Uchiha's personal opinion

He was already looking forward to the power he would gain once the amplification effect of the "divine particles" was fully completed.

……

The moon, high in the sky, dimmed briefly before returning to calm.

"Perhaps it's my mother urging me to speed things up..."

In a cave somewhere in the ninja world, a gaze peered through the dark entrance at the moon hanging high in the sky. After witnessing the moon's strange phenomenon, a dark, indescribable thing crawled out of the cave, stretching out on the ground like clay, letting the moonlight flow over its black "skin".

"Mother... I'm sorry to have kept you waiting..."

"I will definitely succeed in this generation!"

After a long while, the dark, indescribable thing raised its head-like gelatinous block and turned its gaze toward the Land of Lightning.

Meanwhile, the Third Mizukage, who led the Hidden Mist Ninja Army to regain its prestige and become invincible, is continuing his endless battles with the Hidden Cloud Ninja Army in the Land of Lightning.

"The power of the myriad phenomena that blends Yin and Yang is quite useful, isn't it... Uchiha Madara kid?"

The black, indescribable thing emitted a sinister laugh.

But all gifts already include a price.

Perhaps indulging in power for a moment allowed Madara Uchiha to seemingly rediscover the pleasure of his youth, but his already depleted body could no longer support Madara Uchiha in unleashing the full power of the Rinnegan on his own.

Otherwise, if Madara Uchiha were at his peak, he would have already wiped out Kumogakure, and there would be no need for this protracted tug-of-war.

When Madara Uchiha awakened from the illusion of power and realized that his pitiful life force was simply insufficient to support him in fulfilling his ideals, the opportunity that Black Zetsu had been waiting for finally arrived!

Black Zetsu had used this tactic on the reincarnations of Indra over the past thousand years countless times. However, in the past thousand years, only Madara Uchiha had successfully awakened the Rinnegan, giving Black Zetsu hope of his plan succeeding.

"Mother! I will soon free you from the seal on the moon! Then I can return to your warm embrace!"

Black Zetsu, who had never experienced maternal love since birth, resurfaced from underground and looked up at the moon in the sky, as if the bright moonlight that shone down on the world was Kaguya Otsutsuki's omnipresent love.

Chapter 256 Watching with eager eyes

Uchiha Tokumitsu desperately needed to find an opponent to test his strength.

After being strengthened by the "divine particles," Uchiha Tokumitsu's confidence swelled up like his ever-increasing chakra reserves.

Moreover, the existence and operation of the Shogunate required continuous warfare for stimulation, the Uchiha clan's ninja army needed the fires of war to temper them, the expansion of the United Company required external military force to suppress local bullies, and even the Nakagawa Stock Exchange needed constant news of victories as a positive incentive to encourage wealthy merchants to buy bonds like crazy.

Furthermore, Uchiha Tokumitsu was also worried that the super-giant monopoly organization of the Uchiha Clan-Sei-Bakufu-United Company, which had been forcibly brought together by others, would quickly degenerate and degenerate once it lost its enemies and goals.

But small-scale skirmishes could no longer satisfy Uchiha Tokumitsu's desire for conquest; he urgently needed a more intimidating target.

Fog Shadow is an ideal target.

The shogunate had the backing of its glorious victories in the war against Kirigakure, and its ninja army had ample confidence regardless of the war's objectives. Among the other major ninja nations, Kumogakure was fiercely resisting Kirigakure's invasion in the northern region of the Land of Lightning. As for Iwagakure, the Second Tsuchikage Mu and the Kirigakure Mizukage Gengetsu Hozuki had perished together during the First Shinobi World War, and Iwagakure had never had the chance to avenge this old grudge. Sunagakure and Kirigakure were completely unrelated.

Therefore, making Kirigakure the primary target of the Shogunate was the safest choice.

As for the ceasefire agreement and arms trade with Kirigakure, those were just superficial monetary transactions and naturally don't count.

In fact, the above reasons were merely the excuses that Uchiha Tokumitsu used to persuade his clan and the affiliated ninja clans of the United Company to send troops to wage war.

His true purpose was still that old but immortal ancestor!

Madara Uchiha!

That once renowned figure who suppressed the ninja world!

Whether it's the Flame Fan, a divine weapon passed down through generations of the Uchiha clan, or the Rinnegan that may or may not have been cultivated, or the Six-Tails Jinchuriki who still belongs to Kirigakure, Uchiha Tokumitsu wants them all!

Furthermore, since Madara Uchiha, who was old but not dead and not stiff but still alive, could control the real Third Mizukage and thus control Kirigakure, then the Third Column of the Sei-i under Uchiha Tokumitsu was a prestigious and legitimate Kirigakure clan. With their support, it would be only natural for him to take over Kirigakure!

Therefore, Konoe Atsushi, the special envoy of the Daimyo of the Land of Water who had been under house arrest for nearly ten days, was finally released and taken to Fubo Castle to pay homage to Uchiha Tokumitsu.

"General Deguang, I have come to pay my respects on behalf of the great lord of our country, and wish you continued success in your military endeavors!"

Upon meeting, Konoe Atsushi immediately bowed deeply, respectfully addressing Uchiha Tokumitsu, who was seated high in the main hall of the shogunate's residence.

Uchiha Tokumitsu had originally planned to find fault with etiquette, but seeing this situation, he knew that his idea had failed.

"Why would a great name offer such unsolicited favors?"

But Uchiha Tokumitsu still didn't intend to give him a friendly look, so he stared coldly at Konoe Atsushi and said.

"It's just a congratulatory gesture; there are no other plans."

