Saving the Uchiha clan starts with becoming the clan leader.

"I see! So, Naruto, what's the matter?" Sogen held the chess piece in his hand, hesitating to make a move. Yagura Karatachi didn't urge him this time either. He was also quite curious about what the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki wanted to do. Unlike ordinary Jinchuriki who were sealed into the Tailed Beast from a young age, Yagura Karatachi felt that his strength was not enough to inherit the heavy responsibility of the Fourth Mizukage. In order to pursue greater power, he took the initiative to become the Three-Tails Jinchuriki.

His experience was completely different from that of most other Jinchūriki, which made it difficult for him to understand the thoughts and ideas of the other main Jinchūriki.

Under the watchful eyes of several people in the small cabin, Naruto scratched his head uncomfortably. He hesitated for two seconds, took two deep breaths, and seemed to have successfully transformed those breaths into courage in his chest. He then asked, "Um, Brother Zongxian, can I become your apprentice and learn ninjutsu from you?"

Becoming an apprentice?

A rather strange smile appeared on the face of Yagura, who was standing next to him. The Nine-Tails Jinchuriki was asking the Uchiha clan head to become his apprentice? Was this like delivering the Nine-Tails to his doorstep?

Kurama Yakumo's eyes widened as he stared at Naruto as if he were some kind of magical creature. It was one thing for them to play together all the time, but Naruto actually wanted to become his fellow disciple. Even Fujika's mouth was agape as she looked at Naruto with an incredulous expression.

Nobody expected this to happen!

"Become an apprentice?"

Zongxian blinked, showing no emotional fluctuation, and simply asked, "Why do you want to become my disciple? Doesn't the ninja academy teach you training and cultivation? Do you think the ninja academy is too ordinary, or do you have some other reason? Can you tell me the real reason why you want to become my disciple?"

"that·······"

Naruto's wandering gaze swept over Yagura and Yakumo, his expression uncertain.

"Just say what you want to say."

Although there is an outsider named Yagura Karatachi here, this Mizukage even knows Naruto's dual identity as the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki and the Fourth Hokage's child. To be honest, Naruto doesn't have any secrets he's afraid of being spied on.

"I want to become Hokage!!"

Naruto took a breath and shouted it out.

"Is this the future you've decided on?" Zongxian's expression was as calm as the surface of a still well. "To become Hokage?"

"That's right, I want to become Hokage. I want to see with my own eyes... the scenery that my father saw back then." Naruto's voice was very soft at the end. Although his background has never been made public, he already knows the identities of his parents.

After a period of reflection, and witnessing firsthand the cruelty and brutality of the battlefield, seeing so many faces he had only recently met frozen forever in the moment of death, Naruto made a decision: he wanted to become Hokage and see the scenery his father had once seen.

“Brother Zongxian, you are the most powerful ninja I know. If I learn from you, I think I can definitely become Hokage,” Naruto added, explaining his reasons for becoming his apprentice.

"I see."

Zongxian nodded as if he understood, "However, it's a pity, Naruto, I'm not suitable to be your teacher."

“The methods of the Uchiha clan are basically all centered around these two eyes of ours. There are many things that cannot be learned without such eyes.” Zongxian continued, seemingly oblivious to Naruto’s change in expression, “There is someone more suitable to be your teacher than me.”

Naruto lowered his head, his heart filled with deep disappointment.

“Naruto, lift your head. Although I won’t be your teacher, I can teach you a very interesting ninjutsu!” Sogen said with a smile.

The blond boy suddenly looked up, a new light appearing in his eyes!

[Chapter 123 Yuan Shi (Seeking monthly votes!)]

What were the findings of the survey?

Obito Uchiha sat on the tree trunk, tilting his head slightly to look at the pitcher plant sprouting from the main trunk of the tree. "Have you found the whereabouts of that useless thing?"

"Traces of Wood Release were found, but they are just traces. We have no idea what happened to my senior. Did he self-destruct? Or was he killed and his body taken away? The clues collected from the scene are far from enough to draw a clear conclusion!"

