Naruto: Konoha Spring of the Uchiha Prodigies

"To be honest, I still prefer your arrogant self from earlier. Can you come back to your old self?" Uchiha Touko said with a smile after the laughter subsided.

"Grand Minister is joking... Please forgive my previous rudeness..." The man speaking had fine beads of sweat on his dark bald head, and under the sunlight streaming in through the window, he looked just like a freshly boiled egg.

This scene improved Uchiha Tokō's mood considerably after he had just cleaned up the mess caused by his disobedient disciples. However, Uchiha Tokō did not intend to let these people off the hook.

Uchiha Touko narrowed his eyes and looked at the second group of envoys who had entered. He asked slowly, "Envoy from the Land of Lightning, if I remember correctly, who did you say these people were?"

As soon as Uchiha Touko finished speaking, the legs of the first group of envoys who had arrived trembled like leaves.

Upon hearing Uchiha Touko's words, the later envoys also showed a hint of reluctance. However, they were now at the mercy of others and had no choice but to abandon the other side in order to gain a chance to catch their breath.

"Reporting to Your Excellency, the Grand Minister of State, they are all traitors who intend to undermine the unity between our two countries," the later envoy said through gritted teeth after a moment's hesitation.

Upon hearing this, the first group of envoys collapsed to the ground. They knew that, for the sake of their country's future, they had been abandoned.

"So you're a traitor," Uchiha Touko said meaningfully. "I knew the higher-ups in the Land of Lightning wouldn't be so brainless. But since you're a rebel trying to sow discord between our two countries, why don't we, the Land of Fire, deal with you?"

"Your Excellency, there's no need for you to take action. In this time of friendly negotiations between our two countries, let's avoid bloodshed. How about we leave these people to the Land of Lightning to handle? Rest assured, the Land of Lightning will definitely give an explanation for their offenses against you and His Highness the Daimyo."

"Friendly negotiation?" Uchiha Touko's expression changed. "But I don't think there's any room for friendly negotiation between our two countries on this matter!"

"During this joint Chunin Exams, Konoha received your visit with the highest honors. I humbly believe that Konoha has done nothing to offend Kumogakure. Yet, your Raikage kidnapped the grandson of our Third Hokage before leaving. Your Raikage's blatant provocation shows a complete disregard for the feelings between our two nations. This behavior is not only a provocation against Konoha, but also a complete humiliation of Konoha's Will of Fire! Do you think there is any friendship left between our two countries?"

"Teacher, stop wasting your breath on them! If you ask me, just chop them all down as a sacrifice to the flag, then send those prisoners to grow cotton, and declare war on the Land of Lightning!" At this moment, Gen Yuxie spoke up from his throne.

Uchiha Touko turned around and glared at the kid. Gen Yuxie shrugged and stuck out his tongue.

However, although this kid was causing trouble, he inadvertently put a lot of pressure on the other party.

"Grand Minister, please reconsider. It is indeed a grave mistake made by our Raikage in a moment of impulsiveness. Our Land of Lightning is willing to make compensation for this."

"Compensation? You'll use 300 million worth of mining waste as compensation?" Uchiha Touko said with a sneer.

"Regarding this matter, perhaps Your Excellency, the Grand Minister of State, should review our official documents from the Land of Lightning before making a decision." Cameron, the envoy from the Land of Lightning, was sweating profusely and hurriedly took out a document from his robes, respectfully handing it to Uchiha Touko.

After taking the document, Uchiha Touko glanced at it and thought, "Hmm, this document does seem much more sincere."

Firstly, in terms of official matters, the Daimyo of the Land of Lightning acknowledged that the military conflict was caused by the irrational behavior of Raikage A, and promised in the document that A would be punished.

Then there's the compensation. Compared to the previous compensation of using 3 million ryo of mining waste to offset a debt of 10 billion ryo, which treated Uchiha Toko as a fool, this time the Land of Lightning offered 400 billion ryo, to be repaid in cash over ten years.

Furthermore, regarding those prisoners, the Land of Lightning offered ransoms of 5000 million ryo for Jonin, 3000 million ryo for Special Jonin, 1000 million ryo for Chunin, and 500 million ryo for Genin, totaling approximately 260 billion ryo, which will be paid in ten years along with the indemnity.

