"You're not going to follow Uchiha Madara's old path, are you?"
After listening to Bai Ye, Shikaku rubbed his forehead, a bit troubled. This sentence sounded familiar.
Upon careful recollection, wasn't this the path Uchiha Madara was preparing to take back then?
However, that proposal was apparently rejected by Senju Hashirama, and Bai Ye brought it up again, even more wildly than Madara.
Madara only wanted to unify the entire Ninja Village, while Bai Ye wanted to directly destroy all Five Great Nations and other smaller nations.
"Facts prove that the path the First Hokage took was wrong. After he and Madara died, the world became even more chaotic. What was originally a struggle between clans has now become a war between Villages, and the wars have become even more brutal.
The original intention of creating Konoha Village was for children to grow up well without going to war, but it seems no one has followed this path, and the wars are only getting bigger.
Distributing Tailed Beasts to other Ninja Villages ultimately led to greater casualties on the battlefield, and if any Jinchuriki in any Ninja Village had an issue, it would mean one less deterrent!"
Ultimately, the First Generation's path was wrong. A fragmented world simply cannot compare to a unified world. Although there will still be internal strife, it will definitely be much better than before.
And these Daimyo, besides directing this and that, can't do anything else. Why should they be under this country?
"What are you planning to do?"
Shikaku knew very well that he couldn't dissuade Bai Ye, so since that was the case, he might as well listen to his ideas.
From how he enabled the Uchiha Clan to directly overthrow the Third Hokage despite such disadvantages, it was clear that Bai Ye not only possessed martial prowess but also intelligence.
"Economy comes first. Ninja do not produce, and this is the fundamental reason they have always controlled us. We must first be able to produce ourselves. I will help you with this later. Secondly, we need to deal with one of the Ninja Villages first. I plan to act against Sunagakure or Kirigakure first.
Sunagakure's current strength is arguably the weakest and has not recovered. Kirigakure is also very weak, but Kirigakure is on an island, so it might be more difficult to get there compared to Sunagakure. However, Kirigakure is currently undergoing internal strife. If we can take Kirigakure by Take the opportunity, it will be much simpler when facing other Ninja Villages later!"
Bai Ye's idea was to grasp both economy and military power.
Internal economic reform, and external action against Kirigakure or Sunagakure.
"It would be better if Lady Tsunade doesn't return, but going to war with Kirigakure would result in heavy losses. If your idea is known or even roughly guessed by the Daimyo, he will not agree and might even stop you."
A glint flashed in Shikaku's eyes. Listening to Bai Ye, he probably knew that Bai Ye wasn't just doing this casually, but genuinely had a chance.
Although overthrowing the Daimyo was something no one had ever thought of, they seemed to be truly doing something big. If Bai Ye really succeeded, without the Daimyo's control, the Ninja Villages would have greater autonomy.
"Leave the military matters to me. The Village's economy needs you all!"
"Why do I have a bad feeling?"
Shikaku suddenly had a bad premonition. He felt that although the position of Hokage belonged to Bai Ye, he would probably be the one doing all the work later?!
No?
Are you going to be a hands-off manager?
"Oh, and there are some methods for Village reform. In short, we'll talk about it slowly and can gradually improve it later!"
Shikaku was a smart person; many things could be analyzed and operated by Shikaku for him.
Bai Ye certainly didn't want to waste his time on this. He wasn't like Naruto, a Hokage who had to do everything himself. That would exhaust him to death!
"Lady Tsunade, this is the intelligence collected from Konoha. There has been a huge upheaval, and the newly appointed Hokage is asking us to return, otherwise, we will be considered rogue Ninja."
Tanzaku Gai, located within the Land of Fire, was quickly informed of Konoha's dramatic changes, which Bai Ye had no intention of hiding.
Shizune, after obtaining this intelligence and confirming its authenticity, immediately found Tsunade, who was engrossed in gambling.
Konoha was no longer the Konoha of old. If they stayed here, that guy might really consider them rogue Ninja, wouldn't he?
"Tch, just an Uchiha brat. Does he really think he can do whatever he wants just because he became Hokage? Even that old man wouldn't dare to say something like that, would he? Speaking of which, that old man was actually killed by an Uchiha guy, and he even had an unfortunate end in his later years!"
Tsunade had actually known this from the gamblers earlier. Seeing Shizune rush to her with this news, she could confirm that what the gamblers said was true.
It seemed Hiruzen Sarutobi was truly dead.
