Uchiha Expert

Li Ke actually didn't mind Senju Tobirama using his body to display power and kill enemies.

Because he really needed war merits.

But he also didn't want to offend the Uchiha Clan!

"Second Hokage-sama! Isn't provoking them like this a bit much! It'll make things difficult for me!"

Li Ke complained wildly in his heart. Meanwhile, on the Uchiha side, Fugaku Uchiha, who hadn't intended to act, let out a cold snort at this moment.

"Hmph, then I'll let you witness the power of the Uchiha."

Fugaku Uchiha glared with his Three-Tomoe Sharingan, quickly formed hand seals, and the next moment, a massive flame erupted from his mouth.

The enormous flame instantly surged into the tornado released by Senju Tobirama, doubling its size. Senju Tobirama's slightly pleased voice then spoke.

"You're mistaken, this will actually help you build a good relationship with the Uchiha Clan... That's right, most people in the Uchiha Clan are like this. However, kid, did you remember the jutsu I just used?"

Li Ke didn't want to complain. After all, Senju Tobirama was an expert at dealing with the Uchiha Clan. Whatever he said, so be it. But regarding the Second Hokage's question, sensing that Senju Tobirama had cut off his chakra output and control over his body, he naturally understood what Senju Tobirama was thinking.

"It was alright--"

Li Ke's hands quickly formed hand seals, following Senju Tobirama's route to form seals and guide the power of chakra. Li Ke's talent, which was like a hard drive spirit, was incredibly terrifying when it came to learning things!

Because he even remembered the feeling Senju Tobirama had when guiding chakra!

Wind Style: Hurricane Divine Wind!

Although he didn't control the hurricane as precisely as the Second Hokage when guiding chakra, causing Li Ke to extract much more chakra, Li Ke successfully released the jutsu.

A more massive tornado than before blew from Li Ke's mouth and collided with the fire tornado stirred up by Fugaku Uchiha. In the next moment, the few remaining Kirigakure ninjas disappeared into the fiery tornado that swept across tens of thousands of square meters!

The three or four ninjas who had narrowly escaped were then surrounded by over a dozen Uchiha ninjas glaring with their Three-Tomoe Sharingan.

It was truly their bad luck. If they had only encountered their group of old, weak, sick, and disabled, they might have achieved some results.

But the problem was that the patriarch of the Uchiha Clan himself had led the elites to the battlefield. While the skill level of Kirigakure Jonin was slightly higher than that of Stone Village, it also depended on who they were compared to.

They were still a bit inferior to Konoha Jonin, and in reality, they were facing the elites of the Uchiha Clan and an evil old Senju ghost...

As the flames dispersed, those few ninjas were captured alive by the Uchiha Clan ninjas. Fugaku Uchiha, however, walked towards Li Ke, his eyes still glowing with the Three-Tomoe.

Li Ke frowned, instinctively reaching for a kunai, as that dark and frenzied chakra made him feel quite tense.

But Senju Tobirama controlled his body at this moment, even showing a smile.

"Well done, Patriarch of the Uchiha. But, wasn't my Wind Style also quite good?"

Senju Tobirama's tone was somewhat flippant, not at all like something he would say. Li Ke was already numb to this kind of in-your-face taunting, but to his surprise, Fugaku Uchiha laughed.

"Yes, very good. But without the Fire Style of our Uchiha Clan, Jonin Murata wouldn't have been able to kill that entire attacking force alone. However, we did borrow your strength. So, besides the merits for the few people captured by our Uchiha Clan, I will state in the subsequent report that Jonin Murata single-handedly defeated these fallen Kirigakure ninjas... After all, I don't want to be looked down upon!"

Fugaku Uchiha's words were filled with arrogance, seemingly unwilling to claim credit for killing enemies with Li Ke's help.

Li Ke was stunned because, if one ignored the tone and his smug demeanor, this was clearly an attempt to appease him!

But considering it, he now felt an urge to punch someone!

Then, Senju Tobirama, acting as Li Ke's mouthpiece, spoke.

"Hmph, are you looking down on me?"

Senju Tobirama's tone remained arrogant, but Fugaku Uchiha burst into laughter.

"After all, you've seen the power of our Uchiha Clan! We also don't want to be looked down upon!"

Then, Fugaku Uchiha left, laughing wildly.

Li Ke discovered that with his suddenly strengthened chakra perception, Fugaku Uchiha's emotions had become quite joyful.

Li Ke: "..."

Although he had long known that most Uchiha who awakened their Sharingan had issues, Li Ke couldn't help but ask the Uchiha expert.

"Is the Uchiha Clan always like this?"

He had avoided much contact with the Uchiha Clan to avoid suspicion back then. Obito Uchiha treated him like any ordinary person, without any particular affection, so he had given up on the idea of building a good relationship with the Uchiha Clan.

Therefore, he actually hadn't learned much about the Uchiha Clan.

