Chapter 113 : Seed!
Uchiha Kurogane couldn't bring himself to meet the gaze of Kazuhiko before him.
Even though he was unsure about what Kazuhiko would say, he sensed that this man was a figure who tore everything apart, revealing the gruesome details right in front of one's eyes.
Whatever Kazuhiko was about to say next had the potential to shatter his understanding of things.
Summoning his courage, Kurogane lifted his head, his eyes a mix of anticipation and fear as he gazed at Kazuhiko.
Kazuhiko did not disappoint. "You mentioned why the Sarutobi clan members and Anbu ninjas found dead here were killed. Was it because they had the approval of Konoha's higher-ups?"
Kurogane breathed a sigh of relief and promptly responded to Kazuhiko.
"Absolutely, the Sarutobi clan has become so audacious, even mingling with Lord Hokage's Anbu. This is an encroachment on Lord Hokage's authority! Such behavior is absolutely unacceptable for Konoha's higher-ups!"
Kazuhiko didn't dispute Kurogane's words but rather nodded in agreement with his perspective.
Seeing this, Kurogane's heart grew more uneasy.
Kazuhiko fixed his gaze on him and spoke slowly, each word carrying weight. "Some were from the Third Hokage's clan, while others were Anbu ninjas cultivated by Konoha over the years. All were executed simply for being associated with Hokage's Anbu."
"No mercy was shown, and it was my hand that did it. However, even without my intervention, they would have met their end eventually, whether on a mission or through unforeseen circumstances."
Hearing this, Kurogane nodded, acknowledging the harsh reality presented by Kazuhiko.
"Do you know that the Sarutobi clan suffered its worst loss this time since the end of the first ninja war more than ten years ago?"
"Even as the clan of Lord Hokage, I killed so many people at once, with the tacit approval of Konoha's higher-ups, simply because they had encroached on Hokage's authority."
Kurogane nodded in agreement, feeling that the Sarutobi clan deserved their fate for challenging the rights of Hokage.
However, Kazuhiko looked at him as if he could read his thoughts.
"Have you ever considered that the Uchiha clan, who have always aspired to the Hokage position, is in a vulnerable position with no support from the higher ups in Konoha?"
Kurogane stared blankly at Kazuhiko, desperately hoping he wouldn't continue. But Kazuhiko, indifferent to his wishes, slowly uttered the next words.
"What do you think Konoha's higher-ups will do to the Uchiha clan?"
Kazuhiko's final words hit Kurogane like a hurricane.
In his mind, thoughts swirled: "Sarutobi clan members are dead," "They encroached on Hokage's rights and paid the price," "The Uchiha clan eyes the Hokage seat."
And as Kurogane, already caught in a mental storm, tried to process it all, Kazuhiko delivered the final blow.
"You mentioned those who perished by default in Konoha. Did you include yourself? And did you consider those Uchiha behind you?"
Suddenly, Kurogane raised his head, the last indifferent words of Kazuhiko echoing like thunder in his mind, dispelling the earlier turmoil.
Kurogane's mind lost its ability to focus on anything else. He stood there in a daze, like a puppet, staring blankly into space.
It took a while for his eyes to regain their focus, and he looked at Kazuhiko before him.
All the previous apprehensions towards Kazuhiko were momentarily pushed aside, and he roared in a low voice:
"It's all your speculation! Baseless accusations! You have no evidence! Konoha can't forsake the Uchiha!
"You label us Uchiha as greedy for the Hokage position."
"You Uchiha are greedy for Hokage's position."
"We, the Uchiha, are one of the founding families of Konoha! We've shed blood for Konoha! We've contributed significantly!"
"You Uchiha are greedy for Hokage's position."
Finally, Kurogane crumbled to the ground. Kazuhiko's words, "The Uchiha are eyeing the Hokage position," silenced all his justifications and excuses.
He stared at Kazuhiko in bewilderment. "Why can't we, the Uchiha, become the Hokage?"
Kazuhiko sighed. "If you have to ask this, I'm disappointed. Do you want me to spell out such a simple truth for you?"
Kurogane assessed himself and finally grasped it. "Yeah, there are no Uchiha at the top, and the villagers below don't harbor much goodwill toward us..."
Kazuhiko nodded with approval and gazed at Kurogane. "It goes beyond that. You've become a thorn in the eyes of many, like Danzo." However, Kazuhiko omitted the last four words; it wouldn't be prudent to alert them unnecessarily.
Kurogane looked at Kazuhiko with mixed emotions. Originally, their group should have perished, but he spared them. However, the one who initially sought their demise was not hated by Kurogane. Instead, his resentment was directed at the higher-ups in Konoha.
Why? Why have we been cast out!?
Seeking answers...
What did we do wrong? We merely had a clash with the Uzumaki clan, and all of us were forsaken.
We've been serving in Konoha tirelessly, patrolling and apprehending every day. We've dedicated so much to Konoha, only to be abandoned for this absurd reason!
Is this truly the Konoha in my heart?!
Witnessing the anger in Kurogane's eyes, Kazuhiko gradually lowered his body and looked at him. "Boy, welcome to the real Konoha, welcome to the true ninja world!
Upon hearing Kazuhiko's words, Kurogane muttered to himself, "Is this the ninja world?"
"Yeah, the ninja world is not just about combat and bloodshed. Uchiha's destiny is destined to fade."
Kurogane looked at Kazuhiko. "Why are you telling me this today?"
"Esteemed Clan Head, you don't strike me as a benevolent leader!"
Kazuhiko smiled, "Indeed, I'm no longer the virtuous type. However, given all I've shared with you today, I trust you can deduce the reasons yourself."
"Should you ever find yourself in perplexity in the future, pay a visit to the Land of Whirlpools. You might uncover unexpected rewards."
With those words, Kazuhiko rose, turned, and departed, leaving Kurogane staring at him with a complex expression.
As for why Kazuhiko intentionally divulged so much to Kurogane, the answer is simple—he aimed to embed a wedge into Konoha.
Why Kurogane? He makes for an ideal candidate. Hailing from the Uchiha clan, he possesses genius nature and potential. Moreover, his intellect, if applied, is formidable. Presently, he harbors resentment towards high-ranking Konoha officials.
Aware of the Uchiha clan's impending crisis, he's fated to seek a resolution. Yet, he can't quell the Uchiha clan's ambition to produce a Hokage, a desire rooted in the time of Uchiha Madara. Kazuhiko knew he couldn't impede it.
His goal is to shield the Uchiha clan. Simultaneously, having uncovered the true nature of Konoha's leadership, he no longer trusts the Will of Fire.
Whichever path he chooses, it's destined to stir up tumult in Konoha once more. Kazuhiko believes that when the time comes, Kurogane will seek him out, allowing his true plan to unfold.
For instance, luring the Uchiha clan to the Land of Whirlpools!
While the odds may seem slim at present, Kazuhiko has successfully planted a seed, and who can predict the future?
The crucial aspect is that even in failure, there's little to lose, merely a matter of time.
"Let's proceed; next stop, the Sarutobi clan, to visit the recently awakened Third Hokage! I wonder if they've learned of the numerous casualties in the Sarutobi clan and will shun us when we arrive..."
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