The expression of the passerby who had raised the objection changed. What the other person said was true; it was indeed possible that the ninja might turn him into a member of the Hyūga clan, but how could he be willing to sacrifice his own life?
He hurriedly retorted, "This has nothing to do with me, so why should I sacrifice my life?"
Someone immediately mocked him, saying, "Since your life isn't involved, what does it matter to that innocent Hyūga clansman? Is only your life a life, while others' lives are not?"
"When sacrificing others' lives, you speak with righteous indignation, but when it's your turn, you cower and shrink away. You really have no shame."
The surrounding crowd immediately joined in the jeering; they all looked down on this person who dared to raise an objection.
Seeing that everyone around him was criticizing him, the passerby who had spoken up immediately slipped away dejectedly.
With just one mouth, how could he possibly argue against so many?
At the same time, the members of the Ino-Shika-Chō clans also received this news, and the patriarchs of the three major clans gathered together for this reason.
Akimichi Chōza, the head of the Akimichi Clan, spoke with joy on his face. "I didn't expect this war against the Cloud Village to end in such a complete victory."
"This is truly a great thing."
Previously, the Leaf Village had been in a stalemate with the Cloud Village at the border for so long, which was enough to demonstrate the Cloud's strength.
Yet, such a powerful Cloud Village had so many of their ninja captured by the Uchiha and Hyūga clans. This was enough to prove the tyranny of these two clans.
Moreover, they had released the captives, displaying the benevolence and righteousness of the Leaf.
Presumably, the Cloud Village wouldn't dare to make trouble for the Leaf Village again for the next few decades. These two clans had brought peace to the village, compelling people to admire them.
Yamanaka Inoichi, the head of the Yamanaka Clan, spoke with admiration, "They are truly very powerful. They were able to achieve victory without us even needing to join the battle."
However, among them, the most intelligent one, Nara Shikaku, had a plain expression on his face.
He wasn't particularly delighted in his heart; he even suspected whether this was really a good thing.
To defeat the powerful Cloud Village without the village's help... the strength of these two clans was too great.
With such formidable power, the higher-ups would likely fear them even more.
Given the arrogant nature of the Uchiha clan, it would be a bit unrealistic for the higher-ups to want to tame this wild beast now.
'I hope this doesn't evolve into a large-scale conflict,' Shikaku thought. 'Otherwise, it will be even more detrimental to the village. The consequences of internal strife would be far more severe.'
Seeing Nara Shikaku's plain expression and lack of joy, Akimichi Chōza asked, "Shikaku, what's wrong? Aren't you happy?"
Shikaku smiled and said, "How could I not be?"
"Come, let's drink. To celebrate the peace of the Leaf Village and the Land of Fire."
The three of them raised their glasses and clinked them together.
Akimichi Chōza wasn't one to overthink things, but that was his strength; he didn't worry or fret too much.
Yamanaka Inoichi noticed Shikaku's worry but didn't say anything. Their three clans supported the Third Hokage.
The Uchiha clan being too strong wasn't exactly a good thing for their three clans either.
However, the Leaf Village had suffered through ninja wars for too long. The Third Great Ninja War had lasted for many years.
And after experiencing such a crushing defeat, it was unlikely that the Cloud Village would make trouble for the Leaf again.
Although they didn't get along well with the Uchiha clan, the Uchiha had indeed done a good job this time.
Because the Uchiha fought, the three clans didn't have to lose any of their own clansmen.
Meanwhile, receiving the news that the Uchiha and Hyūga clans were returning victorious, Kakashi of the Anbu immediately went to the Hokage building. Inside the office, he reported all the previous information to the Third Hokage.
The allied forces of the two clans had soundly defeated the Cloud ninja, captured a large number of them, and finally released them.
Upon hearing this news, the Third Hokage's face instantly went wooden. He felt completely bewildered inside and couldn't help but ask, "Is this true?"
Given the combat power deployed by the Cloud Village, how could it be possible for just two large clans to defeat them?
A ninja village was a force composed of numerous clan factions and a vast number of civilian ninja.
Even if these two clans were strong, they couldn't possibly be that strong. And to capture so many Cloud ninja? Wasn't this a joke?
