Revitalizing the Uchiha clan starts with becoming a Kage.

He himself died at the hands of the disciple he once valued and respected the most. It has to be said that the life of this hero of Konoha was full of regrets.

As Hiruzen Sarutobi watched his disciple's departing figure, a complex expression flickered in his cloudy eyes. He sighed softly. As the Hokage and his master, how could he not see through the dissatisfaction hidden beneath his disciple's surface?

However, this Third Hokage still believed that his decision was the best way to serve Konoha's current interests. Konoha needed stability, Konoha needed time, and Konoha needed Danzo's cold and dark side to maintain the warm family atmosphere created by the Will of Fire.

Only in this way can Konoha continue to move steadily in the right direction. This was a strategy that Hiruzen Sarutobi set at the beginning of his reign and implemented for thirty years. He would never change this.

Because redefining the order and changing the status quo means denying the correctness of one's past self, something Hiruzen Sarutobi would never do, and it was the most foolish and failed thing this Third Hokage did.

However, he himself would never think that way.

"Jiraiya, one day you will understand my good intentions."

After muttering something under his breath, Hiruzen Sarutobi buried himself in the complex administrative matters on his desk again. These were turbulent times, with internal and external affairs at play. As the Hokage, he had many things to pay attention to and couldn't afford to spend too much time on any one thing.

The turbulent world of ninjas.

The atmosphere became tense and subtle for everyone.

When the Uchiha clan chose to join Iwagakure, an extremely dangerous aura permeated the ninja world.

Subconsciously, border defenses were strengthened.

Seeing the actions of the five major powers, the smaller ninja villages, fearing another war, had no choice but to strengthen their defenses.

The three previous Shinobi World Wars have already taught these small countries a bloody lesson!

However, these things have little to do with the Uchiha clan or even Iwagakure, at least neither of them is particularly interested in them.

Onoki only wanted his village to peacefully accept the Uchiha clan back into the village. He would deal with the future later. After merging with the strongest clan in the ninja world, Iwagakure's strength would definitely increase many times over. At that time, the courage and confidence that Konoha had once envied—the ability to fight two or even three against one—would reappear in Iwagakure.

The same applies to the Uchiha clan.

It wasn't just high-ranking officials like Shoji, Fugaku, and Shisui.

The young and middle-aged Uchiha clan members also hoped that the clan could settle down as soon as possible. Only when their relatives, who were ordinary clan members, could obtain a peaceful place to live could they do what they wanted without any scruples—take revenge on Konoha!

It can be said that they have a high degree of understanding with each other on this matter.

Of course, this does not mean that there are no dissenting voices at all.

The Uchiha clan entered Iwagakure.

This was an arbitrary act by Onoki, the Tsuchikage.

Although, like Hiruzen Sarutobi, Onoki held supreme prestige and power in the village as the Kage who ruled Iwagakure for over thirty years, it did not mean that his subordinates would not raise any dissenting opinions.

Especially the matter of the Uchiha clan joining.

I didn't realize it at first.

Furthermore, it will take some time to react and digest the situation, and they will need to coordinate and discuss with each other. The arrival of such a large clan will definitely reshape the village's structure, which is something that the Iwagakure ninja clans do not want to see.

Even knowing that the probability of successfully opposing it is extremely low.

But these people still reached a consensus after negotiations.

He immediately went to pay his respects to Onoki, who was the Tsuchikage.

At this point in time, the entire Uchiha clan had entered the Land of Earth, and were only halfway to Iwagakure.

"Third Hokage, please reconsider. The Uchiha clan joining our village may not be a good thing. They are the ninja clan that once founded Konoha, yet they have now turned their backs on Konoha. There must be some deep-seated problems behind this. If we don't figure this out, they could easily become a ticking time bomb for our Iwagakure!"

145. Negotiation and Arrival

In Iwagakure Village, in the Tsuchikage's office.

Onoki sat in the main seat, with photos of the First and Second Tsuchikage displayed on either side. Opposite him were the heads of various ninja clans with prestige and titles, or the middle and near-high-ranking Iwa ninjas who held real power.

