"That's right," Gato said firmly.
"Shinnosuke, you're a ninja from one of the Five Great Ninja Villages, and the Uchiha standing in front of you are also from one of the Five Great Ninja Villages."
"So why are you so afraid of them?"
Gato's voice became louder as he spoke, as if he were trying to encourage both his subordinate and himself at the same time.
"After all, you've earned the title 'Crime of Sunagakure.'"
"Shinnosuke, don't disappoint me."
"Why don't you ask these Uchiha if they fear you?"
His words were passionate, but the atmosphere in the room only grew colder.
Gono Shinnosuke stood frozen in place.
His lips twitched slightly.
For a moment, he seemed unsure whether to laugh or cry.
"…Boss," he said slowly.
"Are you serious?"
His eyes moved cautiously across the room.
Around him stood several Uchiha Jonin, each watching him calmly with their Sharingan.
The crimson eyes glowed faintly in the dim room.
Even a seasoned ninja would feel immense pressure under such gazes.
Finally, Shinnosuke spoke again.
"Well then…"
He raised his hands slightly in a gesture of helplessness.
"Could you all… perhaps give me some face?"
The room fell silent.
Uchiha Su stared at him for a moment.
Then he suddenly laughed.
"So you're also someone who ate the Face-Face Fruit, huh?"
Shinnosuke blinked.
"Face… Face-Face Fruit?"
"What is that?"
His confusion was completely genuine.
Unfortunately for him, Uchiha Su had no intention of explaining the joke.
Instead, he waved his hand casually.
Uchiha Setsuna immediately stepped forward.
Before Shinnosuke could even react—
THUD.
Setsuna struck him cleanly on the neck.
The rogue ninja collapsed instantly.
The so-called "Crime of Sunagakure" lay unconscious on the floor like a sack of rice.
Uchiha Su didn't even spare him another glance.
As for Gato…
Setsuna turned toward him.
Their eyes met.
The crimson Sharingan began to spin slowly.
In the next second, Gato's pupils lost focus.
His body stiffened as the genjutsu took hold.
His consciousness sank into a hypnotic state.
"Very good," Uchiha Su said lightly.
He clapped his hands together once.
"Now that everything is prepared, let's go visit Daimyo Araki Taro."
"I'm curious to see what kind of price he can offer that I cannot refuse."
With that, the group left the residence.
Journey to the Capital
The Land of Waves was a small island country.
Because of its size, the distance between towns was relatively short.
The royal capital was not far from where the Uchiha clan had temporarily settled.
After traveling for a short while, they arrived at the capital city.
The royal palace stood on a hill overlooking the harbor.
Compared to the villages outside, the capital looked far more prosperous.
However, what surprised Uchiha Su slightly was the palace guards.
They were not ninja.
They were samurai.
This detail made sense when one considered the history of the world.
Before the birth of Ninshu, the dominant warrior class had been the samurai.
Even after ninjas rose to power, the samurai tradition did not completely disappear.
In modern times, the balance was simple:
The Daimyo commanded samurai.
The Kage commanded ninja.
Each side controlled its own military force.
That was why the guards of the palace were samurai rather than shinobi.
After announcing their arrival, the Uchiha group was escorted inside.
Meeting the Daimyo
Inside the palace hall, Uchiha Su finally met the ruler of the Land of Waves.
Araki Taro.
The Daimyo was a pale-skinned, middle-aged man dressed in elegant and expensive robes.
Gold ornaments decorated his clothing.
Despite his luxurious appearance, however, his eyes revealed a hint of fatigue.
When he saw the Uchiha delegation enter the hall, he stood and greeted them politely.
"Your arrival brings great honor to my humble residence."
After exchanging formal greetings, Araki Taro's gaze shifted toward something strange.
Behind the Uchiha stood a large sack.
Inside the sack was a tightly bound figure.
The shape resembled a cicada chrysalis, wrapped in layers of rope.
The Daimyo frowned slightly.
"And… this is?"
Uchiha Su smiled.
"A small gift for you, Daimyo."
Araki Taro looked puzzled but gestured for the guests to sit.
Once everyone was seated, Uchiha Nami spoke calmly.
