Naka Shrine.
In the dim stone chamber, the Uchiha Clan Head and Elder Setsuna sat side by side.
"Yoru, the clan will never forget your sacrifice for us!"
After being fed that bowl of chicken soup by the two Old Bastards, Uchiha Yoru put on an excited expression and solemnly nodded as he shouted:
"For the Uchiha!"
If you were going to feed me chicken soup, I naturally couldn't fall behind.
There was a saying from the old ancestors of his previous life: when you lacked the strength to change everything, you had to learn to fit in.
"Yoru, you should know that the clan won't treat you unfairly for going to the front lines this time."
Elder Setsuna wore a gratified smile, as though he were saying: Go ahead without worry. You were now among the clan's key talents. Wasn't this opportunity to polish your credentials proof enough? Work hard.
While reassuring him, he was also asking him to state any other requests he might have.
Yet, under the clan leader's and the elder's gazes, Uchiha Yoru revealed a hesitant expression. Finally, gritting his teeth, he said in a low voice:
"Clan leader, elder, this matter is of great importance!"
As he said this, Uchiha Yoru's expression grew solemn. The two men frowned before saying gravely:
"Don't worry. There's a barrier here."
At that moment, Uchiha Yoru took a deep breath. He had already made his preparations.
The Senju were using the Uchiha behind him. He was merely a pawn, and the only force he could truly rely on now was the Uchiha.
This was also the most reliable one! As long as he made the clan understand that they could not do without him, that would be enough.
After all, Dan Katō had died in a muddle in the original story. The influence of his surname now was far greater than Dan Katō's had been.
And this mission to polish his credentials looked like an easy battlefield assignment, but there would clearly still be danger.
In the strange village of Konoha, even the First Hokage's direct bloodline had vanished in a muddle. Who the hell was he by comparison?
"Clan leader, elder, according to intelligence I obtained from Captain Tsunade, there wasn't the slightest issue to be found with the cause of death of Nawaki, the First Hokage's descendant. Precisely because of that, the Senju Clan became suspicious.
"And during the previous Jonin meeting, there were suspicions that Jonin Dan Katō's actions had been premeditated..."
As Uchiha Yoru explained, the Uchiha Clan Head's and Elder Setsuna's expressions became increasingly grave.
"You're saying someone in the village is secretly targeting the Senju Clan?"
As a former rebellion leader, Elder Setsuna immediately grasped the implications. The clan leader beside him was equally shocked.
Uchiha Yoru looked at the two of them and, without drawing notice, glanced at Elder Setsuna. Lowering his head, he said in a deep voice:
"Based on the intelligence I obtained while at Captain Tsunade's side, it seems someone secretly leaked information to the Senju Clan beforehand. That was why they grew suspicious!"
Boom!
The two men's pupils contracted at once. This was earth-shattering news!
Uchiha Yoru cast another subtle glance at Elder Setsuna and silently nodded to himself. Elder, you only had a few years left anyway. Once you were gone, the debt would be gone too.
Besides, everything he was doing was for the clan.
"I knew it! Ha ha!"
After the shock, Elder Setsuna burst into laughter. Slapping his thigh, he said excitedly:
"I knew Hiruzen Sarutobi, Danzo, and those old timers were all rotten bastards! They wave the banner of acting for the village, but what have they actually done?
"The number of civilian shinobi in the village has indeed increased, supposedly for Konoha's sake. But what about the clans of those old timers? Especially the Third Hokage's Sarutobi Clan. Look at how many shinobi the Sarutobi Clan has gained in the twenty-plus years since he became Hokage."
Elder Setsuna seemed to have found a reason to clear himself of his past rebellion. He angrily slapped his thigh and cursed.
"These rotten bastards have spent all these years excluding and isolating the Uchiha. They keep harping on what Lord Madara and I did in the past. But what about them? What reason do they have for going after the Senju Clan?"
Only Elder Setsuna could say such things. No one else would dare.
The Uchiha Clan Head beside him looked rather awkward, but this news was also far too explosive.
The moment the clan leader and elder processed it, they looked toward Uchiha Yoru. The cloudy eyes of the two old men now held complicated yet gratified expressions.
"Yoru, you've worked hard for the clan!"