Konoe Atsushi was pale under the pressure of Uchiha Tokumitsu, but he still managed to straighten up and bow to Uchiha Tokumitsu: "His Highness the Daimyo was delighted to learn that Lord Tokumitsu has been appointed as the General of the Land of Fire and Governor of Konoha's military affairs. He specially sent me to visit and congratulate you, so as to enhance the traditional friendship between our two countries!"

What a fine example of traditional friendship!

Uchiha Tokumitsu was also speechless.

"...How pleased is your lord?"

Uchiha Tokumitsu didn't know what to say, so he blurted out a rather nonsensical remark.

"This, this..."

Upon hearing this, the quick-witted Atsushi Konoe's rapidly working brain immediately froze, and he was at a loss for words.

He couldn't very well say that the Daimyo was actually furious when he learned of Uchiha Tokumitsu's title, could he?

"My title is General Who Subdues the Barbarians. Could it be that Your Highness has unjust ministers under your command who need to be subdued and pacified?"

Uchiha Tokumitsu said with ill intent, "I guess... it's Kirigakure that makes the Daimyo very uneasy, right?"

"Well... Under the command of the Mizukage, Kirigakure has repeatedly defeated Kumogakure, achieving remarkable military exploits. Naturally, the Daimyo is very satisfied with Kirigakure..."

Atsushi Konoe's forehead was covered in cold sweat as he stammered his reply.

"...Is that so?"

Uchiha Tokumitsu leaned back in his chair and continued to scrutinize Konoe Atsushi, whose expression was gradually becoming tense.

The main hall of the official residence became deathly silent.

Konoe Atsushi's mind went blank again, and cold sweat dripped down his forehead, quickly wetting the stone bricks on the ground.

Fortunately, Uchiha Tokumitsu maintained his composure and did not use genjutsu to bewitch this ordinary person; otherwise, Konoe Atsushi would have already lost his composure.

"I appreciate your kind offer, Your Majesty..."

Uchiha Tokumitsu finally broke his silence.

Konoe Atsushi, whose body was already swaying precariously, immediately breathed a sigh of relief, feeling as if he was about to faint.

"However, I've heard that there have been some unfriendly acts against the Justices of Peace in the territory of the Daimyo..."

Uchiha Tokumitsu's words plunged Konoe Atsushi, who had just recovered, back into despair: "It is said that the prefects in various regions do not recognize the lifetime honorary genin status issued by headquarters, and they are also forcibly levying high taxes?"

"This, this..."

Konoe Atsushi forced himself to think quickly: "Lord Tokumitsu, this is the first time I've heard of this matter. Please allow me to return and report to His Highness the Daimyo. I will certainly give you an explanation afterward!"

He dared not say that such a thing had never happened, so he could only give a vague answer in an attempt to get away with it.

"It's alright, investigate slowly..."

Uchiha Tokumitsu said leisurely, "We must investigate thoroughly and find out the truth! We must find out all the masterminds behind this and bring them to justice, regardless of their identities!"

"I will keep Lord Deguang's words in mind and will certainly report to His Highness Daimyo upon my return..."

Konoe Atsushi dared not agree any further and could only give a vague answer again.

"Hmm...good..."

Uchiha Tokumitsu didn't take it seriously, saying, "The traditional friendship between the Shogunate and the Daimyo is unbreakable, and the schemes of those with ulterior motives are doomed to fail."

Yes, yes~

Konoe Atsushi nodded repeatedly.

After several rounds of coercion, his mind was completely confused, and he had unknowingly been drawn into Uchiha Tokumitsu's trap.

But that's normal. Even an ordinary Jonin would be trembling with fear in front of Uchiha Tokumitsu, let alone a pampered nobleman.

"Oh, right, there's one more thing..."

Uchiha Tokumitsu slammed his hand on the table as if he had suddenly thought of something, causing the tense Konoe Atsushi to tremble.

"But it's just a small matter. I don't think His Highness will refuse, will he?"

Uchiha Tokumitsu didn't say what it was about, but just smiled and looked at the trembling Konoe Atsushi.

"...Please enlighten me, Lord Deguang, may I ask what exactly this matter is?"

Konoe Atsushi's rationality prevailed once again, and he managed to say, "As long as it's not too... His Highness the Daimyo will make things much easier for you, General."

"It really is just a small matter."

Uchiha Tokumitsu picked up the teacup on the table and took an elegant sip: "Headquarters plans to hold a military exercise on the western coast in ten days. At that time, the sea area will need to be sealed off, and in order to prevent accidental casualties, not a single plank will be allowed to enter the sea!"

Konoe Atsushi was stunned by this request.

The western sea area is a vital transportation route for the Kirigakure ninja army on their expedition to the Land of Lightning!

All the troops and supplies were transported to the front lines by setting sail from the ports along the western coast!

Blocking the sea might sound like a trivial matter, but who knows how long Uchiha Tokumitsu will blockade it?

Who would dare to gamble that Uchiha Tokumitsu would only stay for a day or two before returning?

If their supply lines were cut off, the Hidden Mist Expeditionary Force, which was isolated on the Ninja World continent, would be left without any help!

"I think... His Highness wouldn't refuse such a simple request..."

Uchiha Tokumitsu picked up his teacup again, indicating that the guest should leave.

……

In a daze, Atsushi Konoe had no idea how he was sent back to the embassy district.

But once he regained consciousness, only one slang phrase that had once been spoken throughout Konoha remained in his mind—

"The Heart of the Uchiha—everyone knows it!"

Chapter 257 Uninvited Guest

Initiating a war is not something that can be decided with just a few words, especially given Uchiha Tokumitsu's current high profile.