Even if he, the strongest Third Hokage, were to do it, he couldn't possibly achieve such a feat. He could guarantee that.
He still had a relatively clear understanding of his own strength.
Hearing the Third Hokage's words, Kakashi knew the other didn't believe it, but he had found evidence that made it credible.
He immediately reported, "Among the returning crowd of Hyūga and Uchiha clansmen, I spotted the captured Two-Tails Jinchūriki and the Fourth Raikage's secretary, Mabui."
"Both are important figures of the Cloud Village. They were bound and brought back. I don't think this matter is fake."
The Two-Tails Jinchūriki was known as a perfect Jinchūriki, a deterrent to other villages with high fame.
Mabui was also the Fourth Raikage's secretary, another important figure. The Anbu possessed portraits of them.
Hearing this, the Third Hokage was at a loss.
"You may leave. I understand."
Kakashi followed the order and withdrew directly.
After Kakashi left, the Third Hokage's expression suddenly changed, becoming twisted as he hissed, "How is this possible? If they really captured the Two-Tails Jinchūriki and the Fourth Raikage's secretary... Tailed Beasts are weapons of war possessing terrifying combat power."
"How could the Uchiha clan possibly defeat the Cloud Village?"
Did the Sharingan control the Tailed Beast, rendering the Tailed Beast weapon ineffective, thus securing victory?
But regarding whether the Sharingan could control a Tailed Beast, he had already asked Shisui. Even Shisui's pupil power couldn't control a Tailed Beast.
That was why he had been certain that the previous Nine-Tails Rampage wasn't done by the Uchiha clan.
But that was only a suspicion. Could it be that Shisui had betrayed him and lied to him?
This matter had to be investigated thoroughly. How exactly did the Uchiha clan defeat the Cloud Village, and how did they capture the Two-Tails Jinchūriki? This had to be cleared up.
Otherwise, his position as Hokage was in danger.
Although he wouldn't go so far as to be killed, his seat would likely be threatened.
This matter had to be prioritized above all else; even his son's affairs had to be put aside.
At this time, Danzō of Root also received the report. His expression was ferocious. The damnable Uchiha clan, allied with the Hyūga clan, had actually defeated the Cloud Village's ninja army.
Even the villagers now believed that the Uchiha and Hyūga clans had brought peace to the village.
He felt the villagers' way of thinking was truly laughable.
The Uchiha clan was the village's greatest misfortune; this was the research conclusion of his teacher, the Second Hokage.
The people of this clan were too paranoid. Whenever they encountered a little difficulty, they easily fell into darkness.
In the future, they would definitely destroy the peace of the village.
Possessing such combat power now, they would not only plague the village in the future but also block his own path to becoming Hokage.
He knew the Uchiha clan wanted to lay a finger on the Hokage seat, which was why he had desperately suppressed them after the Nine-Tails Rampage.
It was all because Sarutobi Hiruzen, that coward, hadn't taken the opportunity back then to unite the other forces of the village and wipe out the Uchiha clan completely. That failure had led to today's disaster.
He could feel the changes in the Uchiha clan over these past few months, as if a weak beast was gradually becoming strong again.
He also received the report that they had captured the Two-Tails Jinchūriki. Did they intend to control the Tailed Beast Jinchūriki?
He absolutely could not let their strength grow any further.
They were already ridiculously strong, capable of defeating the Cloud Village ninja. If they possessed Tailed Beast-level combat power on top of that, would there be any voice left for him, Danzō, in the Leaf Village?
None at all.
He had to immediately send Root members to the Uchiha clan to get the Tailed Beast back. Such powerful combat power should be controlled by Root.
He would obtain the Tailed Beast before the Third Hokage could react. That way, Root's strength would increase greatly, and he would have a trump card to exterminate the Uchiha clan in the future.
Thinking of this, he immediately called for several Root members.
"Immediately go to the Uchiha clan grounds and bring the Two-Tails Jinchūriki back to Root."
"Yes, Lord Danzō."
The Root members immediately accepted the order and departed.
They rushed towards the Uchiha clan grounds.