The excitement and ecstasy in Uchiha Setsuna's eyes slightly subsided, replaced by deep contemplation.
He didn't immediately question him; instead, his gaze, which had been burning with the Mangekyo, was now fixed intently on Sho U's young yet exceptionally calm face.
He knew this young man and that he was by no means reckless; choosing the Hidden Cloud Village must have a profound reason.
"Hidden Cloud Village..."
Elder Setsuna slowly repeated the word, his fingers unconsciously twisting the tea-soaked fabric of his sleeve.
"Sho U, tell me, why there? It is far from Konoha, with vastly different customs, and history shows many frictions between us. To choose a path that seems the most difficult and incomprehensible, your reasons must be enough to convince me and these children who have entrusted their lives to you."
His voice was steady yet carried significant weight. Inside the stone house, Renka and the other ten people held their breath, all eyes focused on Sho U.
They also harbored natural estrangement and doubts toward the Hidden Cloud Village. At this moment, they needed the leader they were about to follow to provide an answer that would ignite their new direction rather than dampen their spirits.
Uchiha Shao Yu met Elder Setsuna's scrutinizing gaze and felt the ten burning stares from behind. His expression did not waver in the slightest, and the Mangekyo Sharingan in his eyes, with its flowing belts of strange light, seemed to grow even deeper.
He spoke, every word striking a chord in everyone's hearts.
"Elder, everyone, my choice of the Hidden Cloud Village is not an impulsive act, nor is it a disregard for historical grievances. On the contrary, it is based on a calm analysis of the current situation in the Ninja World, the status of each hidden village, and our own predicament. There are two reasons; please listen as I explain them in detail."
He held up his first finger.
"First, strength and potential. We are defecting not to barely survive, and certainly not to live under someone else's roof and beg for scraps."
"What we want is a powerful platform where we can establish a foothold, accumulate strength, and perhaps even have the chance to turn the tables in the future."
"Looking at the Five Great Nations today: Konoha is too busy with its own affairs and views us as a major threat, so it's excluded; Sunagakure is impoverished, weak, and internally unstable; Iwagakure is conservative and xenophobic, and Tsuchikage Ōnoki is too calculating to be trusted; Hidden Mist's 'Blood Mist' policy is eerie and unpredictable—it is no good place."
Sho U did not speak fast, but his analysis was clear and logical, causing the once-doubting crowd to nod slightly.
"Only the Hidden Cloud Village," he paused, his tone growing heavier, "is the hidden village with the strongest overall strength, the most vigorous upward momentum, and a relatively united and stable internal structure outside of Konoha."
"Third Hokage, Ay, known as the 'strongest spear' and 'strongest shield,' possesses personal valor unsurpassed in the Ninja World. He acts with firmness and decisiveness, and the Raikage's faction holds absolute authority within the village. The power structure is far clearer and more efficient than Konoha's complex High-level Council. This means that as long as we gain his approval, our situation in the Hidden Cloud will be much more stable."
Seeing Elder Setsuna's eyes flicker, Sho U delved deeper.
"Moreover, the Hidden Cloud's reserve of top-tier combat power is staggering. The Two-Tails Jinchuriki, Camilla (Original setting, the Jinchuriki before Nii Yugito), and the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki, Blue B—according to my intelligence, both are rare 'Perfect Jinchuriki'!"
He emphasized the term.
"The Tailed Beast's power is seamlessly fused with their own, controllable and explosive. This means the Hidden Cloud possesses two super trumps capable of changing the course of local battles."
"A hidden village possessing one of the world's strongest Kage and two Perfect Jinchuriki... this level of high-end combat power is something other villages can only dream of, with only Konoha's heritage being able to put up a fight."
Renka couldn't help but interject in a low voice.
"Perfect Jinchuriki... truly terrifying. Konoha's Nine-Tails Jinchuriki..."
He shook his head; everyone understood his unspoken words. Konoha's control and utilization of the Nine-Tails currently rested with the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, Uzumaki Mito—no, it should be Senju Mito.
The current Uzumaki Mito can be considered the strongest person at present, second only to the underground Uchiha Madara and the still-wandering Ōtsutsuki Isshiki. Even Hiruzen Sarutobi in his prime would be no match for her; the terrifying extent of her strength is evident.
Sho U nodded and continued.
