Naruto: Konoha Spring of the Uchiha Prodigies

For Kakashi, today was quite an eye-opener. These ministers, who were usually so high-ranking to them as ninjas, were now arguing amongst themselves, proving that they were no different from the villagers arguing.

"Enough!" Seeing that the two groups had almost stopped arguing, and having figured out the distribution of power in the Fire Country's court, Uchiha Touko immediately spoke up to stop the farce.

The sounds in the sleeping quarters subsided slightly, and then everyone looked at Uchiha Touko. Uchiha Touko quickly walked up to Minamoto no Yuuki, bowed, and said, "Your Highness, give the order."

Gen Yuxie stared blankly at Uchiha Touko before him, and after a long while, he came to his senses and said, "I will follow Master's arrangements."

Uchiha Touko nodded, strode out of the sleeping quarters, and came to the open space in front of the sleeping quarters. At this moment, all the elite Jonin of Konoha Village, except those who were on missions outside, had arrived.

"Pass on my order: from this day forward, the ninjas of Konoha will take over the defense of the City of Fire. Once reinforcements arrive, the Anbu will cooperate with the security forces to complete the blockade and martial law of the City of Fire. During this period, any suspicious persons will be killed without exception!" Uchiha Touko said coldly.

Asuma and his two companions, who had been waiting outside the bedchamber and were unaware of what had happened inside, were also taken aback upon hearing this.

At that moment, Kazuma immediately stepped forward to question them.

However, Uchiha Touko had already looked in that direction, his Mangekyou Sharingan activated, and the killing intent emanating from his eyes was almost materializing.

Kazuma was also stunned by the murderous intent, and the words stuck in his throat, unable to come out.

"We need to get rid of this guy..." Kakashi arrived at Uchiha Touko's side and asked softly.

“No need.” Uchiha Touko shook his head. “He’s just a clown; he can’t cause any trouble.”

……

After the arrival of the security forces and the support troops from the Anbu, and after they had completely taken control of the defenses of the Fire City, Uchiha Touko showed a relieved expression. At this moment, the entire Fire City was completely under his control.

For Uchiha Touko, this series of arrangements required no thought; his past life's history had already provided him with a plethora of standard answers.

Furthermore, compared to his predecessors in his previous life, Uchiha Touko has a unique advantage: Shisui's eye technique, Kotoamatsukami, directly resolved the issue of his legitimacy. Now, with both righteousness and martial prowess in his hands, there's no reason for him to perform worse than his predecessors.

As dawn broke, the commoners of the Fire Capital were about to go out when they discovered that the streets of the Fire Capital were filled with heavily armed ninjas patrolling, who were announcing martial law to every household. It was only then that the commoners who lived far from the daimyo's palace realized what had happened.

Although he was somewhat unhappy about being forbidden from going out, he obediently returned home after seeing the batons and kunai in the hands of the ninjas.

The first batch of guards who arrived initially thought that establishing martial law in the City of Fire would be difficult, given that the City of Fire was more than twice the size of Konoha. However, including the ANBU who assisted them, they only numbered a little over seven hundred. Nevertheless, with the cooperation of the civilians, they easily gained control of the City of Fire. The guards couldn't help but marvel at how much better the City of Fire was, considering it was a capital city; even the civilians were far more civilized.

Uchiha Touko wasn't surprised by this result. After all, the Fire Capital wasn't like Konoha Village, where there were laws restricting ninjas from attacking civilians at will. The nobles weren't like the Third Hokage of the past, who indulged them. If you angered a noble, the samurai under their command would really kill.

After the martial law was lifted, Uchiha Tokō found a residence near the capital of the Fire Capital and settled down. At the same time, he asked Kakashi to help him collect information on all the officials in the Fire Capital. As for the young daimyo, Uchiha Tokō's shadow clones kept watch over him until a few days later, when the old daimyo was buried and the new daimyo's enthronement ceremony was held under the supervision of Kikuchi Chiken and others. At the new daimyo's first court assembly, Uchiha Tokō, wearing the Hokage's robes and holding the official robes of the Grand Minister of State, came to the court assembly.

After a series of ceremonies were completed, Uchiha Touko, who was standing in front of the officials, was the first to step forward. He bowed to the minor daimyo on the throne and then slowly began to speak.

"I am deeply grateful for the late King's trust in me and the heavy responsibility he entrusted to me. However, I am aware of my youth and lack of virtue, and I have been filled with anxiety every day these past few days, fearing that I will fail the late King's trust. I beg Your Highness to rescind the late King's decree, for I am truly unworthy of the position of Grand Minister of State." Uchiha Touko said, squeezing out a few tears from his eyes.

Just as Left Minister Taiichi Abe was about to speak, Kazuo Miura stepped forward and asked, "What makes you say such a thing, Grand Minister of State?"

