To show goodwill, the Uchiha Clan's compound was arranged next to the Yotsuki Clan's compound.
As Kumogakure's largest Ninja clan, the Yotsuki Clan's status in Kumogakure was self-evident.
Since the establishment of Kumogakure, all previous Raikage have come from the Yotsuki Clan.
The Uchiha clansmen naturally expressed their gratitude for this.
Mutual support elevates everyone.
The Uchiha Clan thus settled down in Kumogakure.
----
Another month passed, and the news of the Uchiha Clan joining Kumogakure had spread throughout the Ninja World.
Although it didn't cause much of a stir on the surface, the long-standing Ninja World pattern had quietly begun to change.
----
Kumogakure.
Raikage Building.
Led by the Third Raikage, Uchiha Yuzuru toured the Raikage Building.
Looking at the portraits of past Raikage hanging on the wall, the Third Raikage introduced them one by one, and also explained the history of Kumogakure.
When mentioning the establishment of Kumogakure, the Third Raikage's face showed a hint of longing.
"Yuzuru, back then Uchiha Madara, with his Mangekyo Sharingan, and Senju Hashirama pacified the chaotic Sengoku period. There were many strong Ninja in the Ninja World, but none were their opponents."
"Using their immense power, they made everyone bow down and submit..."
"Although I am the Raikage of Kumogakure, I greatly admire both of them."
"My biggest dream is to be like Senju Hashirama and Uchiha Madara, to make my Village the strongest Ninja Village in the Ninja World..."
After the Third Raikage finished speaking, he looked at Uchiha Yuzuru and said, "Now that the Senju Clan has disappeared, if our Kumogakure and the Uchiha Clan join forces, is it possible to reach the heights that Senju Hashirama and Uchiha Madara achieved back then?"
"By then, as the strongest Ninja Village, Kumogakure will no longer be troubled by survival resources and war, right?"
Hearing this, Uchiha Yuzuru said calmly, "It is inevitable for Kumogakure to become the strongest Ninja Village, but to avoid being troubled by war, this alone is not enough."
"Oh?" The Third Raikage looked at Uchiha Yuzuru with some curiosity and asked, "What are your thoughts?"
"Konoha, which had Senju Hashirama and Uchiha Madara, was the strongest Ninja Village at the time, but a Great Ninja War immediately broke out after their deaths."
"To achieve true peace, the current pattern must be broken."
"When all the lands in the Ninja World have only one ruler, will there still be such a thing as war?"
After listening to Uchiha Yuzuru's words, the Third Raikage couldn't help but widen his eyes.
Did this mean he wanted to unify the Ninja World?
Even though he was always considered a radical in Kumogakure, he had never thought of unifying the Ninja World.
No matter how he thought about it, it seemed a bit too crazy, didn't it?
Moreover… the Third Raikage said in a deep voice, "Unifying the Ninja World is not a simple matter. Even if it succeeds, it will only shift the conflict from Ninja Villages to regional conflicts."
"People living on fertile lands will still be coveted by those living in barren areas."
Uchiha Yuzuru smiled: "First, unifying the Ninja World is not difficult. It can be achieved with absolute military might, and I am confident in that."
"Second, resources can be distributed. Just as a Village takes care of poor families, after unifying the Ninja World, all resources can be centrally allocated by the Village."
The Third Raikage felt as if a new world had opened up, and ideas he had never considered before began to flash through his mind.
Finally, his gaze towards Uchiha Yuzuru was filled with complexity.
"Yuzuru, letting you come to Kumogakure, I truly don't know if it was the right or wrong decision..."
Uchiha Yuzuru's ideas were a bit too crazy, but for some reason, they made his blood boil.
If he could truly achieve what Uchiha Yuzuru spoke of, then he would surely become an existence surpassing Senju Hashirama and Uchiha Madara, wouldn't he?
Just then, a middle-aged man with white hair and dark skin walked over.
"Mabushin, what's wrong?"
"Lord Raikage, you are truly the greatest strategist in the Ninja World! After the Uchiha joined Kumogakure, clients from all over have formed long queues. Our Kumogakure's mercenary missions... are making a fortune!"
Hearing this, Uchiha Yuzuru's lips curved into an arc: "To answer your previous question, at least for now, letting us Uchiha join Kumogakure was a correct decision for you."
----
Kumogakure.
In the mission reception hall, staff members were bustling, drenched in sweat, but the queue at the windows still stretched endlessly.
The Kumogakure Ninja's faces were all beaming with happy smiles.
How many years had it been? They had never fought such a prosperous battle!
The missions were endless, simply endless.
And the Uchiha Clan, who had joined the Village not long ago, was responsible for all these changes.
"How foolish were those Konoha Ninja to actually ostracize a prominent Ninja clan like the Uchiha from their Village."
"Indeed, a bunch of shortsighted fools. Konoha was founded by the Uchiha, yet they show no gratitude."
"But if they weren't so stupid, our Kumogakure wouldn't have had the chance to gain the support of the Uchiha Clan, would we?"
"Hahahaha... I really want to see the expressions on the faces of those Konoha Ninja right now."
----
Konoha Village.
The mission hall was deserted.
Even after lowering the fees for hiring Ninja, the situation had not improved.
Although it attracted some small clients to post missions, most were C-rank missions with pitifully low rewards.
Ninja do not engage in production, but their expenses are very high.
They need to eat large amounts of meat to replenish their physical energy and purchase various Ninja tools to maintain their combat effectiveness.
Daily training, medicinal baths, and treatment for injuries and illnesses all require money.
Therefore, the number of Village mercenary missions is crucial for a Ninja Village.
Jonin began taking B-rank and C-rank missions, Chunin took C-rank and D-rank missions, and Genin could only wait at the very end.
After all, for the same amount of money, who wouldn't want to hire a stronger Ninja?
Under the internal competition, a large number of Genin couldn't get any missions at all, and many newly-minted Genin could only rely on relief funds distributed by the Village to get by.
For a time, the once thriving Konoha Village presented a desolate scene.
In the streets and alleys, the tide of public opinion also began to quietly shift.
"If the Uchiha Clan were still in the Village, we wouldn't have to worry about not getting missions, would we?"
"I didn't realize it before, but the reputation of a prominent Ninja clan like the Uchiha is so important in the eyes of those clients."
"If Lord Third Hokage doesn't find a solution soon, I won't even be able to eat, let alone support my family!"
"Speaking of which, even if there were irreconcilable conflicts, did Lord Third Hokage have no solution at all? Now, it has come to the point where the Uchiha Clan has joined Kumogakure, who once killed the Second Hokage, making our Konoha Village the laughingstock of the Ninja World!"
"Lord Third Hokage must take responsibility! Are we to starve to death?!"
When the Uchiha Clan's departure from the Village directly affected their interests, most ordinary people no longer had the initial excitement and disdain.
Compared to those Ninja clan members, Ninja, or powerful Jonin, the Ninja at the bottom of Konoha began to feel some regret.
At any rate, at least when the Uchiha Clan was in Konoha, they didn't go hungry.