Target, Kumogakure

The excitement and ecstasy in Uchiha Setsuna's eyes subsided slightly, replaced by deep contemplation.

He did not immediately voice his doubts; instead, his gaze, previously burning with the intensity of the Mangekyō Sharingan, remained fixed on Shaoyu's young yet unusually calm face.

He understood this young man and knew he was by no means reckless. There had to be a profound reason for choosing Kumogakure.

"Kumogakure..."

Elder Setsuna slowly repeated the word, his fingers subconsciously twisting the fabric of his sleeve, which had been dampened by tea.

"Shaoyu, tell me, why there? It is far from Konoha, its customs are vastly different, and historically, we have had many frictions with them. To choose a path that seems the most difficult and incomprehensible—your reasons must be enough to convince me, and to convince these children who have entrusted their lives to you."

His voice was steady but carried significant weight. In the stone house, Lianhuo and the other eight held their breath, all eyes focused on Shaoyu.

They, too, harbored a natural alienation and suspicion toward Kumogakure. At this moment, they needed the leader they were about to follow to provide an answer that would ignite a new direction for them, rather than extinguish their passion.

Uchiha Shaoyu met Elder Setsuna's scrutinizing gaze and felt the ten burning stares behind him. His expression did not waver in the slightest, and the Mangekyō Sharingan, with its strange patterns flowing within, seemed to grow even deeper.

He spoke, and every word struck a chord in their hearts.

"Elder, everyone, my choice of Kumogakure is not a momentary impulse, nor is it a disregard for historical grievances. On the contrary, it is based on a calm analysis of the current situation in the ninja world, the state of the various villages, and our own predicament. There are two reasons, so please listen closely."

He held up his first finger.

"First, strength and potential. We are defecting, not to live in misery, nor to act as fawning subordinates under someone else's roof."

"What we want is a powerful platform that allows us to stand our ground, accumulate strength, and perhaps even have the opportunity to turn the tables in the future."

"Looking at the five great nations today, Konoha is preoccupied with its own affairs and views us as a major threat—exclude it. Sunagakure is barren and weak, with internal instability. Iwagakure is conservative and xenophobic, and the Tsuchikage, Ōnoki, is a wily old fox who cannot be trusted. Kirigakure's 'Bloody Mist' policy is treacherous and unpredictable; it is not a good place."

Shaoyu's pace was not fast, but his analysis was clear and logical, causing the previously skeptical group to nod slightly.

"Only Kumogakure," he paused, his tone deepening, "is, aside from Konoha, the village with the greatest comprehensive strength, the most rapid upward momentum, and the most internally unified and stable structure."

"The Third Raikage, Ai, is known as the 'Strongest Spear' and 'Strongest Shield.' His personal prowess is peerless in the ninja world, and his actions are resolute and decisive. The Raikage line's word is law within the village, and their power structure is far clearer and more efficient than Konoha's complex high-level council. This means that as long as we gain his approval, our situation in Kumogakure will be much more stable."

Seeing the flicker in Elder Setsuna's eyes, Shaoyu delved deeper.

"Not only that, Kumogakure's reserve of top-tier combat power is staggering. The Two-Tails Jinchūriki, Camila, and the Eight-Tails Jinchūriki, Blue B—according to my intelligence, both are rare 'perfect Jinchūriki'!"

He emphasized the term.

"The power of the Tailed Beasts is perfectly fused with their own, controllable and explosive. This means Kumogakure possesses two super trump cards capable of changing the course of local battles."

"A single village possessing one of the world's strongest Kage, plus two perfect Jinchūriki... this level of high-end combat power is something other villages can only look at with envy, with the exception of Konoha's own deep foundations."

Lianhuo couldn't help but interject in a low voice.

"Perfect Jinchūriki... truly terrifying. Konoha's Nine-Tails Jinchūriki..."

He shook his head, and everyone understood what remained unsaid: Konoha's control and utilization of the Nine-Tails currently rested with the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki, Senju Mito.

The current Senju Mito could be called the strongest in the world, aside from Uchiha Madara in the shadows and Ōtsutsuki Isshiki, who was still roaming the ninja world. Even Sarutobi Hiruzen in his prime would be no match for her; the terrifying extent of her strength was evident.

Shaoyu nodded and continued.

