Uchiha's personal opinion

Uchiha Tokumitsu turned to Kisame Hoshigaki and asked.

"...I haven't seen him since the Battle of Toba-Fushimi."

Kisame Hoshigaki was startled. "You mean..."

"This possibility cannot be ruled out."

Uchiha Tokumitsu stood up. "If it weren't for that, Iwagakure and Kumogakure would be facing annihilation this time. Where would he get the confidence to make these claims?"

"The intelligence department's work certainly has its shortcomings!"

Hyuga Hizashi didn't hesitate to stab his own father in the back in the back.

"However, they haven't been colluding for very long... otherwise, there would have been some word of it."

Uchiha Tokumitsu paced back and forth, carefully considering his options.

The ability to discern the significant from the subtle is the most important skill in intelligence analysis. Judging from the reaction of Iwagakure and the recent information gathered by the Joint Counter-Terrorism Force, Uchiha Tokumitsu's conjecture may indeed be true.

Perhaps Iwagakure's retreat at this moment is still a way to continue accumulating strength or to work on getting to know the so-called sacred land's summoning beasts.

"That intelligence department..."

Hyuga Hizashi said cautiously.

"Hisashi-kun, would you be interested in taking on some more side jobs?"

Uchiha Tokumitsu also stopped pacing.

"I obey Lord Deguang's command!"

Hyuga Hizashi was overjoyed inside, but outwardly maintained a solemn and serious demeanor as he spoke.

"Then, from now on, you will be in charge of all intelligence in the Land of Earth, and all relevant personnel in the Intelligence Department and the United Company will also be under your jurisdiction."

As expected, Uchiha Tokumitsu said what Hyuga Hizashi most wanted to hear.

"We will do our utmost and never fail Lord Deguang's trust!"

Hyuga Hizashi took a deep breath, knelt on one knee, and thanked him.

Aside from their dwindling conglomerate businesses, the Hyuga clan's most important base in Konoha consists of Hyuga Construction and the Intelligence Department.

Whether it's shareholding design or actual management, Hyuga Construction is entirely controlled by the main family, leaving Hyuga Hizashi with no opportunity to intervene.

Therefore, if Hyuga Hizashi wants to gain more influence within the clan and more overt support from branch clan members, he must exert his influence in the intelligence department.

Moreover, as long as I can continue to rise in the shogunate system, I don't need to worry about those spineless cowards in the main family using the Caged Bird Seal!

Hyuga Hizashi was filled with excitement and high aspirations!

……

After releasing the Greninja to relay the Shogunate's request to the Iwagakure headquarters, Huang Tu sat silently in the quiet room.

The other Iwagakure ninjas dared not provoke him, but Ashura, who had a special status, pushed open the door and sat down cross-legged in front of him.

"Mr. Ashura..."

With sunken eyes and a somewhat haggard face, Huang Tu managed a weak greeting.

"You're not reconciled, are you?"

Ashura didn't waste any words and directly pointed out Huangtu's heartache.

"Yes."

Huang Tu nodded without hesitation.

"So, where does the problem lie? And what makes the shogunate so powerful?"

"The strength of the Shogunate lies in Konoha; the strength of Konoha lies in the ninja clans; and the strength of the ninja clans is solely that of the Uchiha..."

Huang Tu answered without hesitation.

Indeed, in this era of the weakened Senju clan, no other clan in the ninja world could rival the Uchiha clan.

Is that all?

Ashura shook his head and asked again.

"The strength of the Shogunate lies in its numerous henchmen. The Uzumaki, Kurama, Shiranui, and Nohara families have worked tirelessly for it, reaping immense benefits. The Hozuki, Minazuki, and Kaguya families of Kirigakure have been greatly indebted to it and are willing to serve it to the death. The Hyuga, Inuzuka, and Aburame families have all gained something and are all used by it..."

Huang Tu meticulously listed the representative ninja clans of Konoha and the Shogunate.

So what's your conclusion?

Ashura continued to ask.

