"Is it really that serious?"
Tsunade couldn't help but mutter.
What's with all this talk about gambling? Would I really do that?
At a time like this, would I be so ~ thoughtless?
"That's right, I forgot about that." Alice Lize, who had been silent all this time, finally understood why Hakuo had made such arrangements.
Indeed, she was a gambler!
"Tch, gambling, I really don't know what's so good about it." Esdeath, of course, detested it, but she wouldn't interfere with other people's hobbies.
After all, she had her own hobbies; she couldn't just deprive others of theirs, could she?
Of course, Esdeath herself disliked gambling, so she naturally scorned Tsunade's hobby.
"You don't understand, you don't understand anything." Tsunade was too lazy to explain, so she immediately strode off in her high-heeled sandals, leading them towards her home.
Hakuo also turned and walked towards the Uchiha clan compound.
This was not after the Nine-Tails attack, when the Uchiha clan was forced to relocate to the outskirts of the village, losing their original long-established clan compound.
It was a world of difference.
The peripheral area they were forced to move to was not only inconvenient in many ways, but more importantly, they were subjected to strict surveillance.
Even now there was surveillance, but it wasn't as blatant as it would be later.
Although the Uchiha clan currently had conflicts with the village, it was mainly with the Konoha elders.
It hadn't yet escalated to the point where the Nine-Tails attack further exacerbated the conflicts between Konoha villagers and various ninja clans.
This point was exploited by the elders led by Hiruzen Sarutobi, causing the Uchiha clan to completely lose the support of other ninja clans.
Although they didn't have much support originally, for the sake of balance among the ninja clans, the major clans wouldn't let the Uchiha simply disappear.
More or less, there would still be some covert assistance.
However, after the Nine-Tails Attack, the Uchiha Clan was truly isolated and helpless.
Of course, what Bai Mu needs to do now is to first resolve the internal issues of the Uchiha Clan, maintain a single voice, and then speak out in unison against external threats.
If the Uchiha Clan unites, there won't be so many petty schemes, and with me here, anyone who comes will die!
...Inside the Hokage's Office Building.
Sarutobi Miroku rushed in, pushing the door open.
"Father!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi, who was observing a crystal ball, immediately blushed and retracted it with lightning speed.
Then, he glared angrily at Sarutobi Miroku who had burst in and reprimanded him, "This is the Hokage's Office Building, you should address me by my title!"
Sarutobi Miroku's mouth twitched, thinking how speechless he was about his Father's hobby.
He claimed it was to monitor suspicious individuals, but wasn't it just for peeping? Jiraiya's bad habits, like sneaking into bathhouses to peep, couldn't be separated from his old man's teachings; it truly was a master-disciple inheritance.
"Hokage-sama!"
Of course, Sarutobi Miroku still gave his Father face and immediately changed his address.
"Speak, what is it!" Hiruzen Sarutobi said with a serious expression and a deep voice.
His son was so agitated, it must be something important, so he quickly got to the point instead of dwelling on other trivial matters.
Upon hearing this, Sarutobi Miroku immediately spoke voluminously: "Hokage-sama, I learned important news about the Uchiha Clan from the front lines. Uchiha Bai Mu has become the new Clan Head of the Uchiha Clan, and also, the relationship between Uchiha Bai Mu and Lady Tsunade is extremely close. Lady Tsunade seems to trust him greatly and supports some of his decisions..."
Listening to these words, Hiruzen Sarutobi waved his hand, interrupting his son: "Alright, I know all this."
Seeing this, Sarutobi Miroku adjusted himself and immediately dropped a bombshell: "Hokage-sama, Uchiha Bai Mu came to power through a Coup d'état. He defeated Uchiha Fugaku. According to Ninja from the Nara Clan and Hyuga Clan, Uchiha Bai Mu defeated Uchiha Fugaku with hardly any time, practically crushing him with ease."
Coup d'état!
This made Hiruzen Sarutobi nervous.
Uchiha Bai Mu carried out a Coup d'état within the Uchiha Clan, so what about the Village? Once he wants something, wouldn't he... Considering Konoha's relationship with the Uchiha Clan, Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn't help but make such connections. Moreover, he already knew Bai Mu wasn't someone to be trifled with, but he never expected him to be so decisive.
A Coup d'état was declared, and it immediately happened. This was completely different from the soft-hearted Uchiha Fugaku.
This style of action... Uchiha Fugaku simply couldn't compare.
