Konoha: The thirty-year-old Uchiha lacks motivation.

Chapter 518 It's time to go home and inherit the throne.

The residents of Konoha awoke to find the village completely transformed. The leadership position, once monopolized by the Senju and Uchiha clans, had been usurped by the Shinobi Alliance.

Hiruzen Sarutobi, who had already prepared to retake the college entrance exam, was just about to take a few days off to rest when...

Before dawn, his father, with dark circles under his eyes, forcibly dragged him out of bed, leaving him completely bewildered as he went to a meeting with representatives of the Fire Kingdom's nobles.

"Am I dreaming?"

Even as he walked into the Hokage's office, he was still in a daze, staring at the Hokage's throne that had once seemed so unattainable, subconsciously thinking he was dreaming.

"Mirror, hit me hard!"

Thinking of this, he turned his head away, looked pleadingly at Uchiha Kagami beside him, whose expression remained unchanged, and brought his large face closer.

"Erzhi, you're not dreaming. Lord Izuna did indeed give up the position of Hokage."

Jingzai hesitated for a few seconds, then lowered his raised hand. The area outside was currently teeming with secret agents, and he felt he should save face for his friend to avoid him having to show up with a swollen face later.

"This all seems so unreal!"

Half-believing, half-doubting, Hiruzen Sarutobi walked up to the Hokage's throne. His eyes gleamed, and he tentatively touched the imposing desk. The incredibly real touch convinced him that he had truly become the Hokage.

"Congratulations, Hiruzen."

Seeing this slightly awkward scene, Kagami couldn't help but smile. He stepped forward and patted his future colleague on the shoulder, sensing the sincerity in his voice. Hiruzen Sarutobi turned around, a look of gratitude on his face.

"Mirror, thank you, I will do my best!"

"That's right, the real test has only just begun."

News of Konoha's election of a new leader quickly spread throughout the ninja world. When it was learned that the new Hokage was the relatively unknown Hiruzen Sarutobi, the major ninja villages fell silent.

All the plans that had been prepared for Uchiha Izuna's succession were forced to be suspended, and instead, they began to study the suddenly appearing Hiruzen Sarutobi.

"Hiruzen Sarutobi? What kind of trouble is Konoha getting into? Making that third-rate guy Hokage, are they trying to force the Uchiha clan to defect?"

Inside Iwagakure, Onoki looked at the detailed intelligence in his hand, his head, which was gradually turning bald, filled with question marks.

He still had some impression of Hiruzen Sarutobi; his strength was so-so, but was he qualified to be Hokage?

All Ohnoki can say is,

You still have to train in prison.

"Lord Tsuchikage, could this be a trick by Konoha, feigning weakness to lull us into a false sense of security?"

After a moment's thought, the aide offered his idea, but Onoki shook his head dismissively.

"Hmph! No matter what tricks Konoha plays, all struggles are futile in the face of absolute power."

Having said that, he turned to look at the tall young man standing in the corner of the office, feeling the scorching steam emanating from the other man, and couldn't help but smile.

"Get ready, the war is about to begin."

Hidden Cloud Village

"Senior Brother, why aren't we attacking?"

The tall and burly hope excitedly pounded on the golden-cornered desk, his fleshy face filled with a thirst for military glory.

"If you have energy to burn, go do some missions for me."

Jinjiao looked at his junior brother with some helplessness. This kid, who had inherited the warlike genes of the Night Moon Clan, was no longer the timid boy he used to be. Now, he talked about war all the time.

"Senior Brother! Hiruzen Sarutobi is just a weakling. If we really fought, he wouldn't even be a match for me."

hope couldn't understand why Kinkaku was being so cautious. Konoha had fallen so low that it had to let a second-rate ninja clan be its leader, and it was powerless to protect the vast land of the Land of Fire. It was better to hand it over to Kumogakure to manage!

"Do you think I'm talking nonsense?"

"Oh, Senior Brother, you're getting old."

hope, feeling a bit intimidated by Jin Jiao's glare, pouted and looked at his senior brother's increasingly graying hair. He muttered a resentful complaint under his breath.

"You brat, come on, let's go to Yunlei Gorge now, let me test your recent cultivation progress."

"Ah? No!"

With tears streaming down his face, hope was carried away by Jinjiao by the neck, and what awaited him was an unforgettable and beautiful memory.

Hidden Mist Village

Due to years of hard work, Gui's temples were completely gray, but for some reason, the hair on the top of his head remained jet black and shiny, almost like it was fake.

"Lord Mizukage, this is a golden opportunity for us to turn the tide. As long as we take over the coastline of the Land of Fire, Kirigakure will be able to regain its former glory as the overlord of the sea."

