Revitalizing the Uchiha clan starts with becoming a Kage.

Despite only having a few encounters, Onoki had already seen these possibilities in Shoji. Moreover, through a series of proactive and reactive intelligence gathering methods, Onoki had also learned about the Uchiha clan's plan to leave Konoha.

Shoji was the true leader. At the age of 15, he was able to lead the Uchiha clan. This leadership ability was genuine and was one of the reasons why Onoki valued Shoji. Uchiha Shoji was a born leader.

The next step is to further examine these qualities, and the most important aspect of their attributes is personality.

To ensure that Shoji can truly lead Iwagakure to a path of rise in the future, rather than a path of destruction.

This is a cycle that needs to be calculated in 'years'. As mentioned above, it will take at least three or four years. Anyway, his old bones can still last for another five or six years.

This matter can be said to be the most important thing for Onoki, and even for the entire Iwagakure village, in the next few years!

Shoji, who had already left with Huangtu, was unaware that he had only been in Iwagakure for a few days, yet he was already being regarded as the next Tsuchikage by the Third Tsuchikage. Even though Huangtu still held an 80-90% advantage in terms of their inner balance, Shoji only had a 10% chance of being included by Onoki.

But this is already a development that goes far beyond common sense.

If Shoji knew what Onoki was thinking, he would probably be completely stunned. After all, this is not just a matter of magnanimity, but a matter of some kind of decisive existence at a higher level!

However, these are all things to be discussed later. At present, they have already left the Tsuchikage's office with Huang Tu and headed towards the Jonin office area, which is also located in the Tsuchikage's office building, but on the ground floor. It is the most important department in the village.

Currently, there are only about forty Iwagakure ninja who are classified as Jonin. These ninja either have special status in Iwagakure and are responsible for important affairs—such as the head of the Kamisumiryu clan.

They are either the strongest Jonin in the village—such as Bunya, Akatsuchi, and others.

These people can be said to be the most elite in Iwagakure. Shoji lagged slightly behind and followed Huang Tu into this area. When the Jonin saw Shoji, they all showed curiosity and doubt.

Even Iwa ninjas who are seeing Shoji for the first time can easily recognize his identity; this is the extent of Shoji's presence in the ninja world today.

These people were really concerned about what kind of existence Uchiha Shoji, who had been pushed into the limelight during this period and was rumored to have 'Kage-level' combat power, really was, especially when Huang Tu summoned the Iwa ninja who were still in the office area and directly announced Onoki's order to appoint Shoji as the vice-leader of the Jonin team.

These people all stared wide-eyed.

In particular, Shang Shuiliuyan looked at Jiang Si with a furrowed brow.

Among those present, only one person remained expressionless. This was the person that Shoji needed to pay the most attention to, not only because of the powerful chakra fluctuations emanating from him, but also because this person was none other than Date, the first vice-captain of the Jonin team in Iwagakure and one of the most trusted subordinates of the Third Tsuchikage, Onoki!

At over forty years old, Date is arguably the most composed Jonin in Iwagakure, which is why Onoki trusts him and assigns him to the Jonin team to assist Yoto.

160. Key to the Job

This former vice-class leader, Date, had graduated from the Ninja Academy more than thirty years ago, right after Onoki became the Tsuchikage. In his youth, he was the quiet and hardworking type. The reason he was trusted by Onoki and assigned to the position of vice-class leader of the Jonin team was precisely because of this. During his ten years in the Jonin team, he was always conscientious, doing his job without overstepping his bounds, and fulfilling his responsibilities without abusing his authority. He always obeyed Onoki's orders without question.

He carried out every task assigned to him well. Regarding the arrival of Shoji, this deputy squad leader Date was not only outwardly calm, but also inwardly completely unmoved. Even if Onoki ordered Date to cooperate with Shoji, this senior Jonin from Iwagakure, who was almost three times the age of Shoji, would not have any complaints. He was a pure and perfect subordinate-type ninja!

He is a subordinate whom any ninja village and any Kage would like.

Shoji could almost immediately sense the strange expressions and emotions that the different members of the Jonin team showed when they saw him and heard Huang Tu announce the corresponding orders.

This was an outcome that Jiang Si had anticipated long ago.

It would be hard for anyone to accept this, so Jiang Si was mentally on high alert. As Huang Tu finished speaking, Jiang Si leaned forward slightly, his expression calm and respectful, and looked at the senior ninjas in front of him, who were all at least ten years older than him, and said softly, "I am grateful for the trust of Lord Tsuchikage to serve alongside you all. I am new here and still getting to know everything. I hope you seniors will give me your guidance!"

Strength? Shoji certainly has it. If measured by the most common, and only, standard in the ninja world—individual strength—Shoji is more than qualified to be the vice-leader of a Jonin squad. However, whether a position is suitable is not really determined solely by strength!

