"Clan Leader Bai Ye, I'll be leaving first. The previous matters have been decided."
After the promotion exam ended, Hyuga Hiashi greeted Uchiha Bai Ye, then left with Hyuga Hinata.
He also understood that Bai Ye hadn't lied to him before, and the foundation for their cooperation had been established.
"Teacher, I didn't embarrass you just now, did I?"
Uchiha Sasuke quickly walked up to Bai Ye. In this past month, he felt that training with Bai Ye was more fulfilling than his years at the Ninja Academy, and his strength had improved significantly.
The Genin he fought against just now, he could easily deal with him, which made Sasuke admire Bai Ye even more.
"Not bad, Sasuke. I really didn't misjudge you. You are a very talented child."
Bai Ye raised his hand and gently stroked Sasuke's hair, speaking softly.
He had always played the role of a strict teacher and kind father in front of Sasuke.
To be honest, Sasuke was indeed lacking in love in the early stages; his father didn't love him, and his older brother was too busy. Instead, it was Bai Ye, his teacher, who cared for him deeply and looked after him in all aspects, which made Sasuke increasingly reliant on Bai Ye.
"Mm-hmm, Teacher, are we going to train next?"
"No rush. Since you became a Genin today, let's relax. I've also prepared a gift for Sasuke to celebrate your graduation!"
"Really? Teacher prepared a gift for me?"
Sasuke suddenly remembered that it had been a very, very long time since he had received a gift.
"Of course, after all, Sasuke has become a Genin."
He felt as if he was getting further and further down the path of Orochimaru and Aizen.
With that thought, Bai Ye pulled out a scroll from his embrace and placed it in front of Sasuke, saying, "Inside are some of my training insights and a portion of Uchiha Ninjutsu."
The current Sasuke wasn't yet suitable for stronger techniques. Bai Ye's training insights would be enough for him to study for a long time.
"Let's go."
The purpose of coming here had been achieved, and there was no need for Bai Ye to stay any longer.
He waved his hand, signaling Sasuke to follow him.
After dinner, he still needed to discuss the operation further. Since they had decided to act, he had to talk to the three elders. After all, he wasn't acting alone.
Although everyone seemed to agree with him now, he still needed to get them all to truly act, rather than just verbally agree.
On the way back, Bai Ye thoughtfully glanced behind him, then stopped on a less crowded street: "It's about time you came out, isn't it? You've been following for so long!"
If he continued to follow, they would reach the Uchiha Clan compound, and then he would be hypnotized by genjutsu and taken back.
Behind them, there was a moment of silence. Sasuke turned his head to look at a disguised spot, then said faintly, "Naruto, what are you following us for?"
He had actually noticed Naruto's presence all along, but seeing that Bai Ye didn't say anything, Sasuke also pretended not to notice.
And seeing his disguise exposed, Naruto showed no embarrassment at all. He directly removed the cloth covering him and said brazenly, "As expected of Sasuke's teacher, to be able to see through my disguise! I acknowledge you!"
"..."
This guy's words are really annoying.
Bai Ye complained inwardly, what did he mean by 'you acknowledge me'?
If it were during the Kaguya period when he was fighting her alone, Bai Ye would be very happy, but what good was his acknowledgment at this time?
"Hey! You're that stuck-up Sasuke's teacher, right? I've decided I'm going to become your disciple today!"
Huh?
You're going to become my disciple and still be so arrogant?
Bai Ye muttered inwardly, when did becoming a disciple become like this?
And when Naruto said that, he was actually very nervous inside.
He had hesitated before, but then he felt that Bai Ye wasn't repulsed by him, so he wanted to give it a try.
He didn't know why, but after seeing Sasuke graduate early, Naruto also couldn't suppress his restless heart.
But he actually thought he couldn't beat that Genin from before.
So what could he do?
Sasuke was a good example. After becoming Bai Ye's disciple, he improved so quickly. Naruto also wanted to graduate.
"Why do you want to become my disciple?"
Bai Ye smiled at Naruto, clearly having an idea in his mind.
The 'Prince' and'Second Pillar', this pair of friends who loved and hated each other, seemed to have been brought together again because of him.
Was it because of him, or because of the bond between Ashura and Indra?
