Naruto: Konoha Spring of the Uchiha Prodigies

"Don't linger in the Fire Capital. There's a batch of supplies we bought there that need to be sent back to the village tomorrow morning. You'll be in charge of protecting them. On the way back, you'll pass by the Fire Temple. The Third Hokage is currently there with Konohamaru, praying for the village. You can pick him up and bring him back to the village while you're there," Kakashi reminded him.

"Alright, alright, I got it." Asuma waved his hand and lit a cigarette. "I really didn't expect you to become so talkative lately, Kakashi."

……

The following day, Asuma and Jiraiya left the City of Fire together.

However, not long after they left, Ma came here and dug up the remains of his former comrade-in-arms.

And today, undercurrents are also swirling in the court of the Fire City.

At Uchiha Touko's behest, Kikuchi Chiken also brought up the rumors circulating in the Fire City during the court assembly.

"Your Highness, the people of the Fire Capital have recently been saying that the dragon vein of our Fire Kingdom's capital is exhausted and unable to protect the fate of our Fire Kingdom. Yesterday, I also summoned the fortune tellers and yin-yang masters in the capital to inquire, and the conclusions reached were consistent with the rumors."

How could they be inconsistent? The clergy gathered by Kikuchi Chiken were the same group that had previously held the Naga River Theological Seminar in Konoha. After being taught a lesson by the police batons of the Security Department, these charlatans deeply understood the principle of the military granting of divine authority. Now, even if the gods they worship descended to earth, their words might not be as effective as those of the ninjas of Konoha.

"What should we do?" Upon hearing this, Yuan Yuxie, who was on the throne, immediately looked panicked. For a four-year-old child, such mystical things were quite effective.

"According to the masters, the only solution now is to find another place where the dragon veins converge as the new capital of our Fire Kingdom. Only in this way can the dragon veins beneath our feet be restored. Otherwise, disaster may befall us," said Kikuchi Chiken.

"Hmph, what dragon veins, what prophecies? When did you start believing in these things, Lord Kikuchi?" At this moment, Abe Taiichi stepped forward and said, "According to you, does that mean my Land of Fire will perish if it doesn't relocate its capital?"

“That’s not what I meant,” Kikuchi Chiken said. “However, since something like a rogue ninja assassinating the late king has happened before, I think there’s some truth to that argument.”

"Kikuchi Tomokane, how dare you!" Abe Taiichi shouted angrily.

Just as the two groups were about to start arguing again, Uchiha Touko suddenly stepped forward.

"Your Highness, I have been staying in the Fire Capital for some time now, and the situation there has stabilized. However, there are still many matters to attend to in Konoha Village that I need to return to handle," said Uchiha Touko.

"Why does the Grand Minister of State say such things again?" Nagano Kiri immediately stepped forward to interrupt Uchiha Toko. "The late king trusted you so much, Grand Minister of State, how can you live up to that trust with such behavior?"

"Teacher, you can't leave." Gen Yuxie stood up from his throne and walked over to Uchiha Touko with his short legs, speaking to him.

"Alas." Uchiha Touko sighed, "I also feel that this action has failed the late king's trust, but after all, I am still the Fifth Hokage of Konoha. The two divisions and thirteen clans of Konoha are all on my shoulders. At the same time, I also need to guard the borders of my Land of Fire. As a result, I am really exhausted."

At this moment, Kikuchi Chiken suddenly spoke up again: "Regarding this matter, I do have a foolproof plan."

"Lord Kikuchi, please speak," Genji said hastily.

“I have consulted those masters before about where there are dragon veins in my Land of Fire. One of the masters, who has traveled to various parts of the ninja world, asserted that the Nanga River in Konoha Village is in line with the rising dragon, making it the best choice for the new capital of my Land of Fire. If we move the capital to Konoha Village, the Grand Minister of State can handle the military affairs of the Land of Fire while assisting His Highness until his old age. Wouldn't that be wonderful?”

Kikuchi Chiken's words were like a thunderclap in Abe Taiichi's mind. Only then did he understand the purpose of the charade that Uchiha Touko and Kikuchi Chiken had put on.

