"Lord Madara, the news I have this time is something you definitely don't know, I assure you!"
White Zetsu's main body loudly spoke to Madara, who was sitting on the stone chair, as it arrived at the underground stone cave. Although Uchiha Madara didn't show any reaction, the previous incident which led to the mistaken belief that Madara was dead had taught White Zetsu a great lesson, so this time it took caution.
"Lord Madara, if you're satisfied with this information, could you help me create a body seat? My clone playing Obito's Nana can't go to the bathroom, which is a big flaw..."
"Shut up, or I'll create another White Zetsu..."
Uchiha Madara had enough of this foolish creature. If the main body of this White Zetsu hadn't caused him quite some trouble, he would have wanted to kill this chatterbox.
"Alright, alright, since you are my creator...The former Clan Leader of the Uchiha Race has defected; he seems to be named Uchiha Fugaku. It's said the reason for his defection is dissatisfaction after losing the Clan Leader position."
Seeing Madara's face darkening, White Zetsu didn't beat around the bush and directly shared the intelligence.
"Defection? Activate the Mangekyo and then defect?"
Uchiha Madara frowned in thought. Upon hearing about the Mangekyo, his first thought was to replace Obito, but now he didn't know where Uchiha Fugaku was, or his Mangekyo Ability, nor why he defected.
If he defected just because of being discontent over losing the Clan Leader position, then that reason is truly laughable; the cost of awakening the Mangekyo is significant, how could such a person make such a move just because of a Clan Leader position.
"Investigate, gather all information about Uchiha Fugaku, including his exact whereabouts..."
Uchiha Madara said; adults are not as easily deceived as Uchiha Obito, having Uchiha Fugaku execute his Moon Eye Plan would be difficult, given that he has already revealed his Mangekyo Ability.
However, an Uchiha who has awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan is extremely rare, and if he could be persuaded, it would greatly aid the Moon Eye Plan.
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Uchiha Fugaku's defection to Konoha was like a gust of wind that never lingered, coming swiftly and leaving equally fast.
After Uchiha Mikota learned of this news, she immediately wanted to bring Itachi to her side but was stopped by Uchiha Shinji with the commission letter from Uchiha Fugaku.
If Mikota wanted to forcibly bring Itachi back, she only needed to speak to Uchiha Yoichi and then have Itachi return to her side in the name of the Clan Leader, and no one could stop her.
However, in the end, Uchiha Mikota herself abandoned this idea.
Although she divorced Fugaku, she was still very busy, and if she brought Itachi by her side, it might be the same as before, with Uchiha Kazuki asked to take care of Itachi while she was out day and night.
Considering this, coupled with Uchiha Fugaku's commission letter, it prevented Mikota from bringing Itachi back to her side.
Nonetheless, Mikota still bought many things for Itachi, gave a sum of money to Uchiha Shinji, and promised Itachi that she would visit him whenever she had free time, finally leaving with his nodding approval.
Uchiha Yashiro arrived at the Konoha Security Team the next day, initially with twenty people from the Uchiha Race, plus Uchiha Yashiro totaling twenty-one.
Besides Uchiha Yashiro, everyone else was normal battlefield support.
The Kikyo Castle battlefield had been dragging on long enough, and with Hidden Rain Village enlisted this time, Konoha was ready for an all-out counterattack, though Jiraiya requested extra support for prudence.
Thirty Ninja Squads, including twenty Uchiha Ninjas, and the rest were essentially elite troops. Upon seeing this support, Jiraiya finally felt a bit more relieved.
"Yashiro-kun, you should also join the strategy meeting."
Nara Shikaku invited him, all front-line Jonin could participate, especially since the Uchiha Race sent so many people this time.
With Nara Shikaku's invitation, Uchiha Yashiro also followed to the meeting room for the conference.
Due to the lengthy stalemate, finally seizing an opportunity for an all-out counterattack and to drive out the Hidden Sand Ninja, Nara Shikaku directly began discussing his plan.
Though an alliance was established with Hidden Rain, Konoha still decided to conduct separate operations for better combat effectiveness.
"The situation is as I mentioned, we are responsible for this area, where the Hidden Sand's main forces are concentrated. Although Hidden Rain will deploy troops, they won't confront the Hidden Sand's main forces."
Nara Shikaku briefly explained the situation, letting newcomers understand what Kikyo Castle's current conditions were.
"Therefore, we need to attack here again, but different from last time's feigned attack, we must kill or drive away the enemies here. Moreover, a team is needed to block their reinforcements, yet this could be highly dangerous..."
The leaders of the Hidden Sand are likely to retaliate; they won't stand by as 'weak' Konoha aggressively attacks them.
However, the ninja tasked with blockage must intercept the Hidden Sand's reinforcements, no need to elaborate on the mission's peril.
