Chapter 83: Anomalies
Thanks to his mastery of the Flying Thunder God Technique, Minato Namikaze worked with remarkable efficiency.
After announcing that he was heading out to search for Kakashi and Rin, it took him just three hours from the moment he left the Hokage's office to his return to the Hidden Leaf Village.
The village was just lighting up for the evening.
At that very moment, Uchiha Dali, who was about to leave the Hokage's office and head home, stopped just as he was rising from his chair.
He looked up—and in the next instant, Minato Namikaze appeared before him.
In Minato's arms was an unconscious boy.
With his silver hair, masked face, and injured left eye, it was clear the boy was Kakashi Hatake.
Uchiha Dali narrowed his eyes in confusion as he looked at the unconscious Kakashi.
Minato took the initiative to explain.
"I found him and Rin's body on the battlefield…"
"There were also a large number of Mist Anbu corpses nearby. It looks like they were being brutally hunted down. Kakashi did everything he could."
As he spoke, Minato's brows remained furrowed, his eyes filled with deep thought.
"Something doesn't add up, does it?"
Uchiha Dali's sharp gaze locked onto him, his keen insight unmistakable.
Minato nodded immediately. "It's very strange."
"Some of the Mist Anbu died in very bizarre ways."
"They didn't appear to have been killed by Kakashi, because…"
Minato went on to describe the condition of the Mist Anbu corpses.
Uchiha Dali knew very well that those Mist Anbu hadn't been killed by Kakashi. They had been slaughtered by Uchiha Obito, who had awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan and Wood Release.
But he said nothing—only nodded.
"There's definitely something off. How bad are his injuries?"
"Not too serious. Mostly chakra exhaustion and extreme mental stress. With some rest, he should be fine."
Minato glanced down at Kakashi.
"Who do you think could've attacked those Mist Anbu?"
Uchiha Dali looked at Minato.
"I'm not sure… but if my guess is correct, then…"
Minato's expression turned grim, as if he'd thought of some terrifying possibility.
He raised his eyes and looked at Uchiha Dali.
Then, in a hesitant tone, he asked, "The one known as the 'God of Shinobi,' the First Hokage… You've heard of the powerful Bloodline Limit he possessed, haven't you?"
"You mean Wood Release?"
That was common knowledge—of course Uchiha Dali had heard of it.
Minato nodded immediately. "Based on what I observed, those Mist Anbu may very well have been killed by Wood Release techniques. But I'm not certain…"
After all, he had never personally witnessed the power of Wood Release.
Given Minato's age, he had only ever heard of that Bloodline Limit through rumors.
He could only make an educated guess based on his experience as a ninja.
"If I remember correctly, ever since the First Hokage passed away, no one else in this world has wielded that power, right?"
"Exactly. That's why I think something strange is going on."
Minato nodded again.
"For now, we'll have to wait until Kakashi wakes up. Hopefully, he can give us some answers."
Uchiha Dali glanced once more at the unconscious Kakashi.
"I'll take him to the hospital first. I'll come back and talk to you in detail later."
With that, Minato activated the Flying Thunder God Technique and vanished.
Uchiha Dali, meanwhile, began pondering how to deal with Uchiha Madara—how to eliminate the crisis threatening the shinobi world once and for all.
Now that he was the ruler of the Hidden Leaf, he had to follow through on his words.
He would ensure the Uchiha clan truly became the dominant force of the shinobi world.
…
Uchiha Dali returned to the clan's compound, exhausted.
Suddenly, a large group of clansmen emerged and surrounded him.
The crowd parted.
At the front stood the clan leader, Uchiha Fugaku, personally leading the welcome with thunderous applause.
"To be honest, it still feels like a dream."
"I never imagined that the Uchiha clan would one day become the rulers of the Hidden Leaf Village."
"You're not just a genius, Dali—you're the savior of the Uchiha clan!"
Fugaku couldn't hide his excitement. As he approached Dali, he showered him with praise.
It made Dali a bit uncomfortable.
But he didn't grow arrogant. He quickly composed himself and addressed Fugaku and the other Uchiha clansmen with a serious tone.
"The Uchiha clan's rise to power isn't just thanks to me—it's also due to your efforts and sacrifices."
"But while everyone's gathered here, there are some issues I want to discuss."
The moment Dali said this, the crowd quieted down.
The smile on Fugaku's face faded, replaced by a solemn expression.
Everyone listened intently, waiting for Dali to speak.
"I think we all understand this deep down—over the years, the Uchiha clan has been treated increasingly unfairly in the village, and our conflict with the rest of the village has only deepened. But this can't all be blamed on the village alone."
"Today, the Uchiha clan has finally ascended to power in the Hidden Leaf. This opportunity didn't come easily, and I hope you'll all listen to what I have to say with open minds…"
Uchiha Dali began addressing the internal issues within the Uchiha clan—such as their arrogance and lack of communication with the village at large.
If any ordinary clansman had spoken such words, they likely would've been met with resistance or even outrage.
But this was Uchiha Dali speaking.
The prodigy among prodigies of the Uchiha's new generation—a man whose achievements and strength surpassed even Shisui of the Body Flicker.
The Fourth Hokage of the Hidden Leaf.
With all those dazzling accolades behind him, Uchiha Dali's heartfelt words didn't spark resentment. Instead, they hit home and enlightened the audience.
Even Uchiha Fugaku couldn't help but nod repeatedly in agreement.
"In truth, we've been reflecting on these issues for a long time, Lord Dali."
"It's just that the villagers' persistent hostility made us feel ashamed. That's why we often responded in kind…"
One clansman, moved and introspective, offered this explanation.
That single "Lord Dali" subtly changed the entire atmosphere around them.
In an instant, a quiet reverence filled the eyes of every Uchiha clansman as they looked at him.
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