Konoha would launch a major offensive, with the Uchiha clan as the main force assaulting Kirigakure. With Mei Terumi acting as the insider guide and the Three Swordsmen joining her, they would topple the reactionary Yagura Karatachi and establish a new Kiri fully aligned with Konoha.
That way—everyone gets a happy ending.
Kiri abolishes the Blood Mist policy; everyone can finally breathe.
Mei becomes Mizukage early, skipping ten years of detours.
The Three Swordsmen "set things right," help seat the dragon on the throne, and rise into the new Kiri's upper ranks.
The Uchiha claim an entire great shinobi village—feasting till the fat runs down their chins.
Konoha gains a large allied village as a steadfast partner, avoiding the strategic disaster of being dogpiled in turn by the other four.
Yorin, before becoming Hokage's aide, becomes Mizukage's aide.
Give it some years and he might add Tsuchikage's aide, Kazekage's aide, Raikage's aide—wear six seals of office, frighten the lords with one glare, and sit still while the world falls quiet. Hee-hee-hee-hee…
That was Uchiha Yorin's full plan—and thinking it through made him a little excited.
Of course, there was still a small technical problem to solve.
Jūzō Biwa and Raiga Kurosuki were straightforward shinobi—single-mindedly devoted to their village. No issue. The real headache was Mangetsu Hōzuki.
The Hōzuki clan had produced a Mizukage. That slick-haired Second was a bit mad, but he left the clan plenty of political capital.
Much like the Uchiha see themselves as founders of Konoha, the Hōzuki view themselves as founders of Kiri.
Getting them to "betray" Kiri and cede Kiri's interests would be extremely difficult.
"Will the Uchiha betray Konoha and swear to Kiri?"
Mangetsu eyed Uchiha Yorin. "If so, you're welcome. Forget being Hokage's aide—if the Uchiha come over, we could even make you Mizukage." He smiled, waiting for Yorin's answer.
It wasn't very likely—but what if? If it worked, he'd be first to break his sword and swear fealty to Yorin.
Sadly, that wasn't happening.
Yorin's answer crushed his fantasy: "Save your dreams for when you're sleeping, Mangetsu."
"As I thought—sweet words, but you want Kiri as Konoha's vassal, don't you?!"
Mangetsu's tone sharpened. He raised his voice to the other two:
"Don't be fooled! He's more dangerous than Yagura!
"Yagura's rule would weaken Kiri—but this man aims to destroy Kiri! Uchiha Yorin, I—"
"—Is that the size of your vision?" Yorin cut him off. "A clan, a village, a country?
"Do you know the biggest difference between us? Do you know why you will lose and I will win?"
"Obviously it's—" Mangetsu wanted to shout, "Power. You're stronger—nothing more!"
But before he could, Yorin spoke:
"—Because your heart holds only the Hōzuki clan, only Kiri—at most the Land of Water. My heart holds all."
Yorin spread his arms. "What I want is to end pain forever, to let everyone be happy.
"A village? A clan? A country?
"Too narrow. Too small.
"Cling to that smallness and in the end you'll protect neither your clan nor your village.
"You'll die like countless Kiri shinobi—lost in a meaningless war, changing nothing even in death."
Mangetsu: "…"
He wanted to argue—but in the end, he said nothing. He knew Yorin was right. He wasn't spinning hypotheticals—he was stating the grim truth of fifty years of the ninja village era, and centuries of the Warring States before that.
Whether or not Mangetsu was convinced, Jūzō and Raiga were.
No one wants a life like that—a tragic story whose ending you can see from the first page. Before, they had no say. Now, Uchiha Yorin had offered them a different possibility.
Kiri shinobi are lonely. Under Blood Mist, they trusted no one, had no comrades. They craved friendship—pathologically so. Kiri can die, but they will not abandon the comrades they recognize. Jūzō is like that. Raiga is like that. Later, Zabuza is like that too.
So once they take Uchiha Yorin's olive branch—until he betrays them, they will not betray him. They will live and die for him—even if it means betraying Kiri.
Mangetsu: "…Even if you say that…"
He gritted his teeth, mustering a last stand. "What can you do?"
He stared at Yorin, looking for a crack in his face.
There wasn't one.
"Have you heard of Ninshu? The organization founded by the Sage of Six Paths. He taught disciples and spread the use of chakra—that's the source of all shinobi.
"In that era there were no clan, village, or national divides—everyone belonged to one order.
"And naturally—no conflict, no wars—no killing and death.
"In other words—I will build an organization above all villages, all nations, all races.
"I will rebuild Ninshu.
"Then not only Kiri—Iwa, Suna, Kumo will be folded into Ninshu.
"And of course—Konoha will not be excluded.
"We will be comrades in one order, one family, united, never divided.
"That is my ambition.
"That is my wish.
"That is my resolve—So now—Mangetsu Hōzuki, Jūzō Biwa, Raiga Kurosuki—
"Choose.
"Fight with me for the greatest cause in this world—or cling to your narrowness and stand against me."
He spoke—and drew his flaming blade.
After a short silence, Jūzō and Raiga dropped to one knee before Uchiha Yorin and swore fealty.
Last was Mangetsu.
The "prodigy beloved of the blades," heir of the Hōzuki—at last bowed his proud head to Uchiha Yorin.
"I'm willing to fight for the great work you describe."
He said, "I offer you my loyalty."
~~~
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