Rebuilding Uchiha By Removing Fugaku

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Toki hadn't expected Uzumaki Chizuru's reaction to be so intense. However, considering she had been forced to live as a refugee for over a decade since the age of 12, it wasn't surprising.

Her arrival made Toki realize something—he could do much more than just focus on Konoha.

Besides Uzumaki Chizuru, there was another victim of cruel political schemes: Pakura, the hero of Sunagakure, who had been betrayed and handed over to Kirigakure to die.

Despite Iwagakure signing a peace treaty with Konoha, they were still taking advantage of Sunagakure's weakened position. Sand Village, caught between the attacks of Kirigakure and Iwagakure, had been forced to negotiate peace with the former. The price? The betrayal of Pakura, a warrior who had slaughtered countless Kirigakure shinobi.

"Seems like none of these big powers can avoid disgusting political deals," Toki muttered, slightly bitter.

But he quickly reminded himself that he was also using politics to counter Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Toki returned to the frontline in the Land of Hot Water, with Uzumaki Chizuru accompanying him.

There, Uchiha Yashiro and Uchiha Inaba were waiting for him. They had recently taken advantage of the recruitment campaign to return to the clan's territory.

Currently, Kumogakure, harassed by Toki's tactics, was struggling. But Yashiro's face looked grim as he approached Toki.

"Lord Toki, our harassment tactics are no longer working. Kumogakure has deployed their Jinchūriki."

Toki's brows furrowed. "A Jinchūriki?"

As a reincarnator, he knew the limitations of the Mangekyō Sharingan when it came to controlling tailed beasts. The eternal Mangekyō Sharingan was required, and even then, it only worked when the tailed beast was not within a host.

Ordinary Mangekyō users would find the chakra strain and pupil power consumption overwhelming, risking blindness after just a few attempts.

Obito's ability to control the Nine-Tails, for instance, stemmed from a combination of the Uchiha clan's summoning contract and the Hashirama cells implanted in his body.

Yashiro spoke solemnly, "Yes, Lord Toki. Our squads have suffered heavy losses. Their Jinchūriki can sense our movements, and combined with rotating sensory ninjas, it's nearly impossible for our teams to approach Kumogakure's position.

"A few squads tried to engage but were nearly wiped out. Only the cavalry and lancer squads managed to retreat. However, their survivors awakened the Sharingan and were promoted to the swordsman squad.

"For now, I've ordered the others to remain dormant and avoid further engagements."

Toki was silent for a moment, his expression dark. Though he knew casualties were inevitable, the thought of his clansmen dying still weighed heavily on him. But his years of experience in warfare allowed him to quickly regain composure.

"That's enough for now," he said firmly. "Konoha's recruitment is complete, and I've brought sufficient funds with me.

"Regroup the clansmen and integrate them with the newly arrived reinforcements as quickly as possible.

"Reorganize the squads into four-man cells as per Tsunade's recommendation. Each Uchiha member will lead three ninja ranked Chūnin or higher.

"Centralize the Shinobi team and let them choose captains under Inaba's supervision.

"Lastly, remind everyone not to pursue the Mangekyō recklessly. The Uchiha clan is a race of love. Without genuine emotional acceptance, the Mangekyō Sharingan cannot awaken."

"Yes, Lord Toki!" Yashiro and Inaba replied in unison.

Yashiro hesitated before adding, "There's news from Konoha. Shisui reported that Sarutobi Asuma, Hiruzen's son, is on the registration list and has already left Konoha."

Toki froze in disbelief. "Who did you say?"

"Sarutobi Asuma," Yashiro repeated.

"Is Sarutobi Hiruzen out of his mind?" Toki muttered, dumbfounded.

Yashiro and Inaba coughed awkwardly.

"It seems he's trying to earn battlefield merit to qualify for the Konohagakure fire-breathing dragon contract. Supposedly, it's to impress a girlfriend."

Toki blinked in confusion. "He has a girlfriend already?"

"Well… future girlfriend," Inaba clarified, his tone dry.

Toki couldn't believe it. "Wait, so Asuma started simping this early?"

He recalled that Asuma didn't officially win over Kurenai until long after the main story began—around 12 years from now.

"Where is he now?" Toki asked.

"In one of the squads under Uchiha Katon. Skill-wise, he's barely an elite Chūnin," Yashiro explained.

Compared to civilian Chūnin, the second son of the Sarutobi clan undoubtedly had access to top-tier education and training.

Inaba gave Toki a mischievous look and asked, "Patriarch, should we… take care of him?" He made a throat-slitting gesture.

Toki glared at him. "What are you thinking?! He's just a kid! The Uchiha Defense Corps isn't a bunch of assassins! How can you even suggest such a thing?"

Inaba stared at him in disbelief. "Big Brother, we're at war with them."

Toki waved dismissively with a smile. "Short-sighted. Haven't you heard of The Will of Fire?"