Chapter 166: Minato and Kushina Resurrected!
Uchiha Compound.
The smell of blood and dust still lingered. Hiruzen Sarutobi's wrinkled face was now as warm as a spring breeze.
"Members of the Uchiha clan," his voice was gentle, filled with the "benevolence" of an elder. "Konoha also bears responsibility for the tragedy of the past."
"I promise here and now, to make amends to the Uchiha, and for the future of Konoha—" Hiruzen paused, his gaze sweeping over faces filled with expectation, numbness, or wariness. "The Konoha Council will establish a permanent seat for the Uchiha clan!"
A murmur rippled through the crowd. A council seat? That was one of the true cores of power in Konoha!
"Not only that. Konoha will reallocate land to the Uchiha clan. Its scale and resources will be no less than that of the Hyuga clan."
"Konoha will bear the full cost of all losses caused by this conflict and help you rebuild your homes and restore your businesses."
"In commerce and trade, the Uchiha clan will enjoy priority preferential policies within Konoha."
"For Uchiha clansmen who sincerely support Konoha and are willing to contribute to the village, Konoha will grant honorary titles and certain privileges!"
Every condition was like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, creating ripples. Hiruzen's every word struck the most fragile nerves of the majority of the Uchiha clansmen.
He knew the Uchiha too well. This clan seemed proud, but was weak inside. Faced with absolute benefits and survival, they crumbled easily. When Madara was slightly defeated back then, the Uchiha had knelt and surrendered en masse. Their care for clan glory and titles was mostly lip service; they didn't truly value it in their hearts.
They craved privilege, comfort, and recognition. Konoha's previous exclusion and suppression had driven them to a dead end, which led to the coup. But dogs were dogs, after all. Now, throwing them a few bones, giving them a seemingly bright way out, a path to live "decently," perhaps even better than before…
Hiruzen's lips curled into an almost imperceptible smile.
Most of the Uchiha fell silent. They had seen the stalemate between the Clan Head and the clan's greatest genius, Shisui. They felt the prickling threat of Konoha's high-end combat power that hadn't even joined the fray yet. And the benefits promised by the Third Hokage were so tempting. A council seat, land comparable to the Hyuga, commercial privileges, honorary citizenship—these were treatments they hadn't dared dream of in the past.
The fear of death, the desire for a stable life, and the servility ingrained in their bones—all these emotions intertwined, rapidly eroding the fire of vengeance they had just ignited.
"We've already… died once…" a hoarse voice rose from the crowd. "Can't you see?"
"Clan Head Fugaku… the situation is against us…"
"Yes, the Hokage has promised so much…"
"Can we… can we really fight the entire village?"
"Those children… the injured clansmen… they need treatment!"
One by one… More and more Uchiha clansmen's eyes began to waver. They looked at the still-standing crimson Susanoo with complex expressions. Fear, hesitation, and even a hint of… impatience.
They wanted to live. And they wanted to live better than before.
Finally, a trembling Uchiha clansman stepped out of the crowd. He was injured, his face full of the terror of surviving a disaster. He bowed deeply to Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"Lord Hokage—I—on behalf of my family, I am willing to accept your conditions! We Uchiha will always be a part of Konoha!"
His words were like toppling the first domino.
"We are willing too!"
"The Hokage is merciful!"
"Please save our children!"
More and more Uchiha expressed their stance, some even turning to persuade those who were still hesitating.
"Don't be stupid! Are we really going to die again for Clan Head Fugaku alone?"
"Wasn't this what we planned to do anyway? The Clan Head only did it because of the situation and us…"
"Are you crazy?! Shut up! We—we were just led astray!"
"It was the Clan Head who indulged us! He didn't guide us properly!"
"Better a live dog than a dead lion!"
"We had many problems ourselves! Lord Hokage, we will correct them properly!"
Inside the crimson Susanoo, Fugaku listened to these familiar yet strange voices. His heart felt like it had fallen into an ice cavern. He saw the clansmen who had once followed him now scrambling to show their "loyalty" to Hiruzen.
He remembered the night of the massacre. The despairing eyes, the unwilling roars. Had they forgotten?
"You—"
"Have you forgotten how the compound was bathed in blood?"
"Have you forgotten how your families were slaughtered by Konoha's blades?"
"Hiruzen Sarutobi's promises are poison to quench thirst! What he gives you today, he can take back tomorrow, with interest!"
However, the response was the silence and evasion of more clansmen. Only a few who had lost their closest kin in the battle, or whose hatred for Konoha was bone-deep, along with a few who truly saw the future, still stood silently behind Fugaku.
But the majority had made their choice. Supporting their injured relatives, they walked haltingly toward the human wall formed by Konoha ninja. Konoha medical-nin immediately stepped forward to "kindly" administer treatment.
Some Uchiha even turned back to look at Fugaku, their expressions complicated.
"Clan Head… you should surrender too…"
"The Third is merciful… you will surely be forgiven…"
"For the glory and future of the Uchiha… please stop being stubborn…"
That servile posture, that "sincere" persuasion. Fugaku suddenly wanted to laugh. Laugh at the stupidity of these clansmen, laugh at his own pathetic state.
He thought of Madara Uchiha, who was once high-spirited and tried to change the clan's fate. When Madara lost to the First Hokage, how the Uchiha knelt and begged Hashirama for mercy without hesitation. How they didn't want their own clansman to be Hokage, how they abandoned Madara who wanted to save them.
History was so similar. These clansmen had already knelt spiritually before Hiruzen. So-called glory, so-called revenge, were worthless in the face of the desire to live.
Fugaku took a deep breath, the light of the crimson Susanoo dimming slightly. He knew the tide had turned. Staying here meant either accepting Hiruzen's "amnesty" in humiliation and becoming new puppets, or being completely exterminated.
"Hiruzen Sarutobi." Fugaku's voice calmed, but carried a finality. "Since most of the clan has chosen to believe in your 'goodwill' and stay in Konoha… then I request that you let those of us who 'don't know the times' leave. We will stay far away from Konoha and never step foot in the Land of Fire again."
Hearing this, Hiruzen maintained his compassionate expression. "Fugaku, why be so absolute? Konoha is forever your home. I believe as long as we talk openly, we can find a solution that works for everyone. Don't be in such a hurry to decide."
Shisui also stepped forward, his eyes filled with "sincere" persuasion. "Clan Head Fugaku, the Hokage truly wants to give the Uchiha a chance! Please reconsider! Do not disappoint the Hokage's painstaking efforts!"
Fugaku snorted coldly and said no more. He keenly sensed that the surrounding Root, Anbu, and clan ninja had inadvertently tightened the encirclement around their remaining few dozen people. The faint killing intent licked at their skin.
Hiruzen Sarutobi had no intention of letting them leave!
Fugaku's heart sank. He looked at the resolute followers beside him, calculating rapidly. Leading these people to fight their way out of Konoha—what were the odds? And after escaping? How many would be left?
…
Konoha Village, inside Naruto Uzumaki's simple home.
Slurp— Naruto was slurping cup noodles loudly, the rich broth splattering everywhere. He picked up a noodle and offered it to the small white creature beside him.
"Here, Kyubey, you have one too!"
Kyubey took the noodle and nibbled on it. The human and the beast had been communicating for some time.
Suddenly!
A blinding light erupted from Naruto! Along with his light, two soft glowing orbs appeared out of thin air in front of him, slowly coalescing. Within the light, two blurry but recognizable silhouettes were gradually becoming clear.
One tall and upright, with dazzling blonde hair.
One gentle and beautiful, with hair like fire.
Minato Namikaze.
Kushina Uzumaki.
They were being granted new life.