The False Neutral Country, Iron Country! (Seeking Follow-ups)

"Start simulation!"

[Age 6, you behaved ordinarily, attracting no attention.]

[Age 6, 1 month, you are investigating routes.]

[Age 6, 2 months, you are investigating routes.]

[Age 6, 3 months, you have almost finished investigating routes. You decide to act and arrive at the village outskirts.]

[You leave Konoha.]

[However, Root ninja soon discover your departure and pursue you.]

[You kill over a dozen Root ninja.]

[Age 6, 4 months, you flee to the border of the Land of Fire, with the Land of Iron next door. Your thinking is this: the Land of Iron is a neutral country, a land of samurai.]

[You believe Konoha ninja would have difficulty operating in the Land of Iron.]

[Your true objective is the Land of Lightning, which can only be reached by passing through the Land of Iron.]

[However, your guess is wrong.]

[The Land of Iron cooperates fully with Konoha ninja's actions.]

[You are surrounded by ninja and samurai from the Land of Iron.]

[You die.]

[Please choose your desired reward from the two options below.]

[1: None.]

[2: The item you held in your hand before death.]

"I choose 2!"

A samurai sword appears in Uchiha Setsuna's hand.

This is a weapon used by samurai of the Land of Iron.

Uchiha Setsuna's eyes flicker as he hides the samurai sword under his bed.

"Unlike the previous times I escaped Konoha early, this life simulation, I've actually managed to escape Konoha. I've even left the Land of Fire."

"But I couldn't go any further."

"Konoha and the Land of Iron have a cooperative relationship."

"This country isn't truly completely neutral."

Uchiha Setsuna gives a wry smile.

"I was too naive. In any world, to achieve absolute neutrality, a power must possess strength that completely surpasses all other forces. Otherwise, it's impossible."

"That so-called absolute neutrality is just talk."

Uchiha Setsuna finishes breakfast and heads to the Ninja Academy.

He ponders along the way.

"Escaping before the Night of the Uchiha Clan Downfall, with my current strength, there's actually a possibility of success. It's just a matter of choosing the right escape route."

"I clearly chose the wrong one this time."

"I chose Kumogakure first, and then decided to pass through the Land of Iron."

Uchiha Setsuna's reason for choosing Kumogakure is simple.

Because Kumogakure is the strongest right now.

And the several frictions between Kumogakure and Konoha show Konoha's changing attitude towards Kumogakure.

Back then, when Kumogakure ninja tried to steal Kushina Uzumaki, Minato Namikaze discovered them and killed several Kumogakure ninja.

At that time, Kumogakure didn't dare to say a word.

Because Konoha was very strong then.

Hiruzen Sarutobi wasn't too old yet, Kushina Mito, that pillar of Konoha, was still alive, and the Sannin had grown. Konoha's strength was greater than Kumogakure's.

The second incident was when Kumogakure ninja tried to steal Hyuga Hinata.

This time, Konoha's reaction was completely different.

For the exact same thing, during the Kushina Uzumaki incident, Konoha showed Kumogakure no mercy.

But this time with Hyuga Hinata, Konoha not only admitted fault but also voluntarily handed over Hizashi Hyuga's corpse.

It could be said that this was an extremely humiliating compromise.

Uchiha Setsuna believes that if he could obtain Kumogakure's protection, then naturally, Konoha's higher-ups wouldn't be able to kill him.

"Among the various powers, obtaining Kumogakure's protection would indeed be the best."

"However, there are two problems with this."

"One is that the road to Kumogakure is not an easy one."

"Aside from the Land of Iron, the other routes leading to the Land of Lightning are all through small countries."

"Konoha ninjas can enter these small countries freely."

"Can I survive and leave these small countries while being pursued by Konoha ninjas?"

"The second is, will Kumogakure believe me and grant me protection?"

"Unfortunately, in the simulations I ran before joining Root, Danzo didn't give me any missions to the Land of Lightning. Otherwise, I could have taken the opportunity to seek refuge and wouldn't be in this much trouble."

Uchiha Setsuna's primary concern was the first issue.

Regarding the second issue, Uchiha Setsuna felt that Kumogakure had a high probability of accepting him.

After all, he possessed the Sharingan.

While strategically inferior to the Byakugan, it was still an extremely powerful ability.

There was no reason for Kumogakure to not be interested.

Even if Kumogakure didn't fully trust Uchiha Setsuna, they would likely impose restrictions and limitations on him rather than outright reject him.

Once the Night of the Uchiha Clan Downfall occurred, Kumogakure's attitude towards Uchiha Setsuna would undoubtedly become much more positive.

"Besides Kumogakure, there are a few other options."

"Kirigakure, Iwagakure, and the Akatsuki."

Uchiha Setsuna ruled out Sunagakure.

Sunagakure was not strong and was an ally of Konoha. If Uchiha Setsuna went to Sunagakure, they might outwardly agree to everything but then sell him out to Konoha.

"Iwagakure's strength surpasses Konoha's."

"However, Onoki would most likely not accept me."

"I previously had an experience hiding in the Land of Earth during my life simulations. At that time, the people of Iwagakure should have known, but they did nothing."

"This proves that Onoki doesn't want to conflict with Konoha because of me."

"Therefore, Iwagakure can be ruled out."

"As for the Akatsuki."

Uchiha Setsuna knew the Akatsuki's background.

It was initially founded by Yahiko and his two companions, a group aiming to change the Land of Rain and help those in need, with peace as their goal. However, after Yahiko's death, the situation changed.

Especially after Tobi Uchiha appeared.

This organization became Tobi Uchiha's pawn.

Before that, only Nagato was a pawn of Madara Uchiha.

Uchiha Setsuna disliked Tobi Uchiha.

"Tobi Uchiha, like Uchiha Itachi, can be called a beast, and it wouldn't be an exaggeration."

"If I recall correctly, Tobi Uchiha was also involved in the Night of the Uchiha Clan Downfall."

"Those Uchiha members of the Guard Division were killed by Tobi Uchiha."

"Despite originating from the Uchiha clan, he shows no affection towards them."

"He can kill innocent Uchiha without hesitation."

"Furthermore, Tobi Uchiha could easily attack Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki. Both of them treated Tobi Uchiha very well, yet they both died because of him."

"Perhaps Uchiha Itachi and Tobi Uchiha are already colluding."

"The Akatsuki is not a good option for me."

"Kirigakure, I can try."

Uchiha Setsuna presented two choices before himself.

On one side was Kumogakure, with its formidable strength.

On the other was Kirigakure, relatively weaker, but Uchiha Setsuna had a higher chance of being accepted there. Uchiha Setsuna could reveal that Yagura was under genjutsu.