Undercurrents Surge Through Konoha

"I keep feeling like you've got some kind of BUFF. We always meet in the hospital. Do you like the atmosphere here or something?"

Shisui Uchiha smiled as he sat beside him, peeling an apple for Itachi Uchiha. His eyes were filled with affection. Konoha's medical care was still so advanced.

After all, with a new-school faction like Orochimaru that believed in science, they had been able to break away from the primitive and ignorant system of the past.

During the previous mission in the Land of Rice Fields, although they hadn't completed the assigned decapitation mission, Konoha had severely wounded Orochimaru in the operation. It was at least some revenge against the rogue ninja and spared Konoha from losing face entirely.

Besides, they had embellished the mission report a little. As the vice-captain, Itachi Uchiha had enough authority to write things that would make everyone happy to take it easy.

That was why the team could return to rest and recuperate. Otherwise, with Kakashi's refusal to let things go, they would've had to keep chasing him, and it might have delayed their return by several more months.

"You only know how to tease me. Now that this mission is over, I really do need some rest."

Itachi Uchiha gave a helpless, bitter smile. Showing up in the hospital so often had indeed worried all his friends and relatives.

People came to visit him every day, leaving him terribly embarrassed. Especially with all those flowers and fruit—he could practically open a pawnshop with them.

After all, he was now the publicly acknowledged young clan head of the Uchiha Clan. His decisive judgment and farsighted insight had earned the recognition of many.

[Itachi Faction 7%]

Fanatical supporters had even gradually begun to appear within the clan. And his father's approval rating within the Uchiha Clan was only eighty-three percent.

As that support continued to rise, he himself would gain more fortune and assistance. It could even produce unexpected results to a certain extent.

The clan's internal unity, the prosperity of the Uchiha Clan, the ideological imprint, and the corresponding degree of cohesion all needed to be considered.

Otherwise, even if they cultivated an extremely powerful Kage-level ninja, if ideological infiltration occurred and someone won him over, turning him into another person's mouthpiece or thug, the pressure would be enormous.

"It feels like you haven't been going to the training grounds much lately. What have you been busy with?"

As though Shisui knew something, he lowered his voice and asked.

That sharp perception startled Itachi. His current plan involved continuously probing Konoha. As far as he was concerned, several assassination plans had already been set in motion.

He could even coordinate with Orochimaru from within and without to carry out the Konoha Crush!

Compared with those useless fools around the Kazekage in the Land of Sand, the Uchiha Clan was a far more suitable powerful ally.

"Not entirely. But what worries me most right now is Konoha's political oppression of our clan. I heard it's started again... We've received all kinds of complaints lately. They say the Security Forces' enforcement methods are too rough..."

Itachi Uchiha still felt he needed to remain cautious. At the very least, his own strength had yet to reach Kage level. If he faced Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, alone, defeating him in a short time would be incredibly difficult.

"I can indeed feel the undercurrents constantly surging. The clan members are restless too. I'm afraid every side has already acted far beyond the intelligence we've gathered so far... I've been trying to ease the emotions on both sides, but it feels like they've reached the point of drawn swords and bent bows. Especially Lord Danzō—he's even been asking about certain purge operations... Itachi, lie back and listen to me. You just exhausted yourself, so it isn't appropriate for you to keep moving around."

As he spoke, Shisui bit his lip. Those were all his clansmen. After living together day and night, both sides were precious to him.

"Looks like there isn't much time left. Don't place your hopes on either side. They're probably both trying to settle this through force. For the hawks among them, there's no way they'll compromise through weakness."

Itachi Uchiha felt tension rise within him. He had originally thought Orochimaru's betrayal would draw the higher-ups' attention, but instead, everyone had turned their eyes toward the Uchiha Clan.

Some even openly provoked them, blaming everything on the Security Forces' poor management.

Otherwise, how could so many disappearances have been tolerated before anyone noticed?

A fortress was often breached from its strongest interior.

After all, who could have imagined that Orochimaru, one of Konoha's Three Ninja, would betray the village?

But there was no doubt that people with ulterior motives existed. Quite a few clans had always lingered at the fringes of power. Even when there were vacancies in the Security Forces, they lacked the ability to force their way in.

If they could fish in troubled waters, weaken the Uchiha Clan, and bleed it dry to obtain a share of its power, they could take advantage of the opening and strengthen themselves.

In the end, undercurrents were still surging. There were simply too many enemies outside...

"You're right. I've noticed that the Anbu's operations have become increasingly frequent. It even feels as though they're deliberately trying to transfer you and me out of Konoha."

Shisui pondered for a moment and realized the coincidence behind it all.

The more he thought about it, the more cold sweat broke out across his body.

But he still refused to believe the answer behind it.

"So during this period, I'll need you to help watch over the people in the clan. I may have to leave for a while."

Itachi Uchiha clenched his teeth. He truly was exhausted to the point of coughing up blood.

There was simply no room for him to rest. Obtaining the key to enter Dragon Cave had certainly been a good thing, but if they relocated the entire clan into such a Snake Cave, it would still provoke resentment from many local factions.

After all, they were merely outsiders.

So he had to rely on his own strength to go in and investigate first. If it was viable, then they could begin a series of negotiations.

But in the end, they were just a bunch of stinking snakes. Those who obeyed him would prosper; those who defied him would perish.

At worst, he would kill all those scheming bastards, seize their nest, and relocate the entire Uchiha Clan there to gain a foothold.

But at least for now, the dangers and safeguards hidden within the mysterious Dragon Cave far exceeded his expectations.

"Then it's settled."