Naruto: Konoha Spring of the Uchiha Prodigies

“However, with such a force suddenly appearing in the court, you, as the Left Minister, cannot escape the blame for your negligence,” Uchiha Touko said coldly.

"Yes." Kazuo Miura lowered his head and dared not move. "But I beg Your Excellency, the Grand Minister of State, to give me a chance to redeem myself."

"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I'm sure Mr. Miura won't disappoint me," Uchiha Touko said. "Tell me, who are these people, and what forces are behind them?"

It was only then that Kazuo Miura picked up the intelligence report for the second time, carefully examining each name on it, afraid of missing even the slightest detail.

After a while, Miura Kazuo carefully considered his words before speaking: "These people are all officials who have entered the court in the last two years. The highest-ranking official among them is only a sixth-rank official. They usually have little influence in the court. Who would have thought that they would actually get together and plot such a treasonous thing?"

"However, their leader, Yukio Tajima, seems to have close ties with some domestic nobles."

"Nobles?" Uchiha Touko frowned slightly. "You mean, the masterminds behind this are the nobles of our Land of Fire? Are they tired of living such a comfortable life?"

“That’s right.” Kazuo Miura nodded. “Although our Land of Fire has been thriving in the years since we moved the capital to Konoha, thanks to your tireless efforts, some of the industries you have been developing have encroached on the traditional industries of these nobles.”

"For example?" Uchiha Touko raised an eyebrow and asked.

“For example, land rent,” Miura Kazuo said. “With your policy support over the years, factories have sprung up all over our Land of Fire like mushrooms after rain. The common people who used to rely on the land they owned have another way to make a living, so they have no choice but to lower their land rent.”

“As for these young officials, I think they were all incited by these nobles to act in this way,” Miura Kazuo said.

"So they're all old landlords," Uchiha Touko said with a sneer. His past life had taught him that these landlords were always more trouble than they were worth, and they were also quite destructive to the implementation of national policies. If anyone blocked their rent collection, they would even sell out the country, let alone instigate a few young officials to force the emperor to abdicate. However, there was one thing that was completely different from Uchiha Touko's past life. This was a transcendent world, and Uchiha Touko, who was already close to standing at the pinnacle of combat power in this world, did not need to care much about these stumbling blocks from the old era.

If the other party continues to be unreasonable, Uchiha Touko wouldn't mind showing them how to kill according to the clan genealogy.

“I understand. I will be present at tomorrow’s court assembly,” Uchiha Touko said. “Mr. Mipu, I want to see evidence of corruption, bribery, and forming cliques for personal gain on this list first thing tomorrow morning. Do you understand?”

"Yes! I will investigate immediately." Miura Kazuo nodded hurriedly. Uchiha Touko's meaning was very clear: before the morning court session tomorrow, he and his faction had to fabricate evidence of crimes against the people on the list, even if they had to make it up on the spot.

After Miura Kazuo left, Uchiha Touko had Uchiha Inahisa deliver the list to the police force.

After receiving the list, Kakashi immediately summoned the two captains of the security force.

At this moment, in a private room of a tavern in northwestern Konoha, more than ten young people gathered together. After drinking a few cups of wine, one of them, emboldened by the alcohol, angrily spoke up: "That Grand Minister of State, Uchiha Tokō, was entrusted with such a heavy responsibility by the late emperor, and the young Daimyo even took him as his teacher. But what has he done all these years? He actually allowed the Daimyo to indulge in such a frivolous and destructive pastime as cricket fighting."

“The daimyo doesn’t concern himself with politics, and the country’s affairs have long been controlled by treacherous villains like him and Miura Kazuo. If this continues, the country will cease to exist!” Another young official slammed his hand on the table, his face showing distress.

"Four years ago, Abe Taiichi, the Left Minister of the Land of Fire, was so upright and honest, yet he suffered the calamity of having his entire family wiped out simply because he offended these two people!" another person said.

"Therefore, we must unite to drive these treacherous villains out of the court and restore a bright and just world to the court of the Land of Fire!"

"Yes! We must let these traitors know! Even if he can kill Lord Abe, the loyal and righteous people of the Land of Fire will never be wiped out!" another official said indignantly.

However, no sooner had he finished speaking than the door to the private room at the tavern where they were having their gathering was kicked open.

"Who goes there?" Everyone in the private room looked toward the door. Sakurai Hideaki, who had been promoted to company commander in the security team and had also obtained a special Jonin status under the guidance of his Uchiha clan elders, walked in with a gloomy expression.

