"Lord Yoichi!"
This time, when Uchiha Yoichi returned to the camp where the Uchiha clan members rested, he was met with gazes from the clan that were three times more fervent than before.
Previously, the clan respected Uchiha Yoichi because of the benefits he brought them and his prowess in defeating Konoha's Lightning Fang. But now, their fervor was genuine, as he wielded the ultimate power of the Uchiha clan.
The Mangekyo Sharingan is legendary among the Uchiha Race. Since the death of Uchiha Madara, it had been a long time since the clan had seen a member awaken the Mangekyo Sharingan. Today, they witnessed it on Uchiha Yoichi.
"How are the clan members doing?"
"Seven are dead. The Hidden Cloud Ninja's final counterattack was extremely fierce. They were responsible for holding them back..."
Even though Konoha had the upper hand in the situation, the Hidden Cloud Ninja were no pushovers. If they fought as if their lives depended on it, they could definitely inflict significant casualties on Konoha.
"Upon returning, their families will receive sufficient compensation. There's no need to worry about that."
Uchiha Yoichi reassured them. The clan members shook their heads and said nothing. Going to the battlefield naturally requires a certain resolve; they were not just fresh graduates.
"Lord Yoichi, this time you have truly brought honor to the Uchiha!"
"Rest assured, the Uchiha will eventually become the First Great Ninja Race."
Uchiha Yoichi said with a smile, then ordered them to prepare for their return. Besides those staying at the border to build a ninja base, the rest would return to Konoha.
The Uchiha are a family that fights in its entirety, none left behind.
Upon returning to the camp, Yugito still wore a deeply bitter and resentful expression. But now, she was also somewhat despairing, especially after learning that the Third Generation Raikage's son, A, had been captured. Yugito felt that she might never return.
The Hidden Cloud were defeated, and negotiating for peace to bring her back would only be more difficult.
Five days later, Hatake Sakumo had arranged everything. He dispatched ninjas to the Land of Hot Water to confirm the complete withdrawal of the Hidden Cloud Ninja and acquire documents of defeat from the Hidden Cloud before releasing A.
His chest wound received treatment, only to leave a scar in the future; however, before leaving, A did not say a word, evidently intending to remember this humiliation strictly.
Enough ninjas remained on the border for reconnaissance and defense, after which Hatake Sakumo led the Ninja Corps back to the village.
Ninjas travel quickly; from the Land of Fire's border to the village took less than a day.
However, if there were trains, ninjas could save quite a bit of stamina and chakra.
Upon returning to Konoha, the ninjas involved in the battle received a warm welcome from the village. To boost the village's morale, Konoha's upper echelons made a grand announcement of the Eastern Front's victory over the Hidden Cloud Ninja.
Now every villager knew the village had defeated the invaders and protected their homes. The returning ninjas could rightfully be called Konoha Heroes.
Renowned ninjas like Hatake Sakumo and Uchiha Yoichi especially received warm welcomes. The villagers and ninjas staying in the village cheered fervently upon seeing these famed ninjas.
Uchiha Yoichi approached Hatake Sakumo and asked, "Senior Sakumo, are we going to the Hokage Building now?"
Hatake Sakumo nodded and said, "That's right, we need to report on the post-war situation. I reckon all the Jonins are there already, so we can just head over."
"Understood."
Uchiha Yoichi then called upon two Uchiha clan members and said to them, "Mr. Kota, Mr. Koki, please take care of Yugito. Bring her to my home and keep an eye on her; besides Elder Kenji's people, ignore everyone else."
"Yes, Lord Yoichi...."
Just as Uchiha Kota finished speaking, two Anbu appeared beside Uchiha Yoichi using Instant Body Jutsu, then addressed him:
"Uchiha Yoichi Jonin, Lord Hokage orders that the Two-tailed Jinchuriki be handed over to the Anbu for custody."
However, Uchiha Yoichi paid no heed to these two individuals and continued speaking to Uchiha Kota: "If anyone tries to take Yugito away, arrest them for espionage. If there are too many spies, notify Senior Masato and Senior Yokokawa."
"Yes, Lord Yoichi!"
Uchiha Kota answered decisively, then led Yugito away; the Anbu, as if receiving some command, left immediately upon hearing Uchiha Yoichi's words.
"Mr. Yoichi..."
Hatake Sakumo sighed helplessly upon witnessing this. He hoped the rift between Uchiha Yoichi and the village would not widen, but knew that Uchiha Yoichi's temper would not allow for compromise.
Uchiha Yoichi suddenly asked, "Senior Sakumo, do you think I would harm the village?"
"No, although you have your ulterior motives, everything you've done has not endangered the village and has even protected it multiple times."
Hatake Sakumo then added half-jokingly, "Although I don't have a Sharingan, I'm pretty good at seeing through people."
"That's correct, but the upper echelons don't think that way. They've inherited the Second Generation Hokage's mindset, and even detest the Uchiha more than the Second did;
They know I've awakened the Mangekyo. When it comes to protecting versus threatening the village, they only care about the latter because Uchiha Madara, who controlled the Nine-tailed during the attack on the village, also had the Mangekyo..."
Uchiha Yoichi spoke, his voice low so only Hatake Sakumo walking beside him could hear.
"The Uchiha Race can never shake off the stigma of Uchiha Madara in their eyes. Even though the Uchiha Race betrayed Uchiha Madara, it's still a race to be wary of; as long as they inherit the Second Generation Hokage's ideology, they can never rid themselves of this narrow viewpoint. So, Senior Sakumo, are you free tomorrow?"