"Hiruzen, this Uchiha Akira's talent is terrifyingly high. Even Shisui and Itachi weren't as strong at his age as he is now!" Danzo said seriously as he entered the Hokage's office after Uchiha Akira and his group had left.
"He's still just a child," the Third Hokage replied in a calm yet firm tone, glancing at Danzo.
"Hiruzen, don't tell me you haven't noticed the undercurrents within the Uchiha clan. They're becoming restless. Have you forgotten how our teacher guarded against the Uchiha?" Danzo continued, his voice filled with urgency.
"If Uchiha Akira makes a significant impact at the Chunin Exams in the Hidden Cloud Village, the Uchiha clan's prestige will soar even higher. It would be best if Uchiha Akira doesn't return alive," Danzo warned, his tone turning cold.
Indeed, Uchiha Akira was still just a child.
But his talent was frightening. In just a few months, he had awakened his Sharingan and evolved it to the two-tomoe stage.
That's why he needed to be dealt with before he fully matured.
"Danzo, what are you planning!?" The Third Hokage, recognizing the implications of Danzo's words, frowned deeply.
"I intend to make sure Uchiha Akira doesn't come back. Otherwise, such a genius will only fuel the Uchiha's ambitions further," Danzo said seriously.
"Is that why you deliberately had Shisui sent away? Danzo, stop this. I'm the Hokage!" The Third Hokage declared firmly, his voice leaving no room for argument.
"Hiruzen, I bear the darkness of the village. You are the shining, righteous Hokage, but you've been in the light too long. Remember, a tree cannot thrive without roots in the darkness to absorb nutrients," Danzo said, his gaze unwavering as he stared at the Third Hokage.
"Fugaku, Shisui, Itachi... If we let Uchiha Akira grow any further, who will be able to keep the Uchiha in check?"
"Don't forget, White Fang is dead, Minato fell in battle, Orochimaru defected, and both Tsunade and Jiraiya have left the village!" Danzo pressed on, his presence unyielding.
The Third Hokage fell silent.
Indeed, with the deaths of White Fang, Minato, and the defection of Orochimaru, as well as Tsunade and Jiraiya leaving the village, Konoha's elite forces were severely weakened.
The Uchiha clan, on the other hand, was producing genius after genius.
If another decade passed and the Uchiha clan did decide to launch a coup, would the village have the high-level forces necessary to suppress them?
As the Third Hokage reflected on this, he realized he couldn't be sure.
When it came to Konoha's prodigies, Kakashi was the most renowned.
However, while Kakashi's achievements were remarkable—becoming a Genin at five, a Chunin at six, and a Jonin at twelve—after the death of his comrades, he had almost become a shadow of his former self, losing himself in Jiraiya's novels.
Though, the Third Hokage had to admit, Jiraiya's novels were...
CoughCough!
Realizing where his thoughts were going, the Third Hokage quickly brought himself back to the matter at hand.
Upon careful consideration, he acknowledged that in another decade or so, the village might indeed lack the top-tier strength needed to keep the Uchiha in check.
"Danzo, Uchiha Akira is still a Konoha ninja. I will not allow you to harm a Konoha ninja!" After a moment of silence, the Third Hokage declared firmly.
On the surface, it seemed like the Third Hokage was still refusing to let Danzo act against Uchiha Akira.
But Danzo could tell that Hiruzen was starting to waver.
"Don't worry, you're the Hokage. I'll follow your orders. I won't personally make a move against him," Danzo said, nodding as he gave his assurance.
With that, Danzo turned and left the Hokage's office.
"Sigh…" The Third Hokage sighed quietly, gazing out of the window in the direction of the Uchiha clan grounds.
If it were possible, he wouldn't want things to escalate to this point.
But he too could sense the growing restlessness within the Uchiha clan.
And as time passed, the number of powerful Uchiha members only increased, threatening to tip the balance of power.
As Hokage, he couldn't allow this to happen.
As Hokage, he was responsible for the safety and well-being of all the villagers.
He had to prevent not only external threats but also internal conflicts within the village.
Konoha was in no condition to withstand a civil war right now.
Meanwhile, on the other side, Uchiha Akira and his group had spent nearly half a month traveling and had finally arrived in the Land of Lightning from the Land of Fire.
Note: If you are interested, you can read up to chapter 84 at patreon.com/Emik01.
"This is the Village Hidden in the Clouds, perched atop a mountain!" Uchiha Akira mused silently as he gazed at the impressive sight of the Hidden Cloud Village.
