I have a bunch of relatives who want to become Hokage.

The Akimichi clan was a powerful clan during the Warring States period, known for its destructive power. Akimichi Doto was a typical fourth-generation member, and during the Third Shinobi World War, he belonged to Minato Namikaze's team.

Therefore, the Uchiha clan gave them a lot of face, with clan leader Fugaku Uchiha personally receiving them, and all the Jonin from the clan also present.

But when he announced this, the Uchiha clan members present fell silent.

However, no one asked the silly question, "Why are you only telling us now?"

During Hashirama Senju's era, the Uchiha clan possessed voting rights in decision-making.

During Tobirama Senju's era, the Uchiha clan had the right to make policy recommendations.

After the era of Hiruzen Sarutobi began, the Uchiha clan became simply the executors.

After the Fourth Hokage took office, the Uchiha clan was full of expectations, but now it seems that it is just the post-Hiruzen Sarutobi era.

What else is there to say?

Faced with this situation, Akimichi Tou's smile disappeared. He realized that something he didn't know about, something that Namikaze Minato had overlooked, might have happened.

Although this was the case for the Uchiha clan in the past when they received notices from the Hokage Building.

But this time, the silence was particularly unsettling.

"Brother Fugaku?" he asked tentatively. "What happened? Is there anything I can do to help..."

"No, it's nothing." Fugaku Uchiha gave Akimichi Tou a smile. "It's just a bit sudden."

Akimichi Touya was also his comrade-in-arms. Uchiha Fugaku knew his comrade-in-arms's personality well and there was no need to bring his emotions onto him.

The Akimichi clan are generally gentle and value friendship. Even the Uchiha clan, known for their extreme pride, find it comfortable to be around them.

In the past, people might have reacted with sarcastic remarks in a fit of temper, but the Uchiha ninjas of today don't do that anymore.

Uchiha Shingen ultimately did inject something into this ninja clan.

A powerful Uchiha will always become a role model for the clan members to some extent, whether by choice or by circumstance, and will influence the way others act.

Uchiha Shingen has proven his strength, so his actions will influence the other members of his clan.

The same applies to Uchiha Shisui.

“Alright, then I’ll go back and report.” Akimichi Tou nodded, but as he turned to leave, he couldn’t help but turn back and say, “Fugaku-nii, don’t keep things to yourself. We’re all here. Minato is Hokage now.”

"Don't worry, Toudou, it's not that serious." Fugaku Uchiha sighed inwardly, got up from the tatami mat, and accompanied Toudou Akimichi to the door. "Go back and report first, I'll see you off."

The Uchiha silently watched Akimichi Tou's figure disappear.

The air was so heavy, as if a storm was brewing.

“It’s good,” Uchiha Shingen suddenly said. “Don’t you think so?”

All the clansmen turned their attention to him.

Some seemed lost in thought, while others were filled with indignation they could hardly express.

"Brother Shingen? What do you mean?" Uchiha Shisui's eyes showed some worry.

"There was no need to expect anything in the first place, so why be disappointed?" Uchiha Shingen looked at everyone. "Did all our efforts come for that building? Although most of the Akimichi clan members are good-natured people, they are not pushovers. They wouldn't have spoken like this before."

The indignation in everyone's eyes gradually subsided, and many of the quicker-witted ones had already understood what Uchiha Shingen meant.

“Everyone understands how many people are in this building and how many people are in Konoha.” Uchiha Shingen stood up. “I’m a young man, and I may not know the weight of my words, but I think that as long as we keep going like this, if a ninja clan has to die in the future, it will definitely not be the Uchiha.”

Chapter Forty-Four: It Was You All Along

Amidst the attention of all parties, the delegation from Kirigakure arrived at Konohagakure.

As Kisame Hozuki looked at the gate ahead, despite his seemingly high position and great power, he felt a chill in his heart.

He felt he had been exposed.

During the Third Shinobi World War, the Third Mizukage's decisions made him uneasy. He always felt that the Third Mizukage was in a strange state. His strategy for fighting Konoha seemed reasonable but was unreasonable in many ways. However, since the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist were all present at the time, he didn't think too much about it.

Then he was beaten half to death by a green-skinned monster. If it weren't for the Greatsword Samehada, he wouldn't have been half-dead.

It's said that the green-skinned monster is dead, otherwise he really wouldn't dare to come to Konoha again. The green-skinned guy's thought process seemed even more bizarre than the ninjas from the Village of Blood Mist. If that guy were still alive, he'd immediately come running at him with a "Ada~" upon seeing him...

Imagined in his mind that after he was killed, the green-skinned monster would stand beside him looking embarrassed, and Sushiyama Pufferfish Demon felt extremely disgusted.

"Lord Suizawa," the ANBU member behind him said, "the people from Konoha have arrived."

"Hmm." Suigetsu Hobuki responded, glancing at the ANBU member whose entire body was hidden in a long robe.

A month ago, Yagura Karatachi suddenly changed his previous governing policy and began to rapidly align himself with the former Third Hokage.

Although it has not been officially announced yet, the reopening of Blood Mist Village is inevitable.

This secret agent frequently appeared around Yagura Karatachi during that time, and his identity remained a mystery.

He also joined the delegation this time. Although he didn't do anything along the way, in the eyes of Suigetsu Hobutsuki, this was a way for Yagura Karatachi to monitor him.