He had heard everything those people outside said clearly. These ungrateful bastards actually dared to call his most respected Hokage a villain. They were really asking for trouble. These people should be sent to the Sanqing Education Team to experience the Hokage's kindness.

"Sakurai Hideaki, Captain of the First Company, Second Battalion of the Konoha Security Force." Sakurai Hideaki said with a grim face, "Our security force received a report that there was an illegal assembly here, and it seems that was indeed the case. Take them all away!"

"What right do you have to arrest us! Do you even know who we are?" a young official in the private room said, his neck stiff and his face red.

“I don’t care who you are, you’re just a suspect accused of plotting a rebellion,” Hideaki Sakurai said with a sneer.

"How dare you lowly ninjas offend us! We are officials of the imperial court!" Just as Hideaki Sakurai's guards stepped forward, a young official in the private room suddenly sprang into action and started shoving a genin who had graduated in the same year as Naruto and his classmates and had only recently joined the guards.

"You son of a bitch! How dare you violently resist the law!" Upon seeing this, Hideaki Sakurai was furious. He drew his baton from his waist, kicked the man to the ground, and then swung it six times in a second. The first three blows landed precisely on the man's legs, waist, and mouth, while the last three blows were aimed at his head.

After six blows, the man, whose head was bleeding profusely, finally managed to let out a scream.

"So the legend is true!" At this moment, some of the new recruits in the guard unit under Hideaki Sakurai's command lit up. They had only joined the guard unit in the last two years, so they had not participated in the battle that made the guard unit famous. However, they had all heard the legends of the original members who joined the guard unit. It was said that these people could swing six clubs in an instant, and any evil could only wail in pain in front of them.

However, after the villagers of Konoha have undergone the education of the Three Pure Ones Training Corps over the years, the average quality of the entire Hidden Leaf Village has greatly improved. The six batons per second that the police force is equipped with has become a legend. But today, Hideaki Sakurai's baton was unsheathed again, which can be said to have opened the eyes of these new recruits.

However, after unleashing a series of attacks, Hideaki Sakurai, watching his opponent scream in agony, couldn't help but frown at his own baton, thinking to himself:

[I can still scream in pain? I've definitely slacked off all these years. No, I have to train harder when I get back.]

Hideaki Sakurai withdrew his gaze and ordered his subordinates, "Take them all away."

"Yes, sir!" the guards replied in unison.

"You lowly ninjas, Lord Noda will not let you get away with this!" At this moment, a young official who was being held down by the guards stared at Hideaki Sakurai through gritted teeth.

"Oh? Noda?" Upon hearing this, Hideaki Sakurai approached the man with great interest. "It seems that you traitors have someone backing you up."

"Hmph, Lord Noda is the Daimyo's uncle. Your Hokage's abuse of power has made the people of the Land of Fire suffer. You lackeys are also bullying the common people. Lord Noda will not let you off the hook sooner or later." The man who seemed to be the leader of the group said through gritted teeth.

“I see,” Hideaki Sakurai nodded. “Is there anything else you need to tell me?”

"Hmph!" The man snorted coldly and turned his head away.

“Looks like there aren’t any left. Take them all!” Hideaki Sakurai said, then turned to one of his new recruits and said, “Koji, go to the Yamanaka clan and ask a Chunin-level member to come and assist us in investigating these rebels.”

"Yes!"

……

Just as Sakurai Hideaki was making arrests, inside the Konoha Imperial Palace, eight-year-old Minamoto no Miyakushi was playing with crickets that a newly formed genin squad had specially gone to the forests in the western part of the Land of Fire to retrieve for him.

This cricket looked extremely robust and powerful, and Yuan Yuxie couldn't stop smiling just by looking at it.

"Hehe, I'll call you Amenominaka!" After naming his beloved general, Minamoto no Yuuki carefully added water and rations to his food, then said with a smile, "Now Konohamaru's Great Monkey King won't be a match for me!"

However, at that moment, a eunuch came to report: "Your Highness, Prince Noda requests an audience."

"Tell him to go to the teacher if he has any problems. If he can't find him, send someone to take him to the Hokage's office," Gen Yuxie said without looking up.

"Your Highness, you should still meet him. According to seniority, he is your uncle," the young eunuch said somewhat awkwardly.

“Alright, let’s meet him then.” Yuan Yuxie nodded.

