Uchiha's personal opinion

"As you wish..."

The priestess Risa immediately bowed and said to Ashura, "Honored guest, please follow me..."

Although Ashura was somewhat resistant, he had no choice but to step inside.

"Oh, right, there are a few more things I'd like to talk to you about..."

After Ashura stepped over the threshold, he suddenly turned around and said.

"Let's talk about it tomorrow!"

Uchiha Tokumitsu left in a huff, saying something rather irritatingly.

So crazy!

Being disturbed so early in the morning is one thing, since it's business, but Uchiha Makoto is still in bed waiting! Only someone with a screw loose would chatter nonsense with a dimwit at this hour!

Chapter 431 Adapting to Changes

The news that Ashura had volunteered to join them was completely silenced by Uchiha Tokumitsu.

As for the evacuation at the time, it was covered up under the guise of a special police exercise. Even Sakumo Hatake only received a joint notification sent by Tokumitsu Uchiha, which was the shogunate's pardon order for the former top-level wanted criminal Ashura—the announcement period was two months later.

Sakumo Hatake naturally understood the meaning behind this matter, and then destroyed the document in front of Shisui Uchiha, who had come to deliver it, without making any further comments.

"That's fine then..."

Uchiha Tokumitsu was not surprised by Hatake Sakumo's reaction.

"Has the special reconnaissance unit set off?"

"The first team has already set off, and the second team is ready and will be able to set off in about three hours."

Uchiha Shisui immediately replied, "Currently, we are just waiting for the final verification of the Sage Chakra Immunity Pill provided by Dean Orochimaru. Everything else is fine."

"First team..."

Uchiha Tokumitsu pondered for a moment, then looked somewhat dejected.

The first ninja unit that set out was essentially a decoy, using their bodies to step on landmines and create confusion; while the second reconnaissance unit was there to confirm the location of Mount Myōboku and conduct targeted research.

"Their families will learn of their sacrifice ten years from now..."

Uchiha Shisui couldn't help but say, "Moreover, their sacrifice was worthwhile."

"...There aren't that many things worthwhile in this world. It's just that the price is high enough and the shogunate's prestige is overwhelming."

Uchiha Tokumitsu shook his head. "From now on, there won't be so many loyal ninjas, even willing to die for their cause, among those recruited from various ninja villages..."

Uchiha Shisui did not speak, but simply stood to the side with his hands at his sides.

"This time, the leader of the Grass Ninja clan suffered the greatest loss. Let the United Company give him an extra bonus."

After a long while, Uchiha Tokumitsu finally spoke softly.

The first special reconnaissance team heading to Mount Myōboku came from a diverse background, including not only Uchiha clan members and Konoha ninjas, but also loyal ninja soldiers carefully selected from the shogunate's direct forces, such as Kirigakure, Kusagakure, and Amegakure.

Their official mission is to explore the wild world beyond the ninja world continent according to the shogunate's latest "exploration order," and to try to establish supply points and transit stations along the way as bases for subsequent "exploration teams."

Perhaps, apart from the Uchiha clansman who led the team, the first team of ninjas might never know the true objective of their mission until their deaths, and might only regret not being able to send the location of the legendary and terrifying Myoboku Mountain back to the Shogunate to tell their most admired lord.

"The ocean exploration team is also ready, but they still need your authorization, teacher..."

"Uchiha Shisui said cautiously."

"...Let me see."

Uchiha Tokumitsu casually picked up the documents on the table and began to read them quickly.

Three days have passed since Ashura came to join them, and during these three days, Uchiha Tokumitsu has shown no unusual behavior. However, yesterday he suddenly issued an "exploration order" whose details were known only to the most core members. He has been indulging in the gentle embrace woven by Uchiha Makoto ever since.

Even some Uchiha clan members who were unaware of the situation began to feel worried, believing that their lord had become addicted to sex and had developed a taste for it, which was an ominous sign!

In order to cover up the dispatched "exploration team", Uchiha Tokumitsu also ordered the Fubo Castle Naval Command to organize a fleet to sail to the East China Sea for exploration, under the pretext of searching for Kirigakure's Juzo, who had fled to the sea after his defeat.

Although they were a cover unit, they did a good job of making it look legitimate.

The Fubo City Naval Staff dispatched a total of ten ironclad battleships and ten ironclad cruisers to form a "Ten-Ten Fleet," and the full load of ammunition supplies could support a long-distance voyage without resupply for up to a year.

"That's fine then..."

