Start with a Zanpakuto and build the strongest Mist Village

Originally, Obito was full of confidence. In his view, he was now a living Six Paths, and even if Mizuki Yoru was powerful, he would definitely be able to stand shoulder to shoulder with him after completing the ritual.

However, Shisui's appearance completely shattered Obito's dream of the Six Paths. If the Gedo Mazo hadn't blocked his way, he might have been defeated by Shisui alone!

If even Uchiha Shisui possessed such strength, how powerful must Minazuki Yoru himself be?

Obito's fear of night resurfaced.

"How is the situation at the front?" To prevent the fear of Minazuki Yoru from resurfacing in his mind, Obito deliberately changed the subject, trying to divert his attention.

"It's a bit difficult."

White Zetsu gathered his thoughts: "Each unit of the Allied Shinobi Forces is led by a Shinigami captain, and the people from Sunagakure and Iwagakure are no match for them. The situation on the entire battlefield... we can even describe it as a complete rout."

Obito fell silent.

In fact, he had foreseen this situation.

Obito had only released Sunagakure and Iwagakure to attract attention, but their swift defeat was still hard for him to accept.

"But there's one thing you might be concerned about."

"It seems that a mysterious force has appeared on the battlefield. While we were fighting the Allied Shinobi Forces, they were constantly collecting the corpses of the defeated soldiers on the battlefield."

"Collecting the corpses?"

Obito frowned slightly: "The one from Mizukiyo?"

Obito had noticed that Minazuki Yoru had previously sent Shinigami to collect souls all over the world. Could it be that Minazuki Yoru sent out another Shinigami to collect souls this time?

No, that's not right. People from Mizukiyo usually use special instruments to collect souls and rarely interfere with corpses. This is why they can roam the ninja world collecting souls for a long time without being discovered.

“They shouldn’t be from Minazuki Yoru. The power they contain is chakra, not spiritual power,” White Zetsu explained. “Besides, they work secretly, hiding from the Shinigami. The corpses they choose are all bloodline limit users, which is somewhat similar to Orochimaru back then.”

When Orochimaru was with Akatsuki, he often asked White Zetsu to help him capture bloodline limit users in order to find enough experimental materials.

But now Orochimaru has joined Minazuki Yoru's ranks, and he's deliberately avoiding the Shinigami, which is quite interesting.

"How strong are they?"

"Very strong."

"Oh?" Obito looked at White Zetsu with some surprise, seemingly taken aback by the description of 'very strong'.

"They clashed with the Allied Shinobi Forces while collecting the corpses, and their strength is formidable... at least no weaker than the Akatsuki back then." White Zetsu, searching through the information obtained from the spores, said in a deep voice, "But many of them have very special combat techniques, or rather, are familiar with..."

"Familiar?" Obito became interested. "What do you mean?"

"Some of them are using the Earthly Grudge Technique!"

"what?!"

……

Meanwhile, Konoha.

The Fourth Shinobi World War was raging, and Konoha, as one of the Allied Shinobi Forces, also dispatched a large number of combat forces to the front lines.

However, in order to ensure that the Uchiha clan incident would not happen again and to protect his village, Fugaku Uchiha, as the Hokage, did not go to the front line, but instead, like the Raikage, defended the village on Konoha's home ground.

"Everyone is aware of the situation on the front lines. In order to prevent a repeat of what happened in the Uchiha clan's territory last time, we must set up warning devices in every part of the village."

Inside the Hokage's office, Fugaku Uchiha spoke in a deep voice: "Not only that, we also need to send some troops to the battlefield in the Land of Grass in the east. Is there anyone who would like to volunteer?"

Everyone present remained silent.

Even though the current war situation is completely in favor of the Allied Shinobi Forces, a battlefield is a battlefield.

After a series of major events, the number of people from the various ninja clans in Konoha was already pitifully small. A batch had already been transferred out when the war started, and now another batch needs to be transferred out.

If nothing goes wrong, that's fine. But if something really happens, what will happen to the future of their ninja clan?

Moreover, this war is different from the past. When the allied forces fight, the rewards for merit are all handled by the Grim Reapers of Kirigakure. Unlike before, when the more people they sent out, the more benefits they received.

They naturally didn't want to do something that was thankless and exhausting.

Looking at the silent crowd, Fugaku's expression turned grim. Just as he was about to say something, a sudden voice rang out.

"As Hokage, why doesn't the Fifth Hokage set an example?"

Danzo, half-wrapped in bandages and deliberately disguised, pushed open the door and stared intently at Fugaku, or rather, at the Hokage position beneath Fugaku.

