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HSU: Ch. 24
🕑 Added 2024-11-27 17:59:41 +0000 UTCEven though they possess chakra and the mysterious abilities of ninjutsu, the world of shinobi wasn't purely about fighting and killing; human relationships were actually the main theme.
Flowers needed to bloom, trees needed to bear fruit, and people needed to express themselves.
Often, shinobi actually survived by their words. The sharpest kunai wasn't always the one made of steel.
Kumika was an experienced shinobi, and she wasn't influenced by Konoha's original political environment.
Smart move, Masashi noted. Using small pieces of information to build trust while staying detached from village politics.
Joining the ANBU didn't mean severing her ties with him, so when they met again over a meal, she naturally rekindled their connection.
Through what seemed like an insignificant piece of information, she shifted their relationship from a victor and spoils dynamic toward a friendship.
Or perhaps she was just lucky to encounter Masashi. With any other Uchiha, she might have been killed on the spot.
This was because the traditional Uchiha clan operated on intimidation and dominance.
Their approach to outsiders followed a questionable script: Provoke with arrogance, destabilize with emotional manipulation, and demand rather than negotiate.
A conversation would typically end not with an exchange, but with a threat: 'Just hand it over!'
Masashi was different. He followed what the clan would have scorned as weak: Stay calm, communicate clearly, maintain emotional stability, and ensure fair exchange.
So Kumika was indeed fortunate. A typical Uchiha jonin would have followed the clan's way—enraging her with words, subduing her with the Sharingan, breaking her mind with genjutsu, and finally using fire to reduce her to ashes, keeping only her head as proof of the kill.
Masashi felt this was a case of kindness being repaid with kindness.
Kumika thought she was strengthening their relationship, but to Masashi, she had actually provided valuable intelligence.
Since the Third Mizukage, Kiri has been under the influence of Madara, which explains the strange decision to seal the Three-Tails within a Konoha shinobi.
But by the Fourth Mizukage's time, this perfect jinchuriki would be countered by the Mangekyō Sharingan, tearing down the last facade.
As Madara's best tool for Obito, Kiri's delegation wasn't here with good intentions.
Yet such crucial information hadn't reached the Uchiha clan, who were in charge of police work, showing that the Hokage's attitude toward the Uchiha hadn't changed at all.
While the matter itself might be trivial, the principle remained.
Perhaps Minato was unaware of this, but unconscious actions often revealed one's fundamental attitude.
If the basic attitude hadn't changed, then the relationship between the Uchiha clan and the Hokage's office wouldn't change either.
There was no longer any right or wrong between them; to break the deadlock, one side would have to yield first. But now, as point met point, it could only end in an endless clash.
And Masashi wouldn't take the Hokage's side.
Thus, the plan had to change—protecting the Fourth Hokage and the current jinchuriki was no longer the top priority.
He wasn't disappointed; after all, his goal was never the people in the Hokage's office.
---
Days later, the Uchiha clan finally received a notification from the Hokage's office that a delegation from Kiri was about to visit.
The messenger was Dōtō from the Akimichi clan. When this plump shinobi arrived, he was all smiles.
Before delivering the Hokage's message, Dōtō even joked and laughed with Uchiha jonin.
The Akimichi clan was strong even back in the Warring States Period, known for their destructive power. Dōtō was a staunch supporter of the Fourth Hokage and had served in Minato's team during the Third Great Ninja War.
Thus, the Uchiha clan treated him with respect. The clan head, Fugaku, personally received him, with all the jonin present.
"Ah, Fugaku! Still as formal as ever, I see," he called out warmly.
"Some traditions are worth maintaining," Fugaku responded.
However, when he conveyed the message, the entire Uchiha clan fell silent. But no one asked the foolish question, "Why are you only telling us now?"
During Hashirama's era, the Uchiha had decision-making power.
In Tobirama's era, they had advisory rights.
But during Sarutobi's era, the Uchiha became mere executors.
When the Fourth Hokage assumed power, the Uchiha had high hopes, but now it seemed like merely an extension of the Sarutobi era.
What was there left to say?
In light of this, the smile on Dōtō's face faded as he realized that something might have happened, something that Minato might have overlooked.
In the past, the Uchiha often responded to messages from the Hokage's office with silence, but this time, the silence was particularly unsettling.
