Naruto: Konoha Spring of the Uchiha Prodigies

When serious matters were brought up, Aburame Shiki's expression also became serious.

He sighed deeply and said with some helplessness, "Is it because of Ryuma? He was taken to Root by Danzo when he was very young, and our clan lost contact with him afterwards."

“I understand.” Uchiha Touhuan nodded. “We Uchiha clan have heard about how Shimura Danzo forcibly recruited the village’s talented ninjas through coercion.”

"It's good that Clan Chief Touhuan understands." Aburame Shiki breathed a slight sigh of relief after hearing Uchiha Touhuan's words.

“But…” Uchiha Touhuan’s words suddenly changed, making Aburame Shiki’s heart jump again.

"Ryoma Aburame's position in Root is not low. Conservatively speaking, he should be the second or third leader in the organization, second only to Danzo. Furthermore, according to the Security Department's investigation, he played a very important role in the criminal activities planned and carried out by Danzo Shimura. Moreover, he violently resisted arrest during the arrest and tried to destroy evidence of Root's crimes, which adds to his crimes."

“This…” Aburame Zhiwei’s forehead was covered in cold sweat. After a long while, she continued, “Our Aburame clan was unaware of what Ryoma did. We beg Chief Dou Huan to see the truth.”

“From the perspective of the ninja clan, I can completely understand the Aburame clan leader.” Uchiha Touhuan slowly picked up the tea in front of him, took a sip and said, “After all, which clan can guarantee that it won’t have a few ungrateful people? Moreover, Aburame Ryoma was taken away and brainwashed by Danzo, an old devil who was born evil, from a young age, which is why he ended up like this.”

“However…” Uchiha Touhuan put down his teacup and looked directly at Aburame Shiki, “My understanding is useless; the Aburame clan needs the village to understand them.”

"What does Chief Dou Huan mean by this?" You Nu Zhiwei asked, somewhat puzzled.

"Chief Aburame should know what kind of people most of the villagers are," Uchiha Touhuan said, placing a document in front of Aburame Shiki.

As soon as Yu Nuzhi glanced at the document, her pupils contracted beneath her sunglasses.

This document lists all of Aburame Ryoma's crimes within Root, including but not limited to assisting Danzo in assassinating fellow village ninjas and kidnapping children of bloodline clans.

Once this evidence is released, the villagers of Konoha will not care about the details and will only blame the Aburame clan. As the head of a not-so-small ninja clan, he knows the villagers' personalities very well. Even the White Fang, who was once a force to be reckoned with in the ninja world, was driven to suicide by the villagers' public opinion. Can their small Aburame clan withstand it?

"Chief Dou Huan, what should be done about the You Nu clan? Please advise," You Nu Zhiwei said.

“Chief Aburame, haven’t I already said that I personally believe in the innocence of the Aburame clan?” Uchiha Touhuan chuckled. “However, if you want the village to believe this, the Aburame clan needs to show some attitude.”

Chapter 42 Oranges or Green Garlic (Part 2)

"Please enlighten me, Chief Dou Huan," said You Nu Zhiwei.

"I wouldn't call it guidance. After all, when it comes to managing a clan, compared to a senior clan leader like you, I'm just a newcomer who has just taken over the Uchiha clan," Uchiha Touhuan said with a smile. "However, if you put yourself in my shoes, I do have a suggestion."

“Chief Dou Huan, please speak,” said You Nu Zhiwei.

“What the village and the villagers want to see is simply this attitude,” Uchiha Tohkan said. “Otherwise, even if the Aburame clan could produce evidence that they have nothing to do with Danzo’s criminal group, I don’t think they would believe it.”

“As for this attitude…” Uchiha Touhuan chuckled and looked at Aburame Shii, “What could be more convincing than the Aburame clan personally taking action and participating in the process of thwarting Shimura Danzo and his criminal gang’s conspiracy?”

After Uchiha Touhuan finished speaking, Aburame Shiki also fell silent.

After a while, Aburame Shiki sighed and said, "I understand."

Then, Aburame Shiki turned to a Jonin of the Aburame clan beside her and said, "Go and bring Torune here."

Aburame Shiki felt utterly helpless. Their clan's insect control technique was incredibly useful for both reconnaissance and assassination. Since the Warring States period, ambitious figures in the ninja world had never ceased harassing their clan. If it weren't for their clan's secret technique, which guaranteed that only their bloodline could establish contact with insects, the Aburame clan would probably have been wiped out during the Warring States period. This was also why the Aburame clan was among the first ninja clans to respond to Hashirama Senju's call to establish a village.

