The Great Elder Passes

Konoha

Hokage Building

"Minato, you've worked hard these past few days."

Naraku away in Yuho City for more than half a month. After returning to Konoha, he went to the Hokage Building to take charge as usual.

"Fourth Hokage, you're too kind. Konoha is safe and sound. It's just some routine decision-making. With the assistance of the Twelve Departments, there isn't much of a workload."

Minato held the scroll, his tone gentle. As Naraku's assistant, Minato would essentially Acting Hokage Namikaze Minato Naraku went out.

In the 52nd year of Konoha's reign, more than a year and a half after the war between Konoha and other countries ended, most of the financial and other shortcomings caused by the Ninja War had been filled in by time. The ninjas of Konoha continued to complete missions, bringing revenue to Konoha.

The Land of Fire, Konoha, is relatively peaceful and tranquil, while the territories of other major powers remain chaotic and rife with conflict. As a result, the number of mission requests to Konoha is not significantly affected; on the contrary, it receives even more requests from employers.

Naraku the door to the Hokage Office opened, and an Uchiha clansman, Naraku, greeted him:

"Lord Hokage! Great Elder Dazang is dying. He sent me to invite you back to the clan's territory!"

"What!? Okay, I got it... Minato, I'm leaving this to you!"

Naraku realized something, gave a brief instruction, and turned to run towards the Uchiha Clan Compound.

Namikaze Minato glanced at the flustered Fourth Hokage, shook his head, and continued handling Hokage affairs with a hint of helplessness.

Uchiha Clan Compound

In the Great Elder's Residence, on the bed in the Great Elder's room, the Uchiha Great Elder, Uchiha Okura, had lifeless eyes and was barely breathing.

Standing nearby were Uchiha Fugaku, Uchiha Itachi, Uchiha Sanzang, and others.

"Uncle!"

Naraku, who had rushed over, arrived at the bedside of the Great Elder Uchiha Okura and called out to him.

Uchiha Okura expressionless, opened his cloudy eyes after hearing Naraku's words and reached out to grab Naraku's hand.

"Naraku... you've come."

Uchiha Okura managed to squeeze out a sentence with great difficulty.

Naraku felt deep respect for his uncle, the Great Elder, who had supported him and handed over the power of the Uchiha to him.

Throughout his many years as clan leader, Naraku never caused any trouble, and the clan members of the Great Elder's faction all came under Naraku's command.

"Yes, I'm here."

Naraku heard the words and responded softly.

Uchiha Okura's face had an unusual rosy glow, and he seemed to have regained some of his energy. A glimmer of light returned to his eyes. Although his aura was weak, his words were coherent. He glanced at Naraku carefully and said softly:

"When Naraku was founded, many members Konoha our Uchiha Hashirama Senju the First Hokage.

Later, Uchiha Madara became dissatisfied with Konoha and wanted to lead his clan Konoha, but no one was willing to follow him. This resulted in Uchiha Madara, the most important figure in the founding of Konoha, leaving the Konoha alone.

"I know, I know all of this, Uncle."

Naraku patted the Great Elder's hand to comfort him.

"Lord Madara's decision may not have been right, but it was indeed for the sake of the Uchiha Clan. Later, the Second Hokage Tobirama Senju, took over."

Many people in our clan are dissatisfied with the second generation, and they are vying for power and profit everywhere, reaching out to various departments in Konoha.

Ultimately, the Second Hokage Tobirama Senju, had no choice but to compromise and hand over full authority over the Konoha Security Department to us... cough cough..."

Uchiha Okura seemed to be overcome with memories, and softly recounted the past.

"I know, Uncle, no need to rush, speak slowly."

"When we first gained power in the Security Department, we were complacent and quieted down, no longer vying for power and profit."

However, it wasn't until more than ten years later that we discovered something... cough cough, something was wrong with this Security Department. The reputation of the Uchiha plummeted, and we were subjected to insults and ostracism from the Konoha and other clans.

Senju Tobirama, as expected of a strategist of the Warring States period, possessed extraordinary wisdom and resourcefulness. He used both overt schemes involving the power of the Security Department and some shady plots to weaken the Uchiha's strength.

Thankfully, he died during the First Shinobi World War; otherwise, who knows what would have happened to the Uchiha.

The Third Hokage... the Shinobi Hero Sarutobi Hiruzen, he was not a bloodthirsty person, but rather kind and gentle...

But his classmate, Shimura Danzō, anyone who has ever been in contact with Danzo will understand that Danzo is the second Senju Tobirama, or even more ruthless than Senju Tobirama.

The Third Hokage couldn't bring himself to do anything truly ruthless... so he left everything to Danzo to handle. The two of them, one forceful and the other gentle, were untouchable by anyone in Konoha.

Fortunately, Sarutobi Hiruzen is somewhat magnanimous. If things get really urgent, you can go to Sarutobi Hiruzen, and he will eventually take care of things.

However, what pleases me most is that the Uchiha produced a hero like you, Naraku... When you were young, I noticed your extraordinary nature. While other children were playing ninja games or pestering their parents, you were always quietly training in Ninjutsu by yourself.

From the moment you learned Chakra until you went into battle, eight years of relentless training without a single day's break...

Your precocity was so extraordinary that even back then, I felt that the future of the Uchiha might depend on you... uh...

As Uchiha Okura dying, he spoke more and more, then, as if tired of talking, he let out a breath.

"Uncle, I'm listening. I was born into the Uchiha Clan, so it's only right that I serve the Uchiha Clan."

Naraku held Uchiha Okura's hand and spoke softly.

"My feeling is right. You became the Uchiha Clan Head, and within a few days you were thinking about taking back power. Haha, you were too hasty."

However, you are someone we have high hopes for, and with the help of others, you quickly achieved results, which made me even more satisfied.

You easily resolved the shortcomings of the Security Department and the misunderstandings and dissatisfaction of the clansmen, minimizing their impact.

The Third Shinobi World War earned you a great reputation... Your benevolent actions and kindness towards others are even more remarkable, especially for the Uchiha.

Back then, I guessed that you might want to run for Hokage. Haha, I originally thought you would keep quiet and not say anything, but I didn't expect you to be so decisive at the crucial moment.

The Fourth Hokage! Our Uchiha is the strongest clan in the Shinobi World, so it's only right that we serve as Hokage for a term..."

Uchiha Okura raised his mouth slightly and continued:

"However, there are many factions within the Uchiha. Although the Clan Affairs Hall is under the jurisdiction of most clan members, there are still Hawks left by Lord Madara and many Doves that emerged after the founding of Konoha."

Naraku, sometimes you shouldn't be too soft-hearted. When it's time to raise the sword... you must raise the sword. When Sanzang and I were vying for power within the clan and establishing our prestige, we never showed any mercy...

Your weakness is that you're too kind... Those self-proclaimed descendants of the Moment of Setsuna, the so-called Hawks, who were involved in the recent turmoil... you only imprisoned them. You need to be more decisive in your actions. Regardless of faction, anyone who poses a real threat to you should be treated with leniency...

Remember, don't be soft-hearted...

Naraku stroked Dazang's hand, patiently listening to his uncle Dazang's teachings, but after waiting for a long time, he didn't hear anything more.

Looking up for a closer look, Uchiha Okura was no longer alive.

"Uncle!"

Naraku couldn't help but cry out in pain.

"Father!"

"Big brother!"

Fugaku and Sanzang, who were standing nearby, realized that Dazang had passed away and cried out with red eyes.

Uchiha, who commanded the Uchiha Okura for over thirty years, has passed away...

"Uncle, don't worry, everything in the family is under my control!"