Naruto: Konoha Spring of the Uchiha Prodigies

However, before Obito Uchiha could recover, in the blink of an eye, Touko Uchiha reappeared in front of him. At the same time, he was horrified to find that his body, except for his head, had turned into a stone statue. Touko Uchiha, who was standing in front of him, simply reached out and took off his Mangekyou Sharingan. Then, the stone statue that Obito Uchiha had turned into shattered into dust.

"Why? Izanagi isn't working?"

This was Obito Uchiha's last question before his death. If he had met Elder Danzo in the Pure Land, he might have been able to find the answer.

Chapter 102 Spring in Konoha (Part 2)

Kakashi, who only dared to approach after the petrified Obito had crumbled into pieces and the commotion had subsided, finally arrived belatedly.

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief when they saw Uchiha Touko standing proudly in the center of the battlefield.

"How is it?" Kakashi asked, coming up behind Uchiha Touko.

"The mastermind behind the Nine-Tails' rampage, the villain who assassinated the Fourth Hokage, has been brought to justice," Uchiha Touko said, turning to the arriving crowd.

As soon as he finished speaking, the crowd that had rushed over burst into enthusiastic cheers.

Although the process tonight was somewhat tortuous, at this moment they can finally announce that their plan has been a complete success.

Amid cheers, Kakashi looked thoughtfully at the shattered stones in front of Uchiha Touko.

After the cheers behind him subsided slightly, Uchiha Touko turned to look at everyone: "Go back, everyone. There's still some work to finish tonight."

"Yes!"

"Let's go." Uchiha Touko patted Kakashi on the shoulder. "Let's go. Tell Genma and the others later that it was kind of them to send the border troops back. You can come back with us first. As for the transfer order to bring you back to the village, we'll issue it tomorrow."

“Okay.” Kakashi nodded, glanced at the stone statue fragments on the ground, and followed Uchiha Touko.

Inside the Hokage's office, after receiving the signal, Fugaku Uchiha slowly stood up and coldly looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi, saying, "Third Hokage, I'm sorry to trouble you to stay in the Hokage Building these next few days. As for your safety, I'll leave it entirely to the Security Department."

Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't reply. The initiative was no longer in his hands. What he needed to consider now was what to offer in exchange for a dignified retirement from Touko Uchiha. After that masked man appeared and attacked the police, he was already in deep trouble. The blame for the Nine-Tails' attack six years ago was hanging over his head, but the person who was supposed to take the fall for him was no longer there.

On his way back to the police headquarters, Uchiha Touko also learned about Uchiha Itachi's fate.

"Clan Chief Douguang, what do you think we should do about Itachi's situation?" At this moment, Elder Uchiha Tsuru, who was in charge of coordinating the sacrificial rites, came to Uchiha Douguang's side and asked.

Most deceased Uchiha clan members are buried in the clan's private cemetery after their Sharingan is removed, while the Sharingan is enshrined in the clan's shrine. Obito Uchiha's situation of being buried in the village's cemetery is an exception. However, Itachi Uchiha's situation is special, and only the clan head, Tokō Uchiha, can make the decision.

Upon hearing the news, Uchiha Touko shook his head regretfully. After thinking for a moment, he said, "Let him be buried in the clan's cemetery. However, let's keep the funeral simple."

“I understand.” Uchiha Tsuru nodded.

……

Jiraiya, along with Nara Shikaku, Yamanaka Inoichi, and Akimichi Choza, were politely invited into the new prison on the banks of the Naka River by Uchiha Inahi and others.

As the group passed by the cell where the two advisors were being held, Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado watched in disbelief at what they saw.

"Jiraiya? Shikaku? Even you've been captured?" Mitokado Homura shouted in disbelief through the iron bars of the window.

"Has Uchiha Tokō already rebelled?" Koharu Utatane asked, banging on the iron bars of the window.

Jiraiya was currently withdrawn and had no mood to reply, while Nara Shikaku and the other two wisely pretended not to see what was happening.

Uchiha Inahisa frowned as she glanced at the two men's cells and coldly said, "Looks like you two former advisors are in high spirits tonight? Do you have more evidence to confess? Men! Give these two former advisors a good beating!"

……

Upon arriving at the Nakagawa Grand Hotel, Uchiha Touko had barely entered the interrogation area when he heard the screams of the two advisors.

Uchiha Touko picked at his ear and frowned. A captain from the security department behind him immediately left the team. Less than two minutes later, the screams stopped abruptly as the mouths of the two advisors being interrogated were gagged.

Uchiha Touko and Kakashi first entered the room where Nara Shikaku and the other two were being held.

Considering that they had saved Kakashi once before, the security department did not make things difficult for the three of them. After escorting them to their room, they were soon served tea.

After seeing Uchiha Touko and Kakashi enter the room, Nara Shikaku and the other two also composed their expressions.

