Chapter 26: Village in the Dark

On the night that the Senju clan announced their retirement, a falcon flew into the border camp from the direction of Konoha Village. Not long after, Ye Shan, who was resting, heard the emergency assembly whistle echoing mournfully in the camp. Although he didn't know what was going on, after years of experience on the battlefield, Ye Shan quickly put on his ninja tool bag and went to the assembly point.

The quiet camp was awakened by a whistle, and a large number of ninjas without any mission gathered in an orderly manner. Although there were many people, the noise was very small. There was only the sound of dense footsteps, and no one dared to whisper to each other.

After a while, the shrill whistle stopped, and two ninjas wearing Konoha's standard vests walked up to the platform and looked down at the people lined up neatly below.

Ye Shan, who was standing in the crowd, saw the two people on the platform, and his eyes narrowed slightly. He knew both of them! The thin ninja on the left, with a square face that looked intimidating without anger, turned out to be the former director of the Rain Country Mission Department and Ye Shan's enemy - Sarutobi Hinakata! The man on the right, with a burly figure and a square face, was one of the initiators of every gathering, and his status in the civilian organization was even higher than that of the deceased Tsuchitaka Okata! Ye Shan also knew his name, Konishi Kakuei, a civilian-born ninja who had been famous in the village for a long time and was extremely good at lightning escape.

Ye Shan lowered his head, afraid that the two people above would recognize him, especially Sarutobi Hinata, whom he could not afford to offend for the time being.

Konishi Kakuei coughed, turned his head and said to Sarutobi Hinata beside him: "Director Sarutobi, can you say something?"

Sarutobi Hikata did not refuse, but took a step forward and started to speak. A trace of displeasure flashed across Konishi Kakuei's eyes, but he did not say anything, and just watched the other party's performance quietly.

When a good thing happens, one feels refreshed. Sarutobi Hikata was in a very happy mood. He waved his hand in a pretentious manner and said, "Gather everyone tonight for one thing."

After saying this, he paused, his eyes roaming back and forth among the crowd. Seeing that everyone was holding their breath waiting for him to speak, he nodded with satisfaction and continued: "On behalf of the Hokage, I order: return to defend Konoha, set off immediately!"

There was a commotion among the ninjas below. If the occasion was not so solemn, they would even doubt the authenticity of this order.

You know, just a few days ago, the Sand Village crossed the border into the Land of Fire and wreaked havoc. If they are transferred back now, what should we do if the Sand Village invades again?

Ye Shan quickly thought about the deep meaning behind this order, but he would not believe it even if he was beaten to death. The Senju clan, a powerful clan in the ninja world, was deceived and retired directly! According to Ye Shan's previous speculation, the Senju clan would be seriously injured and lie dormant. As for the matter of retirement, he dared not even think about it.

Without giving Yeshan too much time to think, the ninjas set out on their journey back to the village with the sound of departure.

The next evening, the Konoha Ninja Army, who had not rested much along the way, finally arrived outside the Konoha Village. There was no hot meal waiting for them, and they had no time to even take a breath before their tasks were assigned to them.

The angry ninjas scattered with resentment. I don't know if it was a coincidence, but Yeshan was assigned to Konishi Kakuei's team to perform patrol missions at Hokage Rock.

Hokage Rock is where the portraits of successive Hokage are carved. It is also a shelter built by Konoha. It is easy to defend and difficult to attack, and is a solemn place in the eyes of all Konoha villagers.

Now, this sacred and inviolable place was under Yeshan's feet. He stood on the stone statue of the Third Hokage, his whole body shrouded in darkness, and looked at the village silently.

"It's a really open-minded place."

The sound in his ear startled Ye Shan. Without thinking, he shook his wrist and stabbed backwards.

'Snapped'

A big hand grabbed his wrist, lightning flashed, and Ye Shan's palm became paralyzed, but he did not continue to attack because he saw a face that was not unfamiliar.

Konishi Kakuei let go of his hand, took a step forward, stood shoulder to shoulder with Hayama, and overlooked the Konoha Village.

After a long time, he whispered what happened in the village yesterday, his eyes fixed on Ye Shan's profile, trying to see some emotion on this stern face. Unfortunately, he failed.

Ye Shan listened to the other party's words with his arms folded across his chest with an expressionless face. He couldn't help sneering in his heart, but he remained steady and did not express any opinion. He just stared blankly at the Hokage Building.

From Yeshan's perspective, the Hokage Building, which symbolizes the highest power in Konoha Village, has nothing special about it. It is far less prosperous and bright than several shopping malls. However, the people who work in the Hokage Building have given it a mysterious atmosphere. Half of it is brightly lit and the other half is dark, which seems to imply the reality of the village.

Seeing that Ye Shan did not say anything rashly, Konishi Kakuei's eyes flashed with admiration. It was rare to see a young man who could keep his composure. But he deliberately assigned Ye Shan to a small team to carry out the task, so that they would not stand together and pretend to be deep. Remembering the instructions of the adult, he told the purpose of his visit.

