"Uchiha Takashi, Jonin, please report to the commander's office immediately!"
A messenger ninja sought out Uchiha Takashi the moment he returned to the fortress.
He almost called him "sir."
No wonder, given Uchiha Takashi's outstanding performance on the battlefield.
Taking on Pakura in a one-on-one was impressive enough, but the final strike from his summoned beast, "Sunset," was utterly devastating, earning him great respect.
Uchiha Takashi nodded lightly and exchanged a glance with Hyuga Aotsuki in the distance before following the messenger.
Retract the defensive line!
This strategy involves using barriers, terrain, and other advantages to buy time.
If the enemy had Shukaku, this tactic wouldn't work.
That's why Shikaku had decisively shifted targets earlier, opting to deal with Shukaku first. Unfortunately, the attack wasn't fatal, but luckily, Uchiha Takashi's timely intervention with his summoned beast prevented the situation from collapsing.
Upon entering the familiar office, Uchiha Takashi noticed the scent of blood.
It was Danzo! Previously, only his right eye and right hand were bandaged, but now his right leg was too, making it seem like his entire right side was wrapped in bandages.
If not for the difference in looks and age, one might think he was cosplaying as Obito.
Don't laugh! Absolutely don't laugh! After all, he was injured for Konoha's sake, and laughing would be inappropriate.
Unless you can't help it.
"Hahaha!"
Uchiha Takashi couldn't help but chuckle softly.
Who would have thought that the feared leader of the Root, the infamous "Darkness of the Shinobi," would be in such a sorry state?
Hearing his laughter, the expressions of those in the office varied.
Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu were angry, while Nara Shikaku wanted to laugh but had to pretend to be angry.
"Uchiha Takashi!" Danzo growled lowly, "What are you laughing at?"
He knew exactly why Uchiha Takashi was laughing, so he wanted him to say it out loud to use it against him.
Mocking an injured commander is no small matter.
"I just remembered something funny!"
Uchiha Takashi wasn't foolish; he knew some things could be done but not said.
"You..."
Danzo knew Uchiha Takashi was lying but had no evidence.
If it were an ordinary person, evidence wouldn't be necessary. With his status, he could have the Root apprehend them and handle it as he pleased.
But since the target was Uchiha Takashi, evidence was necessary.
"Alright, let's focus on how to deal with the Sand Ninja's attack now!"
Utatane Koharu interrupted the two.
She also disliked Uchiha Takashi but understood that now wasn't the time to waste time.
Indeed, it was time for the advisory elders to "consider the bigger picture."
As long as I don't have a bigger picture, I don't need to consider it. JPG!
"I believe that under certain leadership, Kikyo Mountain is impossible to defend!"
Uchiha Takashi directly criticized.
He wouldn't hold back just because the other party was injured.
If only Rasa hadn't spared Danzo, this "crouching dragon," Konoha might have risen already.
"Are you implying that I'm incompetent?"
Danzo clearly understood the implication.
"No, no, no, I'm not implying," Uchiha Takashi waved his hand, "I'm saying it outright!"
He wasn't holding back anymore.
After all, his grudge with Danzo wasn't a secret. During his graduation exam, Danzo had tried to use Kakashi to eliminate him as a warning to the Uchiha clan.
Can't he settle old scores now?
Before crossing over, Uchiha Takashi despised protagonists who constantly compromised with enemies for the greater good.
If you don't settle a score immediately, do you wait until the enemy has enjoyed enough?
With his current strength, he could easily leave with a few important people. At most, he'd miss out on some entertainment, resources, and enjoyment. If Konoha were destroyed, so be it.
Desirelessness leads to strength!
That's why the Konoha F4 always found themselves at a disadvantage against him.
Because Uchiha Takashi could disregard the bigger picture, but they couldn't.
"You... you!"
Danzo was furious.
This was a blatant confrontation.
As the leader of the Root and the "Darkness of the Shinobi," when had he ever been treated like this?
"What about you? Your command is lacking, your combat skills are poor, where do you get the nerve to remain as commander?"
Uchiha Takashi continued to criticize.
At the same time, he subtly positioned himself as someone who was "disappointed for Konoha's sake" rather than out of personal vendetta.
Personal grudges shouldn't be a reason to act when the village is in danger, so at least dress it up a bit.
Even if everyone knows the real reason.
Some things can be done but not said.
"I... I did all this for Konoha!"
Danzo retorted.
Because Uchiha Takashi's accusations were indeed reasonable, his performance as commander was lacking, so he decided to "ignore the facts."
Especially since losing to Rasa was indefensible.
As the commander of the ninja army, you're not expected to win, but at least don't lose. If you can't win, can't you at least stall for time?
That's why commanders need to be strong.
"Who isn't doing it for Konoha, or are they doing it for themselves?"
