After the Nine-Tailed Fox Rampage, Konoha Village was in ruins. Everywhere you looked, there were broken buildings and rubble. Not only were many buildings destroyed and many villagers killed or injured, but many survivors were also left homeless.
Luckily, Konoha had the most complete medical ninja system among all the ninja villages. Many of the injured received good treatment. If other ninja villages had encountered this situation, many more injured people would have died due to inadequate treatment.
Looking at the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, who remained unconscious in his hospital bed, the Third Hokage frowned and asked the medical ninja beside him, "How is the Fourth Hokage? Why hasn't he woken up yet?"
"Third Hokage-sama, the Fourth Hokage was seriously injured this time. His chakra is depleted, but the most serious injury is the penetrating wound to his chest. If he were an ordinary person, he would have already died."
"The Fourth Hokage is able to maintain his current state because Kushina-sama used her own vitality to prolong his life."
The medical ninja shook his head and continued, "With our current abilities, we can only maintain the Fourth Hokage's life force like this. But we're not sure if he'll be able to wake up again."
Listening to the medical ninja's explanation, the Third Hokage's expression gradually became serious, "If Tsunade were here, do you think there would be a chance to wake up the Fourth Hokage?"
"If it were Tsunade-sama, maybe she would have a way," the medical ninja said uncertainly.
"Third Hokage-sama, what should we do with this baby?" At this time, an ANBU member carrying Naruto walked up to the Third Hokage and asked.
The Third Hokage glanced at Naruto, who was still asleep, and then at Minato, who was unconscious. After a moment of silence, he said slowly, "Take him to the Konoha Orphanage and have them raise him."
The Konoha Orphanage was an orphanage in Konoha Village funded by the government. It was specifically for raising orphaned children of ninjas or villagers in the village. It wasn't the same orphanage that was managed by Yahiko.
"Also, this child's identity must be kept strictly confidential. Don't let it leak out at all!" The Third Hokage said sternly.
"Yes!" The ANBU said respectfully, then carried Naruto and prepared to leave Minato's ward.
As soon as the ANBU left, Kakashi, who had received news that the Fourth Hokage was seriously injured and unconscious, rushed to the ward.
"Third Hokage-sama, Sensei..." Kakashi asked anxiously, looking at the Third Hokage, who was frowning.
"Minato was seriously injured this time. He's barely hanging on. I don't know when he'll wake up," the Third Hokage said.
Patting Kakashi on the shoulder, the Third Hokage continued, "Don't worry. I'll arrange for people to find Tsunade's whereabouts as soon as possible. I believe that if she's here, she should be able to find a way to wake up Minato."
Kakashi looked at the Fourth Hokage with worry, "What are you going to do with Sensei's child? If possible, can I take care of him?"
The Third Hokage shook his head, "How can you, a man, take care of a child? Besides, you have missions to do. I'll have the Konoha Orphanage raise Naruto until Minato wakes up."
"But isn't that a little unfair to Naruto? Sensei and Kushina-sama sacrificed so much for the village. Naruto deserves better care," Kakashi frowned.
The Third Hokage waved his hand, "Kakashi, I saw the sacrifices that Minato and Kushina made. But it was their sacrifices that ensured the village's peace."
"Naruto is now the jinchūriki of the Nine-Tailed Fox, and his identity is very sensitive. That's why I decided to hide his identity and have him raised in the orphanage. It's a good thing for him. I believe that if Minato were in my position, he would make the same decision!"
Although Naruto was sent to the orphanage, he would be much luckier in this life than in the original story.
Because Minato was still alive, the Third Hokage not only arranged for someone to secretly take care of Naruto, but he also wouldn't let the rumors targeting Naruto spread unchecked like in the original story. Naturally, Naruto wouldn't be discriminated against or ostracized by the villagers.
Three days after the Nine-Tailed Fox Rampage, Konoha's high-ranking officials announced the casualties of the incident. The Fourth Hokage was seriously injured and unconscious. The wives of the two Hokage, Sarutobi Biwako and Uzumaki Kushina, were killed. Many other ninjas also died in this incident, including Kurenai's father, Yūhi Kurenai, and Iruka's parents.
Since the Fourth Hokage was currently unable to handle the village's affairs, the Third Hokage announced that he would come out of retirement and take charge of the village's work.
During this critical period, in addition to strengthening the village's defenses, Konoha's high-ranking officials also asked ninjas to temporarily reduce their missions and assist in the village's reconstruction.
In addition, the Third Hokage sent people to recall Jiraiya, who was out searching for Tsunade. He asked Jiraiya, one of the Sannin, to return to the village and protect it, in case of any further unforeseen incidents. At the same time that he recalled Jiraiya, the Third Hokage also arranged for other people to continue searching for Tsunade.
After issuing a series of emergency response measures, the Third Hokage convened a meeting of Konoha's high-ranking officials to discuss the reconstruction plan for the damaged areas of the village. Uchiha Fugaku, the clan leader of the Uchiha clan, was naturally involved, and at Fugaku's request, Yusuke accompanied him to this meeting.
This was the first time Yusuke had participated in a Konoha high-ranking official's decision-making meeting. The Third Hokage was naturally sitting in the main seat. To his left was Danzō, and to his right were the two Konoha elders, Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado.