Seeing Uchiha Touko looking at the treaty, Cameron tentatively asked, "What does Minister of State think of this price? Our Land of Lightning is absolutely here to negotiate with your country with the utmost sincerity."

“The amount of compensation is as stated, but I will only give you three years to pay it off,” Uchiha Tokō said. “In addition, the ransom for the prisoners must be increased by 30%, and installment payments will not be accepted. We will release the prisoners only when you have paid off the ransom. Furthermore, you will be responsible for all expenses incurred by the prisoners during their imprisonment.”

"This... Your Excellency, this is a bit too much. Our Land of Lightning's finances simply cannot afford to come up with so much money all at once," Cameron said with a wry smile. If what Uchiha Touko said was true, if they wanted to take all these prisoners back, they would have to pay nearly 500 billion ryo in cash in the first year, but their Land of Lightning's annual fiscal revenue was only a little over 1000 billion ryo.

"This is your own business," Uchiha Touko said with a sneer. Pay it off in 10 years? What a joke! Who knows what the Land of Lightning will be like in 10 years? Besides, if we don't put some economic pressure on them, given the nature of those barbarians in the Land of Lightning, they'll probably go back and start a war to develop their military and try to avenge their defeat. Uchiha Touko certainly won't give them that chance.

Under this enormous financial pressure, the Land of Lightning and the Hidden Cloud Village had only two choices: either reduce military spending to pay off Konoha's debts first, or further exploit the civilians to restore their strength.

In this way, no matter what choice they make, Konoha will be the only beneficiary. The former goes without saying, but if the Land of Lightning chooses the latter path, then when Konoha's heavenly soldiers enter the Land of Lightning, they will be the liberators.

Regarding the possibility of the Land of Lightning uniting its people amidst internal and external troubles, Uchiha Touko stated that this was possible before rap culture became popular in the Land of Lightning. Now, the black and white people in the Land of Lightning are practically fighting tooth and nail, especially after the defeat caused by the actions of the black leaders in the Land of Lightning. The white people in the Land of Lightning, who were already extremely dissatisfied with black rule, will definitely take action.

"Furthermore, it's not just Konoha that has suffered losses in this military conflict. The war you instigated on the border of the Land of Hot Water has also deeply hurt the feelings of the people of the Land of Hot Water. As an ally of the Land of Hot Water, I feel that the Land of Fire has an obligation to seek justice for them," said Uchiha Touko.

"I wonder what Your Excellency, the Grand Minister of State, thinks we should do to compensate the Land of Hot Springs for its losses?" Cameron said with a sigh. The situation was now very clear: Konoha was asking for an exorbitant price, and he would have to go back and consult the Daimyo of the Land of Lightning before he could negotiate a lower price. The conditions that Uchiha Touko had just given were already beyond his authority to agree to. Therefore, he decided to listen to Uchiha Touko's conditions before making a decision.

“I remember that during the Second Shinobi World War, your country forcibly occupied nearly 10,000 square kilometers of land in the Land of Hot Springs, including their northern port. I think you should just return this land to its rightful owner,” said Uchiha Touko.

"This... I'm afraid our daimyo will find it difficult to agree." Cameron's face showed a troubled expression after hearing Uchiha Touko's words.

Territory is secondary. This port, located at the border of the Land of Lightning and the Land of Hot Water, is extremely important to the Land of Lightning. Although the Land of Lightning has a large coastline on its eastern coast, there are only a few areas suitable for use as ports, and most of them are located at a latitude that is far north. In winter, the entire port would freeze over. The port that Uchiha Touko mentioned, which they seized during the Second Shinobi World War, is the only ice-free port in their territory.

"Since that's the case, it seems your Land of Lightning isn't very sincere," Uchiha Touko sneered. "Or do you think the Land of Lightning considers the losses of a small country like the Land of Hot Springs insignificant? Well, let me tell you, the Land of Hot Springs is now a loyal ally of Konoha, and their affairs are Konoha's affairs! Furthermore, as a responsible major power in the ninja world, the Land of Fire has a responsibility to stop your Land of Lightning's hegemonic behavior!"

"That's right!"

"The Grand Minister is absolutely right!"

After Uchiha Touko finished speaking, the civil officials in the hall raised their voices in praise.

Chapter 235 I think you should go to the Nakagawa Theological Symposium for further study.

The envoy from the Land of Lightning slunk away from the main hall. Given the conditions proposed by Uchiha Touko, he had no authority to make a decision. He could only return to negotiate after consulting with his daimyo.

