Yasunori Sakai Goes Offline

"Uchiha Clan?"

After Pakura read the scroll Yasunori Sakai had given her, she found herself unable to make up her mind. If they could truly win over the Uchiha Clan and confirm that they sincerely wished to join, it would naturally be an excellent outcome for the Saudi Federation.

What she feared was that the Uchiha Clan had no such intention. After all, they were one of the two great ninja clans that had founded Konoha, practically one of its founding elders. The Uchiha Clan held tremendous significance for Konoha.

Although the Saudi Federation had a very promising future, it still lagged behind Konoha in every other respect. Given that, Pakura felt that recruiting the Uchiha Clan would be very difficult.

Pakura also summoned some of the Federation’s higher-ups for this matter, including Elder Yasunori.

After reading Yasunori Sakai’s proposal, they all had differing opinions.

"How could something like this be possible? There’s no way we can recruit the Uchiha Clan. And is the intelligence mentioned here even true?"

"Lord Kazekage, if the intelligence is accurate, then recruitment may be possible. But do you have to go personally?"

Pakura nodded and said, "That would better demonstrate our sincerity. I think Sakai’s suggestion is very sound. Elder Yasunori, what do you think?"

"To be honest, Old Man had intended to avoid getting involved in this matter. But since Lord Kazekage has asked, I shall offer my thoughts."

Elder Yasunori slowly said, "The cooperation with the Uchiha Clan was arranged entirely by Sakai. The Exploding Tags they manufacture are of exceptional quality and highly sought after throughout the Ninja World, so he began trading with the Uchiha through the Ninja Cat Clan."

The people beside him nodded after hearing this. They had all heard of the Uchiha’s Exploding Tags. Anyone who knew anything about them knew that the Uchiha Clan had been in the Exploding Tag business since the Warring States Period.

"During those transactions, the Uchiha Clan told Sakai many things about Konoha. Ever since the Nine-Tails’ Rampage several years ago, their clan has never been trusted by Konoha. Not only was their clan compound forced into a remote area, but they have also lived under surveillance every day. Sakai gathered intelligence through other channels, and it was consistent with what the Uchiha Clan had said."

One person asked doubtfully, "Was the Nine-Tails’ Rampage related to the Uchiha?"

"It was related to the Sharingan, but not to the Uchiha Clan within Konoha," Elder Yasunori replied. "According to the Yasunori Trading Company’s intelligence investigation, the one who controlled the Nine-Tails was an unfamiliar Uchiha. Konoha’s Uchiha Clan should have merely been implicated."

The Yasunori Trading Company’s influence spanned several major countries, and tens of thousands depended on it for their livelihoods. The Federation’s higher-ups had little doubt about its intelligence network. In some respects, even if the Saudi Federation’s Anbu investigated with all their strength, their intelligence might not be as accurate as the Yasunori Trading Company’s.

Elder Yasunori then gave a more detailed account of the Uchiha Clan’s situation, though his words subtly carried the intent of speaking well of them. There were indeed some extremely arrogant people within the Uchiha Clan, but apart from those individuals, they were fairly easy to get along with.

The Uchiha valued their bonds and longed for peace, and they also possessed decades of experience in the Military Police Force. Recruiting this clan would greatly strengthen the Saudi Federation.

After hearing Elder Yasunori’s words, Pakura had already made her decision. The person she trusted most now was Yasunori Sakai, followed by Elder Yasunori. As for everyone else, she would listen to them only as a reference.

"Then it’s settled. While I am away from the Federation and heading to Konoha, Elder Yasunori, Maki, and Karura will handle Federation affairs, with the others assisting them."

Pakura made the final decision. One reason she had decided on this was that she felt it was far too dangerous for Yasunori Sakai to go to the Land of Fire with only two Guards.

After pushing the Kazekage’s administrative duties onto the others, Pakura suddenly felt a wave of relief. It had been a long time since she had experienced this inexplicable sense of freedom. The last time she had felt this way was when she had been a Jonin instructor.

As expected, administrative affairs should be left to someone else!

