The rainstorm has been incessant since last night, and this dreary weather, when viewed at this moment, actually has a unique flavor.
"It's getting better. Sit down, how were the casualties in the village last night?"
Elder Shikora coughed, indicating he was fine, though his face looked frail.
Rika sat opposite, took out a report, and summarized the contents: "According to the latest statistics, the number of injured exceeds five hundred, with eighty-six people dead. Reportedly, the Hyuga Clan lost several Jonin. If we include the Branch Family Ninja who defected..."
This is akin to cutting flesh and bleeding from the Hyuga Clan.
Rika offered a moment of silence for the Hyuga Clan, fellow members of the Kekkeigenkai Ninja Race.
Compared to the Hyuga Clan, the losses of the Uchiha Race are negligible, especially since they were orchestrated by Elder Shikora.
"For their clan, the loss of more Jonin only strengthens their position in the village, isn't that a good thing?"
Elder Shikora drank his tea indifferently, showing little concern.
"Let's leave that aside for now, the village has been quite critical of our Uchiha Race."
Rika put away the report, glanced at Elder Shikora and said.
"Because the Uchiha Race didn't participate in last night's battle?"
"Yes. They are displeased about it."
"The Security Team's priority is the safety of the village's populace, we are merely following regulations. If there's a need for discussion, let that brat Danzo come personally; I'm too old to bother moving."
Elder Shikora snorted coldly.
He didn't need to think to know who was deliberately spreading this matter.
Besides Danzo, no one would do such a thing.
Even if there were those who wanted to, they wouldn't have the courage to proceed this way.
Rika nodded, refraining from expressing his view; he harbored no particular feeling towards the village's higher-ups, neither animosity nor fondness.
He only needed to fulfill his duty for the clan.
"Then, is it really okay not to tell Ruri the truth of this matter? Surely when she left, she harbored feelings of detest and hatred towards you."
Rika looked regretfully at the rainwater in the courtyard.
The rain had become lighter.
It continued to drizzle.
"It's of no consequence. Do you know why I didn't let Ruri confront Root initially?"
Elder Shikora pondered, put down his teacup, his gaze profound and serene.
"Was it to make Ruri completely disappointed in the village's higher-ups?"
Rika tilted his head, probing with his inquiry.
Ruri's past ties were with the clan and village, but ever since being ambushed by Root, only the clan remained in her heart.
For her, the village was merely a connection with the clan, that's why she continued to endure as a Konoha Ninja.
Previously, Elder Shikora personally severed her attachment to the clan, making it impossible for both the village and clan to accommodate her will, leaving was inevitable.
This was Rika's view.
Elder Shikora's muddied eyes revealed a nostalgia for the past.
"This is just one aspect. In fact, the Will of Fire passed down from Senju Hashirama doesn't suit our Uchiha Race, not due to lack of inclusivity, but because it is too weak. Our clan's bloodline can only truly shine in battle; Konoha... confines our clan's nature. At any moment, battle remains humanity's nature. To protect the affluent lands of the Land of Fire with a weak posture is why Konoha makes enemies everywhere."
"So, the reason you chose Ruri is because she resembles someone you once admired?"
"Lord Madara? He's just an anomaly."
Elder Shikora commented thus.
Rika was surprised.
"An anomaly?"
"Would you admire someone who killed a close friend for the power of Mangekyo Sharingan? My feelings for Lord Madara and Lord Izuna back then were nothing but fear."
Elder Shikora cast a cold glance at Rika.
Rika lowered his head silently.
Indeed, one wouldn't admire such a person.
"If Ruri hurt herself and her closest ones for the power of the Mangekyo Sharingan, then I would've destroyed her with this at any cost."
Elder Shikora took out a medicinal glass bottle from his bosom.
Inside were a pair of eyes.
Eyes with intricate patterns called Mangekyo Sharingan.
The supreme Donjutsu of the Uchiha Race.
Elder Shikora looked at the eyes, speaking with a complex tone: "Although I have awakened these eyes, I am enslaved by their power and curse; I cannot control such darkness, so I replaced them with the eyes of a deceased clan member."
He understood better than anyone the darkness and power carried by these eyes.
When he felt that his will, even arrogance and prejudice were being guided by these eyes, he abandoned them without hesitation.
He had a premonition that if he continued using the power of these eyes to rule the Uchiha Race, sooner or later he would lead the clan into the abyss.
"Senju Hashirama's will is a weak love, although powerful, it has lost its bloodline. Lord Madara's will is extreme love, although tough, but not well-received. Neither will provides hope for the clan's future."
The current radical faction, though preserving blood, has already been seduced by Senju Hashirama's will, they unwittingly aspire to the position of Hokage.
To prove Uchiha's might.