Fugaku has gone mad; he's going to create a new Uchiha clan in Kirigakure.

Another courtyard in the town of Uzushiogakure, much larger than the one where Fugaku was staying, served as a temporary base for the Kirigakure Ninja Alliance.

When Fugaku Uchiha entered the courtyard, led by two Hidden Mist ninjas, the first thing he saw was the boy standing under the eaves.

Hozuki Full Moon.

He looked more mature than his actual age, wearing a dark blue Kirigakure ninja outfit with a light gray haori over it, and most striking of all were the two swords he carried crossed on his back.

Or rather, a knife.

Double-edged Flounder.

Just like in the comics, it's more like a shield that can be used to chop than a knife. But to be honest, it doesn't matter what weapon you carry in a comic, but carrying such a large door panel in the real world feels a bit ridiculous.

Of course, on the other hand, if this sword could absorb other people's chakra, accumulate it, and then unleash it with enough power to knock away a first-stage Susanoo, then let's just call it a bit ridiculous...

"If he dies of illness in a few years, it will be Chojuro's turn."

The thought flashed through Fugaku's mind, but he quickly composed himself and focused his attention back on Hozuki Mangetsu himself.

Compared to his goofy and somewhat eccentric younger brother, Hozuki Suigetsu, in the original work, the Hozuki Mangetsu in front of him looks much more composed and calm. How to put it? Just by standing there, you know that this person is reliable. He has the natural aura of a superior or leader, and he certainly has the demeanor of a clan head.

Normally, with an older brother like that, the younger brother shouldn't have such a crazy personality.

Perhaps it was because the Hozuki clan declined rapidly after his brother's death that young Suigetsu was taken away by Orochimaru and underwent those twisted experiments and brainwashing, which led to his later crazy and silly personality.

This is the ninja world, where the rise and fall of a clan often hinges on just one or two individuals...

..

"Chief Fugaku, please have a seat."

Fugaku nodded and sat down.

Hozuki Mangetsu placed the twin swords Hiramekarei aside and sat down. There was a low table between them, on which tea sets had already been set out.

Those who came with Hozuki Mangetsu were representatives of various Kirigakure ninja clans. They sat scattered on both sides of the living room, their eyes all focused on Fugaku, a mixture of curiosity, scrutiny, vigilance, and anticipation.

"First of all, on behalf of the Hidden Mist Ninja Alliance, I welcome the Uchiha clan to join us."

Hozuki Mangetsu picked up his teacup.

"Clan Chief Terumi Mei has conveyed your wishes to me, and I have also seen the letter that reveals the Fourth Mizukage's control. Everyone in the alliance and I deeply abhor that enemy hiding in the shadows."

"However, Clan Chief Fugaku should also understand that even blood brothers need to communicate properly when it comes to interests. After the Uchiha clan joined Kirigakure, we need to have a good talk about specific issues such as territory, role, and resource allocation."

"I see."

Fugaku nodded, his voice calm.

"No one is willing to give up their interests for no reason. Therefore, after the Uchiha clan goes to Kirigakure, we guarantee that we will not touch the interests of the bloodline faction. I also believe that Kirigakure is so big that there should be a place for the Uchiha clan to stay. I don't care where it is."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over everyone present.

"Furthermore, I've always believed that it's better to make the cake bigger than to cut it into pieces. That way, we can cooperate more and benefit each other. Besides, we have a common enemy, the non-bloodline faction led by the controlled Fourth Hokage. That's a huge cake too, isn't it..."

The living room fell silent for a moment after these words were spoken, but soon everyone remembered the achievements this man had just made: annihilating a thousand of Konoha's elite troops, capturing Danzo Shimura alive, and crushing Kotoamatsukami Sharingan in front of everyone. With such strength and courage, it seemed quite reasonable for him to say such things.

Thus, what seemed to be the most difficult negotiation ended in less than ten seconds.

After all, who wouldn't want a new ally that can enhance their own strength without costing them anything?

"So, the next question."

Hozuki Mangetsu's expression turned serious.

"Could Clan Head Fugaku provide more specific details regarding the information about the Fourth Mizukage being controlled? You mentioned 'Sharingan control' in your letter, but how exactly was it done? Who is the target? And what is their purpose?"

All eyes were once again focused on Uchiha Fugaku. He picked up his teacup, took a sip, sorted out his thoughts, and, combining the knowledge from the original work with the memories of his predecessor, began to tell a story that was half true and half false.

"That person was wearing an orange spiral mask and claimed to be Uchiha Madara."

...

"Uchiha Madara?!"

"The one from the First Hokage's era?"

"How is that possible? Wasn't he already dead?"

...

The shadow of a person, the name of a tree.

The name Madara Uchiha still carries a terrifying deterrent effect for the ninja clans that experienced the end of the Warring States period and the First Shinobi World War.

"He could never be Madara Uchiha."

Fugaku Uchiha's calm voice drowned out the discussion.

