Chapter 128: 124: Uchiha (2)
Uchiha Clan
The Uchiha clan, now under the leadership of Fugaku after Elder Sora, faced some discontent among radical members who desired other leaders. However, due to Elder Sora's decree, they begrudgingly accepted Fugaku's authority.
Becoming the clan leader was a dream come true for Fugaku, even though it came with significant challenges. He had anticipated a fierce struggle with Ruri for this position, but her defection, which resulted in the loss of trust and support from Elder Sora, unexpectedly shifted the clan's focus towards him. This twist of fate, while unfortunate for the clan's standing in Konoha, provided an unexpected advantage.
However, Ruri's defection had cast a shadow on the Uchiha clan's reputation in the village. Uchiha were gradually losing trust at the highest levels, with even the clan's advisors and Root leader, Danzo, openly criticizing them during Jonin Conferences. The only staunch supporter of the Uchiha remained the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Despite Fugaku's desire to refute these accusations, Ruri's betrayal and her harm to her fellow comrades were undeniable. During Jonin meetings, all eyes turned suspiciously towards Uchiha, leaving Fugaku feeling deeply ashamed.
He couldn't help but despise Ruri for her disloyalty to the village, which had tarnished the clan's reputation. Even within the clan, nobody spoke in her defense. In fact, those Uchiha who had followed Ruri out of the clan were considered traitors and disgraces.
Had it not been for the ongoing war, they might have dispatched personnel to apprehend these Uchiha deserters.
"Fugaku, how does it feel to lead for the first time? Does it bring you a sense of accomplishment?" teased Uchiha Rindo, an confidant of Elder Sora, when he found Fugaku at home.
"Sense of accomplishment? It's more like the weight of responsibility," Fugaku replied with a wry smile. Initially, he had been filled with the joy of assuming the leadership role, but the following responsibilities had left him weary.
Besides managing high-level contacts, he found himself struggling with various unfamiliar tasks.
Dealing with Danzo, who was extremely dissatisfied with the Uchiha's conduct, was particularly challenging. Danzo wanted to hold the Uchiha accountable for their perceived negligence and had demanded Uchiha be monitored by the Anbu.
It was thanks to the Third Hokage's intervention that Fugaku's task wasn't made even more difficult. Fugaku deeply appreciated the Third Hokage's assistance. He knew the Third Hokage was acting out of a desire to harness the Uchiha clan's strength and integrate them into the village.
Despite understanding this, Fugaku was grateful for the support, as receiving aid without reason might have put Uchiha at a disadvantage.
"Don't be so pessimistic. Even if others in leadership aren't supportive, as long as you maintain a good relationship with the Hokage, things should go smoothly," Rindo reassured.
"That's true," Fugaku agreed, realizing that maintaining a positive connection with the current Hokage was crucial. It was the only way for the Uchiha to survive in Konoha.
Whether the Uchiha willingly relinquished their Hokage ambitions or were denied the position, their survival in the village depended on their relationship with the Hokage.
"I understand what Elder Sora meant," Fugaku acknowledged solemnly.
"That's good to hear."
"How is Elder Sora's body?"
Fugaku inquired about Elder Sora's health, as he'd heard that it had deteriorated since Ruri's defection, likely due to depression.
"Don't worry, Elder Sora is in good health. Now that he's retired, he has ample time to focus on his well-being. You shouldn't be concerned about those matters. By the way, when do you plan to go to the front lines?" Rindo asked.
"With clan affairs settling down and the support of the Third Hokage, I intend to lead the clan to the frontline battlefield the day after tomorrow," Fugaku replied after some thought.
"Even though it may sound repetitive, please take care of yourself. The front lines are far more dangerous than the village. Even with the Sharingan, you' may die at anytime," Rindo cautioned.
"I understand, and I'll be cautious., is there any instruction from Elder Sora I should pay attention to?" Fugaku asked.
"No, now that you're the Uchiha head, you're free to pursue your own agenda," Rindo replied, signaling that Elder Sora had no further requests.
"Please convey my gratitude to Elder Sora for entrusting me with this role," Fugaku expressed his appreciation.
Elder Sora's gesture indicated his intention to delegate authority to Fugaku, allowing him to truly lead the Uchiha clan rather than serving as a puppet leader manipulated behind the scenes.
Fugaku felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude for this trust.
After all, Elder Sora's influence within the Uchiha clan was unparalleled. If he had chosen to control things from the shadows, Fugaku wouldn't have had any means to resist this remote control.
