Farewell, Hinata Ning

Farewell, Hyuga Ning

Fugaku understood the approach of the Konoha leadership. Some things, once acquired, would never be yielded again, even if it caused some losses to the village.

There were barriers all around Konoha, along with ninjas responsible for guarding them. Coming and going was too troublesome, and the main gate was the only entrance and exit. It seemed unremarkable, yet it was crucial.

"This is also the result of compromises from all sides," Uchiha Tenjo said. "Without absolute strength, one can only compromise in various aspects. Even someone as powerful as the Third Hokage must compromise on certain differences of opinion."

Fugaku could understand the Uchiha's compromise. Under the premise of preserving their own interests, ceding some posts that were not particularly important to the clan not only guaranteed their own interests, but also provided an alternative path for the clan's ninjas.

Ambitious clan ninjas could join the regular Ninja Corps, or even pass exams to enter the ANBU, which was directly under the Hokage.

In this era where the conflict between the clan and the village had not yet risen to a certain height, joining the ANBU did not necessarily mean betraying the clan; the examination conditions were simply rather harsh.

The Konoha leadership's practice of ostracizing the Uchiha had remained unchanged since the Second Hokage, until Minato Namikaze, who was already among the Konoha leadership at the time, attempted to change this situation by taking a member of the Uchiha clan as a disciple.

Who could have anticipated that a mere unassuming Uchiha scion, due to a series of accidents, would leap straight from two tomoe to awaken the Mangekyo Sharingan, ultimately resulting in the death of the Fourth Hokage and placing the Uchiha in direct opposition to Konoha, thus igniting the fuse for the Uchiha clan's annihilation.

"I can understand Father's difficult position," Fugaku said. "Since it cannot be stamped out at the source, we can only continue to trouble the clan's youths."

For three consecutive days, Fugaku had been on duty in the Security Force. He did not hear any gossip at all, and even the clan members who harbored dissatisfaction toward Uchiha Tenjo did not make disparaging remarks about Fugaku being on duty in the Security Force without having joined it.

It seemed the Security Force was a symbol of the Uchiha. As long as they were ninjas of the Uchiha clan, working in the Security Force was taken for granted, regardless of whether they had officially joined.

Not only was there no gossip within the Uchiha, but even the Konoha leadership, who had always ostracized the Uchiha, circulated no rumors. It appeared the Security Force and the Uchiha were one and the same.

Fugaku understood that this was also the result of multiple compromises between both sides.

Having concluded seven days of work in the Security Force, Fugaku had just stepped outside when an ANBU operative wearing a cat-mask appeared before him.

"Uchiha Fugaku, the Hokage summons you," the ANBU operative finished delivering the message, then vanished from Fugaku's sight using the Body Flicker Technique.

Fugaku calculated that of his two months of leave, more than ten days still remained. Summoning him now could not possibly be for a casual chat; either there was a new situation on the battlefield, or there was an urgent mission—matters of this sort could not be declined.

As a ninja, one had to carry out even a suicide mission, though such missions were rare.

A Body Flicker Technique likewise vanished from the spot, flashing continuously to keep pace with the ANBU operative who had set off first. The other party possessed good strength; as a Chunin, being able to master the Body Flicker Technique to this degree was already no weaker than some newly-minted Jonin ninjas.

The cat-mask turned its head to glance back, and Fugaku immediately accelerated with the Body Flicker Technique, leaving the other party behind and vanishing from the spot, leaving only the cat-mask staring blankly at the distant figure.

At the Hokage Office Building, the number of staff members from various departments coming and going was greater than before. Fugaku exchanged brief greetings with some familiar ninjas, arrived before the door of the Hokage's Office, knocked, and entered.

Fugaku was somewhat surprised to find all three Konoha leaders present in the Hokage's Office at this time. The current two advisors, much like the Third Hokage, were both in their thirties, at the peak of their lives.

Koharu Utatane appeared high-spirited and vigorous, her entire being radiating an oppressive aura. Mitokado Homura likewise possessed an astonishing aura; as disciples groomed by the Second Hokage, few among those at their peak were simple figures.

"Lord Hokage, Senior Homura, Senior Koharu, Uchiha Tenjo... Uchiha Fugaku reporting for duty."

The two advisors nodded by way of greeting, then stood up from their chairs before the desk, walking over to sit on a sofa in the distance to signal that they would not participate in the Hokage's specific affairs.

The Third Hokage took a puff of his pipe and said, "No need for formalities, Fugaku. Regarding your remaining leave, I can only say I am sorry."

"You flatter me, Lord Hokage," Fugaku said. "A mission urgent enough to be issued personally by Lord Hokage must be extremely vital to the village."

The Third Hokage nodded and said, "Your performance last left in the Land of Rain left a deep impression on me. As a member of the prestigious Uchiha clan, I did not see in you the arrogance possessed by most scions of prominent families.

Before issuing the mission, there is a matter I wish to consult your opinion on."

Fugaku was slightly taken aback, then spoke, "Please speak, Lord Hokage."

"The students of this year's Ninja Academy are about to graduate, and I hope you can serve as an instructor for one term. The situation on the battlefield is becoming increasingly severe, and once all-out war breaks out, these newly graduated ninjas are extremely likely to be sent to the front lines.

A newly graduated Genin can only be cannon fodder once they go to the battlefield. As a ninja who has performed exceptionally well in battle, I hope you can train them to become qualified ninjas."

Instructor ninjas had always held an important position in Konoha. It was not merely the imparting of certain skills and ninjutsu, but also the continuation of a person's will.

The Senju lineage had firmly controlled Konoha's regime for so many years, and not a trace of a second voice had ever appeared within the Ninja Corps. This was not only related to the academy's education, but also closely tied to the squad-leader ninjas.

Every team-leading ninja was personally selected by the Hokage. Whether a Chunin or a Jonin, their ideology completely aligned with the thoughts of the Konoha leadership.

Instructed generation after generation, even independent-minded ninjas would ultimately become Konoha ninjas fitting the leadership's will under the influence of their surrounding environment.

In Fugaku's view, the policies of the Konoha leadership were entirely without error, yet the world always held surprises. From Orochimaru to Obito Uchiha—one who served as the Third's disciple only to ultimately cause the Third's death, and the other who was the Fourth's disciple and likewise the culprit behind the Fourth's demise.

That the Third Hokage would allow him to serve as a Jonin Instructor this term meant this mission would likely be anything but simple; it might even be extremely difficult. The position of Jonin Instructor was merely compensation for him, a form of disguised co-optation.

Fugaku understood that once he became a Jonin Instructor, barring any unforeseen changes on the Land of Rain battlefield, he would not need to return to the front lines for rotation within a year. As long as he completed a few necessary missions, he could rest easy in Konoha.

A knock sounded at the door once more, and Hyuga Ning walked in alongside three other ninjas.

Both Fugaku and Hyuga Ning were somewhat surprised, exchanging a glance to acknowledge one another.

"Since everyone has arrived, I shall announce a few matters," the Third Hokage said. "Starting today, the five of you will form an elite squad, designated Squad 006, tasked with completing missions that ordinary squads cannot accomplish. The captain will be Uchiha Fugaku.

According to intelligence obtained from secret operatives regarding the Land of Earth, Ōnoki intends to reinforce the Land of Rain, and is currently negotiating with the Earth Daimyo and several high-ranking officials of the Land of Earth.

Your mission this expedition is to assassinate the Logistics Department Minister of the Land of Earth and several important logistics officials, delaying their reinforcement schedule."