Naruto: Konoha Spring of the Uchiha Prodigies

Only after Sasuke returned the greeting did the White Zetsu show expressions of relief.

"Everyone! Let me say something!" At this moment, Abi raised his hand again and came to Uchiha Touko's side. "The key to our success in sealing the traitor Black Zetsu today is Lord Touko! Whether it's the scientific ninja tools that Lord Touko provided me or his eye techniques, they all played a crucial role in this battle against the traitor! Therefore, I propose that Lord Touko be healthy and victorious!"

"Health! Victory!" the White Zetsu cheered in unison once again.

"Great! This is the happiest day of my life!" Uchiha Touko nodded in satisfaction as he looked at the perfectly aligned White Zetsu army.

At that moment, Tobi handed the central control device left behind by Black Zetsu, which controlled White Zetsu, to Uchiha Touko.

After accepting the item, Uchiha Touko looked at the White Zetsu in the arena and said, "Everyone, continue with the previous mission plan: remain infiltrated in the ninja world, gather intelligence, and wait for the right opportunity!"

"Understood!" the White Zetsu said in unison.

……

After Black Zetsu was defeated, almost a year passed. During this year, Konoha's military reform came to an end. After most of the low-level missions were outsourced, the vast majority of genin who graduated from the ninja academy two years later were assigned to Konoha's new army, becoming professional soldiers paid by the village and whose missions were only training and rotating guard duty on the border.

Sasuke and Neji also began to take on important positions in the new army.

The entire Konoha army has undergone a complete transformation, and it can be said that Konoha is now ready to face war.

As Konoha grows stronger day by day, the pressure on other major powers in the ninja world also increases daily. However, they don't have many good ways to deal with the increasingly powerful Konoha. They can only try to improve their own power in order to face the threat from Konoha.

……

On this day, Onoki of Iwagakure received a television communication request from Ai.

"Lord Tsuchikage, the other party has sent three requests in a row. Should we connect to the Cloud Village's television communications?" Onoki's secretary asked in his office.

"Three times?" Onoki frowned slightly upon hearing this, then sighed softly. "Connect them. If we ignore that guy today, they won't let it go."

"Yes!" The secretary nodded, then placed a television in front of Onoki's desk and connected the communication.

Soon, Raikage Ai's figure appeared on the screen.

"Lord Tsuchikage is really busy," Ai said on the other end of the screen after the communication was connected.

"There's nothing I can do. There have been a lot of things going on in the village lately, and this old man is not up to the task. I'm a bit overwhelmed, so I've neglected Lord Raikage. I hope Lord Raikage will forgive me."

After speaking, the two removed their straw hats and placed them on the desk, using the etiquette for a meeting between shadows to show their sincerity.

"I wonder what business the Raikage has with me?" After removing the Tsuchikage's hat, Onoki looked at A's stern face on the screen, sighed softly, and then asked.

"Lord Tsuchikage, what is your opinion on Konoha's current strength?" A asked.

"Konoha's strength?" Onoki said without changing his expression, "It is naturally the number one ninja village in the ninja world at present, and their Fifth Hokage, Uchiha Tokō, can also be called the number one person in the ninja world at present."

“Yes, Uchiha Touko truly deserves to be called the number one ninja in the world.” Ai’s eyes flickered slightly before he spoke.

"Is this all the Raikage wanted to ask me?" Onoki said. "Isn't that a bit redundant? After all, you probably know the strength of Uchiha Tokō and Konoha better than I do."

Faced with Onoki's blatant sarcasm, A's face remained expressionless. Instead, he said with a stern face, "I think the Tsuchikage can sense that Konoha is currently brewing a war that will sweep across the ninja world. Does the Tsuchikage think that Iwagakure can remain unscathed in this war?"

Upon hearing this, Onoki's expression also turned serious. He stared at A on the screen for a long time before finally asking, "Has the Raikage forgotten that we, Iwagakure, are friendly neighbors with a non-aggression pact with Konoha? If the Raikage wants to sow discord between Iwagakure and Konoha, I think you've miscalculated."

"Lord Tsuchikage, I have come to you with sincerity this time, so I hope you can be equally honest with us," A said. "Or does Lord Tsuchikage believe that Uchiha Tokage's ambitions can be restrained by a mere contract?"

