Uchiha: Starting as Tobirama's Jinchuriki

Sakumo Hatake slowly walked over and handed Kakuzu a stack of scrolls: "These were all entrusted to you by Aomine. Take a look..."

Kakuzu frowned, but seeing the handwriting that belonged to Aozumi and hearing that familiar tone, he was still wary of Hatake Sakumo, but he still let him approach and take the scroll.

Kakuzu watched, his gaze gradually becoming vacant.

The scroll contains various elemental ninjutsu, from the Uchiha clan's Fire Release to Tobirama Senju's Water Release, as well as various practical and less common Earth Release, Wind Release, and Lightning Release ninjutsu, making it like a small book of forbidden techniques.

These were what Qingshui called a reward for his hard work. In the tone of a boss, he advised him to study hard, recharge himself, and stop using the same old tricks of hard work, intimidation, and feigned darkness, as it would damage the future image of Konoha Root.

Next, regarding the original Root's financial situation, Aozu explained that since he was now the Minister of Finance, all matters concerning Root's finances, investments, and fund management would be handled by Kakuzu, and he didn't need to concern himself with them; he could just handle it himself. However, he was reminded to make sure to allocate funds to the orphanage on time.

Finally, Aokizu mentioned Sakumo Hatake's experiences, hoping that Kakuzu could have a heart-to-heart talk with Sakumo Hatake as someone who had been there before and a senior, so that the two could become good partners. At the end of the scroll, he wrote a formal Root organization recruitment letter, signed by Aokizu's handwritten signature.

"That's about it, Kakuzu-senpai."

Sakumo Hatake chuckled. "It's rather strange, really. I'm usually addressed as 'senpai' in Konoha, but at your age, even Hiruzen Sarutobi would probably have to call you 'senpai'..."

Sakumo Hatake handed a Konoha headband to Kakuzu, gesturing for him to accept it.

Kakuzu held these scrolls, his feelings beyond words.

The escape techniques Qing Shui taught him were far superior to the silver notes he had previously mailed to Qing Shui.

Kakuzu immediately recognized that the explanations of the techniques, properties, and transformations of the Five Elements Escape Techniques contained within were priceless treasures, even among the most elite ninja clans, these were considered invaluable secrets…

"What, you disagree? Kakuzu-senpai..."

"Kid, stop looking at me with that dangerous gaze. I'm one of the founders of the New Roots!"

Kakuzu keenly sensed the growing threat in Sakumo Hatake's eyes, unceremoniously took the Konoha headband, and coldly said, "Come with me, I'll take you to complete our first mission now."

Sakumo Hatake shrugged; this guy really got into the mood fast: "What mission..."

"Let's have a heart-to-heart talk..."

Kakuzu patted Sakumo Hatake on the shoulder, a hint of regret in his voice: "Aozumi probably told you, right? I was once framed by higher-ups, who even ordered me to assassinate the First Hokage..."

Hatake Sakumo nodded silently, a smile creeping onto his face.

At that time, he also complained to Aozu that compared to Sakumo Hatake himself, Kakuzu's experience was more tragic and frustrating.

Danzo Shimura's methods were at least somewhat covert, while the higher-ups in Takigakure almost forced Kakuzu to commit suicide by stabbing him eight times in the back.

Kakuzu and Sakumo Hatake walked side by side.

At this moment, the first meeting between the Finance Minister and the Intelligence Minister of Root was finally completed…

The two men, who were not talkative to begin with, came from completely different backgrounds but unexpectedly had similar experiences. As they chatted, they opened up and even bought some wine and food, eating and talking at the same time.

"Brother Shuomao, let me tell you, let's work hard in Genbu, this place is great!"

Kakuzu took a hearty sip of sake, chewed on raw beef liver, and waved his hand, saying, "Trust me, you can't go wrong. I've seen more people in the ninja world than you've eaten salt. Aoshui will be the future of Konoha!"

Sakumo Hatake and Kakuzu clinked glasses, their faces flushed slightly.

After hearing about Kakuzu's handling of Takigakure, Sakumo Hatake was filled with admiration for him.

Compared to his suicide attempt, Kakuzu was so fierce that he slaughtered all the high-ranking members of Takigakure and even stole the secret technique, Jigen-yu, before betraying the village.

While there were objective reasons for Takigakure's weakness, Sakumo Hatake never even considered resisting.

Compared to Kakuzu, Sakumo Hatake seems to have learned a lot.

"I know, brother, if it weren't for Qingshui, I would be dead long ago..."

Sakumo Hatake and Kakuzu clinked glasses. The two, who had been testing each other before, quickly warmed up after talking about their own experiences and Aozumi, and began to call each other "older brother" and "younger brother".

Meanwhile, Kakuzu and Sakumo Hatake were enjoying a pleasant meal together.

In Konoha, at the Hokage Building, Hiruzen Sarutobi wore a sorrowful expression.

"Other hidden villages have once again voiced their condemnation, and the daimyo is urging the villages to respond..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed deeply: "This is difficult, Tsunade. What are your thoughts?"

Tsunade frowned. If Hiruzen Sarutobi hadn't repeatedly emphasized that Danzo Shimura wouldn't be released from prison and that it was for the sake of Aomine's future, she would definitely have refused to serve as Hokage.

In Tsunade's view, the position of Hokage's assistant is meaningless; it is merely a mouthpiece for the Hokage.

The Hokage says all the nice things, while the Hokage's assistants are only good at saying the unpleasant things...

"Old man, war won't change because of your attitude..."

Tsunade shook her head: "If other hidden villages decide to invade Konoha, no matter what the village says, it won't change their greed."

Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed.

How could he not know that?

However, the problem is that if he responds with the attitude of not wanting to start a war, then even if he is defeated, his responsibility will be less, since he has not added fuel to the fire and still wants to negotiate.

