Target: Kumogakure

Uchiha Setsuna's excitement and elation gradually subsided, replaced by deep contemplation.

He didn't question Shaoyu right away. Instead, his gaze, still burning from the Mangekyō Sharingan, fixed on the young man's unusually calm face.

He knew this young man and understood that he wasn't reckless. If he had chosen Kumogakure, there had to be a deeper reason.

"Kumogakure..."

Elder Setsuna slowly repeated the name, his fingers unconsciously rubbing the tea-soaked fabric at his cuff.

"Shaoyu, tell me, why there? It's far from Konoha, its customs are very different, and throughout history, we've had plenty of friction with them. If you've chosen what seems like the hardest and least understandable path, your reasons had better be convincing enough to persuade me—and these children who are entrusting their lives to you."

His voice was steady, but carried considerable weight. In the stone house, even Lianhuo and the other nine held their breath, every gaze fixed on Shaoyu.

They too felt an instinctive wariness and distrust toward Kumogakure. Now, they needed the leader they were about to follow to give them an answer that would ignite their sense of purpose, not extinguish their fervor.

Uchiha Shaoyu met Elder Setsuna's scrutinizing gaze and felt the ten burning stares behind him. His expression didn't waver in the slightest, and the Mangekyō Sharingan in his eyes, its strange bands of light swirling within, seemed to grow even deeper.

He spoke, each word landing heavily in everyone's hearts.

"Elder, everyone, I didn't choose Kumogakure on impulse, nor am I disregarding our past grudges. On the contrary, this decision is based on a cool-headed analysis of the current state of the Shinobi World, the situation in each village, and our own circumstances. There are two reasons. Let me explain them one by one."

He raised his first finger.

"First, strength and potential. We're not defecting just to scrape by, much less to grovel as dependents under someone else's roof."

"What we need is a powerful platform where we can establish ourselves, build up our strength, and perhaps even turn the tables in the future."

"Looking at the Five Great Nations today, Konoha can barely look after itself and sees us as a grave threat, so it's out. Sunagakure is impoverished and weak, with instability within its ranks. Iwagakure is conservative and insular, and Ōnoki, the Tsuchikage, is too crafty to trust. Kirigakure's Blood Mist Policy is bizarre and unpredictable, making it no place for us."

Shaoyu spoke at an unhurried pace, but his analysis was clear and orderly. The others, who had been doubtful, couldn't help nodding slightly.

"Only Kumogakure," he paused, his tone growing more emphatic, "is, apart from Konoha, the strongest village overall, the one with the most momentum, and the one that's relatively united and stable."

"Third Raikage A is known as the 'Strongest Spear' and the 'Strongest Shield.' His personal prowess is unrivaled in the Shinobi World, and he's decisive and resolute. The Raikage's faction holds absolute authority in the village, and its power structure is far clearer and more efficient than Konoha's complicated council. That means that once he accepts us, our position in Kumogakure will be much more secure."

Seeing Elder Setsuna's eyes shift, Shaoyu continued.

"On top of that, Kumogakure's reserve of top-tier fighters is astonishing. The Two-Tails Jinchūriki, Camila (an original character, the previous Two-Tails Jinchūriki before Yugito Nii), and the Eight-Tails Jinchūriki, Blue B—according to my information, both of them are rare Perfect Jinchūriki!"

He emphasized the term.

"The Tailed Beasts' power has fused seamlessly with their own. They can control it or unleash it at will. That means Kumogakure has two trump cards capable of changing the course of a battle."

"A village with one of the strongest Kage of this era and two Perfect Jinchūriki... In terms of top-tier combat power, only Konoha has the means to compete. The other villages can't hold a candle to them."

Lianhuo couldn't help speaking up in a low voice.

"Perfect Jinchūriki... They really are terrifying. Konoha's Nine-Tails Jinchūriki..."

He shook his head. Everyone understood what he'd left unsaid. Konoha's control and use of the Nine-Tails rested with its Jinchūriki, Mito Uzumaki—no, it should be Senju Mito.

As for the current Mito Uzumaki, she could be called the strongest person alive, apart from Uchiha Madara, who was underground, and Ōtsutsuki Isshiki, who was still wandering the Shinobi World. Even Sarutobi Hiruzen at his peak couldn't stand against her. That showed just how terrifying her strength was.