"Fugaku?" he asked tentatively, "Is something wrong? If there's anything I can help with…"
Some bridges can't be rebuilt with mere words, Fugaku thought bitterly. "No, nothing," he forced a smile at Dōtō. "It just came rather suddenly."
Dōtō had been a comrade in arms, and Fugaku knew his personality well; there was no need to direct his emotions toward him.
The Akimichi clan had gentle and loyal members, and even the stoic Uchiha found their company pleasant.
In the past, they might have muttered sarcastic remarks under such circumstances, but now, the Uchiha no longer behaved that way.
Masashi had, after all, injected something new into the clan.
A powerful Uchiha often, whether actively or passively, became a role model, influencing others' actions.
Shisui was no exception.
"Alright, then I'll go report back." Dōtō nodded, but as he was leaving, he couldn't resist turning back. "Fugaku, if anything happens, don't hold it in; we're all here, and Minato is Hokage now."
"Don't worry, it's not that serious." Fugaku sighed to himself, rising from the tatami mat to walk Dōtō out. "Report back; I'll see you off."
The Uchiha watched in silence as Dōtō's figure faded from view.
The air was heavy, as if a storm was about to break.
"It's good," Masashi suddenly said. "Don't you think so?"
Everyone turned to look at him. Some looked pensive, while others were holding their anger back.
"Masashi-nii? What do you mean?" Shisui asked.
"We shouldn't expect anything, so why feel disappointed?" Masashi looked at them all. "Is everything we've worked for really just for that building? The Akimichi clan may be kind, but they aren't pushovers. In the past, they wouldn't have spoken like that."
The anger in many eyes began to fade, with some quickly understanding Masashi's intent.
"Think of how many people live in that building, and how many live in Konoha. Which matters more?" Masashi continued, standing up. "I may be young and a bit blunt, but I think that if one shinobi clan must fall, it won't be the Uchiha."
---
The Kiri envoy arrived at Konoha, drawing the attention of various parties
Looking at the large gate ahead, Fuguki, the leader of this envoy and a high-ranking representative of Kiri, felt a chill in his heart.
He was convinced he had been exposed.
During the Third Great Ninja War, the decisions made by the Third Mizukage had left him unsettled. The Mizukage's battle strategies against Konoha seemed plausible yet strangely inconsistent.
At the time, however, with the Seven Ninja Swordsmen around, he hadn't given it much thought.
Then he'd nearly been killed by that freak, saved only by his blade, Samehada. Otherwise, it would've been the end.
It was rumored that the monster was dead, or he wouldn't have dared return to Konoha. If he were alive and spotted him…
Fuguki shuddered, envisioning himself beaten to death by that monster.
"Fuguki-san," came a voice from behind him. "The Konoha ninjas are here."
"Hm." Fuguki nodded, glancing back at the figure concealed entirely in a cloak.
About a month ago, the Mizukage had suddenly shifted his policy and started aligning himself with the old ways of the Third Mizukage.
Although it hadn't been officially announced yet, the revival of the Bloody Mist was already inevitable.
This cloaked figure had frequently appeared by Yagura's side during that time. Now he had joined the envoy as well. Although he hadn't done much on the journey, Fuguki saw him as Yagura's eyes on him.
But why would the Kazekage feel the need to monitor a former close confidant like himself?
It seemed Yagura had noticed his own cautious actions after he began to suspect something was wrong with him.
A few months ago, it had felt like Kiri was returning to prosperity. Yagura had become a perfect Jinchuriki, revered by all within Kiri. With loyal veterans like Ao, Genji, and Konbei supporting him from above while rising talents like Zabuza, and Mangetsu stood ready to inherit the legacy.
He thought things would improve beyond what they'd been in the past. But that dream crumbled when Yagura changed overnight.
Now, former allies turned on each other under the pressures of power, and the war within Kiri had already begun. All hopes and aspirations began with the Bloody Mist, and they would end there too.
For the sake of the village, I'm willing to do whatever it takes! Fuguki took a bold step toward the gates, followed closely by the rest of the delegation.
This guy, he's definitely up to something.
Hidden beneath the robe and mask, Obito stared at the figure ahead, his heart burning with murderous intent.
However, as the familiar gates came into view, his emotions calmed.
For a brief moment, he felt the urge to visit that small yard that had once given him boundless warmth.
