Konoha: Uchiha Extremists? Offering Loyalty!

Chapter 223 No one understands Konoha better than me!

"Sakumo-kun, you're too nervous." Yuuki gestured for Sakumo to sit down.

The two sat facing each other, and Yushu brought out a small iron teapot and placed it on the charcoal fire to boil water.

"Congratulations, Sakumo-kun, on your glorious return to the village."

Looking at the teapot with its bubbling bubbles, Hatake Sakumo said earnestly, "It's all thanks to Captain Uchiha for working so hard, still working late into the night. By the way, thank you for saving my life on the battlefield."

Yuuki waved his hand: "It's just a life-saving grace, Sakumo-kun, you don't need to worry about it too much."

"As for whether it's hard or not, it's all for the village."

The war has not stopped, and it is far from time to relax.

Many of our comrades are fighting the enemy on the front lines. If we return to the village to rest and then indulge in pleasure, we will be letting everyone down.

Yes, yes.

Upon hearing this, Hatake Sakumo nodded, reflecting on his actions after returning to the village, realizing that he had indeed become too depraved.

The number of banquets he received from former companions, friends, and relatives was countless.

The war has not yet ended, and it is really inappropriate for them to be displaying colorful flags in izakayas.

Looking at the young and enthusiastic Uchiha Yuuki, Hatake Sakumo sighed in admiration: "Perhaps, I should also take on the responsibility of the head of the Anbu, refuse the banquet invitations, and learn how to handle official business."

Yuuki heard Hatake Sakumo's plan.

Handling official business? That's truly fascinating.

The power within Konoha Village had long been divided up.

Orochimaru and Hiruzen Sarutobi are locked in a fierce battle, while Tsunade, watching from the sidelines, secretly makes her move.

In essence, the Anbu under Sakumo Hatake was a force that allowed him to assume the role of Hokage in place of Hiruzen Sarutobi.

If done properly, you might actually be able to snatch a piece of meat from the Hokage.

"Does Sakumo-kun intend to take charge of the Dark Division's operations?" Yuuki asked.

“Of course, as the head of the Dark Division, it is only natural that I manage the Dark Division,” Hatake Sakumo nodded.

Ah, this...

In theory, the head of the secret service should indeed manage the secret service.

But where does this leave the Hokage?

This move undoubtedly made the village's clans, especially the ninja clans that supported Sakumo Hatake becoming the Fourth Kage, cheer with joy.

"The Anbu... were severely suppressed by the Snake Squad. Apart from the Sarutobi clan members, they have basically all changed careers," Yuuki shared his personal insights.

From Hatake Sakumo's description, we can also analyze his thoughts.

Ultimately, Sakumo Hatake never escaped the mindset of using tools.

This is a common problem in the ninja world, and there is no solution in the short term.

When the Sarutobi clan was mentioned, Hatake Sakumo rubbed his fingers awkwardly. In recent days, the ninjas who had been entertaining the most guests were from the Sarutobi clan.

After some casual conversation and pleasantries, Sakumo Hatake got down to business.

"What tips does Minister Yuki have for handling banquets?"

Yuuki poured two cups of tea and looked at Sakumo Hatake, whose face was full of complicated emotions.

This ruthless and decisive man was helpless when faced with the village's problems.

The common reasons need no further explanation, but the personal reason is that his emotions are very extreme.

The village has a reputation for extremism among the Uchiha clan; in fact, any powerful ninja is extreme in some ways.

A ninja who isn't mad or extreme would have died on the battlefield long ago.

Those who survived were all mentally ill.

It's just that some people have bipolar disorder and some have depression.

Sakumo Hatake's problem lies in his inaction and hesitation when faced with problems, making it impossible for him to make a decision.

His hesitation was different from that of the third generation.

If things escalate to the point of no return or harm his own interests, Hiruzen Sarutobi will not hesitate to take action.

Hatake Sakumo, however, would not.

His heart was filled with both high aspirations and self-doubt.

The vast gap between the Will of Fire education and the bloody reality created a crack in his heart.

Through the island of the mind, Yuuki can see this clearly.

When faced with situations that cause his "Daoist heart to collapse," such as when confronted with the villagers' accusations and contempt, he would choose to escape rather than take action.

The simplistic view is that the best approach is to address the person who raised the problem, not the problem itself.