"Baiyun Yeshan, are you willing to join the new team?"

Ye Shan was slightly stunned, guessed something in his heart, pursed his lips, and asked: "Who is the captain?"

"I."

"Why did you find me?" Ye Shan continued to ask.

Kakuei Konishi smiled slightly, said nothing, took out a letter from his pocket and handed it to Yeshan.

Ye Shan frowned and hesitated for a long time before taking the letter and reading it in front of the other person. After reading it quickly, he felt very complicated and felt that he was in some kind of trouble.

This letter was actually a letter of recommendation, recommending Hayama to join Konishi Kakuei's team, and the signer was the White Fang of Konoha - Hatake Sakumo!

WDNMD......

Ye Shan was at a loss for words at this moment. He didn't know what to say and was completely embarrassed.

There is no love without reason in the world. As the top fighter of Konoha Village, Hatake Sakumo's daily schedule is full and he doesn't even have enough time to sleep. How can he have the energy to pay attention to a little Chunin? There must be someone who introduced him, and this person must be Uchiha Fugaku!

Well, let's put it another way, the Uchiha family is open and generous. They hit the nail on the head, and there are extra benefits. Aren't you in Yeshan short of ninjutsu? If I just give you a ninjutsu scroll, it would make our Uchiha family look not generous enough. I'll give you a ninjutsu master. What else do you want? Just take off from where you are!

Now Ye Shan just wants to shout, Uchiha--YYDS!

After putting the letter into his ninja tool bag, Ye Shan turned around, smiled flatteringly at Konishi Kakuei beside him, and said, "Teacher, please give me more guidance in the future!"

Konishi Kakuei nodded modestly, and was extremely satisfied with this disciple recommended by others. It is no exaggeration to say that he had watched Hayama grow up since he was a child. Of the ninjas who participated in the secret gathering that year, only he and Hayama were still alive. No matter how the other party survived, it was a skill, and luck and strength were indispensable.

After Konishi Kakuei left, silence returned to the Hokage Rock. The steady Hayama couldn't suppress the joy in his heart. He did a backflip on the spot to celebrate, and sighed that it was indeed the right decision to throw himself into the arms of Uchiha.

................

An underground space in the northwest corner of Konoha was the Root stronghold established not long ago. At this time, Sarutobi Hiruzen appeared here. He sat on a chair, staring at the burning candle in front of him, wondering what he was thinking.

‘Wow’

The wooden door was opened from the outside. Sarutobi Hiruzen raised his eyes slightly and saw Shimura Danzo walking in with an expressionless face.

"Here you are, Danzo." Although this was the Root's territory, Sarutobi Hiruzen took the initiative to greet the host.

Shimura Danzo ignored him and pulled out the chair in front of him and sat down.

Knowing that he was throwing a tantrum, Sarutobi Hiruzen just chuckled and didn't care. He took out his pipe, took a deep puff, watched the smoke rings gradually dissipate before his eyes, and continued talking.

"Has the Senju clan's inheritance been counted?"

When it came to discussing serious matters, the two were no longer close partners, but rather a superior-subordinate relationship, which made the competitive Danzo Shimura a little uncomfortable, but he did not show it.

"There are 136 mineral deposits and 41 hectares of fiefdoms. All have been accounted for. The remaining ninjutsu are in the Book of Sealing, which has been sent to your office."

Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded, indicating that he understood. He suddenly sighed and said hypocritically, "We have failed the teacher's expectations. We have messed up the village. It will be hard to explain when we arrive in the Pure Land."

Shimura Danzo sneered, wanting to be a whore and also want to be a saint, how could it be possible, he mercilessly exposed the saintly archway that Sarutobi Hiruzen had just set up: "Enough, Hiruzen, what's the point of saying this now, it's already been done. The main goal from now on is to bring down the Uchiha, what nonsense!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen paused smoking, feeling a little annoyed. He had gotten used to saying this these days, and he accidentally said it again, making him feel a little embarrassed...

"Uchiha should follow the previous plan and go to the border to fight with Kirigakure. As for Sunagakure, leave it to Hatake Sakumo. He has the ability to handle this mess."

"Humph, Hatake Sakumo has always been close to the Uchiha, are you so confident?"

"The Hatake family was a vassal family of the Uchiha clan during the Warring States Period. The relationship was established many years ago and is not worth being vigilant about. Hatake Sakumo is a smart man and he knows what to do." Sarutobi Hiruzen said calmly.

Shimura Danzo narrowed his eyes and looked at Sarutobi Hiruzen whose face was covered by smoke. He couldn't help but feel a little strange. Ever since Sarutobi Hiruzen became Hokage, the cheerful and sunny ninja gradually became fond of darkness and gradually became two-faced, which made him a little uncomfortable.

But that's how it is when it comes to power. The winner takes it all. It's a simple truth. You have to adapt even if you are not comfortable with it.

That night, there was no chaos in the dark village. It seemed as if the Senju clan had truly retreated and disappeared in the long river of history.