Uchiha Sekizawa.
The Second Elder of the Uchiha clan.
He was also one of the clan's hardliners. Like the Great Elder, he had always wanted the Uchiha to restore their former glory.
It was just that, for some reason... the Great Elder had become hopelessly addicted to elderly Square Dance and was rarely seen these days.
The power of love~
Of course, he wasn't particularly optimistic about this twilight romance.
Not to mention the hereditary feud between the two great clans—those at the top probably wouldn't stand by and watch the Uchiha join forces with the Hyuga.
And back then, he had also received the Second Elder's care.
The Second Elder devoted himself wholeheartedly to the clan, so he treated talented children in the clan very well, hoping the Uchiha could produce another legend or something.
Unfortunately.
There had been quite a few talented Uchiha later on, but... they were either indecisive or mentally unstable.
They had directly played the Uchiha into extinction.
"Fuyou, no matter what, you're still a member of the Uchiha." Uchiha Sekizawa snorted coldly. "Now that you've made a little money, you no longer respect the Uchiha or this old man?"
"???"
So what was that supposed to mean?
When had he ever disrespected him?
Uchiha Fuyou looked at him with a baffled expression.
Could it be that some poor relative had come looking for a handout?
Before he could ask, Uchiha Sekizawa snorted again. "You actually wasted money on such pointless matters. Do you know that, because of you, the Great Elder has to go out at the crack of dawn every day at his age to clean up your mess, and can't return home until dusk?" The more he spoke, the gloomier his tone became. "Do you know how old the Great Elder is now? Yet he still has to drag his exhausted body around everywhere, and all of this... is the trouble you little brat caused!"
"???"
So what exactly had happened?
Why was it becoming more confusing the more he listened?
Wasn't the Great Elder having a great time?
Uchiha Fuyou looked utterly lost. "Second Elder, I..."
Before he could finish.
"Oh my! Everyone's here today!"
An aged voice came from behind them, seemingly tinged with urgency.
Everyone froze. When they turned around, they indeed saw that stooped figure leaning on a cane.
The Great Elder?!
The Great Elder said cheerfully, "Fuyou, are you here for the clan meeting?"
"Great Elder." Fuyou shook his head. "I just came back to see Itachi." After pondering for a moment, he frowned at the Great Elder. "Just now, the Second Elder said... mmph mmph mmph~"
Before he could finish, the Great Elder directly covered his mouth.
Who would have thought~
The Great Elder was already so old and looked so shaky, yet he moved surprisingly fast!
But why was he covering his mouth?
"Great Elder, what are you doing?" Fuyou pried the Great Elder's hand away and frowned. "The Second Elder, he said... mmph mmph mmph~"
"This old man understands, this old man understands." The Great Elder said with feeling, "If you don't want to attend the clan meeting today, then don't. Don't talk so much nonsense. You're busy too, so you should go back and get to work!"
"What I meant wasn't... mmph mmph mmph~"
This time.
"..."
The two fell silent and stared at each other.
The Great Elder looked calmly at Uchiha Fuyou. "Understand?"
"..."
Uchiha Fuyou nodded.
He understood.
The problem wasn't with him, but with this shameless, tsundere old man.
So.
He said solemnly, "I suddenly remembered that I still have some business matters to deal with."
After saying that, he grabbed Lingyin and ran off.
"Go on, go on!" The Great Elder nodded in satisfaction.
That brat was pretty smart after all.
And that strength just now... it wasn't the strength of an ordinary person~
After watching Uchiha Fuyou and Lingyin leave the clan grounds, Uchiha Sekigen finally sighed and shook his head. "Second brother~"
"Big brother, you..." The Second Elder frowned at the Great Elder. He seemed hesitant, as if he wanted to say something, but before he could speak.
"Don't underestimate Fuyou. Fuyou has always been clever and has his own ideas." The Great Elder spoke earnestly as he patted his shoulder with his stooped body. "I told you, the waters here... run deep!" At that, he let out a long, melancholy sigh. "Make preparations. The clan meeting is about to begin. The ninja world hasn't been peaceful this year either! Don't do anything unnecessary."
After saying that.
He ignored Uchiha Sekizawa and turned to walk inside.
Because of the clan meeting, he had deliberately returned early.
The corners of his lips rose slightly. Without this old man's cooperation, that old woman must have been running herself ragged!
Hmph!
As for Uchiha Sekizawa... he stood alone in the courtyard, watching the Great Elder's departing back.
It was so bent, so unsteady.
In the end, he too let out a long sigh and looked blankly at the sun, which was nearly gone behind the mountain. "The waters... run deep?"
"Deep! Damn deep! Too damn deep!" Uchiha Fuyou shook his head as he walked.
He understood now.
The clowns... had been him and the Second Elder.
"Fuyou, you..." Lingyin looked at Fuyou beside her. For some reason, ever since they came out, he had been muttering curses. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing." Fuyou shook his head, sighed with the same emotion, and raised his head to watch the setting sun. "What do you see in that?"
"???" Lingyin froze. Looking at the sun that had already sunk halfway down, she pondered for a moment. "It's almost time for dinner?"
"...It is getting late." Fuyou fell silent for a moment and nodded. Then he continued sentimentally, "But... that is youth slipping away~"
Red Sunset!
That old tsundere!
"Come on, let's have dinner. What do you want to eat, Lingyin?"
"Mm~, ramen!" Lingyin smiled faintly, her smile peaceful and slightly embarrassed. She said softly, "It feels like it's been a long time since I had ramen with Fuyou. I suddenly want ramen."
"Alright! Then we'll have ramen today!"
Meanwhile.
Inside Ichiraku Ramen.
Minato looked at Kakashi, who had already been discharged from the hospital. Though he still seemed to walk a little awkwardly, he should be fine after resting for a few more days.
And that guy Might Guy... seemed like he could be discharged tomorrow too.
What a cause for celebration!
He smiled faintly, making his smile appear as gentle as possible. "Come on, want some ramen? Teacher's treating. I was originally planning to take the three of you to Fuyou Grill for barbecue today, but the doctor said you can't eat spicy food lately..." He paused and saw those resentful little eyes, then immediately laughed awkwardly. "Come on, come on! Order whatever you want! Teacher is paying today. Even an extra serving of chashu is fine as an exception."
However.
Kakashi did not order immediately. He had rushed over the moment he was discharged, without stopping for even a moment, because he had something important to discuss with Teacher Minato.
So he looked at Teacher Minato with a stern, serious expression. He also pulled out a sheet of paper he had specially prepared and handed it to Teacher Minato. "Teacher, I'm applying for a team transfer!"
"..."
Minato fell silent. He took the paper and looked at the team transfer application, then looked sternly at Kakashi. "Won't you reconsider? You need to know that teams can't be changed casually. Besides, Obito didn't do it on purpose. He'll apologize to Kakashi. There absolutely won't be a second—"
"Yesterday... Might Guy slept beside me." Kakashi looked expressionlessly at Minato.
"Haha." Minato laughed awkwardly. "Come on, let's eat first, eat first. Later, I'll ask Lord Hokage about it. You can think it over too."
As he watched Kakashi struggle to sit on the chair, Minato's heart trembled. This really was... such a sin~
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