Revitalizing the Uchiha clan starts with becoming a Kage.

"I understand, Hiruzen."

Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane nodded in unison. After discussing the situation on the front lines of the Land of Hot Springs and personnel deployment, the two advisors got up and left the Hokage's office building to carry out the tasks assigned by the Third Hokage.

And after the two left.

Hiruzen Sarutobi also stood up from his seat, took a pipe, and walked to the window. Looking at the panoramic view of Konoha outside the window, Hiruzen Sarutobi narrowed his eyes slightly, and the contents of his previous discussion with his three close friends, Danzo, En, and Koharu, flashed through his mind one by one.

He was well aware of the risks of his decision, but he also felt it was the right choice. Putting aside other issues, just looking at the Uchiha clan itself, Hiruzen Sarutobi had three purposes in issuing the conscription order six months ago: one was to see the Uchiha clan's attitude, another was to further test Shoji Uchiha, and the last was to lure out the snake if the mysterious person from the Nine-Tails' attack a year ago really intended to overthrow Konoha.

This clash between Konoha and Kumogakure is definitely an opportunity for him.

Hiruzen Sarutobi wanted to further confirm whether this mysterious person was truly connected to the Uchiha clan!

Unfortunately, of the three objectives, only one and a half were achieved. Not only was the attitude of the Uchiha clan unclear, but the most crucial element, the mysterious figure, was also completely concealed. This was what gave Hiruzen Sarutobi the biggest headache.

The Uchiha clan is too closed off, just like the Hyuga clan, and even to an extreme degree. Hiruzen finds the current situation very troublesome, so he is eager to break the deadlock from within the Uchiha clan as much as possible. To this end, it is especially important to win over some trustworthy Uchiha forces.

"Shisui, Shoji, I hope this is the right step, Tobirama-sensei. I will definitely carry out your thinking and policies firmly!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi took a deep breath, then slowly exhaled a ring of smoke, silently thinking to himself.

The resolution was reached.

This is what makes it an unquestionable command.

After confirming that the Cloud Ninja had indeed reduced their battle lines on the front lines of the Land of Hot Springs, that the frequency of clashes and disturbances with Konoha had decreased, and that further reconnaissance revealed that some Cloud Ninja had changed shifts and retreated back to the Land of Lightning.

Konoha also made targeted deployments of its own personnel stationed at its frontline outposts in the Land of Hot Springs.

Not only was it necessary to reduce the frontline defense forces, but also to redeploy a group of personnel from the village to replace the defenders who had been fighting on the front lines for a long time. The Uchiha clan, including Shoji, were among those conscripted back to the village.

It can be said that it was at the moment the corresponding order was received.

The Konoha ninjas who had been fighting on the front lines for half a year or even a year were unable to react immediately.

51. Returning to the village

This also applies to the dozens of Uchiha clan members who were dispatched to the front lines.

During this period of more than half a year.

These Uchiha clansmen were already thoroughly familiar with the survival environment on the battlefield. When the village suddenly issued a transfer order saying they could return, they were all taken aback, including Shoji. The main reason was that the Cloud Ninja's retreat was too quick. Although the original work did not specifically explain how the battle between Konoha and Cloud Village unfolded during that period.

But it doesn't seem like it'll end so soon at all.

Even if we cannot rule out the possibility that their own influence played a role.

But based on Shoji's own understanding of Kumogakure, this doesn't seem like the style of Kumogakure ninjas. This was Shoji's truest thought when he learned this information. However, at that moment, Shoji was clearly looking at Kumogakure with preconceived prejudice. No matter how powerful or warlike a ninja village is, it still has to follow general rules. When there is no clear advantage to be gained and there is a possibility that other ninja villages are eyeing it.

It is not incomprehensible that the Cloud Ninja took a half step back.

Most importantly, retreating half a step now does not mean that things will be peaceful forever. In reality, even during non-war periods, the five great ninja villages' missions across various countries could potentially lead to friction and conflict.

If this opportunity is missed, we can just wait for the next one.

This is a universal principle in the ninja world. Jiang Si was just stuck in a rut for a moment, which is why he found the actions of the Cloud Ninja somewhat incomprehensible.

