Saving the Uchiha clan starts with becoming the clan leader.

Immediately afterwards, another ANBU reported that a small base had been discovered in the forest, where standard Kirigakure kunai and other equipment were found. This confirmed that the attackers were Kirigakure spies. Furthermore, a large amount of information about "Enma" Uchiha Sōgen was found in the base, suggesting that the Kirigakure spies were likely targeting Uchiha Sōgen.

As for the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki

It's very likely that they were just caught up in the misfortune.

Zongxian understood the unspoken meaning and raised an eyebrow slightly. So that's what he was up to. Was he planning to use Naruto to blame the Uchiha guards for their poor performance?

He shifted his gaze to Naruto, who was surrounded by a group of medical ninjas. Poor Naruto was being groped all over by these rough men, who even pulled down his pants to check his buttocks. After a few words of argument, one of them went straight to the Third Hokage.

"How is Naruto?"

The Third Hokage stopped asking about the Mist Ninja and immediately shifted his attention to the medical ninja in front of him.

"Lord Hokage, we found no external injuries on the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki. He must have been attacked by some kind of mental attack, which is why he is still unconscious. Fortunately, the seal is still very strong, so there is no need to worry about any problems."

"What about Naruto? Is Naruto alright?"

"It's hard to say yet. The Nine-Tails Jinchuriki is too young, and mental trauma is difficult to heal. In many cases, the injured person can only recover on their own... The Nine-Tails Jinchuriki's condition still needs to be carefully observed."

The third generation's face immediately darkened.

"Professional! Superb acting skills! No wonder he was the longest-serving Hokage!"

Zongxian watched coldly from the sidelines.

He knew exactly what Naruto's situation was; he'd just been hit by the Mind Transfer Jutsu. It wasn't as mysterious as this medical ninja made it out to be. He'd even planned to wake Naruto up for a chat, but... let them put on their act if they wanted. He wanted to see just how far they were going to go.

next moment,

Then the questions arose.

"Uchiha Mugen!!"

Elder Mitokado Homura pushed up his glasses, his icy gaze locking onto Sogen. "Is this how you protect the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki? Mentally damaged? If the seal is broken and the Nine-Tails is released... can you bear that responsibility?"

Why should I bear the responsibility?

Zongxian looked surprised. "The Mist Ninja infiltrated the village and launched an attack. Isn't that a dereliction of duty by the Anbu? I killed the Mist Ninja attackers. I should be blameless!"

"The Mist Ninja are here for you. It's your fault that the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki was injured because of your problems." This was already an open accusation. Hearing Elder Mitokado Homura's angry voice, the Anbu remained unmoved and continued doing their own things, only glancing at Uchiha Arashiyama and the others out of the corner of their eyes.

Anger flashed across Uchiha Akitarou's face.

Fortunately, Uchiha Arashiyama caught Uchiha Hokuto, who was about to rush out. Compared to the frivolous Akitarou, the fourteen-year-old Uchiha Hokuto was a typical Uchiha who was proud to the core. It was this pride that made his personality extremely impulsive and belligerent.

"Hokuto, Akitaro, stand still. No one is allowed to move until Sogen gives instructions. Chihaya, Futaba, Jun, you too."

The skill called "The Majesty of the Elder" is activated.

His crimson eyes swept over them one by one, and the problem children quieted down. Uchiha Arashiyama breathed a silent sigh of relief. Luckily, they didn't start causing trouble. Otherwise, he could have suppressed one or two, but if they all started making a ruckus... he wouldn't be a match for five of them.

"...My question?"

Zongxian stared at Mitokado Homura, surprised, "The Kirigakure are targeting me probably because I killed too many Kirigakure on the battlefield. If being hated by the Kirigakure for that is my problem... Hokage, does Elder Mito mean that we shouldn't have fought for the village against the enemy? Is it really my fault that we provoked the enemy's revenge for protecting the village?"

Speaking of last,

His voice suddenly rose in pitch.

His eyes turned bloodshot from the intense emotions, and he stared at the Third Generation with a look of anger and grievance.