"As long as the Fifth Hokage sets an example and sends the strongest and most skilled members of the Uchiha clan there, the men of my Shimura clan will naturally not back down."

"But if someone wants to send our clan's young talents to the battlefield as cannon fodder..." Ignoring the astonishment of his colleagues and the ugly look in Uchiha Fugaku's eyes, Shimura Danzo declared loudly, "I, Shimura Danzo, am the first to disagree!"

Danzo, you!

Fugaku let out a low growl, his face extremely grim.

In the past, as the Hokage, he would naturally set an example. In addition, the Uchiha clan has a deep foundation, so it would be no problem for a strong member of the clan to lead a group of people as captains.

Not only can you gain prestige, but you can also take the initiative in the distribution of benefits.

However, due to Obito's actions, the Uchiha clan was reduced to less than a dozen members.

In addition, to protect his son and godson, Fugaku sent half of them to Kirigakure.

Even if the remaining people are all skilled members of the Uchiha clan and have strong abilities, they are all meant to carry on the Uchiha lineage in the future. If they die on the battlefield, wouldn't the Uchiha clan be extinct?

Danzo is absolutely certain that there aren't many Uchiha left!

Fugaku was somewhat annoyed, but also a little puzzled.

It wasn't just because Danzo, whom he believed had already 'submitted,' had actually taken the initiative to jump out at this juncture.

Even more because.

He sensed an inexplicable strangeness emanating from Danzo in front of him...

Chapter 275 Fugaku, it's time for you to step down!

When Fugaku came to power, he did not carry out a major purge of the original Hokage power structure.

Firstly, after the impact of the war, only a few capable people remained in Konoha. It would definitely not work to remove all of these people and replace them with Uchiha people.

Secondly, Fugaku also wanted to use this method to reverse the 'Uchiha terror theory' that had been created in the minds of the people of Konoha during the Second and Third Hokage era.

Politics is the art of compromise, which is why Fugaku spared many people who were originally part of the Hokage lineage.

For example, the pig-deer-butterfly.

For example, there's Shimura Danzo, who's questioning me right now!

"Do you even know what you're saying, Danzo?!"

Fugaku roared with a gloomy face. He had not only spared Danzo back then, but also allowed him to retain his roots and continue to maintain his power in the Dark of the Ninja.

Given Danzo's personality, Fugaku knew he could not subdue Danzo. Therefore, from the beginning, Fugaku intended to sow discord between Shimura Danzo and Sarutobi Hiruzen, and also to use Shimura Danzo to demonstrate his own vision and ambition as the new Hokage.

If we could also gain Danzo's gratitude and submission, that would be even better.

But now that something has happened, Danzo not only didn't stand on his side, but dared to jump out and refute him like this!

“I know exactly what I’m saying.”

Danzo spoke coldly and without expression, his tone leaving no room for doubt and unwavering: "As the head of the Shimura clan and a member of the Hokage Elder Council, I am responsible for the branches and saplings of this great tree, which is the root of this tree."

"You're saying I'm not responsible for Konoha?" Fugaku's voice suddenly rose a few decibels: "The battle on the front lines is intense right now. By joining the war to defend our homeland, aren't we protecting Konoha and those newly sprouted seedlings?"

"Then please set an example, Hokage!"

"you!"

Fugaku, dressed in the Hokage robe, looked extremely grim, while Shimura Danzo, gripping his cane, refused to budge an inch.

For a moment, the Hokage officials present were somewhat dazed, as if they had returned to the era of the Third Hokage's rule.

The Third Hokage often had arguments of this magnitude with Danzo, but the final result was always...

"All my policies are for Konoha, and all my thoughts and decisions are for our shared future!"

"Anyone can say nice things. Besides, the enemy is still in the Land of Grass. Where is the Third Army of the Allied Forces? Why is the Hokage in such a hurry?"

"The Third Army Corps is now surrounded by enemies on all sides, and the enemy numbers are numerous. If we do not reinforce our troops, the consequences will be irreversible if problems arise!"

"According to the intelligence from my Root organization, the Third Army is fully capable of stopping the enemy's attack. The Hokage is worried about the Land of Rain, which is adjacent to the Land of Grass," Danzo sneered. "Heh, when the Allied Forces defeated the Akatsuki, you, as the Hokage, voluntarily abandoned the interests of the Land of Rain. Now you want our Konoha ninjas to risk their lives for the interests of the Land of Rain. Are you the Hokage of Konoha or the second Hanzo of the Land of Rain?"

"Shimura Danzo!" Fugaku roared, "Watch your words! I am the Hokage!"

coming!

