Shingen Strikes Back

Of course, no one went to Uchiha Shingen to complain about this.

Everyone knows that Uchiha Shingen wanted to retire.

It's a common understanding in the workplace that you shouldn't be sarcastic and offend your boss.

As family, Sakurako and Pakura had already tried their best to hope that Uchiha Shingen would give up this wishful thinking. They couldn't understand why Uchiha Shingen was so stubborn about this matter.

They really do smash through walls and then move on to another spot.

Becoming Hokage doesn't seem so bad, at least in the eyes of the two who lack a sense of security because of their past. Uchiha Shingen becoming Hokage means that he himself will be safer, and the family will be able to live without worries.

The Third Hokage is still in great spirits.

While Uchiha Shingen was taking a shower, Sakurako collected his old clothes, planning to wash them the next day.

When Uchiha Shingen came out wearing a black yukata, Sakurako was already waiting for him on the sofa, having prepared a pot of hot tea for him.

This was Uchiha Shingen's habit.

He loves drinking tea, regardless of the time of day.

While others couldn't sleep at night because they drank tea, he was completely unaffected.

"By the way, you haven't gone for a check-up at the hospital this year, have you?" Sakurako asked.

"No, what's wrong?" Uchiha Shingen asked.

He didn't think there was anything wrong with him. To be honest, most of the medical-nin in the hospital weren't necessarily as good as him.

"You're the one who pushed this out, so you definitely have to go. Uncle Fugaku told me to tell you this."

"I understand." Uchiha Shingen thought for a moment and then understood the reason.

The Jonin welcomed the physical examination policy, but the lower-ranking ninjas generally didn't take it seriously.

However, this was originally a benefit provided by the village to everyone, especially for lower and mid-level ninjas, as most of their hidden injuries were accumulated during this stage.

"I will go. Once things are settled in Sand Village and Rain Village, I will mobilize the ANBU to go together."

The ANBU is a very popular unit among lower and middle-ranking ninjas because, in their eyes, the ANBU is the embodiment of the Will of Fire.

If the ANBU are all addressed, the leading effect will be very good.

"Are there any other people coming today?" Uchiha Shingen thought of the large group of people trying to pull strings, and couldn't help but feel a headache coming on.

But most of them were either comrades-in-arms or relatives, so it was difficult to say anything.

He was helpless in this situation.

Its rationality must be objectively acknowledged; after all, not pulling strings does not equate to being an upright person.

"Not today," Sakurako said. "They've basically all come, but not as frequently as before."

"That's true..." Uchiha Shingen felt much more relaxed and picked up his teacup to take a small sip.

After thinking it over, he decided to have a heart-to-heart talk with his wife.

"Sakurako, what's your opinion on this Hokage issue?"

"I think it's great. Now that you've become Hokage, you won't have to go out and fight so often, and we can rest assured."

"I'm very strong."

"I know, but it's always better to have fewer battles."

"But that would mean I'd have even less time to spend with you. It wouldn't be like this, with overtime only happening every now and then; it would be frequent overtime. You know, the departments in the village are incredibly corrupt these days."

"If you don't have time, we can come to you. Besides, if you become Hokage, the children will have a better future," Sakurako said sincerely.

She is a mother, and what she cares about most is her child's future.

The Hokage's child will never be mistreated by the village.

"So you really want me to compete for Hokage?"

"Shingen ..." Sakurako sighed, "I don't want to discourage you, but I think there probably won't be any 'competition' this time."

"Alright, there's something I haven't told you guys yet, mainly because I was afraid you'd worry." Uchiha Shingen put down his teacup and pulled Sakurako into his arms. "I don't want to become Hokage, not for any other reason than the current situation isn't as good as everyone thinks. I have a feeling that Uchiha Madara will try to recreate the events from the mythology. Personally, I think the outcome of that event would be terrible, even though it's for good purposes."

Sakurako didn't ask what it was about.