Not long after, Gennoda, dressed in a prince's ceremonial robe, arrived in front of Genno Yosuke. After a few brief pleasantries, he steered the conversation toward the Grand Minister of State, Uchiha Tokō.

Then, the daimyo's uncle began to explain the pros and cons, attempting to condemn Uchiha Tokō as a traitor.

After listening, Yuan Yuxie said expressionlessly, "Kill them."

Upon hearing this, Harunoda's face lit up with joy, but he still cautiously said, "Although taking down Uchiha Tokō is urgent, he is still the Hokage with a high position and considerable power. We should plan ahead and discuss it carefully."

"Why would I need to consult with my teacher before killing you?"

……

Chapter 198 Go ahead and stir things up, you can all go ahead and stir things up.

Yuan Yuxie's words stunned the prince, who had just been excited. So you're saying that the killing was aimed at me?

However, Genji gave the other party no time to react and shouted towards the door, "Uncle Asuma, take this guy to the teacher."

A figure appeared behind Gennoda like a ghost. This pampered nobleman lost his ability to resist before he could even react. After Asuma subdued Gennoda, he turned to look at Gennoya and smiled helplessly, saying, "Your Highness, you can just call me by my name."

“That won’t do,” Gen Yuxie shook his head. “Putting aside the fact that you were one of the Twelve Guardian Ninja who protected my father, you are also Konohamaru’s uncle. Konohamaru and I are as close as brothers. How can I call you by your name?”

Seeing this, Gennoda, who was being held captive by Asuma, widened his eyes and struggled desperately, shouting angrily, "Genno Yoshihisa! I am your great-uncle! How can you do this to the spirit of your deceased father?"

"You dare to call yourself my uncle?" Seeing this old man acting arrogantly, Yuan Yuxie immediately spoke without any politeness. "The Fire Kingdom is thriving under my teacher's rule, but you have slandered a key minister of my Fire Kingdom for your own selfish reasons. Guards, strip him of all his titles!"

“Um, Your Highness, the matter of stripping someone of their title requires the presence of someone from the Imperial Clan Court to make a decision,” a eunuch beside Minamoto no Miyazaki reminded him.

"I don't care! I don't want to see this guy with his title in court again tomorrow, understand?" Yuan Yuxie said, sounding a bit unreasonable. At this moment, he truly resembled an eight-year-old child.

"Then, I'll take this guy to see the Hokage first?" Asuma said.

"Remember to say hello to the teacher for me. Also, could you please post a cricket-catching quest in the quest hall? I've heard that there's a special kind of cricket in the Land of Grass that's extremely ferocious. If possible, could you bring one back for me?" Yuan Yuxie said.

“Alright…” Asuma looked at the child in front of him with a complicated expression. The former king’s name, if not particularly wise and powerful, could at least be called a great ruler of his generation, but this kid, Genji, is a bit too playful.

However, considering the current development speed of the Land of Fire under the leadership of Uchiha Touko, which is several times faster than when the previous daimyo was alive, Asuma also felt that it was good for the child to continue to be carefree.

Of course, more importantly, after Hiruzen Sarutobi retired, his strained father-son relationship with Asuma improved considerably. After Asuma got married, he began to mature and was more receptive to his father's advice than the impulsive young man he once was. Hiruzen Sarutobi also made it very clear to him that the current situation in the ninja world was about to usher in a new round of war, and at this time, they absolutely could not let Touko Uchiha hold them back.

Although he was quite pleased that his father had been ousted by a young man, he couldn't understand why his father had started supporting Uchiha Touko in various ways after stepping down.

Hiruzen Sarutobi's answer was very simple: because he is now the Hokage.

Even if they fought to the death in the village before, that was an internal struggle. But now Konoha and the Land of Fire are facing the pressure of an external war. And no matter how Uchiha Touko came to power, as long as he becomes Hokage, he is, to some extent, naturally on the same side as Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Soon, Asuma brought Gennoda, who was tied up, to the Hokage's office.

After Asuma explained his purpose, Uchiha Touko approached him with a cold face and asked in a deep voice, "Are you the mastermind behind this instigation of those young officials to force the emperor to abdicate?"

"Hmph, what's there to say now? The affairs of my Land of Fire have fallen into the hands of a treacherous minister like you. I really don't know what my nephew was thinking, letting you become the Grand Minister of State. My grand-nephew has also been deceived by you. He holds the position of Daimyo, but he spends his days indulging in pleasures and wasting his time." Gennoda said, his neck stiff.

