Saving the Uchiha clan starts with becoming the clan leader.

"Yes."

Zongxian nodded.

"Six Paths Tools? If I remember correctly, aren't those the weapons of the Cloud Ninja's Gold and Silver Brothers?" Fugaku Uchiha looked surprised.

"That was before. Now it's been renamed Uchiha."

Zongxian said with a cheerful smile.

This banana leaf fan did not disappoint him at all.

Its ability is to ignore the chakra nature of the holder and can release any of the five nature transformations of fire, water, lightning, wind, and earth as needed. However, Zongxian is not very concerned about the attack power of this fan, as he is not lacking in offensive means.

What he valued was the profound mystery of the five major changes in its inherent nature.

After cleaning the sticky residue from the fan wound, Zongxian used the power of "Knights Never Die Barehanded" to bring the fan under his control and 'saw' the true meaning of chakra nature transformation. He had already mastered all seven chakra natures: Yin, Yang, Fire, Water, Lightning, Wind, and Earth.

However, the limited time he had was not enough for him to elevate all seven nature transformations to the same level. Not to mention that the Yin-Yang attribute was rather special, among the five natures of fire, water, thunder, wind, and earth, fire escaping techniques were naturally the strongest that Zongxian had mastered. After all, he also had an inconspicuous talent called [Magic Release: Flame].

Besides, Sogen's Wind Release technique is also quite good because he has practiced Uchiha-style swordsmanship.

The remaining three properties of water, mine, and earth are rather weak, only at a beginner level, and are basically useless in battle.

While studying the Flame Fan, he discovered that to transform the Sharingan into the Rinnegan, it wasn't just about the harmony of Yin and Yang; the five nature transformations of fire, water, lightning, wind, and earth also needed to reach an extremely high level. All chakra natures were one of the essential conditions for the Rinnegan.

Unfortunately, Zongxian is currently devoting most of his energy to the practice of Yang Dun.

Even with the Shadow Clone Technique and Samehada to replenish chakra, there are still limits. Creating too many shadow clones leads to too much accumulated fatigue, which even Sogen couldn't handle, and his training in the three nature transformations of water, lightning, and earth remained slow.

Therefore,

Zongxian remembered the banana leaf fan.

Originally, Shisui's failure left Zongxian somewhat disappointed, but unexpectedly, he still managed to get his hands on the Banana Leaf Fan by a twist of fate.

With this banana leaf fan, the training in the nature transformations of the five major chakras—fire, water, lightning, wind, and earth—is destined to be twice as effective with half the effort. By referring to the true essence of chakra nature transformation contained within it, it's like having a model problem. You can directly apply the corresponding formula and follow the same steps to reap the final results!

"The Gold and Silver Brothers... they are from a long-established and prestigious clan!"

Uchiha Fuyue said.

"Is that right?"

Shisui blinked.

People like the Gold and Silver Brothers, who have already passed away, are basically unknown to young people today. As for the family from which the Gold and Silver Brothers came, they are even more clueless.

"That's a clan as ancient as our Uchiha, as well as the Hyuga, Senju, Uzumaki, Kaguya, and other clans. The so-called Six Paths Ninja Tools were originally something that the clan passed down from generation to generation. What's most special is that every few generations, a pair of twin brothers are born in that clan, namely the Gold and Silver Brothers. The names Gold and Silver, like the Six Paths Ninja Tools, are also passed down from generation to generation."

"But I've never heard of this family before?"

Still water is perplexing.

“Not all clans have surnames like our Uchiha clan. Which of the clans in Kumogakure has a surname? And the same goes for Iwagakure and Sunagakure; their customs are all different.” Sogen casually answered Shisui’s question. “Speaking of which, our clan’s Uchiha surname only appeared more than 800 years ago. Before that, we only had given names, not surnames. You can check the clan’s library when you have time; it’s all recorded there.”

"Those history books give me a headache."

Zhi Shui's eyebrows twitched.

He usually reads ninjutsu scrolls because his only hobbies and interests, besides raising crows and sparring with others, are developing ninjutsu. He rarely reads other types of books in the library.

"If you have the chance, there's no harm in watching more and talking more."

