Chapter 20 - Lottery, Eight Gates!
Nara Shikaku believed he had made the best choice. How could he not know that Hiruzen Sarutobi releasing the news was actually to make them confront the Uchiha Clan?
If the Hyuga Clan didn't compromise, then they wouldn't either.
But since the Hyuga Clan had already returned the land to the Uchiha, they could only follow suit at this point. Expecting the Ino–Shika–Chō to face the Uchiha Clan was simply unrealistic.
Besides, holding onto this stuff brought no benefit. The Uchiha were just taking back what originally belonged to them. Most of it had been taken by the Sarutobi, Shimura, Mitokado, and Utatane clans.
Yet, those four clans hid behind them, letting them and the Hyuga take the brunt. What the hell for?!
Not much benefit, but they get to take the blame?
"But if we do this, won't it be difficult to handle later?"
Inoichi Yamanaka was also worried about the rift this matter would create with Konoha's higher-ups.
"There's no other way. The Hyuga have already agreed. We don't have the power to oppose the Uchiha, and Hokage-sama likely won't be able to give us any help. Asking us to resist the Uchiha is a pipe dream. Besides, Konoha really can't let one person dictate everything forever."
Shikaku had once seen hope in Minato Namikaze, hope for changing Konoha.
Unfortunately, the Nine-Tails' Chaos occurred, directly changing everything. Hiruzen Sarutobi's return to power meant the original new order reverted to the old one.
Danzo Shimura, Homura Mitokado, and Utatane Koharu once again stood at the center of power.
Ultimately, changing a Hokage was for redistributing the cake. But if the cake was eaten by the same old people, who would be happy about that?
"Actually, this matter can also be considered a reminder to Hokage-sama. After all, the Uchiha Clan and us have never been enemies. We are all clans. Constantly targeting the Uchiha Clan is a bit excessive."
Nara Shikaku took a broader view. Konoha's current high-pressure policy against the Uchiha would definitely lead to problems for the Uchiha later on.
Although clans constantly fought for resources, they absolutely could not stand by and watch Konoha push the Uchiha Clan to a dead end. Once they rebelled, it would definitely not be good news for Konoha.
Moreover, it was almost enough. Although their Ino–Shika–Chō were supporters of the Hokage, they weren't blindly supportive. Given Konoha's current situation, they had taken too much.
"Alright, anyway, whatever Shikaku says, we'll do. Besides, the agreement has already been signed!"
Akimichi Choza didn't want to listen to long speeches anymore. He felt that the matter was mostly done, and saying more would be useless.
Besides, even if they did this, would Hiruzen Sarutobi do anything to them?
Don't forget, their Ino–Shika–Chō had always been an alliance. Moreover, according to Shikaku's analysis, both the Hyuga and the Uchiha Clan were currently dissatisfied with the Hokage. Hiruzen Sarutobi should be most worried about those two now.
"Alas, what a troubled time!"
Nara Shikamaru looked out the door, then shook his head: "Forget it, we don't need to get involved in such troublesome matters. Anyway, this is a problem between the higher-ups and the Uchiha. It's so troublesome, why do we have to participate in political struggles!"
After doing all this, Nara Shikaku also decided to see who would ultimately prevail.
Most clans in Konoha Village could actually see that the relationship between the Uchiha and Konoha had reached a breaking point.
This was also why Nara Shikaku wanted to return the land to the Uchiha.
If they didn't return it, the Uchiha would explode. But if they did, they would stabilize for a period, and while the Sarutobi and Shimura clan would be unhappy, at least they wouldn't directly rebel like the Uchiha.
If it were Fugaku, he would truly think it over before deciding. But Bai Ye was different; his approach was undoubtedly radical. If he refused, the first to start a war would definitely be the Ino–Shika–Chō and the Uchiha.
He didn't want to get involved in such matters, at least not drag the Ino–Shika–Chō into the abyss.
"Hokage-sama, I'm truly sorry, but your four clans will need to move today."
After Bai Ye received the land transaction documents from the Hyuga and the Ino–Shika–Chō.
He immediately sought out Hiruzen Sarutobi. He didn't want to give Hiruzen Sarutobi any time.
Looking at the transaction documents before him, Hiruzen Sarutobi fell silent.
