Chapter 70: Danzo: Make Konoha Great Again!
Hokage's Office.
"Hiruzen, stop hesitating!"
Danzo's voice was fervent, as if he wished he could force Sarutobi Hiruzen to agree with his proposal.
The southwest border has fallen!
This news stirred panic among the villagers of Konoha and dissatisfaction with the higher-ups.
Danzo claimed he had a solution to this issue, which is why this meeting was convened.
"No, I won't allow you to do that!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen shook his head firmly.
Danzo's proposal was to blame the fall of the border on the Uchiha. Normally, this would be impossible.
But wasn't the southwest border occupied by the Uchiha? Shifting the blame this way seemed entirely reasonable.
They could claim that the fall of the border camp was due to incorrect intelligence brought back by the Uchiha. As for what the intelligence was, the villagers wouldn't care.
In this way, the responsibility would fall on the Uchiha, absolving the village's higher-ups.
It could only be said that Danzo knew how to shift blame.
"Hiruzen, the villagers are unhappy with us. We must find a way to resolve this!"
Koharu Utatane suddenly spoke up.
She had no choice; the commander of the southwest border camp was from her clan. If Danzo's suggestion was approved, she would naturally be pleased to see it.
"This is also a good opportunity. The Uchiha have been very active since the new clan leader took over. We can use this incident to make them behave and also get more out of them!"
Homura Mitokado added.
Criticizing the Uchiha was second nature to them as disciples of Tobirama. Although he wasn't as extreme as Danzo, he wouldn't miss the opportunity.
"This... no!"
Although Sarutobi Hiruzen hesitated, he ultimately shook his head.
The 'Will of Fire' he had embraced since childhood wouldn't allow him to do such a thing.
Danzo, dissatisfied, turned and left, leaving a parting shot at the door.
"Hiruzen, you'll regret this!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen instinctively shouted back.
"Danzo, I am the Hokage!"
After this classic exchange of "you'll regret it, I'm the Hokage," the meeting concluded.
But Danzo was not one to sit idly by. He wouldn't stop just because the Hokage didn't allow it.
So, as soon as he returned to the Root, he immediately arranged for his subordinates to put Uchiha Takashi on a "hot search."
In terms of manipulating public opinion, he was a master in Konoha, where honest people were everywhere.
"Hmph, Uchiha Takashi, since you refuse to become the root of Konoha, then burn for the Will of Fire. This is all for Konoha!"
After giving the order, Danzo muttered to himself.
In his view, as a Konoha ninja, Uchiha Takashi's refusal to join the Root and serve the village was a path to self-destruction.
He wanted to prove that his 'Will of the Root' was superior to Sarutobi Hiruzen's 'Will of Fire.'
"Hiruzen, I will prove to our teacher that I am more suited for that position. Only I can make Konoha great again!"
Danzo slowly closed his single eye.
Meanwhile, a rumor quickly spread within Konoha.
The fall of the southwest border camp was due to the intelligence error of Uchiha Takashi, the first place winner of the joint Chunin Exams.
Following this narrative, the blame was shifted to the Uchiha.
Given the Uchiha's notorious reputation in Konoha, no villagers found this suspicious.
In simple terms, if Konoha was in a bad state, it was the Uchiha's fault. If Konoha improved, it was thanks to the village's higher-ups and themselves.
This double standard was thoroughly exploited.
This unjust blame also caused internal dissent within the Uchiha clan against Uchiha Takashi.
If it weren't for the suppression by Uchiha Fugaku and Uchiha Mei, there might have been a scene of "Does he even deserve the Uchiha name?"
Chapter 70: Danzo: Make Konoha Great Again!
Of course, the major ninja clans could see the truth. But what difference did it make if they could?
Just like with the case of White Fang back then—famous, well-connected, yet when slandered, no one was willing to step up and explain on his behalf.
After all, the rumors came from the village's high-ranking officials. Who would dare to go against the village? Do they want to be labeled as traitors?
Meanwhile, far away in the southwestern border region of the Land of Fire, Uchiha Takashi was unaware of the heavy and dark burden now placed upon him.
At this moment, he was bathed in moonlight, sitting alone by the campfire, swallowing a soldier pill while tending to his injuries.
There were too many Sand Ninja in pursuit.
They seemed endless, fearless, and completely intent on risking their lives.
Ninjas who are willing to risk their lives are far more terrifying than mere terrorists.
Even he had sustained some minor injuries.
To conserve medical supplies, he naturally treated these minor wounds himself rather than using medication.
"Uchiha Takashi... I don't think we can go on like this!"
Honda, with his abdomen wrapped in bandages, sat down beside him with a pained expression.
In just one day, their escort team had lost a third of its members. His two teammates had died in battle (Two passersby: Author, you didn't even give us names, have you no heart?). If Uchiha Takashi hadn't saved him at a critical moment, he wouldn't have survived.
And they were still over a thousand kilometers away from Konoha. At their current pace, it would take nearly a month to get back.
Even if the Sand Ninja couldn't pursue them the entire way.
It would still take about a week for the convoy to escape the pursuit range.
But in their current state and speed, they couldn't possibly hold out for a week.
"I know, but..."
Uchiha Takashi didn't finish his sentence, but he believed the chubby guy could understand.
Even though he had displayed his strength today, his rank was still only Chunin, and he couldn't make decisions for the team. So even if he had ideas, they were useless.
"You're right!"
Honda lowered his head in dejection.
With two teammates dead and the future looking bleak, even someone as optimistic as him couldn't muster a smile.
"Don't worry, we'll make it back to the village alive!"
Uchiha Takashi patted his shoulder.
He never doubted this.
As long as they weren't pursued by the likes of Pakura or Rasa, and he was careful not to fall victim to secret techniques or poisons, returning safely to the village wasn't a problem.
Just then, a Konoha Genin approached.
"Chunin Uchiha Takashi, Captain Kobayashi wants to see you!"
Though the Genin was older, his attitude was extremely respectful.
In the ninja world, strength commands respect, so age and experience don't matter.
"Alright!"
Uchiha Takashi stood up and headed towards the convoy.
With people on guard at the perimeter, there was no need to worry about the Sand Ninja sneaking up without warning.
Soon, Uchiha Takashi arrived at a corner of the open space surrounded by the convoy.
Kobayashi and two Chunin squad leaders were illuminated by the campfire, but they were in poor condition.
Almost everyone was injured! It just goes to show that the intensity of the battlefield is on a whole different level than regular missions.
"You're here!"
Kobayashi greeted him weakly.
His injuries were also severe.
The main issue wasn't the injuries, but the poison.
Almost every Sand Ninja carried poison, the kind that ordinary antidotes couldn't neutralize.
"Captain, do you have any orders?"
Uchiha Takashi found an empty spot to sit and asked.
The captain was his superior now, so he wouldn't call him over just to chat, right?
But upon hearing his question, Kobayashi revealed a piece of 'unfortunate' news with a complicated expression.
(End of Chapter)