The capture of Bird Country and Bear Country was a joint decision made by the leaders of Konoha and the Land of Fire.
The daimyos of these two small nations had performed poorly, and although there were no significant civilian populations, the leaders were still concerned about how the situation would reflect on them.
Meanwhile, the Land of Fire's administration and reconstruction efforts in the Land of Rain were thriving once again, attracting civilians from neighboring areas.
In contrast, the Land of Earth had stationed a large number of ninja along the border to prevent its civilians from fleeing.
The Sand Village showed complete disregard for the situation, ignoring the orders of the Wind Country's daimyo. Despite receiving a generous annual sum of 100 million ryō from the daimyo—far more than what the Fire Country's daimyo spent over three years—Sunagakure still leaned toward Konoha, which had offered nearly 200 million ryō.
Although their offer was not as substantial as Konoha's, Sunagakure could not afford to refuse it.
As for the daimyos of Bird and Bear, lacking real power, they feared the effects of mass civilian exodus on their reputations.
In desperation, they took the most foolish approach—strictly forbidding civilians from fleeing and resorting to mass executions to prevent it.
This barbaric act naturally enraged both the Land of Fire and Konoha. It wasn't just the Uchiha clan who were eager for military merit—many others saw this as an easy war where they could test out biomechanical warriors.
Hyuga Hiashi proposed action, and clans like Inuzuka and Aburame agreed. Even civilian ninjas enthusiastically brought the idea to Nawaki, and the war was approved.
However, during the campaign in Bear Country, Konoha discovered traces of the Third Hokage and Namikaze Minato. Anbu launched an investigation, uncovering secret support from the Ino–Shika–Chō clans and the Sarutobi clan.
This was seen as an outright betrayal. Sarutobi Hiruzen covered the retreat of others, working with Minato and the toads of Mount Myōboku to destroy over ten biomechanical warriors.
Enraged, Nawaki personally led an elite ninja unit and a barrier team to intercept Sarutobi Hiruzen's group at the border of the Land of Earth.
In the ensuing battle, Sarutobi Hiruzen used all his strength to break the barrier, allowing Namikaze Minato to escape alone using the Flying Thunder God technique.
The rest were captured. The Ino–Shika–Chō and Sarutobi clans were placed under investigation and control. With more than 30 people involved, it was implausible that the clan heads weren't aware of the operation.
Given the rapid development of Konoha and the Land of Fire, such acts of betrayal could easily have warranted immediate execution.
Were it not for the need to extract information about accomplices and the possibly innocent, Sarutobi Hiruzen and his group might have been sentenced to death.
After serving as Hokage for several years, Nawaki had grown more decisive. Holding this position meant shouldering the responsibility for the safety of the Land of Fire. He could not and would not forgive any betrayal of Konoha.
That's why he firmly rejected Tsunade's plea for leniency. Memory searches were necessary, and no one from the four clans would be exempt.
Nawaki didn't even trust the Yamanaka clan, who had apparently supported such a large number of conspirators without informing Konoha's Anbu.
All weapons—kunai and shuriken—were confiscated, and interrogations followed. Nawaki personally oversaw the process and even evacuated some local residents in advance.
If these four clans dared to resist, they would face the wrath of the Wooden Golem—or even the Buddha of the Senju.
Uchiha Clan District
In recent years, the Uchiha clan has developed rapidly. Shisui Uchiha is now widely recognized as the next rising star of Konoha—perhaps even more so than Kakashi.
While Kakashi has restored much of his strength by replacing his eye, he remains emotionally weighed down, haunted by the loss of his friends' trust.
The Uchiha clan, on the other hand, has become nearly unified. Shisui, in particular, has risen to become the Hokage's right-hand man. As the current Jōnin squad leader, he faces almost no competition for the position of the next Hokage.
The phrase "Return to Uchiha's glory" has practically become a mantra for Uchiha Fugaku.
That evening, Fugaku returned home just in time for dinner. He sat straight down at the table, rubbing his tired eyes, eager to sleep early. After a long day of using genjutsu, his eyes ached with fatigue.
The combined population of the Ino–Shika–Chō and Sarutobi clans approaches 3,000, many of whom are active ninja.
To verify information through genjutsu, at least a three-tomoe Sharingan is required. For Jōnin-level targets, only Fugaku and Shisui are skilled enough to apply effective genjutsu.
Even they must apply repeated mental tortures, as the Yamanaka clan can no longer be trusted. The only way to reliably extract information now is through genjutsu.
"You've worked hard today. Eat and then go rest early," Uchiha Mikoto said gently as she placed dinner on the table. Fugaku had been home less and less these days, but Mikoto understood—it was part of his duty as clan head.
