Uchiha Yamagaze listened, half understanding, half not.
However, the more he listened, the more he felt that Captain Yagami, who stood before him, was a deeply contradictory person.
On one hand, his methods were incredibly harsh and extreme.
But on the other hand, the world he envisioned was so bright and brilliant that it seemed illusory and unreal.
He couldn't help but recall Uchiha Fugaku's evaluation again.
"That man Yagami, sometimes he's terrifyingly extreme, and sometimes he's optimistically naive."
As if seeing through Uchiha Yamagaze's thoughts.
Yagami said in a deep voice, "If you don't have thunderous methods, don't possess a Bodhisattva's heart."
"My extreme methods are precisely an overcorrection, a necessary inevitability born of helplessness."
Uchiha Yamagaze repeated his words, lost in thought.
"I think I understand a little, Captain…"
"You mean, using extreme methods to eliminate the darkness of Konoha Village, and in this process, letting the Uchiha Clan gain recognition, thus naturally gaining everyone's support?"
"Rather than trying to overthrow violence with violence, plunging the Uchiha Clan into a desperate situation, like now."
Yagami said, "From my personal perspective, whether I gain others' recognition or whether the clan gains everyone's support are merely incidental."
"My decisions are simply based on my own heart."
"It's just…"
"Just what?"
"It's just that this Konoha Village happens to be the dark and decaying side."
Uchiha Yamagaze understood.
He smiled slightly, "Captain, you really are a saint…"
"I am not a saint, but a self-interested individual seeking peace of mind."
Uchiha Yamagaze stretched with a big yawn.
"Talking with Captain for a long time, I feel like my whole soul is about to be sublimated…"
"However, Captain, rest assured, I will convey your will to everyone."
"Oh, Elder Yashiro told me that Hatake Kakashi has already compiled the truth of the matter into a report and submitted it. He is indeed a reliable fellow. Captain's judgment is truly impressive…"
"It's just, I wonder how Sarutobi Hiruzen will handle it."
Yagami said, "Hatake Kakashi?"
"He can still be saved."
"As for Sarutobi Hiruzen, he has already attempted to kill me once, but it was a complete failure."
"He won't act rashly now because the ceasefire agreement with the Hidden Cloud Village is his top priority."
"Only by temporarily stabilizing the Hidden Cloud Village can he fully concentrate on dealing with the hidden dangers within the village."
Uchiha Yamagaze nodded, "Which means us, the Uchiha Clan…"
Yagami neither confirmed nor denied.
"But Captain, you seem to have some thoughts about the Hidden Cloud Village's envoy group…"
"Will something extraordinary happen?"
Uchiha Yamagaze picked up an apple and began eating it heartily.
Naturally, it was a gift from Daizi's family.
Yagami also picked up an apple but did not answer directly.
"Perhaps."
He also took a big bite.
His eyes flickered, as if calculating some plan.
…
Hokage Building, Council Hall.
"Head Ninja, please sit, please sit."
Sarutobi Hiruzen's face was wreathed in smiles.
However, the Head Ninja from the Hidden Cloud Village was arrogant and condescending, seemingly not even putting Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Lord Hokage, in his eyes.
He sat down nonchalantly across the long table, facing Sarutobi Hiruzen.
"Lord Hokage, let's begin the negotiations."
"Alright, alright."
Witnessing the difference in their attitudes, all the Konoha ninjas present couldn't help but feel humiliation and shame.
Why should they be so humble and subservient to a mere envoy from the Hidden Cloud Village?!
Moreover, to the esteemed Lord Hokage!
Although everyone knew that since the end of the Third Shinobi World War, Konoha Village had suffered natural and man-made disasters like the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox's rampage, and was indeed at its lowest point.
But…
Could constant yielding truly bring dignity and peace?!
In this Shinobi World, such a principle had never existed.
But now, the Lord Hokage was clearly determined to do so.
Those who could participate in a meeting of this level were naturally true dignitaries, representatives of the decision-making layer.
Besides Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen, there was Shimura Danzo, the leader of Root, and the two elder advisors, Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado.
The heads of the major clans were also present.
Uchiha Fugaku, Hinata Hizashi, Shikaku Nara, Choza Akimichi, Yamanaka Inoichi, Tsume Inuzuka, and Shibi Aburame.
Of course, as the new Captain of Anbu, Uchiha Shisui had the absolute right to participate in the meeting.
And although Hatake Kakashi was only a squad leader in Anbu, his special status as the Fourth Hokage's disciple, the Konoha White Fang's son, and a representative of the elite Jonin, also qualified him to attend.
Of course, what they witnessed was merely a humiliating spectacle.
The Head Ninja, the leader of the Hidden Cloud Village's envoy group, was aggressive, rude, completely disregarding the previously negotiated division of interests, and denying everything.
Meanwhile, Sarutobi Hiruzen yielded at every turn, not daring to raise any objections.
The result was…
Konoha Village ceded unimaginable authority and sacrificed unbearable interests to finally sign this so-called peace agreement!
All the Konoha dignitaries present were dumbfounded, shocked, and their bodies trembled with anger, their fists clenched.
However, they ultimately could not oppose the Lord Hokage's decision.
This day could be called the most humiliating moment in Konoha Village's history.
The agreement was finally signed, and the Hidden Cloud Village's Head Ninja sneered coldly, stood up nonchalantly, and praised Sarutobi Hiruzen.
"Lord Hokage, you are truly reasonable…"
"Heh, if everyone in Konoha Village was as understanding and righteous as the Lord Hokage, why would we even fight?"
"Hahahaha, hahahahaha!"
His arrogant and overbearing laughter echoed throughout the Hokage Building and was deeply imprinted in the humiliated souls of all Konoha ninjas.
Sarutobi Hiruzen, however, still wore his characteristic kind and amiable smile.
"Head Ninja, please take care."
"May Konoha and the Hidden Cloud coexist peacefully and form an eternal alliance!"
The Head Ninja didn't bother to respond, merely snorted coldly, and strode away with the envoy group.
Bang!
As the door of the Council Hall closed, Sarutobi Hiruzen sat back down, his expression instantly changing.
"Alright, the peace agreement with the Hidden Cloud Village is signed, finally resolving a major matter on my mind."
"Konoha Village's external threats have finally been temporarily eliminated."
"Next…"
He looked meaningfully at Uchiha Shisui.
"Is there any other major matter to discuss?"
Those who could sit here were naturally intelligent people, and they immediately understood that Sarutobi Hiruzen's compromise and subservience were all in order to stop the external threats and focus on dealing with the internal problems within the village!
And this internal major threat was, of course…
The Uchiha Clan!
At this moment, the same thought arose in everyone's mind…
Our Lord Hokage is truly that saying…
Towards the outside, I am meek and submissive; towards the inside, I strike with a heavy fist!
At this moment, everyone couldn't help but feel a sense of frustration and dissatisfaction.
Even the Ino-Shika-Cho, who had close ties to the Sarutobi Clan.
Of course, they absolutely did not dare to openly express anything.
Just as Uchiha Shisui was about to speak, Hatake Kakashi suddenly stopped him.
"Lord Hokage, everyone…"
"Regarding the matter of Uchiha Yagami, I, along with Head Inoichi, Captain Ibiki, and Elder Uchiha Yashiro, conducted a thorough interrogation and investigation, and the results are now available…"
"Please take a look."
Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression instantly changed!
Hatake Kakashi…
What exactly does he intend to do?!
(End of Chapter)