Chapter Fifteen: The Summons

“What does the Third Hokage intend? Since the village has disseminated intelligence, they must have measures in place.” After grasping the current situation in Konoha, Uchiha Li wished to decide his course of action based on the village's response.

Uchiha Fugaku did not conceal anything, speaking directly. “The Third has issued a conscription order, requiring each clan to lead teams to guard the borders. What’s your opinion?”

After a brief contemplation, Uchiha Li answered, “The Hokage’s command carries the weight of the village’s greater good. It’s difficult for us to refuse.”

If Minato were still officially in power, Uchiha Li could have challenged the Third’s order as ‘illegitimate’. However, after the chaos caused by the Nine-Tails and Uchiha’s open defiance under his guidance, the Third had become acutely aware of the underlying issues. Now, having resumed authority, the Third issued orders as ‘acting Hokage’, which made his commands lawful and impossible to decline.

“Indeed, I fear we cannot refuse the conscription order,” Uchiha Fugaku replied.

Uchiha Li stroked his chin. “Are there any requirements regarding candidates?”

Uchiha Fugaku pointed to himself. “Though not explicitly stated, the Third wants me to lead the team and use the power of the Mangekyo to intimidate our enemies.”

“Ha.” Uchiha Li let out a faint chuckle, coldly mocking, “That’s quite an idea.”

The Uchiha, after failing to achieve their anticipated outcome during the Nine-Tails incident and with the Fourth Hokage recuperating, found themselves in an awkward position. Yet, with Orochimaru’s defection and the unrest from the Cloud and Stone villages, the village itself was in an even more embarrassing predicament.

This was largely due to Uchiha Fugaku’s revealed Mangekyo Sharingan. Like a nuclear weapon, it made those within the village who wished to target the Uchiha hesitant to act. Especially given Konoha’s current situation, the Uchiha clan, possessing the Mangekyo, had become a pivotal force.

The village could not afford to push the Uchiha too far, for none could bear the consequences of their backlash. But if Uchiha Fugaku were sent to the border, the deterrent effect would greatly diminish.

Furthermore, others might not know, but Uchiha Li was keenly aware: the Mangekyo’s ocular power was finite. Excessive use would render the eyes useless.

With this in mind, he returned the intelligence papers to their folder and spoke, “My recommendation is that the clan leads the team to support the border without violating the village’s greater good, but you, Clan Leader, should not be the one to lead.”

He paused briefly before explaining, “The clan needs your mediation here, and the village requires the Mangekyo’s presence as a deterrent.”

“But sending just anyone to lead the team—there are too many concerns,” Uchiha Fugaku frowned, voicing his worries.

He was well aware of the importance of his eyes, but things were rarely so simple. The safety of the clan members sent to the border needed consideration, the village’s demands couldn’t be ignored, and there must be no grounds for criticism. Thus, aside from himself as clan leader, it was difficult to settle on a candidate.

Uchiha Li showed a slight smile. “How about letting me go?”

“You? No… wait!” Uchiha Fugaku quickly realized something, his voice deepening. “Are you certain?”

Uchiha Li nodded, giving a firm answer.

After careful deliberation, leading the team to the border might actually be a wise choice. He had attracted too much attention recently and was likely under close scrutiny by both the Third and Danzo. Remaining in the village would mean constant surveillance, both overt and covert, making it hard to act.

But at the border, he could evade the current spotlight. Though restrictions would remain, the battlefield was complex and ever-changing, and such constraints would be minimized.

Given his current strength, unless he sought death, his life on the battlefield would not be at serious risk. Thus, by seizing this opportunity to leave Konoha, he could secretly develop his ocular powers.

Especially the abilities inherited from Kalos in ‘Terra’, as well as ‘Susano’o’, both of which he urgently needed to master. Only with full command of these powers could he truly claim the strength of a Kage.

At that point, everything would change.

“Very well. Since you have decided, the clan will entrust you with leading the team,” Uchiha Fugaku agreed without hesitation. Knowing Uchiha Li’s true strength, he trusted Li would not act without purpose.

Just then, a messenger from the Uchiha called from outside the door. “Clan Leader, the Third Hokage has sent an ANBU with a notification, requesting you submit the team leader’s name as soon as possible.”

Uchiha Li responded, “It seems the situation is worse than expected. Let me handle it.”

“Then I’ll leave it to you,” replied Uchiha Fugaku.

In the past, such decisions would have required a clan meeting. But since the Mangekyo had been exposed, Fugaku’s authority within the clan had grown, so unless the matter was especially grave, no further discussion was needed. This was a source of comfort for him.

Uchiha Li nodded, preparing to depart. But just before leaving, he recalled something and said, “Clan Leader, I’ll likely be stationed at the border for some time. I ask that you discreetly look after my sister.”

“Of course,” Uchiha Fugaku replied. “How would you feel about her taking over your post in the Police Force?”

Uchiha Li thought it would be good for Yao to gain some experience, so he said, “That’s fine. Let’s arrange it so.”

With all matters settled, Uchiha Li wasted no time and walked out of the Police Force, following the ANBU messenger toward the Hokage Tower.

As the symbol of Konoha’s supreme authority, the Hokage Tower stood in the village’s most prosperous and central district, lofty and commanding attention. Beside it was the Hokage Rock, where the four Hokage statues gazed down upon the village.

Uchiha Li’s eyes skimmed past the statues of the First and Second Hokage, lingering on the Third’s likeness. He pondered what attitude he should adopt when facing the man known as the ‘Shinobi Hero’ and ‘Professor of Ninjutsu’.

Had he not possessed the Mangekyo, confronting the Third directly, he might have feigned allegiance to the Will of Fire. But now, Uchiha Li no longer wished to do so.

Since the Uchiha’s reputation among outsiders was one of pride, isolation, even evil, why not act accordingly?

After all, in his eyes, for the Uchiha to escape the fate of annihilation, not only must the clan change, but the Third and Danzo must be dealt with as well.

Composing himself, he followed the ANBU to the Hokage’s office door. He knocked twice, received a reply, and pushed the door open…