Firstly, she didn't really understand the stuff about ninjas; she understood the saying that "a trade is like a mountain."

Secondly, she knew Uchiha Shingen was definitely to avoid causing trouble for her family.

She understood that feeling perfectly.

After all, she was from a ninja clan.

"Shingen, is it possible that you don't trust other people's abilities enough?" Sakurako carefully chose her words. "You're working very hard, but everyone else is also working hard. Actually, what you're doing isn't protecting them, but rather making them feel that you don't trust them."

"...I will try my best." Uchiha Shingen did not refute, and sincerely accepted his wife's opinion.

After all, these are the truths.

He truly distrusts.

But no one who's read comics can trust them...

In the vast Ninja World, Nagato and Uchiha Obito to seize the opportunity, fully exploit the conflicts between various ninja villages, and gather enough power to overturn the table.

If Uchiha Sasuke attack on the Five Kage Summit, Uchiha Obito would probably have been able to remain in hiding for a while longer, and the five great villages would still have had to play a few more rounds.

Shimura Danzō's actions at the Five Kage Summit weren't really problematic, since the others were no different. For example, the Kumogakure simply viewed the Five Kage Summit as an opportunity for the redistribution of wealth.

How can we possibly fulfill the important task of protecting the world by associating with such a bunch of insects?

Although Hidden Leaf Village has never been clean, it is the only Hidden Leaf Village in this matter that is on the side of justice.

"I borrowed quite a few people from the Jonin Council this time, and everyone is very enthusiastic. I believe this matter will be resolved soon." Uchiha Shingen kissed Sakurako. "You should go to sleep early; I still need to think about some things."

"Okay, don't think too long, come up soon."

Sakurako returned the kiss and then went upstairs.

Uchiha Shingen sat on the sofa for a long time.

They finished the whole pot of tea in one go.

Uchiha Shingen didn't go to add water; he tucked his hands into his sleeves.

"Come out and tell me, what's the rush?"

A member of the ANBU appeared in the living room.

As the head of the ANBU, he will also have his own guards; this is a mandatory requirement, and it is also for the purpose of his work.

The guards would work in shifts to watch over the head of the ANBU around the clock, partly to prevent accidents and partly to act as eyes and ears, providing information to the head of the ANBU at any time.

"Minister, the envoy from Sand Village has come to see you again."

"They're so impatient," sighed Uchiha Shingen. "No wonder they're getting worse every year. We've given them back their mission quotas, but they still can't get anything done. They're hopeless."

"They are indeed in a hurry. The head of Amegakure has not yet appeared, but Sasori of the Red Sand has already neutralized all their poison, and he used over a hundred human puppets at once."

"Oh? You've stockpiled quite a lot. Are there any Leaf Village ninjas among them?"

"Yes," the ANBU said. "Although it was a long time ago, it was indeed Jonin was originally marked as missing in the village."

"Then it's worth meeting him." Uchiha Shingen sneered.

Tonight's overtime work will be Scorpion's responsibility.

After thinking it over, he decided not to change his clothes and to go see the Sand Village envoy as is, so as to demonstrate the strength of his side.

Moreover, he personally hopes to revisit the Land of Rain.

Chapter 18 Shingen's Advance

Uchiha Shingen met with the Sand Village messenger in his office.

The identity of this envoy fully demonstrates the "sincerity" of Sand Village.

"Baki, the last time you came to Leaf Village was Chunin Ninja Exams, wasn't it?" Uchiha Shingen nodded to him. "I hope you won't mind that I'm only seeing you now. As you can see, we are indeed very busy right now. Most of the people in this building are still working overtime."

"I dare not," Baki lowered his head. "It is my honor that Lord Shingen has agreed to see me."

"We're all allies, so there's no need to be so polite," said Uchiha Shingen. "The nights in Leaf Village are colder than in Sand Village. Have some tea to warm yourself up. This is a special tea from the Fire Daimyo's Court. Since we're already here, a few more sips of tea won't make a difference."