After briefly reviewing the fleet organization report, Uchiha Tokumitsu signed his name on the report and left a mark bearing chakra characteristics.

"Go and handle it immediately..."

"As ordered!"

Uchiha Shisui immediately stamped his foot and bowed, then vanished in an instant.

……

Are there any documents that haven't been approved yet?

Uchiha Tokumitsu quickly finished processing the pile of documents that had accumulated from his infatuation with Makoto over the past few days. He then shook the bell on the table and summoned a servant ninja to ask him a question.

"The government affairs report is no longer available."

The attendant ninja said respectfully, "However, there are some rather special cases..."

Where are you from? Not here?

Uchiha Tokumitsu raised an eyebrow; there were no files or reports on his desktop.

"It's a souvenir sent from the shrine."

The attendant ninja said, "It was reported by the High Priestess Risa..."

After saying this, the attendant ninja bowed and then took out several simple letters from under a table on the side and placed them in front of Uchiha Tokumitsu.

As everyone knows, Uchiha Tokumitsu has been spending the last few days with his fiancée Makoto. In addition, since the head priestess of Tokumitsu Shrine is a woman, he has consciously suppressed this "trivial" matter.

"I see."

Uchiha Tokumitsu nodded.

The attendant ninja bowed again and then carried out the processed government documents.

Uchiha Tokumitsu casually tore open the envelope and, as expected, it was Ashura, who was being held captive at the shrine, wanting to see him...

But since we have nothing else to do at the moment, let's meet up!

To be honest, Uchiha Tokumitsu was indeed quite interested in this ancestor who was still alive even after death.

Especially the secret technique that has enabled him to reincarnate for a thousand years!

……

"You've finally arrived!"

Ashura, who was standing in the side hall, breathed a sigh of relief when he saw Uchiha Tokumitsu slowly leading the group into the shrine.

Uchiha Tokumitsu nodded slightly to him, then gave a few instructions to the High Priestess Risa before walking alone into the main hall.

Ashura was somewhat surprised.

Through the window of the side hall, he could see Uchiha Tokumitsu, expressionless, casually pick up an incense stick in front of the hall, light it with chakra flames, and then perfunctorily raise the incense stick to his eyebrows and pray silently for a while before placing the incense stick in front of the statues of the Goddess of the Rabbit and the Uchiha ancestors.

The Sage of Six Paths has no share.

Ashura breathed a sigh of relief.

At least, their attitude is quite clear!

Ashura examined the statue of the Uchiha ancestor once more, confirming that its image was not that of his brother Indra.

Moreover, judging from the style of their clothing, they should be descendants of Indra.

"So what if your descendants are powerful... they still won't respect you!"

Ashura suddenly and inexplicably found some "confidence".

At this point, the Thousand Hands clan's various hair colors no longer bothered them so much.

"Speak up, what exactly do you want to say..."

Uchiha Tokumitsu slowly walked out of the main hall and said expressionlessly.

"...I can confirm that you are not the reincarnation of Indra."

Ashura was somewhat stunned. After staring at Uchiha Tokumitsu for a long time, he finally spoke softly.

"That's it?"

Uchiha Tokumitsu frowned deeply.

"Although I still don't know how you learned so many ancient secrets, I'm sure you know about my relationship with Indra, as well as the relationship between the one you didn't offer incense to in the main hall and the Goddess of the Rabbit."

Ashura ignored Uchiha Tokumitsu's reaction and continued, "But all of this is very illogical. Apart from the brief period after you first left Konoha, your actions and words are not like those of someone who grew up normally in the ninja world..."

"Where did you get this conclusion from?"

Uchiha Tokumitsu tilted his head, somewhat surprised.

As for why he gave people that feeling, Uchiha Tokumitsu thought it might be because he stopped pretending!

As for why others don't feel this way, it's because those in positions of power are inherently omniscient and omnipotent!

"This book!"

Ashura pulled a book out of his pocket.

Uchiha Tokumitsu took a closer look and almost burst out laughing—

The Sayings of De Guang (Refined and Gold-Bound Edition)

It is said to be the version with the most elaborate decorations, the most revised wording, and the most expensive price!

"To believe everything in books is worse than having no books at all..."

Uchiha Tokumitsu shook his head vigorously.

Now he was certain that Ashura was a complete idiot! He actually used such propaganda materials as evidence to support his judgment.

He actually thought that Asura had figured out his special abilities from some clues!

"...Isn't that wrong?"