Chapter 197

Kaito's agreement to participate isn't particularly surprising. The outbreak of this war, to be honest, is somewhat unexpected.

Yet, regardless, it's also a symbolic event marking Kaito's impact in shifting the progression of the ninja world! For him, despite the significant changes in the ninja world, and many things possibly not following the original course of events, Kaito's presence has already altered much.

After all, Kaito, as a member of the Flower Household from his past life, truly cannot comprehend a place with a similar history, similar culture, and essentially the same language.

Yet, astonishingly, it's divided into five major nations, with the needs of each giving rise to over ten smaller countries!

He doesn't understand this division, but he knows that his best move is to level them all and then establish a unified ninja realm.

Of course, Kaito never denies that he acts in his own interest.

Especially since he's bound by the system to the entire Uchiha clan. How then to ensure the safety of the Uchiha? Naturally, the larger the territory and the stronger the ninja power, the safer the Uchiha can be within.

From the beginning, even before Kaito eliminated Sarutobi Hiruzen and the others, he had already been scheming about Konoha.

After he dealt with Danzo, he started pondering the entirety of the Fire Country. Once he thoroughly resolved the Third Hokage and the others, he began to consider the entire ninja world.

Though his thinking and methods might be extreme, even somewhat underhanded, it's all relative to his personal perspective.

If he succeeds, he would be the one who integrated the entire ninja world, genuinely creating peace.

"Who knows, decades from now, it might be my face printed on the currency of this ninja nation!"

Kaito wasn't joking with Jiraiya about this. He's been serious about it from the start, although his initial idea was to start with the smaller countries.

Until now, there hasn't been a suitable, logical reason allowing him to boldly venture into these small nations.

Of course, he could always learn from past experiences, such as gradually entering smaller countries through aid.

"You don't have proper roads for merchants to circulate? No problem, Konoha can fund their construction."

"You don't have enough resources to establish your own ninja village? No worries, Konoha can finance your build."

You lack enough ninjas to operate your village? No worries, Konoha can provide the manpower and effort to train for you.

Any challenges you face, Konoha can step in to assist!

But if you can't repay in cash, no worries either. Let Konoha have a share in your mining resources.

Konoha can use your ports for free, and goods from Konoha can be tax-exempt or enter your markets with low taxes. Isn't that a win-win?

You could say that this is gradually nibbling away at these smaller nations. And don't forget, the ninja village was built with Konoha's help, and the ninjas were trained by Konoha.

In time, all Kaito has to do is get a bit tough, subtly indoctrinating them with Konoha's ideology during training. Ensure these foreign ninjas identify with Konoha from a young age.

Then, wouldn't everything here, except legally, belong to Konoha?

But such actions are time-consuming, energy-draining, and expensive!

Money is crucial. Currently, Konoha itself is financially strapped due to reforms. How can it even aid others?

To achieve what Kaito envisions would take at least five years!

But in five years, perhaps the Fourth Ninja War might break out. Would all these efforts still matter then?

Thus, with limited time, the 'rabbit's method' is unfeasible. But the 'hawk's method' might work—force your way in through sheer might.

Yet, this could incite massive resistance. Kaito would undoubtedly have to intensify propaganda and education while deploying troops to eliminate the rebels.

This will drain resources and manpower, but it might be better than whittling away slowly?

However, at this moment, Iwagakure suddenly declared war, which is, ironically, good news for Kaito.

He can directly act against some regions now, like the Grass Country, which is undoubtedly Kaito's target!

And by showcasing overwhelming strength on the battlefield, making Iwagakure taste the bitter fruits of the Third War,

Then, with the momentum of a victorious nation, Konoha can, under the pretext of security, directly enter the Tea and Hot Water Countries.

If Iwagakure has fallen, and Sunagakure, for now, is still an ally of Konoha, as long as Konoha doesn't make a move on the River Country, they wouldn't act recklessly.

"The primary concern is Kumogakure; that village is full of lunatics."

"Indeed, Kumogakure is a troubling entity. They suffered the least in the Third War — losing only the Third Raikage in their elite ranks."

