The domineering Uchiha drove the Third Hokage mad!

Chapter 21 The Vengeful Old Fox

Inside the tent, the topic of becoming the Fourth Hokage was still being discussed, but everyone's expressions had become much more serious.

Fugaku Uchiha's voice was deep and solemn, as if each word carried immense weight: "Gentlemen, we need to make a decision. Will we return to Konoha with honor and wealth, content with the status quo; or will we take a gamble and strive for the position of Fourth Hokage?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Uchiha Hachimoku suddenly stood up, his three-tomoe Sharingan eyes spinning wildly, his blood-red eyes burning with years of suppressed rage. He slammed his hand heavily on the table, making the teaware clang loudly.

"Fugaku, is there even a choice? Our Uchiha clan has endured for far too long. Last night's battle proved that we have the ability to change the landscape of the ninja world. If we miss this opportunity, the Uchiha will forever be excluded from the core of Konoha's power."

The water in the teacup sloshed violently, the dark brown tea overflowing and meandering across the sandalwood table. It was as if the Uchiha clan's pent-up anger, suppressed for years, had finally found an outlet.

Chief Kurama stroked the newly formed scar on his chin thoughtfully, and said worriedly, "But supporting the Mist Village battlefield will definitely result in many casualties... If we don't have the village's material support, and we also have to face the village's higher-ups secretly sabotaging us... can we really win?"

His gaze swept over the faces of everyone in the tent, finally settling on Fugaku.

Chief Kazami slowly turned the ring, the jade face reflecting a soft light from time to time.

"But this is also our best chance. In times of war, strength reigns supreme. We have just achieved a decisive victory against Iwagakure, and our reputation is at its peak. If we can achieve further success on the Kirigakure battlefield, the position of Fourth Hokage is not out of reach."

Upon hearing that the Kazami clan leader also agreed, Uchiha Hachimoku suddenly sprang to attention, the three tomoe in his Sharingan spinning rapidly, and his blood-red chakra almost overflowing from his eye sockets.

"Gentlemen, in last night's battle, we captured five thousand Iwa ninja and demanded 30 billion ryo in compensation. This achievement has already made the Konoha leadership uneasy. We have become a threat to them, so even if we obediently return, will we truly be safe?"

His voice suddenly lowered, becoming even more chilling: "How did the Senju clan perish? How did Hatake Sakumo die? It's only been a few years, have you really all forgotten?"

The tent was deathly silent, except for the angry panting of the Eighth Hokage Uchiha. The expressions on everyone's faces suddenly changed unpredictably.

Listening to the debate, Fugaku Uchiha's gaze fell on the small flag representing Konoha on the sand table. That flag was planted in the center of the Land of Fire, surrounded by the flags of the other four great nations. It mirrored the Uchiha clan's situation in Konoha—seemingly central, but actually isolated and helpless.

"If we decide to disobey orders and go to the Hidden Mist battlefield, what are the specific procedures? What about Hiruzen Sarutobi? He will definitely send people to stop us." Fugaku Uchiha's voice broke the silence.

Uchiha Mitsunori's eyes gleamed with a shrewdness beyond his years: "We need a legitimate reason. For example... receiving intelligence of an urgent request for reinforcements from the Hidden Mist battlefield, and having to rush to Konoha's aid immediately for the sake of the village. Once we arrive at the Hidden Mist battlefield and achieve a decisive victory, even if the Third Hokage is dissatisfied, he won't be able to criticize us in front of the villagers."

Suddenly, hurried footsteps sounded outside the tent. A Uchiha ninja lifted the tent flap: "Report! Onoki has arrived with 300 billion ryo in war reparations. He's already at the base entrance!"

Fugaku Uchiha nodded, his face showing no emotion: "Understood. Arrange for them to wait outside."

After ordering the ninjas to leave, he looked around at everyone and said, "Let's put the matter of supporting the Hidden Mist battlefield on hold for now, and make further plans after we've finalized the details. Let's go see Onoki first and get the 300 billion ryo in war reparations."

Outside the camp gate, Onoki's short figure hovered in mid-air, the wrinkles on his face seeming to have deepened even more.

Behind him stood dozens of Iwagakure Jonin, all of them tense, their eyes burning with resentful rage.

Onoki's voice was hoarse and dry, as if he hadn't drunk water in a long time: "Kari, take out the war reparations."

The Iwa ninja named Kari stepped forward, his movements stiff and mechanical, as if every joint was resisting this humiliating mission. He gently placed a large sealing scroll on the ground, then formed hand seals and slammed them upwards.

With a "bang," after the white smoke dissipated, dozens of black metal boxes were neatly arranged on the ground. Each box had a sealing talisman with the character "rock" written on it, and the edges of the talisman still showed traces of other seals being torn off.

Fugaku Uchiha signaled his subordinates to step forward and inspect the area, while simultaneously ordering thousands of Konoha ninja to secretly prepare for battle in case Onoki changed his mind and launched a sneak attack. His Sharingan remained locked on Onoki, ready to respond to any possible surprise attack.

Fugaku Uchiha slightly raised his hand, and a team of elite Uchiha immediately stepped forward to check.

To guard against Onoki's change of heart, thousands of Konoha ninjas had secretly prepared for battle. The cold glint of kunai was faintly visible among the branches and leaves, and the fuses of the explosive tags were carefully held in their hands.

Onoki said expressionlessly, "I've already brought the money and the men. When are you going to release them?"

Fugaku Uchiha calmly replied, "Bring everyone out."

The camp gates slowly opened, and more than five thousand Iwa ninja prisoners walked out in a long line. Most of them were wounded and looked dejected, a stark contrast to their fierce appearance on the battlefield yesterday.

Onoki's gaze searched among the prisoners, then suddenly settled on a tall figure... it was his son, Koto.

Huang Tu lowered his head, deliberately avoiding his father's gaze, and the shame on his face was clearly visible.

Onoki suddenly cursed, his voice filled with anger and disappointment: "Useless... You've ruined the war like this... How dare you live?"

Huang Tu's body trembled slightly, but he kept his head down, not daring to meet his father's gaze.

Several Iwa ninjas stepped forward to help him up, but he rudely pushed them away.

The handover went surprisingly smoothly. Although Onoki's face was so gloomy it could drip water, he ultimately did not do anything out of line.

Fugaku Uchiha's tense shoulders finally relaxed slightly as the last Iwa ninja prisoner left the camp.

A Uchiha ninja reported in a low voice, "Clan leader, the inspection is complete. It is indeed 300 billion ryo, not a penny less."

Fugaku Uchiha nodded almost imperceptibly, watching Onoki lead the Iwa ninja forces away into the distance, a question forming in his mind.

"Will that vindictive old fox really admit defeat so easily?"