The Uchiha Clan's Sun

Uchiha Jin also spoke up at the right time to explain: "The 'I' in this sentence does not refer to myself alone, but to you, you, you, you, every single one of you, every single 'I'!"

"Just now in the conference room, I molded Nagato into a torch in order to establish your prestige and pave the way for you."

"But in fact, I hope that each of you can become a torch, shining brightly and illuminating the path for others, rather than following in the footsteps of others!"

It's numb! It's really numb!

Yahiko, Nagato, and Obito all looked at King Uchiha with a hint of fanaticism in their eyes!

Uchiha Jin's words were incredibly damaging to them!

In other words, Xiao Nan's personality is rather aloof, making it difficult for her to get fired up; otherwise, she would have fallen for her too!

Xiao Nan's eyes flickered, and after a moment's hesitation, she asked, "Brother Jin, why did you only say half a sentence in the meeting room? Even if you wanted to establish Nagato's prestige, wouldn't it have been alright to say the whole thing?"

Konan also felt that the full sentence spoken by Uchiha Jin was more inspiring than the modified half-sentence, and it didn't have much impact on establishing Nagato's prestige. She still had some doubts about Uchiha Jin's actions.

Uchiha Jin sighed and explained, "There's nothing we can do about it. You have to say the right thing to the right people, and that's the only way they'll listen!"

Do you think it's so easy to awaken a world that has been imprisoned by traditional thinking for thousands of years? Do you think it's possible to sweep away the numbness, indifference, and inertia in the blood of our world in a day?

"That's a great undertaking that requires the hard work of several generations!"

"As the saying goes, too much of a good thing is bad; overly progressive ideas are easily seen as outliers!"

"The mindset of this world has been imprisoned for thousands of years. Under the guidance of the upper nobility, ninjas see themselves as tools, and commoners see themselves as cattle and horses!"

"Changing this mindset can only be done gradually; otherwise, it could easily lead a group of people to extremes!"

Every world is different. Uchiha Jin has observed this world for many years and knows very well that some things cannot be said carelessly!

For example, if Uchiha Jin had said these words to the members of the Uchiha clan today, what would those Uchiha with their heads full of 'wild ideas' have thought?

Uchiha Passerby A: 'He said I'm the torch guiding everyone, and that's right, I am the torch! My path is indeed the most correct one! Swords in hand, follow me! Kill the Hokage, annihilate Danzo!'

Uchiha Bystander B: 'I am the torch, and you fireflies dare to rival the moon's brilliance! You all deserve to die!'

Uchiha Bystander C: 'A bunch of frogs in a well! That's all the worldly wisdom you have! Die!'

......

Without a doubt, there's nothing the Uchiha, who first doubt others and the world when faced with problems, wouldn't be able to do after being inspired in this way!

The Uchiha clan is one of the more radical and extreme clans in the world, but the Uchiha clan is definitely not the only radical and extreme clan in the world!

This is a sick world!

Uchiha Jin looked at the four and continued, "You are among the first in this world to awaken, which is why I can speak to you without reservation!"

"And what you need to do is awaken more people!"

"One wakes up two, two wake up four, four wake up eight... A single spark can start a prairie fire!"

"One day, when most people, when everyone is working hard and striving for the same goal, nothing will be able to stop us from going forward!"

"And everything we do today is of the highest honor!"

The words of Uchiha Jin ignited a raging fire in the eyes of Uchiha Obito, Yahiko, Nagato, and even Konan. They felt their blood boiling and their bodies filled with inexhaustible power!

"Of course, empty talk is useless; everything needs to be put into practice!"

"This is a five-year development plan for the Rain Kingdom that I've compiled over the past few days based on the actual situation in the Rain Kingdom. All of you, come and take a look!"

"Obito, you too, for a long time to come, you will be taking over from me to control Hanzo the Salamander and carry out his activities. You can't slack off!"

Uchiha Jin walked behind Hanzo's desk, opened a drawer, and took out several photocopied documents, distributing them to the group.

"The Third Shinobi World War is about to end, and as is customary, the shinobi world will enter a period of relatively peaceful and stable development."

"Although the surrounding major powers will continue to impose resource blockades on the Rain Kingdom and restrict its development, there are actually many things that can be done within the Rain Kingdom!"

"Your top priority now is to take control of the Land of Rain. Obito, you especially need to keep an eye on those White Zetsu; they are a force to be reckoned with!"

"Furthermore, you must pay attention to the actual situation in the Land of Rain and not completely copy the plan I devised!"

"After all, I only formulated this plan based on the existing information from Hanzo the Salamander. I haven't conducted any on-site investigations, so there are bound to be some oversights!"

"You must learn to adapt to local conditions and be flexible!"

"Now I'll tell you the details of these plans!"

......

Chapter 67 Better to have none than to have something of poor quality!

Three days later, at the Root base in Konoha Village, the Land of Fire.

Danzo Shimura, with half his body wrapped in bandages, sat upright in the main seat with a gloomy expression.

