Inside the main tent, the discussion about becoming the Fourth Hokage continued, but everyone's expressions had grown much more serious.
Fugaku's voice was deep and solemn, as if each word carried immense weight. "Everyone, we need to make a decision. Do we return to Konoha with honor and money, content with the status quo, or do we take a gamble and strive for the position of Fourth Hokage?"
As soon as he finished speaking, Yashiro suddenly stood up, his Three-Tomoe Sharingan spinning wildly in his eyes, blood-red pupils burning with years of suppressed rage. He slammed his palm onto the table, making the tea set clatter.
"Fugaku, is there even a choice? The Uchiha clan has endured for too long. Last night's battle proved that we have the power to change the Ninja World's pattern. If we miss this opportunity, the Uchiha will forever be excluded from Konoha's core power."
The liquid in the teacup sloshed violently, and dark brown tea continuously overflowed, snaking across the sandalwood table. It was as if the Uchiha clan's years of suppressed anger had finally found an outlet.
Unkai, thoughtfully stroking a new scar on his chin, said worriedly, "But supporting the Kirigakure battlefield will surely 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 holding back, can we truly win?"
His gaze swept across the faces of everyone in the tent, finally resting on Fugaku.
Tetsu slowly twirled his ring, the surface occasionally reflecting a soft glow.
"But this is also our best opportunity. During wartime, strength is paramount. We have just achieved a decisive victory against Iwagakure, and our prestige is soaring. If we can achieve new merits on the Kirigakure battlefield, the position of the Fourth Hokage is not out of reach."
Hearing that Tetsu also agreed, Yashiro suddenly erupted, the three tomoe in his Sharingan spinning rapidly, blood-red Chakra almost overflowing from his eyes.
"Everyone, in last night's battle, we captured five thousand Iwagakure ninjas and demanded thirty billion ryo in compensation. Such achievements have already made Konoha's higher-ups uneasy. We have already become a threat to them, so even if we obediently return, will we truly be safe?"
His voice suddenly lowered, but it became even more chilling. "How did the Senju clan disappear? How did Sakumo die? It's only been a few years, have you forgotten all of it?"
A deathly silence fell over the tent, with only Yashiro's angry gasps echoing. Everyone's expressions suddenly became unpredictable.
Listening to the arguments, Fugaku's gaze fell on the small flag representing Konoha on the map. That flag was planted in the center of the Land of Fire, surrounded by the flags of the other four great nations. It was like the Uchiha clan's situation in Konoha, seemingly at the core, but actually isolated and helpless.
"If we decide to defy orders and go to the Kirigakure battlefield, how exactly should we proceed? And what about Hiruzen? He will definitely send people to stop us." Fugaku's voice broke the silence.
Shun's eyes gleamed with a cunning that belied his age as he said, "We need a legitimate reason. For example, receiving urgent intelligence requesting assistance from the Kirigakure battlefield, and for the sake of Konoha's interests, we had no choice but to immediately rush to their aid. Once we arrive at the Kirigakure battlefield and achieve a decisive victory, even if the Third Hokage is displeased, he won't be able to criticize us in front of the villagers."
Urgent footsteps suddenly sounded outside the tent, and an Uchiha ninja lifted the tent flap.
"Report! Ōnoki has arrived with 30 billion ryo in war reparations and is now at the outpost entrance!"
Fugaku nodded, no emotion visible on his face. "Understood. Arrange for them to wait outside for now."
After the messenger ninja withdrew, he looked around at everyone.
"Let's temporarily put a hold on the matter of supporting the Kirigakure battlefield. We'll make plans after we've refined the details of the strategy. First, let's go meet Ōnoki and secure the 30 billion ryo in war reparations."
Outside the camp gate, Ōnoki's short figure floated in mid-air, the wrinkles on his face seemingly deeper.
Behind him stood dozens of Iwagakure Jonin, all of them tense, their eyes burning with unwilling rage.
Ōnoki's voice was hoarse and dry, as if he hadn't drunk water in a long time. "Satoshi, bring out the war reparations."
An Iwagakure ninja named Satoshi stepped forward, his movements stiff and mechanical, as if every joint resisted this humiliating task. He gently placed a very large scroll on the ground, then formed hand signs and clapped his hands on it.
With a bang, after the white smoke dispersed, dozens of pitch-black metal boxes were neatly arranged on the ground. Each box had a tag with the character "Iwa" on it, and the edges of the tags showed traces of other seals being torn off.
Fugaku signaled his subordinates to go forward and inspect, while also having thousands of Konoha ninjas secretly prepare for battle, in case Ōnoki reneged and launched a sneak attack. His Sharingan remained locked on Ōnoki, ready to respond to any possible sudden attack.
Thousands of Konoha ninjas had secretly prepared for battle, the cold glint of kunai faintly visible among the branches and leaves, and the fuses of explosive tags carefully clutched in their hands.
Ōnoki said expressionlessly, "I've brought the money. When will you release the people?"
Fugaku calmly replied, "Bring everyone out."
The camp gate slowly opened, and over five thousand prisoners walked out in a long line. Most of them were wounded and looked dispirited, a stark contrast to their fierce appearance on the battlefield yesterday.
Ōnoki searched among the prisoners, suddenly fixating his gaze on a tall figure. It was his son, Kitsuchi.
Kitsuchi kept his head down, deliberately avoiding his father's gaze, his shame clearly visible on his face.
Ōnoki suddenly cursed, his voice laced with anger and disappointment, "Useless. You've messed up the war like this. Do you even have the face to live?"
Kitsuchi's body visibly trembled, but he still kept his head down, not daring to meet his father's eyes.
Several Iwagakure ninjas stepped forward to help him, but he roughly pushed them away.
The handover process was unexpectedly smooth. Although Ōnoki's face was extremely dark, he ultimately made no outrageous moves.
When the last Iwagakure prisoner left the camp, Fugaku's tense shoulders finally relaxed slightly.
An Uchiha ninja reported in a low voice, "Fugaku-sama, the inspection is complete. It is indeed 30 billion ryo, not a single coin less."
Fugaku nodded almost imperceptibly, watching Ōnoki lead the Iwagakure forces into the distance, a question forming in his mind.
'Would that vengeful old fox truly give up so easily?'