It seemed as though Uchiha Fugaku had been waiting to hear those words for a very long time.
When he finally spoke, his voice was almost choked with emotion.
“The Uchiha Clan is willing to brave fire and water for Konoha.
If necessary, I myself will go to the front lines.” For a moment, Kei couldn’t understand why Fugaku was so emotional.
Then Orochimaru’s next sentence immediately cooled his enthusiasm.
“Heh…
Minato, you’ve only just returned, haven’t you?
You haven’t even congratulated Lord Fugaku.
He recently succeeded in bringing dozens of lost clansmen back home.” Kei didn’t understand.
Orochimaru did.
Although the Uchiha participated in the war, they had been deliberately dispersed among various battlefronts.
If Fugaku, as Clan Head, personally took command on the battlefield, he would inevitably become the commander of an entire front.
That…
Was exactly what the Hokage’s faction didn’t want to see.
Minato smiled apologetically.
“My apologies, Lord Fugaku.
Congratulations on reuniting with your clansmen.” “With their strength reinforcing the front lines, Konoha’s advance will surely become unstoppable.” Whether Minato truly understood Orochimaru’s implication was impossible to tell.
Even so, he once again asked Fugaku to provide reinforcements for the front.
After Orochimaru’s reminder, Fugaku seemed to remember something.
The excitement in his eyes dimmed with visible disappointment.
When Minato first made his request, Fugaku hadn’t had time to think.
He had only seen an opportunity.
An opportunity for the Uchiha to return to Konoha’s highest circles.
If he could personally command troops, distinguish himself in battle, and earn military merit…
The Uchiha would once again possess influence within the village.
But the moment Orochimaru spoke…
Fugaku remembered.
Minato was only a possible future Hokage.
His words carried no authority.
Still…
Years of suppression had left Fugaku desperately clinging to hope.
What if…
What if Minato truly represented the Hokage’s goodwill?
Perhaps the war really had reached such a desperate stage that Konoha finally needed to rely on the Uchiha.
After all…
This was no longer the era of the First Hokage.
So Fugaku chose not to refuse.
“As long as Konoha requires it…” “The Uchiha will spare no effort.” Minato smiled in satisfaction.
Without any concern for the fact that today’s gathering was meant to be a casual outing, he immediately pulled out a map.
“Lord Fugaku.” “I hope the Uchiha can dispatch another one to two hundred shinobi to reinforce the Land of Water front.” “Shisui Uchiha is stationed there.” “The situation has become increasingly critical.” Fugaku actually leaned over the map and examined it with complete seriousness.
Every movement reflected genuine concern for the war.
Minato’s request was sincere.
Fugaku’s consideration was equally genuine.
But what he was truly calculating wasn’t battlefield strategy.
He was wondering whether this would give him a chance to personally command the Uchiha on the front lines.
He was wondering how he could use this contribution to remind the village of the Uchiha Clan’s sacrifices.
Only Orochimaru and Kei exchanged amused glances.
Orochimaru knew Minato’s promise meant nothing.
Kei knew Fugaku couldn’t possibly gather another one or two hundred combat-ready Uchiha even if he wanted to.
Watching two men who had no authority over the matter earnestly discussing the course of the war…
Neither of them had the heart to interrupt.
Within minutes, both Orochimaru and Kei had lost interest in listening.
Since it would have been awkward to excuse themselves immediately, they instead watched Oboro and Anko enthusiastically competing to see who could eat more dango.
Meanwhile…
Young Itachi looked back and forth between the girls enjoying their sweets and the adults discussing military affairs.
He wanted both.
The conflict on his face was almost comical.
Eventually, the awkward conversation finally came to an end.
“Then I’ll entrust the front lines to the Uchiha Clan.” “You have my word, Minato.” The two seemed satisfied with the agreement they had reached.
Immediately afterward, Fugaku turned toward Kei with the solemn dignity of a clan head.
“Kei.” “Send your people to the Land of Water.” “They’re to follow Shisui’s command.” “He needs your support.” Kei nearly laughed out loud.
…What?
How did the discussion somehow end with me being volunteered?
His response was immediate.
“How much are you paying?” The question stunned everyone present.
If Kei possessed a few Orange-tier Summons right now, he would have openly confronted Fugaku.
Unfortunately…
He didn’t.
So he settled for a polite reminder.
Times have changed.
I don’t actually have to obey you anymore.
To Kei…
That seemed perfectly reasonable.
To almost everyone else…
It sounded outrageous.
Especially the shinobi who had just returned from the battlefield.
How could someone ask for money when defending the village?
Earn military achievements.
Complete missions.
Increase your mission record.
Advance in rank.
Then earn more money.
The village had already given every shinobi a path to success.
Why ask for payment before even setting foot on the battlefield?
Fugaku frowned.