“We admire the Grand Minister of State for not coveting power and position, but this is, after all, the late King’s last will and testament. How can we take it back? By doing this, the Grand Minister of State is putting His Highness in a position of filial impiety.”

After Kazuo Miura finished speaking, several more people stepped forward from behind him, each offering their own comments.

"Yes, we have all seen how diligently the Grand Minister of State has been protecting Your Highness day and night these past few days. This position of Grand Minister of State is rightfully yours."

"That's right. After learning of the attack on the late emperor, the Grand Minister of State rushed here alone day and night. His loyalty is as clear as day. Please do not refuse the position of Grand Minister of State."

At this moment, Nagano Kiri looked around and stepped forward as well: "Yes, Grand Minister of State, please don't refuse."

As the three regents appointed by the late king, besides Uchiha Touko, Nagano Kirito and the other two did not hold prominent official positions at this time, but their words carried more weight than anyone else's in the court. After he spoke, Abe Taiichi realized that the situation was hopeless. Thinking of the ninjas who had been loitering in front of his residence these past few days, he could only grit his teeth, shrink back, and remain silent.

"This..." Faced with everyone's urging, Uchiha Touko also made a hesitant gesture.

At that moment, Gen Yuxie, who was on the throne, also rose from his seat and said with tears in his eyes, "Is my teacher going to abandon me?"

In the past few days, Uchiha Touko's shadow clones have been protecting the child closely, and they have gotten along quite well. At the slightest disturbance, they would shield the child behind them. For a four-year-old child who has just experienced a great upheaval and whose father and brothers have all died tragically, this undoubtedly provides him with a great sense of security.

The terrifying figure of Manda had clearly left a deep shadow on the child. Now, as soon as Uchiha Touko uttered his resignation, he was immediately terrified by Minamoto no Yuuki.

Yuan Yuxie's words undoubtedly killed the game.

Soon, two civil officials behind Miura Kazuo stepped forward, took the official robes that Uchiha Touko was holding without saying a word, and put them on Uchiha Touko, while saying repeatedly, "Minister of State, please don't refuse anymore."

Throughout this process, Uchiha Touko made no move until the official robes of the Minister of State were completely draped over his body. Only then did he raise his head and glance at Miura Kazuo, a meaningful smile flashing across his face.

In the past few days, Kakashi has gathered a lot of interesting information about the Grand Minister of State, the Right Minister of State, within the Fire City.

Chapter 119 Relocation of the Capital and Assassination

According to the information gathered by Kakashi, this Minister of State for the Right named Miura Kazuo was definitely not a good person by conventional standards of evaluating officials.

This man was greedy and lustful. After becoming the Minister of the Right, he used his power to amass wealth. His mansion was filled with countless beautiful wives and concubines. However, Uchiha Tokō saw the shadow of the former daimyo in the information that Kakashi obtained. In other words, this Minister of the Right named Miura Kazuo was probably a black glove promoted by the former daimyo.

However, things haven't been going too well for this Right Minister lately. He and his cronies have been completely defeated in their political battle with Abe Taiichi. If it weren't for Orochimaru's assassination attempt on the daimyo, it probably wouldn't be long before the daimyo pinned a blame on him, and after he'd done his last bit of work, both his political and physical life would come to an end.

Therefore, after the daimyo was assassinated, and Uchiha Touko entered the City of Fire and was entrusted with an important task by the daimyo, Miura Kazuto did not know exactly what had happened or why the daimyo would issue such an absurd order. However, the arrival of Uchiha Touko was undoubtedly a glimmer of hope that suddenly appeared when he and his followers were at their wits' end.

Therefore, without Uchiha Touko even making contact, Miura Kazuo and his followers offered their loyalty voluntarily.

Uchiha Tokō was naturally pleased with this. Whether Miura Kazuo had a stain on his record was completely unimportant to Uchiha Tokō; in fact, a stain made him easier to control.

Furthermore, at this moment, Uchiha Touko had firmly grasped control of the entire Fire City. The vast wealth that Miura Kazuo had accumulated over the years was nothing more than money that Uchiha Touko could withdraw at any time.

At this moment, the process of declining and resigning three times has been completed, and Uchiha Tokō is now the well-deserved Grand Minister of Fire.

Even Abe Taiichi, who was not entirely convinced from the beginning, had to accept this result. However, when he saw Uchiha Touko standing at the forefront of the officials in the official robes of the Minister of State, a strange light flashed in his eyes.

In the following days, the officials of the Land of Fire also noticed that something was wrong. All government affairs required Uchiha Touko's approval before they could be passed. Compared to the four-year-old child sitting on the throne, Uchiha Touko seemed more like a real daimyo. This situation made Abe Taiichi and others secretly anxious. What alarmed them even more was that Uchiha Touko kept all the memorials for repairing the palaces destroyed by Orochimaru and Manda hidden away.