"Suke Nara, thank you for your help earlier." Kakashi nodded to Nara Shikaku.

“We’re all from the same village, it’s only right,” Nara Shikaku said.

Uchiha Touko then chuckled and sat down in front of the three, saying, "The three of you contributed to the battle against the mastermind behind the Nine-Tails' rampage tonight, but it is also an undeniable fact that you and your clansmen openly defied the village's martial law order."

"So, how does Captain Touko intend to handle this matter?" Nara Shikaku asked.

“We’ll talk about that later, but could you please answer a question for me first, Nara?” Uchiha Touko said. “Nara is a smart man and should be able to see that you are not a wise ruler, so why are the three of you still getting involved in this matter with your clansmen?”

“I must repay the kindness of my ancestors,” Nara Shikaku said.

“I understand.” Uchiha Touko nodded.

"Captain Douguang, why don't you tell us how you plan to deal with the three of us?" Yamanaka Inoichi said at this moment.

“Since that’s the case, I won’t hold back anymore,” Uchiha Touko said. “How the Security Department deals with the three of you is up to you to decide.”

“Captain Douguang, please speak,” Nara Shikaku said.

"The three clan leaders received intelligence today that the mastermind behind the Nine-Tails' rampage plans to invade the village tonight. Therefore, they intend to bring their clansmen to help. For the sake of secrecy, they did not notify the security department in advance, which led to a misunderstanding. However, village rules are rules. After weighing the merits and demerits, Nara-suke will be demoted two ranks and return to the Jonin class as a captain. Clan leaders Inoichi and Choza will each be demoted one rank," Uchiha Touko said.

“Captain Touko, I remember there’s no rule in the village about offsetting merits and demerits,” Nara Shikaku said. The first path Uchiha Touko offered seemed lenient, but Nara Shikaku knew that if he agreed, the three of them would likely remain in their demoted positions until retirement. Their clans wouldn’t have many opportunities for advancement afterward. Once Uchiha Touko took power, his subordinates would be waiting to share the spoils; there would be no place for them at the table.

The reason why the Ino-Shika-Cho clan has been able to develop to its current state is due to the Hokage's trust and support. After completely fading out of the core circle of the village, the three clans are destined to decline in the future.

Therefore, Nara Shikaku wanted to hear about the other path that Uchiha Touko had suggested.

"Isn't there a rule in the village that merits and demerits cannot offset each other?" Uchiha Touko nodded. "Then I must have overlooked that."

"So, the three clan leaders led the way in violating the village's martial law order, and according to the law, they should be treated as rioters. Although the actions of the three clans did not cause particularly serious consequences, the three of them should still resign and retire, leaving the village's ninja ranks. Only in this way can they give the village an explanation, right?"

“Clan Chief Douguang, I understand. The three of us will resign tomorrow to take responsibility,” Nara Shikaku said. “Now that we’ve finished discussing the faults, shouldn’t we talk about the merits?”

"Your achievement is saving Kakashi, it has nothing to do with me." Uchiha Touko smiled and shook his head, looking at Kakashi.

At this moment, Kakashi looked at the three of them and said, "I've heard that every generation of Ino-Shika-Cho has a vow made with earrings when they form a team. I wonder if I have the honor of being a witness to this ceremony?"

Hearing this, Nara Shikaku finally smiled. Although the Ino-Shika-Cho trio would inevitably be reduced after the three of them retired, they had received a promise for the future.

……

After leaving Nara Shikaku and the other two, Uchiha Touko and Kakashi went to Jiraiya's place.

The room was the same as before, but Jiraiya's mindset was completely different this time.

The two entered the room one after the other, and Uchiha Touko released the seal on Jiraiya.

"Lord Jiraiya, please bring Naruto back. He has school tomorrow," Kakashi said.

Jiraiya, his eyes vacant, glanced up at the two of them, then silently formed hand seals and summoned a toad from Mount Myōboku. After learning of Jiraiya's request, the communication toad returned to Mount Myōboku.

Before long, the communication frog brought Naruto, who had fallen asleep, back.

“Lord Jiraiya, I don’t think you’re in the mood to talk to us right now. Why don’t you stay here for a while? You’re familiar with the area anyway,” Kakashi said.

After Kakashi finished speaking, he left the room with Uchiha Touko.

Uchiha Touko looked at Naruto, who was being carried by Kakashi, and said, "Take this kid home first, then come to the Hokage Building. Let's finish things up as soon as possible so we can go back and rest."

……

Chapter 103 Immortals, Countless in Rank

After the two left the Nakagawa Grand Hotel, Kakashi went to take the still-sleeping Naruto home, while Uchiha Touko headed towards the Hokage Building alone.

Upon arriving at the Hokage Building, Uchiha Touko nodded to the members of the First Guard Battalion, who had taken over the security of the Hokage Building, and then went straight into the Hokage's office.

