Shifting Tides

Konoha

Uchiha Clan Compound

Since the establishment of the Clan Affairs Hall, the Uchiha clan association has moved from its original location at the Naka Shrine.

In the Clan Affairs Hall's conference room, a long table was filled with the Uchiha Clan Jonin, elders, and Clan Affairs Hall managers.

"Clan Chief, our Uchiha has the merit of subduing Hidden Mist, Naraku's name resounds throughout the Shinobi World. However, many of our Uchiha clan members have been killed or wounded in the war, and nearly half of the clan's families within the clan territory are wearing mourning clothes."

The Third Hokage not only failed to fulfill his promise to adjust the Police Department's budget by 300 million, but now he can't even pay the compensation for his clansmen who died in battle. What exactly does the Third Hokage mean by this?!

A Jonin, whose body was mostly wrapped in bandages and who had clearly survived severe battlefield injuries, Jonin with respect and pride at the beginning, but his words were filled with deep dissatisfaction at the end.

"Yes! Clan Chief! Our clansmen sacrificed their lives for Konoha, yet our families have not received proper care. This, this..."

An older Jonin also Jonin towards the village.

Great Elder Uchiha Okura, having ruled the Uchiha clan for many years and possessing rich experience in governance, could see the current situation and difficulties of Konoha. He said softly:

"With the successive battles of the past two years, Konoha's finances are probably struggling to survive. As far as I know, not only are the Uchiha's compensation payments in arrears, but many other major clans and ninjas' compensation payments are also still outstanding."

Although Uchiha Okura disliked Sarutobi Hiruzen, he had to speak up and say something fair. The Fourth Shinobi World War was in full swing; it wasn't the time to back down.

Many Uchiha Jonin at Uchiha Okura, wanting to say something, but ultimately remained silent, awaiting the clan leader Naraku's decision.

Naraku led the Konoha Ninja to defeat Hidden Mist and formed an alliance with the Mizukage. After returning to Konoha in triumph, Uchiha Nara and the Uchiha Clan's prestige soared.

The subjugation of Hidden Mist, the signing of a non-aggression pact between Hidden Mist and Konoha, and the payment of 20 billion yen in reparations are unprecedented in recent years' wars.

In the past, although there were victories, they mostly resulted in both sides signing non-aggression pacts as a formality, allowing each side to rest and lick its wounds. As for reparations, that was never the case.

Naraku's Konoha Ninja, in their battle on the East Coast against Hidden Mist, successfully forced Hidden Mist to sign a contract and received 5 billion ryo in compensation from Hidden Mist on the spot.

The remaining 15 billion taels of indemnity from the Hidden Mist will be paid off in three years, 5.3 billion taels per year, with the extra 300 million taels each year serving as interest.

After Konoha relayed the good news back to Konoha, the Hokage recalled the eastern defense forces to Konoha for rest and reorganization, and also dispatched some troops to reinforce the Northwestern Stronghold against Iwagakure.

Subsequent matters such as the signing of treaties between the two countries will be handled by the Hokage's people. After Naraku has finished making the initial arrangements and collecting the payment, Naraku will no longer be responsible for the miscellaneous affairs Land of Water and Hidden Mist.

Naraku looked at the room Jonin of Uchiha, and after a moment's thought, said:

"In this battle against the Hidden Mist's East Coast, more than 12,000 Konoha Ninja troops suffered nearly 4,000 casualties, with more than 2,000 killed and nearly 2,000 wounded to varying degrees."

This is just the battle between the East Coast and Hidden Mist. Before that, Konoha also fought a major battle against Hidden Sand, a major battle against Iwagakure, and a clash with Kumogakure.

Although the casualties in the other major battles are unknown, they were likely no less than those in the East Coast campaign.

Konoha and Hidden Mist clashed three times, lasting a total of nearly a year and a half. Hidden Mist invaded three times, with the third being the true battle between the two sides.