No matter how much you can't understand it, an order is an order.

After Suzaku Nara announced the order to transfer the Third Hokage.

Jiang Si and the others began packing their belongings. As soon as the replacement personnel arrived, they would immediately set off to return to the village. Moreover, Jiang Si had already gained a lot from this trip to the front lines. There was even a huge 'gain' that could serve as a foreshadowing for future plans, but Jiang Si hoped that he would never need to use it.

Because once activated, it would mean the failure of the current first plan!

Two days later.

As a new batch of 600 Konoha ninja arrived.

Aside from a few who would remain on the front lines, the vast majority of the remaining ninjas took advantage of this rotation to return directly to the village. Unlike other ninja clans, especially the Hyuga and Aburame clans, which typically left behind a portion of their personnel, the entire Uchiha clan was to return. Of the nearly one hundred clan members who came, over eighty were returning. In the past six months, the Uchiha clan had suffered fewer than ten casualties. This was partly due to the relatively small scale of the war, and partly due to the exceptional individual combat capabilities of the Uchiha clan.

Unless it's a battle of siege.

Otherwise, the probability of the Uchiha clan ninjas winning one-on-one or even two-on-one battles is extremely high. While the clan members they dispatched were not as exaggerated as Shoji, their combat strength was still incomparable to that of ordinary ninjas.

This is also one of the reasons why the Fourth Raikage, A, decided to take a step back for the time being.

The number of Cloud Ninja dying on the front lines was simply too disproportionate to the number of Konoha Ninja. If the fighting continued like this, the Hidden Cloud Village would be forced to launch a full-scale war. And once it entered a battle of that scale, not to mention the distant ones, the Hidden Stone Village in the western region would definitely be eager to make a move. This was the Hidden Stone Village's greatest enemy, who had defeated the main force of the Cloud Ninja in the Third Shinobi World War and even killed the Third Raikage!

The situation has become somewhat out of control.

The Fourth Raikage had to suppress the restless emotions deep within his heart.

The reason why they are called "shadows" is because they are qualified, capable, and magnanimous enough to shoulder the heavy responsibility of a village.

In this respect, the Fourth Raikage, A, will be no exception.

Therefore, the Fourth Raikage A held a deep grudge against the Uchiha clan, especially against Uchiha Shoji who killed Troy. If given the chance in the future, the Fourth Raikage A would never let Shoji go.

Of course, neither Shoji nor the Uchiha clan would know these things, and even if they did, they wouldn't care. Isn't that how it is in the ninja world? Today you kill me, tomorrow I kill you. Hatred has become a fixed link. It can be suppressed temporarily, but to completely eliminate it is simply a pipe dream. Just like the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, who seemed to move the four great ninja villages with his sincerity, but in essence, it was Hashirama and Madara Uchiha who used their absolute power to intimidate the four great ninja villages.

They then appeased the four major ninja villages by offering to exchange the benefits of the tailed beasts.

The combination of carrot and stick was what allowed the ninja world to maintain a semblance of peace for one or two decades.

Everyone knows what happened after the deaths of Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha. Therefore, it is ridiculous and extremely foolish to talk about mutual understanding and abandoning hatred between countries.

Only eternal interests and absolute military force can represent everything.

This wasn't just limited to the world at large; even setting aside the international environment, the history textbooks from Shoji's school days alone provided him with numerous similar examples.

Therefore, this is a matter of hatred.

Even if Shoji Makoto knew, he wouldn't care.

Instead of wasting time, it would be better to spend more time on your own cultivation. Only when you become strong will all problems cease to be problems.

Another point is that the younger generation in the clan has also established their own small circle. The next step is to try to get in touch with the clan's 'elders'. He can't stay in the first stage forever. Although he still has plenty of time, he absolutely cannot waste it. If he doesn't return to the village, he plans to start with Uchiha Kogahara, the leader of his group.

Things like risk.

The general was already aware of this.

There is no such thing as a free lunch in this world.

Therefore, there is only a difference in timing, not the possibility of perfectly avoiding it. However, plans can never keep up, one after another. Just as Jiang Si and his party had returned to the village after two days of trekking, they had not yet returned to their clan's residence.

