Saving the Uchiha clan starts with becoming the clan leader.

Since Hiruzen Sarutobi became Hokage, for several decades, apart from the initial period when the Sarutobi clan fought alongside him in numerous bloody battles, in the many years that followed, only a small number of exceptionally talented geniuses returned to the battlefield to hone their skills through actual combat.

More members of the clan chose to join various departments and institutions within the village.

They gradually improve themselves through work and missions—a slow but more reliable method. Perhaps they are no match for their comrades who have returned alive from the battlefield in a one-on-one fight, but they outnumber each other! Moreover, there is real combat involved in missions, so they are not delicate flowers in a greenhouse that cannot withstand the ravages of wind and rain.

However, it is an undeniable fact that their clan has not participated in large-scale, high-intensity wars for a long time.

Even during World War III,

The number of Sarutobi clan members who personally participated in the war did not exceed one hundred. In contrast, the Uchiha clan sent more than three hundred members to the battlefield during the Third Shinobi World War, of whom nearly one-third died on the battlefield, and only one-third returned intact.

The remaining third suffered various injuries that prevented them from continuing as ninjas. They could only sadly lay down their weapons and return to their clans to contribute to the clan's population growth.

"Moreover, my Sarutobi clan specializes in Fire Release techniques, which puts us at a natural disadvantage against Kirigakure ninja."

Sarutobi Saemon racked his brains for a reason. He didn't want to go to the battlefield at all, nor did he want to see his clansmen sent to their deaths. However, the excuse he finally came up with not only failed to bring him the result he wanted, but also successfully provoked Sogen's anger.

"Skilled in Fire Release techniques?"

Mocking laughter echoed in the conference room.

Zongxian wore a cold, sarcastic smile, but his eyes burned with a fury hotter than magma. "You're the first person to dare boast about your family's proficiency in Fire Release techniques in front of the Uchiha clan. I have to admire your courage for that. However... this excuse won't work."

"Back then, the Uchiha clan fearlessly rushed to the front lines to fight against the Kirigakure under the Third Hokage's orders, but today, does the Sarutobi clan want to cower like turtles? Is this your Sarutobi clan's love for the village? No, I will never allow you to tarnish the Third Hokage's reputation like this!"

Zongxian issued a righteous and solemn declaration.

The meeting room suddenly fell silent.

The clan leaders were dumbfounded.

Looking at Uchiha Sogen's righteous demeanor, and then at Sarutobi Saemon's dumbfounded expression, one can only think that this is indeed a crazy world that makes it impossible to imagine what the future will be like. The Uchiha clan head, who personally pushed Sarutobi Hiruzen off the position of Hokage, is actually advocating for the Third Hokage.

This comical performance was enough to make onlookers burst into laughter.

"Lord Hokage, please grant me my impolite request."

Zongxian turned to look at Akimichi Torifu and respectfully made his request.

"Let's do as the Uchiha clan head says!"

Akimichi Torifu sighed inwardly, not refusing Sogen's request. After all, he had no reason to refuse, both morally and logically. Overthrowing Hiruzen Sarutobi from the position of Hokage was just the beginning. Not wanting to be just a rubber stamp, he wanted to hold the power that the Hokage should have in his own hands.

to this end,

It was imperative for him to eliminate the members of the Sarutobi, Utatane, Mitomon, Kazamatsuri, and Ise clans, who were deeply rooted in various departments and agencies of Konoha Village. However, without a suitable reason, it was really not easy to clean up these parasitic vines on a large scale.

As one of the Ino-Shika-Cho trio, the Akimichi clan has a close relationship with the Sarutobi clan. If he were to hastily begin purging the Sarutobi and other clans as a Jonin, it would inevitably leave an impression of being too greedy, which is not what Akimichi Torifu wants.

Zongxian's idea undoubtedly did him a great favor.

She gave him a gift he couldn't refuse.

Furthermore, more than half of the clan leaders present expressed their approval. Now that Hiruzen Sarutobi's rule has been overthrown, it is natural to try to weaken the power of the Sarutobi, Utatane, and Mitomon families to prevent them from staging a comeback in the future!

