Konoha: Uchiha Extremists? Offering Loyalty!

Chapter 72 Mito Uzumaki: Hokage-sama, I have something to discuss with you.

The two entered the house, and the Chunin guarded the outside like bodyguards.

"Brother Yuuki, I never imagined you'd progress so quickly; you're now the hospital director!" Shinnosuke scratched his head sheepishly, having previously boasted that he'd invited his older brother to join Konoha Hospital.

Looking back now, it really seems like a joke.

"The deputy."

Shinnosuke stood tall and proud, looking completely at ease: "You just opened the Ant Rental Shop, so I specially found a few wealthy clansmen to bring in business."

There were originally only a few people, but more than a dozen clansmen wanted to sign the scroll.

I brought them along too.

Yuuki glanced at Shinnosuke, his mind racing.

Is this the Third Hokage's intention? Or is it Shinnosuke's personal action?

Everyone clearly agreed on this.

The purpose of contributing the temporary scroll for detoxifying ants is to set an example and to provide more training resources for ordinary ninjas.

How come the Sarutobi family came to seize market share just a few days after the store opened?

The Uchiha clan is furious!

Even family members don't eat this badly!

Bah, how pathetic!

Yuuki asked in confusion, "Hmm, Shinnosuke-kun, did the Hokage order you to bring your clansmen here?"

"What does this have to do with the old man? This is just my own opinion!" Shinnosuke was a little confused.

"Your own thoughts?" Yuuki frowned slowly, carefully choosing his words:

"The number of stinging ants is limited."

My initial intention in opening the rental shop was to give my fellow villagers, who were struggling financially, an opportunity to learn psychic abilities.

Your initiative to lead people in contract-based spirit communication has given me some trouble..."

"Huh? Is this not right?" Shinnosuke looked at Yuuki with some confusion.

He didn't receive this kind of education growing up.

He was taught by a family tutor within the clan, who influenced him through observation and experience.

The village and the clan are one; when the clan becomes powerful, it is equivalent to the village becoming powerful.

On the battlefield, comrades are certainly trustworthy, but family relatives are even closer.

We're all partners, so it doesn't matter who we give resources to.

And so on.

Yuuki slowly shook his head: "Is that so? It seems Shinnosuke-kun is confused again."

"Huh?" Shinnosuke, who looked a little young but was beginning to show signs of a beard, was genuinely confused.

Am I feeling lost again?

Yuuki adjusted his non-existent glasses and looked at Shinnosuke, who was alone and questioning his existence.

The behavior of this son of the Third Hokage reveals a glimpse into the internal education system of the Sarutobi clan.

Despite their rhetoric about supporting civilian ninjas, the Sarutobi clan never stopped expanding.

Upon hearing that the Ant Shop had opened, Shinnosuke led his clansmen there without hesitation.

That's normal, after all, they're just kids.

Besides, the family and the village can develop together without hindering each other.

Who says supporting commoner ninjas can't expand your clan?

Wouldn't the problem be perfectly solved simply by hiring a "son-in-law who will live with the wife's family"?

“The Will of Fire teaches us to trust our companions, our elders, and our juniors,” Yuuki said eloquently. “But when you learned about the Summoning Scroll, you only brought your clansmen to inquire about it. Isn’t that a bit too narrow-minded?”

"I..."

“You’re not young anymore. I know that trust in family is innate, but as the son of the Third Hokage, your vision shouldn’t be so narrow. You must broaden your perspective, for example, from the perspective of the village as a whole.”

Shinnosuke asked uncertainly, "So, I shouldn't be too concerned about my clansmen, but should instead consider things from the village's perspective...?"

Yuuki nodded slowly, patted Shinnosuke's head with satisfaction, and exclaimed, "You've already developed the mindset of a Hokage!"

Shinnosuke was somewhat lost in thought, and for some reason, a burning feeling welled up in his heart.

Shinnosuke gave a thumbs-up and praised, "Brother Yuuki, you're still as...the Will of Fire!"

Yuuki smiled: He believed it, he believed it!

The last person who believed in the Naruto mindset... had an astonishing record!

The two had a brief exchange about recent news.

The Chunin outside were almost numb from waiting.

"I understand!" Shinnosuke stood up. "I really shouldn't have been so narrow-minded! Big brother, I always gain new insights every time I talk to you, thank you!"

"You're welcome, take care." Yuuki's standard smile faded, and he casually dispersed the spiritual energy surrounding the room.

"Simple mental suggestions work quite well."

Yuuki silently added in his mind: But it's not as good as a real illusion—the Will of Fire.

Even now, when he tries to fool others, he still has to put on a shell of the Will of Fire.

However, today's exchange was not meaningless.

We obtained at least one piece of intelligence.

The Sand Village's provocations against Konoha are becoming more and more frequent, resembling more like bandits than war.

After raiding several outposts in the Land of Fire, the Sand Ninja fled!

They're even worse than bandits!

"The Second Shinobi World War is coming soon!"

"However, the Third Generation Lord's information management remains as free as ever!"

Shinnosuke can freely access information between villages, and his 'future' son, Konohamaru, can freely roam the Hokage Building's secret vault.

The true free spirit of the Sarutobi family!

After confirming that no one had made an appointment, Yuuki used reverse psychic communication to return to the psychic space and first took stock of the supplies.

That's right, with his superb self-control, he resisted the urge to be the first to draw a prize!

Several hours passed.

With the speed of a ninja and without Black Zetsu's interference, the latest information was quickly relayed back to Konoha!

Upon seeing the intelligence, Hiruzen Sarutobi was stunned.

Then, they quickly found Xiaochun, who was staying in the same dormitory!

The Hokage's office.

"Hiruzen... this... you've gone a bit too far, haven't you?"

After reading the intelligence from the east, Koharu Utatane tried to organize her thoughts, but still couldn't help but stammer out what she said.

I thought you were trying to weaken the ninja clan, but it turns out you were planning to eliminate them?

Thinking of this, she couldn't help but feel a little flustered.

Could the Utatane family also be among those to be eliminated?

Hiruzen Sarutobi took two deep drags on his cigarette, exhaled a thick cloud of smoke, and looked up directly at Koharu Utatane: "I didn't mean that, this... was an accident!"

His mind was a complete mess; the unexpected arrival interrupted all his thoughts!

The Land of Whirlpools has been destroyed!

No, to be precise, it was Uzugakure that was destroyed by Kirigakure!

There's no difference when you calculate it.

The Land of Whirlpools, having lost Whirlpool Village, will surely be wiped out completely.

Hiruzen Sarutobi's lips curled into a bitter smile. He had only wanted to weaken the enemy, so how did things turn out this way...?

If I had known, I wouldn't have delayed those few days!

If Tsunade had gone a few days earlier, things might have taken a different turn.

Koharu Utatane looked troubled: "Hiruzen, we have to make a decision on this, otherwise we can't explain it to Lord Mito."

Hiruzen Sarutobi was well aware that it wasn't just Lord Mito, but also the Senju clan and the ninjas who were originally stationed on the east side!

Due to the village's indoctrination of the Will of Fire, most villagers have established good relationships with the ninjas from the Land of Whirlpools who frequently visit.

If they knew that the Land of Whirlpools would be finished after they were transferred away.

That would be quite a problem!

Just then, Hiruzen Sarutobi heard an old yet familiar voice coming from outside the door.

"Little monkey... no... does the Hokage not wish to see this old woman?"

"Lord Hokage, I have a matter to discuss with you."