This situation alone wouldn't be a big deal, but recently rumors have been circulating in the Fire City that the Fire City's dragon vein, after years of depletion, is no longer able to protect the Fire Kingdom, which is why the imperial city is facing such a great calamity.

Meanwhile, the City of Fire was under the control of the ninjas of Konoha. It was obvious to anyone with eyes that these rumors were spread by Uchiha Touko. Combined with his decision not to repair the palace for the time being, Uchiha Touko's intentions were already clear.

He wants to move the capital.

After finishing their shifts that day, Abe Taiichi's henchmen, having eaten dinner, all rushed through the secret passages of his house to a secret room in Abe Taiichi's residence.

In recent days, with the tacit approval and even support of Uchiha Touko, Miura Kazuo's forces have reversed their decline and have launched a series of attacks against them. Although Uchiha Touko would always step forward to act as a peacemaker in the final stages, he collected every piece of evidence that the other side had gathered and fabricated. This made them anxious, as Uchiha Touko clearly wanted to accumulate a big wave of evidence to eliminate them all at once.

So, once everyone had arrived, someone couldn't wait to speak up: "I really don't know why the late king left such a will. Uchiha Touko is arrogant and domineering, controlling the government. There are treacherous officials running rampant in the court. If this continues, the country will not be a country anymore."

As soon as this person opened his mouth, some people burst into tears on the spot, and Abe Taiichi also sighed repeatedly.

However, their complaints were meaningless. For Abe Taiichi and his cronies, this gathering was more like a group of people huddling together for warmth. After all, the entire Fire City was now under the control of Uchiha Touko. The Susanoo that Uchiha Touko used to force Orochimaru to retreat that day was no less than a god descending to earth for them.

"Why are you gentlemen weeping here? Do you think crying will kill Uchiha Touko?" Just then, a strange voice suddenly rang out in the secret room, startling everyone.

"Who is it?" Abe Taiichi exclaimed in surprise.

From the shadows of the secret room, a man wearing a blank headband slowly emerged, a cloth with the character for fire tied around his waist.

"It's you?" Someone in the audience recognized the newcomer as Kazuma, one of the twelve guardian ninja of the daimyo.

After recognizing the newcomer, Abe Taiichi calmed down. Although these civil officials and the Daimyo's Twelve Guardian Ninjas were not very familiar with each other, he had heard of some of their ideas. He agreed with their belief that the power of the ninjas in the Land of Fire should be in the hands of the Daimyo, and that the system of ninja villages and the Hokage should not exist.

"Since this righteous man has said this, does he have a way to deal with Uchiha Tokō?" Abe Taiichi asked.

“Of course,” Kazuma nodded. “Uchiha Tokō is strong, but he is not invincible. I once learned a technique that can summon the dead. I only need to use it to summon my former comrades, the Lightning Release Four, and set up a combined attack ninjutsu, Lightning Release: Lightning Dream Lightning Man, around the perimeter of Uchiha Tokō’s mansion. Everything within the range of this technique will be reduced to ashes. Even Orochimaru, who was assassinating a daimyo, did not dare to directly withstand this technique. I think it will not be a problem to kill Uchiha Tokō with it.”

"Is that so?" Abe Taiichi was overjoyed upon hearing this. If he could really eliminate Uchiha Tokō as Kazuma said, that would be a great achievement.

“However,” Kazuma changed the subject, “the conditions for performing this technique are too demanding, and the medium required is also very precious, which I will find difficult to gather in a short time.”

“How much more do you need, righteous men? We also have some wealth at home, which you can take as you please,” Abe Taiichi hurriedly said.

"You gentlemen are indeed the pillars of our Land of Fire!" Kazuma said, deeply moved.

"Please don't say that, righteous man. Although this is a dangerous undertaking, for the sake of the stability of our Fire Kingdom, please do not refuse."

……

In the luxurious tea room of the temporary residence that Uchiha Tokō had requisitioned from a minor nobleman, Uchiha Tokō leisurely brewed tea.

"You seem to have a lot of free time," Kakashi, who had been appointed by Uchiha Touko as the commander of the Fire City's security, said with a smile as he entered the room.

"You know what, even a minor noble in the Land of Fire knows how to enjoy life better than our Uchiha clan," Uchiha Touko said with a smile, glancing up at the valuable antiques displayed in the tea room.

"The person who will kill you is coming." Kakashi handed a piece of information to Uchiha Touko.

These usually high-ranking officials and nobles of the Land of Fire clearly underestimated the intelligence-gathering abilities of the elite Jonin of Konoha.

Their secret meeting routine was no different from the tricks of a kid who had just graduated from the Ninja Academy, in front of Kakashi.

