Chapter 126

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"Yoichi-sama!"

This time, upon Yoichi's return to the clan's resting camp, he was met with gazes from his clansmen, thrice as fervent as before.

Previously, the clansmen respected Yoichi for the benefits he provided and his formidable strength shown during the Konoha-Kumo battles.

Now, their admiration came from the depths of their hearts, as he had unleashed the Uchiha clan's ultimate power.

The Mangekyō Sharingan was legendary within the Uchiha clan. Since Madara's death, it had been ages since any clansman had activated the Mangekyō Sharingan. Yet today, they witnessed its awakening in Yoichi.

"How are our people?"

"Seven have fallen. The final counterattack by the Cloud ninja was fierce; they were responsible for holding off the enemy."

Even though Konoha had the upper hand in the situation, the Cloud ninja were not to be underestimated. Their desperate counterattacks could still inflict significant casualties on Konoha.

"Don't worry, their families will be well compensated," Yoichi reassured, as his clansmen nodded without saying much, accepting the harsh realities of the battlefield, not like fresh academy graduates.

"Yoichi-sama, you have truly elevated the Uchiha's name this time!"

"Don't worry, the Uchiha will eventually become the first great clan of the ninja world."

Yoichi said with a smile, then instructed them to prepare for their return, except for those staying at the border to build ninja outposts; the rest were to return to Konoha.

They fought as a family, and none were left behind.

Returning to his tent, Yugito still wore a face filled with deep resentment, but she seemed somewhat desperate now, having just learned that the son of the Third Raikage, Ai, had been captured, making her feel like she couldn't return.

With the Cloud ninja defeated, the chances of negotiating her return through peaceful means became even slimmer.

Five days later, Sakumo had arranged everything. He dispatched ninja to the Land of Hot Water to survey the area, confirming that the Cloud ninja had completely withdrawn and had them submit a defeat document before releasing Ai.

The wound on Ai's chest had been treated, though it would leave a scar. Before leaving, Ai didn't say a word, likely ingraining this humiliating experience deeply within himself.

The border now had enough ninja for surveillance and defense, and soon Sakumo led a large group of ninja back to the village.

The ninjas traveled quickly; it didn't take a day from the Fire Country's border to the village. However, if there were trains, the ninja could save a lot of strength and chakra.

Upon returning to Konoha, the returning ninja were warmly welcomed by the village. The Konoha high command, to boost the village's morale, extensively publicized the defeat of the Cloud ninja on the eastern front throughout the village.

Now all the villagers knew their village had defeated the invaders and protected their homeland. The returning ninja could truly be called heroes of Konoha.

Both Sakumo and Yoichi, renowned ninjas, received particularly enthusiastic receptions, with villagers and fellow ninja cheering loudly upon seeing these famous figures.

Yoichi approached Sakumo and asked, "Sakumo-senpai, are we heading to the Hokage's building now?"

Sakumo nodded and said, "Yes, we need to give a post-war report. I believe all the Jōnin are already there; we can head straight over."

"Understood."

Yoichi then called over two Uchiha clansmen and instructed, "Kanta-kun, Kōki-kun, please take care of Yugito. After you bring her to my house, just watch over her for a while. Except for Elder Kenji's people, don't bother with anyone else."

"Yes, Yoichi-sama!"

As Kanta had just finished speaking, two members of the ANBU appeared beside Yoichi using the Body Flicker Technique, then said to him, "Uchiha Yoichi, the Hokage orders that the Two-Tails Jinchūriki be placed under the surveillance of the ANBU."

However, Yoichi paid no attention to these two, continuing to speak to Uchiha Kanta, "If someone tries to take Yugito away, arrest them for espionage. If there are too many spies, inform Masato-senpai and Yokogawa-senpai."

"Yes, Yoichi-sama!"

Kanta responded decisively, then left with Yugito; the ANBU, seemingly having received another order upon hearing Yoichi's instructions, also departed.

"Yoichi-kun."

Sakumo sighed helplessly, knowing Yoichi well enough to understand that he wouldn't compromise, potentially widening the rift between him and the village.

But he also knew that Yoichi, despite his personal ambitions, had never acted against the village's interests, often protecting it instead.

"Sakumo-senpai, do you think I would act against the village?" Yoichi suddenly asked.