However, if they respond with a tough stance, then if they lose, he, as the Hokage, will have to bear the full responsibility.

Even though Tobirama Senju had explained this principle to him...

However, the eight tailed beasts from the other hidden villages combined, along with the gap created by the arms race over the past twenty years and the disparity brought about by Konoha, all alarmed Hiruzen Sarutobi.

The Cloud Village's Jinchuriki technology and the Iwagakure Village's number of ninjas are already far ahead of the Leaf Village.

Sunagakure is already so poor that it has nothing to lose, and Kirigakure's internal strife needs an external war to act as a pressure relief valve. Konoha will definitely be facing a vicious and ruthless enemy.

It seems that during these two seemingly peaceful twenty years, only Konoha remained stagnant, while the other hidden villages were secretly vying for power...

Koharu and Homura exchanged a glance, then slowly began to speak:

"Hiruzen, how about we reinstate Danzo Shimura? Tsunade's experience is still too limited to handle the war."

Hiruzen Sarutobi informed the various high-ranking officials of Konoha about the change of Root leader to Aoshui, which greatly displeased Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado.

In their view, if Hiruzen Sarutobi could take down the Hokage's assistant so easily, wouldn't it be even easier to get rid of these two Konoha advisors?

This makes them feel very insecure.

Danzo Shimura stepped down several times, and the Root organization was disbanded. In the original timeline, it was through the support of the two of them that the organization was rebuilt.

Tsunade snorted coldly and looked at them with a dangerous glint in her eyes.

Just as he was about to speak, Hiruzen Sarutobi suddenly changed his hesitant attitude and said in a very serious tone:

"Yan, Xiaochun, don't mention Danzo's name in high-level meetings anymore. His case will not be reopened."

Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado were startled; they hadn't seen such a resolute expression on Hiruzen Sarutobi's face in a long time…

Tsunade glanced at Hiruzen Sarutobi with surprise, not expecting that her increasingly hesitant teacher still possessed a decisive side...

What she didn't know was that even though Hiruzen Sarutobi was reluctant to part with Danzo Shimura, who was willing to take the blame for him, he dared not disobey Tobirama Senju's orders...

"Let Aokiji and Tsunade handle this."

Hiruzen Sarutobi slowly exhaled a long breath: "Tsunade, you are now the Hokage's assistant, and Aoshui is the leader of Root. You and your disciple represent the village's attitude and respond to the other four great hidden villages."

"Old man, you are the Hokage!"

Tsunade said with dissatisfaction, "I don't agree with your decision to make Aokiji the leader of Root. He's just a genin from Konoha. Are you going to make him bear the burden of the village's darkness?"

"I can understand your optimism about Qingshui, but this rate of improvement is still too fast!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi gave a bitter smile. Aoshui was certainly not suited to bear the burden of the village's darkness.

However, the deepest darkness in Konoha's history resides within him, requiring the environment of the roots to erode the green water.

What can Hiruzen Sarutobi do?

He was just a pathetic Third Hokage, completely powerless against the Second Hokage.

"Tsunade, I'm getting old. The era should be handed over to the younger generation..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed: "Let's do it this way. I trust you and Aozumi."

But in Hiruzen Sarutobi's heart, he felt unusually relieved.

If it was Aozumi who made the decision, then it can be indirectly seen as Tobirama-sensei making it...

That way, if problems arise later, it won't have much to do with him.

After being severely reprimanded by Tobirama Senju, Hiruzen Sarutobi felt that the familiar Hokage seat beneath him had become exceptionally strange and dangerous.

If Aokiji weren't too young and didn't have the seniority, Hiruzen Sarutobi would have wanted him to become the Hokage's assistant. Aokiji could have just served as a final transitional Hokage, quietly waiting for Tobirama-sensei to be resurrected.

"If that's what you think, then I agree, old man..."

Tsunade nodded slowly, got up and went to Aoshui's house to discuss the matter.

The next day.

The four hidden villages and the Rain Village, which joined forces to condemn the incident, received a response written by Qing Shui.

[Konoha announces to the entire ninja world:]

Kazekage, Sakumo Hatake did not go on a mission. The conflict that broke out in your department has nothing to do with Konoha. We believe that instead of trying to cause trouble for Konoha, you should have your apprentice work hard to train Magnet Release and try to collect more gold to support the whole village.

I heard the daimyo has stopped allocating funds to Sunagakure? But even if you're poor, you can't bite people indiscriminately.

Tsuchikage, if you feel that the large number of Iwagakure ninjas is a burden on the economy and you want to reduce the population through war, you can use your own Four-Tails and Five-Tails to eliminate them without troubling Konoha. Of course, we can also help.

Raikage, I really like the way you look after mastering Jinchuriki techniques, but Konoha has countless secret techniques for dealing with Tailed Beasts. We welcome barbarians who only know ninjutsu and taijutsu to experience these secret techniques that your simple brains cannot develop.

Mizukage, Konoha welcomes all Kirigakure ninjas who are dissatisfied with their village to come and live in the Land of Fire. We will treat every ninja who wants to join Konoha with sincerity. We hope that the ninjas of Kirigakure understand the principle that a good bird chooses a good tree to perch on.

Hanzo, what kind of person are you? How dare you criticize Konoha?

roll!

When this response was sent out, the entire ninja world was in an uproar!

Konoha's toughness truly exceeded everyone's expectations...

In her bewildered state, Tsunade found Aoshui:

"Qingshui, didn't we say that day that although we should take a tough stance, we should still try our best to avoid war?"

Qingshui nodded seriously: "Tsunade-sensei, I've already been very tactful..."

"Don't you think so?"

Qingshui stared with her beautiful eyes and asked innocently.

Chapter 1 complete!