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

Chapter 48 begins the search for the sealing location of Uchiha Hikaru.

With Sarutobi Sasuke's arrangements finalized, the location of Uchiha Mumei's (Uchiha Mitsuo's) seal was also made known to Uchiha Takeo.

The approximate location is at the border between the Land of Whirlpools and the Land of Fire, in a place with towering mountains.

According to Sarutobi Sasuke, the Uchiha girl named Hikari was so powerful that she was practically invincible in direct combat.

Under the arrangement of the Forest Thousand Hands, the Uzumaki clan, the Sarutobi clan, and the three clans began to unite against the enemy.

The Uchiha clan, obsessed with the power of Uchiha Hikaru, dismissively dispatched him to the Uzumaki clan to subdue them. However, they were ambushed by the Senju and Sarutobi clans along the way, and despite paying a heavy price, they successfully sealed him beneath a mountain.

"Lord Hokage, should I search for Lord Hikaru's whereabouts?"

Although he didn't believe that someone who had been sealed away for nearly a hundred years could still be alive now, and even if he found him, he would probably just be a pile of bones, how could Sarutobi Sasuke, as a subordinate, not help his superior solve his problems?

"We shouldn't trouble two people with the same task. This mission will be entrusted to Chief Sarutobi."

Uchiha Muan took out a Flying Thunder God kunai from his ninja tool bag and handed it to Sarutobi Sasuke.

"The Anbu has ninja hawks that can deliver messages. Chief Sarutobi, remember to get two of them. After you obtain information about the location of the Uchiha Hikaru seal, have the ninja hawks send the message back directly. I will make the trip myself."

"Understood, Lord Hokage."

"I will set off immediately with my men."

Knowing how much Uchiha Takeoshi valued this matter, Sarutobi Sasuke prepared to set off immediately with several Jonin from his clan, leaving the rest of the team's organization to be decided upon their return.

"Um."

Uchiha Takeo nodded and left the Sarutobi clan's territory amidst Sarutobi Sasuke's respectful bow.

As dusk fell, a standard four-person ninja squad sped away from Konoha Village, traveling along a straight line through the forest.

"Clan leader, do you think it's possible that Uchiha Hikaru's Mangekyou Sharingan might still be sealed away? Otherwise, why would the Hokage have arranged for us to come out? Do we have a chance to retrieve it...?"

boom!

Before the young Jonin Sarutobi could react, a slap landed squarely on his face, leaving him completely stunned.

Looking at Sarutobi Sasuke, who was so close yet expressionless, the Jonin felt a chill run through his body, and an invisible killing intent made him break out in a cold sweat.

"As I said before, when facing a strong Uchiha, you should either address them by their title or respectfully call them 'Sir' or 'Your Excellency.' You can think it in your mind, but you can't say it out loud."

"And most importantly, how dare you peek into the kaleidoscope!"

"The Uchiha clan has a history spanning nearly a thousand years. Do you really think no one would dare to target them?"

"One reason is that the Uchiha clan is strong enough, and another reason is that the Sharingan is generally unusable by ordinary people, let alone the Mangekyou Sharingan!"

As he spoke, Sarutobi Sasuke grabbed the Jonin by the neck and lifted him up, his face full of exasperation. "If the Uchiha finds out, our entire clan will be wiped out!"

"If you alone wish to die, this old man will grant your wish right now!"

"Chief! He only made a mistake unintentionally; a simple punishment will suffice."

"Yes, clan leader, there are not many Jonin in the clan to begin with. Please spare his life."

The other two, feeling sorry for him, began to persuade him. Sarutobi Sasuke stared at the Jonin of the clan, whose eyes were almost rolling back in his head, and finally slowly lowered his hand.

Gazing at the free-flying birds in the sky, this Kage-level sage, nearing fifty and deeply attached to his clan, sighed, "My Sarutobi clan is now under the command of the Uchiha, like caged birds in the Hyuga branch family. You must remember this well—the saying 'disaster comes from the mouth'!"

"Don't end up like the Ape Demon, whose life and clan were wiped out because of a single sentence!"

"The Uchiha clan has never been known for being nice guys, and that person is especially ruthless!"

"Chief, we understand."

Sarutobi Sasuke glanced around and saw that all three, including the clan jonin he had almost killed, were taking the matter very seriously, which eased his mind considerably.

"Let's go. The road ahead is still long. Whether our Sarutobi clan can bask in the morning sun in the future still depends on you."

………………

As the sun set, the Hokage Building fell silent. Mito Uzumaki rubbed her aching neck, glanced at the ever-increasing number of documents on her desk, shook her head, and clocked out. On her way home, she ran into Minako Uzumaki, who was returning home.

Both the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law looked tired.

"Minako, did you encounter any difficulties today?"

"With Principal Setsuna here, everything is going smoothly. The location for the elementary school has been finalized, and the surrounding residents will begin moving tomorrow. The Uchiha clan will advance the relocation costs, and the two elementary school principals have also arranged for the construction teams. The Ministry of Education's work is proceeding in an orderly manner."

Minako Uzumaki slowly recounted her work from the afternoon, a faint smile on her bright and pretty face. "The only problem is probably the expansion of the high school and the design of the two elementary school ninja academies. The three principals are somewhat hesitant, and it will probably be up to the Hokage to make the decision."

"It's hard to imagine that the former ANBU captain who once monitored the Uchiha clan could peacefully deal with the elders of the Uchiha martial arts faction."

Minako's sentiments brought a touch of nostalgia to Mito's eyes. "This is the result of Hashirama's founding of Konoha, the crystallization of his dream, allowing former enemies to make peace and work together to create a peaceful and happy world."

"Therefore, I will protect the hard work and dedication of Hashirama and Tobirama."

"Minako will also follow behind Lady Mito."

"You need to go ahead of me. I'm getting old. Before Tsunade grows up, you'll be the one to hold up the Senju clan in the future."

"Minako understands, but..."

Minako Uzumaki reached out and took Mito Uzumaki's arm. Their young yet mature faces pressed together, like beautiful sisters. "Mito-sama and I are both eighteen every year."

"You."

Mito Uzumaki chuckled and patted Minako Uzumaki's hand. "I just miss the days when you first arrived, when Hashirama was still around, and Moriki was such a well-behaved and sensible kid..."

"Mito-sama, please don't mention Moriki-kun."

Senju Moriki, who was confined to his home, vented most of his bad temper on her. As his wife, Uzumaki Minako could accept her husband's outbursts, but she could not accept him taking his temper out on young Tsunade.

Memories of Senju Moriki were fading from her mind, while the handsome and dignified Uchiha Takeoshi had left a good impression on her.

"Okay, let's not talk about him anymore."

"As you get older, you tend to reminisce about the past."

Mito Uzumaki, who still longed for another grandson, saw Minako Uzumaki's unhappy expression and felt deeply sorry for Moriki Senju's lack of ambition. She stopped talking about family matters and instead began to recount interesting stories about the Land of Whirlpools. Both mother-in-law and daughter-in-law had the idea of ​​going back to visit.

As the two were chatting happily, they noticed Uchiha Takeoshi walking slowly towards them.

(End of this chapter)