Fugaku sighed and replied, "Lately, it's been hectic. I really thought Sarutobi Hiruzen was done for. But I never expected he'd secretly do something to 'provoke ' Konoha."
Eventually, Hiruzen would be interrogated, but due to his strong resistance to genjutsu, it would likely require both Fugaku and Shisui working together.
At the table, Uchiha Itachi tightened his grip on his spoon, then asked in a neutral tone, "Father, what will happen to Lord Third Hokage in the end?"
Fugaku responded flatly, "What else? After interrogation, the best-case scenario is life imprisonment. More likely, he'll be executed. Lady Tsunade apparently had a heated argument with the Fifth Hokage today because of it. He didn't even show me basic respect—he's clearly furious about the situation."
Then, catching something in Itachi's words, Fugaku narrowed his eyes and added sternly, "Itachi, don't call Sarutobi Hiruzen 'Lord Hokage.' He no longer deserves your respect. Don't follow his example."
No… Lord Third Hokage is a good man! Itachi shouted inwardly—but he dared not say it aloud, fearing his father's suspicion.
"You and Sasuke should look up to Shisui," Fugaku continued. "He's the pride of the Uchiha clan."
Thinking of Sasuke, Fugaku sighed inwardly. Fortunately, the boy's name had been suggested by the daimyo.
Had he chosen it himself, people might have assumed a connection to Sarutobi Sasuke. Even if that wouldn't have been a problem on its own, it would have opened them to malicious rumors.
"Father."
Uchiha Itachi suddenly spoke at the dinner table.
"Can I join the Guard? The lessons at school aren't helping me grow anymore."
"No," Fugaku replied firmly. "The education reforms have only been in place for two years. As the patriarch of the Uchiha clan, how can I let you undermine the system by taking the lead in ignoring it? You're only twelve years old."
He paused his meal, wiped his mouth, and looked at Itachi seriously.
"Don't underestimate the next three years of advanced academic training. If you perform well, you could be eligible to take over as captain of the Guard. With you and Shisui, the Uchiha clan will become the strongest in the ninja world."
Clan. Clan.
Itachi lowered his head slightly and closed his eyes. He knew the Third Hokage was currently imprisoned by the Guard, but what could he do? Was he really going to contact that masked man—and work with him?
Later that night, after dinner, Uchiha Fugaku took a shower and went to bed. He had spent the entire day using genjutsu and would continue the same grueling routine for the next few days.
Late at night.
Uchiha Itachi's eyes snapped open. He rose from bed silently.
After confirming that everyone in the house was asleep, he slipped out and headed toward an undeveloped, remote area outside Konohagakure.
Fortunately, most of the Guard and ANBU had been reassigned to monitor the four clans, and Itachi—familiar with the patrol patterns—easily avoided detection.
It's worth mentioning that Konoha had changed its barrier system. Due to the growing population and other complications, only departments involved in classified operations were grouped together and protected with small-scale enchantments.
"Come out. I know you received my message," Itachi said coldly.
The space in front of him distorted, and a figure emerged.
"So, you've made up your mind. Do you want to cooperate with me?" Uchiha Obito asked without preamble. Finding Uchiha Itachi—who concealed his true strength at school yet revealed astonishing ability in private—had been an unexpected windfall.
He would make the perfect spy within the Uchiha clan, especially for identifying those who might awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan.
"I checked the Guard's records. You're the one who attacked Konoha a few years ago," Itachi said. "I'm willing to cooperate with you—but only if you agree to one condition."
His eyes flared red, and the three tomoe in each eye spun slowly.
Three-Tomoe Sharingan at this age... What terrifying talent. And he's suppressing powerful emotions. Maybe... he can awaken those eyes too, Obito thought silently.
"And what condition is that?" Obito asked flatly. "If it's not too troublesome, I can consider it a gesture of goodwill."
"Rescue the Third Hokage. He's currently imprisoned by the Guard. With your space-time ability, it shouldn't be difficult."
Obito frowned. "It's not hard, true—but what's your connection to him? Is he really worth the risk? Once I act, Konoha will hunt me."
"He's my benefactor," Itachi replied. "This is my only request. If you help me, I'll help you."
Benefactor?
Obito stared into Itachi's eyes for a long moment before a new idea took root.
A potential Mangekyō wielder… versus a half-crippled old man. The choice was clear.
"…Very well. Since you insist, wait for my signal. But remember—my only interest is in the Mangekyō Sharingan."
With that, Obito vanished using Kamui. His own Sharingan was close to evolving; if he could see Rin again, he was sure he'd awaken the Mangekyō.
With Itachi in his fold, there'd be no staying in Konoha. The boy would eventually have to defect and join his organization.
Obito knew better than anyone how powerful the Mangekyō was. Before Itachi went blind, Obito intended to wring out every ounce of his potential.
…
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