UCHIHA KING OF THE SOULS

After the battle, under the command of Nara Shikaku, the Konoha forces meticulously cleaned the battlefield, focusing on disposing of corpses, treating wounds, and eliminating traces of ninjutsu.

Half an hour later, the tasks were completed, and after another fifteen minutes of rest, the group proceeded to the agreed-upon location to rendezvous with Namikaze Minato and others.

Upon meeting up with Minato, they advanced to the front lines to confront Kumogakure.

Unaware of Kumogakure's plans and the impending end of the war, the Konoha forces continued to the front lines to support their village.

After traveling for more than half a day, the group finally arrived at the frontline Konoha camp late at night. Upon receiving the news, the frontline commander, Orochimaru, personally came out to greet them.

Orochimaru, known for his long black hair, golden slit pupils, and pale skin, wore a black outfit with a tan belt and a purple rope belt tied in a bow, along with a Konoha forehead protector. His demeanor was confident and calm, exuding an air of majesty and mystery.

Facing Namikaze Minato, a rising competitor for the Hokage position, Orochimaru, who was also a prominent candidate, maintained a business-like attitude, neither showing displeasure nor enthusiasm.

Minato, with his gentle and humble demeanor, displayed respect for his senior.

After the formalities, Orochimaru, Minato, Nara Shikaku, Yamanaka Inoichi, and Akimichi Choza proceeded to the commander's tent to discuss strategic matters.

The other Konoha ninjas in the camp were handed over and allowed to rest.

Even though Kakashi Hatake had recently been promoted to Jonin at the age of 12, he was not yet qualified to participate in high-level decision-making on the front lines, let alone Uchiha Gen, a Chunin.

However, it wouldn't be long before Uchiha Gen, who had accumulated numerous merits, would no longer be a Chunin.

As for whether he would be promoted to Special Jonin or Jonin, it depended on the intentions of the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Gen Uchiha believed that Hiruzen Sarutobi would most likely not hinder his promotion.

Firstly, his merits were significant.

He participated in the siege against Iwagakure and the assault on Sunagakure, with the seventh team causing the deaths of no less than fifty enemy ninjas.

Although most were Genin, there were also ten Chunin, especially four Jonin.

Coupled with the achievements of blocking Kumogakure, if this didn't warrant a promotion to Jonin, it would be an embarrassment to most Jonin.

One couldn't be promoted to Jonin only with merits comparable to the Sannin or Namikaze Minato, right?

Secondly, the Nine-Tails' attack had not yet occurred, and although the relationship between the Uchiha clan and Konoha's leadership was strained, it wasn't irreparable.

Additionally, the main force of the Uchiha clan was still on the Kirigakure battlefield, and Konoha's leadership still needed their assistance.

It's known that Kirigakure ninjas have an advantage over Uchiha ninjas.

Water-style jutsu counters fire-style, and the Hidden Mist Jutsu restricts the Sharingan, which cannot see through it.

Under such circumstances, suppressing another rising genius of the Uchiha clan to a Special Jonin would be a blatant suppression of the clan.

Those adept in politics usually act with both firmness and flexibility. Even if Konoha's leadership wanted to suppress the Uchiha, they wouldn't make it so obvious.

In the original work, as the conflict between the Uchiha and Konoha intensified, didn't the leadership adopt a method of both appeasement and control?

The final person to report his merits was Namikaze Minato. He was someone Hiruzen Sarutobi held in high regard and was also his disciple. How could this tarnish his reputation?

After comprehensive analysis, promotion to Jonin was not a certainty, but it was highly likely. The only variable was if Hiruzen Sarutobi had a sudden change of heart.

The Fourth Raikage, Ay, never acted indecisively, and he began withdrawing his troops the day after making the decision.

Naturally, Konoha wouldn't foolishly obstruct Kumogakure's withdrawal. After the war, many ninjas were exhausted and simply followed from a distance to prevent any tricks from Kumogakure.

Kumogakure evacuated from the Land of Fire, leaving a thousand-man army at the border between the Land of Hot Water and the Land of Fire, while the main army returned directly to the Land of Lightning.

Although Kumogakure didn't completely withdraw its troops, the large-scale war with them was evidently over, and the Konoha ninjas cheered.

Even Orochimaru's usually cold face showed a smile. Without the war, he would have more time for his experiments.

Although it was more convenient to obtain experimental materials during the war, it was indeed a busy time.

News of Kumogakure's large-scale withdrawal was reported back to Konoha Village swiftly.

Hiruzen Sarutobi was overjoyed upon receiving the news and decided to add to the celebration. He issued an order to reward the Kumogak