Uchiha Setsuna had no way of knowing exactly how long this war, which had engulfed the entire Ninja World, would continue.
From what he could observe, however, Uchiha Su had already crushed the Eastern Army twice in only a month. Even considering other conflict zones with potentially larger forces, it was reasonable to assume that this war could be decisively ended within a year.
Had he known that in the original timeline this war lasted eight long years, he would have been overwhelmed with disbelief—and perhaps tears. Yet now, with Uchiha Su as a wildcard, even the young leader himself had no way of predicting how long the conflict would endure.
After consolidating the surrendered Konoha Ninjas and reorganizing his forces, Uchiha Su entered his newly secured city of Miwacho. The city had been spared from devastation, its loyal populace now under his control.
The mayor of Miwacho, Akabane Hikari, stepped forward, bowing deeply with an ingratiating smile.
"Lord Uchiha Su, I have been waiting for you for a long time," he said, his voice dripping with flattery.
Uchiha Su glanced around the city, his gaze assessing every alley, wall, and gate. "Who are you?" he asked casually, masking his curiosity.
"My name is Akabane Hikari, mayor of Miwacho, appointed by the Daimyo," the man replied honestly, then fell into step beside Uchiha Su as they walked through the city streets.
As they strolled, Akabane Hikari's expression brightened again, his eyes glinting mischievously. "There is a courtesan in Miwacho from the capital," he said, leaning closer. "She is exquisite in beauty and unparalleled in skill. Anyone who hears her sing or watches her dance would never forget her in their lifetime."
Uchiha Su froze for a brief moment, his mind noting the implication. This mayor… lacks tact, he thought. He was not Prime Minister Cao; he could not casually ask, "Are there any prostitutes in this city?" Even at his age and with his strength, discretion was required.
"Did you say this to Sarutobi Sasuke as well?" Uchiha Su asked, his tone a teasing mockery.
"Absolutely not!" Akabane Hikari exclaimed, his face reddening. "How could a courtesan from the capital ever be offered to that brute Sarutobi Sasuke? No, no! Only you, my lord, deserve such a privilege—only you!"
"You're courting death!" Uchiha Su warned coldly.
Akabane Hikari's expression shifted, his eyes widening. He quickly slapped his chest. "It was I who spoke out of turn! I spoke recklessly. I—"
"How could I possibly be that kind of person?" Uchiha Su interrupted, his tone now serious. He then fixed his gaze on the mayor. "Bring the household registers and account books of Miwacho to your residence. I want to inspect them thoroughly."
Akabane Hikari, long aware of Uchiha Su's penchant for abducting people, spoke cautiously. "I wonder… how many people do you wish to take away, my lord?"
"Of course I'm taking everyone. Should I leave them here to pay taxes to the Land of Fire and Konoha?" Uchiha Su replied with a laugh, stepping back slightly. "Now that you are so close to me, if a commoner like you were to become angry, I might actually feel some fear. After all, as the saying goes, 'The wrath of a common man can cause blood to splatter five steps away.'"
Akabane Hikari's eyelids twitched nervously. He doubted he could make Uchiha Su bleed even one step away—he would more likely be the one bleeding. Yet if Uchiha Su planned to take the city's entire population, what would remain of his role as mayor?
Anger flared within him, making his body tremble and his breathing quicken.
Uchiha Su's eyes narrowed, observing the mayor closely. "I didn't expect a petty person like you to show some backbone. Very well, I will grant your wish…"
"Thump."
Akabane Hikari fell to his knees on the blue-bricked plaza, shouting in despair, "My two lords! This is a misunderstanding! I am not angry at Lord Uchiha Su! I am angry at that useless Hokage, Senju Tobirama, and that worthless Sarutobi Sasuke!"
Uchiha Su and Uchiha Nami exchanged glances, silently noting the mayor's reasoning.
"If the Hokage were competent, he would not have chosen such a poor commander," Akabane Hikari continued. "How could Miwacho, such a prosperous and vital city, have fallen under threat? And Sarutobi Sasuke… he claimed with confidence that defeating the younger generation would be trivial, yet in less than a morning, three thousand soldiers of the Eastern Army were annihilated, and he himself perished!"
"What I am furious about," the mayor sobbed loudly, "is the Hokage's incompetence! I must write a letter in blood to the capital, to show the Daimyo exactly how useless Senju Tobirama truly is!"
The commoners, previously hiding in their homes, were drawn out by the mayor's cries. Curious faces peeked from windows, watching the spectacle.
Uchiha Su's lips curled into a smile. Perfect, he thought. Before the Daimyo could even be assassinated, this commotion would weaken him further.
"Just one letter in blood won't be enough," Uchiha Su mused, rubbing his chin. "It won't make an impression. You are the mayor—how many people reside in Miwacho?"
"Thirty or forty thousand, I suppose…" Akabane Hikari replied, regaining composure.
"Exactly. A letter from one person is meaningless. But ten thousand handprints in blood? Now that would be attention-worthy."
Uchiha Su's tone sharpened. "Mobilize everyone: commoners, officials, dignitaries. Have them press their bloodied handprints on letters denouncing Senju Tobirama. And that courtesan from the capital—if she is as renowned as you say, have her write a separate letter in blood as well. Tears included. Let her denounce the Hokage with the same fervor."
Akabane Hikari, kneeling in shock, could only stare. How is it that he—after wiping out the Eastern Army—can still think of something like this?
"Originally, I considered taking your head, but now I see no need," Uchiha Su said. "Once the letters from ten thousand people are prepared, return to the capital. You must be by the Daimyo's side every day, denouncing Senju Tobirama and making him see the Hokage's failings for himself."
"Now, bring the household registers and account books. Organize the population, and make sure every single person presses their print. For each person accounted for here in the plaza, I will take one away myself," Uchiha Su commanded, summoning Uchiha Nami.
"Nami, coordinate the population and inventory the assets," he instructed.
Nami nodded, her own team ready and efficient. Soon, Akabane Hikari retrieved the registers and account books. With the assistance of Hidden Mist forces, the civilians were brought into the plaza, lined up, and their handprints pressed in red ink one by one, all under careful supervision.
By nightfall, the letters in blood from ten thousand people were completed. The city of Miwacho had been fully mobilized, its inhabitants made to serve Uchiha Su's intricate plans, each print a testament to the young leader's power and cunning.
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)