Chapter 28: The Day When Nohara Rin Gets Her Heart Ripped Out Is Approaching
Inside the command tent at the Fire Country border outpost, candle flames flickered, casting light on faces with varied expressions.
Uchiha Sanpō stood before the sand table, his slender finger gently tapping Kirigakure's position on the map. His scarlet Sharingan glinted faintly in the dim lamplight.
His voice was unusually calm: "Kirigakure is different from Iwagakure. They first suffered internal coup losses, then were ambushed by Sunagakure. Now they have only about six thousand combat power left."
He lifted his head and swept his gaze across the four people in the room—Uchiha Fugaku, Uchiha Hachidai, Clan Head Kurama, and Clan Head Kazami.
"Kirigakure has no intention of occupying Fire Country towns. They're more like a band of robbers taking advantage of chaos to plunder supplies, so their fighting will is weak. That's also why Hiruzen Sarutobi and the others underestimated Kirigakure."
Uchiha Hachidai narrowed his eyes, greed undisguised in his gaze: "Sanpō, is there an opportunity here for us Uchiha?"
Uchiha Sanpō's finger lightly tapped the edge of the sand table, his voice low and dangerous: "Actually… if it weren't for helping the Clan Head fight for Fourth Hokage, I would suggest… directly exterminating Kirigakure and turning it into our Uchiha's backyard."
The room instantly fell silent.
Uchiha Hachidai's breathing quickened noticeably: "Sanpō, if we really go for it… what are your chances of wiping out Kirigakure?"
Uchiha Sanpō's gaze was confident and firm. He chuckled lightly: "One hundred percent."
"One hundred percent?" Clan Head Kurama couldn't help exclaiming.
Uchiha Sanpō's fingertip traced Kirigakure's position on the sand table; his voice was chillingly calm.
"The Fourth Mizukage Kurosuki Yagura rose to power through a coup. The original Kirigakure high-levels must have been purged, meaning Kirigakure's high-end combat power has been severely depleted."
His finger tapped lightly as he continued the analysis: "They sent over 3,000 Kirigakure ninjas to plunder our Fire Country amid the chaos. While this relieved internal pressure, it also put them in a fatal crisis…"
Clan Head Kurama asked urgently: "What crisis?"
A sharp glint flashed in Uchiha Sanpō's eyes, like a hunter spotting precious prey.
"Kirigakure's interior now has only about 3,000 defenders left. And we… have over 4,000 elites."
He looked up, his gaze like a blade: "While Kirigakure's main force is away, we strike straight at their heart—Kirigakure will surely be destroyed."
The air in the room seemed to freeze for a moment.
Such a mad plan—if anyone else had said it, they would have laughed in scorn.
But the one speaking was Uchiha Sanpō—a man who created legends!
In terms of personal strength, he was only elite jōnin level.
But in intelligence analysis, war strategy, and layout… this guy's talent was terrifying.
When he said exterminate a village, there really was a high chance he could wipe out Kirigakure.
Just like a few days ago, when they defeated over 6,000 Iwagakure ninjas in a night assault despite being outnumbered.
...
Exterminating one of the Five Great Ninja Villages—with a very high chance of success—naturally held immense appeal.
Uchiha Hachidai, Clan Head Kurama, and Clan Head Kazami seemed to reach a consensus.
They all turned their gazes toward Uchiha Fugaku, awaiting his decision.
Uchiha Fugaku remained silent. His Three Tomoe Sharingan faintly glinted in the shadows.
The temptation of village destruction was indeed enormous, but he knew his own situation best.
Last time, against Iwagakure's night assault, he had used Susanoo. It seemed overwhelmingly powerful, but it consumed a massive amount of pupil power—his vision had noticeably declined afterward.
If he fought the Fourth Mizukage to the death… he would probably win, but how long could his Mangekyō last after that?
Clan Head Kurama, seeing him hesitate, couldn't help urging: "Clan Head Fugaku, opportunity waits for no one!"
The fact that prolonged Mangekyō use would cause blindness was a major Uchiha secret—Uchiha Fugaku naturally wouldn't reveal it. His gaze subtly swept toward that one man.
Uchiha Sanpō immediately understood and suddenly changed his tone, laughing wildly: "Hahaha, everyone, I was only joking about exterminating Kirigakure earlier."
"Oh?" Uchiha Hachidai raised an eyebrow, slightly suspicious.
Uchiha Sanpō helplessly spread his hands: "The Land of Water is an island. Even if we take it, we can't hold it—actual gains would be limited. It would also make the other ninja villages reject Konoha. So as I said before, our real goal should be returning to Konoha Village and fighting for the Fourth Hokage position."
Uchiha Fugaku let out an almost imperceptible breath of relief and smoothly followed: "Sanpō is right. Our urgent priority is returning to Konoha Village."
He stood up; his Mangekyō Sharingan slowly spun: "Pass down the order—full army mobilization. We return… to Konoha Village!"
As the order spread, the over four thousand Konoha ninjas were stunned at first—then erupted in earth-shaking cheers.
"We're finally going home!"
"Hahaha, this bonus is enough for me to drink for a whole year!"
"Hatano Kiyoi, big brother is leaving—you'll be lonely alone. Why not come live with me?"
The ninjas' weary faces finally showed relaxed smiles. After more than a year of war, everyone was exhausted.
Now, finally able to return to their familiar village and see their families—this joy could not be hidden.
Uchiha Sanpō stood on high ground, watching the jubilant crowd below, the corners of his mouth curving upward.
Uzumaki Huiyi stood beside him and said softly: "Looks like everyone can't wait."
"Mm, this war has lasted too long."
His gaze swept the crowd. He noticed many ninjas had already begun packing; some even impatiently took out their newly received bonuses, excitedly discussing which tavern they would celebrate at back in the village.
Night fell. The army of over four thousand marched out in grand formation.
Yet amid this seemingly celebratory atmosphere, shadows quietly stirred in the darkness.
"Swish… swish swish… swish"
Black figures darted from treetop to treetop, vanishing rapidly into the night.
"Report! Uchiha Fugaku has led the frontline troops back to Konoha—approximately four thousand people!"
"Continue surveillance."
Similar scenes played out along the route.
Spies from various nations, missing-nin, and even scouts from other Konoha clans closely monitored this large force's movements.
Noon sunlight poured onto Konoha Village's towering gates. Over four thousand ninjas caught sight of the familiar outline from afar and immediately erupted in earth-shaking cheers.
"We're finally back!"
"Look! It's the Hokage Rock!"
"Aoi Jun, you said when we returned to Konoha you'd marry me—you can't go back on your word…"
Exhausted faces finally showed easy smiles; some even excitedly removed their forehead protectors, waving them high.
The war was over… they had come home alive.
Uchiha Sanpō stood at the front of the formation, silently calculating days in his mind.
The Shinobazu Bridge incident had passed more than four days ago. Kakashi and Nohara Rin had already been sent to reinforce the Kirigakure front…
The day when Nohara Rin gets her heart ripped out… was approaching…
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