The third true battle between the two sides lasted one day on the coast and another day on the sea, Naraku's defeat of the Mizukage and the Mizukage's retreat.

Then Naraku a trick, and most of the Kirigakure Hidden Mist fled. The Mizukage's disappearance prevented him from stopping the Hidden Mist's escape in time.

When the Mizukage finally emerged, although he unleashed a powerful Water Style ninjutsu and seemed poised to turn the tide of battle, the Ninjutsu was countered by Naraku, and the two sides eventually ceased hostilities and signed an alliance.

After a brief pause, Naraku sighed and continued:

"Konoha has been engaged in multiple battles for a long time, and the village's potential has been exhausted. Everyone has a responsibility to protect Konoha. The compensation is only delayed and will be paid later, so please rest assured."

After Naraku return, although his prestige soared to its peak, he was not optimistic about Konoha's situation after learning about the recent events Konoha.

According to intelligence, Kumogakure and Iwagakure are in peace talks, Iwagakure's Tsuchikage, Ōnoki, intends to return the body of the Third Raikage to Kumogakure.

Naraku's words forced the Uchiha Jonin their seats to suppress their dissatisfaction.

Since the clan chief has said so, what else can they do?

After calming and reassuring the many Jonin of the Uchiha, Naraku regained his composure and continued:

"Konoha is in a dire situation right now. The village is facing a shortage of ninja, and all the ninja clans have suffered heavy casualties. Even the Third Hokage is struggling to provide compensation for the victims."

Sarutobi Hiruzen, as Hokage, is largely to blame. After the conflicts between the other major powers are resolved, we should impeach the Third Hokage and elect a new, promising ninja as Hokage."

Naraku soon as Naraku finished speaking, the elders and Jonin of the Uchiha all lit up with excitement. Did this mean that Naraku wanted to run for Hokage?

Having contributed to quelling the Hidden Mist, he is qualified to run for election. With some maneuvering, his chances could even be considered very high.

"Naraku, you're right! Sarutobi Hiruzen from office!"

"Support the clan leader's candidacy for Hokage!"

"Hmm, if that's the case, then we should restrain ourselves."

Upon hearing Naraku's words, the Uchiha's Jonin and elders all nodded in agreement.

Naraku glanced at the Jonin Uchiha and nodded slightly:

"The great battle has returned. Everyone should rest and recuperate, and take good care of your health. Konoha still needs our contributions. The Ninja War is not over yet."

That concludes the meeting. Let's adjourn!

"Hi!"

Dozens of high-ranking Uchiha ninjas got up and left, leaving only a few veteran leaders and high-ranking members of the Clan Affairs Hall in the room.

"The statistics are in: the Uchiha lost 835 members, your team, clan leader, lost 205, and the remaining members from other battlefields totaled 630."

Among them, 53 elite warriors awakened the Sharingan, but the bodies of three of them are missing, and their Sharingan were not retrieved.

During Uchiha Nara, the Uchiha Yashiro assisted in coordinating and managing the Uchiha.

"Over eight hundred of my clansmen were killed in battle. I fought in the Hidden Mist, a fierce battle, and was even at a disadvantage, yet I only lost a little over two hundred. How did they lose over six hundred of their people?"

Upon hearing the casualty figures, Naraku couldn't help but narrow his eyes.

" On the Iwagakure Battlefield, Konoha is fighting against overwhelming odds. The battle in the northwest Iwagakure is simply too intense."

Uchiha Fugaku, who had not left his seat during the meeting, spoke softly.

"To defeat a large force with a small one?"

Naraku glanced at Uchiha Fugaku and said softly, his expression displeased, and he had some guesses in his mind.

Was this Uchiha Fugaku fighting to the death for Konoha in the northwest?

During the great battle between Konoha and Iwagakure, Naraku ordered Uchiha Fugaku to lead his clan's ninja to reinforce the Northwestern Stronghold. Fugaku played a vital role in the war, and his reputation as the Wicked Eye Fugaku spread once again.