I, Uchiha: Split Konoha

Chapter 122 The Situation is Under Control

Leaf.

The office building of the 7th Division of the Police Department.

This place used to be bustling with people working here, but now, when ninjas pass by, they lower their heads and quickly slip past, not daring to even raise their heads. Many ninjas even choose to take a detour.

The office building was filled with a sense of oppression. Through the windows, the Root and Anbu ninjas, hidden in the darkness, could be clearly seen watching them.

"Captain, about half of the personnel in the seventh squad have left. This is the list of those who left."

Uzuki Yugao respectfully placed a stack of names on her desk. In her eyes, Uchiha Yoru seemed like a completely different person after the Orochimaru incident.

Uchiha Yoru leaned back elegantly in his chair, squinting as he enjoyed the sunlight streaming through the window, while sipping his tea.

"They've all left, why doesn't Xiyan leave?"

Uchiha Yoru squinted and casually joked, while Uzuki Yugao's heart sank, and she forced a smile, "Captain Yoru, everything will be alright."

Now, the Seventh Division has become a target in the village, and everyone is watching them. However, at the same time, Uchiha Yoru, Orochimaru's disciple, has become famous after his battle with Jiraiya, especially for the S-rank ninjutsu he developed, which is incredibly powerful.

Uchiha Yoru was already a powerful Jonin, and it was precisely because of this, firstly his status, and secondly the unwavering existence of the Hyuga branch family, that he gave a glimmer of hope to the ninjas who were also under Orochimaru's command.

Similarly, it's true that the Seventh Division was under surveillance after they gained a leader; Uchiha Yoru never left the Hokage's office building after returning.

"Hehe, I didn't expect it would be you who came to comfort me in the end." Uchiha Yoru chuckled softly, toying with her pair of cold, jade-like hands.

"Yugao, since you've chosen to stay, you must remember one thing: strength is the foundation of a ninja. Don't slack off in your training."

With her hands being fondled by the other person, Uzuki Yugao, her face flushed, lowered her head like an ostrich. Hearing Uchiha Yoru's words, her heart pounded nervously, but she suppressed her embarrassment and, remembering her purpose, couldn't help but ask, "Captain Yoru, what should we do next?"

"How do I do it?" Looking at Uzuki Yugao's shy face, Uchiha Yoru smiled.

Under the shy gaze of Uzuki Yugao, who was almost bursting with tears, Uchiha Yoru slowly rose and walked to the window, gazing at the ninjas watching him from outside. Bathed in sunlight, he seemed to be draped in a golden robe.

"I will become strong, and one day I will appear there!" As he said this, Uchiha Yoru pointed firmly towards the Hokage Rock in the distance, a scene that filled Uzuki Yugao's eyes with shock.

Why doesn't the village believe an Uchiha who aims to become Hokage, an Uchiha whose heart is solely for the sake of ninjas and the village? At this moment, Uzuki Yugao herself didn't realize that she had begun to doubt whether the village's decision was wrong.

Uchiha Yoru seemed to be lost in his own world, saying with a fanatical and determined expression, "When I become Hokage, the darkness over Konoha will be gone, and I will personally welcome the heroes of Konoha back."

The hero of Konoha? Are you referring to Lord Orochimaru?

Uzuki Yugao pondered silently. She wasn't just an ordinary ninja in the village who knew nothing. She knew a lot about the Seventh Division and was well aware of the many suspicious things about Lord Orochimaru. That's why she began to have doubts.

The Seventh Division of the Police Department is in dire straits. Orochimaru's disciple, Uchiha Yoru, is under surveillance and almost completely confined to the office building.

As the saying goes, when the tree falls, the monkeys scatter. With Orochimaru's downfall, countless people naturally left, leaving only a few who couldn't leave and a few who were unwilling to accept it.

……

The Hokage's office building.

"Kigakure took this opportunity to launch an attack on Uzushiogakure."

"Signs of many Kumogakure ninjas have been discovered on the border of the Land of Lightning."

"The border region has recently been plagued by frequent ninja attacks and harassment, most of which are carried out by small ninja villages in disguise, with the aim of provoking a war between major powers."

"Recently, a large number of ronin and mercenary ninjas have flooded into the Land of Fire, causing extremely negative impacts on the country's security."

"Due to the severe impact of the Orochimaru incident, the village's mission load has dropped by half recently, especially overseas missions, as rogue ninjas and enemy ninjas are secretly targeting us."

At this moment, Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu, frowning, recounted the recent events, especially the turmoil at the front-line border, which moved them both.

The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, frowned deeply at the turbulent situation before him. Although they hadn't handled the Orochimaru matter well, causing such a commotion, his many years of political experience had taught him that only calmness could provide a solution.

