008 Let This Old Man Scout the Enemy's Situation First!

Night.

The evening breeze blew gently.

The Uchiha Clan had also concluded their evening talk for the day.

The outcome wasn't very good. As the clan head of the Uchiha, Uchiha Fugaku had not agreed to allocate all resources to Uchiha shinobi as everyone had hoped.

The Uchiha elders watched the clan head's retreating back, sighed, and shook their heads in disappointment. Then, they turned to the Great Elder beside them. "Big Brother, what do we do now?"

"Don't be anxious." The Uchiha Great Elder, Uchiha Sekigen, leaned on his cane. His wrinkled, aged face held a calm gaze as he narrowed his eyes slightly. "Let this old man go see that young man, Fuyou, first."

Uchiha Fuyou.

He was the genius of the Uchiha Clan back then. At a young age, he had already displayed talent far beyond ordinary people. He was diligent, eager to learn, and extremely serious, often immersing himself in the Uchiha clan's library and training grounds, unable to pull himself away and forgetting to eat.

He also possessed what the Third Hokage often spoke of as the Will of Fire. Although their Uchiha Clan merely listened to the so-called Will of Fire, since Fuyou had received the Third Hokage's recognition and often wrote fragrant articles about Fuyou's Will of Fire, it was a good thing. Perhaps he could become a bridge between the clan and the village, allowing the clan to re-enter the Konoha high-level power center and be accepted by the village.

They had even paid a great price to have Fuyou become a direct disciple of the Third Hokage and study under one of the Sannin. Fuyou was also very promising, even recognizing the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki as his older sister, and he reached the graduation requirements after only a few years of study in the academy.

Although he did not apply for early graduation in the end, it was still evident of Fuyou's talent.

A genius of the Uchiha Clan!

And furthermore, a genius recognized by the Third Hokage.

At that time, they all believed that Uchiha Fuyou might be able to lead the geniuses of the Uchiha Clan towards a new future.

And he, Uchiha Sekigen, also believed so.

Unfortunately.

Things did not go as planned.

On the day of graduation... everything arrived as scheduled. Everyone was happily preparing to celebrate the genius of the Uchiha family, but they never expected that on that night.

"Being a ninja cannot save the Uchiha" - Uchiha Fuyou.

That brat actually said those words in front of all the elders and the clan head, and even seemed indifferent to being kicked out of the Uchiha Clan.

It was simply a disgrace to the Uchiha Clan!

At that time, everyone was ready to extract the Uchiha Clan's bloodline limit and cast him out to fend for himself, but...

"After all, it's still a bit regrettable!"

Uchiha Sekigen gazed at the moon in the sky, sighed wistfully, and shook his head. Leaning on his cane with both hands, he gently tapped the floor.

At that time, after much hesitation, he, the Great Elder, still decided to give the child a chance, believing that after living outside for a while, he would understand that shinobi were the future of the Ninja World.

Without strength, any wealth would only serve as a stepping stone for others.

He never expected that brat would actually achieve something.

Although that bit of money was nothing to the ancient Uchiha Clan, however... getting it for free, and being able to get it for free every year, that was a significant sum.

Even the Uchiha Clan could not afford to take out such a sum additionally every year, or rather, they could, but it might have some impact on maintaining the Uchiha Clan's operations.

Therefore, if this money could be used for the shinobi of their Uchiha Clan, it would definitely allow the strength of the Uchiha Clan's shinobi to improve by another level.

"Then what does Big Brother plan to do?" The Uchiha elder, also with white hair, asked, "Do we need to directly summon that young man, Fuyou?"

"Let's wait for now. You know that young man, Fuyou. He's just stubborn, or rather... geniuses all believe they are right. It's a pity, a shame!" Uchiha Sekigen shook his head regretfully, tapped the floor again with his cane, and pondered for a moment. "Let this old man go see that group of old folks first... see what exactly they are doing."

Dancing? Singing?

Is this what shinobi should be doing?

He sighed and turned around directly. "Don't worry, this old man will definitely find the so-called [evidence] to make that young man, Fuyou, understand what is right!"

Shinobi!

Shinobi who possess absolute strength!

Are the only way out for the Uchiha Clan!

Therefore, since that brat said that shinobi couldn't save the Uchiha, then he, as the Great Elder of the Uchiha Clan, would tell that brat... that a few stinking bucks couldn't save the Uchiha either.

They would only be seen as... a big fat sheep by others.