Mitokado Homura was stunned for a moment, then flew into a rage. This bastard dared to misinterpret his meaning. He clearly meant that Uchiha Sogen should not have contacted the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki and put the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki in uncertain danger. When did he become a hero who abandoned the village to fight for the village?

"Yan, it was just a slip of the tongue. Don't take it to heart with a young man. Be more magnanimous."

The Third Hokage stopped Mitokado's attack, then looked at Sogen and said, "Sougen-kun, Elder Mitokado was too worried about Naruto's safety and misspoke. I hope you can forgive him. However, you must understand that people like you and me are often targets of enemy attacks. Taking Naruto with you was indeed a miscalculation. You should think more carefully in the future."

He casually smoothed things over for Mitokado Homura, and then swiftly and decisively established the facts of Sogen's crimes.

They didn't even give Zongxian a chance to argue.

To directly define the nature of the matter.

"As expected of the Hokage..."

Zongxian suppressed his anger and grievances, and did not argue. As long as the matter of punishment was not clarified, he did not care about bearing some blame. In any case, the power was in the hands of the Hokage, and it would be easy for him to find fault with him.

Therefore, as long as there is no actual punishment,

It doesn't matter how many charges there are.

Perhaps this will actually help unite the clan.

"Sarutobi, you're too soft-hearted. If you don't punish those who make mistakes, how will you lead the village in the future?" This time, it was Koharu Utatane who spoke up. The old lady in her sixties righteously accused the Third Generation of being 'soft-hearted'.

The third generation frowned, seemingly hesitant.

Zongxian's left hand clenched into a fist. Uchiha Arashiyama and his companions immediately stepped forward, their crimson three-tomoe Sharingan activated. They stood behind Zongxian, issuing a silent warning and threat. This sudden turn of events caused the busy Anbu members to instantly stop what they were doing.

However, he didn't impulsively take action; he was simply prepared to do so.

at this time,

"Lord Hokage, this is not Zongxian's fault."

The one who spoke—

It is Uchiha Shisui.

He walked to Sogen's side and looked at the Third Hokage and the two advisor elders. "Regardless of whether the attackers were actually Mist Ninja, there is no explicit rule in the village prohibiting others from approaching Naruto. Sogen's actions were in accordance with the village's rules. Sogen did not know in advance that there would be an attack by Mist Ninja. To punish Sogen for this reason... is nitpicking."

Shisui unexpectedly stepped forward. Zongxian first raised his eyebrows in surprise, and then a hint of pleasure appeared in his eyes and brows!

Good guy,

Finally, Shisui realized which side he should be on.

As for what Shisui said... it's not important at all. What's most important is Shisui's change in attitude, which gives Sogen a greater confidence in executing the plan.

[Chapter 14. Playing the Divide and Conquer (Please add to your favorites! Please invest! Please vote!)]

Eight pairs of three-tomoe Sharingan. In the Uchiha clan, three-tomoe Sharingan is equivalent to Jonin. Even the weakest Jonin of the Uchiha clan can take on two opponents at once, let alone elites like Sogen and Shisui who can fight five, ten, or even more...

That is,

Including Sogen and Shisui, the eight Uchiha here would be impossible to contend with without the combined efforts of twenty or thirty Jonin.

Unless there are a few more experts like the Third Hokage, the need for Jonin can be reduced. Unfortunately, Konoha is now suffering from a shortage of talent, and the upper echelons of the village are all old men and women. To be honest, the Hokage Building could be renamed "Old Men's Entertainment Club"!

The Fourth Hokage's sacrifice not only deprived Konoha of an excellent Hokage.

A group of elderly people held power in the village, which made the village feel stagnant. Orochimaru's defection caused the Sannin to collapse and dissipate. The intensified conflict with the Uchiha clan cast a shadow of internal strife over the village. If you don't count the Uchiha, you really can't find many outstanding young talents in Konoha now.

All things considered, only Kakashi is worthy of being mentioned.

"Shisui, don't get so agitated. It's really not appropriate to blame this incident on Sogen-kun." The Third Hokage spoke up, breaking the cold, chilling atmosphere of the standoff. "No one could have imagined that the Kirigakure would be so bold as to launch a surprise attack on Sogen-kun. In the end, it's because the Anbu were too lax and allowed the Kirigakure spies to run rampant in the village."

