Chapter 324: Stepping into the Sea (1)

Ye Shan scooped up some cold water to wash his face, then returned to his seat and took a big sip of strong tea. Fang Jue felt more energetic and his thoughts became clearer.

"Keiji, your mission to the first line of defense is important. Whether we can weaken the enemy's threat to the village rests entirely on your shoulders."

Uchiha Keiji looked solemn, looking at the battle map in his hand without looking up and said: "According to our deployment, the first line of defense must not only intercept at least 60% of the enemy troops, but also disperse the enemy's formation as soon as the battle begins to ensure that they will not rush into the village in a group. But the problem is that the enemy currently has about 4,000 people, and I only have more than 2,500 people under my command. I know that Lord Hokage is in a difficult situation, but the mission must be completed with quality and quantity, and I have the conditions."

Ye Shan wrinkled his face and asked, "What are the conditions? If you want more manpower, don't mention it. I don't have any reserve troops for you."

"Of course not. I only have one condition. Kill the Three-Tails Jinchuriki. I am confident that I can control the Three-Tails' movements and it will become the village's spear."

Uchiha Keiji finished speaking, slowly raised his head and looked at Ye Shan, and the hearts of several clan leaders in the room were churning. It turned out that the Uchiha clan's Sharingan could really control the tailed beasts as rumored!

But Ye Shan's focus was not on the Sharingan and the tailed beasts. His eyes flashed and he said, "If I remember correctly, the Three-Tails Jinchuriki is your nephew, right? Your third brother died young on the battlefield, and now only one bloodline remains."

"When the nest is overturned, how can the eggs remain intact? If the village is destroyed, even if he is my own son, he will not have a good ending. I understand this trade-off."

Ye Shan looked at the silent Uchiha Fugaku, who frowned and said, "I agree with Vice Hokage Keiji's proposal. The village is in turmoil, and every ninja has the obligation to sacrifice everything, including his life!"

Ye Shan took a deep breath, waved his hand to drive out several clan leaders, and slowly said: "It's not good to say unlucky words when the war is about to start, but I always have a feeling that something earth-shaking will happen in Konoha this time, so it's better to explain some things in advance."

"I insisted on going out of the village to see Hatake Sakumo this morning not just for my own feelings, but also for observation. According to the records in the Book of Konoha, the technique to revive Hatake Sakumo is called Impure World Reincarnation, a forbidden technique developed by the Second Hokage Senju Tobirama that can recall the souls of the dead. However, the level of the caster is not up to par, and can only maintain about two-thirds of the strength of the deceased before his death, but it is enough to make people worry."

Uchiha Fugaku leaned back in his chair and said calmly, "Yeshan doesn't need to worry about the Impure World Reincarnation Technique. We living people can't be tortured to death by the dead. It's nothing more than a matter of fighting back."

Ye Shan sighed and said, "I guess the mastermind behind this incident is the Akatsuki organization of the Rain Country. At least the owner of the Samsara Eye is closely related to Orochimaru. With a pair of Samsara Eyes known as the strongest eye technique and the Impure World Reincarnation Technique that can only be solved by sealing, even I can hardly guarantee victory in the battle. This is also the main reason why I dare not easily leave the village to destroy the enemy. Once I fail, the morale of the village ninjas will be greatly affected."

As he said that, he looked at Uchiha Fugaku and said: "Based on the above considerations, I need to make a decision before the battle begins to decide who will become the fifth generation Hokage after me!"

Uchiha Fugaku waved his hand to interrupt Ye Shan's words: "It is too inappropriate to discuss this now. We have fought together for more than ten years and have always been invincible. I believe this time will be no exception."

Ye Shan smiled bitterly: "The enemy is not a fool without a brain. Since they dare to come, they must be 70% sure. Otherwise, Kumogakure and Kirigakure would not have the courage to join them. Fugaku, you and I have known each other for more than ten years. You should know my temper well. If I was not really unsure, I would definitely not arrange my funeral."

Uchiha Fugaku opened his mouth to argue, but Hayama said bluntly: "If I die in battle or my whereabouts are unknown, I hope that you two can fully support Namikaze Minato to become the fifth Hokage!"

Uchiha Keiji breathed a sigh of relief, stole a glance at Fugaku's face, and said solemnly: "Hokage, please explain the reason."

Ye Shan pinched his brows and smiled bitterly, "I know that doing this is very unfair to the Uchiha clan. After all, your clan has paid too much for me to sit firmly on the position of Hokage and for the new policy to be successfully implemented."

Uchiha Fugaku's face didn't look very good, but he still calmed down and asked, "Why didn't you choose me?"

"There are three reasons. I'll tell you two and you should listen carefully."