A hint of sadness flashed in her eyes. Konoha was a painful place, but it was also where she grew up. No matter how bad Hiruzen Sarutobi was, he was still her teacher. However, when those things were revealed, even Tsunade held a trace of resentment towards him.
But with death, all debts are cleared. No matter what, Hiruzen Sarutobi was already dead.
"Lady Tsunade, I think we should go back. Besides, you don't want to be made a rogue Ninja by Konoha, do you? What's more, I feel that given the feud between the Uchiha Clan and Konoha, if you really don't go back, he might actually do it!"
Shizune said with some worry. Although she hadn't learned about Bai Ye and didn't know his personality, given the relationship between the Senju and Uchiha Clans, it certainly wasn't good. From this perspective, if Tsunade didn't go back and became a rogue Ninja, Tsunade's mood would probably explode.
This was the Village her grandfather created, and she ended up becoming a rogue Ninja. Wouldn't that be ironic?
"Shizune, do you think he would do that?"
Tsunade directly threw away the cards in her hand, looking at the card table with some frustration. She lost again!
"I'm not playing anymore!"
Tsunade was no longer in the mood to continue playing. She threw her chips there and got up, preparing to leave. She had lost everything today.
There really wasn't any good news.
"Lady Tsunade, wait for me!"
Shizune chased after her, while also continuing to ask, "Lady Tsunade, why wouldn't he? But the news says he would!"
She found it a bit strange. Bai Ye had just taken office; he might genuinely dare to do that.
"Him telling us to go back isn't just about going back. He must need something from us. Otherwise, if I didn't go back, it would actually benefit him!"
Tsunade walked out of the casino, looked up at the sky, and let out a long sigh. The air outside was fresher.
"Ah?"
Shizune looked at Tsunade strangely, feeling as if she hadn't quite understood.
"Don't forget our identities. We are that old man's disciples, and there might be people within the Village who want us to become Hokage. So, our return certainly doesn't align with his interests. But at this time, he chose to let us return, which means he must need to use us; otherwise, he wouldn't do it!"
Tsunade looked at Shizune, then explained further.
"So, are we going back or not?"
"Let's go back and see. It's been a long time since I've been back, and speaking of which, that guy killed the old man and invited me like this. If I don't go back, wouldn't it seem like I'm afraid of him?"
Tsunade said, a cold smile flashing across her face.
Although she was very reluctant to go back, she had no choice but to return in the current situation.
First, Hiruzen Sarutobi was dead, and Danzo was also dead. Most of the people she didn't want to see in the Village were gone.
She didn't exactly hate them, but she was inexplicably tired of them.
Moreover, Bai Ye was an Uchiha. Being wanted by an Uchiha, she couldn't afford to lose face. Similarly, as a disciple of the Third Hokage, if Bai Ye said that and she still refused to return, wouldn't it make her seem afraid of Bai Ye?
So she had to go back.
"Pack up and let's go. No, wait a few more days. If I go back right now, I'll lose even more face!"
Tsunade thought for a moment. She would wait a few days before returning. He calls her back, and she immediately goes back?
What a joke!
"The old man is dead, and Naruto's identity has been restored. It seems I have no choice but to go back."
Jiraiya looked at the intelligence in his hand, then towards Konoha, a hint of sadness flashing in his eyes.
Elsewhere.
Within the Akatsuki Organization.
Orochimaru's mood was somewhat complicated, but in his opinion, a Kage who died in battle was at least better than one who died in disgrace.
At the same time, he became more interested in Uchiha Itachi, who had just joined the organization.
Licking the corner of his mouth, Orochimaru's heart grew more and more eager to seize the body of this genius.
The potential of the Uchiha Clan was truly great; they even managed to kill their teacher.
Looking at Orochimaru's unconcealed malicious gaze, Uchiha Itachi merely raised his head, glanced indifferently, then paid no further attention and fell into thought.
"The Uchiha Clan cannot govern Konoha well. Bai Ye, you are wrong. You will lead Konoha and the Uchiha Clan to destruction. Why are you so selfish?"
Itachi looked at the bold headline announcing Bai Ye becoming the Fifth Hokage, and his heart was filled with a strange feeling, but in his opinion, it was still the same as before: Bai Ye would only lead the Uchiha Clan and Konoha to destruction, because he simply wouldn't think from the Hokage's perspective!
"Zetsu, how strong is that guy? Can he be recovered?"