With that thought, Pakura gave a few more instructions before setting off for the Land of Fire with two small Anbu squads.

"Lord Yasunori, this is too dangerous. We should wait until we meet up with the Fifth Hokage before meeting with the Uchiha Clan."

The Suna-nin Jonin guard tried to dissuade Yasunori Sakai. There were only three of them at the moment. Aside from Yasunori Sakai, there was only one Jonin and one Chunin acting as guards.

If they encountered Konoha Ninja with such a setup, it would be far too dangerous. Though Yasunori Sakai was the Kazekage’s Assistant, he was an ordinary man with no combat ability whatsoever. If they encountered enemies, they would be unable to protect him properly.

"There shouldn’t be any problems. The Uchiha Clan won’t attack me; they will ensure my safety. Besides, if we wait for Pakura, we may miss the agreed time."

Yasunori Sakai reassured him. Seeing that Yasunori Sakai was determined, the Jonin guard could only follow his wishes.

He had only learned about the plan to recruit the Uchiha Clan recently. Though he did not think it had much chance of succeeding, since both the Fifth Hokage and the Kazekage’s Assistant knew of it, it was not his place as a Jonin to object.

In the reformed Saudi Federation, Jonin no longer had as much influence as they once did.

The three of them soon arrived at the agreed location. It was relatively close to Konoha, but it was also a remote mountain hollow that few people visited, without even a proper road.

Not long after Yasunori Sakai arrived, members of the Uchiha Clan emerged one after another. There were six of them in total.

"Yasunori-kun, thank you for accepting the invitation."

Uchiha Tekka spoke first. Yasunori Sakai’s identity as the Kazekage’s Assistant had already been verified, and despite being an ordinary man with no strength, he had rushed over as soon as he received the invitation.

As an enemy, one could call Yasunori Sakai foolish. But as someone they wished to ally with, Uchiha Tekka could only feel Yasunori Sakai’s sincerity.

"No need for formalities, Tekka-kun. I was worried about missing the agreed time, so I set out first. Lord Kazekage will not arrive for some time yet. Please forgive us."

Yasunori Sakai smiled. His attitude put the Uchiha clan members somewhat at ease. Perhaps Tekka had a point—living so miserably in Konoha, moving somewhere that could sincerely accept them might not be such a bad thing.

Uchiha Tekka introduced them to Yasunori Sakai. "Yasunori-kun, these are clan members who share my views. This is Senior Yashiro, and this is Inabi."

The people Uchiha Tekka introduced were all influential figures within the Uchiha Clan, mostly squad captains or section captains in the Military Police Force.

Had it been a few days earlier, he would not have been able to persuade so many people. But Shisui’s death was full of suspicious circumstances. Many suspected that Itachi was involved, yet clan head Fugaku had no intention of investigating and instead chose to shield his son.

That action had disappointed many clan members. The doubts surrounding Uchiha Itachi went far beyond Shisui’s death. More importantly, he did not share the clan’s convictions and was suspected of leaning toward the Hokage’s faction.

At such a critical time, Uchiha Fugaku still refused to investigate Itachi. Even Uchiha Yashiro felt somewhat disappointed.

Uchiha Yashiro nodded slightly and asked, "Yasunori-san, Tekka did not explain everything clearly to us, so I would like to ask about some of the details."

"Then let me explain everything to you again in detail—the Saudi Federation’s sincerity."

Yasunori Sakai then thoroughly explained the terms the Saudi Federation could offer to Uchiha Yashiro. This time, he also promised that the Yasunori Trading Company would use special channels to escort the Uchiha Clan’s ordinary clan members.

After Uchiha Yashiro and the others finished listening and exchanged confirming looks, he said to Yasunori Sakai, "I understand. We have felt your sincerity, as well as that of the Saudi Federation."

Yasunori Sakai shook his head slightly. "I have already told clan head Fugaku all of this, but he did not seem to agree last time."

"The clan head…" Uchiha Yashiro was also dissatisfied with Fugaku. As the Uchiha Clan Head, he clearly knew there was something wrong with his son but refused to deal with it. Even if he did not wish to harm him, temporarily confining him would have been enough to calm the clan members.