"I know a bit about the first clan leader after he entered Konoha. With his pride, he would never wear a mask or hide his true identity, even if he were to die. But this person should have some connection with Madara Uchiha. Perhaps he inherited his legacy, or perhaps something else."

"His goal was the tailed beast. About six years ago, on the night the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki gave birth, he controlled the Nine-Tails with his Sharingan and tried to destroy Konoha, but he failed in the end and was stopped by the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze."

"And Kirigakure, your Mizukage, was also controlled by him in the same way. But as for why he implemented the Blood Mist policy in Kirigakure, I am still investigating. It may be related to weakening Kirigakure and creating chaos."

After Fugaku Uchiha finished speaking, the room fell silent. Hozuki Mangetsu unconsciously tapped his knee with his fingers, his brows furrowed. After a long while, he spoke.

"If we break the control over Lord Mizukage, what will happen to him?"

"He won't live much longer."

Fugaku Uchiha said calmly.

"The opponent used an extremely profound control technique, no less than the Kotoamatsukami that I destroyed. However, the difference is that Kotoamatsukami has no side effects, while that control technique is fine as long as it is not broken, as it can maintain a morbid stability. Once it is broken, it is like a house having its main beam removed. The controlled person's mind and body will collapse rapidly."

Fugaku Uchiha wasn't making this up. In the original story, not long after Obito broke free of the control, the Fourth Mizukage died. Now, having inherited all of his predecessor's knowledge, Fugaku has access to similar ancient eye techniques in the records of the Uchiha clan, which is basically certain.

The answer to this question brought a sigh of relief to everyone around, and Fugaku Uchiha noticed this.

But that's normal.

The new group in Kirigakure already has a stable interest structure, and it's impossible for things to go back to the way they were before just because you've regained your senses. This is something that no vested interest group can accept. As the leader of this group, Hozuki Mangetsu is like Zhao Kuangyin. You have to think about it whether you want to or not. Fortunately, the answer to the problem won't cause Hozuki Mangetsu any trouble right now.

"As a Kage, he was unqualified. His incompetence caused great harm to Kirigakure."

Taking a deep breath, Hozuki Mangetsu spoke slowly.

"Death is also a kind of liberation."

Having said that, Hozuki Mangetsu stood up and extended his hand to Fugaku.

"Well then, welcome to Kirigakure."

...

"Clan Chief Hozuki, do you think the Uchiha clan is trustworthy?"

After seeing Fugaku Uchiha off, Mangetsu Hozuki sat down again, picked up his now-cold tea, and slowly sipped it. But the discussion did not stop there; after all, accepting an outsider was no easy task.

So, someone asked this question, which is also what others were thinking: even if the contract is agreed upon, it may not be effective. How many contracts were torn up during the three Shinobi World Wars?

"Fugaku Uchiha is a person with extremely strong self-control and a strong sense of purpose."

Hozuki Mangetsu put down his teacup and glanced at everyone.

"Such people know best what they want and know best how to get it."

"There is no room for reconciliation between him and Konoha. Completely merging with Kirigakure and relying on our power to survive and develop is his best and only option. Therefore, at least for now, he is trustworthy because he needs us, just as we need him."

"But, Chief Hozuki..."

Suddenly, a middle-aged man among the ninja clan representatives spoke in a low voice, his tone somewhat subtle.

"I heard that in just one day, they took down the leader of our Ninja Clan Alliance, Chief Terumi Mei. I heard that when he faked his death, Chief Terumi Mei almost went crazy. Earlier today, I even went to his lodgings and stayed there for a long time..."

"What are you trying to say?"

Hozuki Mangetsu frowned as he looked at the man.

"What business is it of yours what other people's private lives are?"

"I mean..."

The man continued.

"The Mangekyou Sharingan is always a pair. I found out that the eye belonged to the Uchiha clan genius, Uchiha Shisui. But Uchiha Shisui died two years ago. The one that was crushed in public can't be faked, but what about the other one?"

"Do you think it's possible that he used it on Clan Chief Terumi Mei, or even that the one he later gave to Clan Chief Terumi Mei was...?"

"Don't make things up without evidence."

Hozuki Mangetsu gave that person a cold look.

"If it really was Kotoamatsukami that controlled the Terumi clan chief, wouldn't it have been better for him to pretend he didn't know and simply shut up Shimura Danzo? If he didn't say anything, and Danzo didn't say anything, who else would know? Such baseless speculation is pointless except for undermining trust within the alliance."

Hozuki Mangetsu turned around and walked into the house.

"Alright, everyone disperse. Prepare for the negotiations with Konoha..."

...

"Just how many secrets does this guy know...?"

In a dark corner, Obito Uchiha squinted, his face grim.

"People leave traces when they walk on the beach, birds leave sounds when they fly across the sky..."

Compared to Obito Uchiha's worries, Black Zetsu seemed quite relaxed about it.

"Once a plan is executed, it can't be kept secret forever. Your battle in Konoha back then wasn't a secret, so it's normal for him to know some of it."

"But how did he know that I had also controlled the Fourth Hokage of Kirigakure?"