These people gathered here for the matter of the Uchiha clan joining Iwagakure. It's not that all of them are against it; nearly half of them are still in a wait-and-see mode. They are the group that can see the benefits of the Uchiha clan joining Iwagakure, but they also have a certain degree of apprehension and concerns, and are in a state of hesitation.

Onoki's direct descendants, including his son Koto, his disciple Akatsuchi, and some veteran subordinates, certainly agreed with Onoki's decision. However, after excluding these people, a full third of the village's forces still strongly opposed the Uchiha clan joining Iwagakure.

But this was something Ohnoki could have foreseen.

It would be strange and alarming if no one objected, because everyone has different stances and interests. If this is the case in small ninja villages with only a few hundred or a thousand people, then it is even more so in the five great villages.

If it were just a few Uchiha who joined, it wouldn't be a big deal, but now the Uchiha clan includes ordinary people, with a total of two to three thousand people migrating here. Even if we only consider ninjas, the Uchiha clan still has a scale of nearly three hundred people.

This also includes Shoji, Fugaku, and Shisui, who have already proven their 'Kage-level' strength and possess the Mangekyou Sharingan. It would be strange if these people weren't feeling nervous and worried!

The person who spoke just now is one of the 'leaders' of this group. He is the head of the famous Kamisumi clan, the insect-controlling clan of Iwagakure. Although they have weakened a lot in recent years, as the largest ninja clan when Iwagakure was founded, even a fallen camel is bigger than a horse. The Kamisumi clan still holds an important position in Iwagakure.

Even Onoki must be given a certain degree of respect.

However, respect and understanding are one thing, while disagreement is another. Unlike Hiruzen Sarutobi, Onoki doesn't hesitate to do things. In his view, things that should be done must be done, even if it involves certain risks.

Those who are always thinking about only the benefits and not the drawbacks are simply not suited to live in this world.

The ninja world is a giant vortex!

No one can easily break free from it.

If Iwagakure wants to become stronger and gain more benefits, it must pay a price and take certain risks.

Therefore, when faced with this 'opposition group' centered around the Uesugi clan, the Third Tsuchikage, Onoki, maintained a calm demeanor, seemingly listening attentively to their words. However, in the next moment, he decisively shook his head and said, "This is only one aspect. Iwazawa-kun, the addition of the Uchiha clan can become our village's greatest asset. Konoha's weakening and our strengthening—this is already a clear comparison of strength and weakness!"

"The Third Shinobi World War has only been over for a little over two years. For our Iwagakure village, which was already at odds with Konoha and even killed the Third Raikage in the war, our relationship with Sunagakure village to the south is now becoming increasingly strained. We are surrounded by enemies on three sides. We need more power to make our village stronger!"

"You are all well aware of the power of the Uchiha clan. This is our opportunity, and of course, I am also well aware of the risks involved. But it is something worth doing. As for the other concerns you have, I can promise here that we will not excessively change the current structure of the village. Moreover, as the area where the village's power can extend in the future, we, the Hidden Stone Village, will be able to seize more benefits. I think you will all agree with this, right?"

As Onoki spoke with a solemn expression, his hands crossed on the table, his gaze fell upon the Shangliushui clan chief and the others. After exchanging glances, they showed a hint of hesitation and embarrassment.

They were somewhat surprised that their Tsuchikage would be so blunt. Indeed, the reason these people came to see Onoki under the banner of opposition was not because they truly opposed the Uchiha clan joining Iwagakure. They knew very well that this was a done deal, and once their Third Tsuchikage made his decision, no one could change his mind unless he regretted it.

These people's intention is to address the issues of village division and redistribution of interests after the arrival of the Uchiha clan.

There are also the potential for even greater profits in the future.

Don't think these people are short-sighted; this is a common phenomenon in any human society. Onoki saw through this, which is why he openly and directly proposed that he would not only guarantee the safety of the Uchiha clan, but also compensate the ninja clans that suffered losses in the distribution of benefits after the Uchiha clan's arrival.