“Kei…” “What kind of question is that?” “Have you forgotten Konoha’s system?” An awkward silence spread through the crowd.
Fugaku simply chalked it up to childish immaturity.
As expected…
Someone this immature shouldn’t hold such authority.
Perhaps I really should work more closely with Uchiha Danjō.
Someone steady and dependable like him is the true pillar of the Uchiha Clan.
That was Fugaku’s conclusion.
Kei, however, remained completely unconcerned.
“Konoha’s system?” “I think everyone here has forgotten something far more fundamental.” “What exactly…” “…is a shinobi?” That was the art of debate.
Never argue on your opponent’s terms.
Pull them into your own.
If they wanted to discuss institutions…
Then Kei would discuss origins.
For a moment…
Everyone looked confused.
Seeing no one answer, Kei simply continued.
“A shinobi…” “Is fundamentally nothing more than a powerful tool.” “A tool created for war.” As he spoke, Kei slowly walked forward.
His head lifted slightly, as though addressing Fugaku.
Yet his words were clearly meant for everyone present.
“When shinobi first emerged, they disrupted the existing order.” “They possessed tremendous power…” “Yet produced nothing themselves.” “Naturally, they consumed vast amounts of society’s resources.” “But unlike the nobility…” “They weren’t granted those resources by the Daimyō.” “In other words…” “They infringed upon the Daimyō’s authority.” “So to the rulers of the land…” “Shinobi became inherently unstable elements.” Kei clasped his hands behind his back and looked toward the sky.
His expression carried the nostalgia of someone recounting ancient history rather than making an argument.
It was a story completely unrelated to himself.
Yet every shinobi present listened intently.
Because no one had ever taught them where shinobi truly came from.
“In those days…” “The Daimyō used every method imaginable to restrain shinobi.” “They bound them with emotions.” “They tempted them with rewards.” “They kept them constantly killing one another.” “So busy surviving…” “They never had the opportunity to ask a simple question.” “Why do we exist?” “That…” “…was the era later known as the Warring States Period.” A gentle breeze drifted through the street.
For just a moment…
Everyone seemed transported back to that chaotic age.
No one interrupted him.
Kei continued calmly.
“So much time has passed.” “But no one ever stopped to ask another question.” “Why was warfare between shinobi clans almost entirely confined to fighting other shinobi?” “They certainly harmed civilians as collateral damage.” “But they almost never deliberately targeted ordinary people.” “We’ve all accepted the belief that shinobi must never harm civilians.” “But who taught us that?” “Can anyone here tell me?” What had begun as Fugaku assigning Kei a battlefield command…
Had somehow transformed into Kei questioning everyone else.
“Ridiculous!” “A true shinobi would never bully the weak!” “Exactly!” “The weak prey upon those weaker than themselves!” “A real shinobi challenges those stronger!” “That’s our ninja way!” Voices immediately rose in protest.
Every answer was filled with lofty ideals.
It almost made Kei sound like the villain.
Yet he simply smiled.
“But wasn’t survival the entire purpose of the Warring States Period?” “If survival is everything…” “Shouldn’t every method be acceptable?” Another question.
Another silence.
“Impossible!” “We’re the protectors of the Land of Fire!” “We’re honorable shinobi!” “We’d never stoop so low!” The objections continued.
But now…
More and more people simply fell silent.
Especially the older shinobi.
Kei understood why.
Morality always occupied the highest ground.
Those who acted selfishly rarely dared defend themselves openly.
He didn’t care.
He only wanted to understand one thing.
Why did shinobi fight?
“So who established those moral principles?” “If a people’s survival is at stake…” “What should truly be considered unacceptable?” “Your way of thinking is despicable!” “Besides…” “We don’t live in those times anymore!” Kei slowly shook his head.
“We’ve never truly lived in an age of peace.” “The peace you enjoy today…” “Exists only because shinobi united to keep one another warm against the cold.” “Outside the great villages…” “Rogue Ninja and missing-nin still commit all the acts you condemn.” “And why?” “They’re simply trying to survive.” “Then Rogue Ninja and missing-nin deserve to die!” Kei smiled.
He hadn’t come here to preach harmony.
He had come to plant seeds of doubt.
People could argue all they wanted.
He wasn’t trying to convince them.
He only wanted more people to fall silent.
“I’m not discussing morality.” “I’m asking a different question.” “What is the purpose…” “…of war between shinobi?” What had started as a chance encounter between Konoha’s elite…
Had become a discussion between Kei and the weary shinobi who had returned from the battlefield without ever questioning why they fought.
“To protect Konoha!” “To protect the Land of Fire!” “Then why…” Kei asked quietly.
“Do we protect the Land of Fire?” “Because it’s our homeland!” Once again…
Those grand, noble ideals echoed through the streets of Konoha.
The gathered shinobi seemed determined to persuade this heretic standing before them