Heart of Steel Half-Morph Sword Saint, Madara is willing to call me the strongest

As dust rose in the distance, the gate of Konoha Village gradually came into view.

Konoha's western front combat forces, led by Orochimaru, returned to the village for rest.

The entrance to the village was already bustling with people, villagers were waving flags, children were holding flowers, and on both sides were neat lines of ninjas, everyone's eyes were focused on the heroic team that was about to arrive.

The Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen stood at the front of the crowd, surrounded by several high-level advisors. Representatives from various major families also gathered together, including Fugaku, the patriarch of the Uchiha clan.

"Thank you for your hard work, Orochimaru. You performed very well on the Western Front and led the troops through many difficulties. You were the first to defeat the Rock Ninja this time. The village will never forget your contribution!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen's deep voice pierced through the noise and reached the ears of everyone present clearly, and his words were full of praise for his disciple Orochimaru.

Of his three disciples, Tsunade and Jiraiya had already left the village before the outbreak of the Third World War.

Currently, Orochimaru is the only disciple left in the village.

Likewise, he is also his most favored disciple.

"It's been a while since I've heard compliments from Hiruzen-sensei. This feels a bit weird."

However, in response to the praise from his teacher Sarutobi Hiruzen, Orochimaru simply nodded slightly, and the expression on his face, which always had a bit of gloom, remained indifferent.

Hehe, Mr. Hiruzen.

Compared to me, you still prefer that fool Jiraiya.

If he hadn't left the village, he would not have been the commander-in-chief of the Western Front.

"Anyway, you've worked hard. Let's have a good rest in the village from now on."

Sarutobi Hiruzen was well aware of his disciple's gloomy personality. He reached out and patted Orochimaru's shoulder without saying anything else.

The people around seemed to sense the subtle change in the atmosphere, and their gazes towards Orochimaru suddenly became a little strange.

Under everyone's various gazes, Orochimaru slowly turned around and left alone.

Only a thin back was left to everyone.

The villagers were talking about Orochimaru leaving alone, but most of the ninjas present remained calm. They had long been accustomed to Orochimaru's cold and aloof personality.

Amidst the applause, the Hokage turned to the representatives of the major families in the team and expressed his condolences.

Finally, Sarutobi Hiruzen slowly stopped in front of Uchiha Yi.

Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at Uchiha Yi with a gentle gaze, "Yi, your performance is far beyond my expectations, very good! Konoha needs young people like you. I hope you can continue to maintain your love for the village and contribute to our Konoha!"

Why does this brainwashing rhetoric seem familiar?

Apart from anything else, Sarutobi Hiruzen's performance is definitely at the level of a best-selling actor.

Although he complained in his heart, Uchiha Yi pretended to be deeply touched on the surface, and said excitedly: "Hokage, I grew up in the village since I was a child. If there was no Konoha Village, I would not be who I am today. I will definitely protect the peace of the village."

Uchiha Yi lowered his head slightly, and no one noticed the hint of mockery that flashed in his eyes.

The loyalty and enthusiasm of the Third Hokage and several high-ranking officials, including Danzo, to Konoha are unquestionable, but they use the so-called interests of Konoha as the moral high ground and do many things with hidden selfish motives.

Events such as White Fang's suicide, Shisui's death, and the extermination of the Uchiha clan were all secretly instigated by them.

Their so-called love for the village is no longer pure, but they themselves are unwilling to admit it.

Or they have successfully brainwashed themselves.

Sarutobi Hiruzen did not notice the subtle emotional changes in Uchiha Yi's eyes. He nodded with satisfaction and patted Yi on the shoulder.

"Very good. Remember, wherever there are leaves flying, there will be fire. The fire will illuminate the village and make the trees sprout new buds. The will of fire will never be extinguished!"

After visiting the combat troops, Sarutobi Hiruzen stood on a makeshift podium and gave a long speech about loving the village to the villagers and ninjas.

Uchiha Yi stood in the crowd and listened quietly, the corners of his mouth twitching slightly.

Why does this old man from the third generation talk so much nonsense?

Could you please hurry up and order first?

No wonder Orochimaru ran away right at the beginning.

After a full hour of speeches, the team finally disbanded.

Uchiha Yi followed the clan leader Fugaku back to the family residence.

……

Along the way, the tribesmen passing by all turned their eyes to Uchiha Yi, and there was respect in their eyes.

A few young kids followed behind, looking at Yi with curiosity and surprise, and whispered to each other.

"That must be Senior Yi. I heard that he killed fifteen Jonins in the battle with the Iwagakure!"

"That's amazing. He's only 12 years old."

"Everyone in the ninja school calls him the Silver Flash!"

"Master Yi is extremely talented and will definitely be the pillar of the family in the future."

Under the gazes of everyone, Uchiha Yi followed Fugaku and slowly walked to the patriarch's residence in the center of the family residence.

"Come in, Yi."

Fugaku waved to Yi, and the two of them walked into the courtyard.

Yi followed Fugaku through the winding corridor and stepped into a quiet courtyard.

At this moment, a graceful woman appeared in Yi's sight.

Mikoto was holding a toddler boy in her slender right hand, playing on the lawn in the courtyard.

"Aunt." Yi called softly.

Mikoto turned her head when she heard the voice, a hint of surprise flashed in her eyes, and then she smiled gently.

"It's Yi. You're back?" Misaka looked at Yi with a gentle voice.

Mikoto shook the little boy's hand and said softly, "Itachi, this is your cousin, you should call him Brother Yi."

Encouraged by his mother, Itachi, who was only two years old, took small steps towards Uchiha Yi, his clear eyes looking at his cousin curiously.

"Brother Yi." The itachi called in a soft and tender voice.

This childish call made Uchiha Yi smile.

He took a step forward, squatted down, opened his arms and picked up the cute little guy.

When he picked Itachi up, Itachi was still a little flustered and kicked his little feet around.

After a while, the little guy's chubby little hands tightly grasped his shirt, as if he had found support, and then he calmed down.

Uchiha Yi carefully looked at the two-year-old kid in front of him.

This is Uchiha Itachi, who later became famous in the ninja world.

When it was a child, it had round cheeks and its eyes sparkled with curiosity and innocence, which made it very cute.

Uchiha Yi hugged little Itachi, feeling his warm and soft little body.

"Little Itachi is really adorable." Uchiha Yi smiled and said while looking at Itachi's little round face.

"Yi, I hope you can become Itachi's teacher."

Fugaku's voice suddenly came from beside him, breaking this warm feeling.

"Be Itachi's teacher?"

This sudden proposal made Uchiha Yi slightly stunned. He raised his head, his eyes full of surprise.

Fugaku continued, "Yi, I have considered it for a long time, and there is no one more suitable than you to guide Itachi's growth. I am confident in your ability."