They initially went to war with only a little over a thousand troops and had fewer confrontations with Konoha, primarily it was just the A-B combo having a tough fight with Namikaze Minato.

Had it not been for that, they wouldn't have had the audacity to trouble Konoha years ago.

Now that Konoha is once again clashing with Iwagakure, it's hard to say if they won't intervene. And whom they'd target is not so easily predicted.

Kumogakure holds a grudge against Iwagakure because of the incident with the Third Raikage, and their relations with Konoha are sour due to the Hyuga incident.

"If they were to step in, maybe Konoha and Iwagakure would cease fire and turn against them instead."

Kaito suddenly thought, hoping that the madcap Kumogakure would genuinely intervene, but still, it's essential to be cautious.

As for Kirigakure, whose relations with Konoha are perpetually poor, Kaito didn't care much.

Kirigakure has suffered enough under Tobi's hand, so much so that they don't even have a Kage now. Everything is under the control of the elder named Genma.

Even if their relations with Konoha are terrible, they might not necessarily intervene at this time.

"So, overall, the situation isn't bad, just need to control the scale of this battle!"

Kaito thought silently, but as he returned to the Uchiha clan, a figure ran up to him.

"Sensei!"

Without even looking carefully, Kaito knew it was Sasuke, after all, within the entire Uchiha clan, he only had Sasuke as a disciple.

To be honest, he felt he owed Sasuke. Until now, he hadn't seriously instructed Sasuke in anything.

He mostly let Sasuke grow independently, letting him spar with Karin and Naruto.

Ever since Jiraiya agreed to take Naruto in, Naruto would come by whenever he had time.

After Jiraiya adopted Naruto, and he got along well with children from major clans, he frequently visited the Uchiha clan.

The villagers' attitudes towards him began to change for the better. One could say Naruto's life now is much improved.

And with everything going well, Naruto's progress was swift. This meant that whenever Sasuke sparred with him, Sasuke often found himself losing.

Sasuke genuinely couldn't accept this, but there wasn't much he could do about it. After all, Naruto had the careful guidance of Jiraiya.

"Sasuke, what are you doing here?" Kaito greeted Sasuke with a smile and a nod before asking curiously.

"Sensei, I've come to ask for your consent regarding a matter."

Sasuke knelt on one knee, looking earnestly at Kaito, before slowly voicing his request.

"I want to join this war!"

Kaito looked strangely at Sasuke, finding it hard to believe. Was Sasuke really so brave to voluntarily join the battlefield? Kaito couldn't quite comprehend this desire, as war wasn't child's play.

Especially on the battlefield, no one cares about your identity. Any jutsu, a single kunai, or even a single shuriken could take your life in an instant.

However, after contemplating it for a moment, Kaito seemed to grasp Sasuke's intent.

Sasuke appeared to have some training injuries. It was evident that he had been pushing himself hard. While he might not reach the prowess of the original, he wasn't any less diligent than Kaito and Shisui in their younger days.

Kaito had even heard from Shisui that Sasuke rigorously trained his physical stamina daily, aiming to be better prepared for the battlefield's demands. It's no simple task. Only those who've experienced how tedious physical training can be truly understand.

Not everyone is like Might Guy, whose sheer passion makes even the most mundane training feel exhilarating, and fully commits to every exercise. And Might Guy's strength and skill can't be simply defined by his Eight Inner Gates. Even without his taijutsu, his level is top-notch.

Sasuke's perseverance is due to adhering to Kaito's teachings and external pressures.

Karin, the little devil, has slowly adapted to Uchiha life and has frequent interactions with both Naruto and Sasuke. The girl's progress in her skills is impressive, naturally pressuring Sasuke.

Not only Karin, but Naruto has also been a motivating factor for Sasuke. Previously, Naruto was all guts and no skills. But now, under Jiraiya's guidance, Naruto's growth is rapid, making Sasuke envious and concerned.

Moreover, there's always someone on Sasuke's mind. He had heard that at his age, that person's strength was already extraordinary.

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