Proactively Sparking a War

He hadn't expected the Rock Ninja to be so cooperative, which saved him a lot of trouble.

After all, his original plan was to discover the enemy's tracks in his ally's village, fight them without hesitation, and join forces with his ally to kill them. In the process, the powerful and evil enemy carried out rampant destruction by any means necessary, causing heavy losses to his ally.

It is well-reasoned, logically consistent, and provides ample opportunity for embarrassment.

This is truly another profound elevation of the unbreakable alliance between Leaf Village and Kusagakure!

Now it seems we should also add the mutual respect between Leaf Village and Iwagakure!

Such a perfect and considerate gesture deserves an award from the Kusagakure leadership. As an outsider, his role as a "friend of Kusagakure" is truly commendable.

As for the Hokage side, no need for a reward. Just give him an S-rank mission and settle the payment on schedule.

The two geniuses behind him memorized his tactics and decided to learn them from him.

They all realized what was going on.

Inuzuka Keita stated that from today onwards, he is a fan of Uchiha Shingen.

This is the right way to stir up trouble!

He really loves this pose where I hit you and you still thank me!

That guy, oh right, the son of his second uncle's father-in-law's aunt's uncle's family, actually wants to steal Yayoi from him? Once he and the captain learn a few moves, he'll deal with that fat kid.

Oh, and there's Yayoi too. The captain seems to be particularly experienced in the area of confidantes, and he wants to learn from her!

He had been worried that Uchiha Shingen's actions would result in their team having their pay docked when they returned, but now he was already thinking about how to write the application materials for the Outstanding Team Award.

This prize has a lot of money! He's already decided. A new store opened on the shopping street recently, and the bags there are very popular. He's going to buy one as a gift for Yayoi.

Snap!

A piece of gravel hit his face, but thanks to his Chakra armor, the stone bounced off to the side.

"Keita, what are you spacing out for?" Hyuga Yayoi said with displeasure upon seeing this. "The captain's Ninjutsu is impressive, but you need to pay more attention too, or you'll fall."

She sighed inwardly.

Keita is always so loud and boisterous. He's also easily distracted at work, which makes him unreliable. He's also quite thick-skinned.

That chubby relative of his is really annoying. He's reminded him several times, but he doesn't seem to care about standing up for him.

Be assertive, you idiot! Don't you know how difficult it is for girls from the Hyuga Clan to marry outside the clan?!

However, the two of them shared one idea.

Being led by Uchiha Shingen on war missions was truly easy.

Their entire job was just reconnaissance, searching for enemy tracks, and maybe carrying a baby.

If it involves taking action, just watch.

After all, once Uchiha Shingen makes a move, not only can they not intervene, but even the enemy cannot!

Just lie down and get through it.

They continued to watch Uchiha Shingen's performance in silence.

The Grass Ninja were crying and begging for mercy, while the Rock Ninja were doing the standard fireworks display and a pig charge.

The two even had time to calculate that, on average, for every Rock Ninja who dies, dozens of Grass Ninja would have to enjoy a "heavenly feast" (a lavish meal).

As time passed, the sky was dyed blood red by the setting sun, and the riot that began with the escape of the Rock Ninja Demolition Corps came to an end.

The key locations of Kusagakure were filled with the smoke of battle and rivers of blood. In contrast, the civilian areas suffered relatively less damage, but they were not without losses. Some of the prisoners who had escaped from the prison with the Rock Ninja, seeing no hope of escape, fled into the civilian areas, causing casualties among the civilians. However, they were ultimately killed by the Grass Ninja.

Only two Rock Ninja remained.

Deidara and Kurotsuchi looked helplessly at the giant serpent before them.

They had tried every method, but they were completely helpless against Uchiha Shingen's Majestic Attire Ninjutsu.

Around them were hundreds of Grass Ninja. Although these Grass Ninja dared not step forward because of the black shadow beneath Uchiha Shingen's feet, they blocked any escape routes for Deidara and Kurotsuchi.

"Deidara, I'll say it again: surrender. Leaf Village treats prisoners well."

Uchiha Shingen jumped to the ground and walked step by step toward the two little kids.