"Being treated as a big fat sheep at this stage is better than being treated as a hidden danger to the village!"

After sending Hyuga Rinne back to the Hyuga compound, Uchiha Fuyou walked alone on the streets of Konoha, looking at the somewhat deserted streets with emotion and shaking his head.

For example, the Hyuga Clan and the Uchiha Clan... as the two major "beautiful eye" clans in Konoha, they had always been unwilling to yield to each other.

Especially the Uchiha Clan... although they had reached their peak in the past, ever since the Second Hokage implemented a reform, and the Third Hokage's team implemented another reform, the Uchiha Clan had declined. Therefore, the Hyuga Clan became even more arrogant and conceited when they saw the Uchiha Clan.

Believing that they were the number one "beautiful eye" clan in Konoha.

However.

Seeing him, Uchiha Fuyou, they still had to call him "Boss Fuyou" with a smile.

Why?

He, Uchiha Fuyou, was perceived as [foolish] and rich, and always approachable with his immense wealth.

And believed that in a few more years... he would become even more of a benevolent billionaire!

He arrived at the Konoha orphanage.

Uchiha Fuyou pondered for a moment, then walked inside...

"Brother Fuyou!"

"Boss Fuyou!"

He was immediately greeted warmly by the children.

Originally, according to the original plan... he, Uchiha Fuyou, should have possessed a strong Will of Fire, made many friends at the academy, deepened relationships with classmates, and then demonstrated his strength so that the higher-ups wouldn't dare to underestimate him.

As a result.

There was a slight accident.

He became a [rich person] who was a benevolent billionaire.

There was no other way.

At the time, he thought that if he didn't die, even if he did research, excavated bloodlines, and developed ninjutsu, it would take a long time, and he might have to become a rogue ninja as soon as he showed potential.

It was too dangerous.

It was better to be comfortable now. Everyone thought Uchiha Fuyou had given up the ninja way and didn't take him seriously.

Otherwise.

Relying solely on the so-called Will of Fire to gain the Third Hokage's approval was simply a joke.

Look at what the Third Hokage always said when Danzo wanted to make a move?

Let me think!

Wait a moment! Perhaps there's another way!

Don't act rashly!

And the result?

Uchiha Fuyou didn't know how much ash was scattered under the Third Hokage's regret, self-blame, and remorse.

He casually ruffled the heads of a few children and walked towards the orphanage director's office.

He knocked on the door, and a soft voice said, "Come in!"

Fuyou entered and saw a blonde woman wearing glasses and a white cloak, sitting in a chair. As if noticing his entrance, she looked up from the documents on her desk, smiled, and turned her head to look at him.

The woman, with a gentle smile and her eyes curved, looked at Fuyou kindly. "Is that you, Fuyou?"

"Sister Nonō," Fuyou nodded slightly and casually sat down beside her. "It seems Sister Nonō is also troubled~ What's wrong? Do you need help?"

"It's nothing," Nonō tidied up the documents, shook her head with a smile, and poured Fuyou a cup of tea. "Just some small matters regarding the orphanage, it's nothing."

"Have there been many more orphans?"

Although the early stages of the war weren't very intense, and the main defense was against the Hidden Sand Village, it was still a war, and wars involved casualties.

Fuyou pondered for a moment. After a while, looking at Nonō, who was looking at him with confusion as he thought, he smiled and said, "I'll be opening a few more yakiniku restaurants in a few days, and I'll need quite a few apprentices."

"?!" Nonō was stunned, then chuckled softly, seemingly relieved, and nodded. "That would be a great help!"

"It's just that I need apprentices!"

"I know," Nonō shook her head helplessly and poured another cup of tea for Fuyou, who had a [benevolent billionaire] look on his face. "Thank you so much, Fuyou."

Otherwise, she and the orphanage might now...

Thinking of this, Nonō suddenly frowned, as if remembering something. "Are you leaving the village these few days, Fuyou?"

"Yes!" Fuyou nodded. "I have business to attend to outside. After all, this war seems to be getting more and more unusual, and it might become very intense. So, I need to go out and settle things while it's still calm."

"Is that so..." Nonō murmured to herself, then looked up at Fuyou seriously. "Please remember! Be sure to hire more shinobi, and also..." she paused, lowering her voice, "watch out for Root shinobi!"

"???"

Root shinobi?!

Seeking votes, seeking comments! Won't change it, won't change it!

Really!