Determined to Eliminate the Otomo Clan

"The Otomo Clan is truly a local tyrant. Not only do they possess elite samurai who have refined chakra, but they also have rogue ninja in their ranks to act as their bodyguards. With their vast landholdings, control over casinos and the black market, and the official protection of the Land of Fire, they are effectively the overlords of the northwest. Furthermore, because they only target merchants without backing or those from small nations, their victims have no way to retaliate. To me, however, this is simple."

"I couldn't care less about their backing. On the contrary, the wealth they possess could bring me quite a harvest!" Uchiha Tenshu pondered, his thoughts drifting to the various schools being abolished across the Land of Fire and the abundance of talent left in their wake. Now that he had subdued Nakayama Hiroshi and consumed the resources of the Otomo Clan, he could easily use them to recruit his own men.

A thought flashed through his mind.

Uchiha Tenshu looked at Uchiha Sakurako. He could certainly handle them alone, but he couldn't guarantee that no fish would slip through the net. With Uchiha Sakurako's help, he could ensure that everything went off without a hitch.

Feeling Uchiha Tenshu's gaze, Uchiha Sakurako regained her composure and asked, "What is it? You intend to wipe out the entire Otomo Clan? Aren't you afraid of provoking the village?"

Uchiha Tenshu gave her a strange look and replied, "Do you really think our Uchiha Clan needs to consider the village's feelings before we act? Besides, the village's mission system is entirely controlled by the Senju Clan. Even if something goes wrong, it has nothing to do with us. Furthermore, as long as the news doesn't leak out and the village doesn't find out, won't that be enough?"

In Uchiha Tenshu's eyes:

Although the current Konoha appeared peaceful and serene, like an unpolished gem, it was vastly different from the future Konoha Shinobi Village, which would establish a Ninja Academy, a Military Police Force, and a standardized mission-acceptance model.

In the future, Konoha would function like an iron-blooded mercenary organization, absorbing the entire village into its structure.

By relying on its own immense power, it would claim over fifty percent of all missions in the Ninja World, ensuring that the profits from the entire world's mercenary industry were continuously funneled into the village. They would accept any mission unconditionally, and even if they didn't, they would protect the client's information and safety.

But at this moment, compared to that future version which acted solely for the sake of the client, Konoha was more like a deterrent weapon serving the Daimyo and the nobility of the Land of Fire.

Every year, the Land of Fire provided massive sums of money to be distributed by the leader of Konoha to the various clans. In return, the village bore the heavy responsibility of defending the Land of Fire from foreign enemies, safeguarding its territorial security and interests.

Of course, in terms of this exchange of interests, the Land of Fire provided the funding, while the Konoha ninja resided in the village, refrained from interfering in the Land of Fire's internal affairs, and protected its safety.

For instance, among the missions currently available in Konoha, the Daimyo and the nobility would specifically issue tasks exclusive to the village—things like finding lost cats or dogs, or acting as escorts for what were essentially vacations. These were not only easy but also paid handsomely; they were deliberate moves by the high-ranking officials of the Land of Fire.

On one hand, it allowed the ninja of Konoha to gradually adapt to this mission model; on the other, it was a way to spend vast amounts of money to build good relationships with the various clans.

Beyond that, there were missions issued by outsiders, which the high-ranking officials would distribute to the various clans to complete.

However, these missions from outsiders had yet to become the mainstream in Konoha. Each major clan had its own territory and managed its own interests, naturally looking down on such tasks. Under the suppression of Hashirama Senju, the God of Shinobi, the Ninja World remained largely peaceful. Consequently, there was little potential for conflict in these missions, which were mostly limited to protection or escort duties. Such tasks were perfect for building relationships with the nobility and securing profits.

In contrast, missions from ordinary outsiders offered neither lucrative rewards nor prestige, consumed excessive time, and could even damage a clan's reputation if they failed.

This was precisely why a powerful entity like the Otomo Clan could obtain intelligence from Konoha.

Between the high-ranking nobility and the impoverished masses, Konoha clearly had no hesitation in its choice.

And within the Konoha of this moment:

As the second-in-command of the Senju Clan, Tobirama Senju held a tight grip on the mission board, handing the easy tasks to his own Senju Clan and their allied clans. Meanwhile, missions from outsiders or foreign nations were offloaded to the less significant clans, and those that were difficult or prone to failure were assigned to the Uchiha.

For example, when Konoha was first established, there was a mission from the Land of Lightning involving the Ketsuryugan Clan and the succession of the Land of Lightning's Daimyo. It involved a clan possessing a Kekkei Genkai capable of rivaling the Sharingan. Even though the mission was first offered to the Senju, it was ultimately dumped on the Uchiha. It appeared as though the mission was successfully completed.

Yet, it had thoroughly offended the Daimyo of the Land of Lightning and earned them a deadly enemy in the Ketsuryugan Clan.

Faced with this model where the Senju Clan took the benefits and the Uchiha Clan bore the burdens, Uchiha Tenshu didn't care about disrupting the system. He hadn't gained much from it anyway.

If anyone should be worried, it was the Senju Clan.

"Hmph, since that's the case, do as you say!"

Uchiha Sakurako nodded, prepared to follow orders.

After all, her mission was to protect Uchiha Tenshu, the heir of her lineage.

As the future heir, no matter how much Uchiha Sakurako disliked or resented him, she had to act according to Uchiha Tenshu's arrangements.

Thus, led by Nakayama Hiroshi, Uchiha Tenshu and Uchiha Sakurako first inspected the entire mountain stronghold. After collecting all the supplies, Uchiha Tenshu used the Phoenix Sage Fire technique to ignite the place, the flames burning away all traces so that no one could find any intelligence there.

On the road.

Uchiha Tenshu and Uchiha Sakurako traveled while communicating secretly through their Sharingan.

This was a small trick developed by the Uchiha Clan for the Sharingan, allowing them to coordinate combat plans with teammates during battle and conceal their true intentions.

Uchiha Sakurako said with a hint of envy, "I didn't expect you to have this ability, to be able to store so many supplies. If this were the Warring States period, you would definitely be a prime target for other clans! It's only because you're an Uchiha that you're safe; otherwise, if I knew you had this ability, I would have certainly struck."

"That holds true even now."

Uchiha Tenshu said, then looked at Uchiha Sakurako and couldn't help but ask: "Tell me, since you have already pledged loyalty to Lingyue, and I am the one entrusted with everything by Elder Raimon, shouldn't I also be considered your lord in your eyes? Why are you so repulsed?"

"Don't give me that 'lecher' or 'scoundrel' talk. As a ninja, you should have the resolve for this."

"After all, as Lingyue's personal ninja, you cannot refuse if you are to serve me! So..."

"I want to hear your true thoughts."

Uchiha Tenshu said, his gaze deep and piercing.

It would be a waste not to use his power. Since he already knew from Uchiha Sakurako that she was aware of his status as the heir, Uchiha Tenshu had no intention of engaging in slow, polite conversation. He went straight to the point.