"It's normal for people from your Uchiha clan to have some strange abilities, otherwise why would you go to such lengths to help Itachi Uchiha exterminate his clan?"

"Well... okay."

Obito Uchiha accepted this answer. In short, as long as the most crucial secrets were not exposed, everything else was negotiable.

"However, it seems your plan has failed; it was thwarted by Hozuki Mangetsu before it even began..."

Obito Uchiha was referring to Black Zetsu using a secret technique to parasitize and control one of the junior clan leaders of the Hidden Mist Clan, and deliberately saying those words.

"Don't rush."

His face was completely black, so you couldn't see any expression, but his eyes were full of confidence.

"Humans are a very interesting species."

"They are more willing to believe what they believe..."

"So, let this kunai of rumors fly for a while..."

---Divider line

The Land of Fire, Konoha

The back lobby of the top-floor office of the Hokage Building.

This is a small room for resting, simply furnished with a coffee table, a few cushions, and some files and books on a bookshelf against the wall.

Hiruzen Sarutobi, Homura Mitokado, and Koharu Utatane sat around the coffee table.

On the coffee table were steaming hot tea and a letter.

...

To the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi:

I am grateful for your help during the battle of the Land of Whirlpools.

Elder Danzo of your village and over a thousand elite ninjas are currently residing at my humble abode. They are all well, but their movements are restricted.

If His Hokage wishes to bring them back, he may send an envoy to the market town on the east coast of the Land of Whirlpools for a discussion.

We await good news.

Respectfully submitted by Uchiha Fugaku

...

The room remained quiet for a long time.

Only the steam from the tea rose slowly in the sunlight and then dissipated.

Hiruzen Sarutobi puffed on his pipe, his eyes slightly narrowed, his face showing an unprecedented weariness. Ever since receiving the war report from the Land of Whirlpools, his already aged face seemed to have aged ten years more.

"I'll go."

After a long silence, Mitokado Homura spoke, his voice somewhat hoarse, breaking the silence.

"If we continue fighting, we will lose an elder, the head of the Ino-Shika-Cho trio, an entire Root organization, and a thousand-strong elite ninja army. This loss is too great, so great that even if you were the Hokage, you couldn't withstand it."

Mitomon Homura raised his head and looked at Sarutobi Hiruzen.

"After all, the initial purpose of this matter was the feud between Konoha and the Uchiha clan. It was not an invasion by an external enemy. During this period, Fugaku Uchiha did not even kill a single Konoha ninja. On the contrary, we slaughtered the fighting faction of the Uchiha clan."

"It's obvious that he didn't want to kill, but rather that it was planned from the beginning. Guiding public opinion in the village was also part of his plan, and as a result, we have already lost the upper hand in terms of the discourse."

"In fact, there are already rumors circulating in the village. Without a doubt, these were leaked by spies from Kirigakure who have infiltrated the village. If you step down, Konoha won't even be able to find anyone suitable to be Hokage."

"So I went to negotiate, and I'll take full responsibility."

"You can go to the negotiations, but..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi slowly exhaled a puff of smoke.

"You can't take the blame for this. Besides, the rumors in the village about 'the Kage protecting the Kage's bodyguards' have been rampant. Fugaku Uchiha's words were simple, but they hit the nail on the head. It's always been the Kage's bodyguards who protect the Kage. How could it be the other way around? It's not hard to understand why others can't see it."

"That's fake! Who could force Tobirama-sensei to make that kind of choice?!"

Mitokado En slammed his hand on the coffee table, splashing water from the teacup. He stood up abruptly, his face flushed.

"We did not, and could not have, done those things!"

"Teacher Tobirama has been gone for over twenty years. How many people in the village still know what he looked like and what his character was like? So, I will take the blame for all the mistakes and then step down."

Hiruzen Sarutobi's voice was firm.

"Let Jiraiya bring Tsunade back; she is the most suitable next Hokage."

"But she has hemophobia..."

Koharu couldn't help but say this as she turned to her new room.

"Shadow doesn't need to go to the front lines, so..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi shook his head.

"Whether she has hemophobia or not is not important. What is important is that she is a direct descendant of the Senju clan and the eldest granddaughter of the First Hokage. Once she becomes Hokage, all the rumors will be dispelled."

"What about the Uchiha clan?"

After a long while, Xiaochun sighed and asked in a low voice.

"Danzo's defeat and capture not only cost him the eyes of Kotoamatsukami, but also put Konoha on the defensive. Talking about attacking the Uchiha clan is a joke now, unless we truly start a war with Kirigakure. But right now, we can't do that because our internal situation is already unstable. But if we leave it alone, we may have to face the full force of the Uchiha clan's revenge in the future."

"What can we do? If we can't get it on the battlefield, we certainly can't get it at the negotiating table."

Hiruzen Sarutobi remained silent for a long time.

"The problem with the Uchiha clan is as it is; we have to accept it. However, we still have Uchiha Sasuke. If we hold onto this card, Konoha will produce another Uchiha clan in the future. After this incident, I will personally train Uchiha Sasuke!"