I, Uchiha: Split Konoha

Chapter 100 The Hidden Cloud Village Forges a Peaceful Alliance

Nanga Shrine.

In the dimly lit secret room, Fugaku Uchiha and Elder Setsuna had flushed faces. They hadn't heard such good news since the Nine-Tails' attack.

"Haha, if that's true, then the Fifth Hokage is just around the corner."

"That's right. Although the Hyuga clan is not as powerful as our Uchiha clan, it is still the second most powerful clan in Konoha. The branch family is far stronger than the main family."

"Hmph, what main family? A bunch of ninjas who rely on the branch family to protect them on the battlefield. They only know how to enslave the branch family. Don't be fooled by the main family's high and mighty status. Seventy percent of the Hyuga clan's fighting strength is in the branch family. When the time comes, hmph!" At this moment, Elder Setsuna revealed a disdainful expression. He, Uchiha, had always looked down on the Hyuga clan's main family and branch family philosophy.

Uchiha Fugaku gazed at the night, a rare smile appearing on his usually stern and expressionless face. He nodded and said, "Alright, although our Uchiha clan's territory is large, it's too lonely. If the Hyuga branch family could join us, that would be perfect."

Even Elder Setsuna couldn't help but nod with a satisfied smile, "That's right, the Hyuga branch family is a group of elites. We've never seen a Hyuga branch family member who's afraid of death on the battlefield. The Uchiha will have an ally in the future."

The Uchiha clan has always been isolated. It's not that they haven't tried to find allies, but ever since the incident that led to the founding of the village, the Uchiha clan has been naturally unable to win over allies. When they finally manage to win over an ally, they'd be more than happy to do so. What's a little bit of resources and benefits compared to sticking together for mutual support?

The Uchiha clan has been lonely for too long. If the Hyuga branch family can really rise to prominence, it will be almost the same as betraying the Uchiha clan. At that time, the Uchiha clan can give up some resources to rebuild the Hyuga clan. Then the two clans will be natural allies and will stand together when they fight against the Hokage's higher-ups.

Neither the clan leader nor the elders were fools; they could naturally see the future benefits. Although they had to give up some of their profits now, not to mention the Uchiha clan's vast wealth, even in the past, no one would come to them if they wanted to give up profits in exchange for allies. This was practically offered to them, and they really had to seize the opportunity.

"Fugaku, you must take the Hyuga branch family seriously this time. They will be an ally you can trust to protect in the future. I can already imagine the Uchiha and Hyuga fighting side by side in the police force or on the battlefield."

Elder Setsuna, beaming with relief, revealed an excited expression; the Uchiha had finally found a true ally. Fugaku Uchiha nodded firmly, saying, "Don't worry, Elder. The Hyuga's reconnaissance and close-combat abilities, combined with our Uchiha's Sharingan, will definitely not be inferior to the Ino-Shika-Cho trio."

Seeing that the clan head and elders decided to allocate a portion of their profits to help the branch family rebuild the new Hyuga clan without the slightest hesitation, Uchiha Yoru sighed with shame in his heart. I didn't lie, I just concealed the truth. After Orochimaru's teacher's accident, this Hyuga branch family was the most lucrative part of his teacher's legacy that he received.

"Clan leader, elders, this is the 'Caged Bird Seal' that Orochimaru and I researched together. Although the Caged Bird Seal is a means of controlling the branch family, it has its merits. Moreover, this cursed seal may be a gift from heaven to our clan of eye techniques."

Uchiha Yoru solemnly took out the scroll of the perfect version of the Caged Bird Seal, and Uchiha Fugaku and Elder Setsuna also solemnly took it and began to read it.

"Wonderful, wonderful! This is simply made for the eye technique clan. This 'Caged Bird' is more like a perfect version of the Caged Bird. Once the control methods are removed, it becomes a prison, a sealing technique that perfectly protects the eye technique bloodline."

"Elder, if all the Sharingan users in the clan are given this sealing technique, we will never have to worry about losing our Sharingan in the future."

The Caged Bird Seal from the Hyuga branch family has a keyhole, and the key is kept by the main family. This perfect version of the Caged Bird Seal is simply fitted in and welded shut, without any gaps, perfectly connecting the brain and pupil nerves together.

It can be said that it has lost human control, but it is also a seal that protects his Sharingan and brain.

Fugaku Uchiha and Elder Setsuna were truly surprised by this benefit, and they immediately smiled. Although it was somewhat of a dud, it was at least a form of protection.

The main reason why the Sharingan of the Uchiha clan has not been lost to outsiders for so many years (except for Danzo) is the domineering nature and strong repulsion of the Sharingan. Kakashi can only be said to be an accident, but no one can guarantee that there are people in the ninja world who are secretly researching something.