"The chaos created by ninja shinobi and mercenaries is nothing more than the secret manipulation of some ninja villages behind the scenes, all for the sake of profit. These are just some low-level tactics used by small villages, yet they dare to dream of provoking a war between major powers and profiting from the chaos. How laughable."

After a cold laugh, Hiruzen Sarutobi said in a deep voice, "Order the ninjas of Konoha to strengthen their defenses, especially to conduct targeted surveillance and cleanup of the roaming ninjas and mercenary ninjas within the Land of Fire. Once they come to my territory, they will not be allowed to run wild."

"Sunagakure suffered the greatest losses in the Third Shinobi World War. Not to mention now, even if Sunagakure were given another five years, it wouldn't be a problem. Onoki of Iwagakure is cunning and calculating. He won't start a Shinobi World War so easily. The harassment from the small border countries is probably half thanks to him."

Having been the Hokage for so many years, Hiruzen Sarutobi knew exactly what kind of people the leaders of the major ninja villages were. He calmly began to analyze the situation.

"The barbarians from Kumogakure seem unwilling to accept defeat. Have Shinnosuke keep a close eye on them. A temporary setback is nothing. Adjusting and strengthening our defenses is enough. Kumogakure doesn't have the guts to start a major war."

He almost effortlessly foresaw the situation Konoha would face. Upon hearing this, Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu both showed expressions befitting the Third Hokage.

However, after seeing the information about the Land of Water, the Third Hokage frowned deeply, took a deep drag on his pipe, and exhaled a thick cloud of smoke before revealing a solemn expression.

"The Hidden Mist Village has truly seized the best opportunity, launching an attack at this moment. The Land of Whirlpools is already a mere shell of its former self. Although it is an island, if it falls into the hands of the Hidden Mist Village, then the Hidden Mist Village can use it as a springboard to invade the Land of Fire at any time."

At this point, Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned, his expression grave. The Land of Whirlpools could be considered unclaimed territory, but during the war, it was a fiercely contested area between the two nations.

Whoever controls the Land of Whirlpools holds the initiative.

After the Third Shinobi World War, in order to maintain the delicate balance of the ninja world, both Konoha and Kirigakure tacitly regarded Uzushiogakure as a buffer zone between the two. Although they did not occupy it, neither side would give up leaving their own people as spies and spies.

"Hiruzen, you know the current situation in the village. In addition, there is unrest in various places. Although there is no war, the ninja army is needed to keep them in check. Kirigakure is a tough nut to crack."

Mitokado Homura expressed his worries in a deep voice, and Sarutobi Hiruzen, as if he had already thought of a solution, said in a deep voice: "Regarding the minor friction with Kirigakure on the border, I intend to send Uchiha Yoru to the front line."

Upon hearing this, Koharu Utatane smiled with satisfaction. "Uchiha Yoru's identity as a member of the Uchiha clan going to the front lines is just what I need to stabilize morale."

Meanwhile, Mitokado Homura frowned and shook his head, saying, "Orochimaru has a strong reputation on the front lines. As Orochimaru's disciple, Uchiha Yoru's presence on the front lines can indeed stabilize morale, but this force, which is on the verge of collapse, will likely be reorganized under this opportunity."

Orochimaru's forces were utterly destroyed by this incident, and if they did nothing, not many would remain in the end.

However, if the Hokage faction were to bring out Uchiha Yoru, it would be an open act, proving that the matter had come to an end.

Orochimaru's remaining forces will regroup under the control of Uchiha Yoru. They may not be as powerful as they were at their peak, but they will still be a considerable force. More importantly, they will share the same surname.

Uchiha! That surname alone is already taboo.

Uchiha Yoru's deployment to the front lines had both advantages and disadvantages. The advantage was that it stabilized morale, and the opponent was also an outstanding genius of Konoha's younger generation.

Faced with this question, the Third Hokage calmly lowered his hat and said in a deep voice, "The policies of Kirigakure are evident to all in the ninja world, and since Kirigakure has chosen to target the territory of Uzushiogakure this time, they probably won't give up so easily."

In his eyes, a mere newly risen Uchiha Yoru was nothing. After all, while choosing to inherit the legacy, Orochimaru would also have to bear Orochimaru's infamy and become a target for countless people on the battlefield.

It can be used! It can also be consumed.

Many people avoid Orochimaru like the plague, but for some, there's no escaping it, such as the Hyuga branch family.

In this situation, the Hyuga branch family is a hot potato. They cannot directly intervene because if they do, it will represent the Hokage lineage's actions towards the Hyuga clan. What about the main family?