"This is utter nonsense!" Abe Taiichi said angrily. "Our Land of Fire has had its capital in the Land of Fire City for hundreds of years. How can we just move the capital like this? Besides, even if we were to move the capital, how could it be to a ninja village?"

“I don’t see anything wrong with moving the capital,” Miura Kazuo said in a sinister tone. “Is the Minister of the Left reacting so strongly because he can’t bear to part with his assets in the Fire Capital?”

"Hmph, you lot..." Abe Taiichi glared at Miura Kazuo and Uchiha Touko, but before he could speak, Uchiha Touko's murderous aura, which was strong enough to solidify, fixed on him. In an instant, Abe Taiichi was so frightened that he broke out in a cold sweat.

At this moment, Gen Yuxie happily tugged at Uchiha Touko's robe, "Teacher, did you hear that? After the capital is moved, you can't say things like that anymore."

Having never received proper imperial education since childhood and always being pampered by the former daimyo, Minamoto no Yukyo did not understand what moving the capital really meant. He only knew that once the capital was moved, his teacher could continue to protect his safety.

Uchiha Touko looked down at the child in front of him, a meaningful smile on his face, and nodded: "Okay."

After the court session, Abe Taiichi knew that the plan to assassinate Uchiha Tokō could no longer be delayed, so as soon as he got home, he sent a letter to Kazuma through a secret passage.

……

That night, Uchiha Touko was maintaining his ninja sword alone in his mansion. Not long after, chakra fluctuations were heard above Uchiha Touko's mansion. The next second, surging lightning transformed into a cage that enveloped the entire sky.

Uchiha Touko stood up, walked out of the room, and looked up at the sky with a blank expression.

The next second, several shuriken shot towards Uchiha Touko from all angles.

However, before Uchiha Touko could even raise his eyes, the shuriken that was flying at high speed suddenly stopped and hovered beside him.

Just then, a figure suddenly rushed towards Uchiha Touko from the courtyard. Uchiha Touko calmly raised a finger and caught the kunai that was thrust at him.

At this moment, the assassin revealed his true identity: Kazuma, one of the former Twelve Guardian Ninja.

"I've already given you a chance, but it seems you didn't cherish it." Uchiha Touko said coldly, a kunai between his fingers. "Didn't the guy who taught you ninjutsu ever tell you what it means to be called a Kage?"

"Hmph, what shadow? You shouldn't even exist!" Kazuma roared, abandoning the kunai in his hand, and then threw his left fist at Uchiha Touko.

Uchiha Touko merely turned his body slightly, dodging the attack without even moving his feet. At the same time, he grabbed the kunai he had taken and severed the opponent's left arm with a single stroke.

"Ah!" Kazuma screamed and fell to the ground in the courtyard, blood gushing out and staining a large area of ​​the floor red.

Kazuma tried to get up despite the pain, but Uchiha Touko stepped on his shoulder and said with a light laugh, "Actually, I agree with your point of view. The system of Kage and Ninja Villages should not exist. The ninja power of a country should be directly controlled by the highest ruler. But I am already the Fifth Hokage of Konoha Village in the Land of Fire, so I have no choice but to become the ruler of the Land of Fire."

Kazuma, who had just been hit hard, spat out a mouthful of blood, but after hearing Uchiha Touko's words, he looked up at him with an incredulous expression.

“You… can’t escape.” Kazuma said with difficulty. He had come tonight to assassinate Uchiha Touko with the intention of risking his life to keep Uchiha Touko within the range of Raimono’s absurdity.

"Is this all you've got as your trump card?" Uchiha Touko, standing on Kazuma, looked up at the fully charged combination ninjutsu in the sky and said with a smile, "Didn't you even bother to find out what my previous reputation was before you made your move?"

“Before I became Hokage, my comrades in the village would call me Azure Thunder God, but I prefer my nickname in Kirigakure, Mitake Raishin.”

