Discussions on Both Sides

Iron Country, Mountain Graveyard.

Hearing Black Zetsu's words, Madara Uchiha asked with some interest.

"You know what's troubling me?"

Black Zetsu said, "As Lord Madara's incarnation, I understand Lord Madara's thoughts very well."

"Lord Madara's thoughts are in disarray right now. Let me help you sort them out."

After listening to Black Zetsu, Madara Uchiha pondered for a while before giving a slight nod in agreement.

Black Zetsu continued, "Uchiha Yato, based on our current observations, is exceptionally unruly, but extremely capable."

"He has already awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan, mastered composite ninjutsu, and possesses enormous chakra reserves."

White Zetsu interjected at that moment, "He sounds like a younger Lord Madara. His strength and temperament are very similar."

This time, White Zetsu's words did not make Old Madara uncomfortable.

At times, he shook his head; at others, he nodded, showing that Madara Uchiha was thinking as well.

Black Zetsu spoke again. "He is capable, but his personality is unruly."

"He truly wants to protect the entire Uchiha Clan, which really does make him much like Lord Madara was back then."

"His current goal is the same as Lord Madara's previous one. It's just that, so far, he has not seen the clan's stone tablet."

That reminder instantly made Madara Uchiha realize that Uchiha Yato was not the clan head, so he had never seen that stone tablet.

Perhaps if Uchiha Yato saw what was written on the tablet, he would understand Old Madara's way of thinking.

Madara Uchiha said, "Is there any way to let him see the tablet, or make him the clan head?"

Black Zetsu said, "Becoming the clan head is nearly impossible. Even after obtaining the Mangekyo Sharingan, he has shown no desire to become clan head."

"We can find a way to drop hints and let him know about the tablet. Then we'll see what choice he makes."

With that, their evaluation of Uchiha Yato came to an end. Overall, Madara Uchiha thought quite highly of Uchiha Yato.

Next came the evaluation of Uchiha Obito.

Black Zetsu said, "Uchiha Obito, based on our observations and Uchiha Yato's projector."

"He likes a girl named Nohara Rin. Stimulated by Uchiha Yato, he successfully awakened his Sharingan, though he is a little slow-witted."

Madara Uchiha summed up, "He fits the Uchiha's usual traits perfectly and is full of passion. Compared to the others, he will be easier to control."

Finally, Black Zetsu said, "Uchiha Shisui is currently being raised by Uchiha Yato."

"His chakra extraction is extremely fast, and he is being trained by Uchiha Yato."

"Judging by his training, his talent for learning, ability, and thinking are all first-rate."

Madara Uchiha said, "His advantage is that he is young, making it easier to instill ideas in him."

By then, Madara Uchiha had carefully reviewed all three of them once more.

In the end, he settled on a plan: wait and watch.

His current identity was not suited to moving around the shinobi world too much. He would let these three candidate pieces develop as much as possible.

Konoha Village.

Hokage Building.

At that moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi was still constantly reviewing official documents.

Some time ago, due to pressure from the villagers and his own clan, he had no choice but to temporarily remove Danzo from office as an example.

To make the act convincing, he naturally handed part of Root's documents over to Hiruzen Sarutobi for processing.

There were still several issues before him that required swift action.

First, Uchiha Yato had not caused any trouble recently, but he had founded the Uchiha Kindergarten within the Uchiha Clan.

In terms of purpose and effect, it was similar to a younger version of the Ninja Academy and an evening version of it.

Previously, Danzo Shimura had used Root to spread negative information about the Uchiha. After this period of rectification, that had already begun to change.

The most obvious change was in the Police Force. Ever since the emergence of the Konoha Court, any troublesome, thorny, rights-dispute-related, or politically connected case would be handled fairly there.

As a result, the Uchiha's reputation had become one of fairness and strictness.

Danzo Shimura and Hiruzen Sarutobi's plan to suppress the Uchiha Clan had essentially fallen apart halfway.

On the other side, the Sand Shinobi had sent a study group, hoping to come to Konoha to learn ninjutsu and medical techniques.

At present, the first study group was already close to the border of Konoha Village.

What Hiruzen Sarutobi was considering was how to keep these people under watch while also demonstrating Konoha's strength.

Konoha's military strength was still considerable, but planning the areas where the Sand Shinobi could operate was extremely important.

They could not be allowed too close to Konoha's center, but they could not be treated too coldly either.

