Uchiha's personal opinion

Therefore, it is not surprising that the deep-seated resentment in the southern part of the Land of Earth could easily ignite after a single act of kindness.

We need more ninja!

The nobles couldn't sit still any longer.

"Please, Lord Ōnoki, mobilize the village's regular ninja forces!"

"That's right! If we let it run wild, the consequences will be unimaginable!"

The nobles all spoke up.

The Southern Guardian and Red Earth simply watched the noisy group of nobles silently, without saying a word.

Gradually, the nobles, sensing that something was amiss, quieted down.

"If Uchiha Tokumitsu hadn't arrived at the front lines, everything could have been salvaged."

After all the nobles had fallen silent, Chi Tu slowly spoke.

"Otherwise, we'll have to consider implementing scorched earth tactics..."

"...Isn't this a bit too hasty?"

"A disgruntled nobleman asked in a low voice."

His territory had been completely occupied by the mob, and all his accumulated wealth had been lost, so he was naturally unwilling to implement a scorched-earth tactic.

—At the very least, we should wait until he transfers his assets back to his own family after the rebellion is quelled before launching a full-scale war!

"You can go and ask the people in the shogunate as an envoy."

The Southern Border Guardian waved his hand, and immediately a group of samurai rushed in, grabbing the nobleman without a word. "I hereby appoint you as the Southern Border Envoy. Go and have a good chat with those guys from the Shogunate!"

Then, ignoring the poor man's cries and pleas, the samurai dragged him away.

The other nobles dared not say another word.

Of course, the actions of the Southern Guardian did not conform to the rules among nobles, since it was the daimyo's prerogative to deal with nobles; but unfortunately, the current situation was quasi-wartime, and the only organized military force in the entire southern region was in his hands, so the nobles who had lost their lands were simply no match for him.

"The initiative to influence the situation is not in my hands..."

The Southern Guardian slowly said, "Similarly, it is not in Mr. Red Earth's hands either."

Although it's not a pleasant thing to hear, it's the truth.

Akado nodded in agreement.

"Whether to fight or make peace depends on the final decision of His Highness the Daimyo and Lord Tsuchikage..."

This time, the Southern Border Guardian didn't bother to maintain the "crane voice" tone typical of the powerful Tachibana clan, but instead spoke in a normal tone: "More importantly, we need to watch Uchiha Tokumitsu's expression!"

"...We are a great nation!"

A minor nobleman in the audience couldn't help but cry out in despair.

"The shogunate possessed two and a half great powers."

The Guardian of the Southern Border used the simplest comparison to illustrate the difference in strength between the two sides.

"So……"

The nobles looked at each other, puzzled.

"Those rebellions are nothing to worry about. As soon as the daimyo's direct troops arrive, they can be completely wiped out together with the southern troops. But the most important thing is the shogunate's reaction."

Chitu continued.

Then, he picked up two promotional notices from the table, one in classical Chinese and one in white, saying, "This is the key!"

The two propaganda documents issued by the shogunate were the fuse that completely ignited the southern part of the Land of Earth.

"so……"

The nobles had no choice but to let the two officials on the stage do as they pleased.

"The ninja army commanded by Demon Leech will not be recalled for the time being."

The Southern Border Guardian also played along with their pre-arranged plan, saying, "Lord Tsuchikage will gather ninja troops in the ninja villages to prepare, while the Daimyo's direct forces will also be assembling in the central region..."

But he hasn't said what should happen to the south.

The displaced nobles listened intently.

"...The Tsuchikage's envoy will go to the front lines of the shogunate to discuss the matter, and we will act accordingly once the outcome is determined."

Akado squeezed out his last line through gritted teeth with great difficulty.

"That is, assuming Uchiha Tokumitsu doesn't come!"

The Guardian of the Southern Border added a sentence at the last minute.

……

Although he had a very unpleasant falling out with Black Zetsu, Tobi felt exceptionally happy as he completely let loose!

The organization's original secrecy requirements had long been forgotten. Now, with the support of the common people and the encouragement from Konoha's intelligence department and the Shogunate's spies, it had become the spiritual leader of the entire Land of Earth's rebellious forces!

"No! It's not betrayal!"

Disguised as an Iwagakure ninja, Tobi earnestly corrected the errors in the proclamation written by the civil official he had captured from the county town: "You must understand, we are in rebellion!"