However, they hadn't enjoyed a few good years after the village was built. With the passing of the first and second leaders, schemers like Danzo emerged and set their sights on the Aburame clan.

Now that Danzo is dead, it's likely that Uchiha Touhuan, who came knocking on our door, had the same idea.

Over the years, the Aburame clan has naturally developed its own way of survival. Whenever faced with such an irresistible request, they would send away a talented child from their clan in exchange for a period of peace and protection.

Soon, a little boy who looked no more than eight or nine years old, wearing sunglasses and a face mask so that his expression could not be seen at all, was brought into the reception room.

"What does the Aburame clan leader mean by this?" Uchiha Touhuan asked, frowning.

“Chief Dou Huan, this child Qu Gen has a natural affinity for nano-sized poisonous insects due to a bloodline mutation. How about having him represent our Aburame clan in the security department?” Aburame Zhiwei said.

Seeing this, Uchiha Touhuan smiled helplessly and said, "I think Clan Chief Shiwei may have misunderstood. I just wanted to invite a ninja from the Aburame clan to work in the Security Department. What do you want with a kid who hasn't even finished the Ninja Academy? The Security Department doesn't hire child laborers."

Upon hearing this, Aburame Zhiwei was taken aback. What did she mean? Didn't you ambitious people train your assassins from a young age?

"Clan Chief Aburame, do you perhaps mistake me for an ambitious schemer like Danzo?" Uchiha Touhuan's face showed displeasure, and the entire reception room became so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

"I was being presumptuous, please forgive me, Chief Dou Huan!" You Nu Zhiwei promptly bowed her head to apologize, then turned and told You Nu Qu Gen to leave.

"Chief Aburame, as you know, our position in the Security Department often involves direct face-to-face interaction with the villagers. Misunderstandings are inevitable during law enforcement, so some unpleasant rumors inevitably circulate within the village. However, our Security Department's guiding principle has always been to serve the village wholeheartedly under the guidance of the Will of Fire. Therefore, we haven't paid much attention to these rumors. I never expected that Chief Aburame would misunderstand us," said Uchiha Touhuan.

"Clan Chief Uchiha Touhuan possesses the Will of Fire, making him a role model for us Konoha ninjas. I was being petty." Although she still didn't understand what Uchiha Touhuan was trying to do, Aburame Shiki could only bow her head and apologize decisively at this moment.

"Never mind, it's not the fault of Clan Chief Shii." Uchiha Touhuan waved his hand. "If you want to blame someone, blame that wolfish and ambitious Shimura Danzo. If he hadn't forced the Aburame clan to hand over their geniuses, Clan Chief Shii probably wouldn't have misunderstood me like this."

Uchiha Touhuan casually tossed a huge scapegoat to Danzo.

“Yes, yes, it’s all that damned Shimura Danzo’s fault!” Aburame Shii quickly chimed in.

“Then, Clan Chief Shiki, why don’t you consider my suggestion? The Security Department has always provided generous treatment to talented ninjas,” said Uchiha Touhuan. “Moreover, given the current situation, I think there is nothing more suitable than having the Security Department’s captain, who is from the Aburame clan, lead the team to crush the crimes of Shimura Danzo’s criminal group.”

“I understand,” said Shiki Aburame. “I will send one Jonin from my clan, along with some special Jonin and Chunin, to serve in the Security Department.”

Uchiha Touhuan's offer was indeed quite good. He had heard about the current treatment of the Uchiha clan's captain position, and in his opinion, Uchiha Touhuan was truly sincere. More importantly, they had absolutely no other choice at the moment.

However, at this moment, Uchiha Touhuan spoke up again: "However, although that's true, if the position of captain of the security department is directly assigned without any merit, the subordinates will be dissatisfied. After all, the security department is not my personal fiefdom."

“The Aburame clan will do everything in its power to help those who join the guard to quickly achieve merits that will win the respect of the people,” Aburame Shiki said.

“There’s no need for such trouble.” Uchiha Touhuan smiled upon hearing this. “Out of consideration for the stability of the village, and as fellow ninja clans, we Uchiha don’t want to see the Aburame clan get into trouble. Therefore, I have already prepared some merits for you that are convincing enough to convince the public. That’s why I’m visiting you in a private capacity.”

As he spoke, Uchiha Touhuan took out the evidence he had obtained from Yamamoto Taro and placed it in front of Aburame Shiki.

After taking it, Aburame Shiki glanced at it a few times and then looked up. Although Aburame Shiki wore sunglasses and a mask according to his clan's custom, his slightly trembling hands still betrayed his inner turmoil.

