Volunteering for the Mission

Perhaps because of Kogen's answer.

Suzaku's expression softened considerably as well.

In the end, caution was one thing, but the Uchiha Clan was still one of Konoha's most important components and still their companions—even if that word needed to be put in quotation marks. They could not truly be treated as enemies. That would only give their real enemies something to laugh at. Besides, Suzaku did not believe the Uchiha Clan would truly betray Konoha. Even if there were such people, they would only be a small fraction. Most Uchiha clan members were probably just not very bright.

That was Suzaku's view.

A certain degree of suppression and testing.

The key was to maintain the right balance.

That was also what tested Suzaku the most.

However, judging from the current situation, the outcome was most likely the best one.

Suzaku watched Kogen's departing figure and silently thought to himself.

Suzaku had not deceived Kogen. This personnel reassignment did count as a routine adjustment. It was not only the Uchiha Clan being sent to the outposts around Mount Hot Spring; Nara Suzaku himself would also lead the team there.

The most important reason was naturally that Kumogakure's attacks in that region were the most intense and frequent.

During this period.

The casualty rate among Konoha Ninja at Mount Hot Spring had reached a new high.

If reinforcements did not arrive within the next few days.

The outpost there might even be uprooted directly by the Kumo Ninja.

As the clan with the strongest individual combat capabilities in Konoha.

No matter how one looked at it.

They were the best choice to send to the Mount Hot Spring Outpost.

This was also a consensus the Third Hokage and Suzaku had reached before they first set out. It was not some conspiracy to send the Uchiha Clan to their deaths. Setting aside how crude such a method would be, doing so could easily affect the frontline defenses.

If it led to disastrous consequences.

It was not something the Third Hokage wished to see.

Nor was it something Suzaku could bear responsibility for.

Kogen had only felt angry at first, but after giving it some thought, he directly chose to obey the order. If there really had been something seriously suspicious behind it, Kogen would have had to be out of his mind to agree.

And in the end.

Sarutobi Hiruzen was not Shimura Danzō.

As for the Third Hokage, who had returned to power in their own ninja village.

Even if many in the Uchiha Clan could not be said to like him, they at least did not reject and loathe him hysterically. Compared with Shimura Danzō, the difference was obvious.

Although this personnel arrangement did differ somewhat from the previous one, it was not as though only the Uchiha Clan was being reassigned. The Nara, Aburame, and Inuzuka clans, as well as Nara Suzaku, the overall commander, would all be heading directly to the defensive line around Mount Hot Spring.

Therefore.

When Kogen brought this news back to the tent where the clan had gathered.

Most Uchiha clan members merely grumbled a little.

There was no major emotional upheaval.

As long as they were not being singled out, it was fine.

Only a handful of older Uchiha clan members faintly revealed traces of concern deep in their eyes. They did not believe the village was using conspiracies to harm the Uchiha Clan—not only because they believed Sarutobi Hiruzen would not stoop so low, but more importantly because this was the frontline battlefield. The slightest misstep could lead to a catastrophic collapse. Only someone with water in their brain would do such a thing.

But while there would not be a hidden scheme.

An open scheme was highly likely.

It did not necessarily mean they were specifically targeting the Uchiha Clan.

They only needed to lean slightly in one direction while making otherwise reasonable deployments.

And the Uchiha Clan members sent to the frontlines could easily suffer losses in the shadows.

Still, that was something they could have anticipated. Before Kogen set out, Fugaku had emphasized it many times.

It was a situation the Uchiha Clan had to accept if they intended to submit to the management of the "rules of the game."

In the world of ninja.

One still had to "follow the rules."

Standing somewhat toward the rear of the crowd, Shōji's eyes flickered slightly.

The Mount Hot Spring frontline outpost?

It was obviously the most dangerous place.

But the more dangerous it was, the more likely he would have greater freedom of action.

Considering his future plans.

Shōji naturally hoped to go to the Mount Hot Spring Outpost.

Moreover, his current personal strength needed a great deal of actual combat to adapt and improve further. As for the risks he might encounter, if he feared this and feared that, Shōji might as well give up on his plans early.

The most important point was that if he did nothing now.

He would still die five or six years later!

There was not much difference either way.

As he had said before, unless Shōji could bring himself to abandon everything and defect on his own, he had to grit his teeth and walk the road he had chosen, no matter how full of thorns it was. Of course, Shōji was not acting out of blind courage. While he still could not determine the true upper limit of his strength with absolute certainty.

When fighting with his Mangekyō Sharingan activated.

He should still be at the Quasi-Kage level, infinitely close to Kage-level.

In other words, as long as he did not fall into a trap and become surrounded by multiple people, or encounter Kumogakure's most terrifying few.

He was confident that he could win any battle—or, at worst, retreat unharmed.

Therefore.

Just as Uchiha Kogen finished his explanation and was about to discuss the upcoming personnel arrangements.

"Kogen-san, I would like to apply for assignment to the Mount Hot Spring Outpost. Please add my name to the roster!"

Shōji stepped forward ahead of time and said directly to Uchiha Kogen at the head of the gathering.

At that moment.

Shōji immediately drew the attention of every clan member present.

It could be said that ever since the Clan Meeting a few days ago, Shōji had thoroughly entered the sight of everyone in the Uchiha Clan. Every clan member had a deep impression of Shōji, not merely because of his title as a genius—awakening his Sharingan to the Three-Tomoe level at fourteen was quite rare even within the Uchiha Clan.

But also because of the alternative ideals he had put forth during the Clan Meeting.

They had stirred something in the hearts of these clan members.

In practical terms, the reason so many Uchiha clan members had appeared on the Land of Hot Springs frontline was precisely because of Shōji's suggestion. Naturally, these clan members all paid varying degrees of attention to Shōji.

Some gazes were friendly, some hostile, but most were curious.

Those with goodwill believed Shōji was genuinely considering matters from the clan's perspective.

Those with hostility believed Shōji was unworthy of being an Uchiha and lacked the pride of the Uchiha Clan!

As for the curious ones, they simply wanted to know why a fourteen-year-old boy like Shōji had such ideas—and had even put them into action.