Chapter 330: A Gift Delivered to the Doorstep
"Oh, that's the Naka River! Now I'm on familiar ground. After all these years, this river hasn't changed at all!"
Izuna shaded his eyes while gazing at distant familiar scenery, expression brimming with emotion.
Yasushi raised his head, pointing at "birds" occasionally flying overhead:
"Those are the demonic creatures currently occupying Konoha Village. Called 'Enlightened Ones'—they can read minds, sense enemies' killing intent, and dodge preemptively. Quite agile."
"If we want reclaiming Konoha Village, we must first capture all these Enlightened and seal them back inside the Box of Ultimate Bliss at the village center."
While speaking, dust clouds rose in the distance. A group of ninja ran toward them.
"Lord Clan Leader, are we getting our own village?"
Before the group arrived, Karin's lively voice carried over.
"Exactly! From now on, Konoha Village belongs to us Uchiha. I'm the village's Hokage. You should call me Lord Hokage from now on."
"Yes, Lord Hokage!"
Karin ran over laughing, affectionately hugging Yasushi's arm while waving greetings to familiar faces like Yashiro.
Haku and Shinyu followed behind, bowing respectfully to Yasushi.
Yasushi rubbed Haku's head while smiling:
"Haku, from now on you're a Konoha Village ninja. Serve the village well, understood?"
"Understood, Lord Yasushi—ah, I mean Lord Hokage." Haku nodded very seriously before speaking solemnly: "From now on, I'm Konoha Village's tool. I'll definitely serve the village well."
Yasushi knew Haku's personality. He said nothing more, just looked past him.
Unexpectedly, besides Karin's group, Seimei and others had also arrived.
"Why did you come?"
"Lord Yasushi..." Seimei smiled awkwardly. "Recently the shinobi world has been unstable. The originally neutral Hot Water Country was swallowed by Lightning Country. There's word the other four nations plan absorbing surrounding small countries, restructuring the shinobi world."
"Previously, Takumi Village survived only because Lord Senju Hashirama forbade nations from swallowing each other. Otherwise Wind Country would have absorbed Takumi Village long ago."
"Now Lord Senju Hashirama is gone. Wind Country has been showing restless movements lately."
"So I came seeking Lord Yasushi's permission for Takumi Village to continue existing."
"Ah, I understand." Yasushi had an epiphany. "Takumi Village wants pledging allegiance to Konoha Village. You want Konoha providing protection, preventing Rivers Country from being swallowed by Wind Country. That's it, right?"
"Yes, yes, exactly! From now on, Takumi Village will be Konoha Village's most loyal ally. All ninja tool sales will prioritize Konoha Village supply at the most reasonable prices."
"Hey, we're all family from now on—no need for such formalities!" Yasushi waved magnanimously.
"Our Konoha Village desperately needs people right now. Your Takumi Village should just merge directly."
"Don't worry. You're pledging allegiance early—we Uchiha definitely won't mistreat you."
"As for that Rivers Country—just merge it into Fire Country. Problem solved."
"What?" Seimei's eyes nearly popped from their sockets.
His purpose coming here was maintaining independence, avoiding Rivers Country being swallowed by Wind Country. But if Fire Country swallowed them instead, what difference did that make?
Though Konoha Village was obviously more powerful, better being a chicken's head than a phoenix's tail. Being a minor elder in a major ninja village couldn't compare to being the local boss in a small village!
But before he could voice refusal, Yasushi's expression shifted. He glanced at Seimei coldly.
Instantly invisible pressure pervaded the air—as though even sunlight dimmed several degrees, temperature dropping noticeably.
"Hiss..."
Seimei immediately shuddered, clearly reading the meaning in Yasushi's eyes.
Getting cocky, are we?
I'm graciously absorbing you, and you dare refuse?
Tired of living?
This wasn't speech, yet proved clearer and more direct than any roaring threat—branded straight into his consciousness depths.
He could almost see himself completely annihilated if he dared uttering half a "no"—sent back to the Pure Land for eternal sleep.
"Gulp..."
Seimei felt his throat gripped by an invisible hand. Words carefully rehearsed beforehand circled his mouth several times before being swallowed back down.
All meticulously organized arguments, carefully weighed considerations—everything froze and shattered under that icy gaze. He dared not leak a single word.
Those who'd died once valued life most.
Fear of dying again overwhelmed all dignity and ambition.
Between ninja village independence and personal survival, Seimei ultimately chose the latter.
"Hehe..." Seimei laughed dryly twice, face ugly as he echoed: "Lord Yasushi speaks wisely. We're all family. Hehe..."
Seimei's laughter grated like grinding sand. His facial muscles rigidly constructed an obsequious curve—smiling uglier than crying.
Every word dripped with bitter insincerity, but he forced himself saying them anyway.
He felt something inside completely collapsing—his living pride, his dignity as Rivers Country's leader.
But after the collapse came an almost numb relief.
Since no choice remained, no point struggling further.
"Excellent! Very sensible!"
Yasushi nodded satisfactorily before ordering:
"After we finish cleaning up Konoha Village, send word to Takumi Village. Have them relocate the entire village here."
"Let me tell you—the village will definitely undergo complete reshuffling. Past property, territory, and such don't count anymore."
"Plenty of empty space in the village now. First come, first served. You'd better hurry."
The saying goes: once the thought of surrender emerges, suddenly heaven and earth feel vast.
After Yasushi's reminder, Seimei immediately changed his thinking. He stopped considering ninja village leadership matters, instead pondering how to secure more village benefits.
"Oh, thank you Lord Yasushi—ah, thank you Lord Hokage for the reminder! I'll immediately send someone back to notify them. We'll strive for early relocation."
While speaking, Neji led numerous Hyuga branch family members over for rendezvous.
Yasushi introduced everyone to Izuna. This time Izuna proved less enthusiastic.
However, he understood the ninja village couldn't consist entirely of Uchiha clan members. These people would eventually work for the clan anyway. So at least superficially, he remained quite courteous.
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