No. That life is gone. Focus on the mission.
Then he noticed the Konoha ninja dressed in green vests. Leading them was Shikaku.
He approached Fuguki, extending his hand in welcome.
"Welcome, Fuguki-san."
"Thank you for the trouble." Fuguki extended his hand, shaking Shikaku's. "Forgive my unfamiliarity with the notable figures of your village. May I ask who you are?"
"I am Nara Shikaku. At the Hokage's request, I am in charge of this welcome mission."
"I see. Shikaku-san himself came to greet us," Fuguki responded, so warmly that Shikaku was briefly taken aback.
People from Kiri, this friendly?
The term Bloody Mist made one expect a bloodthirsty disposition, not this warmth.
In truth, it wasn't just Shikaku who was surprised—the entire delegation felt the same way.
"Is this really Fuguki-sama?" one of the Kiri ninja whispered to another.
"Perhaps Konoha's air affects even the strongest of us," came the quiet reply.
Fuguki paid no mind to the reactions of those behind him, scanning the Konoha ninja ahead one by one.
I hope he is really dead. That guy was terrifying!
Back then, he and the other Seven Ninja Swordsmen, handpicked by the Second Mizukage, had formed a force renowned across the entire ninja world.
They were assigned entire battle zones without the need for reinforcements, and yet they'd been nothing more than paper dolls in front of that monster.
And he'd even called himself a genin. Where was the shame in that?
Kiri's Seven Ninja Swordsmen had yet to be reformed since then…
Suddenly, Fuguki heard a gasp from behind him.
A flash of anger appeared on his round face as he turned back. One of the delegates was staring intently ahead.
Following the gaze, Fuguki spotted a young Konoha ninja with a red and white fan emblem on his left arm.
He recognized that symbol as the Uchiha clan's crest.
But so what? This wasn't a battlefield—what's with the overreaction?
"Is there a problem?" Holding back his anger, Fuguki stared at the Kiri ninja.
From the look in his eyes, Shikaku confirmed that this was indeed a Kiri ninja—a fierce gaze was their signature. Now that felt right. Just a moment ago, he'd almost mistaken Fuguki for someone like Chōza.
"Apologies, Fuguki-sama." The Kiri ninja was sweating under Fuguki's glare.
"I asked if there was a problem."
If this wasn't Konoha, Fuguki wouldn't have bothered with words; a slap would've cleared things up.
Even if he didn't trust a single member of this delegation, he would never allow them to disgrace Kiri's honor.
"I believe the issue may be with me," the Uchiha stepped forward. "Seeing an old enemy from the battlefield, I can't help but feel complicated emotions."
"Oh?" Fuguki turned back, the fierceness gone from his eyes. "Ah, I see. Kiri has many talented ninjas, but we cannot compare to the Uchiha. Truly an enviable heritage."
No one in the delegation found Fuguki's remark inappropriate.
Kiri, the shinobi world's last bastion of bloodline purity, was a haven for clan values. The entire delegation was made up of ninja clans from Kiri, with more than half carrying bloodline limits.
"I take pride in my lineage, but a true shinobi transcends their origin. Fuguki-san, there's no need to flatter."
"Haha, they say the Uchiha are very proud, but I see that's not always the case. May I know your name?"
"An undeserved compliment. I am Masashi, fortunate to have fought alongside your village's elite and emerged victorious."
"Masashi…" Fuguki's smile faded abruptly.
Now he understood why that subordinate had lost his composure.
In the Third Great Ninja War, Kiri had lost many to Shisui. But among the clans, another name was equally feared.
This Uchiha's water ninjutsu alone was enough to shatter Kiri shinobi's morale, but the worst part was that he had copied various bloodline techniques from Kiri.
It wasn't just the Yuki clan. Kiri's most promising young talent, Mei, had fallen prey to his shameless mimicry as well.
Since then, bloodline clansmen in Kiri never appeared where he might be, and if they did, they'd rather die than use their bloodline abilities.
"So it was you." Fuguki's emotions were mixed.
This person posed a far greater threat to Kiri than Shisui ever did. The Teleporter took lives; this man took something more valuable.
He didn't have an infamous title, but among Kiri, he had a chilling reputation.
Better to face Shisui the Teleporter than meet the White Ghost.