Hiruzen Sarutobi contemplated this at his desk for a long while, then said to the side, "Sakumo, what do you think of the Uchiha now?"

At that moment, Sakumo Hatake stepped out from the shadows.

He answered respectfully, "Lord Hokage, I believe the current Uchiha are good for the village."

"Their radicals have gradually quieted down, and they have not done anything excessively outrageous."

"Whether shinobi or civilians, they have all put away that arrogant attitude they once had."

"In my view, the current Uchiha Clan conducts itself exactly like an exemplary great clan of Konoha."

Hiruzen Sarutobi was not at all surprised by Sakumo Hatake's response.

Yet as the Third Hokage, he had been influenced by the Second Hokage to some extent. Although he did not constantly call the Uchiha evil like Danzo did,

he still felt somewhat uncomfortable about them. His own attitude toward the Uchiha also followed his teacher's views.

After a few vague remarks, the two of them moved past the subject.

Then Hiruzen Sarutobi raised another question.

"Sakumo, the Sand Shinobi are coming to Konoha Village to study."

"What do you think about their visit this time?"

Hearing the Hokage ask about external factors, Sakumo Hatake could not help but think it over.

"They should primarily be here to learn, but they should also have other objectives."

"For example, gathering information on Uchiha Yato and me."

Sakumo Hatake's guess was actually quite accurate. The Sand Shinobi's hidden objectives were basically those two points.

As for probing Sakumo Hatake, it was known from the original story that Sakumo Hatake had killed Chiyo's son and daughter-in-law, forging a bitter blood feud. Gathering information on him made an assassination entirely possible.

Furthermore, Sakumo Hatake had killed quite a few Sand Shinobi on the battlefield. He was the man known as Konoha's White Fang.

As for Uchiha Yato, news of his battlefield achievements had also spread.

By himself, that man had played a group of Sand Shinobi like fools, turning warfare into something like a game.

He had even used that perverse genjutsu of his on the Sand Shinobi. Quite a few of them had likely suffered mental breakdowns.

Uchiha Yato was also called Nightmare Yato. It was clear just how agonizing that experience had been for the Sand Shinobi.

Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded. He had actually considered those two possibilities as well.

He simply needed someone to help him sort through them, so he could fill in any gaps and avoid overlooking details.

At that moment, Danzo Shimura suddenly came to visit.

Sakumo Hatake tactfully left at once. After all, when Danzo came looking for the Hokage, he was bound to bring some anger with him.

Danzo entered and immediately said, "Hiruzen, the Uchiha Clan is too despicable."

"Uchiha Yato has established the Uchiha Kindergarten. Isn't that equivalent to setting up a village within the village?"

Danzo Shimura immediately slapped a label on them, first setting a grave tone for the Uchiha Clan's supposed wrongdoing.

Hiruzen Sarutobi said, "Just tell me what you want me to do."

Danzo Shimura continued, "Aren't they teaching ninjutsu?"

"Then let the other great clans study there too. Teaching one person is teaching; teaching a group is teaching."

"That way, we can also reduce some teaching staff and better protect Konoha."

Hiruzen Sarutobi merely nodded without saying much.

Then Hiruzen Sarutobi said to Danzo Shimura, "Tomorrow, I will summon the Uchiha clan head to discuss this. Right now, I want to ask whether you know about the Sand Shinobi coming here to study."

Danzo Shimura was in charge of the main external affairs and intelligence-gathering operations.

Without dragging it out, Danzo Shimura said, "Nothing more than probing. The Third Kazekage is known as the strongest Kazekage."

"They probably want to test the waters and see whether they have the strength to fight us."

Indeed, the Third Kazekage's Magnet Release was an extremely troublesome bloodline limit.

After their previous defeat, the Sand Shinobi naturally wanted to recover some face. Of course, they needed to gather intelligence first.

Hiruzen Sarutobi said, "I'll assign you a squad of ANBU to receive them. Draw manpower from Root yourself and keep them under surveillance."

"Not too loose, but not too tight. I will have Koharu Utatane assist you in receiving them. If there is nothing else, you may leave first."

Danzo Shimura had obtained real authority, so he did not press the matter too much. After bringing up the Uchiha issue one last time, he left.

Hiruzen Sarutobi murmured to himself.

"Let's see how the Uchiha Clan reacts tomorrow, then decide."