Mirai Uchiha's words left Hiruzen Sarutobi staring in shock.
He had expected Mirai might go after the Shimura Clan, the Mitokado Clan, and the Utatane Clan—but never did he imagine that Mirai would actually annihilate them all!
Does he truly have no concerns at all?
Doesn't he fear other ninja clans feeling threatened and uniting against the Uchiha?
Without so much as a moment of mourning for those lost, Hiruzen muttered, "Why did you kill so many people? We're all family here in the same village..."
"Family?" Mirai scoffed coldly.
"Are you referring to Danzo Shimura—who schemed relentlessly to destroy the Uchiha Clan—as family? Or perhaps Koharu, who abused her authority to seize Uchiha assets? Or Homura, who constantly targeted the Uchiha?"
"And what about you, Third Hokage?"
"You kept the Uchiha—this very clan that helped build the village—excluded from the core power structure, and maintained constant Anbu surveillance over us twenty-four hours a day. How can you call yourself family?"
"Do those words not make you blush?"
Mirai snorted disdainfully.
If the Hokage's faction truly considered the Uchiha as family, there were plenty of ways to resolve the conflict between the village and the Uchiha Clan.
The Uchiha wouldn't have faced annihilation, and he wouldn't have constantly agonized over how to avoid inevitable doom.
Having lived in the ninja world for over a decade, he had personally witnessed just how terribly the Hokage's faction treated the Uchiha clan members!
Hiruzen retorted, "I did everything for the good of the village."
"You're an Uchiha ninja yourself—you should understand the Uchiha well enough."
"The stronger an Uchiha becomes, the more likely they are to take extreme actions. Deprived of love, an Uchiha will seek ruthless revenge against the world..."
Mirai interrupted Hiruzen's explanation, "Then give me one example."
Hiruzen fell silent for a moment. "...Like Madara Uchiha back then!"
Mirai shook his head. "Madara simply saw the flaws in the village and wanted to establish a completely new order. That has nothing to do with what you just said."
Looking at Hiruzen's silence, Mirai continued calmly: "Uchiha ninja serving the village never abused their positions for personal gain. In battles against enemies, they always charged forward first. Since Konoha's founding, countless outstanding Uchiha members have sacrificed themselves for the village. And having come to regard Konoha as home, every single Uchiha chose to abandon following Madara."
"So much has been done, yet suspicion and rejection follow. The moment you express dissatisfaction, you're immediately labeled as an unstable element..."
Mirai Uchiha couldn't help but chuckle slightly. "Would you only be satisfied if we obediently let ourselves be treated like pigs ready for slaughter?"
"Is that all for the sake of the village?"
"Absurd!"
Mirai's expression turned cold. "In three days, the village will host the Joint Ninja World Chunin Exams. As Konoha's Hokage, you must attend."
"If not... the Sarutobi Clan will suffer the same fate as the Shimura Clan — erased from ninja history forever."
Mirai no longer wished to argue with Hiruzen Sarutobi. Soon enough, during the Chunin Exams, Orochimaru would reveal everything Hiruzen had done according to plan, and the world would judge accordingly.
Looking at the Sealing and chains now removed from his body, Hiruzen felt slightly relieved.
Since this was a Chunin Exam co-hosted by multiple ninja villages, Mirai probably wouldn't dare harm him openly under everyone's watchful eyes.
Perhaps cooperating actively could provide some opportunity.
At the very least, the Sarutobi Clan wouldn't end up like the Shimura Clan.
——
Kumogakure.
Standing before Konoha's main gates, staring at the wooden plaque hanging high above, the Fourth Raikage clenched tightly the single fist he had left.
He had dreamed countless times of leading Kumogakure ninjas through these gates, sacrificing an entire arm for that ambition.
If it weren't for Mirai Uchiha...
A's aura surged relentlessly. Nearby, Aoba Yamashiro and Raido Namiashi, responsible for checking incoming visitors at the gate, frowned and stood up.
"Raikage-sama, please calm down!"
Samui, her short golden hair visible, spoke gravely.
A snapped back to reality, glanced at Aoba and Raido, snorted coldly, then strode away.
This time, he would definitely gather intelligence on Konoha thoroughly. Only then could he achieve better results when attacking Konoha next time.
After Kumogakure's delegation departed, a broad-shouldered ninja approached slowly, carrying an elderly man with a prominent nose on his shoulder.
They also stopped right in front of Konoha's main entrance.
The old man with the large nose tilted his head upward, sighing involuntarily: "So many years have passed. Never did I imagine my old bones would get another chance to come here again."
The tall ninja rumbled softly, "Father, have you been to Konoha before?"
The old man nodded, "I have. That experience wasn't great at all. Hopefully this visit will go better than last time."
"Kitsuchi, let's go inside."
"Yes!"
After Iwagakure's group left, roughly over an hour later, a group of ninja wearing Kiri's Forehead Protectors appeared at Konoha's main entrance.
Once again, Master Genjo led the way.
We've finally arrived in Konoha.
Mei, you seem happy?
Hearing that, Mei nodded. "Of course. There are quite a few handsome guys in Konoha. I'll really be able to enjoy the scenery this time."
Mangetsu Hozuki curled his lips. "I heard from Master Genjo that you seem to like Mirai Uchiha?"
Mei froze for a moment, then secretly shook a tiny fist toward Master Genjo's back. "As if I'd like that crazy woman!"
Mangetsu scratched his head. "Crazy? What do you mean?"
Mei impatiently waved her hand, seemingly unwilling to dwell on this topic. "You all need to do well in the Chunin Exam. Don't make Kiri look bad in front of so many people."
A boy stood beside Mei. He wore glasses and looked quite introverted. Nervously, he said, "Mei, I'm not very confident."
Before Mei could speak, Mangetsu had already slung an arm over the boy's shoulder. "Don't worry about it, Chojuro. I can lend you my dual ninja blades, [Hiramekarei]."
Chojuro opened his mouth in surprise. "Eh? Then what about you?"
Mangetsu shrugged indifferently. "You don't need to worry about me. Anyway, I can use all seven blades."
"Besides, our teammate this time is quite someone."
With that, he winked at the cold, silent boy beside him. "Right, Zabuza?"
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