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

Chapter 5 The Shadow Guards with Their Own Divides

Hiruzen Sarutobi was shocked. While Danzo Shimura's death could be attributed to underestimating his opponent in a fit of rage, the death of Kagami Uchiha cast an indelible shadow over his mind—the strength of the "Human Butcher" was far beyond what an elite Jonin could describe!

Absolutely Kage-level strength!

(But Hiruzen Sarutobi is no slouch either!)

"Wind Release: Cyclone!"

Without pausing in his hand seals, Hiruzen Sarutobi, together with Enma, unleashed a double Wind Release ninjutsu, causing the two creatures to exhale two small tornadoes that merged in mid-air, suddenly growing larger and thicker, sweeping towards Uchiha Takeo's location.

Before it could fall from the branch, Uchiha Kagami's headless corpse swayed and was tightly sucked in by the oncoming vortex. Together with the surrounding branches, leaves, soil, flowers, and the corpse of Shimura Danzo under the tree, it formed a blood-red tornado that rampaged through the forest.

The sheer scale of the event left Uchiha Takeo, who had managed to dodge, amazed.

"That Uchiha Kagami guy is really pitiful. He served Senju Ichijo to the very end, but his body was destroyed by his own fellow disciples."

"And poor Shimura Danzo, but it doesn't matter, you'll all die here anyway."

"You should thank me, for saving you from feeling lonely on your journey to the underworld."

A mocking voice echoed in his ears. Hiruzen Sarutobi held the Vajra Staff in both hands, maintaining a defensive posture, and stared intently at Uchiha Takeoshi standing on a tree branch not far away. Hiruzen Sarutobi, who possessed the summoning beast Enma, was not afraid to meet the gaze of the three-tomoe Uchiha. The moment he fell into the illusion, Enma would pull him out.

However, the Sharingan that Uchiha Muan saw was completely different from the beautiful yet evil Sharingan of Uchiha Kagami, causing the well-informed Hiruzen Sarutobi to lower his gaze instantly, not daring to meet his eyes again.

"Don't look him in the eyes!"

"Uchiha Takeo possesses the Mangekyou Sharingan!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi roared, his bad premonition growing stronger.

(How unlucky I was to encounter those legendary eyes.)

Kaleidoscope Sharingan!

It was listed by the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, as the most powerful forbidden force of the Uchiha clan.

Madara Uchiha, the "Shura of the Ninja World," who ended a thousand years of chaos in the ninja world and, together with the "God of Shinobi" Hashirama Senju, established the ninja village's structure, possessed these invincible divine eyes.

(How old is Uchiha Takeo this year? Is he even an adult yet? His strength has actually surpassed mine.)

(Uchiha...Uchiha!)

(Tobirama-sensei is right, the Uchiha are the biggest destabilizing factor in the village.)

Learning from past mistakes, with the ashes of the tragically deceased Shimura Danzo and Uchiha Kagami still floating in the sky, Hiruzen Sarutobi dared not make any rash moves. Mitokado Homura, Utatane Koharu, and Akimichi Torifusa gathered around with grim expressions.

"Hiruzen, we can't delay any longer. With such a commotion, the pursuers from the rogue ninja of Kumokage will be here soon."

Koharu Utatane, who was able to squeeze into the ranks of the Second Hokage's disciples despite being a woman, naturally has her own extraordinary qualities. She is very good at calm analysis. The current situation is already quite unfavorable for them. If there is any accident, they will all perish here.

So she lowered her voice and said, "Hiruzen, it's time to make a decision."

(A decision? What decision?)

(Will I evacuate alone, or will you cover my strategic retreat?)

(Or will everyone flee when disaster strikes?)

Having witnessed a bright future, Hiruzen Sarutobi had no desire to die here. Once he returned to Konoha, he would be the Third Hokage, the most admired and powerful figure in the world, leading the strongest ninja village!

Die here?

Stop joking!

Sensing Hiruzen Sarutobi's hesitation and the unease in the hearts of the other three, Uchiha Takeo's lips curled into a slight smile. He stroked Tachibana, who had already burrowed into his collar and whose eyes were practically sparkling with stars, and savored the "wonderful" look in the eyes of Konoha's future high-ranking officials who wanted to kill him but were also hesitant to do so. He spoke slowly and deliberately.

"I came here purely to cause trouble for Cloud Shadow Village, and it just so happens that I ran into you here."

"What's even more coincidental is that among you there is a reckless Danzo Shimura, and another treacherous ingrate."

"Now that those two people I hated the most are dead, I don't feel that much ill will towards you."

"After all, I'm not some kind of demon; I wouldn't do something like indiscriminately killing innocent people."

