125. Konohagakure With Scattered Hearts
Deidara's eyes lit up with excitement as she gazed at Yagami as though she had found a kindred spirit. Breaking free from the restraints of the Iwagakure shinobi's Earth Release technique, she moved swiftly to Yagami's side.
"This brother is so right! Explosion itself is art. I'm just exploring more possibilities!" she exclaimed enthusiastically.
"That's true," Yagami replied calmly, "but don't you think your approach does little for the exploration of art? Explosion is a simple and singular concept. You only seek power and scale. Such a method will always lead to stagnation."
Yagami continued, observing Deidara's eager expression. He added, "Compared to people like the Raikage and Tsuchikage, who are more thoughtful, individuals like you, who are fixated on one pursuit, are much easier to influence."
"Ah? Now that you mention it, it does seem true. So, what do you think I should do?" Deidara asked, scratching her head, clearly at a loss.
"Why don't you try using your brain? Instead of just focusing on the power of explosions, think about precision. Isn't it more interesting to use calculated explosions to achieve specific outcomes? For instance, if I ask you to blow up a bridge, you must ensure its structural integrity isn't compromised. Simply destroying it—what art lies in that?
"Or, say I task you with targeting a human body. It would be best if you didn't leave visible scars but instead sever their chakra pathways at a cellular level. Wouldn't this be more captivating than raw destructive force?"
Yagami's explanation of precision explosions made Deidara pause in thought. Her mind churned with ideas as she contemplated this new perspective.
Meanwhile, Ōnoki stood silently to the side, watching as Deidara became utterly absorbed in Yagami's words. The young artist had entirely forgotten about her former mentor. The idea that such intricacies could elevate the art of explosion seemed to resonate deeply with her.
At the same time, news of the conclusion of the conflict between Kumogakure and Iwagakure began to spread. The intervention of the Uchiha clan could no longer be concealed. The appearance of Uchiha forces on the battlefield had decisively shaped the outcome of the war.
In Konoha, the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, sat in his office, puffing thoughtfully on his pipe as he reviewed the battle reports in his hands.
The document detailed how Uchiha elites, numbering only a hundred, had sliced through Iwagakure's defences like sharp blades. Uchiha Yagami alone had managed to suppress Ōnoki and the leadership of Iwagakure. Even the forces of Kumogakure, including the Raikage, had no choice but to abandon demands for war reparations and retreat entirely.
Such power and combat effectiveness once belonged solely to Konoha's prime forces, yet now they lay in the hands of the Uchiha.
Looking out over Konoha, Hiruzen sighed inwardly. Though he remained Hokage in name, his grip on the village was slipping. Most of the Sarutobi clan's shinobi were stationed at the borders, and the Shimura clan had begun to fade from prominence following Danzo's death. Their influence in the village was shrinking with each passing day.
The Tenshin and Mito clans faced similar circumstances. Lacking funding or policy support from the village, their strength continued to dwindle.
As for the great clans like Uchiha and Hyūga, the situation was markedly different. The Uchiha clan operated autonomously and largely disregarded the village's decisions, while the Hyūga clan maintained a reserved distance from the Hokage's office, limiting their involvement to routine village affairs.
The Ino-Shika-Chō trio remained loyal as always, but their allegiance was to the position of Hokage, not to Sarutobi Hiruzen himself.
The internal situation of Konoha was in disarray, and the external circumstances were no better.
First, the grievances from the daimyo's side persisted. Sarutobi Hiruzen was acutely aware that even with Danzo gone, as long as he remained Hokage, the tensions would not disappear. The matter could only be resolved if the Hokage stepped down or the daimyo was replaced.
Among the five great ninja villages, Konoha's relationships with the others were far from amicable. Iwagakure harboured a deep-seated enmity, while Sunagakure nursed the wounds of its defeat. Like Kumogakure, it would seize any opportunity to undermine Konoha. Though Kirigakure was separated by the sea, past grievances had yet to fade, even if direct confrontations were rare.
If Konoha still possessed its former strength, such issues might have been negligible. However, without the Uchiha's allegiance and with the disunity among the village's ninja clans, could Konoha still claim to be strong?
The Third Hokage realized with a sinking heart that his authority over the village's combat forces had waned. Aside from a handful of loyal Anbu, his command lacked the weight it once carried.
"Hokage-sama, the daimyo of the Land of Water, the Land of Lightning, and the Land of Earth have united with the Kage of each respective village. They've issued an announcement of business cooperation with the Uchiha Group, recognizing its status as a multinational enterprise. They plan to sign the franchise contract in the Land of Iron in three days. This is the franchise application from the daimyo. Your instructions?"
As the Third Hokage reflected on these developments, an Anbu entered, delivering the documents to his desk.
"Put it down. Send a letter to inform the daimyo that I will attend the signing," he replied, his voice heavy with resignation.
The Third Hokage sighed as the Anbu left. Neither the daimyo nor Yagami had consulted him about the matter. Instead, they bypassed him entirely, directly finalizing the arrangement. In the past, Sarutobi might have protested such a move, but now he lacked the strength or influence to oppose it.
Had it not been necessary for the Kage of each village to sign the agreement, he suspected he might not have learned of it until after the contract was finalized.
The Hokage's current position left him powerless to resist these changes.
"Hokage-sama, please take care of yourself. The village will persevere," the Anbu offered quietly, noticing the weariness etched on Sarutobi's face. He waved them off in silence.
The upcoming gathering of the Kage from the four major ninja villages mirrored the prestige of a Five Kage Summit. Sarutobi couldn't help but marvel at the Uchiha's growing influence. At the same time, he wondered wistfully how things might have been if such a powerful Uchiha clan had remained allied with Konoha.
Meanwhile, in Sunagakure, the village had also received news from the ninja world. Rasa, the Fourth Kazekage, was astonished by the sheer power demonstrated by the Uchiha. Yet he also recognized the futility of opposing such might. Sunagakure, with its limited resources, could hardly contend with the likes of a towering Susanoo, no matter the sacrifice.
Exasperated, Rasa muttered to himself, "Let it all fall apart."
As a practical leader, Rasa was acutely aware of Sunagakure's limitations. If faced with Uchiha's overwhelming strength, admitting defeat was the only sensible course of action.
What truly unsettled him was the Uchiha Group's business negotiations. Although Sunagakure and the Land of Wind were economically barren compared to other nations, they were still part of the Five Great Nations and home to one of the Five Great Ninja Villages. To be excluded from such a significant collaboration stung their pride.
Rasa frowned deeply. "Uchiha negotiated with the other four but left us out? We have pride, too! The Land of Wind desperately needs economic development."
He quickly summoned a subordinate. "Send word to Granny Chiyo. No matter what, Sunagakure must participate in the Uchiha Group's franchise. Notify the daimyo as well."
Rasa knew convincing Chiyo would be no easy task. However, the Land of Wind's daimyo would play a crucial role in securing Sunagakure's involvement in the negotiations.
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