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

Chapter 17 The First Step to Becoming Hokage: Taking the Initiative

The war ended, and the news that the frontline ninja army had set foot in the Land of Fire and would soon return to the village spread throughout Konoha. The streets were bustling with people, and villagers were chatting and smiling everywhere.

Konoha's victory did not surprise them. On the contrary, the fact that the war had lasted for several years made them complain. After all, they lived in Konoha, the strongest village in the ninja world!

Shouldn't the mere Hidden Cloud Village be wiped out in no time?

The villagers, unaware that Tobirama Senju had already died, reminisced about the invincible First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, respected the dedicated Second Hokage, and wondered who the Third Hokage would be—which lord of the Senju of the Forest? Or the Byakugan Hyuga of the ancient and prestigious clan?

In short, it couldn't possibly be an Uchiha who looks down on people.

As if timed perfectly, groups of ninja began to appear on the streets, following the flow of people spontaneously according to their strength and status.

The Aburame clan, Inuzuka clan, Sarutobi clan, Shimura clan, and Kurama clan follow behind.

The Hyuga clan in the middle, along with the Ino-Shika-Cho trio.

And at the very front, the Senju clan led by Mito Uzumaki.

The group, consisting of over a hundred people, ranging from Jonin to Kage-level strength, all wore Konoha Jonin vests with the Uzumaki clan crest on the back, over black tight-fitting combat suits underneath. They walked slowly down the street, receiving respectful glances from the villagers.

At the front of the group, only two people wore different clothes.

One was Mito Uzumaki, dressed in a white kimono, and the other was Ashizaki Hyuga, the head of the Hyuga clan, who had fallen half a step behind. He was an old relic who had survived from the Warring States period and whose strength was steadily at the level of a Kage. He was dressed in a light brown kimono.

"Chief Ashizabeth, you should be aware of what's happening at the front lines, right?"

"What are the Hyuga clan's plans?"

Hyuga Ashizawa wasn't surprised by Mito Uzumaki's bluntness. This woman was a real violent woman in her youth, solving more problems with her fists than with words. She was straightforward and outspoken, and it was only after becoming a grandmother that her temper softened considerably.

But not being surprised doesn't mean they like it. The Hyuga clan, who are rule-abiding and have a traditional family style, dislike and are least able to adapt to people who are overly familiar and don't follow rules and etiquette.

Hyuga Ashizawa disliked Mito Uzumaki, but her background, status, and strength allowed the head of the Hyuga main family to overlook some of her minor flaws.

Just as Hyuga Ashizawa disliked Uchiha Takeoshi, it didn't stop him from appreciating what Uchiha Takeoshishi said in the hot spring town of the Land of Hot Springs: "Those who know when to yield are the heroes."

Coincidentally, the Hyuga clan is full of outstanding talents.

"Hyuga Yaiba?"

Hyuga Ashizashi's face was as calm as a still lake. "I will obey the village's orders."

(That old fox, what he said was as good as nothing at all.)

"The village will consider the bigger picture."

In the past, he would have been met with an even more scornful look than Hyuga's Byakugan. However, after sensing Hyuga Ashizashi's emotions and finding no malice, Mito Uzumaki ignored him.

After all, the Hyuga clan is unlikely to cheer for the Uchiha; they are more likely to kick them while they're down.

"They're here."

Suddenly, Hyuga Ashizawa said softly.

Mito Uzumaki calmly gazed ahead, ignoring the commotion behind her.

Behind the crowd, nearly a hundred Uchiha Jonin, dressed in black robes from the Warring States period, covered with red armor, and bearing the Uchiha fan on their backs, with samurai swords at their waists, walked forward like an unstoppable torrent of blood, seemingly slow but actually fast.

The villagers and ninjas blocking their way all looked at these cold and murderous killers with awe, their hearts filled with both envy and jealousy.

I envy them because they are Uchiha, and I'm even more jealous that they are Uchiha!

Their ultimate goal in training is to become a Jonin, but for most Uchiha, becoming a Jonin is merely the starting point of their training. The gap between them is enormous. Coupled with the Uchiha clan's proud and stubborn nature, this sentiment gradually turned into rejection under Tobirama Senju's instigation!