"Let me go, Lord Jiraiya."
Uchiha Yashiro calmly said: "Entrust this mission to me, I guarantee that the Hidden Sand won't pass."
Upon hearing this, Nara Shikaku nodded: "Yashiro Jonin, since you volunteered, this mission will be yours, afterwards..."
"Rest assured, I will definitely intercept the Hidden Sand."
Uchiha Yashiro declared: "Unless I die, the Hidden Sand won't get past."
These words were quite serious, indicating that Uchiha Yashiro was determined to complete this mission, even at the cost of his life.
Upon hearing this, Jiraiya nodded and praised, "Then I'll leave it to you, Yashiro-kun, I will deploy more ninjas to assist you."
Then Nara Shikaku began to arrange, after detailing the entire battle plan and seeing no response, he went to arrange the specifics of the actions.
With reinforcements and allies ready, the Konoha side was already gearing up, preparing to drive out the Hidden Sand Ninja completely.
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"The crying country...."
With bandages covering half of his face and wearing a conical hat, Uchiha Fugaku walked slowly in this rain-soaked country.
After leaving Konoha, he didn't stop running away because Uchiha Fugaku knew Yashiro couldn't hide him for long, so he hurried along with his injured body.
Knowing Konoha's tracking secret techniques, Uchiha Fugaku used many tricks, went around in circles, and finally reached the Land of Rain.
This is a country where traitorous ninjas like to come, and with constant rain, any trace can be washed away by the vast downpour upon reaching the Land of Rain.
After arriving in the Land of Rain, Uchiha Fugaku felt his injuries worsening. If he didn't rest, he might faint.
"Find a place to rest and buy some food...."
Uchiha Fugaku, forcing himself to persevere, arrived at a small town. However, just upon entering the town, he noticed many ninjas around, making him alert.
He wanted to leave and find another place to rest, but his body could no longer endure running around in the rain.
So, Uchiha Fugaku lowered his head, trying hard to erase any ninja traces, and headed to a place that seemed like an inn.
"Boss, are there any rooms available?"
The person at the counter smiled and said, "Rooms? Uncle, you must be new here. We do not serve outsiders, you should leave...."
"Wait a moment."
Before the person finished speaking, a blue-haired woman came out from inside. She looked very young, just in her teens, but was a ninja.
"Are you injured? There are no inns in this small town, if you want to rest, follow me."
Konan said, but the members of the Akatsuki Organization by her side, upon hearing her offer to let this stranger in to rest, immediately advised, "Lady Konan, he's too suspicious, should we...."
"Helping those in need has always been our Akatsuki Organization's creed. If we are unwilling to lend a hand to those in need, when will the dream of the Akatsuki Organization be realized."
After speaking to those beside her, Konan looked at Uchiha Fugaku and said, "If you want to come in and rest, then follow me. If you're uneasy... you can go twenty miles southwest to Chuanliu Town, where there are inns and doctors."
"Thank you for the trouble..."
Uchiha Fugaku took out some money, intending it as payment for lodging. Although he left in a hurry, he still carried some money with him.
"Hey, do you think our Akatsuki Organization is doing this for money....."
"Kijiro."
Konan stopped Kijiro, then accepted Uchiha Fugaku's money and said, "The stay is free, and this money will be used to buy you some medicine for your wounds."
"...Thank you."
Looking at this young girl before him, Uchiha Fugaku couldn't help but think of Mikota when she was young, with the same gentleness... Moreover, this ninja girl still harbored innocence and dreams about the Ninja World, even helping a stranger on a whim.
Though he thanked her, Uchiha Fugaku's heart was still filled with vigilance. He had experienced betrayal from those closest to him, let alone trusting strangers.
Now he just needed a place to shelter from the rain and rest. As for the medicine, even if this female ninja bought it back, Uchiha Fugaku wouldn't easily trust her.
Later, Konan led Uchiha Fugaku to an empty house and said to him, "You can rest well here."
After saying that, Konan turned and left.
Uchiha Fugaku changed out of his wet clothes, glanced at his wound, and soon fell into a deep sleep upon lying on the bed.
He had forcibly treated some of his injuries, undergone an eye transplant, and made a large detour from Konoha to the Land of Rain with untreated wounds, all while being drenched by rain for half a day.
Suddenly sensing someone approaching in his sleep, Uchiha Fugaku found himself unable to stand due to his worsening condition.
"Don't worry, we're here to treat your injuries. Really don't know why Lady Konan cares so much about you, covering your face and unwilling to meet people....."
"Stop it, Kijiro, Lady Konan is just kind. Weren't you and I also taken care of by Lady Konan? Quickly change the medicine, there are still other tasks later."
Seeing that the two bore no malice and did not harm him, Uchiha Fugaku stopped resisting, letting them help with changing the medicine, and soon passed out again.