Upon hearing this, Onoki narrowed his eyes slightly, remained silent for a while, and then looked up and said, "Speak, what are your thoughts, Kumogakure?"

"I hope our two villages can form an alliance and strike before Konoha is fully prepared, so that Konoha is caught in a dilemma," Ai said.

"Shall our two villages form an alliance?" Upon hearing this, Onoki fell silent again. Ai, watching through the screen, could not see any change in his expression.

"Has Lord Raikage considered that even if our two villages form an alliance and can contend with Konoha's ninja army, if we cannot defeat Uchiha Tokō, then it's all just empty talk?" Ōnoki said.

“Although Uchiha Touko is strong, we are not entirely invincible.” A said, standing up and taking off his cloak to reveal his prosthetic arm, which had been made by Amado.

"What is this?" Onoki looked at the extraordinary metal prosthetic arm that had replaced Ai's arm and frowned slightly.

"This is a scientific ninja tool developed by our chief scientist in Kumogakure. With its help, my strength has improved by leaps and bounds compared to before. I wonder if Lord Tsuchikage has heard of the technique that is the strongest spear in Kumogakure, the One-Piece Spear."

"Was it a technique developed by your father? I've heard of it," Onoki said. "Back then, quite a few of our Iwagakure ninjas died because of this technique, but fortunately, we Iwagakure were the final victors in that battle."

"Hehe, let's not talk about the past anymore. Now our two villages have a common enemy. I think we can put aside our past hatred for the time being. What do you think, Lord Tsuchikage?" Ai's facial muscles twitched slightly after hearing Onoki mention the battle in which his father was besieged and killed, but he quickly composed himself and said with a smile.

He knew that, faced with the threats from Uchiha Touko and Konoha, the only chance for Kumogakure to survive was to form an alliance with Iwagakure. Unlike Iwagakure, which had signed a non-aggression pact with Konoha and, despite some friction with Konoha over the years, had maintained a superficial harmony with Konoha, Kumogakure and Konoha were now locked in a life-or-death struggle after that war.

“If you, as his son, have no objections, then we in Iwagakure naturally have no objections either.” Onoki understood this, so at this moment, he didn’t have any clear opinion on the alliance with Kumogakure. “By the way, where were we?”

"Our strongest spear in Kumogakure, the One-Shot Spear." Ai took a deep breath and said, "With the assistance of this chakra prosthetic arm, plus the help of my sworn brother, the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki, I am confident that I can kill Uchiha Touko, as long as someone can help me break through his Susanoo's defense for just one breath."

"And speaking of offensive capabilities, what technique in the entire ninja world can surpass your Kekkei Tota Dust Release, Lord Tsuchikage?" A said.

"It seems you're prepared," Onoki said in a deep voice.

"That's natural. Since that battle, Kumogakure has been preparing for war, all for the purpose of avenging Konoha and Uchiha Tokō. For this reason, our Land of Lightning is united as one. Our Land of Lightning is now sincerely looking forward to cooperating with your village. We believe that with the sincere cooperation of our two countries, we will be able to crush Uchiha Tokō's conspiracy to covet the entire ninja world. At that time, the fertile land of the Land of Fire will also be ours."

"Let me think about it some more." After listening to Ai's explanation, Onoki's expression changed slightly, but he still indicated that he could not make a decision right now.

……

Two more months have passed.

September 1st, Konoha Year 63.

The Iwagakure assault force crossed the border between the Land of Earth and the Land of Grass with lightning speed. The Grass Village, which had just recovered a little from the two major losses caused by Uchiha Toko's sanctions due to Karin and her daughter and the Hozuki Castle explosion, was routed by the Iwagakure attack before it could even react.

With the ninjas completely gone, the Land of Grass fell within three days, and the daimyo of the Land of Grass had no choice but to surrender to the daimyo of the Land of Earth.

At the same time, the South Mist Village camp, where the commander of the Fire Country's Water and Fire Army, Konoha's five-star general Fugaku Uchiha, was stationed, was also attacked.

Nine chakra cannons deployed by Kumogakure on the border of Northern Kirigakure unleashed their firepower upon receiving the attack order, "Tiger! Tiger! Tiger!" In an instant, they crumbled the defenses of Southern Kirigakure. Although the Konoha garrison, protected by Fugaku Uchiha's Susanoo, did not suffer widespread casualties, Fugaku himself was seriously injured in the attack and was forced to lead the Konoha garrison south.