But just observing Fugaku Uchiha's chakra, it seemed he admired him?

He could understand it, but when he actually encountered someone with a 'tsundere' personality like this, he still couldn't quite hold back.

Senju Tobirama also spoke.

"Yes, they have always been like this. I often use this tactic to make them willingly go to their deaths. Their competitive spirit and respect for the strong always play an unexpected role and bring out their strength at such times. Honestly, when sacrifices are needed, the Uchiha Clan is quite useful..."

Li Ke: "..."

Did I just hear something I shouldn't have?

And you really, truly hate the Uchiha Clan!

Li Ke couldn't help but think of Itachi Uchiha, and subconsciously asked in his mind.

"If, hypothetically, someone from the Uchiha Clan, under the Hokage's orders, annihilated the Uchiha Clan without harming Konoha, how would you view such a person?"

Senju Tobirama found Li Ke's question utterly baffling, but he still answered Li Ke's question seriously.

"As Hokage, I would consider this person a qualified ninja, a hero of Konoha, that's beyond doubt. But he must also become a rogue ninja. However, as Hokage, I will privately remember his contributions, but I will also dispatch ninja to hunt him down. And personally..."

Li Ke couldn't help but hold his breath.

"I would think he deserves to die, because anyone who can do such a thing must be the craziest of the crazy, and their harm to Konoha will be even greater! They must be eliminated!"

As expected of you!

Both choices and views were about cutting the grass and eliminating the roots!

Li Ke didn't feel like talking anymore. He glanced at the Uchiha clan ninja cleaning up the battlefield and couldn't help but sigh in his heart.

The Uchiha clan, honestly, their destruction wasn't undeserved.

Konoha Village did have discrimination.

But the problem was--

Even at this point, the Uchiha still had a well-organized ninja army!

While these disabled ninja had to go to the front lines, the Uchiha clan still had a complete ninja clan with ample funds. Although fighting Kirigakure had some restraints on the Uchiha clan, it wasn't a particularly great danger.

Because the number of Kirigakure ninja was very small, engaging in group combat was suicidal. Therefore, the battles between Konoha and Kirigakure were basically small-unit raids and infiltrations of defensive zones.

Large-scale battles rarely broke out.

And engaging the Uchiha clan in elite combat...

An Uchiha clan where everyone had three tomoe Sharingan, who could cast genjutsu with just a glare without hand seals, and were elites who could at least immobilize you for three seconds?

Li Ke was certain that even if all the newly graduated genin sent to the front lines died, not a single elite from the Uchiha clan might perish!

The Uchiha clan's kekkei genkai, the Sharingan, which could cast genjutsu instantly without seals, improve dynamic vision, copy ninjutsu, and see chakra, was a dimensional strike against most people.

Kirigakure's Water Style countered Fire Style, but Kirigakure ninja's most proficient techniques, the Mist Technique and assassination arts, were a joke in front of the Uchiha clan ninja who excelled at Fire Style.

"After this battle, the Uchiha clan's position within the village will likely become even more delicate."

Li Ke couldn't help but mutter in his heart, but Senju Tobirama didn't reply, only remaining silent.

So, after waiting for the Uchiha ninja to finish cleaning up the battlefield, Li Ke returned to the camp and reported the situation to Akimichi Choza.

Akimichi Choza wasn't concerned about this matter. After confirming the complete annihilation of the enemy, he ordered them to continue their journey.

After all, the battle just now had been very intense, and he had seen the precautions taken.

However, he couldn't help but praise Li Ke.

"Qingtan, your strength is truly growing."

Li Ke could only give an awkward smile.

But upon returning to the team, Li Ke saw Kurenai Yuhi, who was huffing with anger because she had been left behind due to his sudden acceleration, and Asuma, who was still looking displeased with his arms crossed.

Before he could even speak, Asuma spoke again, dropping another bombshell.

"Qingtan... I should have helped you write your retirement application earlier."

Asuma pursed his lips. He didn't want to see Li Ke having to fight desperately to "apologize" to his father because he had helped him.

Yes, Asuma could tell that Li Ke's active participation in the battle was to make amends.

To Asuma, this was an apology to his father!

But Li Ke could only offer a bitter smile.

"It's not that easy, Asuma. Besides, this is what I should do. As a ninja of Konoha, fighting hard is my duty. Actually, you haven't understood the Hokage-sama's intentions. He's actually doing this for our own good."

Asuma's expression changed instantly. He felt betrayed by Li Ke.

He had been working hard for Li Ke all along, but Li Ke kept mentioning "Hokage-sama" this and "Hokage-sama" that, even though that guy hadn't protected anything! And he had punished them!

"Shut up, Qingtan! You're just afraid to express your dissatisfaction! You just got out of the hospital!"

Li Ke fell silent. He knew Asuma wouldn't listen. In front of so many people, he couldn't explain the reasoning in detail.

