They're promoting the "Konoha threat" theory, and spouting nonsense about the Hidden

Chapter 28 The Oath of the Hokage Rock

Danzo Shimura realized something was wrong as soon as he said those words and sat down. However, his face remained grim, clearly indicating that his words were not impulsive.

"The Uchiha are frivolous; they shouldn't be associated with Konoha?"

You can't say that, Tuanbao.

The patriarchs of the various ninja clans on the periphery were stunned for a moment, then immediately realized what was happening, and their faces all showed an indescribable expression.

Although everyone knows and tacitly follows the policy of suppressing the Uchiha, it's fine to say this in private, but to say it to their faces like this shows a lack of respect for the Uchiha clan.

And this overreaction... it feels like it touched Danzo's cheese.

Could it be that the roots of this leaf also want to sprout?

Meanwhile, Uchiha Homura's expression darkened upon seeing Danzo's reaction.

He hadn't expected Danzo's reaction to his mere suggestion that the next Hokage be a member of the Uchiha clan. Although he was aware of the village's prejudice against the Uchiha, he hadn't anticipated that it would be this severe.

What does it mean that "the Uchiha are frivolous and should not be allowed to visit Konoha"? Where are the Uchiha frivolous?

You, Shimura Danzo, are the real frivolous one, aren't you? Why are you so agitated? Do you want to become Hokage?

Upon hearing this, the Uchiha clan members nearby became agitated and immediately declared that they would teach Danzo a lesson.

"Danzo, shut up! One more word and you'll be confined to Root for three months!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi hadn't expected his old teammate to fall behind at this moment. Was it appropriate to say such a thing in this setting? So he glared at him and immediately tried to smooth things over, thinking about how to resolve the Uchiha's demands.

"The Hokage position... Homura, you know that the Hokage position is elected by everyone. How can I guarantee it to you at this time? Wouldn't that be considered a abuse of power? However, if the Uchiha clan has such intentions, they should disband and explain to everyone that it's a misunderstanding! Only by actively working for the collective can we earn everyone's respect, right?"

However, Uchiha Homura was not buying it at all, and just said one sentence.

Agree or disagree?

"The Uchiha clan has only one request. If we agree, the Uchiha clan will leave and continue to serve the village as usual; but if we refuse..." Following the guidance of the master from the Land of Water, Uchiha Homura made up her mind after a moment's hesitation.

"If we refuse, it means that Konoha has never considered the Uchiha clan as one of its own. In that case, the Uchiha clan can simply return to the mountains and find a place to build our own village. If the Uzumaki clan can build Uzushio Village, then the Uchiha clan can do the same."

Upon hearing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes instantly turned cold. They would never allow the Uchiha to leave the village!

Meat, if you don't want to eat it, you can leave it in the pot to rot, but you absolutely cannot take it out of the pot!

What if the Uchiha turn against Konoha after they leave? As their own people, they know all too well the power of the Uchiha Sharingan; it's truly formidable!

Besides, now that the Uchiha are gone, who will they be able to fool next?

Without the Uchiha clan as a common goal, wouldn't the ninja clans below become demoralized, wouldn't they have their own selfish thoughts, and wouldn't they be less supportive of his work than before?

No, absolutely not!

At this moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi finally agreed with his teacher's opinion: the Uchiha were indeed an evil clan!

Why don't you just obediently accept being exploited by the village and stay in the garrison for the rest of your lives? Why do you have to cause trouble for the village? Can't you understand the difficulties the village faces?

However, they had no official reason to object to the Uchiha's departure. After all, if you suppress them and deny them hope, and then try to stop them from leaving, unless you resort to violence, it wouldn't be in accordance with the rules, right?

Hiruzen Sarutobi fell into deep thought.

Danzo Shimura, standing to the side, opened his mouth as if he wanted to say something. However, after being glared at by Hiruzen Sarutobi, he shut his mouth and remained silent.

Seeing this scene, Uchiha Homura felt a little panicked. Judging from the expressions of these two people... could it be that the negotiations have really broken down?

He was just talking; there was no way he was going to leave. And even if the Uchiha were to leave, they would leave in style, not be driven out of Konoha like stray dogs!

"What are you all doing gathered here? Get out of here, everyone!"

Just as the three parties fell silent, caught in a dilemma, an old voice rang out.

A sprightly old woman walked over. Her once vibrant red hair was now dull and lifeless, tied in buns on both sides. The most striking feature was the diamond-shaped mark on her forehead.

The newcomer was none other than Mito Uzumaki, the widow of Hashirama Senju, the God of Shinobi, and Madara Uchiha's lifelong enemy.

"Mito-sama!"