Uchiha Takashi made a snide remark towards the others. "Are you really doing this for Konoha? Please, you're just eyeing the Hokage position. How shameless."
"Can we focus on repelling the Sand Ninja first before discussing anything else?" Nara Shikaku spoke up reluctantly under Mitokado Homura's intense gaze.
He didn't want to get involved in this mess, but the situation forced his hand.
"Do you think we stand a chance with someone like him in charge?" Uchiha Takashi stated his intentions clearly.
Yes, he wanted to remove Danzo from the commanding position.
Danzo was already taking the blame, and with Kikyo Mountain about to fall, it was time for Takashi to step in and perform a 'heroic rescue.'
"My Sage Mode is itching for action!"
"Uchiha Takashi!!" Danzo's eyes were red with anger, almost transforming into an Uchiha himself.
The commander's position was his stepping stone to becoming Hokage. How could he let someone kick him off?
"Of course, if 'Lord' Danzo wishes to remain in command, I have no objections!" Uchiha Takashi's words left Danzo speechless.
Before the Sand Ninja attack, the commander's position was desirable, but now it was a hot potato. Without the ability to hold it, Danzo would face dire consequences.
The commander must fight on the front lines, and lacking the strength for this role is akin to suicide.
If Danzo were to fight again, his chances of survival were slim. Previously, he barely reached the Kage level, and now with a leg missing, even elite Jonin could match him. Facing a strong Sand Ninja would be a death sentence.
So, Uchiha Takashi wasn't afraid of Danzo clinging to the commander's position.
Feigning death wasn't an option.
"...If Danzo isn't the commander, it can't possibly be you!" Mitokado Homura mocked.
He considered taking over temporarily. Danzo was too injured to continue, and keeping him in command was a death sentence.
"To restore Konoha's glory, it's my duty!" Uchiha Takashi nodded.
Things had reached this point, and he wasn't about to waste the opportunity.
"Don't even think about it..." Koharu Utatane began to protest, but Danzo interrupted with a wave of his hand, speaking deliberately:
"Fine, I can step down as commander!"
Previously, he would never have relinquished the position.
But now things were different! The Sand Ninja army was about to breach Kikyo Mountain, and the commander would bear the greatest responsibility.
This way, he wouldn't be held accountable.
He could even use this to pressure the Uchiha.
'You wouldn't want your clan's failure to put the village in danger, would you?'
Having them as the main force against the Sand Ninja army was a win-win.
Not only could he 'save Konoha,' but he could also eliminate the Uchiha, an 'evil' clan.
Danzo's quick thinking was impressive when not dealing with outsiders.
He was truly a talent! This 'Sleeping Dragon' of Konoha was key to maintaining balance among the five great ninja villages. Otherwise, Konoha could win with its eyes closed.
"I am willing to lead us against the Sand Ninja, but you must guarantee with your clans that the commander's position won't change for five years, and I will have autonomy to address the Sand Ninja threat. Also..." Uchiha Takashi laid out his conditions.
Surprisingly lenient.
He only wanted to be commander for five years, with the same level of authority as before. What's wrong with that?
The others, prepared for significant concessions, were taken aback.
From these conditions, Uchiha Takashi seemed like a true believer in the 'Will of Fire.'
Timing is everything.
Before the Sand Ninja attack, his words would have been seen as 'ambitious,' since only those aligned with the Hokage could be commander.
But now, with Konoha on the brink, the commander's role was the riskiest, and he was willing to take it on, promising to eliminate the Sand Ninja threat.
If this wasn't the 'Will of Fire,' what was?
As for the five-year term and autonomy... those were minor details.
In the ninja world, there hadn't been instances of 'usurping' or 'amassing personal power.'
The Warring States period was not long past, and it's only been a few decades since the establishment of the villages. The constant indoctrination by the nobility meant that, despite their violent tendencies, ninjas were quite naive.
So, Uchiha Takashi planned to give the ninjas a little taste of political intrigue in the future.
"Agreed, we accept your terms!" Mitokado Homura and Koharu Utatane exchanged glances and nodded silently.
As for Nara Shikaku, he remained silent.
The Ino-Shika-Cho trio was always neutral.
They would follow whoever was in power!
Thus, Uchiha Takashi naturally ascended to the commander's position once more.
This time, it was different from before.
There was no 'acting' in his title; he was the legitimate commander.
The terms were guaranteed by the three advisory elders and the Ino-Shika-Cho clans, ensuring there would be no reneging.
In the ninja world, maintaining clan honor was paramount.
The lengths the Yamanaka clan went to restore their honor showed how strong this guarantee was.
Unless all six ninja clans were wiped out, this guarantee would hold.
My comrades don't treat me as an outsider. Subscriptions are good, and starting tomorrow, there will be three updates daily, with occasional bursts!
(End of chapter)