Land of Wind, Village Hidden in the Sand.
News of the truce between Konoha, the Cloud, and the Mist quickly reached Kaito's desk.
"Heh, these old foxes really know how to see which way the wind blows. I was thinking the war wouldn't end so quickly."
Kaito sighed. "They'll probably turn their sights on us soon."
"Who told you to go and pull off something so earth-shattering out of the blue? They're all afraid of becoming the next Land of Earth," Ruri said with a soft laugh. "If they knew the Land of Wind had also fallen into our hands, I wonder what they would think?"
"They'd probably be scared to tears," Kaito lamented. "My fault, my fault for wanting to end the war too quickly. But who can blame me when war is so expensive? The Land of Rain isn't exactly wealthy, you know."
"Alright, the situation isn't as bad as you think."
Ruri comforted him, "Even if they want to stop the war, it's not something that can be resolved in a day or two. Politicians love to bicker. A joint attack on the Land of Rain is even less likely to happen quickly, because no one wants to be the one to stick their neck out and take the first hit."
"Ruri-nee, you're absolutely right!"
Kaito clapped his hands. "The most urgent task is to digest the resources we've seized from the Land of Earth and the Land of Wind as quickly as possible, including their shinobi. Once the integration is complete, and the five nations of Rain, Earth, Wind, Grass, and Rivers are united, we'll have nothing to fear from a coalition of the other three great nations."
"Besides, I could send people to sabotage their peace talks. But that's too much trouble, and I don't like it. Let them unite. It'll be more convenient for me to deal with them all at once."
In terms of personal strength, he wasn't afraid of a joint force of the Five Kage. He could probably pull a Madara and beat them half to death.
However, he was worried that if he went too far, the old man of the Six Paths floating in the sky would find it unsightly and intervene by creating a couple of overpowered freaks.
That would be very annoying.
"Then let's face them head-on and settle it once and for all!"
Kaito exclaimed, then coughed twice under Ruri's sparkling gaze. "The news about the Land of Wind shouldn't have leaked out, right? I have a plan. Listen to this."
"..."
"A truce..."
Fugaku Uchiha stared at the Mist Village's camp across from him, the images of his fallen comrades still vivid in his mind.
He clenched his fists, but after a moment, he relaxed them.
Even if he wanted revenge, he couldn't fight against the tide of the entire situation alone.
Fine. Since the Third Mizukage is dead, I'll spare the rest of you.
He turned and left without any lingering attachment.
Returning to Konoha with the rotating troops, Fugaku received bad news the moment he stepped through his door—the head of the clan was gravely ill.
"Damn it, when did this happen!"
Fugaku knelt beside Uchiha Tajima, looking at his father's pale, colorless face, and lowered his head grimly.
"Don't blame them. I was the one who told them not to tell you."
Uchiha Tajima's voice was weak and hoarse. Fugaku had to concentrate to hear him clearly.
"Fugaku, it's truly wonderful that you came back alive. The position of the next clan head is yours."
"Father, don't say such things. You'll get better," Fugaku said sorrowfully.
Uchiha Tajima just shook his head silently.
Seeing his father like this, Fugaku hesitated for a moment before saying, "On the battlefield, by some chance, my three-tomoe Sharingan seemed to have evolved into the Mangekyo Sharingan."
"What?!" Hearing this, Uchiha Tajima's eyes shot open. He grabbed Fugaku's sleeve and said urgently, "Are you telling the truth?!"
"Yes." Fugaku nodded and immediately activated his Mangekyo Sharingan.
Seeing the unique Sharingan in his son's eyes, Uchiha Tajima burst into hearty laughter. "Good, very good! Stop now. According to the ancient texts passed down through our clan, overusing the Mangekyo Sharingan's dojutsu will lead to loss of sight."
"Is that true?" Fugaku covered his eyes, which reverted to their original black color.
"Fugaku, help me up. I need to take you somewhere."
"Where?"
"The Naka Shrine."
Fugaku carried Uchiha Tajima on his back to the Naka Shrine, stopping before a stone tablet that was completely blank.
"It is said that this stone tablet is a treasure passed down from our ancestor, the Sage of Six Paths. The text on it can only be read with the Mangekyo Sharingan. This is information that has been passed down from clan head to clan head."
"A stone tablet from the Sage of Six Paths? Father, can I read it?"
"Go ahead. You are the next head of the Uchiha. You are the most qualified to read what is written on it."
"Alright."
His curiosity piqued, Fugaku immediately activated his Mangekyo Sharingan and looked at the stone tablet.
When he saw what was written on it, a storm raged in his heart, and his expression became incredibly grave.
"Fugaku, what's wrong? Is the record on it very bad?"
"Yes." Fugaku hesitated for a moment, but in the end, he told his father everything he had seen without reservation.
"So that's how it is..." Uchiha Tajima let out a long sigh. "I finally understand why our ancestor, Madara Uchiha, betrayed Konoha."
"Then what should we do?"
"What else can we do? Does activating that damned Infinite Tsukuyomi benefit our Uchiha clan in any way?"
Uchiha Tajima said in a low voice, "Madara Uchiha was wrong in the end. By placing his hope in this ethereal legend, he set himself against everyone in our shinobi world. The First Hokage's actions were the correct ones!"
"I agree."
"Remember, no matter the situation, you must ensure that the Uchiha clan receives the benefits it deserves."
Uchiha Tajima recalled a conversation he had with a young man several years ago and said to Fugaku, "If, by any chance, Konoha can no longer accommodate us Uchiha, then you should go find that Kaito. He will help us."
"Kaito?"
Fugaku wanted to ask more, but Uchiha Tajima suddenly grabbed his hand, his breathing becoming ragged. "Remember, no matter what happens, you must not let our Uchiha clan fall apart and our bloodline be severed!"
"Promise me, Fugaku!"
"Yes, Father, I promise you!"
"Good..." The last breath Uchiha Tajima had been holding onto dissipated, and he closed his eyes with a smile.
"Father!" Fugaku lowered his head, overcome with grief.
Several days later, Fugaku, wearing a black armband on his shoulder, came to the Memorial Stone. He looked at the densely packed names inscribed on it, silent.
After a long while, he walked to Sakumo Hatake's grave and placed a bouquet of flowers.
"I remember, you're from the Uchiha clan, right?"
Suddenly, a strange yet familiar voice sounded from beside him.
Fugaku turned his head and saw a delicate-looking boy with light blond hair.
"You are?"
"Nawaki. My name is Nawaki."