Uchiha's personal opinion

Its presence can also serve to monitor Black Zetsu and prevent the Eye of the Moon Project from going completely astray.

Madara Uchiha used his last bit of strength to reach out and pull out the flexible tubes connecting the wooden statue behind him one by one.

"...Black Zetsu, the Gedo Mazo is now in your hands."

After speaking, Madara Uchiha closed his eyes.

"...Your will is my direction!"

Black Zetsu knelt on the ground and said.

"Mother! I'm almost on the verge of success!"

Black Zetsu, who had failed for countless years, silently cried out in his heart.

Chapter 278 Launching the final blow against the stubbornly resisting Kirigakure

Uchiha Tokumitsu was completely unaware of Madara Uchiha's dying arrangements.

Although having memories of a past life can bring many advantages and help one avoid many detours during the rise to power, the butterfly effect is also a real phenomenon.

For example, Jiraiya's disciple in the Land of Rain, Uchiha Tokumitsu, had sent people to secretly investigate and confirmed that there was no red-haired boy among them. Even within the Uzumaki clan, whether during the Uzumaki Village era or after their defeat and relocation to Konoha, there was no boy named Nagato.

But so what?

During the Battle of Karuzu Gorge in the Second Shinobi World War, he even used Susanoo, but it was still blocked by Madara Uchiha, who was disguised as the Third Mizukage, using only Water Release. Now, not many years later, he was able to single-handedly defeat and severely injure Madara in the Battle of Narōdō, and even retrieve the Uchiha clan's sacred weapon, the Flame Fan.

Thinking of this, Uchiha Tokumitsu touched the Flame Fan beside him again.

This artifact is truly divine; it's no wonder it's made from the branches of a divine tree—the feel is amazing! The smoothness is its most striking feature!

“…Go on.”

After letting his thoughts wander for a moment, Uchiha Tokumitsu spoke to Hozuki Masahiko, who was standing respectfully under his command.

"My lord! Kirigakure is now completely surrounded. Please advise on the next phase of the battle plan!"

Hozuki Masahiko suppressed his excitement and spoke respectfully.

He always remembered his combat mission and position.

As the commander of the vanguard ninja army of the shogunate, he was only responsible for front-line assault operations. Major tasks such as conquering Kirigakure, such as invading the village of Kirigakure, still required the lord's personal arrangements.

Otherwise, don't assume that the ninja world doesn't have the concept of "high merit goes unrewarded".

How many people are left in the Hidden Mist Headquarters?

Uchiha Tokumitsu asked casually.

Under the command of Hozuki Masahiko, more than two hundred ninja from the three clans, along with about a thousand surrendered Kirigakure ninja selected from among the prisoners, were able to conquer the entire northern archipelago of the Land of Water in one fell swoop, which shows that Kirigakure was indeed in a state of barely surviving.

"Based on the data of the surrendered ninjas, there are probably still more than three thousand ninjas, but most of them are temporary substitute genin..."

Hozuki Masahiko reports.

"Did Pipa Juzo really sail away across the sea?"

Uchiha Tokumitsu asked again.

"Yes."

Hozuki Masahiko answered with absolute certainty: "His three thousand ninja soldiers all fled far away by sea with him..."

"...That's really interesting."

Uchiha Tokumitsu tapped the table lightly.

What lies on the other side of the sea is not a mystery to high-ranking ninjas at all.

Apart from a vast, desolate land where even weeds cannot grow and the environment is worse than the Land of Wind, there is not a single living person to be found, not even a cockroach, which is the most resilient insect.

Hmm... if we continue sailing, we'll probably reach the coastal areas of the Land of Wind.

"Then we'll leave him alone for now."

Uchiha Tokumitsu decided to put aside the escaped Juzo Biwa for now.

After all, there were only three thousand ninjas who lacked food and clothing and had been cut off from supplies. It would be better to gather more ninja troops to wipe out the remnants of Kirigakure who had scattered along the coast after the Battle of Myeongnyang.

Besides, if Juzo Biwa could make a name for himself and his men in that desolate land, then it would be a good opportunity to sneak over and find Momoko.

Simply a win-win!

"As for Kirigakure..."

Uchiha Tokumitsu thought for a moment, then casually picked up the bell on the table and shook it.

"Lord Tokumitsu!"