Looking at the smiles on their faces, Uchiha Yoru sighed inwardly. This seal might be a bonus for the Uchiha clan right now, but once the Mangekyou Sharingan's Lightning Bolt ability spreads throughout the ninja world, this seal will be a lifesaver.

The three then began discussing how to distribute the benefits after the Hyuga branch family arrived.

……

Under the moonlight, the people of Konoha were lost in dreams of a peaceful future, but on this night, a dark figure flashed out from the envoy's residence from the Land of Lightning.

Uchiha Yoru, exhausted, entered a research base with a serpentine entrance under the cover of night.

In the dimly lit study, the various scrolls of documents that were once piled up now looked rather messy, as if many documents were missing.

It's clear that Orochimaru has prepared for the worst and has already begun transferring some important research data, leaving behind only useless materials.

"Hehe, Lord Ye has certainly caused quite a stir today."

Although Orochimaru stayed hidden in the research base and never went out, he kept a close eye on all of Konoha's movements.

Uchiha Yoru never intended to lie; at most, he would conceal some information. After all, he never believed that a lie could deceive a person for a lifetime; on the contrary, the truth was the highest form of lie.

"Orochimaru-sensei, isn't this a perfect opportunity to raise some research funds? After all, you've made great contributions to Konoha."

Seeing Uchiha Yoru's calm and unashamed demeanor, Orochimaru let out a hoarse laugh. His disciple was skilled in politics and even more skilled at making money. It seemed that since they became master and disciple, he had never really worried about research funding.

His apprentice helped him secure funding after arriving, which was the most gratifying thing for him, because it allowed him to conduct his research without restraint.

"Yoru-kun, are you already eagerly preparing to inherit your teacher's legacy in the village?"

A hoarse laugh echoed in the dimly lit study. Uchiha Yoru, however, felt no threat whatsoever. Instead, he shrugged and chuckled, "If Master were in Konoha, this would naturally be all for Master. But if Master is gone, as his disciple, I should accept it. After all, the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki serves as a cautionary tale."

Nine-Tails Jinchuriki?

Upon hearing this comparison, Orochimaru immediately revealed an amused smile. Indeed, it seems that the only legacy of the Nine-Tails is that nine-tailed beast.

Indeed, if Konoha had no place for him to stay, then his influence in Konoha would all vanish like smoke.

"Heh, so this is why you're so eager to scheme against the Hyuga branch family, with the Hyuga branch family as your core. Night Lord, if you were born in the Warring States period, you would surely have a place among the five great nations of the ninja world."

Orochimaru rarely showed such high praise, and couldn't help but commend him, saying that almost every step was calculated, yet it was so flawless, and he could advance and retreat with ease.

If he becomes the Fifth Hokage, Uchiha Yoru's status will naturally rise accordingly. If he leaves Konoha, he can rely on the Hyuga branch family as his backbone and possess his own power—a power outside of his clan.

If the Hyuga branch family were to break away, they would be considered traitors, and the only person they could rely on would be Orochimaru. But if Orochimaru left, the branch family would be in a very awkward position.

The division of the family is a double-edged sword. By joining Orochimaru, one is branded with his mark, becoming a hot potato. In contrast, Uchiha Yoru, Orochimaru's disciple, is the best successor.

"Heh, you'd better be prepared if you don't stay overnight. While intelligence is important, strength still reigns supreme in the ninja world. What good is a brilliant mind if you don't have the strength?"

As he said this, Orochimaru slowly curled up a mocking smile. Nara Shikaku was smart enough, but what was the result? He could only ever depend on others. Intelligence might bring temporary benefits, but strength is what allows one to stand on one's own two feet.

strength?

Upon hearing those two words, Uchiha Yoru slowly curled his lips into a proud smile. "Orochimaru-sensei, I'll show you then."

Now he just needs a stage to prove his strength, and hasn't that stage already been set up? Heh, it'll be his time to step onto it.

Scheming! He never liked it because it was too tiring, but before he had the power to look down on everyone and sweep through Konoha, he could only integrate rather than change it.

When you are strong enough, you can change all the injustices you see. But if your strength is only enough to compete with a group of strong people, then you need to integrate and learn to use their strength against them.

"Hehe, I'm really looking forward to seeing just how strong you are, Night Lord."

Orochimaru let out a hoarse laugh beneath his wicked smile. His disciple was becoming more and more interesting; it seemed he had grown quite a bit in strength during this time.

How strong?

Seeing Orochimaru's meaningful smile, Uchiha Yoru also smiled. "Orochimaru-sensei, I'll give you a surprise later."