Everyone present, including the clan leaders of various ninja clans, members of the Uchiha clan, as well as Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo Shimura, bowed their heads and respectfully greeted the old man.

Mito Uzumaki's high standing is not solely due to her status as Hashirama Senju's wife. As the perfect Jinchuriki of the Nine-Tails, she is undoubtedly among the strongest fighters in Konoha and can be considered the pillar of the village.

"It's rare to see everyone in such high spirits. What are you all chatting about here?" Mito Uzumaki nodded with a smile.

Uchiha Homura hesitated for a moment before recounting everything that had just happened, including the rumors circulating in the village recently.

If anyone still has the ability, status, and qualifications to resolve this matter, it is undoubtedly Mito Uzumaki.

"I see... Hiruzen, you're far less capable than Tobirama as Hokage!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi lowered his head and accepted the scolding. Of course, he knew that Mito Uzumaki's words were not just what they seemed on the surface. The deeper meaning was that even during the Second Hokage's time, when he hated the Uchiha clan so much, this situation never occurred. How come this happened here? It's one thing for this to happen, but now you can't even solve it yourself and you expect me to clean up your mess?

Mito Uzumaki glanced at Danzo Shimura, who sat silently to the side, and sighed inwardly. But what was done was done, and all she could do was try her best to salvage the situation.

"Hiruzen's situation was special, and as Hiruzen himself said, the position of Hokage cannot be agreed to so easily. Besides, if we had agreed so readily, you wouldn't have believed us, would you?"

Mito Uzumaki raised her hand to interrupt Homura Uchiha's speech and continued, "Of course, since things have escalated to this point, the Uchiha clan must be given an explanation. First, the village must immediately vindicate Uchiha Kagami, solemnly bestow upon him the title of hero, and correctly acknowledge the Uchiha clan's sacrifice in the Konoha Chronicles; second, from this day forward, no department in Konoha shall impose any additional restrictions on the Uchiha clan, allowing them to serve in the security forces. Finally, Hiruzen, you choose a child from the Uchiha clan to take as your disciple, and when you retire, you must do your utmost to promote him, how about that?"

After thinking about it for a while, Hiruzen Sarutobi finally accepted the suggestion.

The first point is simple: reputation. Besides, as long as the current opinions of the various ninja clans regarding the Uchiha remain unchanged, their reputation in books doesn't really matter. The second point is also irrelevant; at worst, the Uchiha clan can be given some marginal positions. They'll only be doing some trivial, repetitive work, and given their personalities, they might just get annoyed and leave. As for the third point… that's acceptable too. After all, his nomination doesn't mean the other ninja clans approve. If he's capable, can the Uchiha gain the approval of the other ninja clans? Can a Hokage who isn't approved by the Jonin Council even be called a Hokage?

The ninja clan leaders present naturally understood the implications of these conditions, and thus silently acquiesced to the matter.

After hearing this, Uchiha Homura nodded reluctantly. Clearly, he had thought of this.

Although he was very unwilling to accept that all the efforts of the entire clan, combined with favorable timing, location, and popular support, had only yielded such empty promises, he had no choice but to accept this option.

Unless he really wants to lead his clan away from Konoha, what else can he do?

If this continues, does Mito Uzumaki really think he's a kind old man?

"This is a significant step towards our goal. If a true genius emerges within the family, surely they will be able to lead their people to achieve their aspirations?"

Uchiha Homura thought of the boy in her clan named Uchiha Fugaku. He was quite a promising talent.

"Since you agree, then let's drop this matter. Uchiha Homura, you should take your clansmen back now!" Uzumaki Mito nodded in satisfaction.

"Wait a minute!"

However, at this moment, Uchiha Homura's sudden movement made Sarutobi Hiruzen's heart tighten.

"Sarutobi, do you dare to swear by the Hokage Rock that you will absolutely carry out everything that just happened?"

Although a ninja's oath is as trivial as farting, as the Hokage, unless Hiruzen Sarutobi truly loses all sense of shame, it's quite unlikely that he wouldn't fulfill the oath he made by pointing at the Hokage Rock.

That's exactly what Uchiha Homura was betting on.

However, it is clear that he, like Madara Uchiha, is a political idiot.

Do politicians have any credibility?

Hiruzen Sarutobi silently gazed at the statue of his teacher, Tobirama Senju, in the setting sun, imagining what choice his teacher would make upon hearing those words.

He soon found out the answer.

Hiruzen Sarutobi pointed to the imposing Hokage Rock at his feet and the flowing river in the distance, repeating his words word by word in front of the many ninja clan leaders, Mito Uzumaki, and Uchiha clan members present.

"I swear... that the river will be like a ribbon, the cliffs like sharp blades, that my people will live in eternal peace, and that my love will extend to my descendants."

(End of this chapter)