In short, the Hyuga clan is currently a hot potato in Konoha. If you recruit the branch family, the main family will be angry; if you accept the main family, the branch family can only pretend not to see it.

"Hiruzen, Uchiha Yoruichi's palm strike, he's an Uchiha!" Koharu Utatane's tone became somewhat solemn when she mentioned this surname.

Upon hearing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi gently lowered his Hokage hat and said hoarsely to the door, "Come in."

The Hokage gate creaked open, and a Konoha ninja respectfully entered as the ANBU pushed it open.

"Chunin Kurenai Yuhi greets the Hokage."

The newcomer was none other than Kurenai Yuhi. At that moment, a slight ripple flashed across the calm faces of advisors Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane. The two exchanged a knowing glance.

When Hiruzen Sarutobi saw Kurenai Yuhi, he said in a hoarse voice, "Kurenai, thank you for your hard work. No one wants to see what's happening in the village right now, but the village needs you."

Kurenai Yuhi, kneeling on one knee below, felt a pang of pain in her crimson eyes upon hearing the Hokage's words. One was her loyal village, and the other was her close classmate.

But as a ninja, with years of training and loyalty to the village, Kurenai gritted her teeth and said in a deep voice, "Don't worry, Hokage, Kurenai will report everything Uchiha Yoru does."

Kurenai's pained and distressed expression did not escape the eyes of the three. Instead of showing any dissatisfaction, Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed with a hint of melancholy and said softly, "Kurenai, I hope I am just overthinking things. This way, the village can have one more elite ninja. I hope you won't blame me. The village simply cannot withstand any more turmoil."

"Uchiha Yoru is a good boy, and I believe he knows about the Will of Fire, but I can't guarantee the Uchiha clan behind him. After all, the Nine-Tails Yoru is still fresh in my mind."

Hiruzen Sarutobi was definitely skilled at manipulating people's hearts. He first said that he believed in Uchiha Yoru, then mentioned that the Nine-Tails Yoru had brought up Kurenai Yuhi's painful past, and then raised suspicions about the mastermind behind the Uchiha clan. Through this back-and-forth, he gave Kurenai Yuhi a false impression.

It seems that Uchiha Yoru is innocent, and she could win him over, but there's a hidden hand behind the Uchiha clan.

Sure enough, Kurenai seemed to feel much better after hearing these words, and nodded respectfully, saying in a deep voice, "Don't worry, Hokage-sama, a village is a home."

Despite Kurenai's resolute expression, she felt a chill in her heart. Although she was a woman, her keen mind saw through everything. At this moment, all she could do was help Uchiha Yoru, but in doing so, she was also helping the village.

"Kurenai, go down. I hope this matter is just my overthinking."

"Yes, Lord Hokage."

As the Hokage's office door closed, Koharu Utatane frowned and said in a deep voice, "Hiruzen, it seems that Kurenai Yuhi has her heart set on Yoru Uchiha. I'm afraid she might cause trouble later."

However, Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled confidently, "It's normal to have feelings for one's children, but Kurenai Yuhi, like her father, is a very rational ninja. The village comes first."

They represented the village, and from the very beginning, they were invincible. Just like in the original story, even the Uchiha clan never considered defection or a coup, because the village was ingrained in their very being.

Unfortunately, Hiruzen Sarutobi, Homura Mitokado, and Koharu Utatane never imagined that Yoru Uchiha, who was now being monitored like a stray dog ​​in the office building, would be a mere sixteen-year-old brat already planning to step into the limelight and accumulate his own political power.

From the very beginning, he never intended to fight against the entire Hidden Leaf Village. Even Madara Uchiha ended up being forced to leave his homeland.

Uchiha Yoru has always been self-aware. Konoha was founded by the Uchiha and Senju clans. To stage a coup and rebel against one's own village? That's nonsense.

His goal has always been clear: to accumulate his own power. After the Orochimaru incident, he will inherit the legacy left by his teacher, and no one will stand in his way; on the contrary, they will personally deliver this legacy to him.

Orochimaru's incident was egregious! Fortunately, he wasn't declared a rogue ninja this time, but even so, it has already shaken the ninja world. Orochimaru, one of the legendary Sannin and a candidate for Hokage of Konoha, has been expelled.

This is no less than an earthquake. Tensions have already begun to rise on the border with Konoha. If not handled properly, it could lead to constant minor skirmishes. Meanwhile, other major powers are taking steps to conserve their strength and recuperate, while simultaneously instigating friction between smaller countries and Konoha.

Therefore, what Konoha needs most this time is stability!

When Orochimaru's disciples appear on the front lines, especially as leaders, they can have a calming effect internally and a deterrent effect externally.

Please support me.

(End of this chapter)