Konoha: The Soul King from the Uchiha Clan

Chapter 168 The Hokage's Facade

"You actually know about spiritification techniques?"

"You do have some knowledge," Uchiha Gen said, raising an eyebrow.

"I saw it in the files of the Dark Division before, but I didn't remember it in the rush."

"However, your spiritualization technique is somewhat different from what is recorded in the dossier."

Uchiha Gen smiled faintly and said, "My Spirit Transformation Technique has no flaws."

After a moment's thought, Suigetsu Hozuki exclaimed in amazement, "His main body moves with incredible agility, and with the Flying Thunder God Technique, he truly has no weaknesses, he's flawless!"

"Is it because of your special ability to absorb souls?"

Uchiha Gen smiled but did not answer, which Suigetsu Hobuki interpreted as tacit agreement.

"Juzo Biwa and Kisame Hoshigaki are two good ninjas. Don't let them die; I'll need them later."

"understood."

That's all for tonight. I'll send someone to let you know if anything comes up. Enjoy your sweet dreams.

After saying this, Uchiha Gen's soul left Suigetsu Hozuki's body and entered his own. His main body activated the Flying Thunder God Technique and instantly returned to his bed in the Konoha camp.

As for what happened at the Hidden Mist Camp, needless to say, Suigetsu Hobutsuki will naturally clean up the mess.

"Sweet dreams?"

"Sweet dreams my foot! He won't be able to sleep tonight!"

Once Uchiha Gen disappeared, Suigetsu Fubuki, who had regained control of his body, couldn't help but complain.

"Did you just say bad things about me?"

With a whoosh, Uchiha Gen reappeared in the room, standing in front of the bed with a half-smile.

The Watermelon Pufferfish Demon was so startled that he almost jumped out of bed. After a moment, he chuckled sheepishly, "No, no, absolutely not!"

"Why are you reacting so strongly if you don't have it?"

Uchiha Gen's lips curled slightly, and his eyes became somewhat dangerous.

"Your appearance was so sudden, without any warning, it startled me."

"Don't let my size fool you, even though I'm a frontline commander in Kirigakure. I'm actually quite timid."

"Watermelon Mountain Pufferfish Demon" forced out a fawning smile.

"Then you'd better work on your courage; you can't stay so timid forever."

Uchiha Gen only intended to intimidate Suigetsu Hozuki, not to actually punish him, so he gave him a way out.

"Yes, yes, I will definitely work hard to build up my courage."

Uchiha Gen nodded slightly, and his figure disappeared.

"call……"

Suigetsu Hozuki wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, lay limply on the bed, staring blankly at the dark ceiling, looking utterly hopeless.

Uchiha Gen returned to his tent and happily lay down on the bed to sleep.

You can get up a little later tomorrow. It's a time for growth, so you need to get enough sleep.

……

Time flies like an arrow; several months have passed in the blink of an eye.

Even though Orochimaru and Gen Uchiha deliberately suppressed their attacks, Konoha still maintained a firm advantage, with a comprehensive advantage across the middle, high, and low-level combat forces.

Because of the biggest traitor within the family, Suigetsu Hobutaki, Gen Uchiha made his plan to harvest souls a bit more aggressive.

There wasn't much difference in the first month or two if Orochimaru and Uchiha Gen didn't intervene, but the difference became obvious after a few months.

This was only because Obito kept sending genin and chunin to the front lines; otherwise, Kirigakure might not have been able to hold out.

During this period, Uchiha Gen became the de facto commander on the front lines, while Orochimaru handed over most of the affairs and became engrossed in various research projects.

Several months passed, and the battle reports sent back to Konoha from the front lines gradually came into the view of those who were interested.

That evening, Sarutobi Gounaga, the eldest elder of the Sarutobi clan, visited the residences of Shimura Danzo, Mitokado Homura, and Utatane Koharu.

The following evening, Sarutobi Gounaga went to Sarutobi Hiruzen's residence to pay his respects.

More than half a year has passed, and the reconstruction of Konoha has been basically completed. The traces left by the Nine-Tails in Konoha Village have also largely disappeared, and Konoha has regained its former prosperity.