The allied forces of Northern Kirigakure and Kumogakure captured the former Kirigakure village within a week.

Although the two sides entered a stalemate due to the resistance of the reinforcements brought by Shisui, this attack undoubtedly caught Konoha off guard and caused the entire village to lose face.

A week later, Uchiha Touko, accompanied by Genji Yuxie, arrived at the television station that Konoha had recently established and began a live broadcast to all the citizens of the Land of Fire.

Chapter 284 We Will Never Back Down

"Teacher, do I really have to appear on camera later?" Yuan Yuxie was still a little nervous before the live broadcast started. After all, since he ascended the throne, he had basically been studying crickets in the palace, except for showing his face as a mascot at the grand court assembly.

But now, he was suddenly told that he had to appear in front of the entire nation, and Yuan Yuxie was still very nervous.

“There are some things that would be better for you to handle, but don’t worry.” Uchiha Touko patted the other’s head and said patiently, “You just need to show the people that our Land of Fire is confident that we can win this war. As for the rest, leave it to me.”

“I understand now.” Yuan Yuxie nodded. “I believe that teacher can definitely win this war.”

"Your Highness, Hokage, the live broadcast is ready." At this moment, a staff member from Konoha's television station reported to Uchiha Touko.

“Let’s begin.” Uchiha Touko nodded.

Soon, the figures of Uchiha Touko and Genji Yuuki appeared on the television screens of every household in the Land of Fire, and at the same time, radio broadcasts throughout the Land of Fire began to play them simultaneously.

"Fellow countrymen of the Land of Fire, I am Uchiha Tokō, the Grand Minister of State of the Land of Fire and the Fifth Hokage." Uchiha Tokō's gentle voice was transmitted to every corner of the Land of Fire via television and radio signals.

“Three days ago, Iwagakure suddenly launched a war against the Land of Grass, with its army pointing directly at the northwestern border of the Land of Fire. Meanwhile, the Land of Lightning, which had been eyeing us covetously, colluded with the rogue ninja of the fake Kirigakure to attack our closest ally and our base in the Land of Water.”

"Time and history will prove that this was a despicable sneak attack!"

"At this moment, I stand before you all, with no trace of complacency in my heart, only a heavy, life-or-death warning: war has already arrived!"

"Konoha ninjas, my brothers and sisters! Have you seen this stark truth?"

"The army of Iwagakure, like a silent torrent of rocks, is eyeing our borders with predatory intent, while the lightning blades of Kumogakure, driven by greed, are trying to tear apart the barrier upon which we depend for survival."

"They arrogantly believe that beneath Konoha's flourishing facade lies nothing more than lambs to the slaughter. They attempt to use this despicable sneak attack and pincer movement to crush the seeds of peace sown by the First Hokage, along with this beloved land beneath our feet, into dust! How can we tolerate this humiliation, this trampling of life and dignity? How can the backbone of Konoha be bent by coercion?"

"Konoha ninjas, now step outside and look at the Hokage Rock standing tall in the village! Look at the silent and solemn faces of the past Hokage on that Hokage Rock!"

"It was the First Hokage who, with his unparalleled Wood Release, secured a haven of peace for this chaotic world! It was the Second Hokage who, with his iron-fisted methods and wise systems, laid the foundation for Konoha; it was the Third Hokage who, with his compassionate heart and indomitable will, ensured the unbroken transmission of the Will of Fire; and it was the Fourth Hokage who, with his own body, protected our homeland!"

"What turbulent waves did they stand against? The flames of the Fourth Shinobi World War, the inferno of the Nine-Tails' rampage—each time they faced life and death hanging by a thread. Yet, Konoha never fell. The walls built by our forefathers with their flesh and blood, the flames ignited by their indomitable faith, pierced through the fog like a lighthouse in every dark moment, guiding us through desperate situations! This legacy, this will, has long been ingrained in our blood, imprinted deep within the soul of every Konoha ninja!"

Uchiha Touko's voice grew increasingly impassioned. At that moment, in a secluded room in the Hokage Building, the Senju brothers, Hashirama and Tobirama, watched intently as Uchiha Touko passionately spoke on the screen.

"I'm a little embarrassed by what Touko said," Hashirama Senju said, scratching his head and smiling.