Seeing Fugaku's moved expression, Rindo understood that Fugaku perceived Elder Sora's delegation of power as a profound trust in his abilities.
Inwardly, Rindo thought that the old man was simply too laxy to the matters of Konoha. In the future, even if the Uchiha clan here in Konoha fails, their legacy could still be preserved, and the Uchiha name would endure.
However, Fugaku's misconception was not necessarily a bad thing. In truth, the reality was far harsher than he believed.
Elder Sora hadn't passed the head position to him because he trusted Fugaku's capabilities entirely; rather, it was because there simply wasn't anyone else available to step into that role.
Of course, Fugaku had a chance to succeed in this role. Leading the Uchiha clan, earning the respect of the higher-ups, and possibly even relinquishing the clan's ambitions for Hokage were all steps that might eventually help the clan regain its standing.
However, based on Rindo's assessment, it was doubtful whether Fugaku would follow this path, as most clansmen would prefer to confront the higher-ups head-on rather than living idly.
"Then I'll take my leave, and I'll entrust all clan matters to you," Rindo said, having primarily visited to ensure a smooth transition of responsibilities.
Being relatively new to the position of clan leader, Fugaku's experience and administrative skills were still developing. Moreover, many critical information channels remained under the control of the Elder Sora, which Rindo needed to transfer to Fugaku.
However, there were also certain information channels that couldn't be passed on. For example, he had severed the line to the Land of Demons, and buried in the dust.
Henceforth, the Uchiha of Konoha and the Uchiha of th3 Land Of Demons would no longer have secret communication channels, effectively cutting ties between them.
Watching Rindo leave, Fugaku felt a sense of relief. When Rindo had arrived, he had initially thought Elder Sora was about to deliver some some orders.
Thankfully, it had merely been a routine handover of responsibilities. This marked the beginning of a new era for the Uchiha clan, with Fugaku at the helm.
From a corridor, Fugaku gazed out at the clear blue sky, filled with pride and confidence in his abilities. He was determined to lead the Uchiha clan to unprecedented heights in Konoha, ascending to the highest point of the village.
....
In the training field:
"Phew... Minato-sensei is incredibly strong..." Rin panter with, her body marked with the signs of a challenging training session. She looked at Minato, who appeared unscathed, marveling at how powerful a Jonin was.
Obito, too, showed signs of exhaustion, his face clouded with frustration as he watched Minato. Despite his earnest efforts, he had been outmaneuvered by Minato.
Kakashi, on the other hand, had succeeded in snatching a bell from Minato and thus passed the practical assessment.
Whether it was during their academy days or after becoming a ninja, the distance between himself and Kakashi has never been shortened. On the contrary, as time goes by, the gap was getting bigger and bigger.
Although he had managed to seize a bell, Kakashi remained unsatisfied. He stared at the White Fang in his hand, disappointed by his own lack of control over the sword's lightning chakra.
He knew that Minato was going easy on them during the battle just now.
As the other party said, this was just an exercise to understand their strength, not an actual battle of life and death.
He still had a long way to go before becoming a Jonin.
But he also understood that Minato's strength isn't comparable to that of ordinary ninja, especially his Taijutsu and Flying Thunder God Jutsu.
The oppressive feeling brought about by this gap reminded him of the helplessness he felt with Shadow Dancer when he was training against Shiraishi in the past.
No matter where he attacked through, he was seen through. Even the bell was snatched because Minato went easy.
"Okay, the exercise is over. I have a general understanding of your strength. Generally speaking, you all have great potential. Today is the first day we are getting to know each other. Let's find a place to have dinner together later. I will treat you."
Minato walked over and said with a smile.
"Really, Minato-sensei?" Obito asked in surprise.
"Of course, you can even choose where we eat," Minato affirmed with a smile.
Kakashi responded with a nonchalant shrug, dissipating the lightning chakra from White Fang and sheathing it.
Minato breathed a sigh of relief, relieved that Kakashi hadn't rejected the idea outright. It appeared that Kakashi was not as cold as he initially seemed, and he was open to at least hearing his teammates' suggestions.
Of course, agreeing to something and cooperating were two different matters, as demonstrated by Kakashi's solo performance during the training, while Obito and Rin had worked as a team.
After sharing a meal, Minato left momentarily. He headed to the Hokage building, reported on his work, and explained to the Hokage the measures he intended to implement with his new Team Minato.
"Kakashi, I will definitely surpass you!" Obito declared as he watched Kakashi's formidable skills and his remarkable swordsmanship. He brimmed with determination, setting his sights on Kakashi as his ultimate goal.