He had thought that Bai Ye might really be able to do it, but absolutely not in one day.
Danzo had only released the news today, and the entire Konoha was watching. He hadn't even had a heart-to-heart with the Ino–Shika–Chō and Konoha, yet Bai Ye had already settled it?
"How is that possible!?"
Danzo's face was also extremely grim. According to the agreement with Bai Ye, their four clans had to move out immediately.
"There's nothing impossible. For them, these places are just a burden, so isn't it normal to sell them to us?"
"Bai Ye, moving requires some time—"
A benevolent smile flashed across Hiruzen Sarutobi's face. He still wanted to stall for a bit.
After all, he hadn't even figured out the situation, yet Bai Ye had already settled it. He still wanted to see if he could manipulate things himself.
"No need. You can just leave. One day is more than enough. After all, with Ninja helping, it can be packed up very quickly. If not, our Uchiha Clan can provide moving services. Also, I've already sent people to notify our clan members to move. Third Hokage-sama, you wouldn't go back on your word, would you? After all, the entire Village knows about this."
Bai Ye smiled as he looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi. Although he had tried his best to restrain himself, Bai Ye still saw the fleeting anger hidden in his eyes, which was quickly concealed.
Danzo, Homura Mitokado, and Utatane Koharu on the side didn't know what to say for a moment.
This central location in Konoha being taken back by the Uchiha Clan meant that their clan members would definitely have something to say. This was in the very center of Konoha.
On the contrary, if this matter hadn't been publicized before, there would have been a chance to go back on their word. But now that the entire Village knew, if they still went back on their word, they would lose face completely.
"Of course, we won't go back on our word, but at least give us some time to find residences, right?"
"No, we can allocate some of the places where the Uchiha currently live to you. It's perfect; didn't you say you'd live on the outskirts to protect Konoha's safety? We'll give this responsibility of protecting safety to the four of you. I'm sure as Hokage and Elders, you'll protect it better than us Uchiha, right?!"
Was he truly going to be so absolute about this matter?
A hint of gloom flashed in Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes, and for a fleeting moment, a trace of killing intent arose in his heart.
This was not just directed at Bai Ye, but also at the Uchiha.
He felt that his grip on Konoha also seemed to have loosened.
For Hiruzen Sarutobi, that was absolutely unacceptable.
"I'll have them vacate it now."
Hiruzen Sarutobi closed his eyes, saying no more. Homura Mitokado and the others on the side, however, became anxious: "Hiruzen!!"
"Stop talking! Since we promised them something, we must do it!!"
You win some, you lose some!
Hiruzen Sarutobi admitted that he had underestimated Bai Ye at first.
But this was just this one time; next time, he would definitely take Bai Ye as an opponent seriously.
"Give it."
Danzo no longer remained silent. He also didn't want to show any unpleasant expression to Bai Ye.
"I understand."
The other two, seeing Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo's attitude, also knew that they had to give up this thing.
"Then thank you, Hokage-sama. In that case, I'll go back and organize the Uchiha Clan's move."
With that, Bai Ye stood up and left the Hokage's office.
Once Bai Ye left, Utatane Koharu quickly asked: "Hiruzen, what do we do next?! The Uchiha Clan is simply lawless now!"
Her land!
The thought of leaving this place immediately and returning to the peripheral area made her heart ache.
"He only won this time. Only the one who wins in the end is the big winner. If we give it to them this time, they will become even more arrogant, and our subsequent plans will proceed more smoothly."
Danzo finished speaking and closed his eyes, clearly not as calm as he appeared on the surface at that moment.
"If we lost, we lost. If we lost, we give. If we don't give this time, how will we govern the Village later? It originally belonged to the Uchiha Clan, so what's the harm in returning it to them?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes were deep, and he began to calculate in his heart.
It seemed he had to accelerate his actions. Fortunately, he still had a trump card: Uchiha Itachi and Uchiha Shisui.
When the time came, the eradication of the Uchiha Clan would depend on those two.
Originally, Hiruzen Sarutobi had been struggling with whether to leave a part of the Uchiha or completely exterminate them.
Now he no longer thought about it. He knew that Bai Ye's ascension was completely different from Uchiha Fugaku's.
He had simply been dealing with Bai Ye using the same methods he used against Uchiha Fugaku.