"Lord Hokage, Head of the Uchiha Clan, please rest assured! The Shimura Clan will gather a team of 250 people as quickly as possible. In addition, our clan is willing to send five more Jonin on top of what we have already sent."

The head of the Shimura clan was an old man with gray hair.

Unlike Sarutobi Saemon, who was a mediocre fellow, this old man from the Shimura clan was clearly a clever man.

He understood that the world in Konoha had changed, and the Shimura clan had no other way to survive except to lie low. So from the beginning, he did not stand up to make that pointless resistance. He only hoped that the village would consider that the bastard Shimura Danzo and his family were already estranged and not let his family be implicated by that scoundrel who had been sentenced to death and was just waiting to be executed.

Speaking of,

Danzo Shimura was indeed a ruthless fellow.

Unlike the Sarutobi clan, which grew stronger under Hiruzen Sarutobi's care, Danzo devoted all his energy to cultivating Root and parted ways with the Shimura clan long ago. Over the years, the Shimura clan has not gained any benefits from Danzo's name; on the contrary, they have been treated coldly everywhere because of Danzo.

after all,

In Konoha, there are really very few people who like Danzo!

Hatred, like love, has an extensible nature. As a negative example of loving someone because of their loved ones, the Shimura family's experience profoundly demonstrates what it means to be caught in the crossfire.

However, hardship makes people grow. The Shimura clan was fortunate to have a capable clan leader. Under his leadership, the Shimura clan was not ostracized and had nowhere to stand. On the contrary, they have continued to grow stronger over the years.

"I hope the Shimura family won't let me down!"

Zongxian said this and then closed his eyes to conserve his energy.

The meeting had reached a point where it could be considered over. After determining the general strategy for the campaign against the Mist Ninja, the next step was to add specific details within that framework. This did not require the clan leaders to brainstorm; the advisory group centered around Nara would quickly formulate a brilliant battle plan.

As for the protests from the Sarutobi family and others...

who cares?

Of course, if they dare to make any irrational choices, then frankly, everyone would be willing to join forces to eliminate the troublemakers. Not just any clan can compare to the Uchiha. In this world, there is probably only one clan left that can make the village fear them.

The meeting had ended, but Akimichi Torifu remained seated in the conference room. He quietly observed the seating arrangement for the Uchiha clan head, and after a long while, he sighed deeply. No wonder Sarutobi targeted the Uchiha so much. Having a clan that was suspected of manipulating tailed beasts and was so powerful that it was difficult to control, it was indeed quite awkward for the Hokage to exist!

but,

"Luckily, I'm just an agent."

Akimichi Torifu reached out and stroked the brand-new Hokage hat, giving a self-deprecating smile.

As the acting Hokage, he didn't have much energy to outwit and outmaneuver the Uchiha clan. As long as Uchiha Sogen didn't cause him any trouble, he was too lazy to bother with the Uchiha's affairs. The Uchiha's problems... that should be the real Fifth Hokage's concern in the future!

He won't overstep his bounds in this regard!

"Has there been any progress in the search for Jiraiya and Tsunade?" Akimichi Torifu suddenly asked.

"There has been no progress so far."

An answer came from the empty corner.

Not yet?

Akimichi Torifu muttered to himself, looking at the Hokage's hat in front of him, and once again fell into a long silence.

[Chapter 75 Panic (Seeking votes! Seeking investment!)]

Konoha's long-dormant war machine was awakened once more. After being filled with enough fuel, it started running at full speed. The invisible chimneys spewed out clouds of smoke that blotted out the sun's brilliance, casting a shadow of war over people's hearts.

However, Konoha's prosperity was not diminished as a result.

People have become accustomed to life and death. In the long recorded history, we know that war is the undisputed main theme of this world, and peace is just a luxury that can only be enjoyed occasionally!

in contrast,

The news of the impending war actually spurred another boom in the village's military manufacturing, pharmaceutical, and other related industries. Producers and merchants who received large orders from the village were overjoyed, and some unscrupulous individuals even secretly prayed that the war, which had not yet begun, would be prolonged as much as possible.