After saying that, Uchiha Touko snapped his fingers lightly. To Kazuma's disbelief, the lightning gathered in the lightning cage array above began to slowly flow into Uchiha Touko's raised left hand. This violent lightning, which even the caster could not control, was like dough that could be kneaded at will in Uchiha Touko's hand. Soon, all the lightning gathered by Raimon and Raimon flowed to Uchiha Touko's fingertips, turning into a blue lightning ball with a diameter of half a meter.

With a light laugh, Uchiha Touko tossed it into the air, and the lightning ball soared into the sky, exploding into a firework that illuminated the entire night sky of the Fire City.

Kazuma's eyes were filled with terror. Uchiha Touko's move was completely beyond his imagination. Only at this moment did he understand what it meant to be called a Kage.

However, the next second, everything spun before his eyes, and Uchiha Touko swung his sword and severed his head, his expression forever frozen at that moment.

Soon, the elite Jonin guarding the imperial city were attracted by the commotion and came to Uchiha Touko's door.

With a gloomy expression, Uchiha Touko walked out of the mansion carrying Kazuma's head.

"These people in the Land of Fire are truly lawless! Not only did they collude with rogue ninjas to assassinate the daimyo, they even dared to target me, the Grand Minister of State, who is devoted to the country." Uchiha Touko stood before the elite Jonin led by Kakashi. "Everyone is welcome! Tonight, join me in wiping out these treacherous insects lurking in the Land of Fire and restoring peace and order to our Land of Fire!"

"Salute to the Hokage!" Kakashi, at the front of the group, shouted loudly.

"Loyalty! Sincerity!" The elite Jonin present all raised their hands in salute and shouted.

"Loyalty." After returning the greeting, Uchiha Touko, carrying the horse's head, strode forward toward the first house not far away, the residence of Matsuda Seisuke, Abe Taiichi's loyal underling.

That night, the entire City of Fire was destined to be a river of blood. Kakashi and Uchiha Tokō split into two groups, and none of the people who appeared in the secret room of the Abe family that night were spared. At dawn, the sealing scrolls on their waists were already full of heads. After meeting in front of the residence of the Left Minister Abe Taiichi, the two strode inside.

……

Chapter 121 The Sword Shakes the Court

Abe Taiichi was still asleep, but at this moment, he was the only living person left in the mansion.

After Uchiha Touko and Kakashi entered the old man's bedroom, Kakashi immediately held a knife to the man's neck, while Uchiha Touko gently patted the man's face.

Abe Taiichi slowly woke up, but upon seeing Uchiha Touko's face and the knife beside his head, he instantly snapped back to reality.

One second he was dreaming of joining Ma Tian in eliminating the traitors of the country, becoming the Grand Minister of State, and eliminating the corrupt officials in the court, thus achieving lasting fame. But the next second, a knife was already at his throat.

"Good morning, Minister of the Left," Uchiha Touko said with a light laugh.

“You…you…you…” Abe Taiichi raised his trembling hand and pointed at Uchiha Touko.

"Is the Left Minister trying to say why I'm still alive?" Uchiha Touko laughed. "Well, there's nothing I can do about it. The assassins you hired were too incompetent."

After Uchiha Tokō finished speaking, he took out the head of Kazuma, who died with his eyes wide open, from the sealing scroll and gently placed it next to Abe Taiichi's head.

Abe Taiichi had never seen anything like this before, and his face immediately showed a look of horror: "I...I don't know what you're talking about."

"Lord Abe doesn't want to admit it? But it's alright, my Yamanaka clan from Konoha has a secret technique that allows us to extract information directly from the heads of the dead," Uchiha Touko said. "Therefore, for the sake of my innocence, I ask Lord Abe and your cronies to lend me their heads."

"What...what did you do to them?" Abe Taiichi's heart tightened upon hearing this.

"What are you saying, Lord Abe? I'm a ninja, my job is to kill entire families. So what about your cronies?" Uchiha Touko's smile widened, but Abe Taiichi felt a chill run down his spine.

“You have committed treason by killing a minister without authorization,” Abe Taiichi said through gritted teeth.

