There are countless examples like Obito and Kakashi throughout the Hidden Cloud Village.
Even before the family upgrades, Uchiha clan shinobi were already top-tier within their squads. Now, with the clan-specific boosts, their strength had leapt forward by bounds.
That change made Cloud Village shinobi green with envy.
No wonder the great Uchiha family of the shinobi world— their power increases at a terrifying rate.
The Uchiha themselves wore proud faces and secretly reveled. They had the clan head's backing—go ahead and envy them.
——
——
Days passed, and the shinobi world quieted down once more.
Just as everyone settled into a peaceful routine, a sudden piece of news spread across the entire shinobi world.
The Third Kazekage…
had gone missing!
Sunagakure's shinobi went frantic, scouring for intelligence across the lands like madmen.
But in the end, they found no clue.
For a time, every eye in the shinobi world turned toward Sunagakure, waiting to see what the sand village would do next.
When Yuzuru Uchiha got the news, the Third Raikage had already rushed back from Sunagakure.
At the Raikage Tower, Yuzuru looked at the Third Raikage and asked, "Third, what did you do in Sunagakure?"
The Third Raikage smiled. "Sunagakure's Kazekage disappeared, right? I went to gather intel and found their village in chaos."
"I figured I might take advantage of the situation and grab a few children with kekkei genkai, but I failed."
"That sand hellhole—there aren't as many kekkei genkai shinobi there as in our village."
Hearing the Third Raikage's words, Yuzuru was uncharacteristically serious: "Third Raikage, if you want to take any action, you'd better discuss it with me in advance."
"You've seen the situation in the Sand Village after the Third Kazekage went missing. I don't want the Cloud Village to repeat the Sand Village's mistakes."
According to the timeline, the Third Raikage had once led a raid on Iwagakure during the Third Ninja War, walked into Ōnoki's trap, and was held down by ten thousand Iwa shinobi—fighting until he died from exhaustion after three days and nights. Although his time-crossing caused considerable butterfly effects, many events continued to repeat.
Yuzuru didn't fully understand how strong fate's corrective force could be. If the Third Raikage slipped off to stir trouble in Iwa unannounced, any accident would be catastrophic.
Seeing Yuzuru's serious look, the Third Raikage scratched his head. "Yuzuru, I'm confident in my strength. Few in the shinobi world can threaten me."
Yuzuru shook his head. "No. As a Kage, you must pay attention to your own safety."
Pressed by Yuzuru's insistence, the Third Raikage finally nodded. "I understand."
Only then did Yuzuru ask, "So why did you call me here?"
The Third Raikage's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Yuzuru, Sunagakure lost their Kazekage —why don't we take the chance to stir up some trouble in their village?"
Yuzuru chuckled lightly. "Sunagakure's not worth the effort. If we're going to do something, let's hit Konoha."
At the mention of Konoha, the Third Raikage's eyes brightened. The last compensation from Konoha had nearly been spent—now was a good time to shake them down again.
"So shall we march on Konoha now?" he asked with a grin.
"Not yet." Yuzuru shook his head. "With our strength, we can just sit back and reap the benefits."
As time passed, calls for battle within the clan grew louder and louder.
Yuzuru didn't plan to force them to stay in the village—this was a perfect chance to train the troops properly.
After all, the Uchiha grow stronger with every fight.
——
——
Sunagakure.
The Kazekage's office.
With the Third Kazekage missing, Chiyo had temporarily assumed its duties and acted as Sunagakure's temporary supreme leader.
She stared at the mountain of reports on her desk, her expression tangled.
On the day the Third Kazekage vanished, her grandson had also disappeared.
Was it a coincidence, or was it connected to Sasori—the child called 'Scorpion'…?
Chiyo dared not think further.
If the disappearance was related to Sasori, he would be in grave danger.
She had to divert the village's attention quickly; otherwise, if people linked the two incidents, Sasori would face endless persecution.
Thinking this, Chiyo ordered an Anbu curtly, "Bring Ebizo, Rasa, and Pakura here."
"Yes!"
Not long after the Anbu left, the three arrived at the Kazekage's office.
Chiyo cut straight to the point. "I suspect Konoha is involved in the Kazekage's disappearance. If we attack Konoha, we'll find clues about the Kazekage."
Ebizō, Rasa, and Pakura were all stunned.
After a moment, Pakura couldn't help speaking: "Lady Chiyo, I think Cloud Village is the most suspicious."
Chiyo glanced at Pakura. "Explain."
"Because of Yuzuru Uchiha," Pakura organized his thoughts. "I heard the Uchiha could leave Konoha back then because of Yuzuru's Mangekyō Sharingan."
"Only he could make a Kazekage vanish from his village without a trace. He's the prime suspect."
Chiyo nodded but didn't reply. Instead she turned to Rasa. "Rasa, what do you think?"
Rasa answered expressionlessly: "Cloud Village is too far away; Yuzuru has no reason to act so far. If our village is in turmoil, the biggest beneficiary is Konoha."
"So…I agree with your suggestion."
After Rasa spoke, Chiyo looked at her younger brother.
Ebizō immediately said, "I also support an offensive against Konoha!"
Both Rasa and Ebizō understood clearly: Chiyo was using this opportunity to strike back at Konoha. After all, her son and daughter-in-law had once died at Konoha's hands.
Although Hatake Sakumo had already gone to Cloud Village, as Pakura said, Cloud Village had Yuzuru stationed there. Even if he were responsible, they would have to act as if they didn't know.
Since overthrowing the daimyo, Sunagakure's coffers had never been short—both manpower and shinobi strength had increased significantly.
Konoha was weakened now; if not seize the opportunity, when would they?
Only profit is an eternal law.
"All right!" Chiyo slammed the table. "It's decided. Prepare at once."
"Sunagakure declares war on Konoha!"