Naruto: Sukuna's Jinchuriki, I am Uchiha

Chapter 79: Rebuilding Konoha, The Founders' Monument

Konoha, ten days after the battle.

The ruins had been cleared, and the terrain was being restored.

The massive fissure created by Uchiha Kagami's sword had filled with groundwater, forming a long, narrow lake.

In an open area cleared of debris, numerous tents had been erected, with smoke curling into the air.

Some might argue that such destruction was unnecessary, that the village didn't have to be leveled.

But Uchiha Kagami thought differently.

To him, this was the simplest way forward.

Reforming people was far more challenging than killing them; the same applied to Konoha.

With his power and intellect, Uchiha Kagami could have worked with Minato and others, gradually uniting the clans to take over Konoha peacefully.

But that would have taken too much time and effort.

Sometimes, placing a sword to someone's throat for ten seconds achieved more than months of negotiation.

Only by witnessing the overwhelming disparity in strength would they abandon their unrealistic fantasies.

Only then would they give up on notions of resistance.

This, in Kagami's eyes, was his form of kindness.

---

Seated atop the stone face of Hashirama Senju, Uchiha Kagami watched as the village slowly came back to life, feeling unexpectedly content.

His goal had never wavered:

To create a safe and peaceful environment for his family, friends, and future generations.

The village existed to protect its people, not the other way around.

It wasn't worth sacrificing loved ones to safeguard an ideal of the village.

But maintaining peace was much harder than creating it.

When Hashirama and Madara had united their clans, they could have easily brought the entire shinobi world under their rule.

Even Tobirama, Madara's adversary, might have agreed on that point.

Hashirama, however, had chosen to distribute the Tailed Beasts to balance the power among the villages.

Whether that was right or wrong was now a moot point.

Conquering Konoha had been relatively easy. Maintaining it would be the real challenge.

Kagami knew he was now the focal point of the world's hatred—the so-called enemy of all nations.

This was inevitable.

To overcome his own limits, Kagami needed external pressures and conflicts.

The idea of secretly growing stronger and then uniting the world in one swift move was nothing more than a pipe dream.

Growth required battles against equals and challenges that pushed him to higher heights.

His enemies were clear: Madara, Black Zetsu, the Four Great Nations, Nagato, Obito… and perhaps even the return of Hashirama Senju himself.

And of course, there was Orochimaru, likely working on reviving Tobirama through the Edo Tensei technique.

For now, Kagami was confident he was the strongest shinobi on this land.

But there were threats beyond the mortal plane—beyond even the moon.

He glanced toward the faintly visible daytime moon, its pale white surface shimmering faintly in the sky.

Too bad he couldn't cut the moon in half just yet.

As for the Ōtsutsuki, Kaguya was sealed away, but Toneri was likely just a child at this time, and his father was still alive.

Kagami recalled that Toneri's father had even visited the Earth with him once, proposing an arranged marriage for Hinata.

Trouble loomed on every side.

But for now, Kagami decided to let it go, taking the day to rest.

He leaned back on the stone face, hands clasped behind his head, listening to the faint sounds of construction as the wind brushed through his hair.

---

Nearby, workers were chipping away at the stone.

The faces of Tobirama and Hiruzen had already been carved off the monument.

Farther away, a new face with spiky long hair was beginning to take shape.

This was the price of a regime change.

The Uchiha did not acknowledge Tobirama or Hiruzen's legacy.

As for Hashirama, he remained untouched out of respect.

After all, he had defeated the Uchiha fairly.

Adding Madara's face to the monument seemed only fair—it marked the Uchiha's return to power and balance between the clans.

No longer called the Hokage Monument, it was now referred to as the Founders' Monument.

---

Kagami's rest was soon interrupted by the soft sound of paw pads on stone.

It was so quiet, it barely overshadowed the faint wobble of fat.

"Lord Kagami, are you asleep?"

Walking upright like a human, Left Wheel the ninja cat approached, wearing a slightly dirty apron and holding a hammer and axe, with a bundle of tools strapped to his waist.

"What now?" Kagami groaned, clearly annoyed.

This was the third time Left Wheel had bothered him today.

Left Wheel flinched, his fat quivering as he timidly replied, "T-the Construction Division says we're running out of wood…"

"You've got to be kidding me!" Kagami snapped, gesturing at the forest surrounding Konoha. "Are you blind? What do you think that is?"

"B-but…" Left Wheel stammered, nearly in tears. "The Forest Preservation Department won't let us cut any down…"

Kagami scratched his head, glaring at the trembling cat. "Listen here. Next time, go bother Minato. He's the Hokage! It's his job to coordinate these departments!"

---

Speak of the devil, Minato arrived just in time.

With an apologetic smile, he explained, "Left Wheel, freshly cut wood isn't suitable for construction. It needs months of drying before it can be used."

As the head of the Reconstruction Department, Left Wheel and his team of ninja cats from Cat Town had been instrumental in Konoha's rebuilding efforts.

Kagami frowned. He hadn't realized that.

"I guess administration really isn't my strong suit," Kagami admitted. "I'll leave it to you."

Left Wheel wailed, "I didn't know, Lord Kagami! Everyone kept pressing me… Mew~"

"Alright, alright, get back to work," Kagami sighed, waving him off.

---

As Left Wheel scurried away, Minato turned back, his face serious.

"Kagami, there's a major problem with the reconstruction that needs your attention."

"Go on," Kagami said, nodding.

"Other than the cemetery, most of the village has suffered significant damage. Some areas are completely destroyed…"

Minato's tone grew slightly accusing as he glanced at Kagami. After all, it was Kagami who had caused most of the destruction.

"The hospital is a priority. We need medical equipment and immediate funding. Food supplies won't last long either."

Kagami furrowed his brows. "Didn't we send someone to ask the daimyo for funds?"

Minato's expression said it all.

Kagami's eyes narrowed.

"Looks like the daimyo won't cooperate until he feels the blade at his neck."

Standing up, Kagami's voice grew cold.

"I'll go myself. If he won't listen, we'll replace him with someone who will."

End of Chapter

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