"Then you should work hard. I'll be heading back," Kakashi responded seriously, glancing at Obito before making his exit.
After bidding farewell to Obito and Rin, Kakashi returned home alone. His primary task for the day was to get acquainted with his new team leader, and after doing so, he planned to focus on training.
As Kakashi was about to begin his training in the yard, an unexpected occurrence unfolded. A head emerged from the floor of his living room, followed by a half body made of mud.
This was Shiraishi's earth clone—General Tu.
"Why are you here at this time?" Kakashi asked, not entirely surprised by the unexpected visit.
General Tu placed a scroll into Kakashi's hands and then disappeared by retreating underground.
Once the clone had left, Kakashi opened the scroll and read its contents. After reading it, he wore a concerned expression.
The information was concise but troubling. It indicated that Obito, his new teammate, had attracted the attention of a mysterious force. Even as a fellow student in Minato's team, Kakashi needed to exercise caution and remain vigilant when encountering unfamiliar situations.
"That idiot. What could possibly be of interest in keeping an eye on him?" Kakashi thought. Although he couldn't understand what anyone would want from Obito, it was clear that the situation required careful attention.
Kakashi burned the scroll using fire, leaving no evidence behind, and proceeded to train his swordsmanship in the yard.
...
Meanwhile:
Having delivered the information to Kakashi, General Tu initiated his surveillance of one of the targets and continued advancing with caution. It had moved well beyond the boundaries of the Land of Fire, hinting that the enemy's stronghold might lie ahead.
General Tu realized the need for extra vigilance as they had intelligence suggesting that the opposing camp had a Sharingan ninja with formidable ocular abilities. Thus, a direct confrontation was not the wisest course of action.
Genjutsus were too troublesome and it wasn't suited for dealing with this type of enemy. Therefore, General Tu felt that he must move forward with caution.
He summoned the water clone, which had been residing within him, and began to write on a piece of paper:
------ In five minutes, I will blow up the enemy stronghold as planned. Five seconds after the explosion, use reverse summoning jutsu to summon me back immediately.
This precaution was taken due to their fear of the powerful genjutsu. By summoning the water clone five seconds after the explosion, it aimed to avoid direct confrontation with the enemy.
The water clone, formed from converged water streams, acknowledged the instructions and promptly vanished into the grass.
General Tu then resumed diving into the ground, carefully exploring forward.
...
Elsewhere
"Madara-sama, I've identified a promising candidate who meets your criteria,"
White zetsu reported with enthusiasm in a dimly lit cave.
Uchiha Madara, seated in a wooden chair, opened his eyes, revealing the eerie crimson Sharingan. He locked his gaze onto White zetsu.
White zetsu was unfazed by Madara's intimidating aura, grinned widely at him.
"Madara-sama, this target has been thoroughly researched. I can vouch that he fits your requirements perfectly."
White zetsu couldn't wait to tell Madara all kinds of information about Obito.
Madara listened attentively to White zetsu's detailed account, absorbing information about Obito. He noted Obito's personality, future aspirations, daily habits, and even his romantic interests. The detailed report included the number of times he helped elderly people to cross the road, an unusual talent for attracting grandmothers.
"It's unbelievable to say, sometimes, he assists over 20 old women in a single day. The probabilities of him meeting a grandmother truly surprises me. Its as if he has an ability to attract them, which is even stranger than anything we possess,"
White zetsu said with a smile.
Madara, well-acquainted with White zetsu's tone for exaggerated and absurd statements, paid little heed to his antics. He couldn't help but acknowledge that White zetsu's information was comprehensive.
White zetsu's report described Obito as possessing a deep sense of compassion and kindness, a somewhat simple-minded nature, cherished aspirations, and being a member of the Uchiha clan. All these factors indicated that he was indeed the ideal candidate for their purposes.
"Uchiha Obito?" Madara asked.
"Yes, that's the one. Madara-sama, should we bring him here immediately?" White zetsu inquired eagerly.
"No, not for the time. Planning his future life will be very troublesome," Madara responded calmly.
"Really? We can set that aside for now. However, I have my doubts about whether this young man can accomplish what you require. After all, he's not an Uchiha genius,"
White zetsu said, talking about the Sharingan.
"The age of awakening isn't solely related to talent. Everyone's life experiences differ. Uchihae must immerse themselves in darkness to gain power. Witnessing the devastation of loved ones is the first step toward descent. Allow him to witness the darkness and suffering of the ninja world, and expose him to even greater depths of darkness... This is his role as our puppet."
