Konoha, Hokage's Office.
"A Land of Fire, with two voices! The Daimyo and the Hokage. But what if they disagree and argue, Kakashi, do you know what this means?"
"It means division!" Uchiha Yoru said angrily, discussing this topic.
"One, powerless as a bound chicken, merely a legacy passed down for a millennium, leading the world to believe that the Daimyo is a supreme existence, higher even than the ninja villages. It's all just a trick to deceive the world."
"The Daimyo, a common man, holds the power that should belong to the Kage, even fooling the common people into seeing the Daimyo as the offspring of deities."
Uchiha Yoru, speaking thus, coldly stood up and gazed out the window, said solemnly, "There should be only one throne in the heavens, and peace does not allow for division."
"For reform, we need to consider more opinions. So, in policy-making, I will call you all to discuss beforehand, then make a decision. But what about the Daimyo? Do they really think I am blind to their recent covert actions, or do they think I will tolerate it like the Third did?"
"Kakashi, look at this. This is a plan secretly being concocted between the Daimyo of the Land of Water and the Land of Fire."
A scroll was thrown over. Upon opening it, Kakashi's eyes also showed anger.
This was about cutting funds, similar to what happened in the Land of Wind. The Daimyo cutting funds, do they not need the protection of the ninja villages?
Of course, they do. But after being disappointed by the ninja village, the Daimyo would invest more resources in their own guard, leaving the ninja village to fend for itself.
The Sand Village weakened to the point of needing to obey the Daimyo's whims, due to budget cuts and the terms of surrender after the Third War.
"Kakashi, I recognize the existence of the Daimyo. After all, ninjas wield great power. You can have them protect homes, fight powerful enemies, but to govern? Combined, Mist and Konoha have thousands of ninjas, but how many are capable of governance?"
At this point, Uchiha Yoru shook his head and sighed, "Kakashi, I understand the principle that everyone has their specialty, and I hope you understand too."
"The consequences of opposing voices in a country, and the Daimyo, fooling the world yet powerless themselves, are nothing but charlatans. Yet, their position is critical for governance."
"I don't want to be adversaries with the Daimyo, but I also don't want them to see the ninja village as a mere tool. Ninjas are not tools! The strong will not tolerate humiliation!"
"You've seen the mission about the civil unrest in the Land of Snow."
Faced with Uchiha Yoru suddenly bringing up this mission, Kakashi was puzzled, "Yoru, what do you mean?"
"The Land of Snow's Kazahana Doto has succeeded as the Daimyo. We won't interfere, but for peace, I hope you can bring back Kazahana Koyuki, the daughter of the former Daimyo of the Land of Snow."
"Bring her back?" Kakashi frowned, seemingly catching onto something but not quite grasping the key point.
Uchiha Yoru then smiled, "Yes, Kakashi. Koyuki's identity represents the former Daimyo of the Land of Snow. Her followers naturally include people skilled in governing civilians, as well as a relatively weak force."
"All this, I hope you can negotiate cooperation with Kazahana Koyuki. We all strive for peace. The Konoha will protect Koyuki and these people, without letting them affect the current governance of the Land of Snow."
Instantly, Kakashi realized something and showed a shocked expression.
"Yoru! You plan to take control of Koyuki's force, turning it into a power in your hands, similar to the Daimyo, to govern the civilians!"
Sure enough, as expected of Kakashi, he immediately thought of something. Uchiha Yoru didn't hide anything and started laughing playfully.
"If the Daimyo wants to treat ninjas as tools and enslave them, then what will they do when they find out that they have lost their most reliable means to control the ninjas?"
"Kakashi, we are ninjas, and what I hate the most is the saying that ninjas are tools."
"So, we are for the sake of ninjas! I'm preparing to form the Thirteenth Division, with the First Division being the Zero Division, responsible for leading and managing the team, gathering various elites as the leading division, naturally including teams like the Daimyo's office that can manage civilians."
Uchiha Yoru intends to replace the value of the Daimyo's office. Right now, there are suitable candidates. Under the command of Kazahana Koyuki, there are a group of fallen former Daimyo's confidants, which could become a force in his hands.
The situation in the Land of Snow is clear now. Kazahana Doto has become the Daimyo, and Kazahana Koyuki is the loser, lucky to save her life.
As for those who have fallen from power, some are angrily wanting to regain control, while others are disheartened.
But at this time, if Uchiha Yoru extends an olive branch, it's just a change of place, but it can make them regain great power.