"I am well aware of the stakes involved, but Master Yuan, our current situation is far from objective."

Looking up at the composed and wise young man before him, Katsura shook his head, feeling a surge of satisfaction. Kirigakure was currently facing both internal and external troubles.

Within the family, there were restless bloodline clans openly causing trouble, completely disregarding him, the Mizukage.

With the covetous Iwagakure village eyeing them from the outside, small conflicts and major frictions are frequent.

"Fortune favors the bold; there are no permanent enemies, only permanent interests."

The young man, known as the Master of the Yuan, had a glint in his eye. As the newly appointed strategist of the Mizukage, he already had a plan in mind.

You wouldn't be thinking...

Gui opened her narrowed eyes upon hearing this, revealing a deep sense of astonishment.

"That's right. Onoki of Iwagakure is not only an extremely ambitious guy, but also a rare intelligent man. He will definitely be able to make a rational choice between the benefits of leaving a legacy for future generations and the grudges of the past."

"Sister, shall we send over the gifts we prepared?"

Inside the Kazekage's office in Sunagakure, Ebizo, his face full of conflict, asked the beautiful woman seated on the Kazekage's throne,

Upon hearing this, Chiyo, draped in a long robe of wind and shadow, put down her pen, rubbed her sore shoulders, and stretched languidly. Her curvaceous figure was faintly visible beneath the gray-brown robe.

Her beautiful eyes widened, and her full, rosy lips curled slightly.

"Send it! Of course we'll send it. It's just changing the name, it's not a big project."

As a staunch ally of Konoha, Sunagakure had prepared a congratulatory gift for the new Hokage well in advance, even engraving the name of the Third Hokage, Uchiha Izuna, on it.

But no one expected that Uchiha Izuna would abstain. Sunagakure can only revise the document overnight, trying to deliver the congratulatory gift before the Hokage succession ceremony.

"Okay, okay, this is really troublesome."

Ebizo scratched his thinning hair and accepted his sister's order.

"Oh, and don't forget Uncle Yin's share."

"Don't worry about me handling things."

"Snapped!"

At the same time, deep beneath the Mountain Tomb on the border of the Land of Lightning, Madara Uchiha, who had just learned information about Konoha from Sasuke [Black Zetsu Limited], unleashed a flying kick from the Uchiha General, sending his sparring partner, who had been struggling for half a day, flying.

"What is that brat Izuna up to? He thinks he can make a cooked duck fly?"

Ignoring Erzhuzi's wailing and howling on the ground, he turned around, picked up a towel from the table, and began wiping himself, his crimson eyes filled with resentment.

"And it was that little monkey from the Sarutobi family who picked the peach."

"Cough cough cough Because Uchiha Izuna voluntarily withdrew, Sarutobi Hiruzen, who had the second-highest number of votes, was able to take his place."

After catching his breath on the ground for a while, Black Zetsu, suppressing the surge of blood rising in his chest, got up and continued to explain to Uchiha Madara.

"Hmph! When the tiger is away, the monkeys reign supreme."

Madara Uchiha glared fiercely at Sasuke, whose face was filled with gloom, and coldly snorted.

He could barely accept it if his younger brother had succeeded him as Hokage, but reality dealt him a heavy blow.

If it weren't for his fear of the mysterious monk Jigen lurking in the shadows, he would have long ago returned to Konoha to stage a "Dragon King's Return," leading the Uchiha clan to greater heights and creating new glories.

"What is Izuna doing right now?"

The thought of his disappointing younger brother fueled Madara's anger, and he longed to confront him right then and there.

As the saying goes, an elder brother is like a father. After his father's sacrifice, he devoted himself to teaching Uchiha Izuna, striving to cultivate his only younger brother into a capable ninja.

Now it seems that all his years of hard work have been in vain; his younger brother has become a good-for-nothing who has given up and is just lying around doing nothing.

Their family doesn't have any empire to inherit. If that kid doesn't manage his little corner of Konoha properly, and the Uchiha clan declines one day, he'll be a sinner to the family!

"Him? Let me think... he seems to have taken on a long-term mission, he should have left the village by now?"

"A long-term mission? What long-term mission?"

You little brat, not only are you slacking off, but you're also hanging around in the mountains and rivers. I'll teach you a lesson!

"Um, I remember it was a mission to guard a merchant guild, requiring a long-term presence in the Land of Waves."

Which chamber of commerce?

"Uchiha Trading Company"

Alright, alright, so you've even learned to use public funds for travel. In that case, don't blame me for being heartless as your older brother.

Izuna, you better wash your ass clean and wait for your brother!

"Achoo!"

On the bow of a merchant ship sailing on the waves, Uchiha Izuna, dressed in his clan's standard uniform, felt a stench enter his nostrils and, feeling uncomfortable, sneezed violently.