As a small puff of smoke rose from the Body Flicker Technique, a servant ninja flashed inside and knelt on one knee before Uchiha Tokumitsu, awaiting orders.

"Go and invite Mr. Ashina over here."

"Uchiha Tokumitsu gave the order."

"As ordered!"

The attendant ninja was ordered to leave.

Hozuki Masahiko's feelings were somewhat complicated.

He knew Ashina's identity; he was the leader of the Uzumaki clan after the fall of Uzumaki Village.

However, after moving to Konoha, Ashina Uzumaki wisely chose to ally with the Uchiha clan. After Tokumitsu Uchiha established the Shogunate, the entire clan sacrificed themselves to become a retainer ninja clan under the Shogunate's protection. As a result, Ashina's status rapidly expanded, and now he is not only the Shogunate's Whirlpool Guardian but also the leader of Konoha's sealing team, making him one of the most prominent figures in the ninja world.

The intention behind summoning Ashina Uzumaki at this moment is self-evident.

Back then, Uzushio Village in the Land of Whirlpools was defeated and destroyed by the siege of the three great ninja villages. Now, it's Kirigakure's turn to suffer a stroke of bad luck...

"Lord Tokumitsu..."

Not long after, Ashina Uzumaki rushed in like a whirlwind.

"Chief Ashina, please have a seat..."

Uchiha Tokumitsu maintained his respect for Uzumaki Ashina as always, and this did not change in the slightest even though Ashina had now become his retainer.

"..."

Ashina Uzumaki didn't say much and simply sat down to the side.

"The shogunate's ninja army has surrounded Kirigakure, but there are still quite a few reckless fools who are trying to put up a stubborn resistance..."

"Uchiha Tokumitsu said."

Upon hearing this, Ashina's breathing became noticeably heavier.

The vengeance of the whirlpool!

This has been a long-cherished wish ever since the destruction of the ninja village!

"Lord Tokumitsu..."

Ashina Uzumaki prepared to get up and say something.

"I need a mature and prudent person to bring me the final victory."

Uchiha Tokumitsu waved his hand, indicating that Uzumaki Ashina didn't need to stand on ceremony.

"So... Chief Ashina, are you willing to serve as the commander-in-chief of the expeditionary force against the ninja?"

"We will absolutely not fail in our mission!"

Ashina Uzumaki immediately answered loudly.

"As for you... Yahiko-kun."

Uchiha Tokumitsu's gaze fell on Hozuki Masahiko, who was somewhat stunned.

Hozuki Masahiko quickly stood up and bowed.

"I intend to appoint you as the commander of the post-war cleanup in Kirigakure. Are you confident in your abilities?"

Uchiha Tokumitsu said gently.

Yes! I have confidence!

Hozuki Masahiko was overjoyed, and his slight unease vanished instantly.

"Very good, very energetic!"

Uchiha Tokumitsu nodded in approval: "Furthermore, Kirigakure may need a trustworthy person to guard it and restore order..."

"Lord Tokumitsu! The three clans of the Shogunate will always be your most loyal ninja sword!"

In a moment of inspiration, Hozuki Masahiko immediately knelt down on one knee to pledge his loyalty.

"So, if we abolish the garrison of the three districts in the Southern Islands and relocate all three clans to Wuyin, I don't think anyone will have any objections, right?"

Uchiha Tokumitsu continued.

"Your command is the fate of the three races!"

Hozuki Masahiko answered loudly in the most fervent tone.

"Then let's prepare well..."

After balancing the interests of his various factions, Uchiha Tokumitsu picked up the documents on the table and continued reading.

Uzumaki Ashina and Hozuki Masahiko also wisely resigned and left.

Chapter 279 The Supreme Governor Arrives at His Most Loyal Mist Village

Kirigakure, once one of the five great ninja villages, is on the verge of destruction.

Surrounded by the shogunate's ninja army, the remnants of Kirigakure were living in constant fear.

Even though the ninja village still had three thousand men, which was enough to put them to the task of surrounding the more than one thousand vanguard ninja of the shogunate, the village had no will to fight.

"We've lost, we've lost..."

Inside the Elder Council of Mist Village, four Mist Village elders huddled together in dejection.

After the Battle of Myeongnyang, the Kirigakure elders, who had successfully seized power, were in high spirits and tried to curb the shogunate's continued invasion by forming alliances. However, after several days of struggle, they found that their previously held experience was completely ineffective against the shogunate.