"So, has everything been investigated?"

Shimura Danzo looked down at Yamanaka Kaze and Aburame Ryoma and asked in a deep voice.

Yamanaka Fu and Aburame Ryoma were Shimura Danzo's capable henchmen in Root. This time, because Shimura Danzo personally led the operation, Yamanaka Fu and Aburame Ryoma were left behind at the Root base to oversee the overall situation and did not follow him, thus escaping a disaster!

Yamanaka Fu said, "According to the information sent back by the spy in the Land of Rain, Hanzo of the Salamander convened a meeting of the high-ranking officials of Amegakure three days ago. The specific content of the meeting is unknown at the moment because the spy was not of a high enough level."

"However, after that meeting ended, the Amegakure authorities issued a notice that Hanzo of the Salamander had taken Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan, the three leaders of the Akatsuki organization active in the Land of Rain, as his personal disciples!"

"At the same time, all members of the Akatsuki organization were directly incorporated into Amegakure!"

"Furthermore, there are rumors that Hanzo of the Salamander is grooming a successor, and those three leaders of Akatsuki may be the future leaders of Amegakure!"

"Damn it!" Shimura Danzo slammed his good left hand on the armrest, angrily shouting, "What are you useless trash for! You can't even infiltrate a small Amegakure! What use are you to me!"

Shimura Danzo vented his anger, while Yamanaka Fu and Aburame Ryoma below ignored his words, keeping their eyes down.

Both Yamanaka Fu and Aburame Ryoma knew that Shimura Danzo's anger was not because the Root ninjas could not infiltrate Amegakure, but because of something else!

After all, the Land of Rain is a battlefield, and the Rain Ninja of Amegakure are very united, but also very xenophobic. Their internal vetting system is very strict, and it is already very difficult for an undercover agent to reach a mid-level position in Amegakure!

Danzo Shimura was fully aware of these circumstances, and his outburst now was clearly an excuse to vent his anger!

In fact, Yamanaka Fu and Aburame Ryoma were right. Shimura Danzo's anger was not about the Root ninjas, but about Hanzo the Salamander!

Based on the information available, Hanzo of the Salamander has clearly discovered Nagato's Rinnegan and intends to groom Nagato as the future leader of the Land of Rain. He is already paving the way for Nagato!

As for Yahiko and Konan, they were clearly just a smokescreen to cover for Nagato!

Moreover, Hanzo the Salamander may have already made contact with Nagato!

Danzo Shimura remembered that not long before he approached Hanzo the Salamander, Hanzo the Salamander had met with Nagato and the others!

They likely reached a consensus at that time!

Hanzo the Salamander's agreement to join him in fighting the Akatsuki was clearly just a trap set for him!

His intervention enabled Nagato to obtain the power of the Rinnegan, finding a suitable successor for the Land of Rain, while also weakening Konoha's strength...

Hanzo the Salamander's three-birds-with-one-stone strategy has truly made him incredibly wealthy!

Danzo Shimura was nothing more than a pawn in Hanzo's hands, a clown!

He was toyed with like this by Hanzo the Salamander, and at the same time, the Root elite he brought to the Land of Rain was almost completely lost. How could Danzo Shimura not be furious!

Danzo Shimura now hates Hanzo the Salamander so much that he wants to eat his flesh, break his bones, tear him to pieces, and make him suffer a terrible death!

After a short while, Shimura Danzo, having vented his pent-up anger, quickly regained his composure.

The ninja code emphasizes that a ninja must remain calm no matter the circumstances or what happens!

Especially for ninjas like Shimura Danzo, who bear the title of the Dark One of the Shinobi World, staying calm at all times is the top priority!

It was really inappropriate for Shimura Danzo to get so angry. He was extremely angry, as he usually doesn't show his emotions.

Instead of dwelling on Hanzo of the Salamander and the Akatsuki, Shimura Danzo turned to Aburame Ryoma and asked, "How many usable soldiers does Root have left?"

Without the slightest hesitation, Aburame Ryoma said directly, "Aside from those administrative staff, including the ninjas currently on missions in various locations, there are still eighteen Jonin-level ninjas, and two hundred and thirty-four Special Jonin-level and Elite Chunin-level ninjas!"

Don't think that these two hundred-plus people are a lot; most of them are lurking in various parts of the ninja world carrying out long-term missions!

After being dispersed like this, the Root base can no longer spare even a company of ninjas!

As for genin... sorry, without the strength of an elite chunin, you don't even qualify to become a full member of Root!

"This is outrageous!" Shimura Danzo slammed his hand on the armrest, took a deep breath to suppress his anger, and asked again, "How long will it take for those brats in this training camp to graduate?"

After pondering for a moment, Aburame Ryoma said, "They're still a bit lacking. If we force them to graduate, the pass rate for this training camp will be very low!"

Danzo Shimura waved his hand and said coldly, "We can't worry about that now. We're short-handed right now. Notify Terai and tell him to intensify the training so that this batch of trainees can graduate as soon as possible!"

