"Don't worry! Once this war is over, I will personally commend the Uchiha Clan for their contributions to Konoha!"
"Then allow me to thank you in advance, Hokage-sama!"
Hearing Sarutobi Hiruzen say this, a flicker of joy passed through Uchiha Fugaku's eyes.
Between the clan and the village… had things finally begun to ease?
If Sarutobi knew what Fugaku was thinking, he would only sigh inwardly.
You're thinking too much.
For now, the Uchiha Clan's strength was still needed on the battlefield. Of course he would say something pleasant.
As for what happened after the war?
Whether I would truly remember the Uchiha Clan's merits…
That depended on whether they still had the qualifications to be remembered.
"Fourth Mizukage-sama, I don't understand!"
On the other side, inside the Kirigakure command room, Jūzō, wielder of the Kubikiribōchō, slammed his fist against the table the moment he returned.
"If we had continued fighting just now, victory would've been ours! Why order a retreat?!"
Anyone with eyes could see it.
The Third Hokage was already on the verge of defeat.
Yet Yagura Karatachi, the Fourth Mizukage, had stopped the battle at that crucial moment—
Not only that, he had ordered a full retreat.
It made no sense.
Jūzō wasn't the only one confused.
The other Seven Ninja Swordsmen all turned their gazes toward the throne, suspicion written plainly on their faces.
What met them was Yagura's utterly cold, emotionless stare.
"So…"
His voice was flat, heavy with pressure.
"Are you questioning my orders?"
"..."
The room fell dead silent.
In the past, they might have argued.
But today's Yagura felt wrong.
That suffocating killing intent...
It felt as though the moment they spoke another word, he would slaughter them on the spot.
"W-We wouldn't dare!"
Even with doubts burning in their hearts, none of them dared to press further.
"Hmph."
Yagura waved his hand indifferently.
"Withdraw."
The swordsmen exchanged glances, then bowed in unison.
"Yes! Mizukage-sama!"
Even if they harbored unease, none of them would rebel against the Fourth Mizukage.
Soon, the conference room was empty.
Then—
A black-and-white figure slowly rose from the ground.
"How was it, Madara-sama?"
"Hmph."
Yagura's posture stiffened.
When he spoke again, the voice was no longer his own...
Deep. Cold. Arrogant.
A voice belonging to the Uchiha.
His eyes shifted into the three-tomoe Sharingan, spinning slowly.
"That so-called Third Hokage… trash."
"Not even a fraction of Hashirama's legacy remains in him."
Disdain dripped from every word.
He had once hoped that Hashirama's disciple might provide some entertainment.
Instead—
A complete disappointment.
Five nature transformations?
To Uchiha Madara, such tricks were nothing more than a joke.
"Well, of course," Black Zetsu chuckled lightly.
"Compared to you, Madara-sama, the Third Hokage is insignificant."
Madara snorted.
"Where is Uchiha Obito?"
Compared to Sarutobi Hiruzen, that boy interested him far more.
"He's under complete surveillance," Black Zetsu replied.
"We're just waiting for the right moment for him to approach."
"Good."
Madara nodded faintly.
"Let this war crush every last shred of his hope."
Time passed.
One year later, the Third Shinobi World War showed no signs of ending.
If anything, it had only grown fiercer.
Among all battlefields, however, Kumogakure's front was the strangest.
Because Shiki was stationed there.
The Cloud ninja didn't even dare to initiate large-scale combat.
Shiki's Conqueror's Haki alone was enough to clear the battlefield.
Numbers meant nothing in front of him.
Even the Third Raikage had personally led a raid on Konoha's camp, attempting to rescue the Two-Tails' Jinchūriki.
It was a futile effort.
With Shiki present, failure was inevitable.
The war dragged on, and even Shiki began to feel bored.
That day, familiar figures entered his command tent.
"It's hard to believe," Shiki said lazily, glancing at them,
"That rookies like you are still alive."
These were the same shinobi who, a year ago, had begged him to send troops to rescue Sarutobi's forces on the Kirigakure battlefield.
Now, a full year later, they stood before him once again.
"…."
After experiencing the cruelty of war, none of them dared talk back.
Everyone knew it by now...
Konoha could survive without the Third Hokage.
But it absolutely could not survive without Golden Lion Shiki.
"Ahem… Lord Shiki," one of them said carefully.
"The agreed time has arrived. Could you now send reinforcements to support Hokage-sama?"
"Shhh…"
Shiki clicked his tongue.
"How embarrassing."
"Not even the courage to contradict yourselves anymore."
He muttered with open disdain.
They pretended not to hear, eyes lowered.
Only Nara Shikaku shot Shiki a subtle look, signaling him to stop.
Shiki shrugged.
"By the way," he added casually,
"Has the Third Hokage finally died yet?"
The room stiffened.
"Of course not!"
"How could that be!!"
"..."
Can you not say that to our faces?
Even Shikaku had to bite back a laugh.
Poor Third Hokage…
Of all people to provoke, he chose this disaster.
Strong, petty, and vindictive.
"Lord Shiki…" someone reminded nervously.
"Ahem. I know the situation."
Their eyes lit up.
So he would send support?
Shikaku frowned.
He had a bad feeling.
And sure enough...
"The Cloud front is at a critical stage," Shiki said calmly.
"Wait another half year. I'll definitely go support Hokage-sama then."
"..."
Complete silence.
Critical stage?
They hadn't fought a major battle here in months.
This was fooling a child.
"Do you have a problem?"
Shiki smiled warmly.
The kind of smile that said—
If you do, I'll kill you.
"N-No…"
Who would dare say anything more?
With bitter smiles, they turned and left.
After they were gone, Shiki didn't spare them another glance.
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