This also led to him being at a disadvantage in this regard, but next time, he wouldn't be.
"What about the Hyuga and the Ino–Shika–Chō?"
Homura Mitokado asked.
There was also the problem of these four clans. They had betrayed them too quickly, so fast that they didn't even have time to prepare.
"We can't touch them. If we do, it will be detrimental to our future actions. Moreover, Hiruzen, you must consider one thing: with the Uchiha Clan in the central location, it will be harder for us to act later. I told you to eradicate them earlier, but you wouldn't listen!"
At this point, Danzo was almost fuming.
Previously, the Uchiha were at the very edge of the Village, where it was easy to act. As long as things were arranged well, no one would notice.
But now that they had moved to the center of the Village, it wouldn't be so simple to act against them.
"Danzo, I told you, don't act against the Uchiha for now!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked up at Danzo. He wanted to, but he couldn't do it himself.
"As for the Hyuga and the others, let's just leave them be."
Is it because of Hizashi?
Hiruzen Sarutobi also sighed inwardly. He couldn't touch the Hyuga; he already owed them once, and their actions were understandable. As for the Ino–Shika–Chō, he definitely couldn't touch them. They were already allies of the Hokage. If they broke ties, his control over Konoha would probably drop another level.
He could only say that this time, he truly lost.
Uchiha Clan.
After Bai Ye brought back good news that they could immediately return to their original clan territory, the entire Uchiha Clan rejoiced.
Living here, not only were they monitored daily, but some elderly and children had to walk a long way to get to the Village center.
This was a world of difference compared to their previous treatment.
And now, after Bai Ye reclaimed their original clan territory, many Uchiha Ninja immediately believed that Bai Ye's ascension was indeed the correct choice.
In the meeting room, Uchiha Setsuna patted Bai Ye's shoulder, a look of relief on his face: "Bai Ye, you really did it. This old man truly didn't misjudge you!"
He had been worried that Bai Ye wouldn't be able to do it, but he never expected Bai Ye to complete it in one day.
"Indeed, although it worsened our relationship with Konoha, being able to reclaim what originally belonged to us, the clan members are all very happy!"
Uchiha Tetsu stroked his beard, saying with a chuckle.
Although Uchiha King remained silent, his eyes were full of relief, clearly very satisfied with Bai Ye's actions this time.
"Alas, am I really not suited to be clan head?"
A bitter smile flashed across Uchiha Fugaku's face. For so many years as clan head, his confrontations with Konoha's higher-ups had always ended in failure.
Yet, Bai Ye was able to do so well upon his first ascension. Although it worsened the relationship between the Uchiha and the Village, at least the clan members should be very glad that Bai Ye ascended to power now, right?
Thinking of this, he suddenly felt that he was somewhat of a failure.
"Still a long way to go."
Bai Ye clasped his hands in his sleeves, stood up, and walked out the door. Looking at the Uchiha Clan members who were cheerfully packing their belongings, preparing to move, a sense of pride welled up in Bai Ye's heart.
He had changed the Uchiha's current situation. At this moment, perhaps everyone was thanking him, their clan head?
[Ding! Plot altered successfully. Congratulations to the host for receiving one lottery chance!]
Looking at the system prompt, the smile on Bai Ye's lips widened.
After this matter concluded, the next time he wanted to change the plot, he would probably have to start with Shisui and the others.
[Ding! Lottery chance used successfully. Congratulations to the host for obtaining: Eight Gates.]
Naruto Bai Ye: [Eight Gates, huh? This seems like something everyone can cultivate, right?]
Pirate Bai Ye: [This is a technique that releases Chakra restraints in exchange for power. We probably can't cultivate it, right? It should only be for you. Speaking of which, your side has changed quite well. Later, I'll get you a Devil Fruit to strengthen you!]
Inuyasha Bai Ye: [Oh? You're going for a Devil Fruit? Speaking of which, your era is the Rocks era, right? What kind of Devil Fruit are you going for?]
Pirate Bai Ye: [Nika would be best, but I can't find it. That Devil Fruit has its own ideas. I'm going to Birka to look for the Rumble-Rumble Fruit!]
The Rumble-Rumble Fruit was a Devil Fruit that Eneru used well, but also not well. He wouldn't leave it for Eneru.