Baki nodded in agreement and accepted the hot tea handed to him by the secretary.

He took a sip, pondering how to persuade Uchiha Shingen to make a move.

Generally, persuading others starts with understanding their needs.

However, Uchiha Shingen had no need for Sand Village.

"Lord Shingen, Sand Village has been weak for many years and is in dire need of Leaf Village's help. We also hope to preserve more strength to fulfill our obligations as Leaf Village's allies."

"That's too much of Lord Kazekage. To describe yourself as 'weak' is probably too modest, Kazekage-sama," said Uchiha Shingen. "Rain Village may appear strong on the surface, but its foundation is too weak. In the end, victory will still belong to Sand Village, won't it? Leaf Village's intervention at this point is clearly biased."

"Shingen, you have been to Sand Village. A long time ago, we had to implement an elite system. The number of ninjas is now less than half of what it was during the Third's time. The scarcity of resources makes it impossible for us to train enough ninjas. Just guarding the borders is already a struggle."

"It seems that Lord Kazekage is showing pity for his subordinates, or perhaps he is worried about Nagato?" Uchiha Shingen waved his hand. "I have had the privilege of interacting with Lord Kazekage several times, and Sand Village surely be able to return to its peak one day."

"With you in Leaf Village, we dare not hope for anything more. As for Nagato of Rain Village, he possesses the legendary Rinnegan. Apart from you, I'm afraid no one else has the confidence to face him," Baki said.

"Baki," Uchiha Shingen sighed, "Even if you flatter me like this, I can't persuade the Hokage to help you deal with Rain Village. After all, I am the head of the ANBU, and I can only act for the sake of the village. If this is all you have to say, then our meeting will probably be of no use."

No, you can go.

Baki couldn't help but think so.

I wonder if Uchiha Shingen knew that in Amegakure, his reputation was even greater than that of Leaf Village.

Every time he went to the Land of Rain, he would rub the faces of the Rain Ninja on the ground.

The Rain Ninja both hated and feared him.

Baki suddenly remembered something.

"According to intelligence from our village, the Sound Ninja have also taken action; they have allied with the Rain Village," Baki said. "According to the alliance agreement, communications between allies should also be reported to the alliance leader."

"This information you have is indeed worth taking seriously," Uchiha Shingen said with interest. "Everyone knows who the master of Sound Village is, and he's also a member of Akatsuki. Does this mean Akatsuki has already cooperated with Rain Village?"

"Yes, Lord Kazekage has already met with Akatsuki, and they have clearly sided with Rain Village."

How can you prove it?

"They killed one of our Jonin."

That is indeed very solid evidence.

But that's not enough to warrant Leaf Village's intervention, especially not enough to justify his leaving the village.

Uchiha Shingen had thought it over. Since he couldn't simply dissuade some people from wanting him to sit in that chair, he might as Jiraiya in part.

He has a family, after all, and it's not feasible for him to be completely away from home. But the position of Hokage is so important that he has to go through procedures. As long as he goes through the procedures, he can find an excuse to go out.

But this pretext must be solid.

After all, only if he follows the rules can others follow them.

He didn't want to become Hokage, and it wasn't just being pretentious; he felt it was more worthwhile to spend that time developing his personal strength.

If that's the case, and he still becomes Hokage, then I'll accept it.

He was, after all, a member of this village.

From a rational perspective, he was not surprised to be considered as a successor to the Hokage; his fate was intertwined with the demands of too many people.

So he decided to add Baki to the fire.

"Lord Baki, I personally stand on your side." Uchiha Shingen and Baki locked eyes. "You must give me a sufficient reason."

Baki understood.

But he was in a bit of a dilemma.

After all, someone from Sand Village has already killed their own Kazekage.

If you continue to criticize your own Kazekage, people will suspect that Sand Village elects Kazekage based on whoever they have a grudge against.

That would be hilarious.

"It seems Baki hasn't made up his mind yet," Uchiha Shingen, somewhat disappointed.