Behind the Third Hokage stood an ANBU member wearing a cat mask. Judging by his physique, hairstyle, and the katana on his back, Yusuke could tell that this ANBU member was Uchiha Shisui.
Besides these high-ranking officials, who were all elders of Konoha, the rest were the clan leaders of various ninja clans, such as Hyuga clan leader Hiashi Hyuga, and the clan leaders of the Ino-Shika-Chō three clans. Some clan leaders also had one or two core members from their clan standing behind them.
The representative of the Uchiha clan was naturally clan leader Uchiha Fugaku, and Yusuke stood behind him, expressionless, playing the role of a silent observer.
At first, the high-ranking officials discussed some strategies regarding the village's economic recovery and the treatment of the injured after the war. After discussing these two topics, Danzō stood up and took out a map, which was a bird's-eye view of Konoha Village.
"Due to the Nine-Tailed Fox's attack, the village has been severely damaged. Taking advantage of this opportunity to rebuild, Konoha's high-ranking officials have decided to make some changes to the village's layout," Danzō said slowly.
Then, Danzō made corresponding arrangements for each clan. Some remained unchanged, while others were relocated to more advantageous locations. For example, the Aburame clan was moved from the west side of the village to the south, where there was a forest, which was convenient for them to raise insects.
"After this area is rebuilt, the original police department's location will need to be moved here," Danzō said, tapping the westernmost edge of Konoha Village with his short staff.
This location was already on the outskirts of Konoha Village, not suitable for the Uchiha clan, who were responsible for Konoha's police work. Danzō's purpose was very obvious. He wanted to completely isolate the Uchiha clan, separating them from the village's core in terms of geographical location.
Seeing the location Danzō pointed to, Uchiha Fugaku immediately stood up and began to argue with Danzō. But it wasn't just Danzō. The Third Hokage, the two other advisors, and many other clans present also said that the Uchiha clan should abandon their clan's private interests and cooperate with the overall deployment of the village.
Finally, facing the united opposition of Konoha's high-ranking officials, Uchiha Fugaku had no choice but to compromise. He sighed and sat back down.
Yusuke, who was standing behind Fugaku, watching coldly, remained expressionless. But he had a more intuitive understanding of the high-ranking officials' rejection of the Uchiha clan. He also sighed inwardly, thinking that the Uchiha clan's demise couldn't be entirely blamed on Fugaku.
After discussing the relocation and placement of the Uchiha clan, Fugaku protested about Danzō's lockdown of the Uchiha clan's headquarters on the night of the Nine-Tailed Fox Rampage.
The Third Hokage decisively passed the buck to Danzō, simply reprimanding him a few times, and the matter was dropped.
Leaving the conference room, Fugaku looked as if he had been through a great battle. He looked very tired.
"Yusuke, you saw our current situation. We're really struggling now. We can't make a single mistake!" Fugaku sighed.
"If we make any mistakes, we'll pay a huge price."
Yusuke didn't answer Fugaku's sigh, but simply nodded to show that he understood.
"But don't worry too much. Just focus on improving your strength. I have high hopes for you!" Fugaku patted Yusuke on the shoulder and continued, "By the way, I have something else to do. I won't go back to the clan with you."
After saying goodbye to Yusuke, Fugaku left alone. Looking at Fugaku's back, Yusuke couldn't help but think to himself, "Maybe only when an Uchiha becomes Hokage can the clan break free from its current predicament!"
Just then, a voice rang out behind Yusuke.
"Yusuke-senpai, what do you think about the arrangements the high-ranking officials made for the clan at today's meeting?"
Yusuke turned around and saw an ANBU member walking towards him. It was Uchiha Shisui, who had been guarding the Third Hokage at the meeting.
"I don't have any opinions," Yusuke replied. He was wary of Shisui. Whatever he said to Shisui would most likely reach the Third Hokage's ears.
Shisui was dissatisfied with Yusuke's answer.
All along, Shisui had hoped to find like-minded clan members to help the clan integrate into the village. He had once pinned his hopes on this outstanding senior, but the other party had ultimately not responded to his thoughts.
Looking at Yusuke, who still seemed indifferent to the clan, Shisui's hesitant heart immediately hardened.
"Yusuke-senpai, I formally challenge you! Three days from now, at the training ground in the village!" Shisui looked at Yusuke and said seriously.
Yusuke frowned at Shisui's challenge, "Is it because of the rumors these past few days? I don't think you're someone who cares about those titles."
Shisui shook his head, "I don't care about those titles, but I need to get this so-called title now."
"The clan's situation is very dangerous. I need to become the most prestigious ninja in the clan. Only then can I lead the clan out of this quagmire!"
Hearing Shisui's words, Yusuke thought about Shisui in the original story. He had the title of "Strongest Uchiha Ninja" and his prestige was no less than that of Fugaku. Many clan members admired him.
"Could it be that he was also trying to get this title of 'Strongest Uchiha Ninja' back then?" Yusuke thought to himself.
After a few seconds of silence, Yusuke looked into Shisui's eyes and asked calmly, "But are you sure you've seen clearly the path ahead for the clan?"
Shisui's gaze was firm, "I believe that as long as the clan members can break free from their narrow clan mentality and follow the Third Hokage's lead to integrate into the village, then our Uchiha clan will definitely be able to rise again!"
Yusuke looked deeply at Shisui, then turned and walked towards the direction of the Uchiha clan.
"I accept your challenge!"
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