"Because you're strong, and I want to become strong, then become Hokage, and make everyone in the Village acknowledge me!"
Naruto clenched his fists and said through gritted teeth.
"I understand, but you've misunderstood one point. It's not that you'll be acknowledged by everyone when you become Hokage, but that you can only become Hokage after being acknowledged by everyone. But—"
"But what?!"
Naruto quickly asked.
Bai Ye's words just now gave him a bit of enlightenment, as if he had always been wrong before.
"But if you want to become Hokage, you're right, you first need to have great power. When others don't acknowledge you, you can use your fists to make them acknowledge you. If one punch isn't enough, then two punches. They'll eventually acknowledge you!"
"Then, Teacher, what if the other person refuses to acknowledge you even if they die?"
Sasuke also found Bai Ye's theory very novel, but there was a loophole: what if that person never acknowledged him? Would it just not work then?
"Then let him die. Sasuke, justice will prevail!"
Justice will prevail?
"But who is justice? And who is evil?"
"Of course, the victor is justice!"
Justice belongs to the victor.
Sasuke murmured, a glimmer of light suddenly flashing in his eyes.
It was as if a string had been plucked by Bai Ye.
"I understand, Teacher, I know what to do!"
Sasuke decided to learn more from Bai Ye in the future. Indeed, the special charm in Teacher Bai Ye's words was simply captivating.
It seemed he had to learn Teacher Bai Ye's techniques for showing off!
Victory is justice!
"Uh, I don't understand!"
Naruto raised his hand, a hint of confusion flashing across his face.
Bai Ye had talked for a long time, but he still didn't understand.
"Come find me when you understand. That's all for today, Naruto, you should go back now."
"Oh, okay."
After Bai Ye finished speaking, Naruto nodded and subconsciously turned to leave.
Looking at Naruto's retreating figure, Sasuke also had a hint of confusion in his eyes. Why was Naruto so easily convinced today?
"Hokage-sama, Uchiha Bai Ye just made contact with Naruto!"
In the Hokage's office.
News about Bai Ye's contact with Naruto was quickly delivered.
Naruto had several Anbu members monitoring him. They were about to act when Naruto was following Bai Ye, but before they could, Bai Ye called Naruto out. Although they had wanted to stop it, seeing that both sides maintained a safe distance, they didn't want to alert the enemy.
"What did the two of them do during the contact?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi subconsciously asked, and then the Anbu told Hiruzen every word of their conversation.
After listening to the Anbu's words, Hiruzen Sarutobi was stunned, then waved his hand to dismiss the Anbu.
"Hiruzen, I told you, that Uchiha is an inherently evil brat. Now he's starting to instill such evil thoughts in Naruto, and he's openly violating the prohibition. The entire Uchiha Clan is not allowed to contact the Jinchuriki!"
Danzo couldn't sit still at this moment. Uchiha Bai Ye had started contacting Naruto and was instilling such thoughts in him.
If any accident were to occur later, or if the Nine-Tailed was controlled by the Uchiha Clan, then they would completely lose their last trump card.
"Victory is justice..."
Hiruzen Sarutobi pondered Bai Ye's words from earlier. Suddenly, a thought of eliminating the Uchiha Clan arose in his heart.
Yes!
The victor is justice!
As long as he won in the end, he could say whatever he wanted afterward. All his previous concerns would cease to exist.
He could say that the Uchiha rebelled, and to avoid greater losses, they had no choice but to painfully eliminate the Uchiha Clan. Anyway, as long as he won, whatever he said would be right!
Moreover, the Uchiha had already started contacting Naruto.
This was something he absolutely would not allow. Bai Ye's rebellious words just now, combined with his current actions, made Hiruzen Sarutobi realize that if he didn't act now, he would be in a passive position later.
"Hiruzen, what are you still hesitating about?"
Homura Mitokado looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi. Seeing that he hadn't spoken for a long time, he also became a bit anxious.
Recently, the Uchiha Clan had been doing better and better. All their previous suppressions had now turned into nothing.
And now, the Uchiha were starting to contact the Nine-Tailed, in addition to the choice Bai Ye had given them.
Either go to war, or Hiruzen Sarutobi abdicates, and then the Uchiha take over!