Yes, the war has not yet started.

The envoys from the Mist Ninja have been driven away. The Konoha side is unsure whether the Mist Ninja have received any messages from these envoys. However, according to reports from the border guards along the eastern coast, they did not receive the expected Mist Ninja attack, which was like a storm.

They are still nowhere to be found, leaving people somewhat confused about the situation of the Mist Ninja.

However, Konoha was happy to have more time to prepare. The troop assembly and reorganization would still take a little longer to be completed. Zongxian, the supreme commander, also had personal matters to attend to and was not in a hurry to go to the front line. He wouldn't feel at ease leaving without properly arranging things at home.

"What should we do?"

Zongxian stroked his chin, muttering to himself as he gazed at the tool before him—Pipa Juzo—who had fully recovered but was still trapped in the illusion and had not yet awakened. He had been troubled for almost three days, as Juzo was always at risk of being sent to the battlefield at any moment due to news from the front lines.

There's no more time to prepare!

We have no choice but to take the risk and give it a try!

"Shisui, I'm begging you!"

Zongxian turned to look at Uchiha Shisui standing beside him!

The water has changed dramatically since two months ago.

He has lost a lot of weight.

His frail body made one worry that he might be blown away by the wind. His eyes, beneath his long eyelashes, held an unyielding pain and despair. His entire aura was as cold as ice, completely devoid of his former vitality.

After Hiruzen Sarutobi's downfall

Danzo Shimura, the powerless villain lying on his sickbed, was also defeated immediately. His past shady deeds were exposed one by one. In order to make his naive friend realize the reality of this world, Sogen took him to Danzo, who was imprisoned in the same place as Hiruzen Sarutobi and others.

He forced Shisui to personally search Danzo's memories.

As the holder of Kotoamatsukami, no one could fabricate false memories to deceive his eyes. Then, in Danzo's memories, he saw the darkest side of this world. As the saying goes, there are no wrong nicknames, only wrong names.

The name "Ninja of Darkness" is truly fitting.

After that,

Zhi Shui was like a completely different person.

His naiveté was ruthlessly shattered.

It turns out, the battlefield isn't the cruelest hell in the world! In that unknown darkness lies an even deeper abyss of purgatory, trampling on human morality and conscience!

"Leave it to me!"

Shisui nodded silently and agreed.

He strode forward, reached out and pried open the eyelids of Juzo Biwa, who was lying on the stone bed. The black tomoe in his eyes merged and deformed, and the power of Kotoamatsukami was projected into Juzo Biwa's mind. In just a few seconds, he had already skillfully modified Juzo Biwa's memories according to Sogen's requirements.

Fresh blood trickled down from his eyes.

This is the price to pay.

Both are Mangekyou Sharingan eye techniques. Even though there is no way to recover, Sogen estimated that he could use his eye technique many times before going blind. However, Shisui's Kotoamatsukami requires a long and agonizing cooldown period every time it is used. Even if Shisui wanted to quickly blind himself, the only way was to frantically use Susanoo!

"Sit down and rest for a while! Samehada is on the table!"

Zongxian patted Shisui on the shoulder.

Shisui retreated, glanced at Samehada on the table, reached out and grasped the hilt of Samehada. Then, a warm current flowed into his body, all the way up to his eyes, repairing the damaged eyeballs and replenishing the lost pupil power.

He sat in the chair.

He watched quietly as Zongxian pried open Biwa Juzo's eyelids, just as he had done before.

-

Inside a long-established ninja tool shop in Konoha Village,

Are they out of explosive tags?

With his white hair and mask on, Kakashi Hatake scratched his head in a troubled manner. He sighed softly, turned around, and walked out. As soon as he stepped outside the shop, the sunlight was dazzling, causing him to subconsciously squint his right eye to adjust to the white scenery before him.