"Ah! That's right! It's an uprising!"

The trembling civil official immediately nodded vigorously, indicating that he would make the changes right away.

Afei naturally didn't want others to continue praising him, so under the guidance of "Deguang's Sayings", he captured a group of low-ranking civil officials from various prefectures and cities and made them write reports on his glorious deeds and policy propaganda documents.

"...That's perfect!"

Then, the civil official presented the newly produced proclamation. Although Afei did not quite understand the meaning of these words, let alone the deeper meaning behind the text, he could judge whether it was well written by the usage of a certain keyword and whether it matched the shogunate's proclamation.

For example, it insists that its actions are an "uprising".

"Send this message to all regions immediately!"

Overjoyed, Afei handed the proclamation to a White Zetsu, declaring, "I want everyone to know our will!"

Ever since he angered Black Zetsu so much that he ran back to the Land of Snow, Tobi has refused to stay cooped up in the cave any longer.

Under the sunlight, feeling the worship and cheers of the masses is an unparalleled pleasure for it!

"Our cause is just!"

Ah Fei emphasized.

For Lord Madara!

Its heart was also filled with joy.

……

The ninja forces of the Demon Leech tribe, sandwiched between the western border defense forces and the "rebellious Iwagakure" in the northern part of the Bird Country, are in the most difficult situation.

They were under constant pressure from Fugaku Uchiha's ninja army on the front, while their retreat route had been cut off by the rebel Iwagakure. Furthermore, Amegakure was watching from their flanks. Under this multi-pronged attack, Hiruzen was in a terrible predicament.

"I'm in a dilemma..."

At this moment, the Demon Leech deeply regretted not obeying Red Earth's order to withdraw his troops and quell the rebellion immediately; otherwise, he wouldn't have been stuck in this quagmire.

Even more critically, because the rear was in complete chaos, his ninja army's supplies were effectively cut off.

Although the supplies carried by the ninja army can sustain them for a period of time, who knows how long they will have to hold out?

More importantly, how long can the three thousand ninja under his command hold out even if they choose to defend?

Standing at the front of the line, Demon Leech stared blankly at the Hyuga ninja who was brazenly observing their own position with his Byakugan not far away.

Judging from the Konoha ninja banners displayed recently, Fugaku Uchiha probably brought only a little over a thousand men. Even including the so-called charity action team ninjas, their numbers were only slightly more than half of ours.

But the demon leech dared not make any rash moves, let alone the idea of ​​striking first.

Trapped here, he was unable to send out reconnaissance ninjas, and he had no idea whether there were any reinforcements lurking behind the Konoha ninja army in front of him. If he made any rash moves, he would invite a swift and devastating blow from the Shogunate...

Defeat is a small matter, but death is a great matter!

With that in mind, the demon leech had no choice but to continue to endure.

"Master Leech~"

A messenger ninja rushed over: "A letter has arrived from Ishikawa County in the south!"

"Let me see!"

The leech eagerly snatched the secret document, quickly skimmed through the text, and then breathed a sigh of relief.

"Thankfully, the envoy is on his way..."

The demon leech wiped the cold sweat from its forehead.

As long as there is no war, everything is negotiable!

"S-Sir..."

Suddenly, the messenger ninja pointed in the direction of the Konoha Ninja Army and spoke haltingly.

"Ok?"

Just moments before, the demon leech was lost in joy and instinctively turned its head to look.

Amidst the faint cheers echoing from the Konoha camp, a tall banner was raised, causing the banner, a nightmare of Iwagakure, to flutter in the wind!

Against the backdrop of the black flag, the red three-comma pattern looked as chilling as blood!

The demon leech trembled violently, and its hands loosened, causing the secret letter to fall to the ground.

"...Uchiha Tokumitsu's banner!"

he came!

Chapter 416 The Power of Fame

The cheers of the Konoha ninja grew louder and louder, while Hiruzen's face grew paler and paler.

Large beads of sweat dripped continuously from his forehead, and the black three-tomoe banner fluttering in the distance seemed like the Grim Reaper's soul-snatching banner, stealing the souls of the Iwagakure ninjas who witnessed this scene.

But even in the vast Iwagakure, there are still brave warriors—