Tsunade smiled.
"Clan head, I also have something to report."
The Uchiha clan's great elder entered the room, looking at Kaede with respect shining in his eyes.
The boy of a few years ago had grown into a man who had led the Uchiha onto such a prosperous path.
Such ability was something none of the clan heads of past generations had ever achieved.
It was a bittersweet thought. Once, Madara had unified the great clans, and Konoha itself had been founded by the Uchiha.
But in the end, the Senju and the other clans had joined forces to overthrow them, leading to the present situation.
Fortunately, the Uchiha had produced another heroic clan head. The elder believed that under Kaede, the clan would continue to flourish.
"We'll take our leave then," Tsunade and Black Zetsu said as they rose.
Tsunade had authority to manage the settlement, but her power could not compare to Kaede's.
He was not only their lord, but the Uchiha clan head—his position unshakable.
"No need. I'll have instructions for you later. Stay and listen. Elder, go on and speak."
Kaede's voice was calm.
"Yes, clan head. Recently, more than one hundred thousand members of the clan have awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan. They're young geniuses, growing rapidly.
They said before that their strength wasn't enough to share your burdens, that you had to personally handle everything. But now they've grown stronger and can lighten your load. I've come to speak for them: the remaining villages and small nations that haven't yet submitted—they wish to take action and bring them under our control."
The elder chuckled as he spoke of the younger generation.
The Uchiha had never lacked for warriors. They weren't warmongers, but neither were they cowards waiting for spoils.
"Oh? So Konoha's enemies already have such strength."
Kaede was surprised at first, but quickly relaxed.
After all, the Uchiha and the Senju had always been the two mightiest clans.
With the Senju gone, the Uchiha remained, their unique dōjutsu placing them at the peak of the shinobi world.
They had once been suppressed by Konoha and forced to retreat. Now, free from that suppression, the clan's talent shone.
"Very well. I'll allow it. Next time there's a battle, let them fight first. I'd like to see these Mangekyō with my own eyes."
Kaede smiled faintly.
"They'll certainly surprise you, clan head," the elder replied, smiling as well.
"Mhm. You may go. Tsunade, summon everyone to the Divine Tree Plaza. I have an announcement to make."
"Yes!"
The elder and Tsunade left at once.
Just as Black Zetsu was about to leave too, Kaede stopped him.
"You said before that Hatake Kakashi and Might Guy want to leave, didn't you?"
Kaede hadn't forgotten those words.
"Yes, that's right," Black Zetsu admitted.
When Tsunade had been present earlier, he hadn't mentioned Hiruzen Sarutobi. After all, Hiruzen had been her teacher—even if he had orchestrated the Senju's downfall, Black Zetsu wasn't sure how Tsunade would react.
But now, with no one else around, he could speak freely.
"Since Sarutobi Hiruzen's suicide, Tsunade came to your side. Power in Konoha has been seized by Shimura Danzō. He grips it tightly, abandoning old traditions, even overturning long-standing rules.
That alone has unsettled many shinobi. Worse, Danzō demands constant protection, acts recklessly, even attacking trade caravans and small villages. Kakashi and Guy see themselves as shinobi, not bandits. They can't stomach this, and the rift has only grown. Out of obligation, they've stayed, but their ties are fraying.
To be frank, if Hiruzen were still alive, perhaps the Konoha remnants could remain united. But he's dead, and Danzō alone isn't enough to hold them together. He lacks the strength. He's just a petty man hungry for power.
If he truly gained control of Konoha, it would be its ruin."
Black Zetsu spoke bluntly, making no effort to hide his disdain.
Kaede listened, and his mind was already made up.
"You're right. That's exactly how it is. You may go."
"Yes!"
Black Zetsu quickly departed.
Afterward, Kaede walked to the training grounds.
This field had been left for Naruto and the others. Because Minato Namikaze had long since been resurrected, Kaede had left the training to him—allowing father and son to share what had been stolen from them.
For Minato, this was the greatest gift: to accompany his child and make up for the lost years of fatherhood.
As for Gaara, his past was not so different from Naruto's. Though he still had a father, that man had always treated him as a tool—and even tried to have him assassinated as a child.
If not for his mother Karura's protection, Gaara would have been dead long ago.
(End of Chapter)
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