The darker the circumstances, the more it can stimulate the growth of the Sharingan, especially in individuals like the Uchiha, who are naturally kind-hearted.
They were once filled with kindness and love, but gradually, they descended into the depths of darkness. It's this profound darkness that promotes the evolution of the Sharingan.
"That's really worth looking forward to,"
White zetsu giggled, unable to understand human grievances. Laughter or sadness were experiences beyond his understanding.
Their order is simple: obey orders without question.
"By the way, something unusual happened,"
White zetsu recalled something and said.
"What's unusual?" Madara asked.
"It's related to our recent investigation in Konoha. We encountered no obstacles, and the other White zetsu faced no issues either. Before that, a major event happened in Konoha before our arrival."
"A major event?"
"Yes, some Uchiha and members of Hyuga clan jointly defected from Konoha," White zetsu said.
"Defected?" Madara raised an eyebrow, displaying an old and wrinkled face, his eyes revealing a hint of doubt.
"Yes, although we don't know the details, this development allowed us to infiltrate Konoha without hindrance," White zetsu explained.
He suggested that White zetsu's mysterious disappearance when sent to Konoha in the past might be related to the defection of these Uchiha and Hyuga Ninja.
"Who caused this?"
"A Konoha Chunin by the Chiba Shiraishi. Previously, he was an ordinary medical ninja in Konoha. He has an Uchiha lover, Uchiha Ruri, and it appears that the two of them joined together for this defection," White zetsu elaborated.
"Do you have more information?"
"No, that's all I could gather. I heard about it from some Uchihas while monitoring the Uchiha. I suspect that Konoha's higher-ups issued a gag order to keep this under wraps,"
White zetsu said, spreading his hands helplessly.
"Find out more about their whereabouts. I need to understand their situation,"
Madara commanded without hesitation. The defection of these Uchiha from Konoha raised questions and potential secrets worth exploring.
Because this incident had taken him completely by surprise, and he had made no preparations in advance.
"Madara-sama, leave this matter to us,"
White zetsu smiled, readily accepting the responsibility. Intelligence gathering was their expertise.
"Alright, you may go now. I need to rest," Madara stated when suddenly, the ground shook.
Boom!
The earth erupted suddenly, unleashing a powerful explosion. The chair Madara had been seated in was enveloped by thick trees, forming a protective barrier and rolling into the darkness. In the aftermath, the pained gasps from the darkness were still audible.
"Madara-sama!" White zetsu called out, deeply concerned. He, too, felt discomfort.
While the explosion's power hadn't been fully released due to the hardened soil layer, the tremendous shock still caused internal distress.
"Cough cough...cough cough..."
Madara, seated crookedly on the chair, coughed up blood and trembled, struggling to catch his breath. His life force seemed to flicker in the turbulent wind, growing weaker.
It took him some time to recover, and he cast a cold glance, his Sharingan eyes tinged with crimson, towards the site of the explosion.
There was a modest crater, but no sign of the enemy.
"I'm fine; the power of the Divine Tree can still provide me with vitality," Madara reassured White zetsu. However, he couldn't conceal the weakness in his voice.
Most notably, White zetsu noticed bloodstains on Madara's chair, a clear indication of severe injuries. He had survived only through the life force supplied by the 'Divine Tree.'
"Madara-sama, what shall we do now?"?"
White zetsu askeda, feeling a bit lost. Madara's strength had significantly weakened, rendering him unable to participate in combat.
Before White zetsu could respond, another White zetsu abruptly emerged, looking somewhat dazed.
"Madara-sama, what's happening here? Did we just experience an earthquake or something? I was thinking about the art of standing upside down. Madara-sama, do you know how to stand upside down?" The white setsu asked with a bewildered expression.
"Guruguru, stop the nonsense. We have enemies approaching; go deal with them!"
Madara ordered, his tone now cold and resolute.
"An enemy?"
It seemed that White zetsu, named Guruguru, had just realized the gravity of the situation. His usual calm demeanor shifted to a cold, murderous tone.
Guruguru merged into the soil immediately, disappearing as he hunted down the enemy mentioned by Madara.
"Summon the rest of the White zetsu; we need to relocate," Madara instructed to the White zetsu who remained behind. Since their stronghold had been discovered, it was no longer safe here.
Madara couldn't help but wear a bitter smile as he thought about the situation. He, Uchiha Madara, once wielded immense power, but now he found himself avoiding enemies of this caliber. If that man were to learn of this, he would undoubtedly mock Madara's plight. His current state was undeniably embarrassing.
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