Land of Iron, Mountain Graveyard.
Hearing Black Zetsu's words, Madara showed some interest and asked, "You know what troubles me?"
Black Zetsu replied, "As your incarnation, I understand your thoughts perfectly."
"Your mind is in chaos right now, Lord Madara. Let me help you sort it out."
After listening, Uchiha Madara pondered for a moment before nodding slightly in agreement.
Black Zetsu then said, "Uchiha Yato—based on our observations, this individual is particularly unpredictable but extremely capable."
"He has awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan, mastered Combination Ninja Techniques, and possesses vast chakra reserves."
White Zetsu interjected, "Sounds like a younger version of Lord Madara—similar in both strength and temperament."
This time, White Zetsu's comment didn't irritate the old man.
Madara alternately shook and nodded his head, deep in thought.
Black Zetsu continued, "He's powerful, but his personality is erratic."
"Yet he genuinely wants to protect the entire Uchiha Clan—very much like you in your youth, Lord Madara."
"His current goal aligns with yours back then, except he hasn't seen the clan's stone tablet yet."
This revelation instantly reminded Madara—since Yato wasn't the clan leader, he wouldn't have accessed the tablet.
Perhaps if Yato saw the tablet's contents, he would understand Madara's perspective.
Madara asked, "Is there any way to let him see the tablet or make him clan leader?"
Black Zetsu answered, "Becoming clan leader is nearly impossible. He hasn't even considered it despite having the Mangekyo Sharingan."
"We could subtly make him aware of the tablet's existence and observe his choice afterward."
Thus concluded the evaluation of Uchiha Yato. Overall, Madara held him in high regard.
Next came the assessment of Uchiha Obito.
Black Zetsu reported, "Uchiha Obito—through observation and Yato's projections—"
"is infatuated with a girl named Rin Nohara. Stimulated by Yato, he successfully awakened his Sharingan, though he's somewhat dim-witted."
Madara summarized, "Fits the typical Uchiha traits perfectly—passionate and therefore easier to control."
Finally, Black Zetsu discussed Uchiha Shisui: "Currently adopted by Uchiha Yato."
"Exhibits exceptionally fast chakra extraction and receives training from Yato."
"Judging by his upbringing, his learning aptitude, abilities, and reasoning are all top-tier."
Madara remarked, "His youth is an advantage—easier to indoctrinate."
Having thoroughly reviewed all three individuals again, Madara finalized the strategy: wait and observe developments.His current identity wasn't suitable for moving around the ninja world too much, so he focused on developing these three potential chess pieces as much as possible.
...
Hidden Leaf Village.
Hokage Building.
At this very moment, Sarutobi Hiruzen was still tirelessly reviewing official documents.
Some time ago, pressured by villagers and his own clan's opinions, he had no choice but to temporarily remove Danzo from his position as an example.
To maintain the act thoroughly, he naturally took over some of Root's documents for processing.
Now, there were several urgent matters requiring his immediate attention.
First, Uchiha Yato hadn't caused any trouble recently, but he had established the Uchiha Kindergarten within the Uchiha Clan.
In terms of function and effect, it resembled a junior version and evening version of the ninja academy.
Meanwhile, the negative information about the Uchiha that Shimura Danzo had spread through Root had begun to change during this period of rectification.
The most noticeable change was in the police force. Since the establishment of the Leaf Court, all complicated, thorny cases involving power disputes or influential backgrounds were now handled fairly in court. This had gradually shifted the Uchiha's reputation toward fairness and strictness.
Shimura Danzo and Sarutobi Hiruzen's plan to suppress the Uchiha Clan had essentially failed halfway.
On another front, the Sand Ninja had sent a study group hoping to learn ninjutsu and medical techniques in the Hidden Leaf.
Currently, the first study group was nearing the Hidden Leaf's borders.
Sarutobi Hiruzen was considering how to both monitor these visitors and demonstrate the Hidden Leaf's strength.
Fortunately, the Hidden Leaf's combat power remained formidable. The key was carefully planning the Sand Ninja's activity zones—keeping them neither too close to the village center nor making them feel slighted.