"I have to admit, in terms of uniting people's hearts, Tobirama Senju has done a better job than any of our previous Hokage," Tobirama Senju sighed.

At this moment, Uchiha Touko's speech was still ongoing.

"Today, the ambitions of Iwagakure and Kumogakure are nothing more than a continuation of the greedy gazes of countless challengers in the past. They attempt to extinguish the flames of Konoha's generations of peace with the chill of war and to strangle our precious peace with despicable sneak attacks!"

"However, they did not understand why the name of Konoha resounded throughout the ninja world. It was not because of the superiority of its weapons and armor, but because of the indomitable spirit passed down from generation to generation!"

"Look around you—that's the Byakugan of the Hyuga clan, seeing through everything, guarding every secret of the village; that's the silent swarm of insects and loyal hounds of the Aburame and Inuzuka clans, seemingly weak, yet capable of devouring any invading enemy!; that's the 'Ino-Shika-Cho' trio of the Yamanaka, Nara, and Akimichi clans, their bond strong enough to turn the tide of battle; and there's Sarutobi, Kurama, and Uzumaki! And then there's our Uchiha Sharingan, seeing through all illusions, discerning truth and darkness! Every drop of flowing blood, every unique power, is an unshakeable root of Konoha, this towering tree! If the enemy wishes to destroy Konoha, they will first have to step over the corpses of each and every one of us!"

"Today's battle is not merely about protecting this roof and this land! We are protecting a possibility, a possibility symbolized by the Will of Fire, where children can play in the sunlight instead of crying in the smoke of gunpowder! We are protecting a dignity, the dignity of Konoha ninjas who win the right to live with their own hands and beliefs, refusing to live a life of humiliation under the blade! We are protecting a future, a future where the seeds of peace can sprout again, instead of being completely annihilated in the mire of power and betrayal!"

"If we retreat today, if we allow this atrocity to succeed, then the soul of Konoha will die with it, and the ninja world will once again fall into the eternal dark abyss of the survival of the fittest. This battle is not for empty glory, but for survival! For the survival of the Will of Fire! For the survival of hope itself!"

More and more people left their homes and came to the streets of Konoha. Uchiha Touko's voice echoed in their ears. Everyone, even the most stubborn and unruly people in Konoha, were solemn at this moment.

They knew that this war, which had already begun, was closely related to each and every one of them.

At this moment, Uchiha Touko sighed softly and then said:

"I am well aware that the road ahead in this war is fraught with peril. The enemy's numbers are like a dark cloud looming over us, and their tactics are despicable and insidious. We will experience an unprecedentedly bitter struggle, and the fight for every inch of land may come at an unimaginable cost in blood. I also know that fear is a natural human emotion."

"But, Konoha ninjas, I, in the name of the Fifth Hokage, implore you, at this moment, to transform this fear into a more resilient will, a more precise strike of the kunai, and a more fervent fighting spirit! Keep our enemy outside our borders!"

"We will strike hard at the first line of defense along the border!"

"We will fight for every inch of land amidst the burning flames and ruins of war!"

"We will build the last and strongest bulwark with our lives on the sacred land that our ancestors guarded!"

"We will fight to the very end on scorched earth, in every place where the enemy thinks we have no place to stand!"

"Even if our chakra is exhausted and we collapse from exhaustion, we must use our willpower to support our remaining bodies and tear at our enemies with our teeth!"

Even if we are surrounded and ambushed from all sides, we will stand back to back and shoulder to shoulder, so that the Konoha headband can reflect its last light in the blood and fire!

"Even if the forests are burned to ashes and homes are covered in scorched earth, as long as there is one Konoha ninja standing, as long as there is one finger that can form hand seals, as long as the heart still beats in the chest, the fire of Konoha will never be extinguished! The Will of Fire will never surrender!"

Having said that, Uchiha Touko raised his Divine Robe and drew his Lightning Blade.

"I, Uchiha Touko, swear in the name of the Fifth Hokage that my Sharingan will watch over the darkest corners of the battlefield, and my figure will stand at the forefront of the battle! My lightning bolts will be stained with blood alongside you, and my fate will be intertwined with that of Konoha!"

"Now, pick up your kunai and grip your ninja tools tightly!"

Let the enemy see what the spirit of Konoha ninja truly is!

Let the conspiracy of Hidden Rocks and Hidden Clouds pale in comparison to our indomitable will!