And the rise of such a decisive Uchiha genius, who was also suspected of having awakened the Mangekyo, was definitely not good for Konoha.
Hiruzen Sarutobi knew very well that if Uchiha Fugaku were still in charge, the Uchiha Clan would not be a concern, and any major threat could be handled.
But if it were a young man like Uchiha Bai Mu, then it would be truly troublesome.
Moreover, the Mangekyo Sharingan, who knew if this Uchiha Bai Mu was normal or not!
Influenced by the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama, Hiruzen Sarutobi, Danzo Shimura, and their group were wary, vigilant, and hostile towards the Uchiha Clan; they would never be careless.
After learning of this, Hiruzen Sarutobi knew that Bai Mu absolutely could not be allowed to remain.
Such a person posed too great a danger; he had to be dealt with.
Otherwise, the harm would be endless!
Thinking this, Hiruzen Sarutobi took a deep breath, then looked at his eldest son with a serious expression and said in a deep voice, "Miroku, go find Danzo and tell him that Uchiha Bai Mu cannot be allowed to remain."
Sarutobi Miroku: "..."
Did his Father mean to eliminate Uchiha Bai Mu?
So decisive, his Father was truly wary, otherwise, he wouldn't be so urgent. Sarutobi Miroku, knowing this, didn't waste words but immediately turned and left.
"Don't worry, Father, I know what to do!"
Watching his son's departing figure, Hiruzen Sarutobi suddenly trembled, feeling a bad premonition, but he quickly calmed down, thinking he was overthinking things.
His son's ability was beyond doubt, and with Danzo involved, this matter would surely be successful... The moment Bai Mu stepped into the Uchiha Clan's territory, Uchiha Natsubi was already waiting with several Uchiha clansmen.
"Lord Baimu!" The moment they saw Bai Mu, Uchiha Natsubi and the Uchiha clansmen behind him bowed in unison.
"Mm..."
Bai Mu first nodded, then asked, "How is the situation within the Clan?"
Uchiha Natsubi quickly reported the situation, whispering, "Everything is well. We have controlled all critical points in the Clan's territory and are constantly monitoring the situation. However, Elder Setsuna has strong opinions and seems to have discovered something."
Bai Mu, hearing this, merely waved his hand and said indifferently, "Don't mind him. Just keep an eye on the elders within the Clan. Without a leader, most of the younger clansmen won't do anything. As for the MPD, I'll go there myself!"
The Uchiha Clan managed the MPD, and the MPD was not entirely composed of Uchiha elites, but basically, only those who had awakened their Sharingan could join the MPD. However, those with one tomoe were the majority, while two tomoe were the backbone, and Three Tomoe were the elite of the elites.
Not everyone could join the MPD; even within the Uchiha Clan, only clansmen who had awakened their Sharingan were qualified to join this department.
However, in Bai Mu's opinion, the Uchiha Clan placed too much importance on the MPD, monopolizing it and not allowing others a share, thus making themselves isolated and helpless.
In reality, Senju Tobirama dug a pit for the Uchiha Clan, but at the same time, he also gave the Uchiha Clan hope, as the MPD indeed held great power.
It's just that the Uchiha Clan, ah, very few people could manage it effectively. Instead, they became entangled in so-called daily patrols and maintaining Village security, which led to a continuous deterioration of the Uchiha Clan's reputation.
Of course, in Bai Mu's view, the villagers of Konoha were truly unruly and deserved a strong hand. However, these matters were not worth the Uchiha Clan's time.
The Ninja of smaller Ninja Clans and the vast number of commoner Ninja were truly suited for these tasks. How could the Ninja of our Uchiha Clan engage in beating villagers... Oh, no, it should be educating them.
Bai Mu had already decided that the MPD needed reform. Ordinary Ninja should be allowed to join, and the welfare benefits go without saying. Only in this way could the Uchiha Clan win the hearts of the people!
It should be known that those ordinary commoner Ninja, and even Ninja from smaller Ninja Clans, all needed opportunities. What opportunities?
Of course, opportunities for improvement. How could ordinary Ninja become stronger without dedicated guidance? They might not even master a few Ninjutsu in their entire lives, and let alone Ninjutsu, they might not even be fully equipped with Ninja tools.
However, joining the MPD changed everything.
Uchiha Natsubi was also a loyal supporter of Bai Mu, as loyal as Uchiha Mina. So when Bai Mu mentioned going to the MPD himself, he naturally didn't object to the approach, but what should we do next?
This needed to be asked, and asked carefully.
