Amidst the cheers of the unsuspecting Konoha villagers, who welcod them as heroes, the Uchiha clan continued their march.
Behind them, the Konoha shinobi looked at each other in bewildernt.
"When did the Uchiha clan beco so popular among the villagers?" Sarutobi Asuma lit a cigarette, expressing his confusion.
He knew very well the forr reputation of the Uchiha clan in Konoha.
Kakashi, watching the backs of Sasuke and the others, spoke calmly, "In death, people are often rembered kindly. After the Uchiha clan's massacre, even villagers who didn't think highly of them began to pay respects and shed tears. After all, no matter the disagreents, we were all part of the sa village. Now, it's this sense of belonging that makes the villagers so enthusiastic."
"Besides…"
Kakashi's eyes flickered, but he didn't continue. He knew there was another reason.
Historically, the relationship between the Uchiha clan and the villagers was not harmonious. While so of it was due to the Uchiha's personal traits, much of it was due to the influence of the Konoha leadership.
Ordinary villagers and the Uchiha had little direct conflict. With their proud nature, the Uchiha generally ignored the villagers. Their main interaction was through the police force.
You could say the Uchiha were strict enforcers, but they treated everyone equally—villagers, shinobi, and even other clans.
It didn't matter if you were from the Sarutobi clan or your uncle was the Third Hokage; the Uchiha would still enforce the law impartially.
Because of this, villagers saw the Uchiha as difficult but not necessarily malevolent.
The disdain towards the Uchiha mainly ca from the Konoha leadership's manipulations, spreading rumors and creating distrust.
As for who in the leadership was responsible, well, the dead should rest in peace, so let's not delve into that.
It was only after the Uchiha clan's massacre that villagers realized the Uchiha weren't as bad as they thought. They were strict but fair, which was valuable to the common folk.
The current police force was more lenient but less effective, often compromising, resulting in worse outcos than during the Uchiha's tenure.
This contrast made many villagers nostalgic for the Uchiha.
Furthermore, they never had deep animosity towards the Uchiha. The Uchiha didn't exploit or harm them, so why had they feared and hated them so much?
Also, the village's strength and deterrence had decreased after the Uchiha massacre, leading to a drop in missions and economic downturn.
Thus, the return of the Uchiha clan brought a mix of expectation and guilt among the villagers, culminating in their enthusiastic reception.
"But you've forgotten one thing: the current Uchiha are not the sa as before," Kakashi sighed deeply as he looked at the excited villagers.
At this point, Jiraiya understood Hagoromo Gengetsu's plan. "This puts us in a tight spot!" Jiraiya laughed bitterly.
The Uchiha would soon leave. When the villagers saw the Uchiha leaving without hesitation, they would naturally bla the Konoha leadership.
And the leadership had indeed played an inglorious role. The order to massacre the entire Uchiha clan, including innocents, ca from them.
If Itachi didn't do it, they would have.
"Hagoromo Gengetsu's tactics are impressive. He stirs internal strife within Konoha while strengthening the Uchiha's unity," Jiraiya shook his head as he noticed the unwavering determination of the Uchiha clan amid the villagers' cheers.
Beside him, Tsunade, frustrated and overwheld by her role as Hokage, said, "Fine, I'll resign. You take over as Hokage."
Jiraiya was startled and quickly refused, "No way! Especially now, Tsunade, you can't step down."
He spent the rest of the ti trying to dissuade Tsunade.
anwhile, within the Uchiha ranks, Uchiha Izumi, though smiling, kept a distance from the villagers.
Seeing a familiar dango shop, her eyes lit up, "It's been a while since I had dango from here. I'll go get so."
Uchiha Jen followed suit, heading to his favorite takoyaki stall.
Their actions didn't stem from lingering affection for Konoha. Quite the opposite; they indulged one last ti precisely because they no longer had any attachnt.
Seeing his clan dispersing, Sasuke turned his gaze to a shop with a sign that read "Ichiraku Ran."
"Welco!"
"One bowl of tonkotsu chashu ran, please."
Sasuke entered the nearly empty ran shop, noting that it hadn't changed, though a familiar yellow-haired figure was missing.
Just like before, he ordered a bowl of ran.
"Got it!"
Teuchi, ever passionate about his work, responded without looking and soon served a steaming bowl of ran.
Then, he finally looked at his custor.
At first glance, Teuchi found him familiar but couldn't place him. Then his eyes lit up, "Sasuke?"
"Yes," Sasuke nodded calmly.
"It really is you! It's been a long ti! You used to co here with Naruto," Teuchi said.
"Indeed," Sasuke began eating quickly.
Teuchi asked curiously, "Will you co by often? It's been a while since I saw you."
"I won't be coming back. I'm a missing-nin now," Sasuke stated matter-of-factly.
"It's a sha you won't return. Even as a missing-nin, you—wait, a missing-nin?" Teuchi's face froze.
He had nearly forgotten Sasuke's surna was Uchiha. He rembered the scandal two years ago when the last Uchiha defected from Konoha.
But as an old man, he needed Sasuke's reminder to recall it.
So, should he report this now?
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