The Yang Power from Hashirama Cells Is Even Stronger—Want Some?

Although Sarutobi Hiruzen muddled the matter through, the Uchiha Clan was in an uproar once again.

Even Itachi, who had provided Danzo with intelligence, was not blamed.

In short, Uchiha Retsuo had slaughtered his way to victory and won big!

Some even suggested that this outlying area was unsafe and vulnerable to assassination, demanding that the village return the Uchiha Clan's former compound—the area right in the center of the village.

Even Retsuo himself thought this demand was absurd... If they actually made it, leaving everyone else aside, the villagers of Konoha would surely grow to despise the Uchiha even more.

"What? Retsuo doesn't support this demand?" Fugaku pursed his lips and sat cross-legged, asking as he brewed tea. "Isn't it a perfectly reasonable demand? I don't see anything wrong with it."

"Esteemed Clan Head, this isn't about whether it's reasonable, nor is it about who's right or wrong. If we take that land back, the Uchiha will become even more estranged from the village. I won't be able to become Hokage."

Fugaku sprayed out a mouthful of tea. Your progress toward becoming Hokage hasn't even reached one percent! Why are you making it sound as if you're only one step away?

However, Uchiha Itachi, kneeling below them, actually nodded in strong agreement. "Indeed. We'd gain little and lose much."

He had actually won Itachi's approval? Retsuo felt flattered.

"What a pity. We couldn't bring down Root this time. Sigh." Fugaku sounded somewhat self-reproachful. He should have been more forceful.

You might be overestimating yourself if you think you can bring down Root, Retsuo thought. "By the way, Esteemed Clan Head, does the village have any arrangements for the ninja team formed by Tenma and Shinji and me?"

"Not for now." Fugaku actually smiled as he spoke. "At present, no Jōnin dares to be your team leader, and the village refuses to use our Uchiha Jōnin."

Retsuo stated the obvious with a straight face. "Why? Minazuki-sensei didn't die because of me."

Fugaku was silent for a moment before saying, "Minazuki would probably have resigned even if he were still alive. Being your team leader requires an extremely strong ability to withstand pressure."

Retsuo: "You deadbeat, explain to me what you mean by 'the ability to withstand pressure'!"

As he spoke, Fugaku began to chuckle. "Actually, with your current strength, you're fully qualified to be assessed as a Special Jonin. From now on, the possibility of you and Tenma and Shinji forming a Genin team is practically negligible. Therefore, the village might send you to the Eastern Front."

"The Eastern Front?"

Retsuo immediately caught a whiff of conspiracy.

Within Konohagakure, no matter how intense the opposition was, things had to be done according to the rules. Danzo couldn't simply lead Root into the Uchiha compound. Even if he came, he wouldn't be able to beat them.

But once they left Konoha, it would be the law of the jungle—or perhaps even the law of the dark forest.

"Don't worry. It was proposed by the Third Lord, and I've already rejected it." Fugaku let out a cold laugh. There are so many geniuses in the Uchiha Clan, yet not one of them has ever been able to argue with Danzo to his face! Now that we've finally got one, how could I possibly send him to the Eastern Front?

Retsuo knew what Fugaku was so pleased about. It was rare for him to show such backbone and reject Sarutobi Hiruzen's proposal.

Fugaku's ancestors were probably going to start smoking in their graves.

What Retsuo hadn't expected was that while nothing happened to him, Tenma and Shinji were recruited by the village.

Tenma became ANBU, while Shinji was transferred to the Barrier Team.

"What? Tenma, you joined ANBU?" Retsuo couldn't help clicking his tongue. When Shisui joined ANBU, he had been a Genin, but that was understandable. At worst, he would become an Elite Jonin in the future, barring any accidents.

But what did Tenma have going for him? With Tenma's aptitude, he might remain a Genin for his entire life. Given ANBU's ability requirements, how could there possibly be room for a Genin to survive there? Could it be... because of him?

Tenma's face flushed. "Stop looking down on me! I'll definitely make a name for myself in ANBU!"

Shinji giggled. "Joining ANBU seems to have been Retsuo's dream, hasn't it? Retsuo, is this why you..."

