Uchiha Heroes

"Madara Uchiha was already dead. That man was Obito Uchiha, Minato's disciple."

Hiruzen Sarutobi naturally knew how things had unfolded, and he also knew Obito's identity.

There was no need to hide it, so he said it outright.

His words made the other three turn to look at him.

"Obito Uchiha?"

Orochimaru and Danzo had little impression of that name, while Shikaku Nara had none at all.

"Madara Uchiha did indeed survive. He clung to life until some time ago, and Obito Uchiha was the pawn he cultivated."

"Sensei, how did you know?"

"I learned it when Minato and I fought him. His Mangekyo Sharingan ability was extremely strange. He could enter another dimension and ignore attacks for a short time."

"That was precisely how he succeeded in releasing the Nine-Tails."

Hiruzen Sarutobi's words made the other three frown. There was too much information for them to take in all at once.

"Fugaku Uchiha also possesses the Mangekyo Sharingan. He and Jiraiya captured the Eight-Tails Jinchūriki alive at the border and are currently returning to Konoha."

Hearing that another Uchiha possessed the Mangekyo Sharingan, Danzo's narrowed eyes widened.

"The Uchiha Clan cannot be trusted! Who knows whether they are colluding with that Obito!"

"Hiruzen, Fugaku Uchiha must be brought under control!"

"Heh. Stop meddling and retire in peace."

Orochimaru did not agree with Danzo's view. He also wanted the Uchiha Clan's power, but the Uchiha were not venomous snakes or scorpions to the village. There was no need to fear them.

"Hiruzen Sarutobi, you will regret this!"

"Unfortunately, I am the Hokage."

Hearing Hiruzen Sarutobi say that, Danzo nearly blacked out. Hiruzen's expression truly disgusted him; he always used his position as Hokage to suppress him.

"Third Hokage-sama, do you have any more information about that Obito?"

Only Shikaku Nara still remembered the crucial question. Yet when he looked at the Third Hokage, his gaze could not help being drawn to the Third's explosive muscles.

It was not just Shikaku Nara. When Tsunade saw the Third Hokage's muscles a few days ago, she could not help swallowing.

"Because of his lover's death, he came to hate Konoha and the Uchiha Clan completely. He also knows the Uchiha secret technique, Izanagi. We must be careful."

After speaking, Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Danzo.

"Explain it. What is Izanagi?"

Danzo took a deep breath. How did Hiruzen Sarutobi know everything?

"Izanagi is a secret Uchiha ninjutsu. At the cost of permanently blinding one Blood Wheel Eye, it can reverse reality for a short period and change circumstances unfavorable to oneself."

Orochimaru and Shikaku Nara both drew sharp breaths. A technique that could place someone in an undefeated position was simply too powerful.

Shikaku Nara somewhat understood why the Second Hokage, the Third Hokage, and Danzo had all targeted the Uchiha Clan.

The Uchiha Clan's power was too great, and their temperaments were unstable. To the village, they were a double-edged sword.

If there were several more shinobi like Obito, the Shinobi World would be finished.

"I understand. Keep this matter confidential for now. We'll head back first, Sensei."

After thinking it over, Orochimaru chose to leave with Shikaku Nara.

"Hiruzen, if you trust the Uchiha Clan like this, the village will definitely face a huge disaster!"

Danzo looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi and could not help speaking up.

Hiruzen Sarutobi ignored Danzo's words. He walked over and resumed grilling the meat; if they kept talking, it would burn.

"Hiruzen, did you even hear what I said?!"

"Danzo, why can't the Uchiha Clan become the village's strength? The more you fear the Uchiha, the more the Uchiha love this village. If you stop targeting them and give them opportunities and hope, they will give everything to protect the village."

Hiruzen Sarutobi's words silenced Danzo, leaving him unsure how to respond.

"Oh, Orochimaru, I may leave to travel for a while soon."

Orochimaru had not gone far. Hearing Hiruzen Sarutobi's words, he turned around and nodded.

That was a good thing for him. Hiruzen Sarutobi was currently the Hokage, but Orochimaru handled most of Konoha's affairs. If Hiruzen Sarutobi temporarily left Konoha, Orochimaru could instead work freely and develop Konoha even better.

He and Shikaku Nara needed to return and announce the news that they had captured the Eight-Tails alive.

However, Fugaku's Mangekyo Sharingan needed to be concealed. They would say that Jiraiya had suppressed the Eight-Tails, while several Uchiha had used genjutsu together to control it.

He wanted to make the Uchiha Clan into Konoha's heroes. If the Uchiha still acted against the village after that, it would not be too late to take action.

After Orochimaru and Shikaku Nara returned, the battle report from the front rapidly spread throughout the village.

The news that Jiraiya and Fugaku Uchiha, the Uchiha Clan head, had destroyed every Rock shinobi and Cloud Village shinobi squad at Konoha's border and captured the Eight-Tails alive sent Konoha into an uproar.

Konoha had suffered one heavy blow after another and lost several powerful shinobi. It desperately needed such news to raise morale.

For many civilians and ordinary shinobi, this was also the first time they learned the Uchiha Clan head's name.

During this period, the village's policy toward the Uchiha Clan had already changed.

The Uchiha Clan compound was located in a corner of the village, making life inconvenient. After the Police Force was disbanded, many Uchiha Clan members moved into the village proper.

Before today, the Uchiha still faced gossip and cold looks within the village.

But today, the Uchiha Clan had become Konoha's heroes. Whenever the aloof Uchiha walked through the streets, civilians who saw their fan crest would approach to thank them.

The Uchiha Clan members were at a loss, but they were all immensely proud that their clan head and several jonin had captured the Eight-Tails alive.

"Shisui..."

At home, Itachi Uchiha had also learned of the matter and could not help thinking of his close friend, Shisui Uchiha.

Shisui Uchiha had already awakened his eyes and also possessed the Mangekyo Sharingan. Itachi Uchiha only knew that his friend possessed the Mangekyo Sharingan; he did not know that his father did as well.

He suspected that Shisui might have used the Mangekyo Sharingan's power. However, the village's attitude toward the Uchiha had improved, and every clan member returning from outside wore a smile.

Some civilians, along with shinobi who held grudges against the Cloud Village, had even delivered gifts to the Uchiha Clan compound.

The relationship between the village and the clan was improving. I hope your choice was not wrong...

Looking at Sasuke in his arms, Itachi Uchiha could not help smiling as he pinched Sasuke's cheek.

His little brother was simply too adorable. In a village like this, Sasuke should be able to grow up healthy, right?

The next day, Jiraiya and his group returned to Konoha and received the treatment heroes deserved.

Fugaku Uchiha and the other Uchiha jonin found it very uncomfortable, while only Shisui Uchiha thoroughly enjoyed it.

This was the goal he had always worked toward. The village and the clan should have been one and the same!

He, Shisui Uchiha, would protect the glory of both the clan and the village!