"No, you might have your personal motives, but all your actions have protected the village," Sakumo replied, half-jokingly adding, "I might not have the Sharingan, but I'm pretty good at reading people."

"Indeed, but the high command won't see it that way. They've inherited the Second Hokage's views, perhaps even disliking the Uchiha more than he did. They know I've activated the Mangekyō; in their eyes, they'll only care about the threat it poses, similar to when Madara controlled the Nine-Tails to attack the village."

Yoichi's voice was low, audible only to Sakumo walking beside him.

"The Uchiha will always be viewed through the lens of Madara's actions, even though the Uchiha clan has renounced him. As long as they hold on to the Second Hokage's narrow-minded views, that won't change. So, Sakumo-senpai, are you free tomorrow?"

"Huh?"

Sakumo paused, his thoughts momentarily lagging before he realized Yoichi was inviting him out. He smiled and said, "Yes, Yoichi-kun, you're welcome to come over. My red bean soup isn't bad either."

Yoichi's expression changed slightly, and he quickly said, "I like sweets, no need to add chili."

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Arriving at the Hokage's building, just as Sakumo had said, all the Jōnin from the village were already there.

They were the last batch to arrive from the battlefield.

"Sakumo-kun and Yoichi-kun, please have a seat," said Hiruzen, his expression unchanging as if the ANBU's earlier denial to take the Two-Tails Jinchūriki hadn't been his doing.

There were still a few seats empty at the front, so Sakumo and Yoichi took their places there; while Sakumo sat in the standard kneeling position, Yoichi casually crossed his legs, not accustomed to the uncomfortable formalities due to a leg injury.

"The message scroll was quite brief; Sakumo-kun, could you elaborate on what happened on the battlefield?"

"Of course, Third-sama."

Then, Sakumo began detailing the events on the eastern front, having prepared thoroughly before their return. He described everything that had happened since the war began, including Yoichi's achievements, capturing intelligence, and killing two to three hundred Cloud ninja.

This record of achievement made all the Jōnin take notice, fully justifying Yoichi's title as the "Grim Reaper"

Especially noteworthy was Yoichi's activation of the Mangekyō and his use of Susanoo to hold off the Eight-Tails, ultimately capturing Ai from the A+B Combo, who was slated to be the next Fourth Raikage.

It could be said that the eastern front was largely brought to an end by Yoichi's efforts alone; he was the primary contributor to the victory.

After Sakumo finished his report, Hiruzen nodded and said, "Thank you for your efforts; this quick end to the battle spared us much in terms of resources and casualties."

Sakumo responded, "This is what Konoha ninja are meant to do, Third-sama."

However, Koharu suddenly spoke up, "You shouldn't have let the Cloud ninja surrender at that time; the village should have taken over. Now, apart from a surrender document, we have nothing, and knowing the nature of those Cloud ninja, the effect of this defeat document won't last long."

"Advisor Koharu, there was no choice at that time. Yoichi-kun was barely able to fight again, the Third Raikage was difficult to handle, the Cloud ninja forces were already mobilizing, and most importantly, the Eight-Tails Jinchūriki was unharmed," Sakumo explained, now realizing the village high command's attitude towards the Uchiha.

There had indeed been unfavorable actions in the past, but at that time, it seemed only Danzō held that view. However, it now appeared that the other two advisors and even the Third Hokage had similar views to some extent.

"If we hadn't let the Cloud ninja retreat, we might have ended up in a mutually destructive battle or been dragged down by them; there was no other choice."

Sakumo concluded, not knowing at the time that Yoichi still had Nine-Tails chakra, and thinking that was the inevitable outcome, hence why he left the decision-making to Yoichi on the battlefield.

In his view, having the Cloud ninja retreat and admit defeat was the best option at the time.

"The decisions made by Yoichi-kun and Sakumo-kun at the time were not wrong; since the war ended in victory, let's not discuss other matters," Hiruzen interrupted Koharu, then added, "Thank you for your hard work; the ninja returning from the eastern front should rest for a while, and their achievements will be recorded."

"If there's nothing else, let's conclude today's meeting."