After attending the morning assembly, Uchiha Touko returned to the Hokage's office to prepare for the aftermath of Naruto's departure from the village.

First, there's the question of the nature of Naruto's escape this time.

If Uchiha Touko hadn't punched Naruto and knew what he was planning, he could have simply ignored the matter and labeled Naruto's actions as a training trip. After all, the people who knew about this incident were the genin who weren't part of Konoha's core circle and were ambushed by Naruto; a simple gag order would have sufficed. As for the Valley of the End being blown up, a simple tourist attraction renovation could have covered it up.

However, after learning what Naruto wanted to do, he still had to carry on the identity of a rogue ninja for a while. Otherwise, if this kid caused trouble throughout the ninja world under the identity of a Konoha ninja, it would bring considerable trouble to the village and would not be conducive to the image of Konoha as a peace envoy that it had always established in the ninja world. Moreover, only the identity of a rogue ninja would make it possible for the Kara organization, which was lurking in the ninja world, to make contact with him.

As for what impact this rogue ninja identity will have on Naruto? The bounty hunters in the ninja world are also discerning. Just like Roshi from Iwagakure and Deidara who recently ran away with his headband, although they are nominally rogue ninjas from Iwagakure, the bounty offered by Iwagakure is actually sending a message: although these people have defected, you bounty hunters had better not cause them any trouble.

The only thing that might cause trouble for Naruto is the coveting of the fox inside him by other forces in the ninja world. However, Naruto, who has now mastered the Nine-Tails Chakra Mode, has firmly entered the Kage level. Moreover, with the Nine-Tails Chakra Mode and Naruto's current mastery of Wind Release ninjutsu and taijutsu, it would be difficult for anyone who can defeat him to keep him in check. Therefore, there is no need to worry about his safety.

"Inaba!" Uchiha Touko summoned his secretary. "Where's Jiraiya lately?"

"As for Jiraiya-sama, he's currently holding a signing event in the Land of Hot Springs," Uchiha Inahi replied.

“The Land of Hot Springs? I understand.” Uchiha Touko nodded, then wrote a letter about Naruto’s current situation. He then instructed Touko to go find Naruto, keep an eye on the kid, and train with him. Afterward, Touko took out the Book of Sealing, copied the Flying Thunder God Technique from it, sealed the letter with an additional seal, and handed it to Uchiha Inaho.

"Go there yourself and give this to Jiraiya."

"Yes!" Uchiha Inahime nodded, took Uchiha Touko's letter, and left the Hokage's office.

Not long after, the person in charge of the mission hall below the Hokage Building knocked on the door and approached Uchiha Touko.

"Lord Hokage, we have an S-rank request from the Land of Demons that we would like you to review."

"The Land of Demons?" Uchiha Touko took the document handed to him and glanced at it.

"A man named Yomi has usurped the throne of the priestess and daimyo of the Land of Demons. They need our Konoha ninjas to help protect their priestess and seal away the demons in their country?" Uchiha Touko looked at the request letter, scratched his head. He remembered this part of the plot, after all, the movie was called "The Death of Naruto." But Naruto wasn't in the village right now, so who should he send?

"How about we send Sasuke on this trip? It'll help him clear his head. Besides, that power of the Wraith might be useful to him." Uchiha Touko tapped his desk and then looked at the person in charge of the mission center. "Go tell the client that Konoha will send an elite team for this mission."

"Yes!" After the other party accepted the order and left, Uchiha Touko also got up from his office and headed to the Senju clan's territory.

……

After Tsunade's treatment, Sasuke, whose body and mind were both exhausted, slowly woke up in his hospital bed. As soon as he woke up, he saw that his friends were all by his bedside.

"Sasuke, you're awake." Neji quickly brought Sasuke a glass of water after he woke up.

After taking the water glass, Sasuke took two sips before looking at the people around him with some difficulty.

"I'm sorry, I lost. I didn't bring him back." Sasuke leaned against the hospital bed, pounding the back of the bed in frustration as he spoke.

"Forget it, let's not talk about that now," Neji quickly said upon seeing this. "You should focus on getting better first."

Sasuke fell silent upon hearing this.

Just then, Uchiha Touko also entered the ward.

"teacher."

"Lord Hokage."

After seeing Uchiha Touko, the people in the ward greeted him one after another.