Shaoyu nodded and continued.

"And that's not all. From top to bottom, Kumogakure reveres strength and strives to govern well. It never lets up on military reorganization, and its shinobi are fierce in battle and highly disciplined. Its Nintaijutsu is unique, and it would complement our Sharingan Genjutsu and ninjutsu quite well."

"By joining a village that's on the rise, hungry for strength, and respectful of the powerful, we can get the resources and room to grow that we need most. We won't waste our strength in a stagnant village or one torn apart by infighting."

He raised a second finger.

"Second, what they need and whether they'll accept us. Why would Kumogakure take us in? Precisely because they're powerful and ambitious."

"Third Raikage A is an ambitious and decisive leader. He wants to make Kumogakure stronger, gain more influence in the Shinobi World, and perhaps... even surpass Konoha. As for us—"

Shaoyu's gaze swept across the group before returning to Elder Setsuna.

"Though we were forced to leave Konoha, we haven't brought shame with us. We've brought assets! Eleven elite Uchiha with the Sharingan, including three jonin and seven elite chunin, along with..."

He pointed to his eyes.

"A pair of Mangekyō Sharingan. That kind of power would cause a shock in any village! Kumogakure reveres strength and respects the powerful."

"We're offering ourselves as allies, bringing with us an incredibly valuable Kekkei Genkai, rich combat experience, and, in particular, knowledge of Konoha. We're also bringing formidable fighting strength they can use right away. For Kumogakure, which is expanding aggressively and competes with Konoha, that's an offer too tempting to refuse."

"The Raikage may be rough around the edges, but he's no fool."

Shaoyu declared.

"He'll recognize our value. As long as we show enough sincerity and strength, he won't just accept us—he may give us considerable status and resources. He needs an example to attract more talent from across the Shinobi World to Kumogakure."

"We'll be the banner he holds up for the whole Shinobi World to see: Look, even the Uchiha, one of Konoha's great clans, chose Kumogakure. This is where the strong belong!"

"Of course," Shaoyu continued, his tone turning cool, "there will certainly be tests, suspicion, and even deliberate obstacles at first. Kumogakure can't be entirely united either. There are bound to be people who oppose us."

"But that's also our opportunity. We can earn genuine respect and status by completing missions, demonstrating our strength, and gradually integrating into the village."

"Compared with the covetousness and threat of being swallowed up by a weaker village, or endless political struggles in a complicated one, Kumogakure's relatively simple rule of 'the strong are respected' is actually fairer to us. It also gives us a better chance to carve out a place for ourselves through our own ability."

Uchiha Setsuna remained silent for a long time. He simply watched Shaoyu, his gaze shifting from initial suspicion to deep thought, then finally to a complex expression—one mingling astonishment and relief, difficult to describe.

He slowly returned to the stone table and sat down, his fingers rubbing its rough surface as if trying to absorb an analysis far beyond anything he'd expected from Shaoyu.

After a long pause, he let out a deep, drawn-out breath. It seemed to release some of the bitterness that had built up over decades of being confined to a corner of Konoha.

"Good... Good!"

Elder Setsuna's voice was hoarse, but unusually forceful. He raised his head, his eyes shining with a light he'd never shown before—the light of someone seeing hope and watching his successor truly come into his own.

"Shaoyu, oh, Shaoyu... I thought you were merely exceptionally strong and courageous. I never imagined your vision, your strategic insight, and your understanding of the Shinobi World's broader trends had reached such a level!"

He gripped Shaoyu's arm and patted it firmly.

"Lord Madara once had the invincible strength to sweep away entire armies and the arrogance to look down on the world. But when it came to reading the situation and choosing a path... perhaps even he wasn't as clear-eyed and practical as you are now!"

His gaze swept over Lianhuo and the others. Their doubt had long since given way to trust and excitement.

"You're right! Konoha is rotten and sees us as enemies. The other villages are either weak or underhanded, unfit for the task. Only Kumogakure is powerful, ambitious, and eager for strength. It's the perfect stepping stone for the Uchiha to escape this dead end and climb to new heights!"

"Join an enemy village? No! This is a strategic relocation, a matter of choosing the right tree to nest in! In the face of survival and growth, in the face of the Uchiha's future, old grudges mean nothing! We'll make the Uchiha's Sharingan shine even brighter in Kumogakure!"