What a joke!
Homura Mitokado and Utatane Koharu would absolutely not allow this to happen!
If the Uchiha really took over, wouldn't they be purged?
So, war was necessary!
"Bai Ye's words just now were right, the victor is justice. As long as we win, we are the victors. Hiruzen, prepare!"
Utatane Koharu also reminded him.
At this moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi was completely shaken. He didn't want to abdicate, and even if he had to, he didn't want to be so ignominiously forced out of the Hokage position by the Uchiha.
"It seems the Uchiha are indeed going to rebel. They've even started contacting the Nine-Tailed!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi lowered his head, then glanced at Danzo.
Danzo subtly nodded, then stood up and said, "Let me handle this!"
With that, he got up, preparing to leave to summon someone. There would still be opportunities to use him later.
Root.
Itachi knelt on the ground, head bowed, listening to Danzo's account of the Uchiha Clan's recent actions.
He listened to the entire speech and only heard two key points: the Uchiha had contacted the Nine-Tailed Jinchuriki and were preparing to rebel, and Konoha was also preparing to act against the Uchiha Clan. At that time, Konoha would kill the entire Uchiha Clan.
And upon hearing that all Uchiha Clan members would be eliminated, Itachi's heart twinged. He thought of Sasuke. He could not care about anyone else, but he could not not care about Sasuke!
"So I can give you a condition: you eliminate the Uchiha Clan, and then I'll have Hiruzen spare your younger brother Sasuke. How about it?"
"I can't do it. My personal strength alone is not enough to act."
Itachi said coldly. He couldn't do it. Shisui alone could defeat him, not to mention there were many three-tomoe elite Jonin in the clan.
"I will have Root cooperate with you."
Danzo finished speaking. Seeing that Itachi remained silent, he felt a slight displeasure.
"I understand, but I can only hold back Shisui. The rest might require you to act yourselves."
All Itachi could do was hold back Shisui. He couldn't deal with the others himself.
Logically speaking, with only Shisui's Mangekyo, they shouldn't be a match for Konoha anyway.
"Bai Ye, oh Bai Ye, you've led the Uchiha Clan into the abyss..."
Itachi lowered his head, his heart filled with sadness. The Uchiha Clan was about to be annihilated by Bai Ye.
One pair of Mangekyo, how could it contend against the entire Konoha?
He also knew what the Uchiha's fate would be next. In this torrent of the times, he seemed unable to stop anything.
In the past, Shisui was with him, but after Shisui decided to side with Bai Ye, Itachi was very disappointed, not expecting his best friend to fall. Thus, he could only protect his younger brother.
"I understand. I will notify you when it's time to act. Continue to provide information on the Uchiha Clan during this period."
With that, Danzo said no more. He waved his hand, signaling Itachi to leave first, and looked in the direction of the Uchiha. At this moment, Danzo's heart was filled with a craving for the Sharingan.
It wouldn't be long before all these eyes belonged to him!
"Little brother, you seem very troubled!"
"Who?!"
Itachi looked up at his surroundings, and behind him, a vortex appeared. Masked Obito looked at Itachi, feeling a surge of emotion.
Without the Mangekyo, he didn't seem like a very good target for cooperation.
However, with Konoha's current action to destroy the Uchiha, and him personally killing all his clan members, he should be able to awaken the Mangekyo, right?
Who said the Akatsuki Organization was short on members?
Obito could only come to Konoha to search, and in his opinion, Itachi had the talent to awaken the Mangekyo.
"Who are you?!"
"My name is Uchiha Madara!"
Obito said in a deep voice, then raised his face. Beneath the mask, a crimson Mangekyo appeared before Itachi's eyes.
A Mangekyo like Shisui's?!
And strange spatial abilities...
"It seems your strength is not enough to eliminate the Uchiha Clan. How about we cooperate to destroy this clan that has already fallen into a mire?"
Although Obito didn't have a strong obsession with destroying the Uchiha.
But since there was an opportunity now, he might as well destroy this clan that could create miracles.
He also didn't want a pair of Mangekyo that could hinder his plan to appear in the future.
At the same time, he also had to eliminate Shisui and then retrieve Shisui's Mangekyo. That was his main goal!