Otherwise, in the original work, Kakashi, Might Guy, and even Asuma from Konoha would be more suitable to be the leader of the Jonin team than Shikaku Nara. Asuma, in particular, had an advantage in terms of status as the only surviving son of the Third Hokage. However, the fact that Shikaku was chosen as the leader of the Jonin team shows that this position requires certain more important conditions besides strength.

Putting aside the uncertainty that Shoji has just joined Iwagakure, the fact that he is only 15 years old raises questions about whether he possesses leadership qualities, a question that the Iwagakure ninja will certainly have in mind.

Of course, there are still big differences between the deputy squad leader and the squad leader.

In essence, Shoji only needs to play a supporting role, but this position is destined to attract a lot of attention. Don't be fooled by the 'friendly' attitude of the Iwa ninja below after Shoji finished speaking.

But what they were really thinking deep down was something only they themselves knew. Jiang Si could naturally sense these strange auras, and this was a predetermined development, so the expression on Jiang Si's face did not change at all.

With a smile on his face, Huang Tu introduced them one by one to the 'senior colleagues' of the Jonin class. Only when he stopped at Date and Kamisumi Ryuu Iwazawa did he linger for a second or two. In the entire Jonin class, these two were the most special people besides Huang Tu. Especially the latter, before the arrival of the Uchiha clan, the Kamisumi Ryuu clan was the largest and most prestigious ninja clan in Iwagakure.

Although nothing has changed yet.

However, as long as the Uchiha clan truly takes root and integrates into Iwagakure, it won't be long before, just one or two years, the position of Iwagakure's number one powerful ninja clan will immediately change!

With the limited intelligence channels available, Shoji was able to learn that the biggest opposition to the Uchiha clan joining Iwagakure was led by this clan head, Uesugi. Although everything went smoothly afterward, Shoji was not naive enough to think that Uesugi had suddenly changed his mind and was willing to accept the Uchiha clan.

In the vast village of Iwagakure, the Uchiha clan must be most careful in their interactions with the vested interests of Iwagakure, led by the Kamikaze clan!

Of course, at this stage, the relationship between Shoji and Iwazawa, and between the Uchiha and Kamisumi clans, will still maintain a basic level of harmony on the surface. This is the magnanimity and demeanor that a mature ninja should have!

Needless to say, Date was also introduced to Shoji on the way here. As one of the vice-captains, Date was naturally the most important. Although this vice-captain seemed to be indifferent to his arrival, Shoji still left some room for maneuver in his treatment without getting to know him in depth.

This is my first 'trial ground'!

Si Hanxiao glanced at the faces of the Jonin from Iwagakure in front of her, silently thinking to herself.

Regardless of whether it was a test or a trial, Jiang Si's first position was confirmed. After Huang Tu took Jiang Si to meet with the important members of the department, he took Jiang Si to familiarize himself with the work that Jiang Si would have to do next.

Part of it was separated from the loess soil.

The other part was handed over from Ida.

It can only be said that the arrival of Tsukasa and the Uchiha clan came at a very opportune time, because Onoki originally planned to make adjustments to some of the institutions in his own ninja village, and the arrival of the Uchiha clan was just the right time to fill some gaps.

The same applies to the Jonin class.

As one of the most important departments within the village.

Many orders and instructions need to be relayed through the Jonin squad. Onoki had previously considered having Bunga or another senior Jonin serve as the vice squad leader. Now that Shoji is here, it's a win-win situation. It not only reconfigures the department's authority and functions, giving the Uchiha clan the necessary level of trust and respect, but also puts Shoji to the test.

Don't think that Onoki is making a mountain out of a molehill.

Instead, Iwagakure, despite its seemingly invincible strength, is actually somewhat inferior to other ninja villages in this respect.

It must be said that everything happened by sheer coincidence.

While it's impossible for Shoji to guess all, or even half, of Onoki's thoughts, he can still grasp a portion of them.

The position of vice-leader of the Jonin team.

It's easy to do, but difficult to do.

Especially when he learned about his responsibilities from the loess soil, a look of understanding appeared in his eyes.

"These are the daily tasks. If it involves major military, political, or diplomatic operations, it is usually our Jonin team that drafts the initial plan and then submits it to the Tsuchikage for judgment. In the next few days, Shoji-kun, please get used to it. If you have any questions, feel free to ask me or Date-san!"

161. The movements of the insiders

In his private office area, Huang Tu looked at the general in front of him and said in a deep voice.

"Yes, I understand, Huang Tu-san. I also look forward to your guidance, Ida-san!"

With a smile, Jiang Si bowed slightly and said...

"Ok!"

Huang Tu smiled and nodded.

Ida, standing to the side, nodded in response with a blank expression.

Shoji didn't care. If you really counted their ages, they were all like his father's generation. Their experience and prestige were far beyond what a kid like him could compare to. In the ninja world, might makes right is an eternal truth, but within the ninja village, the laws of general human society also apply, or rather, must apply.

"Well then! I'll excuse myself first!"

Everything that needed to be explained has been explained.

