Chapter 28: Chapter 28
Hyuga Hiashi spoke in a deep voice, addressing the current situation with gravity.
"We have 270 members from the Hyuga clan, 320 from the Uchiha clan, and 500 ninjas from civilian backgrounds, including those from the hospital."
Yusuke, listening intently, responded with a rhetorical question. "That only makes a little over a thousand. Iwagakure's vanguard alone has 3,000 soldiers."
Hiashi nodded, his face showing a hint of helplessness. "We don't know if the Hidden Cloud Village or the Hidden Mist Village will attack us as well. We can't afford to send too many forces to the northern front. And Mr. Yusuke, you're well aware that the Nine-Tails incident has left Konoha severely weakened."
Yusuke, hiding his true thoughts, smiled inwardly. 'Of course', he mused. 'If things weren't this desperate, there's no way Sarutobi would have handed over such prime land to me.'
Outwardly, he kept his expression calm. "We'll do our best, Patriarch Hiashi," Yusuke said, patting Hiashi's shoulder before thinking to himself, 'I look forward to the birth of your future daughter.'
Suddenly, another question popped into Yusuke's mind. "Who's the commander-in-chief?"
"It's you, Yusuke-san," Hiashi responded.
Yusuke's face shifted in surprise. This news clearly shocked him. He never imagined he'd be given command over this force. With the likes of Hiashi Hyuga, leader of the Hyuga clan, and Uchiha Fugaku, head of the Uchiha clan, involved, Yusuke assumed his role would be far less prominent.
'What is Sarutobi thinking?' Yusuke wondered. 'Does he want to create tension between me and the larger clans? Or is he simply afraid I won't help if I'm not in charge?'
He couldn't help but frown. Sarutobi's decision seemed strategic—perhaps to keep Yusuke's influence in check or to use him as leverage against the increasingly restive Uchiha clan. Although it would be another decade before their ultimate demise, the seeds of discontent were already sprouting. After three successive Hokage had come from outside their ranks, the Uchiha were growing more and more dissatisfied with their exclusion from Konoha's power structure.
"...I understand. Thank you for informing me, Patriarch Hiashi."
Hiashi nodded. "No need to thank me."
Both men understood the delicate situation. Hiashi recognized Yusuke's rapid rise in influence. In just a month, Yusuke had gone from an unknown figure to a powerful force within Konoha, not only in strength but also in political leverage.
As Yusuke departed, he called to the young Kurenai, pulling her along as he muttered, "Time to collect the rent."
The scene amused him, watching Hiashi and others, burdened with tomorrow's battle, still preoccupied with something as mundane as paying rent.
That night, Yusuke, Kurenai, and her father, Shinku Yuhi, sat together for dinner at the lavish Senju mansion—Yusuke's new home. The spacious and luxurious residence had once been the pride of the Senju clan.
"You've done quite well for yourself, Yusuke," Shinku said with a sigh as he glanced around the mansion. "In such a short time, you've managed to pull off something I couldn't achieve in my entire life."
Yusuke grinned. "What can I say? I'm just that good."
"Modest, as always," Shinku replied sarcastically, rolling his eyes.
Taking a bite of his food, Shinku grew more serious. "Commanding both the Hyuga and Uchiha, two of Konoha's most powerful clans, won't be easy. You'll need to be careful."
Yusuke waved off the concern. "Don't worry. Whether it's the Uchiha, the Hyuga, or even someone from the Otsutsuki clan, I can handle them."
Shinku raised an eyebrow at the strange name. "Otsutsuki? Who's that?"
Yusuke smirked, knowing Shinku wouldn't understand. "Never mind. Just trust me."
Kurenai, sitting beside them, chimed in with a smile, "Brother Yusuke, I collected a lot of rent today! I'll deposit it at the bank tomorrow."
"Good work, Kurenai. You're in charge of the money, and I trust you."
Yusuke gave her a playful pinch on the cheek, and she giggled, rubbing her face against his arm affectionately. "Brother Yusuke is so nice!"
Shinku's eyes twitched, and in his frustration, he snapped his chopsticks in half. The tension in his neck was visible, as his protective instincts flared up. 'This boy better not be getting too comfortable with my daughter...'
The following morning at Konoha's gate, the ninja forces had already gathered. Hyuga Hiashi and Uchiha Fugaku stood at the front, leading their respective clans, while the civilian ninjas huddled together in separate groups, their voices filled with unease.
"I don't like this at all," one of the civilian shinobi muttered. "Why do we have to serve in the same unit as these famous clans?"
"Yeah, the Hyuga are bearable, but the Uchiha are just plain arrogant," another agreed. "I'd rather fight on my own than work with them."
Their complaints continued until someone called out, "The commander-in-chief is here!"
All eyes turned to see Yusuke approaching, dressed simply like any other ninja, though the legendary White Fang blade hung at his waist.
"He's younger than I thought," Uchiha Fugaku murmured as he narrowed his eyes at Yusuke. 'Is this the man who inherited the White Fang's legacy?'
Beside him, one of the Uchiha clan members sneered, "Why does a kid like that get to be commander? It's obvious the Hokage is trying to hold you back, Fugaku-sama. They don't want the Uchiha to rise to power."
"Exactly! If we Uchiha don't take control of the village soon, we'll end up like the Senju—faded into obscurity!"
"The Hokage is just trying to keep us out of the political game. We don't have to follow orders from someone like him!"
Weekly Power Status
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