Uchiha Clan and Konoha's Victory Banquet

At the Uchiha Clan Grounds, the Uchiha were exceptionally excited today.

They were preparing to hold a celebration banquet to properly commemorate this hard-won victory.

Previously, the village's suppression of the Uchiha Clan had been all-encompassing. Even when war broke out, the Uchiha had been forbidden from taking the field.

This undoubtedly intensified the conflict between the Uchiha Clan and the village.

They called themselves Konoha's greatest clan, yet never contributed during war. What kind of sense did that make?

The proud Uchiha Clan disdained explaining themselves, and the tensions only grew worse.

Today, their clan head had captured the Eight-Tails alive. Everyone was incredibly excited by it.

Shisui was fast. After all, he was Shisui of the Body Flicker. He returned to the clan grounds at top speed.

Just in time, the banquet was about to begin.

"Shisui, you're back."

Itachi spotted Shisui and walked over with a smile.

The atmosphere in the clan was usually oppressive, but everyone was happy this time, Itachi included.

"Itachi, where is your father? I need to speak with him."

Fugaku Uchiha was surrounded by several clan elders, who were questioning him about the Mangekyo Sharingan.

"Fugaku, when did you awaken the Mangekyo Sharingan? Why did you expose it to the village? How foolish!"

Setsuna Uchiha was furious. Why hadn't he been the one to awaken the Mangekyo Sharingan?

If he had the Mangekyo Sharingan, he would have led the Uchiha Clan to seize Konoha and become Hokage.

Cowardly Fugaku had captured the Eight-Tails even with the Mangekyo Sharingan, yet he refused to use that power to secure more for the clan. He was truly too cowardly!

Fugaku said nothing. He had his own considerations. Unless absolutely necessary, he would never make a move against Konoha.

Even if they were to rebel, it had to be a rebellion without any conflict!

Shisui and Itachi came over. Shisui, who possessed the Three-Tomoe Sharingan at such a young age, naturally qualified to attend the clan meeting.

Itachi Uchiha was equally gifted, but due to his young age, he had yet to distinguish himself.

"Clan Head, I have something I would like to discuss with everyone."

Fugaku Uchiha nodded. Shisui Uchiha was now the Uchiha Clan's most dazzling genius.

"Lord Jiraiya wishes to take me as his disciple."

Shisui's words made the Uchiha elders exchange glances.

"The Third Hokage and Lady Tsunade both know about this. They told me to return and ask for your opinion, Clan Head."

"What do you think?"

As a clan head, Fugaku was indeed somewhat timid, but as an elder, he was certainly qualified.

"I have always admired Lord Jiraiya."

Naturally, Shisui wanted Jiraiya as his master.

"This is a good thing. I think he should accept."

The one who spoke was Yashiro Uchiha. He had previously held a high position in the Police Force and did not blindly believe that the village and the Uchiha Clan could not coexist.

"This must be another scheme by the village. They have been targeting our Uchiha Clan for more than a day or two. I still think we need to be careful."

Setsuna Uchiha still felt that the village could not be trusted. After targeting the Uchiha Clan for so long, this had to be a plot.

"I think the village is changing as well. The Fifth Hokage has no intention of targeting us."

Ever since Shisui had met the Third Hokage with Itachi last time, he had noticed that the village's policy toward the Uchiha Clan had changed.

"Enough. Since Shisui agrees, then it is settled."

After thinking for a moment, Fugaku continued.

"Go invite Lord Jiraiya to attend the banquet. Also find Hiruzen Sarutobi and Tsunade, and see whether they are willing to come."

"Yes, yes!"

The Uchiha clansman who received the order quickly ran out.

Since the village had extended goodwill, the Uchiha Clan should also show goodwill toward the Fifth Hokage and the village.

"You will regret this!"

Setsuna Uchiha's retreating figure looked somewhat like Danzo's...

Perhaps it was precisely because Konoha had people like Danzo, while the Uchiha Clan had people like Setsuna, both confronting each other and refusing to trust one another, that things had reached this point.

Setsuna Uchiha left dejectedly. The other radical Uchiha were somewhat at a loss, looking at one another without knowing what to do.

"Fine, let us hold a banquet today! If Hiruzen Sarutobi and the Legendary Sannin are coming, invite the other clans and the village's ninja as well."

After some thought, Fugaku Uchiha decided that what had originally been just a family celebration should now also commemorate Jiraiya taking Shisui as his disciple.

If the Fifth Hokage and the others were coming too, they might as well invite all the village's ninja and further improve relations between the Uchiha Clan and the village.

After all, capturing the Eight-Tails alive was also worth celebrating.

"Understood. I'll go right away."

Jiraiya was approached by an Uchiha clansman and invited to the banquet. He agreed without a second thought.

On the other side, Hiruzen Sarutobi and the Legendary Sannin gave it some thought and agreed as well.

However, when they arrived at the Uchiha Clan Grounds, they found that most of the village's ninja had already come.

The Uchiha Clan Grounds were decorated with lanterns and colorful banners, and the Uchiha clansmen no longer acted so arrogantly. After all, today, the Uchiha Clan were Konoha's heroes.

When ninja from the other shinobi clans received the Uchiha Clan's invitations, their first reaction was shock. They could hardly believe that an Uchiha Clan banquet would actually invite them!

However, after hearing that Jiraiya was taking Shisui Uchiha as his disciple, they all agreed to come.

Ever since the Nine-Tails Uprising, Konoha had been lifeless, with everyone living in fear. No one had expected Konoha's first large gathering to be held at the Uchiha Clan Grounds.

Hiruzen Sarutobi had naturally received an invitation as well. However, he had already been at the Uchiha Clan Grounds for some time, and no one had recognized him as the Third Hokage.

As evening approached, the entire Uchiha Clan sprang into action. As a great clan passed down from the Warring States era to the present, they certainly did not lack money.

The Legendary Sannin were genuinely somewhat surprised. They had not expected most of the village's ninja to come.

The Legendary Sannin were soon invited to the central area, where the heads of the major clans were all gathered.

When Orochimaru arrived, the ninja all nodded in greeting. After all, Orochimaru was now handling most of the village's affairs.

Orochimaru spoke with Fugaku Uchiha for a while and soon confirmed the main purpose of today's banquet.

The first was naturally to celebrate Konoha's capture of the Eight-Tails Jinchūriki, while the second was Jiraiya taking Shisui as his disciple.

Fugaku Uchiha was finally completely at ease. The village's attitude toward the Uchiha Clan had changed, and it would no longer target them as it once had.

The village's trust could be felt from Jiraiya taking Shisui as his disciple.

Jiraiya led Hiruzen Sarutobi to the seat of honor. By rights, he was Shisui's grandmaster, so he should indeed be present for the apprenticeship ceremony.

Most of the ninja did not recognize him as the Third Hokage and were still wondering who he was.