Brutes.
When Uchiha Akira thought of the Hidden Cloud Village, the image of the Raikage from the original story came to mind, and the word "brute" was the first thing that surfaced.
In the original story, when Sasuke was overpowered by the Raikage, he unleashed Amaterasu's flames to defend himself.
What would a normal person do in that situation?
They would probably retreat and reassess the situation.
But the Raikage? He didn't care at all. Amaterasu or not, he simply punched through it, nearly killing Sasuke in the process.
If Sasuke hadn't been a key character, he might have met his end right there.
As for the Raikage losing an arm?
It didn't seem like he considered it a loss at all.
It's just like the Russians; if you provoke them, they'll fight back directly.
Sanctions? They'll just retaliate.
In the end, they'll even bring out their nuclear codes, clearly showing that if you push them too far, they'll flip the table!
Sometimes, that's just how it is. Think carefully, but once you've made your decision, there's no need to hesitate—just act!
You want to play strategy? Use schemes and tricks?
Then I'll charge straight through, like a wild punch that takes down the master!
...
"For a long time, the Hidden Cloud Village has considered itself the second strongest among the Five Great Ninja Villages, always seeking to challenge Konoha's position at the top," Kokai, who had lived a long life and had a clear understanding of the situation, explained.
"So, this Chunin Exam isn't just about testing skills; it's really a way for the Hidden Cloud Village to demonstrate its strength to the ninja world, isn't it?"
As the team leader, Might Guy didn't have a broad strategic view, but after Kokai's reminder, he finally understood.
"More precisely, it's a display of power specifically aimed at Konoha," Kabuto added calmly.
Listening to their conversation, Uchiha Akira nodded in silent agreement.
He realized that this was indeed a demonstration of power from the Hidden Cloud Village directed at Konoha!
No wonder Konoha sent Kokai, the eternal Genin, and even brought out Kabuto, Danzo's hidden trump card.
Even though the relationship between Konoha and the Uchiha clan was strained, they still sent him, a Uchiha prodigy, to participate!
Moreover, the relationship between Konoha and the Hidden Cloud Village has always been adversarial.
Remember in the original story, the Second Hokage was ambushed and killed by the Kinkaku Force from the Hidden Cloud Village!
And when the Hidden Cloud Village came to Konoha, they even dared to target Hinata, the Byakugan Princess!
Compared to other villages, the relationship between Konoha and the Hidden Cloud Village is the most hostile!
The four of them discussed these matters briefly and reached a consensus.
Since the Hidden Cloud Village was hosting the Chunin Exams to flex its muscles, especially in front of Konoha, the stakes were high for Konoha!
Although Uchiha Akira belonged to the Uchiha clan, Might Guy and Kokai were aligned with the Hokage faction, and Kabuto was a member of Root.
But ultimately, this was a conflict between Konoha and the Hidden Cloud Village.
So, with a few short words, they all agreed that during this Chunin Exam, they had to stand united!
Thus, the group arrived at the entrance of the Hidden Cloud Village.
Even though they wore Konoha headbands, they were still stopped at the gate by the Hidden Cloud ninjas.
"Konoha, huh? Geographically, you're closer than the Land of Wind and the Land of Earth, yet you're the last to arrive. It seems you don't value this Chunin Exam very much," one of the young Hidden Cloud ninjas remarked arrogantly as he blocked their path.
"As long as we're not late, it shouldn't matter, right?" Might Guy explained, noticing that they were being stopped at the entrance.
Might Guy wasn't wrong; as long as they weren't late, it shouldn't be an issue.
The young ninja had no immediate response.
But he wasn't ready to back down just yet and continued, "Did I say something wrong?"
"Look at the people Konoha sent!"
"An old geezer, a strange-looking kappa, and a kid!"
"You even sent old men and children; is Konoha running out of ninjas?"
Kabuto adjusted his glasses, noting that among the four Konoha members, he was the only one not ridiculed.
For some reason, that put him in a rather good mood.
"Guy-sensei!" Seeing that Might Guy was about to explain further, Uchiha Akira stepped forward and stopped him.
Then, Uchiha Akira took a few steps forward, his eyes narrowing as the two tomoe of his Sharingan spun into view.
At the same time, he coldly uttered two words:
"Move aside!"
Note: If you are interested, you can read up to chapter 84 at patreon.com/Emik01.
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