I, Uchiha: Split Konoha

Chapter 43 Sordid Political Deals

Leaf.

Bright sunlight shone on the earth, and Konoha looked thriving, as if the night of the Nine-Tails last year had already passed with the wind.

Inside a detached three-story wooden house, Uchiha Yoru looked at Sarutobi Hitsuki, who was already middle-aged and had a rigid appearance.

"Uchiha Yoru, I don't understand what you mean by this."

Before him was the property certificate for the shop. At this moment, Sarutobi Hijiki, who appeared before him, seemed to exude an air of uprightness and integrity despite his stern expression.

Uchiha Yoru, who came in person, revealed a serious expression. "Umino Itsuki was arrested by the police department for causing trouble while drunk. However, it was precisely because he was drunk that he let slip that he had betrayed the village's interests after being investigated by the police department. This was also the reason why Jonin Sarutobi Hitsuki failed his mission in the Land of Grass back then."

"Umino Itsuki has confessed, but he has a nephew at home. He is very remorseful and feels guilty, but his nephew Umino Iruka is innocent. Therefore, we hope that former captain Hiruzen Sarutobi can forgive him."

Uchiha Yoru spoke with an air of righteous indignation, as if it were the truth. Shisui, kneeling and bowing behind him, hid his expression, afraid that he would lose control and let the other man see his disgust.

Upon hearing this, Sarutobi Hitsuki was taken aback. However, with his years of experience, he hesitated for a long time with a grim expression. Finally, as if he had made up his mind, a glint of light flashed in his eyes.

"So, this time, are you representing the Uchiha clan or Lord Orochimaru?"

After all, Uchiha Yoru's identity was not simple; he was not only a member of the Uchiha clan but also Orochimaru's disciple. Similarly, Sarutobi Hizuki was a Jonin of the Sarutobi clan.

He needs to clearly understand the identity and purpose of the other party in this matter.

Seeing Sarutobi Hiyuki's question, Uchiha Yoru gave a fake smile, "Whether it's Uchiha or Hyuga, aren't we all from the village?"

His tone suggested he was certain that Orochimaru would be the future Hokage, and that the Uchiha and Hyuga clans were part of the village.

These ambiguous words silenced Hiruzen Sarutobi. He understood that the other party was sending a signal of goodwill. As for who it represented? The Uchiha needed to ease tensions with the village, and Orochimaru needed to do the same.

As for the Uchiha and Hyuga clans, there's no difference; they've both sided with Orochimaru.

More importantly, no one would expect Orochimaru to defect in the future. Even though he was a Jonin of the Sarutobi clan who had entered the center of power and knew about the clan's schemes, he was also aware of one thing.

That is Orochimaru's identity, which is of great importance. They do have high hopes of making Sarutobi Shinnosuke the Fifth Hokage, but compared with Orochimaru, it seems that their prestige is far inferior.

"Sigh, I never imagined that he was the one who leaked the mission from back then."

At this moment, Sarutobi Higetsu transformed into a compassionate and sympathetic figure, finally shaking his head and sighing, "Back then, because of the leak of information, so many people were killed."

At this moment, Sarutobi Higetsu seemed to be lost in his memories of the past, while Uchiha Yoru smiled, indicating that the other party had accepted the goodwill. Shisui, however, was filled with disgust for this political transaction.

Sarutobi Higetsu had a stain on his life: the failure of a secret mission in the Land of Grass, which resulted in the sacrifice of seventy-three ninjas.

However, the exact reason for the mission's failure could no longer be found out, but both Sarutobi Higetsu and Shisui knew one thing: Umino Itsuki was just a scapegoat.

This is perhaps a dirty political deal: the Uchiha abuse their power for personal gain, do dirty work for Orochimaru, and then send a signal of goodwill to Sarutobi.

As for your claim that the Uchiha clan came up with this themselves? Do you think anyone would believe that? Besides, wouldn't your Uchiha clan doing this be representing Orochimaru?

"Oh, I'm sorry to have made you laugh." As Sarutobi Hiyori emerged from his sad memories, he gave a wry smile, as if it were real, and his hand was already reaching for the property deeds of the three shops.

In Shisui's eyes, the other party was clearly making some kind of dirty deal, yet not only did he remain unfazed, he also feigned a compassionate demeanor and sighed, "Consider these as compensation for the seventy-three ninjas who sacrificed themselves in the Grass Country mission."

Whether the descendants of these sacrificed ninjas will ultimately be compensated remains to be seen, but it is clear that the three shops have already fallen into the hands of the other side.

At this moment, Sarutobi Hijiki felt a pang of melancholy; it seemed that the stain on his heart had finally been washed away.

The two exchanged tea with perfunctory smiles, and seeing each other's silent laughter, Sarutobi Hiyori sighed inwardly. It seemed this person was not a simple ninja after all; no wonder he could become Orochimaru's right-hand man.

"What does Lord Orochimaru mean?"

Having already received the benefits, they couldn't just give them away for free. When asked by Sarutobi Hiyori, Uchiha Yoru shook his head and sighed, "As you know, Orochimaru-sensei is obsessed with the research and development of ninjutsu, which is extremely expensive."

In short, you've acquired the shop, but naturally, it's not all yours; it's a collaborative effort.

At this moment, Sarutobi Hiyori fell silent after hearing this. His clan wanted another Hokage from the Sarutobi family, but the Uchiha clan's sincerity was now quite evident. Moreover, even if the Sarutobi family produced another Hokage, Orochimaru would undoubtedly hold a high position of power.

The other party not only gave him money, but more importantly, they offered him a reputation! It was a complete way to erase a stain on his life, and he was moved by their sincerity.

After a long pause, Sarutobi Higetsu glanced at the boy before him, then lowered his head and sipped his hot tea. Finally, he said softly, "I understand."

Deal done!

He's forty years old now, and you could say he's starting to decline. He's spent his whole life carefully working his way up to where he is today, and now the stain on the Land of Grass is about to be erased. How could he not be tempted?

The two sides reached a political deal: Uchiha would erase his stain, and he would reveal some reliable information in return.

……

"...Recently, there have been many calls within the clan for the young clan leader to become Hokage, but some also feel that Orochimaru's prestige is too great."

A gentle breeze blew by, and after the two drank the last cup of tea, Uchiha Yoru smiled and nodded respectfully, saying, "Please wait a moment, Lord Sarutobi Hitsuki. Uchiha Yoru will take his leave now."

"Be careful when you go out." This wasn't Sarutobi Hiyori's concern, nor was it just polite talk; it was a subconscious warning not to be discovered.

Uchiha Yoru smiled and nodded, saying, "Don't worry, the ninja following me is known as Shisui of the Body Flicker Technique."

The meaning is very clear: don't worry, no one noticed them when they came today, and no one will notice them when they leave.

After Uchiha Yoru left with Shisui, Sarutobi Hitsuki, who had been silent in the room, showed a complex expression on his face and muttered to himself, "Umino Itsuki, go in peace. I will take good care of your nephew."

Please support me.

(End of this chapter)