The Uchiha clan became even more reluctant to get close to them. "If you don't like me, why should I bother with you?" So the rift between them grew deeper and deeper.

(These eccentric, arrogant bastards.)

The green and red began to stand side by side. The jonin in disguise, who had been ignored by the Uchiha, were so angry that their gums itched. However, most of the jonin in disguise did not dare to meet the eyes of the Uchiha jonin, and were even more shocked by the strength of the Uchiha clan.

Seeing this, the Uchiha clan became even more arrogant.

The cold, deep chakra of the same lineage intertwined, forming a chakra pressure that almost solidified into a physical form, constantly squeezing the space in which the disguised Jonin could move. The weak Jonin was already drenched in sweat and short of breath.

The green team no longer possesses its former formidable momentum.

"Mito-hime, it's been a long time."

"Why is it that Lord Hashirama is gone, and Lord Tobirama is gone too? Does the Senju of the Forest now need to rely on Princess Mito?"

Uchiha Yoshikazuki, who had stepped forward from the crowd, glanced at the Senju clan ninjas, especially Senju Moriki, the son of Senju Hashirama, whose face was turning pale and whose fists were clenched. He chuckled and said, "Fortunately, our clan still has the young lord of Wu'an. I wonder if the Senju clan still has anyone else?"

"You bastard..."

Before Senju Moriki could finish speaking, Uzumaki Mito took a step forward, and red chakra overflowed from her body. It was a chakra that seemed to be a collection of hatred, vast and evil, like a mountain pressing down on the hearts of the Uchiha clan and the Uchiha behind them, and their momentum was immediately dampened.

The Jonin with vests keenly sensed this, and the team began to regroup. With the help of Mito Uzumaki, they withstood the pressure from the Uchiha clan.

Mito Uzumaki took the lead, asserting Konoha's dominance, and looked back at the Uchiha clan.

"Clan leader, you can't let the fact that you can't become Hokage make you slack off in your training!"

(Nine-Tails Jinchuriki!)

Faced with Uzumaki Mito's seemingly concerned but actually mocking words, Uchiha Yomo's expression changed slightly, but then he laughed happily.

"I'm too old to cultivate anymore. From now on, my clan will fully support Young Master Wu'an in making great strides. As for me, this old fellow who came from the Warring States period, I should go back and educate my son so that he doesn't become a good-for-nothing."

Hyuga Ashizawa, who was standing to the side with his eyes closed and mind at ease, truly admired Uchiha Yomo's magnanimity. His words were full of sarcasm, and a sense of worry rose in his heart.

The Uchiha clan's current performance clearly shows that, with Uchiha Muan present, the three major factions have united to achieve their goal. What kind of combat power they will unleash next, and whether the Senju of the Forest can withstand it, remains to be seen.

Perhaps the Hyuga clan can no longer remain bystanders.

Uchiha Setsuna and Uchiha Kagura echoed their sentiments, their words nearly making the still beautiful and dignified Uzumaki Mito, who was of grandmotherly age, want to hit someone. Fortunately, the group had already reached the gates of Konoha and could see the returning ninja army in the distance.

The Uchiha members also saw the returning Uchiha Takeoshi ahead of the ninja army.

As the distance closed, Uchiha Yomo smiled and, passing Uzumaki Mito, his voice carried for miles around thanks to the power of his chakra.

"Welcome back victorious, young master Uchiha Wu'an of our clan, after slaying the Second Raikage!"

The Uchiha behind him shouted in unison.

"Welcome back victorious, young master Uchiha Wu'an of our clan, after slaying the Second Raikage!"

The sound echoed across the land, revealing the astonished faces of the villagers, the somber expressions of the ninja clans, the furious face of Mito Uzumaki, and the excited faces of the Uchiha clan.

Uchiha looked around smugly. In fact, he had originally planned to add something like avenging Tobirama Senju, but when he thought of Mito Uzumaki, that terrifying woman, he realized that if he were beaten up by her in front of everyone, he would lose all face.

(It seems the old folks in the clan, no, the elders of the clan, are still quite capable.)

Uchiha Wu'an narrowed his eyes, a smile playing on them—the first step to becoming Hokage was to make a strong first impression.

(End of this chapter)