"Since you possess such great talent, don't seek death. A good ninja knows how to assess their situation."

Chakra armor isn't real armor, so there's no sound of metal plates rubbing or colliding when you walk in it, and it can't get stained with blood. But in Deidara's eyes, even the footprints left by the Konoha Ninja on the ground were blood red.

Deidara looked around, then at the Kurotsuchi, despite putting on a brave front, unconsciously leaned against him, and felt utterly helpless.

The White Ghost of Leaf Village is just too persistent.

The Grass Ninja are really too useless. Now, they've truly Grass Ninja 'Leaf Village request and wiped out the Demolition Corps.

"Kusagakure will pay the price," he said.

He wasn't afraid of angering Kusagakure; with the Leaf Village's White Ghost here, these Grass Ninja wouldn't dare utter a sound—he was quite certain of that.

He genuinely believed that Leaf Village wouldn't make things too difficult for him and Kurotsuchi.

Both of them will become important bargaining chips in the negotiations between Leaf Village and Iwagakure, though not openly.

But this would truly end Kurotsuchi's political career, though he didn't care.

"Don't worry, you all did very well." Uchiha Shingen could tell at a glance what the little guy was struggling with. It just goes to show that geniuses are always precocious.

"You have caused such great losses to Kusagakure that Kusagakure is now unable to participate in the war against Iwagakure. Even if you are captured, your merits outweigh your demerits."

Among the crowd, the high-ranking members of Kusagakure had something to say.

But looking at the giant snake, and with a seemingly unintentional glance from Uchiha Shingen, they gave Deidara and Kurotsuchi perfectly timed approving looks, as if to say, "You guys are really excellent."

It was very natural, without any trace of being forced.

Deidara said he had learned something new.

He needs to admit his mistake. His evaluation of the Grass Ninja was too condescending. Just because he came from a big ninja village, he looked down on the small ninja village. This is unacceptable and should be a lesson learned.

The shamelessness of the higher-ups in Grass Ninja is no less than that of their teacher.

"I surrender." He raised his hand, and pulled Kurotsuchi's hand up with him. "We're just kids, please be kind to us."

"That's only right. Caring for children is an adult's responsibility." Uchiha Shingen removed his Majestic Attire, a smile spreading across his face. "War is war, but the friendship between Leaf Village and Iwagakure has a long history. You will be safe. No one can harm you. I guarantee it."

Chapter Thirty-Eight: Proactively Promoting War

Hyuga Hiashi listened to Hyuga Yayoi's report in his field tent. Although he knew that such behavior was inappropriate, he really wanted to roll his eyes.

No, we must remain calm. The younger generation of the family is still alive; we cannot tarnish their image.

"Understood, Yayoi. You did a great job this time. You can go back now."

"Yes, Chieftain."

Hyuga Yayoi turned and left cheerfully.

As they exited the tent, Inuzuka Keita was already waiting there. The two young men chattered away as they left.

Uchiha Shingen, Hyuga Hiashi was sitting on a stool eating his fruit.

"Shingen, what do you think of Yayoi?"

"Your child is quite good, Hiashi," Uchiha Shingen said with a grin. "He and the little guy from the Inuzuka Clan have a great rapport."

Hyuga Hiashi felt that this was the most troublesome thing.

Theoretically speaking, the Hyuga Clan doesn't actually have many Main Family.

In each generation of the Hyuga Clan, there is actually only one Main Family.

The Caged Bird thing can be imprinted on, and it can also be erased.

For example, clan members who have made great contributions to the Hyuga Clan can become Main Family. The so-called elders are not all from the line of the former head of the clan.

Therefore, a family splitting up is not always a separate family.

However, the threshold for this transformation is extremely high.

Hyuga Yayoi was clearly not that lucky one, so she, too, had Caged Bird.

The fact that she and Inuzuka Keita liked each other was known to all the adults in both clans.

However, for a girl from the Hyuga Clan to marry outside the clan, it is extremely difficult, with a very high degree of difficulty.

It's not that they're afraid of their bloodline flowing out. There are actually quite a few intermarriages between ninja clans in the same village. The high rate of the Hyuga Clan is due to their relatively pure bloodline and unique Ninjutsu system. Even if they marry out, it will only be for three generations at most before their bloodline becomes extremely diluted.

