"Gulp…Why, why does that guy seem completely fine?"
"Our attacks had no effect at all. What's going on?"
"And those eyes, just one look fills you with dread…"
Watching the Sunagakure Ninja frozen in place, Uchiha Yuzuru's lips curled into a wicked smile.
"Run! Quick, run!"
Seeing Uchiha Yuzuru, who resembled a blood-soaked demon god, someone in the Hidden Sand Village shouted first.
The Sunagakure Ninja's fighting spirit instantly collapsed, and they began to flee in all directions.
"A mob of rabble…"
Uchiha Yuzuru snorted coldly and waved his hand in the direction the Sunagakure Ninja were fleeing.
Uchiha Fugaku immediately led his men in pursuit.
No matter how long a tiger is kept in a cage, when it bares its sharp claws, it will still inspire fear.
——
The battle went unexpectedly smoothly.
Facing the Sunagakure Ninja who only knew how to run, the Uchiha Clan's Ninja easily dealt with all of them.
Especially Uchiha Fugaku… in the final moments, against the dying struggles of a Sunagakure Jonin, he fought two opponents without falling behind.
Even Uchiha Yuzuru couldn't help but be a little surprised.
Judging by the strength and combat skills Uchiha Fugaku was currently displaying, if he had chosen to resist during the Uchiha Clan extermination night in the original story, the outcome would truly be hard to say.
Before long, all the Uchiha clansmen responsible for the pursuit returned.
Including five Sunagakure Jonin, a total of fifty Sunagakure Ninja were all thoroughly annihilated.
All the clansmen had excited expressions on their faces.
The Uchiha Clan's blood allowed them to enjoy the thrill of battle.
"Yuzuru, all the Sunagakure Ninja have been killed. Next, we may need to prepare for retaliation from the Hidden Sand Village."
Uchiha Fugaku walked over to Uchiha Yuzuru, his expression slightly worried.
Uchiha Yuzuru, however, didn't care, and said indifferently, "Fugaku, your personality is too indecisive."
"Weakness only makes others want to bully you even more. Only by making others fear you can you earn enough respect."
"Just like that arrogant Sunagakure Ninja, he only dropped his original demeanor when facing death."
"Fear is not a crime; it makes people realize their own weakness. After realizing their weakness, people become polite and gentle."
Upon hearing this, Uchiha Fugaku was still somewhat conflicted: "But even for a Ninja Village like the Hidden Sand Village, losing five Jonin would probably be unacceptable…"
"They will definitely seek revenge…"
"Fugaku, remember…" Uchiha Yuzuru interrupted Uchiha Fugaku, saying coldly, "Even the weak, doing nothing, will attract the covetousness of others."
"The Uchiha Clan's status and honor are not achieved by compromising with others, but by fighting for them with our fists!"
"From now on, you only need to follow my orders; don't consider anything else."
Uchiha Fugaku unconsciously straightened his back and said in a deep voice, "Yes!"
——
The battle against the Sunagakure Ninja further boosted Uchiha Yuzuru's prestige within the Uchiha Clan.
With popular support, Uchiha Taro simply handed over the Clan Chief position to Uchiha Yuzuru.
Uchiha Yuzuru did not decline.
After becoming Clan Chief, some of his plans could be implemented more smoothly.
A week passed quietly.
The deaths of the Sunagakure Ninja did not cause too much of a stir.
During this time, many Ninja Villages from small countries sent people, hoping that the Uchiha Clan could settle in their Village.
Even the position of leader, they were willing to offer.
However, Uchiha Yuzuru did not agree.
Those small Ninja Villages were severely lacking in population, resources, and land area.
To develop the Uchiha Clan, they still needed to go to a Great Ninja Village.
——
A few days later.
Looking at the burly man entering the room, Uchiha Yuzuru gestured with his hand: "Kitsuchi, please sit."
"Thank you."
Kitsuchi sat opposite Uchiha Yuzuru and got straight to the point: "Clan Head Ketsuna, does the Uchiha Clan have any plans to live in our Iwagakure?"
"We can provide you with land to live on and a stable living environment."
Uchiha Yuzuru waited patiently for a moment, then said, "That's it?"
Kitsuchi nodded and said in a gruff voice, "That's it."
"For us to settle in Iwagakure, you need to grant the Uchiha Clan a certain degree of autonomy and the right to participate in Iwagakure's decision-making."
"You also need to give up a portion of your industries to sustain the Uchiha Clan's livelihood."
"Of course, we will pay."
"As for the Uchiha Clan's Ninjutsu scrolls and other resources, we have the right to decide whether or not to share them with Iwagakure."
Such demands were not excessive; even in Konoha, they enjoyed similar treatment.
However, after hearing Uchiha Yuzuru's demands, Kitsuchi looked troubled: "Everything else is fine, but autonomy and participating in Iwagakure's decision-making…"
"That would be very difficult to achieve."
Hearing this, Uchiha Yuzuru picked up his teacup and took a sip.
Kitsuchi stood up and said, "Clan Head Ketsuna, I will discuss your conditions with my father. I'll take my leave now."
Watching Kitsuchi's departing back, Uchiha Yuzuru was slightly disappointed.
Even Ōnoki, who had personally witnessed Uchiha Madara's immense power, only had this much foresight?
But it was understandable.
Given Ōnoki's psychological trauma, he was probably afraid that accepting the Uchiha would lead to uncontrollable events in Iwagakure.
He just hoped that one day, Ōnoki wouldn't regret his indecision at this moment.
——
On the border of the Land of Fire, nine masked Ninja, divided into three small teams, moved through the dense forest.
They quickly infiltrated the border of the Land of Rice Fields.
For countries without Ninja Villages, accomplishing such a feat was incredibly simple.
"Danzo-sama's order is to bring Uzumaki Kushina back to Konoha at all costs."
"And… regardless of life or death, try to capture some members of the Uchiha Clan and take them."
It wasn't until now that the other "Root" Ninja knew the purpose of their mission.
Having long been trained to be devoid of any emotion, they merely nodded, firmly imprinting the mission details in their minds.
Just then, a rough voice sounded nearby.
The Root Ninja turned to look and found that two burly men had appeared near them at some point.
"I didn't expect to encounter Konoha's pests here."
"How annoying."
Upon hearing this, the leading Root Ninja said coldly, "Our mission has nothing to do with Kumogakure. If you don't want to cause a conflict between Kumogakure and Konoha, I advise you to leave immediately."
Facing the Root Ninja's threat, one of the burly men twisted his neck and said disdainfully, "What gibberish are you spouting?"
"Bee, prepare to move!"
"Yo!"