People only realize the beauty of power when they lose it, especially since Kazahana Koyuki is clearly not a wise ruler but a tyrant, and whether she will allow them to live is another matter.
Under the threat of losing their lives, Uchiha Yoru is almost very satisfied with such a situation. The more iron-fisted and brutal you are, the more these people will fear for their lives.
After all, "new lords, new laws" is a principle they understand.
"I understand."
Kakashi nodded seriously, finally understanding why this mission was assigned to him with such importance.
Negotiating with Kazahana Koyuki, bringing Kazahana Koyuki back to Konoha, was all to use this girl's identity to bring the ministers of the former Daimyo of the Land of Snow under his control.
Training domestic talent takes too long. Plundering is the fastest, and they are not plundering, but saving these people from misery.
"Yoru, if it's just for Kazahana Koyuki, I can do it alone, but there are also these ministers, I need some helpers."
This was the first time Kakashi asked for help on a mission. Uchiha Yoru knew the number of targets would definitely be large, with families and quite a number.
"Besides some necessary ninjas, feel free to choose."
Seeing Uchiha Yoru giving such freedom, Kakashi showed a smile, scratching his white hair, and said, "The ANBU ninja Kinoe under the Fifth Hokage and Ao under the Fifth Mizukage."
Uchiha Yoru was even surprised by this request. Kakashi was really enjoying his privileges.
With Yamato, a Wood Release ninja, it means they won't have to rough it on the journey. And taking Ao from Mist is for balance.
Kakashi truly has a political mind.
Uchiha Yoru smiled and nodded, "Okay, I agree, but this Wood Release ninja has a new name, Yamato. Don't get it wrong in the future."
"At the same time, a ninja team will be arranged at the border for support, after all, entering another country, we can't have too many ninjas."
"Yes!"
Kakashi, seeing that he got what he wanted, narrowed his eyes behind his mask into crescent moons, looking even more lazy.
"Go, complete the mission as soon as possible, and remember to keep it secret."
"Yes!"
…
Uchiha Clan Grounds.
"Sasuke, you big dummy, haha, I, Uzumaki Naruto, am going to be the future Sixth Hokage."
At this time, within the clan grounds, Uchiha Sasuke and Uzumaki Naruto, the two seemed to have a natural resonance with each other, leaving an indelible impression in each other's hearts from the first glance.
"Dummy Naruto."
Sasuke, with his tsundere attitude, huffs coldly, but his eyes clearly show concern.
It turns out the two were playing a ninja game, and Sasuke was a bit scared when he nearly got hurt, while Naruto burst into unrestrained laughter.
Underneath this playful scene, in the neighboring house, Jiraiya with his white hair shakes his head as he watches the two in the courtyard through the window.
"Naruto, this brat, really doesn't resemble the Fourth at all."
After accepting the responsibilities of the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, he was naturally brought to the Uchiha Clan grounds. Even though weapons cannot harm him, he shouldn't neglect them.
In case others take advantage, even if they can't hurt him, it could still cause trouble.
Jiraiya and Uchiha Yoru are sitting cross-legged, each sipping tea, but Jiraiya's face shows a hint of helplessness.
Seeing this, Uchiha Yoru can't help but laugh and shake his head, "Lord Jiraiya, you don't need to look at me like that. Though I'm now a politician, don't compare me with the Third and others. I promised you, and I won't go back on my word."
Hearing Uchiha Yoru's words, Jiraiya is shocked, then a sense of admiration arises in his heart. Such magnanimity is indeed unmatched by the old men.
"You, brat, I, Jiraiya, admire you."
For the first time, Jiraiya sincerely expresses his admiration. The courage and boldness of this young man are indeed rare in the world.
"I'm planning to publicly reveal Naruto's identity in a few days. Also, these are documents of the Fourth Hokage's assets. See if there's anything missing that needs to be supplemented."
Looking at the scroll thrown by Uchiha Yoru, Jiraiya is truly moved. This brat is serious; otherwise, he wouldn't have prepared so thoroughly.
Uchiha Yoru shakes his head and sighs, "After the Fourth Hokage Minato passed away, his assets were used for the village's development. The house and various ninjutsu materials, I can't retrieve them for you. As for finances, it's better, at least there are some savings. I'll allocate these from within the Uchiha clan."
"At the same time, I agree with you teaching Naruto various ninjutsu, even the Fourth's S-rank forbidden jutsu Flying Thunder God. If you need, I can transcribe a copy from the sealing techniques."