Even so, marriage alliances with ninja clans are still carefully considered. Firstly, there is a desire to stay in the clan and continue to strengthen it. Secondly, because ninja clans can be friends today but enemies tomorrow, a clansman who marries out is caught in the middle, making things difficult for both the individual and the clan.

The biggest obstacle between Hyuga Yayoi and Inuzuka Keita is that the Inuzuka Clan has many Hawks, while the Hyuga Clan has many Doves. They often disagree on political views. Although the two families don't have a bad relationship, they haven't reached the point where they can marry each other.

However, the adults didn't intend to do anything cruel to break up the couple; they just felt that as time went on, faced with the many obstacles in reality, the two would probably give up.

Besides, everyone has been young once, and no one wants to be the bad guy. What if a benefactor is willing to do them a favor and help them get together? Such things have happened before.

"After all, the two children have been friends since they were little." Hyuga Hiashi avoided the question. "Let's get down to business. I will write to the Lord Hokage to report on the Uzumaki Clan girl. As for the Tsuchikage's apprentice and granddaughter, do you have any thoughts?"

"Let's feed and care for her for now. Although she's a bargaining chip, we can't bring it up openly." Uchiha Shingen shrugged. "As for the Uzumaki Clan child and her mother's ashes, let's take them to Leaf Village as soon as possible. They're quite pitiful."

"Yeah, it's satisfying to see you do that in Kusagakure."

"No, it's all thanks to the excellent teamwork of our Rock Ninja friends."

Hyuga Hiashi had to admit that the Rock Ninja were incredibly well-coordinated.

They are truly a group of friends, friends who would risk their lives for each other.

"Kusagakure has ulterior motives; weakening them a bit is good. The village won't object to this." Hyuga Hiashi smiled. "Shingen, I never realized you were Hawks."

"No, I am a member of the Uchiha Clan faction," said Uchiha Shingen Hiashi, if there are no other plans for the time being, I'd like to go back and rest."

"Yes, you've worked hard. It's so late, you should get some rest."

After Hyuga Hiashi, Uchiha Shingen left the tent and returned to the camp with Hyuga Yayoi and Inuzuka Keita. It was already late at night, and he was really sleepy.

It rained heavily here during the day, and the ground was muddy, but this was the result of the Konoha Ninja's hard work in maintaining it.

The biggest problem when camping in the Land of Rain is the excessive amount of water.

Although the Leaf Village Ninja Army found a relatively well-drained high ground and added some drainage facilities, the muddy ground after each rain was still a nuisance.

Having found his tent, Uchiha Shingen crawled inside.

"Did Hyuga Hiashi?" Pakura asked as she sat at the table organizing her equipment and saw him come in.

"Yeah, we're done talking. It was just a few things."

As he spoke, Uchiha Shingen found his foot basin and filled it with Water Release.

He took off his shoes and put his feet in to wash.

How is the war going?

"Not so good, still the same as always." Pakura sighed. "I really envy your Water Release skills."

"What are you saying? Where's your basin? I'll get you one too."

Pakura immediately got up and took her own basin.

Uchiha Shingen kept his word and immediately brought her one as well.

Then the two of them sat side by side on the bed and washed their feet together.

The Leaf Village ninja army isn't so wealthy that each person has their own tent, even for Jonin.

Chunin and Genin are usually shared by about ten people, while Jonin are fewer in number.

For example, Hyuga Hiashi shared the same space with his two branch family guards.

If it's someone of the opposite sex, then it's usually a couple or lovers together.

Although Uchiha Shingen had neither a wife nor a lover, he arranged for him and Pakura to share a tent when it was being set up.

Neither of them had any objections. Their relationship was more than friends but less than lovers. Whatever the reason at the beginning, that's how it felt now.

Pakura felt more comfortable spending time with Uchiha Shingen; her relationships with others were just so-so.

As for Uchiha Shingen, he likes beautiful women and has good relationships with them.

"The Tsuchikage's apprentice and granddaughter have been captured. Will the final battle be brought forward?"

"Not necessarily, we might have to wait for Cloud Village."