"Subdue people with force and govern them with profit!"

Huang Tu immediately replied.

"You're being completely unreasonable..."

Ashura shook his head and sighed.

"The rise of the shogunate was also unreasonable!"

Huang Tu defended himself.

“But you don’t have Uchiha Tokumitsu’s power, so you can only reason.”

Ashura explained patiently.

"what do you mean……"

Upon hearing this, Huang Tu gasped, straightened up, and stared intently at Ashura.

Are you willing to reason with people?

Ashura smiled slightly and asked again.

"If Mr. Ashura supports me, then I will definitely be a reasonable person!"

Huang Tu said without hesitation.

"That's fine then..."

Ashura nodded: "Mount Myoboku and Ryuchi Cave are willing to support those who speak reason..."

"So, how can I reverse this current decline?"

Huang Tu immediately asked for advice.

"Follow the example of the United Corporation, rule over but not govern the southern part of the Land of Earth; the quality of the ninja army should be prioritized over its quantity, and a limit of two thousand is just right."

Ashura said.

"...Then, how should we deal with the rioters from various factions in the counties?"

Huang Tu was very tempted, but on the surface he seemed to have some reservations: "Behind them... especially the reformists among the mob, there are shadows of the shogunate..."

"Once peace is restored, we can hold a general election and vote them out."

Ashura chuckled, "As for how to manipulate the votes, I think it shouldn't be too difficult with ninja methods, right?"

Is this appropriate?

At this point, Huang Tu became somewhat hesitant, wondering if he could erect another memorial archway.

"Is it inappropriate?"

After Ashura finished speaking, he stood up and prepared to leave.

"It's definitely suitable!"

Seeing this, Huang Tu felt there was nothing to hesitate about.

As for whether using Ryuchi Cave and Myoboku Mountain as aid would have any impact on the village, he didn't care at the moment.

These can be considered after Iwagakure's reforms have achieved certain results.

"I'll travel around the various prefectures and, while I'm at it, make contact with the leaders of the local rioters and those rebellious ninjas..."

Before leaving, Ashura added one more sentence.

"Take care, Mr. Ashura..."

Huang Tu nodded, saying it nonchalantly.

Although fighting for power and profit is shameful, Huang Tu is still willing to bear some infamy for the sake of the new Iwagakure in his heart.

……

As the situation gradually eased, the mobs in the southern counties began to subside.

Under the leadership of some visionary leaders, the reconstruction of roads and bridges in some areas also began.

But the mob still did not give up their fragile armaments, and all sorts of metal weapons were still tightly held in their hands.

But what puzzled Ashura the most was that the legendary "Rebellious Iwagakure" had never been found.

Left with no other choice, Ashura hypnotized a mob leader and learned that the "Hidden Rock Warriors" were gathered in the southern mountains and, apart from demanding increased supplies from various places, did not move around outside the area.

"Perhaps it's to avoid any further retaliation from Iwagakure..."

Ashura felt he had found the key point and immediately ran in the direction the mob leader had pointed out.

However, things did indeed take some unexpected turns...

High in the southern mountains, Ashura, concealing himself, gazed solemnly at the "Rebel Iwagakure" who were in charge of the handover of supplies not far away.

Although he appeared to be just a carefree, nonchalant Iwagakure genin, Ashura sensed a faint but memorable aura emanating from him…

"It's a White Zetsu!"

Ashura never expected that the "rebellious Iwagakure" he had been longing for was actually the White Zetsu that had been wiped out in ancient times!

These are Grandma's soldiers!

Ashura felt a chill run down his spine. He looked up at the moon several times to make sure it was real before gradually calming down.

The seal hasn't been broken yet! How did these White Zetsu get here?!

Ashura silently retreated to the rear, summoned the gourd toad of Mount Myōboku, hid inside its belly, and controlled the gourd toad to hop deeper into the mountains.

As they ventured deeper into the mountains, Asura, hiding inside the frog's belly, grew increasingly uneasy.