While Kazuma possesses strength that would make him an elite Jonin even in Konoha, his self-taught background means that his skills in stealth and investigation—traditional ninja skills—are not much better than those of a Genin in the village. He might be able to fool ordinary people, but he is full of loopholes when facing Kakashi.

Uchiha Touko picked up the intelligence report and glanced at it. After seeing Kazuma's plan, he couldn't help but laugh: "Trying to kill me with Lightning Release? That's a bit ridiculous."

"How should we handle this?" Kakashi asked. "These conspiring civil officials have considerable wealth. Should we just take action?"

Having had several experiences of making money, Kakashi had been in the Fire Capital for a long time. Seeing the vast wealth hidden in the homes of these officials and nobles, he had long been itching to make a move. If he wasn't afraid of delaying Uchiha Touko's plans, he would have already led his men to ransack the homes of these nobles and officials.

As for Kazuma's assassination plan, Kakashi didn't really take it to heart. If it were any other method, Kakashi might be a little worried, but a combined lightning ninjutsu was out of the question.

As fellow masters of Lightning Release, the two had trained together regularly. He knew perfectly well just how powerful Uchiha Touko's Lightning Release skills were. Under Uchiha Touko's unique Lightning Release chakra mode, his control over lightning was terrifyingly strong. No amount of lightning-attribute attack could harm him in the slightest. Instead, the lightning would be directly seized and used as it approached him. This was why Uchiha Touko could move freely within a vast range of Lightning Release ninjutsu without harming himself during battle.

"Let's wait until they make their move. Since they're willing to give me a reason to act, I won't hold back anymore," Uchiha Touko said with a smile.

Frankly, if he hadn't known that the Land of Fire still needed time to develop and couldn't directly wage war against the entire ninja world, Uchiha Touko would have already begun purging the court of the Land of Fire. Before, in the village, he was willing to play political games with Hiruzen Sarutobi, and even in formal confrontations, he used relatively mild coup tactics, simply because neither of them wanted to start a fight and destroy their own village. But now, facing this group of officials and nobles, as long as they gave him a reason, Uchiha Touko didn't need to give anyone face.

"By the way, keep an eye on Asuma during this time. If things get really bad, send him back to the village. The Third Hokage has already had a tough time; don't let him suffer the pain of losing a son again in his later years."

Chapter 120 The Night of Green Garlic

After leaving Uchiha Toko, Kakashi immediately went to find Asuma, showing that he cared about his classmate quite a bit.

The once-powerful Twelve Guardian Ninjas are now defunct in name only.

During this time, after Asuma and Chirai collected the remains of their former companions, they buried them in the City of Fire. Chirai prayed for them every day, while Asuma idly stayed there.

Upon hearing Kakashi's visit, Asuma first expressed his amazement at Kakashi's appearance without his mask before asking about the purpose of his visit.

"Asuma, recently the Fifth Hokage has mobilized a lot of village ninjas, leaving the village's defenses somewhat weak. Therefore, the Fifth Hokage hopes you will return to the village to strengthen its defenses," Kakashi said calmly.

"Back to the village?" Asuma was taken aback. "Why? If the Fifth Hokage has any orders, I can help. I've been active in the Fire Capital for years and am very familiar with the terrain here."

Kakashi glanced at Asuma speechlessly. Although the Third Hokage had become weak and hesitant with age, he still possessed basic political skills and vision. In the same situation, the Third Hokage would have already run back to Konoha. With the Daimyo dead, the Twelve Protectors of the Ninja had an inescapable responsibility. At this moment, what he should have done was to take advantage of the fact that those civil officials were preoccupied with other matters and couldn't free up their hands to run away, instead of foolishly staying in the Land of Fire waiting to be purged.

That's true. If this kid really had that kind of intelligence, then he wouldn't have fallen out with the Third Hokage and run away. He had also learned a thing or two about Asuma's experience of running away to become one of the Twelve Guardian Ninja. It can be said that Hiruzen Sarutobi had already clearly planned Asuma's future. As long as Asuma was willing to follow the path step by step, the position of Hokage might be difficult to achieve due to his limited ninja talent, but there would definitely be no problem for him to secure the position of Jonin Team Leader in the future. But he insisted on showing his rebellious side.

"The Fifth Hokage was thinking of you. The Third Hokage is quite bored after retirement, and you, as his son, should go back and fulfill your filial duties." Kakashi glanced at Jiraiya, who was chanting sutras and praying in front of the memorial tablet, but still didn't say it explicitly.

"Hmph, what does it matter to me what happens to that old man?" Asma scoffed.

"Oh, by the way, before I came here, Kurenai asked me to give you a message. She hopes you'll go back and see her." Seeing this, Kakashi had no choice but to use his trump card.

“Okay, I’ll leave tomorrow,” Asuma said, blushing slightly.