The question is, why would Yagura, a former confidant, send someone to monitor him?

Sure enough, his actions after suspecting Yagura of having problems had been discovered.

Looking back a few months ago, Kirigakure seemed to have returned to its former glory. Yagura had become the perfect Jinchuriki, and everyone in Kirigakure, from top to bottom, revered him. He was supported by veterans like Ao, Genji, and Gonbei, and there were promising young talents like Zabuza, Mangetsu, and Ameguri who were expected to inherit the Ninja Sword. It was thought that everything could return to the past and move towards an even better era. However, this beautiful vision was ended by Yagura's sudden change in personality overnight.

Now, former allies, under the coercion and enticement of power, have begun to devour each other, and the internal war within the Hidden Mist Village has begun.

All fantasies and expectations began in the Land of Blood Mist, and will also end in the Land of Blood Mist.

But Yagura, we were once the closest comrades-in-arms, so you'd better not underestimate me.

I'll do anything for the village!

Suigetsu Hozuki strode towards the gates of Konoha Village, with the rest of the delegation following closely behind.

[This guy, he really is up to something.]

Hidden beneath his robes and mask, Obito Uchiha stared at the imposing figure before him, seemingly sustained by some unwavering belief, and a surge of murderous intent welled up within him.

However, when that familiar door appeared before him, his emotions calmed down.

Although it was only for a moment, he had an impulse to go and see the little courtyard that had given him endless warmth.

Then, he saw the Konoha ninjas wearing green vests.

Leading the way was Nara Shikaku of the Nara clan.

He walked up to the Watermelon Pufferfish Demon and extended his hand.

"Welcome, Mr. Xiguashan."

"Thank you all for your trouble." Suigetsu Hozuki extended his hand and shook hands with Nara Shikaku. "Please forgive my lack of knowledge about the important figures in your village. And you are..."

"My name is Nara Shikaku. I am honored by the Hokage's high regard for me and have been assigned to this welcoming mission."

"I see, it's Lord Nara himself who's come." Suigetsu Hobutaki almost blurted out, "I've heard so much about you."

He was so enthusiastic that even Nara Shikaku was a little bewildered.

Are the people of Kirigakure really this enthusiastic?

Does "Village of Blood Mist" mean that one can see the blood and qi in the passionate place?

In fact, he wasn't the only one who was confused; everyone in the delegation was confused.

Is this the Watermelon Mountain Pufferfish Demon?

Suigetsu Hozuki ignored the group behind him and scanned the Konoha ninja in front of him.

Without that green monster, it's safe!

I hope he's really dead.

That thing was absolutely terrifying!

Back then, those seven were personally selected by the Second Mizukage to form the Seven Ninja, famous throughout the ninja world. They could be in charge of a war zone without any support. But in the hands of that green-skinned monster, they were as fragile as paper.

How dare he call himself a genin? Does he have no shame?

This is outrageous!

Even now, Kirigakure still can't muster seven people...

Suddenly, the Watermelon Pufferfish Demon heard a startled cry from behind him.

An angry expression appeared on his chubby face. He turned around and saw one of the members of the delegation staring intently ahead.

He looked over, following the other person's gaze.

He was a young Konoha ninja, wearing an armband on his left arm with a red and white fan pattern tattooed on it.

He remembered that the design was the crest of the Uchiha clan.

But so what? We're not here to fight a war, why are we calling for souls here?

"Is there a problem?" Suppressing his anger, Suigetsu Hobutsu stared at the man, his narrowed eyes filled with ferocity.

Looking at Nara Shikaku in front of him, he immediately realized—that look in his eyes was intense! He was definitely a Kirigakure ninja.

That's right. He almost thought he saw Ding Zuo just now. People from the Blood Mist should be like this.

"I'm sorry, Lord Suigetsu." The Mist Ninja was sweating profusely from Suigetsu Fuguki's glare and quickly apologized.

"I'm asking you, is there a problem?"

If this weren't Konoha, Suigetsu Fugu wouldn't have asked with his mouth.

Let's give this guy a good slap to wake him up.

Even though he didn't trust anyone in the delegation at all, Suigetsu Fubuki wouldn't allow anyone in the delegation to do anything that would damage the dignity of Kirigakure.

“I think it might be because of me,” a young ninja from the Uchiha clan stepped forward. “Seeing my former enemies on the battlefield, I have mixed feelings.”

"Oh?" Suigetsu Fubuki turned around, the fierce light in his eyes disappearing. "A genius of the Uchiha clan, huh? Kirigakure also has many talents with bloodline limits, but they still can't compare to the Uchiha clan. What an enviable bloodline."

No one in the delegation found Xiguashan Fugu's statement inappropriate.

Kirigakure is the most bloodline-obsessed ninja village in the ninja world today, and can be called the last paradise of ninja clans. Every single member of this delegation comes from various ninja clans in Kirigakure, and more than half of them have bloodline limits.

"I am quite proud of my background, but the strong are not bound by their origins. Lord Sugiyama, you are being far too polite."

"Hahaha, everyone says the Uchiha clan is very arrogant, but it seems that's not entirely true. Young man, may I ask your name?"

"You flatter me. I am Uchiha Shingen. I have had the privilege of fighting against the elites of your village many times and was fortunate enough to win."