But Fugaku…

That was precisely why Uchiha Tekka had been able to persuade them. The few of them were usually on good terms with Uchiha Tekka, and given their standing within the clan, they could convince some people to relocate and settle elsewhere.

Afterward, Yasunori Sakai discussed several more details with Uchiha Yashiro and the others before immediately signing an agreement.

Yasunori Sakai had originally said he would wait until Pakura arrived to sign it with them, but the Uchiha Clan trusted him personally more. Thus, Yasunori Sakai signed the agreement with them under his dual identities as the Kazekage’s Assistant and the person in charge of the Yasunori Trading Company.

"Then, Yasunori-kun, for today—"

Before Uchiha Tekka could finish speaking, his black pupils were instantly replaced by Three-Tomoe Sharingan.

He was not the only one. Even the other Uchiha clansmen activated their Sharingan.

"Lord Yasunori, be careful! There are enemies!"

The two Suna-nin guards immediately moved to protect Yasunori Sakai. Then, eight masked enemies suddenly appeared around them.

"They’re Anbu or Root. Protect Yasunori-san and try to kill them!" Three tomoe appeared in Uchiha Yashiro’s eyes as he spoke in an icy tone.

This group had appeared in this remote place brimming with Killing Intent. It was obvious that information had leaked and these lackeys had tracked them here.

"Yasunori-kun, leave first. Leave these people to us!"

The six Uchiha charged straight at them. There were only eight enemies, so dealing with them would not be difficult. It would merely take some time to leave none of them alive. After all, all six were Uchiha elites—Jonin with Three-Tomoe Sharingan.

"Lord Yasunori!" The Suna-nin guards also urged him.

Yasunori Sakai nodded and said, "Let’s leave first. Leave this place to them."

The Root ninja immediately clashed fiercely with the six Uchiha. Ninjutsu, Shuriken, and Taijutsu collided in an instant.

"Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique!"

"Fire Style: Great Dragon Fire Technique!"

"Wind Style: Vacuum Sphere!"

The collision of ninjutsu destroyed this stretch of forest in a short time. Then one of the Root members suddenly used a ninjutsu that left the Uchiha utterly astonished.

"Wood Release: Descent of the Tree World!"

In an instant, the ground rumbled and shook. Numerous thick wooden pillars burst from deep underground and lunged toward the Uchiha and the others.

"Wood Release!?"

Not only the Uchiha—even the Suna-nin guards who had already retreated some distance were slightly distracted in surprise at the sight. One of them could not help saying, "Wood Release has actually appeared in Konoha again? Lord Yasunori, we must take this intelligence back to the Fifth Hokage—"

Before the Suna-nin guard could finish speaking, a Root ninja suddenly leaped out from underground and charged desperately at Yasunori Sakai.

"Dream on! Wind Style: Beast Wave Gale Palm!"

The Suna-nin guard reacted swiftly, forming hand seals at once. Numerous wind blades appeared around his hands and swept toward the Root ninja.

Squelch! Squelch!

In an instant, the Root ninja was carved with scattered wounds all over his body. Yet he neither dodged nor evaded, forcibly enduring the ninjutsu as he kicked the Suna-nin guard away. Then, with the determination to kill in one blow, he rushed toward Yasunori Sakai.

The other Chunin guard stepped directly in front of Yasunori Sakai. He used Vacuum Blade on his Kunai and, equally prepared to risk his life, slashed at the Root ninja’s head.

Not good.

The Chunin guard instantly realized the Root ninja’s intention. Even if his head were cut off, he still intended to complete the assassination.

Squelch!

The Root ninja’s head was instantly severed by the Vacuum Blade. However, before dying, he spat out a specially made Senbon from his mouth, striking Yasunori Sakai in an instant.

Once the Senbon entered his body and came into contact with blood, the poison on it took effect.

"Lord Yasunori!!"

The Chunin guard’s panicked cry happened to be heard by Pakura, who had just arrived.