The charges on this incriminating evidence were even more serious than the part about Aburame Ryoma that Uchiha Touken had shown him earlier. Furthermore, it showed evidence of the involvement of the Utatane and Mitomon clans, causing Aburame Shii to break out in a cold sweat. If it only contained evidence of the Shimura clan's crimes, Aburame Shii would have agreed without hesitation. After all, with Danzo's death and the Uchiha's revenge, the Shimura clan was now no different from stray dogs on the street. But with the other two clans involved…

Aburame Shiki understood that if they wanted to extricate themselves unscathed from the Aburame Ryoma affair, they had to offer a sufficiently substantial pledge of allegiance, and this was probably Uchiha Touken's true objective.

Chapter 43 Kakashi's Evolution

Aburame Shiki took a deep breath. Uchiha Touhuan's move was tantamount to presenting them with two choices.

They either have to join the Uchiha camp or stand with the Hokage's faction. It's impossible to just send one or two geniuses from the clan and call it a day, like before.

"Clan Chief Touhuan, I'd like to confirm something else." After a while, Aburame Shiki took off her sunglasses and stared intently at Uchiha Touhuan. "The Security Department is certain that they won't recruit children who haven't graduated from the Ninja Academy, is that right?"

“Of course.” Uchiha Touhuan sensed Aburame Shiki’s concerns and smiled as he spoke, “As someone who was sent to the battlefield at the age of nine, although I have gained my current reputation through my achievements on the battlefield, I still think my experience is fucking awful.”

Uchiha Touhuan spoke from the heart. He had been solemn and polite since he entered the room, and at this moment he even swore. His emotions were genuine and not fake.

“Children should be in ninja academies when they are of school age, Aburame Clan Chief, don’t you agree?” Then, Uchiha Touhuan smiled and looked at Aburame Shiki before speaking.

“I understand.” Aburame Shiki nodded solemnly.

Although he belonged to the generation that grew up under the patronage of the second generation, during his childhood, ambitious figures like Danzo had not yet emerged. However, when he had just come of age, Aburame Ryoma was forcibly taken away from the clan head, who was his uncle at the time, by Danzo. On his first day as the clan head, the former clan head took him to the clan shrine to see the clan's history. The shrine recorded in detail the names of those who had been taken away at a very young age and publicly expelled from the clan. At that time, Aburame Ryoma was the last one.

“Remember these names,” the former patriarch solemnly said to him before the family crest at the family shrine. “It was these ancestors, whose names were not even allowed to be mentioned in the family’s rituals, who voluntarily threw themselves into the darkness, that allowed the family’s flame to continue to this day. If one day you also face a choice, even if it is your own child, you cannot hesitate for a moment.”

Aburame Shii was deeply shocked at the time and remembered the words of the former clan chief, which is why he summoned Aburame Tone today. However, the environment in which he grew up still made him question the history of the past. He thought that when the first and second generation leaders were still alive, the village and the clan could have survived well even without doing this.

Therefore, upon hearing Uchiha Touhuan's promise, Aburame Shiki was moved. During the Third Shinobi World War, Aburame Shiki was stationed in the Land of Water, where the Uchiha clan was the most numerous. Therefore, he knew Uchiha Touhuan's strength better than others. After all, he was a ruthless person who could single-handedly wipe out 15 Kirigakure Jonin squads several years ago. In addition, there was the Mangekyou Sharingan he saw at the village entrance that day. In his mind, this was a promise made to him and their clan by a ninja whose strength was comparable to the First Hokage.

Having made up her mind, Aburame Shiki picked up the evidence of the three clans' crimes from the table and said, "From this day forward, the Aburame clan will follow the lead of the Uchiha clan."

"Chief Aburame is a smart man." Uchiha Touhuan smiled and snapped his fingers. After a few flashes of electricity, flames rose from the evidence of Aburame Ryoma's crimes on the table and turned to ashes in no time. "Have someone report to the Security Department tomorrow. As for when to officially take action, just wait for my orders."

"Understood." Aburame nodded slightly, then personally got up to see him off.

……

While Uchiha Touhuan was visiting the Aburame clan, a large-scale gathering was taking place at Yakiniku Q, a large barbecue restaurant owned by the Akimichi clan.

The official announcement of Kakashi's retirement from the Anbu has been released today. From today onwards, Kakashi will no longer be employed by the Anbu.

The first thing Kakashi did after retiring was to invite most of the ninjas in the Anbu who had done missions with him to a dinner, ostensibly to thank them for their help over the years.