"Lord Baimu, the old fogeys in the Clan cling to outdated practices. So what should we do next? Please give us your instructions."
Bai Mu waved his hand and said indifferently, "Relax. Your job is to maintain peace and stability within the Clan. You don't need to do anything extraordinary. The eastern front against Hidden Mist is basically over, and Mina and the others will be withdrawing soon. At that time, what you need to do is act discreetly, and don't do anything out of line. If there are any changes, remember to inform me. Just hold onto the thing I gave you."
The so-called 'thing' was a communication tool, ensuring immediate communication to facilitate Bai Mu's most rational decision-making.
Mina, Natsubi, and other loyal supporters all had communication tools bestowed by Bai Mu.
"Understood, Lord Baimu!" Uchiha Natsubi had no objections and obeyed Bai Mu's orders unconditionally... MPD.
The one left in charge was Uchiha Ryojin, one of Uchiha Fugaku's trusted subordinates.
However, there were many members of the White Flame Society within the MPD, so by the time Bai Mu arrived, the Uchiha clansmen belonging to the White Flame Society had already taken control of the situation.
Uchiha Ryojin was utterly bewildered. How did these clansmen, usually dressed strangely and embroidered with white flame patterns, possess such abilities?
"Uchiha Bai Mu?"
Seeing Bai Mu appear before him, the subdued Uchiha Ryojin was instantly astonished. He clearly hadn't expected that the inconspicuous Bai Mu would be the mastermind, so all of this was his doing.
Realizing this, Uchiha Ryojin immediately became furious and demanded, "What have you done?"
How did I end up being controlled?
Besides, what is your intention by barging into the MPD like this?
And also, weren't you, Uchiha Bai Mu, on the front lines? How did you come back?
"How dare you, Uchiha Ryojin, are you trying to rebel?" Uchiha Natsubi, standing behind Bai Mu, immediately scowled and reprimanded him.
"Rebel?"
Uchiha Ryojin was very surprised, never expecting to be accused of rebellion one day. The key was that Uchiha Natsubi was just a young man in his early twenties, yet he dared to reprimand him like this?
"Uchiha Natsubi, what are you? How dare you curse me? And talk about rebellion, what kind of rebellion? Don't speak nonsense!"
Uchiha Ryojin had a fiery temper. As a member of the MPD and one of Uchiha Fugaku's trusted subordinates, he naturally didn't have to put some clansmen in his eyes, let alone a young man like Uchiha Natsubi, who was only in his early twenties.
Uchiha Natsubi didn't care about Uchiha Ryojin's curses. As long as he wasn't cursing Bai Mu, he wouldn't react. Unless he was cursing Bai Mu, then he would be asking for death.
"Uchiha Ryojin, Lord Baimu is the new Clan Head of the Uchiha Clan. The former Clan Head, Uchiha Fugaku, has already stepped down. You are now facing our Uchiha Clan's new Clan Head, do you understand?"
New Clan Head?
Him?
No, are you kidding me?
Uchiha Ryojin, of course, didn't believe it.
However, Bai Mu had no intention of wasting words. He directly revealed his Sharingan, and its terrifying visual prowess completely suppressed the Uchiha present.
One glance, just one glance, and everyone was knocked down.
Uchiha Ryojin, as the main recipient, felt nothing but fear in his heart at this moment. How terrifying was the visual prowess beneath those Sharingan?
Unpredictable, completely unpredictable, it was too frightening.
"The MPD is currently under Natsubi's command. Further arrangements will be made when the clansmen from the front lines return. At that time, Mina and Natsubi will work together, so you don't have to worry about any unfair treatment..."
"I can assure you, the treatment will only get better. I, Uchiha Bai Mu, am never one to hog glory, so you only need to follow me, and you will naturally get what you deserve!"
Bai Mu didn't waste words and went straight to the point, announcing everything that needed to be announced.
Some things would be arranged in detail after he returned. Currently, heading north to intercept Kumogakure was the top priority. Furthermore, the clansmen on the front lines hadn't returned yet, so announcing it prematurely would only cause trouble. It was better to wait until everyone was together.
After Bai Mu explained these matters, Uchiha Natsubi led the clansmen within the MPD and shouted loudly, "Come, for the Uchiha, pledge loyalty to Clan Head Bai Mu! We are absolutely loyal to Lord Baimu!"
"Loyalty!"
The clansmen present immediately shouted in unison.
At this moment, no more words were needed. Bai Mu's strength had completely conquered them, so now, all these people had in their minds was loyalty!