However, death is never the end of the problem.

The life of the 'problem' was prolonged only by the death of an individual.

It only causes pain to loved ones and joy to enemies.

"The ninja world is changing so fast."

Yuuki remarked with a sigh, "The legendary figure of Konoha, the White Fang who shook the ninja world, actually sought advice from the Uchiha clan, who were never popular in the village, on how to handle interpersonal relationships. Who gave you the misconception that I'm good at socializing?"

Sakumo Hatake: "..."

"Sakumo-kun must be scared, right?" Yuuki pulled out a series of intelligence scrolls and read them without any hesitation: "Fear of having illusions shattered, fear of having beautiful dreams shattered. Lies often hurt people, but people are more willing to resent the truth."

"It is said that Sakumo-kun has a keen mind that can see through people's hearts."

"If you see too much of it, you'll become numb to it."

"The ninja world shouldn't be like this, Konoha shouldn't be like this. Dreams are blissful, but the only path to waking up is difficult, and all that's left is the truth. So, are people willing to wake up from this dream?"

“Your theory is quite interesting.” Hatake Sakumo’s expression was complicated, and his chakra circulation was momentarily disordered. “However, it has nothing to do with our discussion.”

“Okay.” Yuuki smiled sincerely, placed the scroll on the table, and summarized his thoughts: “The biggest lesson I have in dealing with people is—eat when you’re hungry, drink when you’re thirsty, make contact first, and don’t make any promises.”

Sakumo Hatake's eyelids twitched. Wasn't this just giving up?

"It looks like they're giving up."

Hey!

Sakumo Hatake's pupils suddenly dilated, his face filled with disbelief. "Your Mangekyou Sharingan doesn't grant you the ability to read minds, does it?"

“I can’t read minds,” Yuuki explained. “It’s just that Sakumo-kun doesn’t hide his thoughts, and he doesn’t even conceal the expression on his face.”

Sakumo Hatake changed the subject, saying, "If there are any bad things..."

Yuuki interrupted, "Trust your companions, and don't think so badly of your fellow villagers."

"No one understands Konoha better than me."

"Who would ask you, the head of the secret service, for a favor when hosting a banquet?"

"Everyone only invites each other to dinner after they've decided to get things done."

Sakumo Hatake frowned and said, "But when we had dinner yesterday, someone made a request, hoping to be given a position as a supplier exclusively for the Anbu..."

Yuuki took a sip of tea: "How much are you offering?"

Sakumo Hatake was shocked again: "Huh?"

"No bid?" Yushu asked in surprise. "Are there really people who don't understand the rules? Where is this merchant from? I'll go check him out tomorrow."

"No, Yuuki-kun, how do you know he paid a bribe?"

Yuuki: "Don't put it so harshly. How can it be bribery when a businessman pays for a supply qualification? It's just an exchange of equal value."

"That shouldn't have been given to me; it should have gone through the proper procedures. This is wrong..."

Sakumo Hatake stubbornly refused to understand, but Yuuki didn't care. "I'm already following the proper procedures by not sending insects to raid your house."

"This is an unspoken rule set by the third generation. Who do you think took the most money?"

"No...no way..." Hatake Sakumo's attitude softened.

Yuuki spread his hands: "Look, the truth is right in front of you, but you are unwilling to believe the words of a senior minister and only willing to accept the 'reality' pieced together in your mind."

"If you are unwilling to accept the current state of Konoha, you can try to change it instead of repeatedly asking people and finally sinking into despair with disappointing answers."

“Sakumo-kun.” Yuuki stood up and patted Sakumo Hatake on the shoulder: “You have the ability and the qualifications. But I’m afraid you have the ability but not the will.”

Yuuki sat back down at his desk.

Sakumo Hatake fell into deep thought.

Konoha appears to be thriving and has a bright future.

He saw part of it clearly, but it was only the surface.

Economic downturn, financial crisis, infighting between the old and the young, and clan oppression have always loomed over this most powerful village in the ninja world.

He trusted the Third Hokage implicitly, supporting everything the Third Hokage did, almost to the point of self-deception.

However, the Sand Village War completely shattered his illusions about the Third Hokage.

The Thunder Gathering Refining Method not only enhanced his strength but also led him to deeper reflection.

The Will of Fire feels too empty, and it's all too familiar.

But is he really... familiar with the Will of Fire?