Uchiha Touko nodded, then said, "You guys go back first. I'd like to have a word with Sasuke alone."

"Yes." Upon seeing this, the others in the ward left one after another.

After the others left, Uchiha Touko found a place to sit down by Sasuke's bedside, then took an apple from the cabinet and started peeling it with a kunai.

Sasuke didn't say anything, he just leaned against the hospital bed and looked up at the ceiling of the ward.

Uchiha Touko finished peeling an apple and handed it to Sasuke before breaking the silence.

"You've been enlightened?"

Sasuke took the apple that Uchiha Touko had cut and nodded.

"What kind of eye technique?"

“Wu Wengchui and Jianfu Du Ming,” Sasuke said. “One allows me to summon lightning with the power to annihilate chakra, while the other is the ability to freely control this form of lightning.”

"Sounds pretty good." Uchiha Touko nodded. The Lightning Release versions of Amaterasu and Kagutsuchi are both types of eye techniques that directly enhance combat abilities, which is very much in line with the characteristics of an Indra chakra reincarnation.

“But even with the power of the Mangekyou Sharingan, I couldn’t bring that guy back.” Sasuke said somewhat dejectedly after taking the apple. “Besides, I could sense that he wasn’t using his full strength.”

“Of course not. He’s only one step away from becoming the perfect Nine-Tails Jinchuriki—completely breaking the seal. Your newly awakened Mangekyou Sharingan is no match for him,” Uchiha Touko said.

"Teacher, can you teach me how to use the Mangekyou Sharingan?" Sasuke looked up at Uchiha Touko.

"If you're referring to the Mangekyou Sharingan's genjutsu against tailed beasts, then I suggest you go find your brother Shisui or go to the Land of Water to find your father. But if it's about eye techniques and Susanoo, I don't recommend you start training in those areas right now."

"Why?" Sasuke asked, puzzled.

“You must have noticed it when you use your eye techniques and Susanoo, right? Your eyesight gradually decreases with each use of your eye techniques. As for Susanoo, it’s a bit too much of a burden for your still-developing body,” Uchiha Touko said.

“But… Master, it seems you awakened your Sharingan much earlier than I did,” Sasuke asked.

“I had no choice at that time,” Uchiha Touko said. “And later, I also paid a great price to resolve these side effects, but you are different, you don’t need to rush.”

"But if I don't do this, how am I supposed to catch up with that guy!" Sasuke said through gritted teeth. "Sensei, I hope you can help me."

"Alright, focus on getting better first. After you finish this mission, I'll take you somewhere else, and you can decide then." Uchiha Touko nodded and placed the mission report from the Land of Demons on Sasuke's bed.

"I understand." Sasuke nodded from his hospital bed, then picked up the mission report and began to read it.

……

Three days later, after Tsunade's care, Sasuke's body had almost recovered. He then reunited with Neji, Sakura, Karin, and Lee, who had been sent by Uchiha Touko to handle this mission, and they headed towards the Land of Demons.

"Sasuke, if you're feeling unwell, let's stop and rest for a while." After traveling day and night for two days, they finally entered the Land of Demons. Neji, the leader of this mission, reminded them, considering that there was still a wounded member in the team who had just recovered.

"I'm fine, let's keep going so we can finish the mission sooner." Sasuke shook his head, indicating to Neji that he didn't need to worry about him.

"Alright," Neji nodded upon seeing this, and then the group headed towards the Land of Demons.

After entering the Land of Demons, the group rushed towards the place agreed upon with their employer. However, the large number of shrines they saw along the way caused Karin some confusion.

"There seem to be too many shrines here," Karin couldn't help but ask.

“That’s normal. The Land of Demons is a theocratic country, and priestesses hold a transcendent position there. The daimyo of the Land of Demons has always been a priestess from the Temple of Demons.” Sakura, being a top student, answered Karin’s question.

"A shrine maiden can become a daimyo?" Karin was puzzled. She knew that the shrine maidens of the Land of Fire only came out to preside over festivals and did some fortune-telling and face reading. She never expected that the shrine maidens of the Land of Demons could have such a status.

Soon, the group arrived at the agreed location. However, as soon as they arrived at the location agreed upon in the mission, a shrine built in a valley with a huge waterfall, they immediately saw a figure carrying a white-haired woman on his back, fleeing in a sorry state while being chased by a group of armed people.