"So Lord Abe also knows how to write the word 'treason'," Uchiha Touko said. "I thought you didn't, otherwise you wouldn't have gone so far as to hire someone to assassinate me, the Grand Minister of State appointed by the late king."

“However, since we have lost, then Lord Abe, please depart on your journey.” Uchiha Touko said with a cold expression.

Upon hearing Uchiha Touko's command, Kakashi swiftly swung his sword and severed Abe Taiichi's head.

After dealing with everyone, it was already dawn, and the morning assembly was about to begin.

Uchiha Tokō simply changed his clothes and strode towards the imperial city.

As soon as the court assembly began, the officials of the Land of Fire noticed that there seemed to be far fewer people present. None of the Left Minister Abe Taiichi's faction were there, and Uchiha Touko, who should have been standing at the front of the officials, was also absent.

Fortunately, not long after, the eunuch in charge of announcing the arrival brought news from outside the palace gates that Uchiha Touko had arrived outside the palace.

Soon, Uchiha Touko stepped into the main hall. As soon as he entered, the ministers by the door looked terrified. The reason was simple: Uchiha Touko, who had killed people and hadn't even taken a bath, was covered in a pungent smell of blood and exuded a terrifying killing intent.

"Your Highness, I had important business to attend to last night, which is why I was late for court. I hope Your Highness will forgive me," Uchiha Touko said, bowing respectfully.

"It's alright, teacher, please come to the front." Upon seeing Uchiha Touko arrive, Gen Yuxie jumped down from the throne and strode over to Uchiha Touko's side.

However, as soon as the child approached Uchiha Touko, he was so frightened by the murderous aura and bloody smell emanating from Uchiha Touko that he froze on the spot, his legs trembling, his face turning pale, and he even forgot how to speak.

Uchiha Touko glanced down at Minamoto no Yuuki, bent down, picked him up, and slowly walked to the throne, gently placing him on it.

In just a few dozen steps, facing the murderous aura and bloody smell emanating from Uchiha Touko at close range, Minamoto no Yuuki stopped thinking and his body trembled uncontrollably. It wasn't until Uchiha Touko placed him on the throne that he briefly came back to his senses.

"Ugh!" Yuan Yuxie vomited as soon as he sat down, and tears kept welling up in his eyes. The eunuch next to him rushed over to take care of him.

Uchiha Touko glanced back at him, then stood beside the throne, coldly observing the assembled officials below.

“His Highness the Daimyo is unwell, and today’s court session should have been postponed. However, I must explain what happened last night to you all. Therefore, I will preside over today’s court session.” After Uchiha Touko finished speaking, he turned to the eunuch beside Minamoto no Yukichi and said, “Send His Highness the Daimyo back to rest.”

The eunuchs around the daimyo were also intimidated by Uchiha Tokō's murderous aura and dared not utter a word of rebuttal. They could only pick up the daimyo, who was still crying and vomiting, and retreat to the inner palace behind him.

After the daimyo left, Uchiha Tokō stood on the high platform where the throne was located, looking down at the officials who were bowing their heads like quails, and said: "I think many people are curious as to why the Left Minister and his friends did not come to court today. It is because something very unpleasant happened last night."

“Last night, I was assassinated in my own residence.”

As soon as Uchiha Touko finished speaking, the assembled officials erupted in an uproar.

"Fortunately, as the Fifth Hokage of Konohagakure in the Land of Fire, I have some chakra to spare and managed to kill the assassin. However, the identity of this assassin is quite interesting. You may try to guess who has the audacity to try to assassinate me."

As soon as Uchiha Touko finished speaking, the vast court fell into an eerie silence.

After a while, Uchiha Touko unfurled the sealing scroll on his body, took out Kazuma's head from it, and threw it at the assembled officials.

Kazuma's head rolled twice on the ground before coming to rest at Miura Kazuo's feet.

Kazuo Miura was so frightened by the sight that he fell to the ground. At that moment, the court officials recognized the owner of the severed head.

"This……"

Kikuchi Chiken and the others were so shocked that they were speechless.