"Lord Hatake, what we love is Konoha itself, not Konoha's upper echelons, much less any particular faction."
Uchiha Yuu's voice was cool and detached. He did not immediately invite Hatake Sakumo to join the Enlightenment Organization. Meals had to be eaten one bite at a time. At present, Hatake Sakumo would find it difficult to join any organization unless Konoha as a whole did something to betray him. Even then, it would only make betrayal possible; more likely, he would commit suicide on the spot!
"Thank you. I can understand that."
After hearing Uchiha Yuu's words, he felt somewhat better. The villagers' vicious insults and the ninjas' lack of understanding had made Hatake Sakumo feel as though all was darkness, but from Uchiha Yuu, he had learned that it was all a conspiracy by Kumogakure and Konoha's upper echelons. Hatake Sakumo then made up his mind and said:
"I don't plan to take on ninja missions anymore. I'll only act when the village's safety is at stake."
He had not said this without reason. He was no longer alone; Kakashi was behind him.
Besides, the money he had accumulated from missions over the years was enough to cover their future expenses.
"That's not a bad approach."
Uchiha Yuu did not object. At this stage, Hatake Sakumo's best course of action was to withdraw at the height of the current. The village would not truly punish him; it was merely putting on a show to let Kumogakure see Konoha's sincerity. Konoha did not want the Third Shinobi World War to break out. At most, it would send over some supplies to satisfy Kumogakure's vanity.
Taking the initiative to yield was not shameful. As long as Konoha developed steadily, it would soon widen the gap between itself and the other villages.
"If