The location of the main entrance.

They had just dispersed when the Uchiha clan members began to head west on their way home.

A white-haired member of the Anbu, dressed in a uniform and wearing an animal mask, appeared directly in front of Gu Yuan, Jiang Si, Yan, and the other members of the Uchiha group.

"!?"

While Gu Yuan, Yan, and others were filled with trepidation.

"Uchiha Shoji! The Hokage has ordered you to proceed to the Hokage's office building for an audience immediately!"

The white-haired member of the Dark Guard looked at Jiang Si with his usual cold gaze and said in a deep voice.

The moment Jiang Si heard this sentence, he subconsciously froze.

52. Summon

The Third Hokage is looking for himself?

And this happened right after they returned to the village?

Even though Jiang Si had long been mentally prepared to face any situation, he was still stunned at this moment. Gu Yuan and Yan, who were standing next to him, also turned cold. It wasn't directed at Jiang Si, but rather at the white-haired ANBU in front of them. Their eyes were full of suspicion and fear. Everyone knew that in the current situation, the Uchiha clan was a clan that was being watched and guarded against by the higher-ups.

Now, suddenly an Anbu member is recruiting their clan's new generation of geniuses to meet the Third Hokage upon their return? This seems like a conspiracy, and for a moment, Gu Yuan even suspected that it was a conspiracy orchestrated by the higher-ups, or more accurately, by the Root leader, Shimura Danzo!

Just as Danzo harbored extreme hostility towards the Uchiha clan.

Almost everyone in the Uchiha clan had little affection for this Root of Konoha. Based on past events, they had ample reason to suspect Shimura Danzo. Therefore, when faced with the appearance of the Anbu members, Kogahara, En, and the others were instinctively on guard.

"Does the Hokage intend to summon me now?"

Jiang Si's eyes flickered slightly. After a few seconds of contemplation, he immediately came to his senses and looked intently at the white-haired ANBU in front of him, speaking in a calm tone.

"Yes, now!"

The white-haired operative spoke with a cold tone.

"Okay, I understand, then!"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Si nodded slightly, but before he could take any action...

"General!"

Gu Yuan, who was on the left, grabbed Jiang Si.

“I think there’s something wrong here. Why are you being summoned as soon as you get back? I think you should find a reason to refuse first, and then we can talk about it after you return to the clan and meet with the clan chief!”

Gu Yuan said with a very serious expression.

"Yes, Chief, let's be cautious here!"

Yan, who was standing nearby, also offered his advice.

Hearing his senior Kouhara's words, Shoji felt a warmth in his heart, but then he shook his head and sighed inwardly. Shoji knew very well that this was his senior's way of showing concern for him, but in reality, such behavior was more likely to intensify the conflict between the clan and the village. This was only because Kouhara was considered to be a mild-mannered and calm person in the clan. If it were someone with a fiery temper, they might have directly argued with this ANBU in front of them. At least Kouhara knew to say 'find a reason to refuse'.

Guyuan's concerns are certainly justified.

But it is clear that Guyuan only saw the most one-sided side of the story.

The more you want to solve the current predicament of your clan, the more proactive your clan needs to be in stepping out. Staying stagnant will only harm you in the end. Therefore, meeting Gu Yuan's gaze, Jiang Si gently shook his head and said, "Senior Gu Yuan, Yan, this is the Hokage's order, and you cannot refuse it outright. Moreover, you must trust that the Hokage will not do anything unnecessary at this time. As for the other person, don't worry, I have precautions."

"Jiang Si, you..."

Gu Yuan frowned, about to say something more.

Jiang Si waved his hand gently.

Then he strode forward.

"Let's go!"

After giving a brief signal to the white-haired ANBU member.

The two left one after the other and sped straight toward the Hokage's office building. After watching Shoji leave, the worry on Gu Yuan's face became even more serious.

Dozens of clansmen, including Yan, each showed a different expression as they arrived.

"We must come back immediately! We need to report this to the clan chief right away!"

Gu Yuan turned to the dozens of clansmen behind him and said this.