"We'll talk about it when we have time."

Hearing Shisui's perfunctory words, Sogen shook his head, too lazy to persuade him any further. He put down his fan and looked at Uchiha Fugaku sitting to the side. "Putting aside the idle talk for now, Elder Fugaku, can you tell me about your Mangekyou Sharingan?"

Fugaku Uchiha's hand holding the teacup trembled, and a few drops of tea splashed out and landed on the table.

but,

He quickly calmed down, glanced at Zongxian sitting in the main seat and Shisui opposite him, and a bitter smile appeared on his lips. "I awakened my eye at the end of the Third Shinobi World War. My best friend sacrificed himself to protect me."

"The Nine-Tails' rampage?"

Shizuku spoke without thinking.

Since they possessed the Mangekyou Sharingan, why didn't they intervene during the Nine-Tails' rampage? If they had saved the Fourth Hokage, perhaps the Uchiha clan would have had a different future, although things aren't bad as they are now! However, the torment the clan endured for several years after the Nine-Tails' rampage remains a terrible memory that lingers.

"...At that time, the Fourth Hokage had been in power for less than a year, and the power in the village was completely in the hands of the Third Hokage and Danzo. I couldn't deal with both the Third Hokage and Danzo at the same time by myself," Fugaku Uchiha explained.

Shisui opened his mouth, but ultimately said nothing.

It's too late to say anything now.

However, he also realized once again that it was indeed the right thing to do to agree to join Sogen in launching a coup within the clan. Elder Fugaku's personality was really not suitable for being the head of a clan. He knew that the Third Hokage and Danzo harbored prejudices against the Uchiha clan, yet he did not support the Fourth Hokage.

Do not,

It cannot be said that there was no support.

If I remember correctly, Elder Fugaku's wife and the Fourth Hokage's wife had a good relationship. However, their way of forming a bond was too subtle, and during the crucial night of the Nine-Tails' attack, Fugaku Uchiha chickened out, resulting in the Fourth Hokage's sacrifice, the Third Hokage's return to power, and the Uchiha clan's situation becoming increasingly difficult...

Fugaku Uchiha did not look well.

He had his share of regrets about his past choices, and he regretted many things. But that's just his personality. He had tried to change things more than once, but he never succeeded.

"There's no need to dwell on the past."

Zongxian tapped the table. "Regardless of the past, as long as the future gets better, that's all that matters. Now that Elder Fugaku has awakened the Mangekyou Sharingan and revealed it this time, there are some things we can talk about."

Regarding Madara Uchiha, or rather, Obito Uchiha...

Only a small number of high-ranking people in Konoha knew about this matter. Even within the Uchiha clan, only Sogen, Shisui, and Genji Uchiha, who represented Sogen at high-level meetings during Sogen's campaign, knew a little about it.

The other elders, including Fugaku Uchiha, were not informed of this.

"what's up?"

Fugaku Uchiha quickly suppressed his gloomy emotions and looked at Sogen with some confusion.

He assumed that the reason they hadn't slept in the middle of the night was to ask him about the Mangekyou Sharingan, since all three people in the tent were Uchiha and had awakened the Mangekyou Sharingan. He hadn't expected there to be other matters, which made him quite curious.

Under the same night sky,

Many people hold talks late into the night by candlelight.

In the southeastern part of the Land of Earth, just over ten miles from the border, the Iwa ninja army set up camp. Unlike the Land of Hot Springs, where the snow had stopped, the Iwa ninja were facing a sudden and massive blizzard. Fortunately, the Iwa ninja, skilled in Earth Release techniques, were able to easily build high walls to block the blizzard.

Huang Tu walked into the tent, shook off the snowflakes covering his head and body, and huddled next to the charcoal brazier to warm himself by the fire.

"How's the situation outside?"

Onoki was sitting on the bed, holding a book in his hands and reading.

"It's not a big problem. The wind can't get in, but we can't stop the snow." The erected rock walls can block the sweeping wind, but they can't prevent the snowflakes from falling from the sky, unless the sky above is also blocked with rocks, but then the Iwa ninjas would be trapped like turtles in a jar.