Ye Shan raised his index finger and said, "First, it is not a good thing to be elected as the fifth Hokage based on the strength of the family. Of course, this is based on the assumption that I am dead or missing. The Uchiha clan is a well-deserved powerful family in the ninja world, but there are many internal conflicts while the family is big and powerful. After you, Fugaku, become the Hokage, these conflicts will gradually evolve into conflicts between the village and the country, and then lead to the decline of the village's strength. Moreover, Fugaku, you lack strategy and decisiveness, and your thoughts are a bit extreme. You are easily influenced by others and often make unwise decisions."

"Secondly, the implementation of the New Deal does not require a strong Hokage, it requires a Hokage who can get along with everyone. Minato was born a commoner, he meets these conditions. The New Deal is the result of my life's work, I hope you can carry it out, even if history proves it to be a wrong path."

"Third, the position of Hokage is not as powerful as you think. Over the years, I have set up three deputy Hokage to share power, and the Hokage has lost his position of having the final say. After I leave, you two can recommend Hinata Hiashi as the deputy Hokage to suppress the influence of the Hokage. In this way, even if Fugaku does not become the Hokage, he actually has more power than the Hokage, which can save some unnecessary troubles and make it much easier to do things in the future."

Ye Shan became more and more excited as he spoke: "Giving up a false position of Hokage in exchange for real authority, this is all I can do. It can not only stop the gossip of those people in the old party, but also push down the spark of the new policy. The most important thing is that Uchiha Itachi is still young, Fugaku, for his sake, you can't try to get involved in the position of Hokage!"

Uchiha Keiji nodded repeatedly. He agreed with Yeshan's plan very much, because at the current stage it would be harmful rather than beneficial for the Uchiha clan to become Hokage. The two deputy Hokage were doing the work of Hokage, so why did they need a false title?

"Patriarch Fugaku, I personally agree with what the Hokage said. It's better to get something practical than to be roasted on the fire. What do you think?"

Uchiha Fugaku's tense face melted like ice and snow, and he smiled under the gaze of the two: "Who do you think I am? I am not an ambitious person who covets power. In fact, I have always been a sober person, a person who knows my own abilities. I am not capable of being the leader of a country or a village. My limit is to be a deputy hokage who assists the master."

Uchiha Fugaku said he didn't care, but his eyes still revealed a trace of regret and longing. Everyone dreams of becoming famous and successful, but he knows in his heart that he will never be able to become a full-time Hokage in this lifetime: "I have an excellent son, so let him fulfill the Uchiha's obsession. Our generation has done well enough, and even our ancestors would be very pleased if they knew."

Uchiha Keiji smiled and agreed, "The glory of the Uchiha never lies in what position one has been promoted to. The remaining confusion and fear in the eyes of every dead enemy is the best medal. This war is a good opportunity for us to make a name for ourselves."

As he said that, he stood up and walked to Ye Shan, looked at him deeply, and said seriously: "I have decided not to come back. I will leave my sons to you to take care of. I don't ask for high positions and power, but just let them live their lives in peace and security."

Ye Shan pursed his lips, his eyes a little heavy: "As long as they can get through this difficult time, I promise that they will live and die peacefully, Keiji, you... just go and fight with peace of mind."

Uchiha Keiji chuckled and suggested, "Let's take a photo of the three of us. It's been a long time since we took a formal photo. We can leave something for future generations to remember."

Ye Shan thought for a moment and said, "You two should put on my Hokage haori, and we can both be fully alert and take a photo."

Thus, a unique photo in Konoha's history was created at noon. Three men wearing exactly the same clothes symbolizing the highest power in the Land of Fire left the photo. In the photo, Yeshan had a serious face and a steady gaze, Uchiha Fugaku frowned slightly with clear nasolabial folds, and Uchiha Keiji smiled and made a "yeah" gesture with his left hand in front of his chest. The background of the photo was the solid wooden office desk, with a pack of unsmoked cigarettes and a teacup on the desk.

After taking the photo, Ye Shan personally saw Uchiha Keiji out. Looking at his free and easy back, he had a feeling that this was the last time they would meet. Recalling the past few years, Ye Shan realized that this little-known deputy Hokage had always been by his side, always willing to be a supporting role in his work...

Ye Shan returned to the office, thought about it again and again, and finally picked up the phone and called the front-line command to inform them of his decision and the first choice for Hokage in case of an accident.

At this point, all the preparations that Hayama, the Hokage, could make have been completed. He delegated all military command power and made political arrangements. The only task left was to fight the enemy to the death.

"Young man knows not the taste of sorrow and goes up to the high building alone. Once up there he says the weather is cool and it's a good autumn..."

Ye Shan muttered something, took out the photo of himself and Shancheng Chen from his arms, wiped it, and then carefully and solemnly placed it on the table: "Old friend, have you also been summoned back to the world? I long to see you again, but I am also afraid to meet you again. Thinking about it carefully, you and I haven't seen each other for a long time. If it weren't for the photo with me, I might have forgotten what you look like."

"My old friend, autumn has arrived, and the maple leaves of Konoha have turned red again. I look forward to eating persimmons and grilled fish with you again..."