Ryoma had always been concerned about Kazuki, not because Kazuki was a traitor who lacked the Uchiha clan's backbone and chose to side with the Hokage faction.
In reality, no one had the right to criticize anyone else. They, as Uchiha, didn't they also stay in Konoha and not follow Madara?
The so-called Uchiha's backbone was insignificant in the face of self-interest.
They could slander Madara and demonize him for their own rights, and similarly, they could oppose Kazuki and make things difficult for him within the Uchiha clan for their own benefit.
If Fugaku could become Tsunade's student and then have the qualification to compete for Hokage, then Ryoma would not say that Fugaku was a lackey of the Hokage faction, but rather that Fugaku was a bridge between the Uchiha and the Hokage faction, and the pride of the Uchiha.
But there was no way, since Kazuki was not his son.
Previously, he could continuously weaken Kazuki's influence, but if Kazuki had awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan, that legendary eye, then many of the Uchiha's neutral faction might turn towards Kazuki.
Coupled with Kazuki's influence in the village, what would Fugaku use to compete with Kazuki for the position of Uchiha clan head?
Ryoma wished for the clan head position to be inherited by his son, and in the future, by his grandson. He wanted only his descendants to become clan head.
Regarding how to eliminate Kazuki, this unstable factor, Ryoma didn't know how to proceed for a while.
"However, without our knowledge, the Third Mizukage and Three-Tails arrived at the Land of Fire front line almost simultaneously and launched an attack on our front line positions."
"Under Homura's leadership, although Konoha ninjas resisted fiercely, there were also huge losses."
Following this, Hiruzen's words echoed in everyone's minds like a clap of thunder on a clear day.
"What?!"
Ryoma slammed the table, his eyes instinctively displaying the three-tomoe Sharingan, staring intently at Hiruzen.
"Hokage-sama, is this true?"
Fugaku was still at the front line. He then immediately looked at Kazuki not far away, suspecting that this matter was related to him, using Kirigakure to eliminate Fugaku.
Otherwise, it wouldn't be such a coincidence. Kazuki and his team probably already knew that the Third Mizukage and Three-Tails were not in Kirigakure, which is why Kazuki infiltrated Kirigakure, released Three-Tails, and destroyed Kirigakure.
But why didn't the village know this information? Clearly, this might be Kazuki's scheme.
"That is indeed the case. This past year, Kazuki's team has been continuously gathering intelligence on Kirigakure, and much of the intelligence was transmitted by Kazuki."
"However, intelligence within Kirigakure is difficult to obtain, especially information about the Mizukage, which is not something ordinary Kirigakure ninjas can know."
"Not long ago, Kazuki had just obtained information about Three-Tails. I specifically tasked him with a mission to quickly resolve the Kirigakure front line, but I did not expect the Third Mizukage to go to the front line. I need to bear some responsibility for this defeat at the front line."
"When Kazuki returned to Konoha, he immediately told me that the Mizukage and Three-Tails were not in the village, but I did not notify the front line immediately."
Hiruzen made this matter conclusive.
With the Hokage's endorsement, others couldn't say much. Regardless, Kazuki destroying Kirigakure was a good thing for them, greatly striking at Kirigakure's fighting force.
Such a thing, happening in other villages, felt pleasant. It would have been even better without the collapse of the front line.
"Hokage-sama, what are the losses at the front line?"
"The losses are significant, so I plan to continue dispatching a large number of ninjas to the Land of Fire front line."
"Among them, the Sarutobi clan will dispatch one thousand people, and the Mitokado clan will dispatch one hundred people."
Hiruzen then looked at Kazuki beside him and asked, "Jonin Kazuki, do you have the confidence to defeat the Mizukage and Three-Tails?"
Kazuki stood up with his arms crossed and said, "It's just the Third Mizukage and Three-Tails, they are nothing compared to me. Please rest assured, Hokage-sama."
Hiruzen really wanted to retort, what do you mean by 'just the Third Mizukage and Three-Tails,' and 'they are nothing compared to me'? The Mizukage is, after all, a Kage of his level.
However, considering Kazuki's strength, he had nothing to say. Moreover, at this time of widespread anxiety, Kazuki speaking in such a way could dispel everyone's worries.
"Good. I will transfer the personnel to you. You rest for one night and go to the front line as soon as possible. Other personnel will go to the front line first."
Hiruzen anticipated that Kazuki was very tired now, after all, he had been active in the Land of Water for over a year, then released Three-Tails, destroyed Kirigakure, and then brought so many people back to Konoha using Flying Thunder God.
By now, he probably hasn't even had a good meal.
Fortunately, Kazuki has the Flying Thunder God Technique, so he can rest for one night and go directly to the front line tomorrow.
Following this, Hiruzen was once again helpless. Who would have thought that Homura would be so useless now?
The former Homura performed very well in their team, even stronger than an average Elite Jonin.
Yet, when he encountered the Third Mizukage, he was dealt with in a few swift moves, which left Hiruzen speechless.
If Homura had been as capable as Danzo, Konoha wouldn't have suffered such a defeat.
Thinking of the loss of approximately two thousand people or more, Hiruzen felt a pang of heartache, those were Konoha's core forces.