental difference between being skilled in battle and craving it!

One must remember that even when their ancestor Uchiha Madara first helped establish Konoha and later attempted to overthrow the village to seize power, the majority of the Uchiha clansmen opposed him, unwilling to lose the hard-won peace.

It is clear that those who slandered the Uchiha Clan as war-mongers were nothing but liars!

And in the future, as the Flame Hidden Village develops and grows strong, these slanders will inevitably collapse on their own.

Afterward, Natsume hastily finished his lunch.

He then headed outside the village.

Finding an open space, he began to practice the ninjutsu and abilities he had recently mastered.

His strength had surged too rapidly over the past few days. If he didn't hone it properly, he would suffer greatly if he made a mistake in future battles.

At the same time, Nonō also went out to deliver meals.

Inside the house, only a Panda remained, lounging on the threshold with its legs crossed, basking in the sun and taking a nap.

However.

Compared to the peaceful and orderly development of the Flame Hidden Village.

The news that emerged from the Land of Fields that very noon—the official recognition of the Uchiha Clan and the legitimacy of the Flame Hidden Village—was like a giant boulder crashing into a lake.

It quickly stirred up massive ripples throughout the entire ninja world.

The five great hidden villages and countless smaller ones were all shaken by the news.