Soon, Kaze locked onto the location of the so-called Chakra Divine Tree.
Good guy, the key and location involved two secret places in the ninja world.
One was the Box of Ultimate Bliss, a Sage's Tool.
The location was in the Land of Demons.
Kaze didn't even need to think to know that the place where this so-called Chakra Divine Tree was located must be related to that world-destroying demon · Mōryō.
Okay, okay, okay...
Black Zetsu was really treating him like Uchiha Madara to mess with!
"I understand."
"Alright, if you have nothing else, don't talk."
"I have stupidity intolerance."
Kaze casually threw the stone slab away, strode out of the training ground, and headed for the bathroom.
Now, Black Zetsu was petrified on the spot.
Something's wrong, 100% wrong!
Uchiha people shouldn't be like this!
Either they are madmen with firm goals, who will do anything to accomplish their ideas.
Like Uchiha Madara.
Or they are fools.
As long as guided and designed a little, they will unwaveringly believe the little bit of so-called "truth" they see.
Like Uchiha Obito.
But the Uchiha Kaze in front of him was completely different.
Black Zetsu originally thought his investigation of Uchiha Kaze was sufficient, but... now he didn't know how to proceed for a moment.
However, Black Zetsu wouldn't give up just like that.
He must obtain enough intelligence.
As for Kaze, even if he couldn't execute what he wanted like Uchiha Madara.
But he could also serve as a choice to replace Uchiha Obito.
...
The next day, in the Hokage Office.
Nara Shikaku looked somewhat suspiciously at the black shadow behind Kaze, unclear why the Hokage would arrange such a guard.
In Nara Shikaku's view, Uchiha Kaze simply didn't need such a guard.
He didn't think there was anyone now who could threaten Kaze.
"Lord Hokage, news just came from the Intelligence Department. Under Hyūga Hiashi's command, the first contact battle with Kirigakure ninjas has occurred."
"Twenty-three on the opposing side were wiped out, Konoha had two deaths and six serious injuries."
"The pension, needs your signature here."
Nara Shikaku said, taking out a document and placing it in front of Kaze.
The two who died were Kazenoumi and Shibata.
Kazenoumi: 31 years old, Chūnin, skilled in Fire Release, Wind Release.
Family relations: Wife · Haitenyi, son Saijūichi · 11 years old. (Note: Names are likely minor/filler, translated phonetically/literally).
Missions: 49 B-rank missions, 125 C-rank missions.
Merits: Killed two Kirigakure Chūnin, seriously injured one Kirigakure Chūnin.
Pension: 20 million ryo.
Shibata: 33 years old, Chūnin, skilled in Water Release, Sensory.
Family relations: Daughter Vanilla · 13 years old.
Missions: 52 B-rank missions, 119 C-rank missions.
Merits: First to discover the location of the Kirigakure squad, sent back intelligence while seriously injured, died of exhaustion.
Pension: 20 million ryo.
After reading the content, Kaze signed without hesitation.
"Arrangements for their families should be made well. Also, if they need, they can go to the Uchiha to pick a Jonin instructor."
After signing, Kaze spoke slowly.
"Okay, I'll go arrange it right away."
Nara Shikaku nodded and withdrew from the Hokage Office.
After walking out of the Hokage Office, Nara Shikaku looked at the document in his hand, and the last bit of confusion disappeared.
Uchiha Kaze never painted cakes for them; as long as effort was put in, tangible benefits were given.
This way of handling sacrifices was the best declaration of war.
Regardless of whether this was Kaze's tactic, he really gave benefits!
Intelligence Department.
"This..."
"I will immediately transmit the handling situation here to the front line."
"Shikaku, you..."
Yamanaka Inoichi, after listening to Nara Shikaku, also made a decision immediately.
But...
Looking at his best friend, he also had some doubts in his heart.
"Yes, I made my choice."
"Such a village is what I want."
"I believe, it is also what most people... want."
The reason Nara Shikaku developed that personality of fearing trouble was that trouble would really come to him.
So, previously, he wouldn't participate in anything if he could avoid it.
But now, Nara Shikaku saw the direction he should take.
He wanted to use all his strength to assist the Godaime well.
"You..."
"Alright, go busy yourself."
"I still have work."
Yamanaka Inoichi smiled and went directly to work.
Front line.
Everyone was gathered together by Hyūga Hiashi.
Over the past few days, they had several contact battles with Kirigakure ninjas.
Originally, they planned to wipe out all Kirigakure ninjas entering the Land of Fire and then head towards the Land of Water.
But...
The ninjas encountered in these two days were a bit strange.
It seemed they all knew their positions and didn't fight them at all.
Once they discovered their ninjas, they would immediately flee far away.
"Everyone, I just received a message from the village."
"Our fallen companions have been settled by the village."
"Pension, twenty million ryo, has already been distributed to their families."
"At the same time, their children have also selected a Jonin from the Uchiha as their Jonin instructor."
"So, while the village protects us, we must also use all our strength to protect the village!"
"The current village doesn't treat us as tools!"
"We ninjas, although still that cold knife, the hand holding us is a warm hand!"
"Gentlemen, this is the Will of Fire... belonging to our Konoha!"
After Hyūga Hiashi finished speaking, his own tears were already flowing.
The ninjas below all looked at him in shock.
Twenty million ryo pension!
Families were properly settled, and even their descendants had a bright future.
In the eyes of every ninja, excitement and warm tears appeared!
Even Hatake Kakashi had emotions piling up in his eyes.
Back then, to avoid offending Kumogakure, Hyūga Hizashi was forced to die!
Back then, fearing the Three-Tails would go berserk, the village let his companion Nohara Rin choose suicide.
Back then, his father, because of laughable ninja rules, ended his own life in gloom.
And Uzumaki Naruto... his teacher's disciple, just because of the so-called power distribution by those higher-ups, could only grow up in misery in the end.
Yes!
The hand holding them, these knives, now had warmth!
Is Uchiha Kaze really a madman?!
Undoubtedly, yes!
But...
It is precisely such a madman who has now become the only warm existence by their side.
At this moment, Hatake Kakashi had an absurd thought.
In the Konoha environment like before, becoming a madman was the most correct direction!
Without impassioned speeches, just a simple transmission of intelligence.
It made everyone in Konoha feel like they were injected with chicken blood, starting to go crazy one by one.
Uchiha Kaze's kind of madness was now starting to spread from person to person...