Furthermore, when Iwagakure expands in the future, a portion of the profits that will be regained will be allocated to these ninja clans as a priority.

Although Ying is the head of the village, he still needs to pay attention to coordinating and handling the interests between the various forces in the village.

Applying strong pressure once is fine, but applying it every time will almost certainly cause problems.

The same applies to Kage like Onoki and Hiruzen Sarutobi, who ruled their villages for over thirty years.

Therefore, long before these people arrived, Onoki had already considered everything. When he uttered these words, the people below looked at each other somewhat awkwardly.

"Ahem, since the Third Generation Lord has said so, then we will naturally obey the Third Generation Lord's orders!"

The patriarch of the Shangshui clan, acting as their representative, coughed lightly and casually changed the subject.

They have already gotten the answer they wanted.

We need to be sensible and take the opportunity to back down immediately.

The prestige and power of the shadow.

They should not be underestimated.

Besides, Onoki has already been so accommodating; to retaliate further would be ungrateful.

"Yes!"

"I will obey Lord Tsuchikage's orders!"

As the clan chief of the Upper Water Stream finished speaking, the other representatives of the ninja clans who followed him also nodded in agreement.

"Well then, I'll leave the logistical matters to you all, especially the defense line in the eastern part of Kumogakure. Please keep a close eye on it, Iwazawa-kun."

"Yes, Lord Tsuchikage!"

It was an internal negotiation that came and went very quickly.

The ninja clan leaders, who had initially thought they would have to spend more time explaining, immediately changed their attitudes after seeing how easily Onoki gave them the response they had been expecting.

146. Uchiha of Iwagakure

They didn't utter a single word of opposition to the upcoming arrival of the Uchiha clan, as if they had always agreed to the Uchiha clan joining Iwagakure from the beginning, and they completely obeyed Onoki's subsequent arrangements.

Those above provided the benefits that those below desired.

Those below must obey the corresponding orders of those above.

This also reflects a tacit understanding within the ninja village.

After the patriarch of the Shangliushui clan and the others left with satisfied expressions, Onoki slowly exhaled a breath of stale air and floated up to the largest floor-to-ceiling window behind the office.

They gazed at the scenery in the southernmost part of their own ninja village.

'I hope my decision is correct. May the First and Second Hokage bless my Iwagakure village so that it may truly soar to new heights!'

A brilliant glint flashed in Onoki's slightly cloudy eyes as he murmured to himself.

Compared to Hiruzen Sarutobi, Onoki may indeed be inferior in some aspects, but as a leader, Onoki possesses a crucial decisiveness that Hiruzen Sarutobi has never had!

Fine, fine, fine!

Once I've made up my mind about something, I never hesitate or waver!

Stepping straight ahead, that's the style of Onoki in the two days, and it's also where the Third Tsuchikage overwhelmingly surpasses Hiruzen Sarutobi.

This is something that Shoji could deduce to some extent from the limited plot in the original work. Otherwise, Shoji wouldn't have proposed from the beginning that 'Iwagakure' was the best choice for their clan, and he would have been even more convinced of this after that face-to-face conversation. Of course, nothing in this world is absolute.

Onoki was gambling.

Just like Shoji, he led the Uchiha clan to the 'gambling table'!

The only difference lies in the proportionality between risk and return control.

Although neither side could be certain at this moment whether the future they hoped for would come as they wished, at least for now, they were both certain of their decisions, and Onoki showed the magnanimity and demeanor that a 'Kage' should have.

Shoji and even the Uchiha clan embarked on this path of no turning back.

Internal turmoil and external upheaval.

Regardless of the influence of these subjective and objective 'outside' factors.

Just as Iwagakure was making the most basic preparations for their arrival, the massive Uchiha clan migration army, under the protection of Iwagakure ninja led by Huangtu and Akatsuchi, and guided by Shoji, Fugaku, Shisui, and others, arrived at Iwagakure, located in the most inland region of the Land of Earth. It can be said that this village has a completely different architectural style from the Land of Fire and Konoha.

The terrain is even more precipitous, and the scenery is extremely magnificent.