"That's easy for you to say." Uchiha Touko glanced at the other party with disdain. "Then I would like to ask, during my years in power, have there been any problems with the development of the Land of Fire?"

Gennoda was about to speak, but Uchiha Touko didn't give him the chance.

"The reason you say all this is simply because the reforms I spearheaded have blocked your path to wealth," Uchiha Touko said with a sneer. "The four newly built factories in your fiefdom have provided tens of thousands of jobs for the surrounding people, thus affecting the land rent on your land. That's why you're jumping around like this, acting like a clown. What's even more ridiculous is that before Gato and the others invested in setting up factories in your territory, I even had them visit you to ask if you needed to invest in the factories. I believe I've already given you old nobles enough face, but you don't appreciate it."

"Hmph, I'm only standing up for the sake of my Land of Fire's fate!" Haruno retorted defiantly.

"You dare to talk to me about serving the country? You look down on these businessmen, thinking your noble hands shouldn't be tainted by this stench of money, but as soon as it affects your own little corner of the world, you jump out and stir things up!" Uchiha Touko looked down at his opponent with hatred, pointing his finger directly at his nose and cursing.

"The other nations of the entire ninja world have never ceased coveting the land of my Land of Fire. And now, anyone with even a little foresight can easily see that a war is brewing beneath the calm surface. Everything I've done these past years has been preparation for this future war. But what are you doing? At this crucial moment, you're trying to undermine my country's resources, all for your meager land rent! Go ahead and stir things up, stir things up until Konoha runs out of supplies for future battles, suffers defeats, throws the Land of Fire into chaos, and destroys the Land of Fire!"

Uchiha Touko raised his hand and drew the Swift Lightning Blade from the sword rack beside him, holding it to Harunoda's neck. The cold glint of the blade and the crackling lightning startled Harunoda, who instinctively looked towards Uchiha Touko. However, he saw the undisguised killing intent in the other's eyes. Harunoda, a pampered and useless nobleman, could not withstand the killing intent that Uchiha Touko had cultivated on the bloody battlefield. He fainted under the shock of this killing intent.

"Inahime, take this guy to the garrison and lock him up with those idiots. Let the Yamanaka clan give them a good talking to." Uchiha Touka glanced at the man with disdain before turning to Inahime and giving him the order.

……

On the second day of the court assembly, Uchiha Touko, who had not attended court for a long time, appeared in the court and stood in the head position of the civil officials.

Miura Kazuo, who was originally supposed to stand in that position, stood obediently to Uchiha Touko's left, head bowed and silent, which made some people immediately sense something unusual.

However, before these people could think it through, the court assembly officially began as Gen Yuxie, surrounded by a group of officials, entered the palace.

As soon as Yuan Yuxie sat down in his chair, he saw Uchiha Touko standing at the front of the civil officials. His little face immediately lit up with joy: "Teacher, you've arrived! Someone, please give the teacher a seat!"

"Your Highness, there's no need for that," Uchiha Touko said somewhat speechlessly. Although he knew the boy might mean well, he was only in his early twenties and not yet at the point where he would be offered a seat after standing for a short while.

“Uh, okay then.” Yuan Yuxie nodded.

"Speak if you have something to say! Dismiss the court if you have nothing to say!" At this moment, the eunuch next to Yuan Yuxie shouted at the top of his lungs.

At this moment, Miura Kazuo, who had been keeping his head down and not speaking, turned around and winked at one of his underlings behind him.

"Your Highness, I have a report to submit." Upon receiving the signal, the subordinate immediately stepped forward. "I hereby accuse Tajima Yukio, Yamamoto Masahiro, Shimizu Ken... and fifteen others of forming cliques for personal gain, embezzling public funds, neglecting their duties, and committing treason."

After he led the charge, other accomplices of Miura Kazuo also stepped forward to accuse the officials involved in the attack on Uchiha Touko. The accusations were increasingly outrageous, and in the end, when they ran out of fabrications, they simply accused them of rape and kidnapping.

"What? Such a treacherous creature is actually hiding in the court of my Fire Kingdom?" Yuan Yuxie was furious upon hearing this.

"Your Highness, there is a problem in the court of my Land of Fire. As the Grand Minister of State, I cannot shirk my responsibility. I beg for forgiveness." At this moment, Uchiha Touko spoke slowly and deliberately.