"Thank you for your support, Uchiha clan's chieftain. The Uchiha Clan has always been known for its powerful fighting strength. Using such strength against relatively weaker opponents like the Sand-nin from the Land of Wind would be somewhat excessive.
We should focus our efforts on more significant battlefields and allow the prestige of the Uchiha Clan to shine across wider frontiers." Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke slowly; his tone carried a sense of calmness but also radiated undeniable authority.
As soon as he finished speaking, he did not give Shiyu Uchiha any chance to respond, as if everything had already been planned out in advance. He turned to face Orochimaru and said, "Orochimaru, I'll entrust the Sand-nin matter to you. What do you think? I will send Tsunade to assist you to ensure the mission's success."
Orochimaru had clearly made meticulous preparations in advance. His hoarse voice now sounded particularly deep and magnetic: "Understood, Master. I will fulfill your trust and complete the mission by crushing the Sand-nin.
However, I'm well aware of how important this mission is. I'll need some capable personnel to assist me. After all, the Sand-nin are no pushovers—they possess unique techniques and unyielding willpower. We must give it our all to face them properly."
After Orochimaru finished speaking, Tsunade added, "I understand. I'll support Orochimaru well. You can rest assured, old man."
As one of Third Hokage's most favored disciples, Orochimaru's own abilities were truly remarkable. His mastery of Snake-style Ninjutsu, Composite Ninjutsu, and in-depth studies of various Kinjutsu made him stand out in the ninja world.
Moreover, with his talent and relentless effort, he was one of the top candidates considered most likely to become the Fourth Hokage of Konoha—one destined to become the Fourth Hokage of Konoha. Even Jiraiya and Tsunade, the other two Sannin, would wholeheartedly support him.
Therefore, when he requested assistance, many stood up immediately to express their willingness to follow him. Their eyes gleamed with determination, as if declaring their unwavering trust and support for Orochimaru.
Then Hiruzen Sarutobi continued addressing Orochimaru: "How about having the Nara, Akimichi, and Yamanaka Clans follow you, Orochimaru? What do you think?"
"Thank you, Master. In addition to the elite clan forces from these three clans, I will also require 5,000 ninjas to depart with me," Orochimaru replied. Hiruzen nodded in agreement—the request hadn't exceeded his expectations.
Meanwhile, the chieftains of the Nara, Akimichi, and Yamanaka Clans exchanged glances, feeling unsurprised inwardly. They understood that as Konoha's direct vassals—serving under the Hokage's legitimate leadership—supporting his disciple, one destined to become the Fourth Hokage of Konoha, was only natural and appropriate.
Although joining Orochimaru meant they would inevitably be sucked into countless conflicts and perils, as families of Konoha, they had no choice. Whether going here or being deployed elsewhere, following Orochimaru was actually a better option. Most importantly, building good relations with the future Fourth Hokage mattered more than anything else.
Just as Hiruzen Sarutobi was about to speak again, Shiyu Uchiha cut in with a joking tone, "Hokage-sama, which border line are you planning to send my clan to? I need to prepare in advance. Surely you won't send the Uchiha to fight Kirigakure at sea, will you? We aren't skilled in Water Release, and our signature Fire Release techniques are easily countered by Water Release techniques."
A ninja's strength is deeply tied to their surroundings, where environmental factors can have a decisive impact. Take fighting at sea as an example; when using Fire Release against raging torrents of Water Release techniques, even if both sides possess equal strength, the one using fire techniques would inevitably end up defeated.
In some cases, even against two equally matched foes, terrain advantages can allow one ninja to prevail alone.
As for Shiyu Uchiha, after repeatedly reviewing the original plot where the Uchiha Clan was sent to fight against the mist ninja, there was no way he could fail to notice the hidden scheme of manipulating one side to eliminate the other. The Uchiha Clan in the original story might have agreed to this for various reasons, but now the one in power was Shiyu Uchiha, and he absolutely would not consent to such an arrangement.
Right after he finished speaking, the F4 beside him [Konoha's Inner Council] simultaneously cursed inwardly. Actually, all of them shared the same thoughts deep inside—they hadn't even had the chance to propose their originally fairly confident plan before it was stillborn.
Hiruzen slightly frowned, helplessness flickering in his eyes. He deeply understood that although Shiyu's words had carried a joking tone, they clearly reflected the Uchiha Clan's concerns regarding this mission assignment.
He slowly replied, "Shiyu, this isn't a randomly assigned mission—it was carefully weighed based on all current threats and strategic needs. Right now, we're facing pressure from multiple directions, and every decision we make affects the entire Ninja World's security.
Your Uchiha Clan possesses unique advantages in battle, whether it's those blazing flames or sharpened Insight—it's precisely these abilities that can play crucial roles at critical moments.
As for the specific border line you'll be dispatched to, further discussion and evaluation are still needed. I'll ensure fairness and reasonableness as much as possible, letting every clan shoulder their due responsibilities." Saying this, he lightly sighed, as if the weight of responsibility on his shoulders had just grown heavier.
Yet precisely because Shiyu Uchiha had directly brought up this idea, they now felt hesitation. They dared not easily show their approval openly in front of everyone. After all, as Hokage, Hiruzen's every action was under close scrutiny. If he made such an obviously unwise decision in front of everyone, it undoubtedly would trigger a massive uproar.
Whether a person is truly capable of holding the Hokage title, especially when facing complicated issues like handling the Uchiha Clan—this truly was a major question worth deep consideration.
Hiruzen had always held a suppressing attitude toward the Uchiha Clan—this fact was beyond doubt. However, he'd never considered using his position as Hokage to achieve such suppression. His sole purpose was to make his Hokage status more stable, preventing it from being shaken by other forces.
This mindset revealed both his cunning strategies and the limits of his influence, rooted in his lack of personal strength when dealing with inter-clan affairs.
For Shiyu Uchiha, recognizing this reality was non-negotiable—he had to find a path that could break this deadlock. Otherwise, the fate of the Uchiha Clan would remain mired in crisis.
Hiruzen Sarutobi, as Hokage, had to uphold his reputation. But Danzo Shimura couldn't have cared less—as though those words were just a breeze, barely stirring the surface of his thoughts. Over the past two years, Shiyu Uchiha and Danzo had already clashed numerous times—each encounter igniting like sparks from clashing swords, charged with hostility.
<><><><><><><><>
Thank you for reading! Your support will keep me updating!
~ Every 50 Powerstones = **4 Bonus Chapters** this weekend!
<><><><><><><><>
Want to read the subsequent content in advance?
Please follow my Patreon:patreon/Tansnovel
Tans Novel - The Fastest-Updating Naruto Fanfiction Account
Read 100+ chapters in advance, with at least 3 new chapters updated every day! More free chapters! 20+ Naruto fanfictions!
Just three steps:
1. Download and open the "Patreon" app
2. Search for "Tans Novel"
3. Click on the collection and enjoy to your heart's content
<><><><><><><><>