After long contemplation at his desk, Hiruzen finally spoke to the figure beside him: "Sakumo, what do you think about the current Uchiha situation?"
Hatake Sakumo emerged from the shadows and respectfully replied, "Lord Hokage, I believe the Uchiha are currently beneficial to the village."
"Their radical faction has gradually quieted down without committing any extreme acts."
"Both ninja and civilians have shed their previous arrogant demeanor."
"From my perspective, the Uchiha Clan currently exemplifies model behavior for a major clan in the Hidden Leaf."
Sarutobi Hiruzen wasn't surprised by Sakumo's answer.
As the Third Hokage, he was inevitably influenced by the Second Hokage's views. Though he didn't go as far as Danzo in constantly labeling them "the wicked Uchiha," he still felt somewhat uncomfortable, maintaining his teacher's stance toward the clan.
After some vague remarks, both men moved on from the topic.
Then Hiruzen posed another question: "Sakumo, the Sand Ninja are coming to our village for study."
"What are your thoughts about their learning mission?"
When asked about external factors, Hatake Sakumo paused to consider.
"Study should be their primary purpose, but they likely have secondary objectives."
"Such as gathering information about Uchiha Yato... and myself."
Sakumo's speculation was quite accurate—these were indeed the Sand Ninja's hidden agendas.
The reconnaissance on Hatake Sakumo was predictable. Having killed Chiyo's son and daughter-in-law (as known in the original story), Sakumo had earned their undying enmity. Probing his information could very well precede an assassination attempt.Moreover, on the Sand Ninja battlefield, Hatake Sakumo alone had slain numerous Sand Ninja, earning him the title "White Fang of the Leaf."
As for Uchiha Yato, his battlefield exploits spoke for themselves.
This guy single-handedly toyed with an entire group of Sand Ninja, turning warfare into a game.
He even used his perverted genjutsu on the Sand Ninja, probably leaving many of them mentally broken.
Uchiha Yato was also called "Night Gai," showing just how excruciating that torment had been for the Sand Ninja.
Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded. He had already considered these two possibilities himself.
What Yato really needed was someone to guide him, help him identify gaps and prevent oversights.
At that moment, Shimura Danzo suddenly arrived for a visit.
Hatake Sakumo, understanding the situation, tactfully excused himself. After all, whenever Danzo came to see the Hokage, there was bound to be some tension.
Danzo strode in and immediately said, "Hiruzen, the Uchiha Clan is utterly despicable."
"By establishing the Uchiha Kindergarten, Uchiha Yato is essentially creating a village within the village!"
Right off the bat, Danzo was slapping labels on them, framing the Uchiha Clan with a major transgression.
Sarutobi Hiruzen replied, "Just tell me what you want me to do."
Danzo continued, "Aren't they teaching Ninjutsu?"
"Then let other major clans send their children to learn as well. Teaching one is the same as teaching many."
"This way, we can consolidate teaching resources and better protect the Hidden Leaf."
Hiruzen merely nodded without saying much.
Then, he asked Danzo, "I'll summon the Uchiha Clan leader tomorrow to discuss this. But right now, I want to know—are you aware of the Sand Ninja's visit for training?"
External affairs and intelligence gathering were primarily Danzo's responsibilities.
Without hesitation, Danzo replied, "It's nothing more than a probe. The Third Kazekage is hailed as the strongest Kazekage."
"They probably want to test the waters, see if they stand a chance in a fight."
Indeed, the Third Kazekage's Magnet Release was a troublesome Bloodline Limit.
Having lost the last war, the Sand Ninja naturally wanted to reclaim some pride—but first, they needed intel.
Hiruzen said, "I'll assign you a squad of Anbu to receive them. Pull Root operatives to keep them under surveillance."
"Not too lax, not too tight. I'll have Koharu Utatane assist you in hosting them. If there's nothing else, you may leave."
Having secured actual authority, Danzo didn't press further. He brought up the Uchiha issue one last time before departing.
Alone, Hiruzen muttered to himself,
"We'll see how the Uchiha Clan reacts tomorrow."