"That is not all. From top to bottom, Kumogakure reveres strength, strives for prosperity, and never slacks in military preparation. Their ninja fighting style is fierce, and their execution is strong. Their 'Nintaijutsu' is unique and complements our Sharingan genjutsu and ninjutsu systems quite well."

"Only by joining such a village, which is on the rise, hungry for power, and respects the strong, can we obtain the development space and resources we desperately need, rather than wasting our energy in a place that is moribund or plagued by internal infighting."

He held up his second finger.

"Second, demand and acceptance. Why would Kumogakure accept us? Precisely because of their strength and ambition."

"The Third Raikage, Ai, is a leader with ambition and courage. He desires to make Kumogakure stronger and craves more influence in the ninja world. He may even... harbor the ambition to surpass Konoha. And as for us—"

Shaoyu's gaze swept over the group, finally returning to Elder Setsuna's face.

"We Uchiha, though forced to leave Konoha, do not take shame with us, but capital! Eleven Uchiha elites with awakened Sharingan, including three Jōnin, seven elite Chūnin, and..."

He pointed to his own eyes.

"A pair of Mangekyō Sharingan. This power, in any village, is enough to cause an earthquake! Kumogakure reveres power and respects the strong."

"We are taking the initiative to defect, bringing with us an incredibly precious Kekkei Genkai, rich combat experience—especially our knowledge of Konoha—and powerful, immediate combat strength. For a Kumogakure that is actively expanding and in competition with Konoha, this is a temptation that is hard to refuse."

"The Raikage may be rough, but he is certainly not stupid."

Shaoyu asserted.

"He can see our value. As long as we demonstrate enough sincerity and strength, he will not only accept us but may grant us considerable status and resources because he needs an example—an example to attract more talent from the ninja world to defect to Kumogakure."

"We will be the banner he holds up for the whole world to see: 'Look, even Konoha's prestigious Uchiha clan has chosen Kumogakure; this is where the strong belong!'"

"Of course," Shaoyu changed his tone, his voice calm.

"Initial probing, suspicion, and even deliberate obstruction are inevitable. Kumogakure cannot be monolithic, and there will certainly be voices of opposition."

"But this is exactly our opportunity. We can gradually earn true respect and status by completing missions and demonstrating our martial prowess."

"Compared to the covetousness and potential assimilation we might face in a weak village, or the endless political infighting of a complex one, Kumogakure's relatively simple rule of 'might makes right' is, for us, fairer and offers a better chance to carve out our own future through our own abilities."

Uchiha Setsuna remained silent for a long time. He simply looked at Shaoyu, his gaze shifting from initial suspicion to deep contemplation, finally settling into an indescribable, complex expression mixed with shock and relief.

He slowly walked back to the stone table and sat down, his fingers tracing the rough surface as if digesting Shaoyu's analysis, which had far exceeded his expectations.

After a while, he let out a long, deep breath, as if exhaling some of the frustration that had built up over decades of guarding a single corner of Konoha.

"Good... good!"

Elder Setsuna's voice was slightly hoarse but exceptionally powerful. He looked up, his eyes flashing with an unprecedented light—the excited glow of someone who had seen hope and witnessed the true growth of a successor.

"Shaoyu, oh Shaoyu... I originally thought you were just exceptionally strong and courageous. I did not expect that your vision, your strategy, and your insight into the general trends of the ninja world would have reached such a level!"

He patted Shaoyu's arm firmly.

"Lord Madara back then had the invincible power to sweep through armies and the dominance to look down upon the world, but in terms of judging the situation and choosing a path... perhaps he was not as clear and pragmatic as you are now!"

His gaze swept over Lianhuo and the others, seeing that the doubt in their eyes had long since been replaced by conviction and excitement.

"You are right! Konoha is corrupt and views us as enemies. Other villages are either weak or treacherous and unfit for the task. Only Kumogakure—strong, progressive, and hungry for power—is the best springboard for us Uchiha to survive this desperate situation and climb to new heights!"

"Defecting to an enemy village? No! This is a strategic relocation, choosing a better tree to nest in! Historical grievances are not worth mentioning in the face of survival and development, in the face of the future of the Uchiha! We will make the Uchiha Sharingan shine with an even more dazzling light in Kumogakure!"