The one speaking is White Zetsu.

He replaced the so-called senior he spoke of, and became the new White Zetsu chosen by Black Zetsu.

"So you're saying we're wasting our time?"

Obito Uchiha reached out and gently pressed his orange-red mask. The mask concealed his true face and his expression, but even without seeing his face, one could sense his displeasure.

"Whether it was a waste of effort or not, we'll only know after we've done it. And the fact that White Zetsu might have been taken away by Uchiha Mugen is a result in itself, isn't it? Obito." Black Zetsu's hoarse voice rang out.

"Stop trying to fool people with this kind of boring nonsense!"

Obito Uchiha stood up. "Maybe, perhaps, this kind of thing can't even be considered an answer. If Sogen Uchiha gets hold of the White Zetsu's corpse and uses it... it will really cause trouble! That useless thing!"

He was in a bad mood.

That useless White Zetsu couldn't even escape. Despite having the Mayfly Technique, he still made a mess of things. He regretted letting White Zetsu impersonate Yagura and continue to push for the war between Kirigakure and Konoha. Admittedly, Konoha and Kirigakure suffered a considerable number of casualties in the subsequent war.

But all of this combined is not as troublesome as Uchiha Sogen alone.

Black Zetsu didn't say anything more.

He is also thinking.

If Uchiha Sogen obtains the White Zetsu's corpse and successfully utilizes it—no, even without the White Zetsu, Obito was already defeated simply by the troublesome Mangekyou Sharingan's eye techniques—if Uchiha Sogen gains additional power... it seems the plan needs some revision.

Leave the Leaf Village for last.

If Obito can't handle it, then Madara will have to deal with it. Until then, try to avoid Uchiha Sogen, that monster. The Uchiha clan really is... full of monsters! Uchiha Madara, Uchiha Obito, Uchiha Sogen, plus all those Uchiha who were chosen by him but ultimately failed over the past thousand years... His older brother really favors his eldest son!

Unfortunately, there's no chance to completely eliminate this group for the time being.

Really

Pity!

"Alright, Jue, it's time to go. Staying here is just a waste of time."

Obito Uchiha used Kamui to disappear instantly. Black Zetsu looked back at the nameless island one last time before his pitcher plant-like body slowly sank into the tree.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

The Land of Water, the Hidden Mist Village.

The man hurried through the empty street. Looking at the few pedestrians on the street, his mood became heavy. The village's situation had always been on the verge of collapse, and now the Fourth Hokage was determined to launch a war against Konoha.

As expected, once the war broke out, all industries in the village were ruined.

The desolate and deserted streets and alleys made people feel extremely bad from the very beginning of the day.

"I wonder how the battle is going on the front lines. I hope the Fourth Hokage can win!"

As the man thought this to himself, he couldn't help but feel a little hopeful. What if, just what if, the Fourth Generation could gain the upper hand in the battle on the front lines, or even win? He could replenish the village's depleted resources by draining its resources from the outside. Thinking of this, his emotions finally picked up a bit, and he quickened his pace.

He walked through the streets and alleys and arrived at the southern end of the village.

"Senior Qing."

The man had just reached the door when someone called his name. Looking up, he saw a man with short brown hair, wearing a brown coat, and a serious, stern expression. He opened the door and said, "You're still as punctual as ever!"

"Kwon Bing-wei, how is the commander-in-chief doing today?"

As Qing spoke, she strode over, and the talismans hanging from her ears swayed even more violently.

"I just had breakfast, and my appetite is still so good. It's reassuring to know I'm healthy."

"That's good! Master Yuan's health is the most important thing. Don't let any rumors or disturbances go unnoticed. Even if it's a misunderstanding, it doesn't matter. As long as Master Yuan is still here, no matter what kind of trouble happens, the village will not change." Qing advised Quan Bingwei, who was a junior, as a senior.

Although there is only a four-year age difference between them.

