Naruto: Uchiha Rejects Konoha

Putting aside personal factors, the cooperation between the Uchiha and the Kirigakure shinobi has a clause of mutual assistance through force.

So even if the Uchiha closed the employment channel, Terumi Mei still has legitimate reasons to invite the Uchiha to join this confrontation with the Akatsuki organization.

After all, Obito tortures Kirigakure. Although there has been substantial development since the death of the Fourth Mizukage, it is only an improvement in living conditions and the economy.

As for the village's combat power, it will take time to make up for the losses. It is not easy to train a shinobi, and it is even more challenging to train a powerful one.

What's more, Kirigakure's bloodline limit clans were greatly affected by Obito, making it extremely difficult to increase their strength.

Therefore, although Kirigakure still holds the size of a great ninja village, it lacks high-end combat power. Mizukage Terumi Mei has made it clear that she wants to participate in the war, but she cannot leave the village unprotected.

In the final analysis, even if the five great ninja villages join forces, they will not let down their guard against one another. Hoshigaki Kisame and Suikazan Fuguki will not leave Kirigakure easily.

"How about it? Which shinobi did the Third Hokage recruit to form a coalition? They can't really all be transferred from the border!"

Yagami did not immediately respond to Terumi Mei's invitation but instead asked about the formation of Konoha's coalition forces.

"That's possible! Although the four ninja clans of Sarutobi, Shimura, Akimichi, and Mitokado account for half of the coalition, the Third Hokage has not overlooked the other ninja clans. Konoha has made it clear that it will flex its muscles tenfold this time. It's impressive."

Raimon sneered and said, this time, the Third Hokage asked several ninja clans directly under his influence to contribute, not because he felt that these clans had received so many favours from Konoha and wanted to repay it, and certainly not because there were too many people, and the families couldn't support them.

He aimed to expend resources through war.

After all, it is not easy to train a shinobi. No matter how dire the situation of the Sarutobi clan is, the Third Hokage would never think of reducing the number of shinobi to save resources.

Firstly, too many negative incidents have occurred in Konoha recently, many of which have tarnished the village's image. Especially the Uchiha clan's departure from Konoha, which led many to perceive Konoha as weaker.

Although the coalition forces are joining together to confront the Akatsuki organization, it is also a rare operation where the five great ninja villages are cooperating.

Thus, Konoha must showcase significant strength to make the other four villages exercise caution.

After all, the Third Hokage does not want another war.

The second reason lies with these four ninja clans. Due to Danzo, the reputation of Konoha's top leadership, including the Third Hokage, has been somewhat damaged, particularly among the clans they represent.

Furthermore, during Konoha's economic crisis, the development of the four clans surpassed normal expectations. While no one in Konoha voiced these concerns openly, it was a widely known fact, causing the reputation of Konoha's leadership and these clans to decline significantly.

Now, by using shinobi from these four clans as the main force, the Third Hokage aims to restore their standing among the populace through an external war.

It must be said that the Third Hokage's approach of appearing both responsible and pragmatic is highly strategic. Knowing that he could not coerce the Uchiha into cooperation, he promptly devised a method that would still benefit him.

"Let them go! You return to Evernight City and inform the clan leader to maintain close contact with Kirigakure. I'll head to Amegakure."

Yagami shook his head. Now, Uchiha's stance towards Konoha no longer needs indoctrination or correction. As long as Konoha acts, the Uchiha will instinctively find fault with it. Yagami had once wondered if he had been too severe in his efforts.

Time passed quietly, and before long, the troops from various forces began to gather one after another in the Land of Grass.

At the coalition meeting, when Raikage and Tsuchikage saw Uchiha Yagami standing behind Terumi Mei, their eyes nearly popped out.

As the Konoha team leader, Sarutobi Shinnosuke almost rubbed his eyes raw. Why on earth was Uchiha with the Kirigakure shinobi? Weren't they supposed to participate in this operation?

Sarutobi Shinnosuke couldn't comprehend it. After all, Uchiha Yagami had made it very clear at the high-level meeting, yet here he was, appearing as part of Kirigakure's team.

Ōnoki and Ay also found it baffling. They had both considered hiring the Uchiha clan, but Uchiha had stopped accepting missions. So, how did Kirigakure manage to involve Uchiha?

"It's really strange. I remember that during the Third Great Ninja War, Uchiha and Kirigakure fought to the death. I didn't expect their relationship to become so close now. Can Konoha tolerate this?"

As soon as everyone gathered, Ōnoki addressed Sarutobi Shinnosuke.

"Tsuchikage-sama doesn't need to sow discord between Uchiha and Konoha. It won't make things worse, nor will it make them better. Moreover, my presence here is a private matter between myself and the Mizukage and has nothing to do with the Uchiha clan," Yagami replied, clearly exasperated.

After all, they were allies now. Stirring up conflicts at this point seemed counterproductive. Yagami looked at Ōnoki with slightly unfriendly eyes, causing Ōnoki to freeze.

Realizing his mistake, Ōnoki felt a pang of regret. He had spoken out of habit without considering the consequences. The Uchiha were no longer a force to be trifled with!

The Fourth Raikage initially wanted to criticize Ōnoki but refrained for the sake of the alliance's interests.

Besides, the participation of Uchiha Yagami was advantageous for the coalition forces. At the very least, it gave them some confidence in facing the leader of the Akatsuki organization.

"Alright, we're all here for the same purpose, so let's not dwell on gains and losses. Instead, we should focus on how to attack the Akatsuki organization. The troops from each village have already been assembled. Should we strike together or separately?"

The Fourth Raikage rarely restrained his temper and went straight to the point.

The coalition army was composed of five villages, and deciding who would command it posed a significant problem. Each village had contributed its elite shinobi, and no one wanted their forces to be sacrificed under another village's command.

If mishandled, the attack on the Akatsuki organization could devolve into a disaster, with villages using it as an opportunity to undermine one another. Thus, everyone was cautious about the command structure.

"In my opinion... we should separate! Each of us three Kage will lead a team and attack from three directions. What do you think?"

Terumi Mei thought for a moment before voicing her suggestion.

Hearing this, Sarutobi Shinnosuke and the representative from Sunagakure visibly paled. Dividing the coalition into three teams under the three Kage meant that shinobi from their villages would be scattered across the three units.

In such a scenario, the Kage would likely prioritize their own village's interests. What would happen to the shinobi from other villages? Would they end up as expendable cannon fodder?

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