Kakashi booked the entire BBQ restaurant Q. This time, he invited a total of 60 people, the weakest of whom were Special Jonin. However, most of them were from commoner backgrounds or were ninja from small ninja clans like Hayate Gekko.

As the largest barbecue restaurant in the village, Barbecue Q's prices are not as extravagant as the luxury restaurants that Uchiha Touhuan took everyone to during the mission, but they are definitely not cheap either. With the salary level of the Anbu, it is acceptable to come here occasionally for a treat, but if they come too often, even the salary level of the Anbu will be a bit too much. Therefore, the group that was invited came without much thought.

During the meal, Kakashi imitated Uchiha Touhuan, raising his wine glass and clearing his throat. Seeing this, the others also put down their chopsticks.

"Everyone, during my time in the Dark Division, I was fortunate to receive your help. Although I have now retired, I will always remember the time we spent working together."

"Lord Kakashi, what are you saying?" a commoner ninja said. "We should be thanking you for your care during our work. If it weren't for your help during those previous missions, I'd probably be dead by now."

"That's not how it works. As the captain, it's my duty to save my teammates during missions," Kakashi said. "I know my own personality very well. During missions, I might overlook everyone's feelings, and some people might think I'm not very compassionate. Before I officially retire, I still want to say thank you all for tolerating my temper and ensuring the missions went smoothly because of the Will of Fire. I'd like to raise a glass to you all!"

Kakashi removed his mask and solemnly drank the wine in his glass.

Seeing this, the others followed suit and drank their drinks in one gulp.

At this moment, Nagai Seiichi, who had already pledged his loyalty to Uchiha Tohsen and guessed the close relationship between Kakashi and Uchiha Tohsen, stepped forward: "Captain Kakashi's words make us feel ashamed. It is clearly our lack of ability that forced Captain Kakashi to do more, but Captain Kakashi is still looking for the reasons within himself. What is the Will of Fire? This is the Will of Fire! Everyone, I propose that we all raise a glass to Captain Kakashi! Although Captain Kakashi has retired, we will always remember your kindness in our hearts!"

After another round of drinks, Kuroki Ryuta, who had also participated in the mission to capture Orochimaru last time, stood up and said, "We are sad to see Lord Kakashi retire, but we wish him good health and continued success in his future ninja career!"

Amidst the clinking of glasses, the sake cups, filled and refilled, reflected Kakashi's face. This was the first time Kakashi had taken off the mask he had worn for most of his life in front of so many people.

By the end of the party, everyone present had a drunken look on their faces. After it ended, Kakashi watched everyone leave one by one, and soon he was the only one left in the huge barbecue restaurant.

Kakashi sat alone for a while before getting up and leaving. After walking out of the store, Kakashi instinctively took out his mask to put it on, but after thinking about it, he put it away. Carrying the food he had packed for Naruto, he headed towards the Hatake family's residence.

Sorry for the late update today.

Chapter 44 Visiting Ryuji Cave

Uchiha Touhuan returned home, quickly washed up, and went to his bedroom. He bit his finger and formed the hand seals for a summoning jutsu.

As the smoke cleared, a small white snake appeared in front of Uchiha Touhuan.

"Please inform Ryuchi Cave that Uchiha Touken has come to visit," Uchiha Touken said after teasing the little white snake.

The little white snake disappeared instantly. Not long after, Uchiha Touhuan sensed the fluctuations of the reverse summoning space-time ninjutsu coming from his side. Uchiha Touhuan relaxed his mind and in an instant, he arrived at a strange place.

The scene that appeared before Uchiha Touhuan was very similar to the ancient town tourist area he had seen in his previous life. Rows of ancient buildings stood side by side, and a huge, antique-style gate was hung with the three characters "Ryuchi Cave".

Orochimaru stood below the building sign, next to a woman dressed as a shrine maiden with a magatama necklace around her neck.

"Lord Touhuan." Orochimaru bowed respectfully to Uchiha Touhuan, while the woman beside him looked at Uchiha Touhuan with great interest.

After a moment, the woman spoke, "Uchiha Tohkan, welcome to Ryuchi Cave."

"Hello, what's your name?" Uchiha Touhuan asked with a smile.

"Princess Tanshin," the woman beside Orochimaru chuckled, "The White Snake Sage already knows your purpose, but if you wish to meet him, you must pass the test at Ryuchi Cave."

“I understand.” Uchiha Touhuan nodded and followed in the footsteps of Tashin Shinhime.

The two walked into the interior of the ancient city, but Orochimaru then formed hand seals to release the summoning.