Previously, they had only believed that the Senju were using the Uchiha as a weapon, and that the Uchiha were willing to serve as that weapon in order to seize the chance to integrate.
But this time was different. Uchiha Yoru had certainly paid a heavy price!
After all, they knew full well that, given Uchiha Yoru's ability, he could not possibly have extracted such intelligence from the Senju Clan's princess.
There was only one possibility: he had sacrificed himself and earned Princess Tsunade's trust. Only then could he have learned this information.
Of course, the Senju Clan's tacit approval was naturally part of it as well.
If Uchiha Yoru had not earned their trust, why would he be the one returning to relay this intelligence?
"It seems the Senju are truly dissatisfied with the Third Hokage's faction this time."
At that thought, Elder Setsuna merely sneered twice. Looking at the clan leader and Yoru, he said in a low voice:
"White Fang is the Uchiha's opportunity. Through White Fang, the Uchiha can not only ease relations with the various clans in the village, but also use this chance to enter the center of Konoha's power."
As he spoke, the aged Elder Setsuna revealed a mocking smile.
"The Uchiha, one of Konoha's powerful clans, are the most ironic among the Major Clans in the village center. We occupy the best location in the village, yet remain outside its center of power.
"Even Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo allow the dog-playing Inuzuka Clan to approach the center of power, yet the Uchiha alone are forbidden!"
At this moment, it was not only Elder Setsuna who felt stifled and unwilling. Even the clan leader beside him showed dissatisfaction.
This was the Uchiha's current situation!
"Yoru, the clan has decided to grant you the training resources reserved for Three-Tomoe elites."
The next moment, the elder and clan leader exchanged glances, their expressions turning solemn.
Uchiha Yoru's status was no longer what it had once been. He was now a bridge between the clan and the Senju—the village.
To the powerful clans and older generation of shinobi, equating the Senju with the village was not an exaggeration at all.
Yet Uchiha Yoru knew clearly that, in the future, the village would have practically forgotten the Senju Clan. Even only a few years after the Uchiha Clan's extermination and the subsequent cover-up, the younger generation would nearly forget the Sharingan as well.
Upon hearing of the clan's plans for his training, Uchiha Yoru immediately revealed an excited expression. His eyes shone with fervor as he shouted resolutely:
"For the glory of the Uchiha!"
The Uchiha Clan was a clan that revered strength above all else. As long as you possessed power, you could obtain the status you deserved within the clan. In this regard, they were entirely different from the Hyuga Clan.
The status of a Three-Tomoe elite shinobi was already considered upper echelon within the clan, second only to the clan leader and Elders.
Simply put, he could learn most of the clan's ninjutsu and enjoy all manner of Three-Tomoe Jonin-level cultivation resources.
Just as expected!
So long as you proved your worth, the Uchiha were never stingy.
He loved this clan to death!
After Uchiha Yoru obtained everything he wanted and respectfully departed, a sigh sounded within the quiet chamber once more.
"They even dared to do this to the First Hokage's bloodline. I can't see through Hiruzen Sarutobi, but Shimura Danzō, that rat hiding in the shadows, definitely has the nerve!"
With no outsiders present, Elder Setsuna revealed a resentful expression.
Shimura Danzō was best at such underhanded methods.
The clan leader beside him could not help frowning.
"If someone dared to target the First Hokage's bloodline, then isn't Uchiha Yoru also in great danger?"
After exchanging glances, the two men both revealed grave expressions.
They had to protect Uchiha Yoru!
The Uchiha Clan had only produced one Kagami Uchiha in all these years. Now that another had finally appeared, they naturally treasured him dearly.
"For this trip to the front lines, I'll instruct Fugaku to make protecting Uchiha Yoru's safety his highest priority."
"Good!"
Elder Setsuna revealed a gratified smile. He only had a few years left to live. If, before closing his eyes, he could see the Uchiha Clan enter Konoha's circle of power, he would be able to die without regrets.
Moreover, this opportunity was rare. Once White Fang took office, Konoha would undergo another reshuffling.
If they missed this chance, who knew how long the Uchiha would have to wait for another?
Thanks to brother "Yong Shen" for the 100-point donation. Thank you.
It's the end of the month, so I'll also ask for monthly votes. They count as data too.
Before you continue