Upon hearing this, everyone present was shocked. The dialogue between the Hokage and the Dark Ninja, the canopy and roots of the great tree of Konoha, was about to unfold once again!

Unexpectedly, this time Danzo did not utter the same words as when facing Hiruzen Sarutobi, but instead slammed his cane to the ground with a furious expression.

"You who betrayed Konoha's interests, do you even deserve to be the shadow of this towering tree?!"

"what?!"

Everyone present was stunned, even Fugaku was somewhat bewildered.

His initial bewilderment turned into anger, then into shame and rage. The surge of emotion even caused the three tomoe in Fugaku's eyes to appear as he stared intently at Danzo.

Am I being too gentle with you, or are you just going through a rebellious phase?

"Shimura Danzo, do you even know what you're saying?!"

"Does the Hokage think I'm being controlled by genjutsu? Indeed, the Uchiha clan is adept at using Sharingan genjutsu to control people. The Third Mizukage, the Fourth Kazekage, and... the Nine-Tails."

A hint of amusement flickered in Danzo's eyes. Ignoring Fugaku's murderous glare, he sneered, "I've always been curious, Uchiha Fugaku. I've reviewed the development of Konoha since you took office, including the ninja, economy, and people's livelihood. Almost all of Konoha's local businesses and enterprises bear the mark of Kirigakure. Eight or nine out of ten taverns, barbecue restaurants, and izakayas in Konoha are run by merchants from Kirigakure..."

"House prices in Konoha keep rising, but how many ordinary ninja in Konoha own a house? The real estate tycoons are all from Kirigakure!"

"Fugaku, Konoha's economy has indeed developed since you took office, but who really profits—the people of Konoha or the people of Kirigakure? As Hokage, are you truly the Hokage of Konoha or the Hokage of Kirigakure!"

"enough!"

"not enough!"

Danzo Shimura roared, "I don't care about your implementation of the spiritual energy transformation of all ninjas. This is the trend of the entire ninja world. Even if there are hidden methods of Mizuki Yoru in it, there's nothing we can do about it."

"But you shouldn't completely let Kirigakure run rampant or even indulge them, handing over all the benefits that originally belonged to Konoha to Kirigakure!"

"I didn't!" Fugaku roared. "Konoha was in dire need of rebuilding after the war, and it was only with Kirigakure's help that it was able to recover so quickly. Everyone here knows that."

"Just like Sunagakure..."

"Is that so?" Danzo sneered. "But how did I get the information that it was you, Uchiha Fugaku, who was transferring everything, attempting to steal the sky and change the sun?"

"What do you mean?"

"Stealing the sky and changing the sun?"

"I smell a conspiracy."

"Elder Danzo, please stop talking nonsense. No matter what, the Fifth Hokage is still the Hokage..."

"The Hokage who betrayed Konoha's interests and attempted to overthrow the village?"

Danzo spoke coldly, glanced around at the Konoha high-ranking Jonin present, and amidst their astonished and hesitant expressions, took out a scroll and handed it to Mitokado Homura, who was closest to him.

Mitomon Homura glanced at Danzo with some doubt, then opened the scroll and began to examine it.

With just one glance, the Hokage's assistant stared wide-eyed at Danzo, his face filled with disbelief and shock.

"Danzo, what... what is this...?"

"These were all collected by the Root at great personal risk," Danzo said slowly, while gesturing for Mitomon Homura to hand the scroll to the other high-ranking members beside him.

The other high-ranking officials took the scroll with suspicion and examined it. Their faces were filled with shock, and the way they looked at Fugaku changed.

"How could this be? There are actually some in Kirigakure..."

"They've even formed a new ninja clan..."

"Fifth Generation, you...sigh..."

The complex expressions in the eyes of the crowd left Fugaku somewhat bewildered. After all the high-ranking officials had finished reviewing the scroll, it was passed back to Danzo, who then slammed it onto the Hokage's desk in front of Fugaku.

"Fugaku, I know the tragedy that happened to the Uchiha clan is very painful for you, but you should never have done such a thing as betraying the village and the country."

"The Uchiha are one of the two great ninja clans that founded Konoha. They are the cornerstone and an indispensable part of Konoha. Even the title of Hokage was given by their ancestor, Uchiha Madara."

"As the head of the Uchiha clan and the Fifth Hokage of Konoha, instead of thinking about how to develop Konoha and the Uchiha clan, you actually leaked the Uchiha clan, which belonged to Konoha, to Kirigakure. As a result, Kirigakure now also has the Uchiha clan, an entire ninja clan!"

Danzo, his face contorted with rage, pointed at the contents of the scroll and launched into a tirade of abuse at Fugaku.