The Uchiha's Path to the Top, Starting from Konoha

Chapter 124 Approaching the Capital

Eight magnificent horses pulled a carriage that shimmered with magical light, slowly making its way along the road leading to the royal capital, Ri Yestige.

Starting from the harbor city of Ye Nai'ul, the journey passes through a large city to the south. Although a minor incident caused a delay, the carriage is only half a day's journey away from its destination, the royal capital.

As the distance to the capital gradually decreased, the number of travelers, merchant groups, and adventurers on the road increased, and wisps of smoke could be seen rising from the chimneys not far away from the carriage windows.

And the ninjas moving among them.

"Young Master Wu'an, recently many powerful figures with unfamiliar faces have appeared in the kingdom. They wear exotic attire, which is very different from that of the kingdom and even neighboring countries such as the Council Kingdom, the Holy Kingdom, and the Empire. It's really strange."

Sukama, who was driving the carriage, was not wearing any cumbersome full-body armor. Instead, she wore a more practical half-body armor that was easy to put on and take off—a breastplate on the upper body, a skirt with metal plates for added protection on the lower body, and matching metal boots on her feet.

With the connection of magical runes, the physical defense is no lower than the previous full-body armor, and the magical defense is even higher. It also adds magical effects such as lightness and increased concentration.

This half-body armor, costing 20,000 gold coins, was a gift from Uchiha Muan to the female warrior. It moved Sukama to tears that very day, and allowed the man to experience the pleasure of riding a warhorse.

"The sun rises and sets every day; it's just that there are a few more people. What's so strange about that?"

Uchiha Takeo, who had come out for some fresh air, reached out and touched the white thigh of the female warrior who was standing close to him, beneath her battle skirt. He enjoyed the smooth, firm skin of Sukama and, looking at her slightly flushed face, said leisurely.

"Wouldn't you be even more surprised if the kingdom changed its flag someday?"

"Young Master Wu'an, is this the round fan flag you're replacing?"

The carriage window connected to the driver's seat opened, and Priestess Lilynet placed her hands on the window frame, resting her round, jade-like chin on her hand, blinking as she looked at Uchiha Takeoshi and spoke.

The ninjas' respectful attitude towards the carriage was genuine, and even a powerful figure who made the two men's hearts tremble came over to greet them, but was simply dismissed by Uchiha Wu'an.

Lilynet's nonchalant attitude, coupled with the unfamiliar address of "Your Majesty," led her to deeply suspect that the kingdom had undergone a dramatic transformation without their knowledge.

Under the expectant and curious gazes of the two women, Uchiha Takeo smiled and said, "Take a guess?"

"Hey, Wu'an girl, just tell us directly~ Even if we're just playing around in the wild today, Sukama and I will cooperate fully."

Lilynet's sweet voice made Sukama turn his head and glare angrily at the prostitute priestess.

"You shameless big cow, if you want to have fun, don't drag me into it!"

"Tch, last time someone got so addicted to being a horse that they were yelling loudly in the woods, which attracted a lot of monsters and adventurers."

"Huh!"

Sukama let out a shy cry and reached out to push Lilynet, who had a playful smile on her face, into the carriage.

But suddenly, her hands lost their strength.

"Young Master Wu'an, no!"

With a flick of his wrist, Uchiha Muan caused Sukama's face to flush red. She placed her hand on her battle skirt and spoke with a trembling voice.

"Young Master Wu'an, there are too many people here."

"Wouldn't you be more excited if there were more people?"

Uchiha Muan's teasing made Sukama lower her head, and her ears, half-hidden by her silver hair, turned red. Behind her, Lilynet also started to play tricks, reaching out to pinch the female warrior's skirt.

"Alright, someone's here."

Upon noticing someone approaching, Uchiha Takeoshi withdrew his warm fingers, his expression returning to seriousness. Lilynet also refrained from further teasing.

"Stop over there for a moment."

"Understood, Young Master Wu'an."

Sukama breathed a sigh of relief, gave Lilynet a look that said "You'll be sorry tonight," and then focused on driving the carriage.

The three of them looked ahead and saw a six-man ninja squad. The leader of the squad was wearing Uchiha-style red armor with a fan and Konoha vortex emblem on his chest. His dashing appearance was that of Uchiha Rai, the commander of the Konoha Central Ninja Army, who was stationed near the royal capital, Rei Yestege.

"Your Majesty the Führer."

When the carriage stopped at the side of the road, Uchiha Rai and the people behind him bowed.

"Come with me into the carriage."

Looking at the faces of the five people, Uchiha Wu'an knew that they were all high-ranking figures in the Central Ninja Army. He waved his hand, and the six of them sat down in the spacious carriage one after another.

"Gentlemen, please have some tea."

Lilynet, a noblewoman in public and a wanton woman in bed, took out a silver teacup and poured tea for the six people. Then, she sat gracefully beside Uchiha Takeo, a gentle, intellectual smile on her face.

Only then did the woman, dressed in clerical attire, begin to resemble a priestess.

"Thanks."

The other five men were all of sound mind, keeping their eyes down and completely ignoring the fact that Lilynet was a new female friend of Uchiha Takeo—the leader's romantic affair. They wouldn't dare to think or spread rumors even if they had a hundred lives.

Then, Uchiha Rai glanced at Uchiha Takehiro, and after receiving a nod from him, he slowly spoke.

"Your Majesty, this is His Excellency Senju, the Vice Commander of the Central Ninja Army. The other four are staff officers: Hyuga, Nara, Yamanaka, and Uzumaki."

While Uchiha Rai was introducing the group, Uchiha Takeoshi was also watching the five people.

Senju Ying is a Kage-level elder of the Senju clan. The other four are all elite Jonin of the ninja clans. They are quick-witted and have considerable strength. If they exchange for a [Lava Release: Blood Seed], they have a certain chance of reaching the Kage level.

After the five people briefly introduced themselves to Uchiha Takeo, Uchiha Rai continued.

"The preparation of personnel for the Central Ninja Army is now complete. There are 1,000 combat ninjas from Konoha, 400 from Kirigakure, 400 from Iwagakure, and 200 from Amegakure, for a total of 2,000 combat ninjas. Due to the large number of personnel, the captains of each combat ninja are waiting for your arrival in the military districts that have already been built."

"Okay, I'll set up the Flying Thunder God Formation later and teleport you there directly."

The inspection of the military region was also one of the tasks of the clone. After Uchiha Muan agreed, he inquired about the affairs of the royal city of [Rei Yestege].

"Return to the Head of State."

Uchiha Rai composed himself and slowly said, "The officials of the royal city have all been replaced by our ninjas. In preparation for the arrival of His Majesty the King, they went through a cleaning campaign."

"Within the royal city, criminal gangs like the Eight Fingers have been completely eradicated."

At this point, a hint of displeasure appeared on Uchiha Rai's face. "But later, through memory searches, we found that there was a guy named something like Phantom Demon selling goods outside. But please rest assured, Your Majesty, we will find his whereabouts soon and make [Eight Fingers] a thing of the past."

"No need. That person met me on the road and was killed by the toad from Mount Myōboku that I summoned."

"We apologize for any inconvenience caused to His Majesty's journey."

Uchiha Rai bowed his head respectfully, and the other five followed suit and apologized.

My stay-at-home order is over, and I'm going to work on the construction site today, so updates will only be available 4 times a day.

(End of this chapter)