"Don't say anymore, Asuma. A ninja's duty is obedience and fighting bravely, especially us ninja in wartime... I'll explain the specifics tonight. For now, let's hurry on our way."

He tried to keep his tone gentle, but Asuma fell silent.

"You're always like this, Li Ke, always like this, always acting so mature, just like my father, always pretending to be for everyone. I've had enough. Since you like him so much, then you can be his son from now on!"

Asuma truly felt betrayed by Li Ke. Everything he had done was clearly for Li Ke!

"Let's talk tonight, Asuma."

"No need, I don't want to listen anymore."

Asuma directly distanced himself from Li Ke. He had wanted to leave Li Ke for a long time after Li Ke woke up, not only because Li Ke had betrayed him, but also because...

Looking at Kurenai, who subconsciously grabbed Li Ke's sleeve, Asuma felt a mournful song in his heart.

He directly turned his head away, no longer looking at Li Ke.

Li Ke could only respond with helplessness. He couldn't just hand Kurenai over like a piece of merchandise.

Besides, that would be too much like a cuckold, and Kurenai had her own thoughts.

As for retirement, he had thought about it too, but it wasn't as simple as Asuma made it out to be.

As a member of a military organization, he was seriously injured while protecting his teammates during a mission. The leader's son pulled strings to get him priority treatment, saving his arm. Normally, this wouldn't be a big deal.

But the problem was, this happened during the Ninja Wars, when everyone was waiting for medical resources, and there were plenty of ninjas like him who were disabled protecting their comrades.

Many of them could have recovered, but due to time and bed shortages, they were forced to remain disabled.

So, if this incident blew up, it would be over. Asuma and Li Ke's political and social careers would essentially be over. Countless disabled ninjas would come after them, and the villagers would gossip endlessly.

And Danzo was dreaming of becoming Hokage at this very moment. How could he not make good use of such an excuse to strike at the Third Hokage?

At that point, Li Ke would basically be assigned to suicide missions.

Retire? Defect?

Even if he submitted his retirement request, it wouldn't be reviewed until after the war, or even until a new Hokage took office.

Ninjas aren't people you can just retire from. Even if you're injured, as long as you're given a mission, you still have to go.

Even if you have to be carried there.

After all, their squad wasn't lacking ninjas with disabilities, let alone the fact that he had only lost his right eye.

But such an injury was nothing to a ninja. As long as they had a suitable eye and a medical-nin skilled in the Mystical Palm Technique, they could easily replace the eye. Generally, ninjas with eye injuries either had their retinas destroyed, had been blind for too long for it to be fixable, or had some other secret technique. Therefore, powerful ninjas rarely had eye problems.

Chakra, quite magical, isn't it?

As for defecting, that was even more ridiculous. Li Ke, as a comrade of the Hokage's son and one of his future subordinates, defecting would be a genuine disgrace to Konoha Village. Even if a new Hokage took over, he would be hunted for life.

If he relied solely on his own strength, two squads dispatched by the new Hokage would be enough to finish him.

Even Jiraiya would make a special trip for him.

He'd basically get the same treatment as Orochimaru when he was being pursued, but without Orochimaru's strength.

And now, the Third Hokage was quickly sending him out on a mission to the front lines. As long as Li Ke's achievements this time were significant enough, or even if his performance was just average, it would silence countless people. If he achieved a decisive victory, he would soon have a matching eye, and he might even become colleagues with his future father-in-law.

That is, he would be responsible for teaching ninjutsu to Chunin and Genin who exchanged ninjutsu with military achievements and mission counts.

It sounds insignificant, doesn't it?

But this position allowed him to study some of the ninjutsu in the Scroll of Seals, all A-rank and below. He would also meet almost all the Chunin and Genin of Konoha. And unless there was a war that threatened to destroy the village, he wouldn't have to go on missions and would receive a substantial monthly salary.

A triple win of connections, techniques, and money.

What is the value of being a direct descendant of the Hokage's faction? This is it!

He, Murata Qingtan, was a purebred direct descendant of Konoha Village.

Therefore, with his injuries able to recover and the old ghost Senju helping him, retiring now would be an unwise decision.

But looking at the stubborn Asuma, that foolish son of a landlord, Li Ke still asked in his heart.

"Second Hokage-sama, can you leave a Flying Thunder God mark on Asuma? Asuma might do something impulsive... I want to ensure his safety as much as possible. If you have any requests, I will definitely fulfill them."

Although Asuma was indeed an annoying brat right now, the kind who was going through a chuunibyou phase.

But he was truly a friend with whom Li Ke had faced life and death. And to save him, Asuma had broken his own bottom line of not using his father's influence or his privileged status.

He couldn't just watch Asuma get into trouble.

So, a little insurance was a good thing.

However, Senju Tobirama's tone couldn't help but carry a hint of amusement.

"Hmph, what a troublesome brat."