"What about heating? Is there enough coal?"

"Don't worry, Father. What we always lack is food, but we never lack coal."

Onoki snorted. Did he not know that the Land of Earth was rich in various mineral deposits? There were several open-pit coal mines alone. However, as the Tsuchikage, he always had to ask about it. In case there was a logistical problem and not enough coal was transported to the front lines, even ninjas would not be able to withstand the cold weather.

The father and son both fell silent; one continued reading, while the other warmed himself by the fire.

After a long time,

Huang Tu broke the silence first, "Father, Konoha's resistance is quite tenacious!"

"nonsense!"

"The leader of Konoha is Jiraiya, one of the Legendary Sannin, and even the Mist Village has gotten involved with Konoha."

"Huang Tu, what are you trying to say?"

Onoki looked up from his book and at his son sitting by the charcoal brazier.

"I'd like to ask, Father, how much of a chance do you think we have of winning this attack on Konoha?" Huang Tu met Onoki's sharp gaze, his honest and simple face revealing a will as firm as a rock.

"Konoha can't stop us. Jiraiya is just one person. As long as Han or Rōshi keeps an eye on him, defeating Konoha will be a piece of cake!"

"Don't forget the Mist Ninja."

Huang Tu shouted a reminder.

"That young man from the Hozuki clan is amazing! And that Kirigakure ninja who uses Lightning Release, that Uchiha girl, and that White Fang's son... I'm not trying to brag, but in yesterday's main battle against Konoha, we had the upper hand. However, in smaller skirmishes, we were at a disadvantage. If you count the number of casualties, we didn't gain any advantage at all."

The war has begun along the border between the Land of Grass and the Land of Earth.

Thousands of Iwa ninja, Kirigakure ninja, and Konoha ninja were active in the mountains, hills, and plains. As Huang Tu said, Konoha, which was at a disadvantage in terms of military strength, was at a disadvantage on the main battlefield. Onoki's Dust Release and the activity of the Four-Tails and Five-Tails Jinchuriki made Konoha struggle to maintain its position.

But besides direct combat...

Both sides also had nearly a hundred small groups of troops that infiltrated behind enemy lines to sabotage supply lines and disrupt morale.

In such battles, the individual or squad combat strength of Konoha ninjas is already superior to that of Iwa ninjas. To be precise, the overall quality of Konoha ninjas is the best in the ninja world. According to big data, Konoha ninjas have a huge advantage in one-on-one or squad-on-squad battles.

The Mist Ninja, skilled in assassination, were also adept at small-team combat. The combined efforts of Konoha and the Mist Ninja inflicted heavy losses on the Iwa Ninja in this small-scale battle. In just a few days, several Iwa Ninja supply transport units had been annihilated, resulting in the loss of a significant amount of food and other supplies.

"Father, although Konoha may have lost the Third Hokage, Konoha's wealth has not been squandered!"

Huang Tu said earnestly.

He looked at Onoki, hoping that the Tsuchikage would change his mind.

only--

"Let's take another look."

Onoki lowered his eyes. "Let's see. This battle has only just begun! Konoha is burning the candle at both ends. They won't be able to hold on any longer. However... we don't need to fight Konoha too hard. This blizzard came suddenly, so for the next few days... let's relax our offensive for now."

What Huang Tu said wasn't without reason.

To be honest, he really didn't expect that the Mist Ninja would go to such lengths to help Konoha. They didn't just send one or two elite squads, but a large army of thousands to support Konoha. Such a display of strength really filled Onoki with doubt. He didn't understand what was going on with the Mist Ninja. Had the Fourth Mizukage taken the wrong medicine?

Or is it that,

What reasons might he not know about this? Onoki frowned slightly, his gaze seemingly fixed on the book, but his mind was actually wandering, wondering what was going on between Kirigakure and Konoha, and how the two villages had gotten together.

Huang Tu's face twitched.

This result,

It wasn't the best, but it wasn't a waste of breath.

He sighed. Let's leave it at that for now. Although his father is stubborn, he's not entirely unreasonable. Hopefully, the Yunren will suffer a crushing defeat, and then his father will change his mind.