Chapter 21
Inside the main command tent, discussion of becoming the Fourth Hokage continued—but everyone's expressions had grown far more serious.
Uchiha Fugaku's voice was low and grave, each word carrying immense weight: "Everyone, we must make a decision. Do we return to Konoha with honor and wealth, content with the status quo? Or do we take the risk and fight for the position of Fourth Hokage?"
The moment he finished, Uchiha Hachidai shot to his feet. His Three Tomoe Sharingan spun wildly in his eyes, blood-red irises burning with decades of suppressed rage. His palm slammed down on the table, making the tea set rattle loudly.
"Fugaku, does this even need to be asked? Our Uchiha clan has endured for far too long. Last night's battle proved we have the power to change the ninja world's balance. If we miss this chance, the Uchiha will forever be pushed out of Konoha's core of power."
The water in the teacups shook violently; dark-brown tea spilled over the rims, snaking across the sandalwood table—like the long-suppressed fury of the Uchiha clan finally finding an outlet.
Clan Head Kurama thoughtfully stroked the fresh scar on his chin, voice filled with worry: "But going to reinforce the Kirigakure front will definitely cost many lives… Without village supplies, and facing secret sabotage from the higher-ups… can we really win?"
His gaze swept across every face in the tent, finally settling on Fugaku.
Clan Head Kazami slowly turned the ring on his finger; the jade surface caught soft glints of light.
"But this is also our best opportunity. In wartime, strength reigns supreme. We just achieved a decisive victory over Iwagakure—our prestige is at its peak. If we can win new merit on the Kiri front, the Fourth Hokage position is not out of reach."
Hearing Kazami's support, Uchiha Hachidai suddenly exploded again. His Three Tomoe Sharingan spun even faster; blood-red chakra nearly overflowed from his eyes.
"Everyone, last night we captured over five thousand Iwagakure ninjas and demanded three hundred billion ryō in reparations. Achievements like that have already made Konoha's higher-ups restless. We've become a threat to them—so even if we obediently go back, will we really be safe?"
His voice suddenly dropped, yet it became even more chilling: "How did the Senju clan disappear? How did Hatake Sakumo die? It's only been a few years—have you all really forgotten?"
The tent fell deathly silent. Only Uchiha Hachidai's furious breathing echoed. Everyone's expressions shifted unpredictably.
Listening to the debate, Uchiha Fugaku's gaze fell on the small flag representing Konoha on the sand table. That flag stood at the center of the Land of Fire, surrounded by the banners of the other four great nations—just like the Uchiha clan's position in Konoha: seemingly central, yet truly isolated and unsupported.
"If we decide to defy orders and go to the Kirigakure front, how exactly do we proceed? And what about Hiruzen Sarutobi—he will definitely send people to block us." Uchiha Fugaku's voice broke the silence.
Uchiha Sanpō's eyes gleamed with cunning far beyond his years: "We need a legitimate reason. For example… we receive urgent distress intelligence from the Kiri front and must immediately rush to reinforce for Konoha's benefit. Once we arrive and achieve a decisive victory, even if the Third Hokage is dissatisfied, he won't be able to openly accuse us in front of the villagers."
Suddenly, urgent footsteps came from outside the tent. An Uchiha ninja lifted the flap: "Report! Ōnoki has arrived with the three hundred billion ryō war reparations—he's at the outpost gate now!"
Uchiha Fugaku nodded, face showing no emotion: "Understood. Have them wait outside for now."
After the messenger left, he looked around at everyone: "We'll pause the Kiri front discussion for now. We'll finalize the plan details later. First, let's go meet Ōnoki and collect the three hundred billion ryō."
Outside the camp gate, Ōnoki's small figure hovered in mid-air; the wrinkles on his face seemed even deeper. Behind him stood dozens of Iwagakure jōnin—all tense, eyes burning with unwilling fury.
Ōnoki's voice was hoarse and dry, like someone who hadn't drunk water in days: "Kari, bring out the war reparations."
The ninja named Kari stepped forward stiffly, every joint seeming to resist this humiliating task. He placed a large sealed scroll gently on the ground, formed hand seals, and slammed his palm down.
"Bang!" White smoke cleared—dozens of pitch-black metal chests stood neatly in rows. Each was sealed with talismans bearing the "Iwa" character; the edges of the paper still showed traces of torn previous seals.
Uchiha Fugaku signaled his men to inspect, while thousands of Konoha ninjas secretly prepared for combat in case Ōnoki reneged. His Sharingan remained locked on Ōnoki, ready for any sudden move.
Uchiha Fugaku raised his hand slightly; a team of Uchiha elites immediately stepped forward to check.
To guard against Ōnoki's possible betrayal, thousands of Konoha ninjas had already quietly readied themselves—kunai glinted faintly among the leaves, explosive tag fuses gripped tightly in hands.
Ōnoki said expressionlessly: "The money is here. When will you release the prisoners?"
Uchiha Fugaku replied calmly: "Bring the people out."
The camp gate slowly opened. Over five thousand Iwagakure prisoners marched out in long lines. Most were wounded and listless—completely different from their fierce appearance on the battlefield yesterday.
Ōnoki's gaze searched among the captives and suddenly fixed on a tall figure… his son Kitsuchi.
Kitsuchi kept his head lowered, deliberately avoiding his father's eyes. The shame on his face was unmistakable. Ōnoki suddenly cursed, voice thick with rage and disappointment: "Useless… you let the war turn into this… and you still have the face to live?"
Kitsuchi's body visibly trembled, but he still didn't dare meet his father's gaze.
Several Iwagakure ninjas moved to support him, only to be roughly shoved away.
The handover proceeded unexpectedly smoothly. Though Ōnoki's face was so dark it could drip water, he ultimately made no reckless move.
When the last Iwagakure prisoner left the camp, Uchiha Fugaku's tense shoulders finally relaxed slightly.
An Uchiha ninja reported quietly: "Clan Head, inspection complete. It really is three hundred billion ryō—not a single coin missing."
Uchiha Fugaku gave an almost imperceptible nod. Watching Ōnoki lead the Iwagakure forces into the distance, a question rose in his mind.
"That old fox who never forgets a grudge… will he really accept defeat so easily?"
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