"Yes, I'm jealous!"

Retsuo had a feeling that he might be separated from his friends for a while.

There was no denying that the Third Hokage had played this move beautifully. It seemed that he had already grown wary of Retsuo. It wasn't a major issue, but when the time came, it might cause trouble.

Shinji patted Retsuo. "It should be us who are jealous of you. The ninjas from your great clan can do nothing at all and don't have to let the village arrange their destinies. Do you know how much we used to envy you?"

Tenma nodded. In Retsuo's current situation, if he said he was going into seclusion to train, the village simply couldn't mobilize him unless war broke out.

"Although we're the best of friends, I still want to say thank you. You gave Shinji and me a chance not to be quite so jealous of you."

Retsuo really wanted to tell them, You have no idea that you've already walked past the gates of death.

And you may have to do it once or twice more in the future.

But when Yulong found out, her expression became strange.

"Hey, hey, why are you looking at me like that?"

Yulong looked him straight in the eye. "Retsuo, haven't you noticed how much importance the village places on you? They regard you as a ninja capable of influencing the village's balance of power, not as a nine-year-old child. It's not because of your Uchiha surname, but because of your abilities and your attitude toward the village. This definitely isn't a good thing."

Retsuo had actually noticed it too. But he wasn't afraid.

Only Bald Man Ukyo had just thought of this as well, and he immediately felt uneasy. "Our leave is over, and we're returning to the Eastern Front soon. You must take care of yourself, Retsuo. I think you should go into seclusion and train for a while, and avoid the conflicts in the village. Let the Esteemed Clan Head handle whatever happens. After all, he's our clan head."

Retsuo knew that wasn't wrong. However, Fugaku was the man who would lead the Uchiha toward extermination...

During this period, his relationship with Grandma Cat had grown increasingly close, and he often ran to the Cat Demon Shrine. Officially, he went there to sign contracts with ninja cats, but in reality, he was there to raise Grandma Cat's favorability.

With this kind of grinding, it was always easy to reach worship, especially since he was the one who had exorcised Yemaki's spirit.

It was clear that Grandma Cat cared deeply about Yemaki. Although Yemaki no longer suffered nightmares after the exorcism, she was still extremely weak.

For a child not yet a year old, that was terrifying. Grandma Cat worried every day, afraid that Yemaki might suddenly never wake up again.

One day, Grandma Cat suddenly pulled Retsuo aside with a mysterious air. "Little Retsuo, would you like to accept an old woman's commission and do something for me?"

"Just tell me what you need. But why don't you post the commission in the village?"

"If I could post it with Konoha... You know, I'm the person who has issued the most missions to Konoha, bar none." Grandma Cat sighed. After Retsuo had raised her favorability, there were many things she couldn't conveniently say to Ukyo and Yulong but could tell him. "But this time, I want a treasure belonging to one of Konoha's allies."

"What? A treasure belonging to one of Konoha's allies?"

If they were allies of Konoha, what treasure could they possibly still have? He really couldn't get interested in such a commission.

Grandma Cat continued, "A physician told me that only the Land of Waterfalls' sacred treasure, Hero's Water, can cure Yemaki. But I really can't ask Konohagakure to handle this. Even the Uchiha Clan would find it inconvenient for certain reasons. I used to be quite fond of that boy Ukyo, but I never expected him to return to the Eastern Front so soon."

"This matter is extremely important. Are you sure it will work?"

Retsuo was somewhat conflicted. He had finally become interested, but he didn't want Grandma Cat running around everywhere and putting herself in danger.

Otherwise, wouldn't all that favorability grinding have been for nothing?

"Yes. Hero's Water is water rich in Yang Power. Given Yemaki's current condition, it really might work. But Retsuo, have you heard of Hero's Water?"

Retsuo nodded, but he felt it was unreliable. If Yang Power is useful, then the Yang Power in Hashirama Cells is even stronger. Why don't you try some of that?

The Land of Waterfalls had two sacred treasures: Hero's Water and Seven-Tails Chōmei. Konoha happened to be interested in neither of them, but... I am definitely interested!