"Yan, Xiaochun, you're too strict. Be more tolerant and patient with young people; they also need time to grow."

After hesitating for a long time,

The third generation has finally produced such a result.

He calmed Zongxian down, protected the two elders, and subtly defused the tense atmosphere of confrontation. His skill in mediating disputes was truly masterful.

Zongxian knew perfectly well that this wasn't because the Third Hokage was particularly enlightened; it was simply that he didn't want to break ties with the Uchiha clan at this time. What these old folks wanted was to eliminate the disobedient Uchiha clan at the lowest possible cost, rather than fight them to the death.

Especially him and Shisui, as the two most famous members of the Uchiha clan at present, can be said to be the most shining signs of the Uchiha clan today.

Once we make a move against them,

This is tantamount to declaring war on the Uchiha clan.

Coupled with Arashiyama and his group's unwavering support, the Third Generation chose this outcome.

"Humph!"

Koharu Utatane didn't say anything more, but just kept a straight face and didn't give Sogen and the others a kind look. Mitomon Homura, on the other hand, looked normal, but you couldn't tell anything from that poker face.

At this moment, another medical ninja who was taking care of Naruto rushed over and said with a happy expression, "Lord Hokage, the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki's injuries are fine. The mental shock wasn't serious. He'll be fully recovered by tomorrow after a good night's sleep."

Zongxian's lips twitched.

This is fucking...

That wasn't how it was said before. According to the previous person, Naruto's condition might worsen at any moment, and he wouldn't make it to dawn. But now that the Third Hokage has made his stance clear, Naruto is perfectly fine; he just needs a good night's sleep and he'll be bouncing around again the next day...

It really is—

A person's mouth has two layers of skin, and their speech can shift between two ends.

They've covered everything, from black and white to good and bad.

"That's good, that's good! It's good that you're alright!!"

The Third Hokage's worried expression vanished instantly, replaced by the kind and approachable smile often seen on the faces of ninja professors when speaking to children at the ninja academy. He turned to Sogen and asked with a smile, "By the way, Sogen-kun, if I remember correctly, you don't have a fixed job right now, right?"

"How about joining the Anbu? You protected Naruto this time, which is a significant achievement. Joining the Anbu will give you a bigger stage to showcase your skills..."

"Lord Hokage, thank you for your kindness, but please forgive me for not being able to agree. I am very satisfied with my current life. Rather than joining the Anbu, I would rather stay at home and help take care of my sister. To be honest, my fighting style is not suitable for the Anbu. Such a big commotion is not in the style of the Anbu at all."

Before the third generation could finish casting the spell, Zongxian decisively interrupted the old man's chanting.

He couldn't be bothered to listen to the Third Hokage's pronouncements about the Will of Fire.

Moreover, he would never agree to work for the Anbu. That was the Third Hokage's domain. Once he entered the Anbu, he would be at the mercy of others. He wouldn't even need to use any tricks; he could just be sent to places like Kumogakure or Iwagakure as a spy, guaranteeing his death.

"I see! Well, there's nothing we can do about it then. It's such a shame! I had high hopes for your abilities, Zongxian-kun... What a pity!"

The third generation leader sighed repeatedly with great regret.

"Lord Hokage, if there is nothing else, please allow us to take our leave."

At this point, Zongxian had achieved his desired goal.

There's no need to stay here and keep up with the nonsense of three generations of old men. Instead of wasting time and life here, it's better to go home and discuss the next action plan with your friends. Zhi Shui has made his stance clear, and the plan is almost ready to be implemented.

"Leave this matter to the Dark Division. You can all go back now!"

The Third Hokage nodded, glancing at Shisui out of the corner of his eye, but said nothing.

"Well then, we'll take our leave."

Zongxian left without hesitation, heading straight for the clan's territory. Shisui hesitated for a moment, but ultimately did not stop. He followed Arashiyama and the others, chasing after Zongxian until they disappeared into the deep night, vanishing from sight in the blink of an eye.

In this burned forest,