"That's not all. From top to bottom, the Hidden Cloud Village worships martial prowess, strives for governance, and has never slackened in military preparations. Their Ninjas have a fierce fighting style and strong execution. Their 'Nintaijutsu' is unique and complements our Sharingan Genjutsu and Ninjutsu systems."
"By joining such a village that is on the rise, craves power, and respects the strong, we can obtain the development space and resources we most desperately need, rather than wasting away in a stagnant place or one riddled with internal strife."
He held up a second finger.
"Second, demand and acceptance. Why would the Hidden Cloud Village accept us? Precisely because of their strength and ambition."
"Third Raikage Ai is an ambitious and bold leader. He yearns to make the Hidden Cloud stronger, to gain more say in the Ninja World, and perhaps... even harbors the ambition to surpass Konoha. And as for us—"
Sho U's gaze swept over the crowd before returning to Elder Setsuna's face.
"We Uchiha, though forced to leave Konoha, do not carry shame with us, but capital! Eleven Uchiha elites who have awakened the Sharingan, including three Jonin, seven elite Chunin, and..."
He pointed to his own eyes.
"A pair of Mangekyo Sharingan. This power would be enough to cause an earthquake in any hidden village! The Hidden Cloud Village worships strength and respects the powerful."
"By seeking refuge of our own accord, we bring an invaluable Bloodline Limit, rich combat experience—especially knowledge of Konoha—and powerful immediate combat strength. For a Hidden Cloud that is actively expanding and in competition with Konoha, this is an irresistible temptation."
"The Raikage may be gruff, but he is by no means stupid."
Sho U asserted.
"He can see our value clearly. As long as we show enough sincerity and strength, he will not only accept us but likely grant us considerable status and resources. He needs a role model—a model to attract more talents from the Ninja World to join the Hidden Cloud."
"We will be the banner he raises for the entire Ninja World to see: Look, even the prestigious Uchiha of Konoha choose the Hidden Cloud; this is the place where the strong belong!"
"Of course," Sho U changed the subject, his tone calm.
"There will certainly be initial testing, wariness, and even difficulties. The Hidden Cloud cannot be a monolithic entity; there will inevitably be voices of opposition."
"But this is precisely our opportunity. We can win true respect and status by completing missions, demonstrating our might, and gradually integrating."
"Compared to the risk of being coveted and swallowed up by a weak village, or getting bogged down in endless political struggles in a complex one, the relatively simple rule of'strength is respected' in the Hidden Cloud Village is actually fairer for us. It gives us a better chance to carve out a place for ourselves with our own abilities."
Uchiha Setsuna remained silent for a long time. He just looked at Sho U, his gaze shifting from initial surprise to deep thought, finally turning into an indescribable, complex expression mixed with shock and relief.
He slowly walked back to the stone table and sat down, his fingers rubbing the rough surface as if digesting Sho U's analysis, which far exceeded his expectations.
After a long while, he let out a long, deep breath, as if exhaling some of the frustration that had built up over decades of guarding a corner of Konoha.
"Good... Good!"
Elder Setsuna's voice was somewhat hoarse yet exceptionally powerful. He looked up, his eyes shining with an unprecedented light—an excited glow of seeing hope and a successor truly coming into his own.
"Sho U... I originally thought you were merely superior in strength and possessed extraordinary courage. I didn't expect your vision, your strategy, and your insight into the overall situation of the Ninja World to have reached such a level!"
He slapped Sho U's arm hard.
"Lord Madara back then had invincible power that could sweep through thousands and an overbearing arrogance that looked down on the world, but in terms of assessing the situation and choosing a path... perhaps he was not as clear and pragmatic as you are now!"
His gaze swept over Renka and the others, seeing that the doubt in their eyes had long since been replaced by conviction and excitement.
"You are right! Konoha is decadent and views us as enemies. Other hidden villages are either weak or treacherous, unable to take on great responsibilities. Only the Hidden Cloud—strong, enterprising, and craving power—is the best springboard for our Uchiha to survive this desperate situation and reach new heights!"
"Seeking refuge in an enemy village? No! This is a strategic transfer, choosing the best tree to perch on! Historical grievances are insignificant in the face of survival and development, in the face of the Uchiha's future! We will make the Uchiha's Sharingan bloom with even more dazzling brilliance in the Hidden Cloud!"
Advance chapter available on pãtrêon Got1808