Hiruzen Sarutobi and the other three felt a jolt in their hearts, their faces flickered slightly, and they were all secretly delighted. But then, Uchiha Takeo's next words plunged their hearts into despair.

"If you're willing to leave two of you to be my dogs, I might release you."

Watching the four people's expressions change from gloomy to happy, then to astonished, and finally to painful, Uchiha Muan found it extremely amusing.

He remembered that in the original story, these bastards loved to play power games. They gave away most of Konoha's future golden generation, making it just like the Qing Dynasty. In particular, Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu seemed to live for a very long time, always occupying the positions of Konoha's high-ranking elders and advisors.

It's ironic that heroes who served their villages and people died young, while politicians who served their own interests lived long lives.

Killing them outright would be too lenient on them.

(The inherently evil Uchiha brat!)

Hiruzen Sarutobi cursed inwardly, the request made by that brat Uchiha was undoubtedly a vicious attack on his spirit.

However, he was indeed somewhat tempted.

Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu were ninjas from small ninja clans. Their only claim to fame was becoming disciples of Senju Tobirama. Their own strength was not among the top in Konoha, a village full of ninja clans.

He and Akimichi Torifu, one of the Ino-Shika-Cho clans, will surely make contributions to the development of Konoha Village that are difficult for others to match, and their importance will far exceed that of Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu.

Putting aside past friendships, Hiruzen Sarutobi, now immersed in the mindset of the Naruto, began to feel his emotions tip rapidly.

However, the words of abandoning the two could never come from the great, bright, and righteous Third Hokage. So, Hiruzen Sarutobi, reminiscing about the deceased Danzo Shimura, inadvertently glanced at Torifu Akimichi.

"Don't believe his divisive lies. As long as we unite, we will definitely get back alive and see our beloved families again!"

Upon hearing this, Koharu Utatane's heart sank, and anger and resentment flashed in her eyes—the words "beloved family" were truly incredibly ironic.

(It seems that only Xiaochun and I will be able to stay now.)

Without expectations, there will be no despair; Mitokado Homura is no idiot after all this time.

If Hiruzen Sarutobi stays willingly and successfully escapes, he will naturally treat his family well out of consideration for his sect. However, if he ignores them, they might turn against each other, and he would end up making a fool of himself in Uchiha Takeo's eyes.

Moreover, as long as one doesn't die, it makes no difference whether one serves as a lackey for the Senju or Uchiha clans.

Akimichi Torifu is a typical fat guy from the Akimichi family. His main role is to charge around and act as a tank to draw fire for his teammates. He also has a strong sense of justice.

Faced with Hiruzen Sarutobi's hint, Akimichi Torifu had already made up his mind to hold off Uchiha Takeoshi by himself. He was going to die sooner or later anyway, and where and why he would die was up to Akimichi Torifushi to decide!

The silence was quickly broken when, to the astonishment of Hiruzen Sarutobi and the other two, Akimichi Torifu took out the family's secret medicine, the "Red Chili Pepper Pill," which was the last remaining item from their battle against the rebels of Kumogakure. This pill could amplify one's strength a hundredfold, but its side effects were deadly, and it was used to fight to the death.

Without hesitation, the "fat pig" in the eyes of ordinary people swallowed it whole. Brilliant and beautiful butterfly wings instantly unfurled behind him. The enormous chakra butterfly wings shocked Hiruzen Sarutobi and the other two, and also illuminated the dark side and will to survive in their hearts.

"You guys go first, I'll hold off Uchiha Takeoshi!"

"Get some wind, hold on, we'll go find reinforcements!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi turned and left, no longer wanting to be someone's dog. Mitokado Homura and Koharu Utatane, who were in a situation where their lives were not in their own hands, immediately followed. Seeing this scene, Uchiha Takehiro stared intently at Akimichi Torifu, who was able to fight against a Kage-level powerhouse in a short time, and might even win. He said softly.

Is it worth it?

"Uchiha Takeo, it would be too pathetic to make all decisions based on whether something is worthwhile."

Unparalleled power filled his entire body, but Akimichi Torifu knew this was just a fleeting moment. The more he used it, the faster he would die. Facing the Mangekyou Sharingan, which even Tobirama Senju feared, he had no intention of putting up a fight.

The most important task at present is to hold off Uchiha Muan; as for the rest, I won't be able to see them anyway.

Akimichi Torifu laughed freely yet resolutely, "To betray my teammates and flee back to my death is not my ninja way!"

"In that case, I will grant you a dignified death."

"Then kill Hiruzen Sarutobi and the others one by one."

"Before these eyes, you are all struggling in your death throes."

Having understood the other party's will to die, Uchiha Wu'an naturally followed suit. As his crimson Mangekyou Sharingan turned, it exuded a chilling aura that could kill anything.

(End of this chapter)