Chapter 248: The Origin of Conflict

Chapter 248: Chapter 248: The Origin of Conflict

The beginning of the shinobi world could be traced back to Ninshū, founded by the Sage of Six Paths.

However, the Sage of Six Paths’ two sons, ōtsutsuki Indra and ōtsutsuki Asura, became the source of conflict within the shinobi world. From the moment the Sage of Six Paths passed away, the two began an endless war against each other.

Even after both of them eventually died, their souls continued to reincarnate throughout the shinobi world in the form of chakra.

Again and again, they reincarnated within generation after generation of their descendants. Like a curse clinging to their very bones, they carried the conflict that had begun in the era of Ninshū all the way into the future.

Hundreds of years...

Thousands of years...

All the way to the present!

It could be said that nearly all of the hatred and bloodshed between the Uchiha Clan and the Senju Clan had been caused by the fated cycle of reincarnation between Indra and Asura.

Even the terrible relationship between the Uchiha Clan and the village today was merely another consequence left behind by the conflict between the previous reincarnations of Indra and Asura.

The previous reincarnation of Indra—Uchiha Madara—had instigated the Battle of the Final Valley, gravely wounding the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama, and nearly bringing Konoha to ruin.

This caused the Second Hokage, who succeeded him, to become extremely wary of the Uchiha Clan. As a result, Konoha abandoned the First Hokage’s policy of treating the Uchiha Clan equally and began subtly targeting them, gradually excluding them from the village’s circle of power.

To say that the Uchiha’s current predicament was the result of fate would not be an exaggeration in the slightest.

Now, ōtsutsuki Indra and ōtsutsuki Asura had once again reincarnated, and this time, their reincarnations were Uchiha Sasuke and Uzumaki Naruto.

Under the arrangement of fate, history seemed destined to repeat itself once more.

Hyuga Kagami deeply disliked and detested the very idea of fate, because fate meant that everything had already been arranged in advance—that there was no way to resist it, no way to change it, and that an individual’s efforts would ultimately become meaningless.

"Can fate truly not be changed?"

Kagami, who refused to accept fate, had always wanted to change something. But he wasn’t certain whether the fate intertwined above the shinobi world could truly be altered by his actions, nor was he certain whether everything he had done could actually save the Uchiha Clan.

Because of that, no matter how long he pondered Shisui’s question, he couldn’t give him a definite answer.

Seeing Kagami’s expression constantly shifting, Shisui asked worriedly, "Senpai, what’s wrong?"

Putting aside the complicated thoughts in his mind, Kagami chuckled lightly. "Nothing. It’s just that even I can’t quite figure out what the future holds."

Shisui pressed, "Why did you suddenly bring up ’fate’? Could it be... could it be that the future of our Uchiha Clan has already been decided?"

Kagami replied firmly, "No. Nothing is predetermined!"

As a researcher, Kagami firmly believed that one’s destiny was held in one’s own hands. As long as one was willing to strive with everything they had, anything was possible.

Fate might be a cage.

It might be a set of shackles.

But it was absolutely not something that could never be shattered.

Shisui nodded vigorously as well. "Yes. I also firmly believe that there must be a way to permanently resolve the conflict between the clan and the village!"

Before long, night fell.

Rei prepared a lavish dinner for Kagami and Shisui. The three of them chatted and laughed together for a long time. On this night, it was as though all their worries had simply ceased to exist...

......

Meanwhile, the Hokage’s Office was also brightly lit.

The Third Hokage, Danzo, the other two members of the advisory council, and Jiraiya of the Legendary Sannin sat together, discussing the matter of convening a Five Kage Summit.

Although the Third Hokage was somewhat displeased that Danzo had taken it upon himself to propose a Five Kage Summit to the Fourth Raikage, there wasn’t much he could openly criticize him for.

After all, Danzo’s reasoning was perfectly sound. Kamigami’s interest in the Tailed Beasts directly threatened every major shinobi village that possessed one. Therefore, convening a Five Kage Summit to discuss how to deal with Kamigami was only natural.

After carefully reading through Danzo’s report on the recent encirclement operation, the Third Hokage frowned and asked, "Another Magnet Release Kekkei Genkai shinobi has appeared among Kamigami’s ranks?"

Jiraiya nodded. "I saw it with my own eyes. There’s no mistake."

Danzo snorted coldly. "If it weren’t for that newly appeared Kamigami member, Homura would never have escaped the encirclement I arranged!"

"Magnet Release Kekkei Genkai..."

As he listened to Jiraiya and Danzo’s account, the Third Hokage’s expression darkened.

Unlike other Kekkei Genkai, Magnet Release held extraordinary significance within Sunagakure.

Ever since the Second Kazekage developed Magnet Release, every Kazekage—including the missing Third Kazekage and the current Fourth Kazekage—had been a Magnet Release Kekkei Genkai shinobi.

Therefore, anyone who possessed Magnet Release naturally had the qualifications to compete for the position of Kazekage within Sunagakure. Because of this, the Third Hokage found it difficult to imagine that a Suna shinobi of such standing would betray Sunagakure and join Kamigami.

Elder Advisor Koharu Utatane was equally puzzled. "First there was a Kirigakure Ice Release Kekkei Genkai shinobi, then a Sharingan dōjutsu Kekkei Genkai shinobi from our own Konoha, and now even a Magnet Release Kekkei Genkai shinobi from Sunagakure has appeared. Kamigami keeps recruiting rogue shinobi with such sensitive backgrounds. Are they truly not afraid of the Five Great Shinobi Villages at all?"

The other Elder Advisor, Homura Mitokado, said, "I’m more concerned about Kamigami’s leader. Just what method did he use to entice so many powerful rogue shinobi into joining him?"

Jiraiya’s concerns were more practical. He said, "Since Kamigami’s target is the Tailed Beasts, we need to strengthen Naruto’s protection!"

A sharp gleam flashed through Danzo’s eyes. "I propose that Uzumaki Naruto be placed under Root!"

Jiraiya immediately flew into a rage. "Are you kidding me?!"

Taking a puff from his pipe, the Third Hokage slowly said, "I’ve already made arrangements for Naruto’s protection. Danzo, your current task is to continue the operation against Kamigami. There’s no need for you to interfere in Naruto’s affairs."

Danzo didn’t get angry. Instead, he asked, "Hiruzen, then how do you plan to handle the Five Kage Summit?"

The Third Hokage immediately found himself in a difficult position.

Logically speaking, as the Hokage, he should personally represent Konoha at the Five Kage Summit. But the situation in the village was currently unstable, and Kamigami could very well infiltrate Konoha again to cause trouble.

Therefore, he had to remain in the village and personally hold down the fort.

After pondering for a moment, the Third Hokage instructed, "Danzo, since you’re the commander in charge of the operation against Kamigami, you’ll attend this Five Kage Summit in my place."

Danzo seemed to have expected this all along and nodded naturally. "Don’t worry, Hiruzen. I won’t fail this mission."

After the meeting ended and the three advisors had left, Jiraiya, who had deliberately stayed behind, said to the Third Hokage, "Sensei, I’m still worried about Naruto. What happened to Minato is already something I can hardly let go of. If something were to happen to Naruto too..."

The Third Hokage interrupted him. "Don’t worry. I’m planning to assign ANBU Team 11 to protect Naruto."

Jiraiya froze for a moment. "ANBU Team 11?! The ANBU team that Uchiha Shisui belongs to?"