"At the same time, have him start collecting orphans and preparing to establish a new training camp!"

Upon hearing this, Yamanaka Fu hesitated for a moment before asking, "Lord Danzo, should the assessment standards for this training camp be lowered?"

The Root's training camp is not a place like the Ninja Academy, which is just for playing around. Not only are the tests extremely rigorous, but they are all conducted according to Chunin standards, and if you fail, there is no chance to try again!

In the root training camp's assessment, failure means certain death!

"Of course not!" Shimura Danzo said calmly, "We'd rather have none than have bad ones. Not just anyone can get into Root!"

"Don't worry about the lack of manpower, I'll ask Sarutobi for another batch of elites to fill the gap!"

Upon hearing this, Shan Zhongfeng wisely refrained from speaking further.

He had already done more than enough by asking that one question, after all, he had been through the same thing himself.

Having temporarily settled the manpower issue, Shimura Danzo was about to inquire about the various events that had occurred during his absence when he suddenly sensed something and immediately shut his mouth.

The next moment, with a 'whoosh' sound, a ninja dressed as an ANBU appeared in the hall.

"Lord Danzo, the Hokage requests your presence in his office!"

The ANBU ninja spoke without any emotion in his voice.

"Okay! I'm coming right now!"

Danzo Shimura had long anticipated that Hiruzen Sarutobi would find out about his return to the village immediately, so he had already made preparations to deal with Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Now that the Anbu had come to invite him, Danzo Shimura didn't bother to ask any more questions. He stood up, intending to get past Hiruzen Sarutobi first!

Acting without orders and losing most of the elite troops of the Root is a serious offense!

Chapter 68 You're overthinking it!

With a loud bang, the door to the Hokage's office was kicked open.

Danzo Shimura strode into the office with his head held high, glanced at Hiruzen Sarutobi, Homura Mitokado, and Koharu Utatane who had been waiting for a long time, and went straight to his seat.

Regardless of whether he was right or wrong, Shimura Danzo's actions directly boosted his morale to its peak, ensuring he wouldn't lack confidence during the subsequent confrontation.

The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, picked up his pipe, smacked his lips, and silently watched Danzo Shimura without uttering a word. In a short while, he neutralized Danzo's 'offensive'.

"I heard that the Root ninja suffered heavy losses this time..." Mitokado Homura said, breaking the silence as he looked at Shimura Danzo's severed arm, "It seems that Root's losses are much more serious than I thought!"

Koharu Utatane frowned and said, "Danzo, you owe us an explanation! What exactly did you do in the Land of Rain!"

After escaping from Hanzo of the Salamander, Shimura Danzo went directly to Konoha's camp in the Land of Rain and received a series of treatments there. Therefore, news of his troubles in the Land of Rain could not have been kept from Hiruzen Sarutobi and his men.

Even Hiruzen Sarutobi guessed that the sudden escalation of the conflict between Konoha and Iwagakure on the battlefield in the Land of Rain was most likely the work of his old friend Danzo Shimura.

Hiruzen Sarutobi was puzzled as to what exactly happened to Danzo Shimura over there that led to this mess!

Logically speaking, given Shimura Danzo's caution and the strength of his Root ninjas, he shouldn't have acted this way even if he encountered the Tsuchikage Onoki or Hanzo of the Salamander!

Ignoring Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu, Shimura Danzo turned directly to Sarutobi Hiruzen and said, "Hiruzen, there's a big problem in the Land of Rain! I've agreed to the peace talks with Iwagakure, but we must take over the Land of Rain as soon as possible!"

"Reason?" Hiruzen Sarutobi exhaled a smoke ring and said calmly, "One thing at a time. Your unauthorized actions this time were already a transgression, not to mention the heavy losses you suffered!"

"Holding people accountable is a given; don't try to change the subject with other things!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi knew Danzo Shimura very well and knew that Danzo Shimura wanted to use other things to divert attention, so he blocked Danzo Shimura's escape route in advance!

Danzo Shimura's expression immediately darkened, and he said, "Everything I've done is for Konoha! I have a clear conscience!"

"That's no excuse for your unauthorized actions!" Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned slightly, his tone tinged with anger, and said, "You're the one behind the recent escalation of conflict between Konoha and Iwagakure, aren't you?"

"Even after I explicitly denied it, you still want to stop the peace talks between Konoha and Iwagakure? Who's the Hokage here, you or me?!"

"Danzo, I am informing you that you are temporarily relieved of your position as an elder of Konoha. From now on, you will only have the right to make suggestions on matters large and small concerning Konoha, but no decision-making power!"

"At the same time, all activities of your Root organization, except for those tasks already underway, must cease immediately. Stay quietly in Konoha to recuperate until I give you further instructions!"

Enraged, Shimura Danzo slammed his fist on the table and shouted, "You can't do this! You should understand the importance of the Root! We absolutely cannot stop now!"