Hiruzen Sarutobi was standing alone by the window of the Hokage's office, smoking. He only turned around to look at Touko Uchiha after hearing the door open.

"Has that masked man been dealt with?" Hiruzen Sarutobi asked.

"Did the Third Hokage want me to finish this or not?" Uchiha Touko asked sarcastically.

Seeing Uchiha Touko's attitude, Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed helplessly and said, "Touko, if I said I really have nothing to do with that masked man, would you believe me? My wife died at that man's hands six years ago."

"I believe you, of course I believe you." Uchiha Touko said with a half-smile, then found a chair in front of the Hokage's desk and sat down. "But do you know what kind of technique that guy used when I fought him? Wood Release! Do I need to say more about what that means?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi's pupils constricted sharply, revealing an expression of complete disbelief.

"Third Hokage, you guys are really something. You actually managed to produce something from your Wood Release experiments. However, one of them was kept hidden by that old dog Danzo to use in his own ambitions, and the other one even caused the Nine-Tails' rampage and killed the Fourth Hokage. If the First Hokage of the Pure Land knew about this, would he be so angry that he would come back to life?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi's lips moved as if he wanted to say something, but in the end he remained silent. He knew that he was too suspicious in this matter, and anything he said would sound like he was making excuses.

After a while, Uchiha Touko sighed and said, "I've already taken care of that guy. The traces of his Wood Release were also erased by my ninjutsu. I used Sage Mode the whole time I was fighting him, so your crystal ball shouldn't be able to see the scene. Therefore, this matter should only be known by the two of us."

Upon hearing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed that Touko Uchiha didn't want to make a big deal out of this, which made him feel a little more at ease.

"Thank you," Hiruzen Sarutobi said.

"Don't thank me, you should thank the Hokage hat on your head and the divine robe on your body!" Uchiha Touko said irritably. "The Hokage can retire for any reason, even resigning due to a defeat in war, but he absolutely cannot be forced out of office for such a reason! If the Hokage's name is tainted, the villagers' hearts will soon be scattered!"

The reason why Uchiha Touko made this choice was not because Hiruzen Sarutobi had much influence over him, but simply because he did not want to accept the Hokage's hat, which was inherently tainted by his past.

More importantly, he didn't want to set a precedent for purging the former Hokage.

Hiruzen Sarutobi then understood what Touko Uchiha meant and nodded silently.

After a while, Uchiha Touko finally spoke slowly:

"That masked man is a weapon secretly trained by Danzo. The Nine-Tails attack six years ago was orchestrated by Danzo, who wanted to kill the Fourth Hokage and then become Hokage himself. His appearance this time is just to avenge Danzo. Let's use this explanation to give everyone an account, shall we?"

Uchiha Touko dumped a huge blame on Danzo, whose grave was probably already overgrown with weeds by now, and then looked at Sarutobi Hiruzen: "The reason for the martial law tonight is that you, Third Hokage, discovered this historical problem, so you summoned the Security Department and the Anbu to act together in order to lure out the remnants of the rogue ninja Shimura Danzo and kill them in one fell swoop. In this way, your problem, Third Hokage, is at most that you were negligent."

"Danzo?" Hiruzen Sarutobi's mind stirred slightly. Although he felt that this was a bit unfair to Danzo, it seemed that the solution proposed by Touko Uchiha was the best way to resolve the issue. It could preserve his reputation and allow him to retire peacefully, while also providing a reasonable explanation for the village's martial law order last night.

I'm sorry, Danzo, this is truly the last time.

"So, Touko, what are the conditions?" Hiruzen Sarutobi asked, looking at Touko Uchiha. He knew that Touko Uchiha couldn't possibly help him without a price to pay.

“In the future, I plan to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the number of ninjas in the village. It’s not good that ninjas trained with the village’s resources are not in the village’s ninja roster,” Uchiha Touko said. “Therefore, I hope that the Sarutobi clan can cooperate in this matter.”

Upon hearing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi took a puff of his cigarette and fell into deep thought.

Currently, the vast majority of the village's forces have fallen under Uchiha Tokō's command. Uchiha Tokō is practically the de facto Hokage, only needing a vote of nomination from the village's Jonin and the Daimyo's approval to become the true Hokage. The conditions that Uchiha Tokō is now proposing are aimed at completely dismantling the last remaining power of this former Hokage.

“Alright.” After pondering for a moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded. “I’ll have them cooperate with the village’s operations within the next couple of days.”

Hiruzen Sarutobi understood that once he relinquished his last remaining power, he would truly be just a retired old man.

【but……】

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked up at Touko Uchiha in front of him. This man was charismatic, resourceful, and his strength was among the best in the ninja world.

Perhaps the village will achieve new glory under his leadership.