"Father, it's a bit chilly outside, why don't you come inside the cabin?"

Uchiha Tomoyuki, nestled in the warm cabin, poked his head out and beckoned his father to come in and rest. Uchiha Izuna rubbed his sore nose, his eyes filled with confusion.

He possesses an innate Fire Escape Saint Body, and it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that he has a top-grade fire spiritual root. How could he catch a cold from a mere sea breeze? But what was that sudden chill that arose in his heart just now?

"That's right, little cousin, if you don't come in soon, we're not going to wait for you and start eating first."

Just as Uchiha Izuna was pondering, a lazy voice came from inside the cabin, followed by a pungent smell that made his mouth water.

"Come on, come on!"

Hot pot is a wonderful thing, especially in this kind of environment, eating hot pot has a more artistic feel to it.

"Big Cousin, you haven't gone out on a mission in a long time. Why do you insist on coming with us this time?"

Stepping into the cabin, the air instantly became hot and dry, a stark contrast to the damp chill outside. Uchiha Izuna's gaze fell on the curly-haired man beside the hot pot, and he asked with some curiosity,

"I was just worried about you~"

Skillfully stirring the ingredients in the pot, Uchiha Gin, when asked, looked up and replied seriously.

"It's just a guard duty, and besides, this is our Uchiha property."

Recalling the familiar faces in the merchant guild's group, Uchiha Izuna gently shook his head. The Uchiha merchant guild already had many powerful clan members providing protection.

Most pirates, upon seeing the Uchiha clan crest flying on a merchant ship, would rather scratch their names and flee.

The main reason he accepted this mission was to vent his anger for his son and to give that old gay man who coveted the Uchiha's "good looks" a good warning.

"That's not what I'm worried about."

Looking at his nonchalant little cousin, Uchiha Gin didn't know how to explain.

Actually, telling him the truth earlier wouldn't be a bad idea, but I always felt it would take away a lot of fun.

I'm sorry to trouble you, little cousin~

"Are you afraid I'll beat that old gay man to death? Don't worry, I know what I'm doing."

Mistaking Uchiha Gin's concern that he might cause trouble and bring unnecessary problems to Konoha, Uchiha Izuna chuckled, picked up his chopsticks, and precisely caught a fish ball rolling in the spicy hot pot.

"In short, it's about control."

What good is a mere daimyo of a small country, even if he has a bit of money? Under the power of his Sharingan, he'd have no choice but to obediently call him "father."

"hehe."

I hope you keep your arrogant attitude, just so you don't end up crying and begging for your dad later.

Upon learning of Uchiha Izuna's impending arrival, the entire daimyo's mansion in the Land of Waves sprang into action, busily preparing for a welcome party.

"Sigh~ Izuna, that kid, it's been a while."

Sitting atop the main hall, Uchiha Tajima was restless, his aged face filled with anticipation.

Uchiha Gin had already prepared him beforehand, assuring him that he could now recognize Izuna.

Now in his seventies, an age when he longs for a house full of children and grandchildren, how could Uchiha Tajima not be excited to be reunited with his most beloved second son?

"Report! Young Master Izuna and the others have arrived at the port!"

"Quick! Get ready!"

Uchiha Tajima urged his clansmen to hurry up, as he wanted to prepare a unique welcome party for the child to make up for the lack of fatherly love the child had received over the years.

After the Uchiha merchant ship docked, Uchiha Izuna, led by his son, stepped onto land he had never been before. Looking up at the towering buildings surrounding him, he made a sarcastic remark.

"This is the Land of Waves, it looks pretty ordinary."

Thanks to the Uchiha clan's years of meticulous management, the Land of Waves has long surpassed other countries in terms of modernization. While people in other countries were still living in mud houses, the residents of the Land of Waves had already begun moving into concrete buildings.

"Father, I was just like you when I first came here. You'll get used to it after a while."

Noticing the undisguised amazement in Uchiha Izuna's eyes, Uchiha Tomoyu, who had long resided in the Land of Waves, smiled and said...

"Hmph! I won't stay in this lousy place for long!"

Despite his envy, Uchiha Izuna immediately and righteously shook his head in refusal, remembering that his roots were still in Konoha.

Just then, the official from the Land of Waves, who had been waiting for a long time, stepped forward with a smile.

"Welcome, representatives of the Uchiha Merchant Guild. The Daimyo has prepared a welcome banquet. Please make your way there."

Upon hearing this, Uchiha Izuna turned his head, his gaze sweeping over the group of officials dressed in magnificent robes, finally settling on the elderly man leading them. A look of realization flashed in his eyes.

"Have we met somewhere before?"

(End of this chapter)