"Daimyo, you invited us here today. Do you have something you wish to discuss?"
Araki Taro nodded.
"To say 'instruct' would be too strong," he replied.
"I merely wish to request your assistance."
He took a deep breath.
"I understand how ninjas operate. An employer issues a mission, and the ninja receives payment upon completing it."
"The mission I wish to entrust to you is simple."
His expression hardened.
"I want you to eliminate Gato."
"That vile merchant has corrupted my country and oppressed my people."
Uchiha Su exchanged a glance with Setsuna.
A playful expression appeared on his face.
Setsuna spoke first.
"We could certainly do that."
"But we are also aware that Gato is not an easy target."
"He commands numerous samurai, ronin, and even rogue ninja."
"He is a troublesome opponent."
Araki Taro nodded immediately.
"That is correct."
"And because of that…"
"I have prepared a generous reward."
He raised one hand and declared confidently,
"I am willing to give you half of the Land of Waves' commercial revenue for the next ten years in exchange for your assistance."
The Land of Waves was not an agricultural country.
Its strength lay in commerce.
Sea trade formed the backbone of its economy.
Which meant the Daimyo had just offered an extremely valuable reward.
Uchiha Su smiled slowly.
Then he clapped his hands lightly.
"Well then…"
"Mr. Gato."
"I believe you have just heard the Daimyo's offer."
"Now it's your turn to name your price."
Setsuna opened the sack.
Inside, Gato's face was pale with terror.
"Sir!" he shouted immediately.
"I can pay more!"
"My wealth exceeds that of the Daimyo!"
"If you spare my life, I swear the entire Land of Waves will eventually belong to you!"
The room fell silent.
Araki Taro's expression darkened.
Was this man seriously trying to negotiate the future of his country in front of him?
But his greater question was something else.
How had Gato been captured so easily?
The Daimyo quickly spoke.
"Sir, you must not believe him."
"Gato is a despicable merchant. There is not a single truthful word in his mouth."
He was afraid.
Afraid that the Uchiha might accept Gato's offer instead.
But Uchiha Su simply shrugged.
"Perhaps he is lying."
"But I'm not worried."
He leaned back in his chair.
"Even if I release him now…"
"I could send someone to kill him in his sleep anytime."
Araki Taro felt a chill run down his spine.
The calm confidence in the child's voice was terrifying.
Unlike other people raised in the Ninja World, Uchiha Su had no respect or fear toward the Daimyo class.
In fact…
He had already decided something.
One day, he would eliminate the Daimyo system entirely.
But for now, the Daimyo still had value.
Araki Taro's mind raced.
He recalled the intelligence he had recently received from the Daimyo of the Land of Fire.
Throughout the Ninja World, the Daimyo families were deeply connected through marriage.
Information often flowed freely between them.
The report had mentioned something shocking.
The Uchiha Clan had split.
The main branch, led by Uchiha Madara, had left Konoha.
At first, Araki Taro hadn't believed it.
But now…
Looking at the large number of Uchiha standing before him…
He realized the intelligence had been correct.
Suddenly, an idea flashed through his mind.
"Perhaps I cannot match Gato's wealth," Araki Taro said slowly.
"But there is one thing that I can give you…"
"Something Gato will never be able to provide."
He unconsciously used honorific language when speaking to the child before him.
Uchiha Su leaned forward slightly.
"Oh?"
"And what might that be?"
Before Araki Taro could answer, Gato shouted desperately.
"Don't believe him!"
"That Daimyo has nothing I can't offer!"
Setsuna sighed.
Then he casually knocked Gato unconscious again.
Silence returned to the room.
Araki Taro spoke carefully.
"I know the situation your clan is facing."
"You are searching for a place where the Uchiha can settle."
"That is why you came to the Land of Waves."
"But this country is too small."
"It cannot support a ninja clan of your size."
He paused before continuing.
"The Land of Whirlpools is also not suitable, because it lies within Konoha's sphere of influence."
"Which means…"
"There is only one logical destination left."
Araki Taro's eyes sharpened.
"The Hidden Mist Village."
"The ninja village of the Land of Water."
"It is the only place capable of accepting the Uchiha Clan."
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)