In the secret room of Amegakure, Pain's cold eyes stared at Zetsu. They had Konoha's intelligence a long time ago. Now he had an idea: could they seize the Nine-Tailed while it was still young, not giving it a chance to grow?
"Probably not. Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't even last a few moves against him. His strength is very great."
Zetsu shook his head. Although he was tempted, it was currently not suitable.
"What about weaknesses?"
Konan asked.
Once a Ninja's weakness is found, there is usually a way to deal with it.
"We haven't found any yet, but I suggest we first gather all the members of the organization!"
The organization was currently short on people; shouldn't finding people be the priority?
"Then let's do that. There's an immortal Ninja in Yugakure, one that Tobi scouted in Kirigakure, and another Ninja from Iwagakure."
The organization members were mostly scouted. Once the members were assembled, and after some time for missions to allow Konan to purchase explosive tags, the plan could more or less begin.
In Iwagakure, Ōnoki fell into deep thought as he looked at the intelligence in his hand. He was considering whether to take advantage of the situation, but he was currently engaged in small-scale conflicts with Kumogakure on the border, with the potential for larger conflicts to erupt at any time. It felt like provoking Konoha at this moment wasn't a very good choice.
At the same time, A, who had the same idea as him, was also deliberating whether to attack Konoha. This could be a very good opportunity.
In Sunagakure, Rasa, upon seeing the intelligence of the Uchiha Clan's successful rebellion, felt somewhat fortunate that he had chosen to abandon Pakura. Otherwise, Pakura might threaten his rule in the future.
"He actually succeeded?"
"Gengetsu, it seems that dealing with a Kage isn't impossible after all, is it? Don't we also have a chance to succeed?"
Although Kirigakure had always been in a state of isolation, it had always been aware of outside news, especially concerning a Village like Konoha. With such a major event happening, how could Mei Terumī not know?
The outside world had already changed. Was it now Kirigakure's turn?
"You're right, we also need to speed up, otherwise, Kirigakure can't afford to be depleted any further!"
Gengetsu nodded heavily. In recent years, Kirigakure's strength had rapidly declined. If Yagura continued to mess things up, the entire Kirigakure might be destroyed by him.
Land of Fire.
Asuma Sarutobi, after seeing the intelligence of the Sarutobi clan being judged and his father being killed, felt incredibly distressed. He had changed a lot over the years and was thinking about whether to return.
But now Konoha had actually become like this?
The Third Hokage was killed by the Uchiha Clan?
"What are those Uchiha guys doing?! Don't Hokage need our appointment? How could they have already chosen one within their Village!"
"And Konoha Village Ninja need to return? Isn't Asuma one of them? They are still judging the Sarutobi clan now. Sending Asuma back wouldn't that be sending him to his death?"
The nobles felt dissatisfied with the Uchiha Clan's unauthorized actions. Shouldn't they be notified first before someone becomes Hokage?
They just chose him like that?
When the Second Generation chose the Third Generation, it was an emergency, but it wasn't now, was it?
Similarly, Asuma, as one of the Twelve Guardian Ninja, had cultivated a lot of goodwill among the nobles in the Land of Fire over the years. They naturally couldn't stand by and watch Asuma return to his death, could they?
"Then what should we do? Now that Sarutobi is dead."
The Daimyo was actually very displeased, but Hiruzen Sarutobi was already dead. The Uchiha Clan had been sending them various gifts recently, which made the Daimyo somewhat conflicted, but in his opinion, the Uchiha Clan was going too far!
The procedure to become Hokage didn't go through him, and they clearly knew Asuma was one of his Twelve Guardian Ninja, yet they still demanded his return!
"Asuma, don't worry, stay here. I will demand an explanation from the Uchiha Clan!"
The Daimyo said confidently. He would definitely help Asuma get an explanation from the Uchiha Clan!
Those guys chose a Hokage without going through him. Did they even put him, the Daimyo, in their eyes?
Don't think they are strong; they should think about who is supporting them!
"I understand, Lord Daimyo!"
Asuma opened his mouth, but in the end, he swallowed some words. In his heart, he harbored immense hatred for Bai Ye and the Uchiha Clan, but he also knew that returning at this time would be suicide!
Just wait!
He would definitely destroy the Uchiha Clan later!
The hatred for his father's murder was irreconcilable!
Currently, he could only bide his time, using the Daimyo's power in the Land of Fire to plot revenge. It was a pity that he had just decided to return to Konoha to continue pursuing Yuhi.
Endurance!