With less to do, Hiruzen Sarutobi was able to go home earlier.

Upon hearing the news that Sarutobi Gounaga was coming to visit, Sarutobi Hiruzen knew that the other party was going to cause trouble again.

I just don't know if this is the kind of trouble he wants to see...

Dressed in casual clothes, Hiruzen Sarutobi opened the door and entered the tea room. Goyō Sarutobi immediately stood up and bowed, saying, "Hokage-sama."

"Yes, please sit down."

Hiruzen Sarutobi, with a pipe in his mouth, casually waved his hand and said.

"Thank you, Hokage."

The two knelt facing each other, sipped tea and chatted for a while before getting down to business.

"Lord Hokage, I've come to offer you a suggestion."

"The main course is here," Hiruzen Sarutobi thought to himself.

"I'm all ears."

"I think it's time to let Shinnosuke gain experience in a different place."

"Where should we move to?"

"The Land of Whirlpools"

This is to send Shinnosuke to Kirigakure to pick peaches.

Shinnosuke from the Land of Rice Fields can only be considered barely qualified.

Although they managed to block the Cloud Village's offensive, they were unable to gain an advantage or secure a victory; the two sides were essentially evenly matched.

The Hidden Mist Village of the Land of Whirlpools has been completely suppressed by the Hidden Leaf Village.

As long as Kirigakure does not intend to escalate the war and continues to suppress the enemy step by step, Kirigakure's withdrawal is only a matter of time.

Once the Mist Shadows withdraw their troops and the war ends, it will be a great achievement.

Although he didn't want Orochimaru to achieve any more great feats, sending someone to reap the rewards at this moment was really...

"What about Orochimaru?"

"Going to the Land of Fields, Orochimaru's reputation in Kumogakure is so great, perhaps he can break the deadlock..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi's lips twitched. How could a person be so shameless?

"inappropriate."

"If I transfer Shinnosuke there, what will the others think?" Hiruzen Sarutobi shook his head and said.

"It wasn't you who transferred Shinnosuke there, but rather the three elders who persuaded you with reason, emotion, and power, forcing you to transfer Shinnosuke there."

Sarutobi Goei smiled slightly, and said meaningfully.

The glory of the Hokage cannot be tarnished, and even the Sarutobi clan must maintain proper decorum, so he had already devised a way to gracefully exit the situation.

"this……"

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked hesitant; he was tempted, but not completely so.

Upon seeing this, Sarutobi Gounaga immediately raised the steps so that Sarutobi Hiruzen could convince himself with a clear conscience.

"The capable are often given more work."

"Shin-chan's abilities are limited; he can't take down the tough nut of Kumogakure. We'll have to rely on Orochimaru to unleash his power."

"This will accelerate the war process, reduce Konoha's casualties, minimize Konoha's economic losses, and bring peace as soon as possible."

"All of this is for Konoha, for peace!"

Sarutobi Goei danced with joy and spoke with great enthusiasm.

Yes, although this is unfair to Orochimaru, his starting point was for the sake of Konoha.

If Orochimaru were to achieve great merit, the debate over who would become Hokage would become too intense for him to control.

He wasn't clinging to power; if it were Tsunade or Jiraiya willing to become Hokage, he would have handed it over without hesitation.

If it were the Orochimaru of the past, he would have relinquished the Hokage position, but the current Orochimaru has gone astray.

The darkness within him grew ever deeper, until he could no longer see through it all.

With Orochimaru's loss leading to his becoming Hokage, what will become of Konoha in the future?

Will it become even more glorious?

Maybe.

But in his view, the chances were slim; the greater possibility was that it would drag Konoha into the abyss...

Konoha must not be destroyed by him!

He wanted to choose a Hokage who was insightful and had a heart turned towards the light.

Shinnosuke just happened to be his son; he would have done the same to anyone else.

With that thought in mind, Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded slightly and said, "I understand."

Sarutobi Gounaga was overjoyed upon hearing this; things were now in order!

(End of this chapter)