"Yes, I understand, Senior Qing."

Kwon Bing-wei nodded seriously in agreement.

"Where is Master Yuan now? What is he doing?" After entering the door, Qing did not rush inside, but lingered in the entrance hall for a while, waiting for the wisp of cold air she carried to dissipate before taking off her shoes and stepping into the corridor.

"Before you arrived, Senior Qing, the battle reports from the front lines were already delivered. Master Yuan is currently reading the reports in the tea room!" Quan Bingwei answered Qing's question.

"It was delivered so early?"

Qing frowned.

Battle reports are sent from the front lines almost every day. According to past practice, they usually arrive around 10:00 AM. If there are any delays on the way, they are often delayed until the afternoon or even the evening. It's rare to see them arrive earlier than usual.

The goods were delivered ahead of schedule. Has something changed at the front lines?

"I gonna go see."

As Qing spoke, his pace quickened. Without needing anyone to lead the way, he skillfully traversed the long corridor and arrived outside the screen embroidered with snake patterns. He knelt on the corridor floor and respectfully said, "Master Yuan, I am Qing."

"Oh! It's Qing! Come in if you're here!"

The voice coming from the tea room was trembling, hoarse, and aged; just listening to the voice gave one the feeling that the person was about to die.

"Master Yuan, please forgive my intrusion."

Ao pushed aside the shoji screen and came into view a room about six tatami mats in size. The tatami mats woven from rushes were clean and fresh. The room was simply and neatly decorated. In the center was a long table. Besides writing brushes, ink, paper and inkstones, there was a pot of gnarled and verdant black pine trees on the corner of the table.

Behind the long table,

He was an old man whose hair, eyebrows, and beard had all fallen out. His frail and thin body was hidden in the wide brown monk's robe, and he also had a bright yellow half-robe hanging around his neck. However, he was not a monk in the temple, but a lay Buddhist who practiced at home.

Unable to abandon Kirigakure and spend the rest of his life in a temple, he could only become a lay Buddhist practitioner.

correct,

This old man, who looks like he could be blown away by a gust of wind, is Master Yuan, a living fossil who witnessed the founding of Kirigakure.

Qing knelt on the tatami mat and crawled to the long table. He then assumed a perfectly upright sitting posture and looked respectfully at Master Yuan, asking, "Master Yuan, I heard from Quan Bingwei that a battle report from the front lines arrived this morning. I wonder..."

"We've been defeated!"

Master Yuan sighed lightly.

"what?"

Qing was stunned.

"The front lines have been defeated, and Lord Mizukage has signed a ceasefire agreement." Master Yuan said with his eyes half-closed.

"This...this is too fast! Even the Mizukage himself went into battle. Even if they couldn't win, how could they lose so quickly?" Ao was bewildered. And wasn't there some internal strife in Konoha? What exactly happened at the front lines?

"The situation is complicated, Qing, you should go and see for yourself!"

Yuan Shi picked up the battle report that had already been opened on the table and tossed it to Qing. The old man was not strong enough and threw the scroll a little too close, but Qing was still in his prime. He caught the scroll with one hand and, without even bothering to bow, began to read it quickly.

then,

Qing's expression changed repeatedly, until finally she was completely dumbfounded.

"This is absurd, this is absurd, it's simply... simply..." He shook his head, his tongue seemingly tied in knots, unable to utter a complete sentence, until he reached up and pinched his thigh hard. The intense pain dispelled the slight confusion in his heart, and he barely regained his composure. "Master, the Mizukage said he was controlled by a mysterious person with the Sharingan... Is this true?"

"I do not know either."

Master Yuan shook his head.

He opened his eyes slightly, looked at Qing, and asked instead, "Qing, did you use that eye to look at Lord Mizukage?"

"...No, rather, I haven't seen the Mizukage much in the past few years. Even when I'm reporting to him, I can never find an opportunity to meet him directly. It's always the Shadow Guard who relays my messages..." Qing fell silent at this point.