Having come this far, if he is to give, then he'll do it generously. The Fourth's assets were confiscated by others, but I'm different. The ninjutsu the Fourth had, I can give to his offspring.
This scene makes Jiraiya secretly mutter to himself, noting the difference in perspective. If it were up to the old men, they wouldn't even allow the teaching of simple ninjutsu, let alone the Flying Thunder God.
Despite the difference in power, it's also a comparison of the magnanimity and perspective of both sides.
Without comparison, it's fine, but once compared, it's like comparing goods to be discarded.
"You, brat." Jiraiya puts away the scroll, laughing and scolding.
"Naruto, this little guy is still so young, yet S-rank. Let's wait until he can control his chakra, start by learning the Fourth's Rasengan first."
Since he's been so generous, Jiraiya naturally isn't unappreciative. This almost indicates that he will report any ninjutsu he teaches Naruto to the village and you.
After all, Naruto's identity is not only the Fourth Hokage's descendant but also the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.
"Jiraiya, these are the documents of the Akatsuki organization. This mysterious organization once tried to recruit Orochimaru, but he refused, revealing some clues."
"The perpetrator of the Nine-Tails' attack, a masked ninja with Mangekyo Sharingan and Wood Release, is in this organization, and moreover!"
At this point, Uchiha Yoru's expression became increasingly solemn as he suppressedly said: "Top secret information, this organization possesses the Rinnegan! The leader is known as Pain, also a holder of the Rinnegan. It seems that this organization is plotting some major conspiracy."
"I suspect their ultimate goal is the tailed beasts of the major ninja villages. The disappearance of the Three-Tails was the doing of the masked man, and the Six-Tails must be as well."
"Tailed beasts! Rinnegan!"
At this moment, Jiraiya showed a look of shock. He remembered the three children he encountered in the Land of Rain years ago. But now, the Rinnegan is in the hands of this so-called Pain.
So, did something happen to those three children back then, causing their eyes to end up with this so-called Pain?
As Jiraiya's mind buzzed, Uchiha Yoru's next words left him dumbfounded and beginning to doubt his life.
"Jiraiya, I want you to be careful with Naruto! There is something wrong with him!"
"No way! How could there be something wrong with Naruto?" At this point, Jiraiya was shocked beyond belief. The Rinnegan had already thrown him into disarray, and now there was something wrong with Naruto? Isn't the blond kid outside still fine?
Looking at Jiraiya, Uchiha Yoru's expression was solemn, his eyes deeper than ever. After a long while, he finally said softly: "Jiraiya, haven't you really noticed? The mental issues with Naruto."
"This is the information on Uzumaki Naruto over the years. Under such circumstances, this kid has not harbor any resentment. Don't rush to refute me. Everyone has emotions and desires. Of course, this includes the Third Hokage's methods to control Naruto. Can you deny that?"
With one sentence, Jiraiya was left speechless. Naturally, the Third Hokage would have some tricks up his sleeve. How else could he control the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki? It's inevitable.
A powerful Jinchuriki must be used for the village.
"At first, I thought that Uzumaki Naruto's big nerves and hot-blooded idiotic character were all the Third Hokage's doing. After all, a Jinchuriki full of hope for the village is indeed the Third Hokage's method. But after careful observation, I found the problem!"
"The Third Hokage doesn't have this ability! Or rather, not even you or I have it!"
Uchiha Yoru solemnly dropped a bombshell, leaving Jiraiya's head buzzing. Does Naruto have a mental problem?
"This book, Shisui, and I have all taught Naruto word for word. You should know the Third Hokage's methods, and mine. But I found that Uzumaki Naruto seemed to be under a genjutsu in his soul."
"I even secretly tested it." Seeing Jiraiya's ugly expression, Uchiha Yoru lowered his voice and whispered cautiously: "Under Shisui's Kotoamatsukami, the influence on Naruto was minimal, even disappearing the next day along with all negative effects."
"The problem, apart from something being wrong with his soul, I can't think of any other reason. Who would make a child so unwaveringly believe that peace cannot be separated from love, that mutual understanding is the key to peace?"
"Jiraiya, this is reality. Such a hollow ideal, do you think it resembles the novels you write, with a protagonist whose soul is always so unwavering?"
Unbeknownst to him, upon hearing this, Jiraiya gave it some thought and broke out in a cold sweat. Indeed! There might really be something wrong with the child Naruto. What eight-year-old child has such firm convictions? A genjutsu that can manipulate even Kage-level ninjas seems ineffective here?
~~~
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