……

Suddenly, a commotion arose in the Hyuga clan's territory under the cover of night.

In the darkness, Hiashi Hyuga held his daughter Hinata in his arms, his face filled with solemnity, while guards rushed to the scene after hearing the news.

A black-clad, masked ninja directly in front of them had been killed and was lying on the ground when his mask was slowly removed, revealing his face.

The moment his face was revealed, Hiashi Hyuga's usually calm expression suddenly turned to shock.

It turned out to be the leader of the Thunder Kingdom's envoys, who had just concluded a treaty with the village. His headband was askew, his pupils were dilated, blood was flowing from the corner of his mouth, and his tuft of beard was a face he had seen with his own eyes.

"Chieftain, this is!"

Among the guards who rushed over, some recognized the identity of the man who had been killed and couldn't help but show their shock. They knew that Konoha had lined the streets to welcome the envoy from the Land of Lightning, and many of the ninjas had seen him before, so they knew his identity.

At that moment, Hiashi Hyuga instantly realized that things were in grave danger. His shocked expression was tinged with panic. The Land of Lightning was really scheming.

That night, the Hokage's office building was brightly lit, and the high-ranking officials who had just signed the peace treaty all got up in the middle of the night and hurriedly came to the office building.

Inside the brightly lit Hokage meeting room, the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi, Danzo Shimura, Koharu Utatane, and Homura Mitokado—the Konoha F4—gathered together, their faces grim and menacing, indicating that Konoha was about to experience a major upheaval.

"We just signed a treaty with the Land of Lightning, and tonight the head of the envoys from the Land of Lightning secretly went to the Hyuga clan to abduct Hiashi, the daughter of the main family. It is obvious that this was premeditated, and the other party did not plan to succeed from the beginning."

The shrewd and experienced Third Hokage pointed out the key issue directly and astutely: the Land of Lightning's actions were clearly intended to disgust them. Let alone an envoy like you, even if you, the Raikage, came, do you think you could leave Konoha unscathed? An envoy really thinks he's a god of the ninja world.

"Using such methods to create diplomatic conflict, the Hidden Cloud Village is as despicable as ever."

It was clear that Shimura Danzo was furious. He had originally planned to have someone impersonate Iwagakure ninjas on their way back to frame them, but instead, he was humiliated right at his own doorstep.

Koharu Utatane, one of the high-ranking officials, frowned and shook her head, saying, "Now is not the time to dwell on this issue, but rather how to deal with the provocation from Kumogakure—to fight or to continue negotiating."

It has to be said that the Cloud Village's actions, while not particularly clever, were certainly disgusting. After all, this was a diplomatic incident, with the Cloud Village making the false accusation first, leaving Konoha with no choice but to suffer the consequences.

You told everyone that an envoy from Kumogakure had come to your Konoha stronghold, yet they managed to sneak into the Hyuga residence in the middle of the night? And even kidnapped the Hyuga clan head's daughter? And then they were killed by your own people?

Putting aside whether anyone would believe this claim if you told them, the fact that someone could infiltrate the Hyuga clan's residence right under your nose is laughable.

They were careless! They were all careless.

Mitokado Homura frowned. Konoha wasn't afraid of Kumogakure, but wars weren't fought lightly. Every war was fought for profit, and there was no profit to be gained in fighting now.

"Sarutobi, the people from Kumogakure will definitely cause trouble tomorrow. These are turbulent times. Kumogakure has seized the opportunity of our Konoha's instability. If we clash with Kumogakure now, and the border becomes deadlocked, Konoha will probably only have Orochimaru to deal with it."

Mitokado Homura cut straight to the heart of the matter, and the three of them changed their expressions in an instant. Utatane Koharu shook her head after hearing this and said, "Sarutobi, it's best to be cautious at this time. The village has experienced too much turmoil. As Homura said, if Orochimaru makes another contribution, then I'm afraid no one will be able to stop Orochimaru from becoming Hokage."

"Konoha, already reeling from war, is now facing a crisis if Orochimaru were to join them. While Orochimaru is indeed a qualified candidate, Konoha cannot afford further turmoil at this time."

Perhaps there are interests involved, but more than that, they are getting old and they are afraid that the prosperous era of Konoha that they created with their own hands will eventually be ruined in their hands.

Their minds have become so narrow that they believe only their ideas are correct. Once Orochimaru comes to power, the power structure of Konoha will be reshuffled. Konoha, which has just experienced a series of wars, will also experience political turmoil. Will the enemy take advantage of the situation? Just like in World War II, the entire ninja world began to fall into chaos after the deaths of the First and Second Hokage.

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(End of this chapter)