Hiruzen didn't bring up the matter of the Kikyo Castle battlefield, where Jiraiya and Minato, his disciple and grandson, were involved, but the progress there was nowhere near as quick as in the Land of Hot Water, only highlighting Sakumo's wisdom and Yoichi's strength.

As the Jōnin meeting dispersed, Yoichi didn't expect Hiruzen to dissolve the meeting so quickly; he had thought Hiruzen would raise the issue of the Two-Tails Jinchūriki.

After the meeting, Yoichi greeted Sakumo as he left the Hokage's building and headed towards the Uchiha district.

Several Uchiha clansmen, all from the warrior faction, automatically followed Yoichi after leaving the Hokage's building.

Following the strong is a common trait among most Uchiha clansmen. Previously, Yoichi had earned the moniker "Konoha's Raijin" and now, with his victory in the war after activating the Mangekyō, he was poised to lead the warrior faction.

Now, he planned to visit Kenji's house first to discuss the upcoming election for the clan chief.

Military achievements, renown, the welfare of the Uchiha clansmen, and personal strength—Yoichi had it all, except perhaps his relatively young age.

But that was hardly an issue; he had performed flawlessly in all other aspects, so why dwell on this one point?

Yoichi intended to call for a new election for clan chief at the next clan meeting. With the positions of clan chief and head of the guard squad, he could accomplish much within the clan.

Fugaku and some Uchiha Jōnin from the peace faction also attended this Jōnin meeting, but Yoichi made no gesture of greeting towards Fugaku, the current clan chief, which visibly upset him.

"Let's head back, clan chief," Hachidai advised. There was nothing they could do; once the news of Yoichi activating the Mangekyō spread, even more clansmen would support him, including those from the peace faction.

This was the Uchiha's ultimate Dōjutsu, a symbol of divine power within the clan.

And now Yoichi had openly expressed his desire for the clan chief position, making it even harder for Fugaku; thinking this, Hachidai couldn't help but sigh internally.

It wasn't that Fugaku lacked ability, but his opponent was simply too strong. Like a mission assignment looking for a ninja: although a Chūnin might suffice, who would choose a Chūnin if a Jōnin or Kage-level ninja was available?

"I understand, Hachidai-senpai."

Fugaku sensed what he was up against, but he wasn't willing to relinquish his position without a fight. He hadn't done anything wrong; why should he be ousted?

He was chosen by these same clansmen, and now they were the ones pushing him out? Why? It wasn't fair.

Although Fugaku was deeply frustrated, feeling like there was a fire inside him that he couldn't vent, he knew he couldn't compete against the Mangekyō Sharingan and Yoichi's accomplishments.

Feeling upset, as if harboring an unexpressed fury.

After leaving the Hokage's building, Fugaku wasn't even sure where to go; the guard squad wasn't particularly busy at the moment, and there wasn't much to do at home.

"Today, I'll go back and oversee Itachi's training, and spend some time with Mikoto."

Fugaku suddenly remembered that he hadn't spent time with his family in a while. Itachi was also planning to train to become a ninja, although he was not yet three years old and still in the basic stages of learning to read.

When Fugaku arrived home, he saw Mikoto at the doorway, wearing thick-heeled high shoes, preparing to leave.

"Where are you going, Mikoto?" Fugaku asked immediately.

"Fugaku, you're back? Yoichi just called me to report on the affairs of the past three months, as there's a lot that needs signing, so I must handle it today," Mikoto replied, slightly startled by Fugaku's sudden return, but maintaining a calm demeanor.

"Is that so? Hmm, that guy comes back and starts ordering people around. Go on, Mikoto," Fugaku nodded, his disdain for that 'troublemaker' growing as he saw Yoichi calling his wife away.

However, after coming in, Fugaku suddenly recalled seeing Mikoto wearing makeup. Was that lipstick?

"Clan chief, you're back. Would you like to eat?" Yuzuki walked out of the kitchen and said with a smile, "I just finished cooking. I'll call Mikoto-sama and Itachi-kun."

"Just call Itachi; Mikoto just left to handle some business," Fugaku replied, but Yuzuki paused upon hearing this, nodding and saying, "Alright, then I'll call Itachi-kun."

Wasn't Mikoto-sama just talking with her a moment ago? Did someone come looking for Mikoto-sama?

(End of Chapter)