"Although the matter has passed, the Fourth Hokage election a few months ago was truly maddening. Besides Namikaze Minato, the only candidate was Orochimaru. Is Konoha looking down on us Uchiha?"
As a clan that made significant contributions to Konoha during the Third Ninja Realm War, Clan Leader Uchiha Fugaku is also renowned as a strong ninja in Konoha. In terms of strength, he is not inferior to the Sannin, backed by the entire clan. Yet during the election for the Fourth Hokage, he wasn't even nominated.
This matter continues to cause internal anger within the Uchiha.
"No wonder Ruri left back then. Those people at the top are really…"
"Hey! The matter with Ruri had nothing to do with the top leaders. She evidently had a conflict with the elders from 四方 Zanbani. Don't put the blame on the top. Besides, it was her own choice to leave the clan."
Fugaku's calm voice echoed.
Ruri? Uchiha Ruri?
Itachi had heard this name more than once—from his father, from that retired elder, and now from other clan members.
But what does leaving mean? Itachi realized that something significant in the Uchiha had been intentionally hidden in the past.
Moreover, does the clan feel dissatisfaction towards the village?
Through the wall, Itachi could clearly sense the intense atmosphere in the room.
"Given that, the top should also grant us Uchiha some benefits. Why should we sacrifice so many clan members, only to be comforted? Look at Ino-Shika-Cho and the Aburame clans—they've all received tangible benefits. I won't even mention positions in the Anbu and land resources... Why do we Uchiha get nothing? Were those clan members who died on the battlefield sacrificed in vain?"
Such questioning left Fugaku speechless.
"The village hasn't forgotten the Uchiha, but the village hasn't yet recovered from the war. The Third Hokage promised that when the village recovers, the Uchiha will be granted enough land, and the Security Team's building will be relocated to the center of the village."
"Really?"
The speaker was skeptical.
"This is what the Third Hokage personally promised me; it's the truth. Just be patient for a bit. Our clan's situation in the village is awkward; only by enduring can we find a way out."
Fugaku spoke in a resolute tone.
"Alright, let's trust them once more. However, don't put all your eggs in one basket. After all, the Third Hokage is old. We should also appropriately engage with the Fourth Hokage, and by betting on both sides, we can ensure absolute security."
"I'm very clear on this. I'm the Uchiha clan leader after all, and I understand the stakes. Trust me with the future of the Uchiha."
Fugaku's voice was full of confidence.
The Third Hokage's promises, he didn't take seriously. Betting on both Hokage sides is the most correct path for the Uchiha.
The Fourth Hokage is already confirmed; it cannot be reversed. The Uchiha should strive for the Fifth Hokage.
Itachi left the corridor. The content he overheard was overwhelmingly stimulating for him.
But Itachi understood that while the people inside probably didn't notice his eavesdropping, his father Fugaku certainly did.
Even if Itachi suppressed his breath, he wouldn't arrogantly assume he could deceive his father.
However, allowing him to eavesdrop without hindrance might also be his father's test for him.
Fugaku had told him more than once to bring glory to the clan.
Returning to his room, Itachi kept pondering the content he'd overheard, wondering how he would calm the clan if he were in his father's position.
◎
November, late in the month.
Just as Konoha plunges into another round of internal strife, the military from the Land of Demons quietly begins mobilizing forces.
Only a hundred combat personnel are gathered: three Jonin, with the rest being Chunin and Genin.
These people have no records in the system of the Five Great Nations. Even if placed in the Land of Snow, they wouldn't attract attention.
Leading them were Hakushi and Ayane—a total of a hundred and two men—prepared to deal with Kazahana Doto, who controls the Land of Snow.
After handling the affairs of the Land of Demons for two months, combined with the need to gather intelligence on the Land of Snow beforehand, they wasted some time. Only now could they spare time to assist Kazahana Koyuki in reclaiming the Land of Snow.
"Oh, is just this few people really enough? Even though the Land of Snow is small, they still have several hundred ninjas."
Originally the close attendant of Snow Country Daimyo Kazahana Sosetsu, Asama Sandayu is now Kazahana Koyuki's close attendant. He worriedly questioned Hakushi for gathering only a hundred ninja forces.
That's a few hundred ninja squad—only taking a hundred over might be too complacent.
"Don't worry too much, Sandayu. You might doubt my strength, but you're aware of Ayane's renown. Being able to suppress the Fourth Raikage of Hidden Cloud directly, handling a thousand ninjas alone is no issue."
Hakushi chuckled, indicating Sandayu not to be too tense.
In fact, his and Ayane's personal lead of a hundred people was serious enough for dealing with Kazahana Doto.
Sandayu was speechless.
He still felt uneasy.
Hakushi didn't mind. For ordinary people, judging a ninja's strength truly could be challenging.
Therefore, he didn't ridicule Sandayu's way of thinking.