Adults should be aware of their adulthood. Although Shoji is only 15 years old, age cannot be used as an excuse in this world. This is especially true for geniuses. In the original work, Naruto and Sasuke were already saving the world when they were 15 or 16 years old. Not to mention that Shoji essentially has a true adult soul in his 20s deep inside.

Almost as soon as the last words fell on the loess soil.

After pausing for a moment, Jiang Si took the initiative to speak.

"Ok!"

As the loess soil nodded in agreement.

Jiang Si first took half a step back, then turned and left. The Upper Ninja Class was a special position, his own place of trial. Jiang Si hoped that he could find his own foothold here as soon as possible, not by relying on others, and certainly not by brute force.

Instead, it depends on methods and capacity!

This is not only about myself, but also about the Uchiha clan.

Because my situation in the Jonin class, viewed on a larger scale, is equivalent to the situation of the Uchiha clan in Iwagakure.

We still need to take it one step at a time, slowly forging our own path to the future of myself and my people!

He clenched his right hand slightly and murmured to himself.

This is a long process, for Shoji, for the Uchiha clan, and even for the entire Iwagakure village. The future is unpredictable, and whether the prospects are bright or dark is still uncertain. Just as Onoki and Shoji hope to see the Uchiha clan and Iwagakure village unite, it is also possible that, as Hiruzen Sarutobi hoped, a huge conflict will erupt between the Uchiha clan and Iwagakure village.

However, given that Onoki and the entire Iwagakure village have shown their sincerity, Shoji will do everything in his power to make the former's probability infinitely close to 100% and the latter's probability infinitely close to 0!

Three parts destiny, seven parts hard work!

Shoji and the Uchiha clan are determined to use their own hands to create a truly bright future for their clan.

Taking steady, incremental steps forward perfectly encapsulates the current state of the Uchiha clan. As the Uchiha clan and Iwagakure enter the expected phase of mutual adjustment, the outside world's attention on their alliance reaches its peak. Smaller countries like the Land of Grass, the Land of Rivers, the Land of Iron, the Land of Birds, and the Land of Bears, which border the Land of Earth, are becoming increasingly cautious. They are treating Iwagakure exactly as they treated Konoha before. This is no joke; in the vast ninja world, Iwagakure is now universally recognized as the strongest ninja village, at least on par with Konoha.

The sheer size of the Uchiha clan is undeniable, and the power of their three pairs of Mangekyou Sharingan is something anyone with eyes and a sound mind can discern in terms of strength. No one dares to underestimate Konoha, the strongest ninja village that won three Shinobi World Wars, simply because the Uchiha clan is absent.

However, the addition of the Uchiha clan also contributed to this change.

Throughout the world, all small ninja villages would be terrified, and this was even more true for large countries. While Kumogakure might still be able to maintain a relative degree of self-satisfaction and pride, Sunagakure in the south was already on edge. Even the most arrogant and proud Sunagakure ninja had to admit that Sunagakure was inherently inferior to Iwagakure.

This is directly reflected in high-end combat capabilities.

They only have one 'Kage' and a young Jinchuriki who can't even be considered a fighter. Iwagakure, on the other hand, has Onoki, the Tsuchikage who has been famous in the ninja world for over thirty years. Not to mention the likes of Yotsuchi, Bunga, and Akatsuchi, they can all be considered 'Kage-level' fighters. They even have the threat of the powerful Four-Tails and Five-Tails Jinchuriki. Once the war starts, Sunagakure is going to be completely suppressed by Iwagakure.

Now we have to add the Uchiha clan to the list!

The Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, was completely devastated; his expression was as unpleasant as could be during those few days.

The fact that Rasa directly dispatched his most capable subordinate, Maki, to Konoha is the best proof of this. Although he had always felt that the alliance with Konoha was a shame on Sunagakure, he now had to take this alliance seriously.

Otherwise, without Konoha's aid, Rasa wouldn't have much confidence in withstanding the Iwagakure army's onslaught once they advanced. Even though the Land of Wind is a bit barren, it still has some valuable minerals. Unfortunately, these minerals are located in the northern part of the Land of Wind, in an area closer to the Land of Earth. Even for these reasons, Rasa has to take action.

Although the Fourth Raikage of Kumogakure was not as anxious as Rasa, and was unlikely to have any fear, he also sent a special envoy to Konohagakure out of rational consideration.

The purpose was to probe the depths of Konoha.

Let's see if there's any benefit we can get!

Despite the fact that the Uchiha clan and Iwagakure have now merged, the Fourth Raikage still considers Konoha the greatest enemy of Kumogakure. The number one ninja village that dominated the ninja world for fifty years cannot be eliminated simply by the relocation of the Uchiha clan, given Konoha's sheer size.

It possesses both quality and quantity, and also boasts the strongest tailed beast!

Regardless of their purpose, this mission is necessary. People from different camps, both inside and outside the situation, are carrying out their own actions with different goals. However, it is clear that, given their respective objectives, Sunagakure, being at a disadvantage and due to Rasa's relatively weak strength, may be more likely to succumb to reality.

It's impossible for Kumogakure to be there!