Second Elder Uchiha Kenji

After Uchiha Yoichi left, Kakashi was still thinking about what had just happened.

"The Root Ninja... I remember Father saying it was an organization that trained personnel for the Anbu, buried deep within Konoha, which was why it was called Root. But what did that guy mean? Will I suffer the same treatment today?"

Kakashi somewhat believed what Yoichi had said about Root spreading rumors.

After spending nearly ten days together, there was hardly anything Kakashi could hide from him. Uchiha Yoichi's insight was so sharp it was almost like mind reading, and that was the only thing Kakashi admired about him.

But he had no connection with Root, and they were all ninjas of the village. Why would Root spread rumors about him?

"Forget it. Father should be coming back soon. I'll ask him."

Kakashi thought about it and suddenly felt that Uchiha Yoichi and Root might end up having a serious conflict. At a time like this, he needed his father's guidance.

If things became troublesome, he would just continue taking simple missions to accumulate experience.

Meanwhile, after returning to the clan grounds, Uchiha Yoichi headed straight for the home of Second Elder Uchiha Kenji.

He had not simply mentioned finding Elder Kenji to frighten the Root Ninja. Now that Root intended to move against him, Uchiha Yoichi had to find a backer with comparable strength.

The Great Elder would not do. He had practically retired and, reportedly, had not attended several Clan Meetings.

Although Uchiha Yoichi had some strength, his Sharingan had evolved to Two Tomoe earlier when he attacked Aburame Ryoma in a fit of anger, and his Chakra had increased considerably as a result.

But his current condition was genuinely poor.

His body had suffered some damage to its skin, muscles, and meridians from continuously releasing overloaded Lightning Release Chakra. He had to recuperate properly now, and ideally, he needed to visit Konoha Hospital and have a medical ninja treat him.

If he could stay safely in the clan grounds, Uchiha Yoichi would not be worried. But he feared that Uchiha Fugaku, the Clan Head, might sell him out again to curry favor with the Third Hokage.

Sacrificing one person for the benefit of the Uchiha Clan!

It was not as though Uchiha Fugaku had never done such a thing before. That was simply his way of thinking.

After arriving at Second Elder Uchiha Kenji's home, Uchiha Yoichi pressed the doorbell. When someone opened the door, he immediately said, "I'm Uchiha Yoichi. I'd like to see Elder Kenji. There's something I need to discuss with him."

"So it's Young Yoichi. Please come in. I'll go call my father."

The person who opened the door was the Second Elder's daughter-in-law. Her son was a squad captain in the Security Force.

Uchiha Yoichi was led to the reception room. Not long after he sat down, an old man entered.

"Second Elder."

"Young Yoichi, don't stand on ceremony. Have a seat."

Seeing that Yoichi was about to rise and greet him, Uchiha Kenji raised a hand and pressed it downward, motioning for him to sit. He then sat down as well.

"Young Yoichi, I heard of your reputation as a genius before. It was a pity that you didn't join the Security Force, but now it seems that even without joining the Security Force, you haven't wasted your talent."

"You're too kind, Elder Kenji. I came this time because I have something to ask of you."

Uchiha Yoichi did not beat around the bush. He took out the Lightning Release Chakra Mode scroll and placed it on the table, then continued,

"Recently, rumors that I used my squad members to complete missions have been spreading throughout Konoha. Only today did I learn that Root was secretly fanning the flames.

"Someone named Aburame Ryoma came to me just now. He said that if I handed over the Lightning Release Chakra Mode cultivation scroll, he would eliminate the rumors for me. He also wanted to recruit me into Root."

"Hmph. Danzo, that old bastard, only knows these sorts of tricks."

Uchiha Kenji snorted when he heard this. Although he rarely left the clan grounds, he was well aware of the rumors concerning Uchiha Yoichi.

They had suddenly spread especially widely over the past two days. He would not believe that no one was fanning the flames behind the scenes.

"Young Yoichi, what do you intend to do now?"

"When Root came looking for me, they were extremely arrogant. I couldn't hold back and attacked them. Thanks to their provocation, my Sharingan advanced to Two Tomoe. However, I'm somewhat injured now. I hope the Second Elder can help me and prevent Root from troubling me until I recover."

Uchiha Yoichi stated his request while pushing the Lightning Release Chakra Mode cultivation scroll slightly forward.

The Second Elder glanced at the scroll, then asked again, "Young Yoichi, why did you come to me? Logically speaking, it would be better to bring this matter to the Clan Head."

"Forget the Clan Head. I'm afraid he'll hand me over to confess my crimes for the sake of the clan's interests. After all, he had that idea last time."

Uchiha Yoichi shook his head, then continued writing on a note: "Compared to the Clan Head, I find Elder Kenji's way of handling matters more trustworthy."

Uchiha Kenji nodded and fell silent, sinking into thought.

After a while, he called his daughter-in-law from outside and said, "Rie, go to the Security Force and find Masato. Have him send two Security Force clan members to accompany Young Yoichi to the hospital for treatment. After that, have him lead the Security Force in arresting and punishing those spreading rumors recklessly!"

"Yes, Father."

Uchiha Rie lowered her head in response, then turned to Uchiha Yoichi and said, "Young Yoichi, please come with me."

Uchiha Yoichi nodded at Uchiha Kenji, then followed his daughter-in-law outside.

"Two-Tomoe Sharingan, killed a Stone Ninja Jonin, and even fought Aburame Ryoma... It looks like he should have won. This talent is even better than Masato's."

After they left, Uchiha Kenji carefully recalled everything he knew about Uchiha Yoichi.

He remembered that aside from his parents, Uchiha Yoichi had never received guidance from any clan member. After graduating from the Ninja Academy, he had explored cultivation on his own.

With this talent, he was more than capable of becoming a ninja who would bring fame to the Uchiha Clan throughout the outside world.

"As long as he's properly nurtured and given a few opportunities, Uchiha Yoichi can become the next Clan Head!"

Uchiha Kenji's expression grew more and more expectant. He was increasingly disappointed in Uchiha Fugaku as Clan Head, and even felt that Fugaku was inferior to the Clan Head of the Hyuga Clan.

Although the Security Force was an organization established by the Second Hokage to restrict the clansmen, it wielded considerable authority, was safe, and suited the clan members' development.

But Uchiha Fugaku seemed unable to see the situation clearly.

As it happened, the emergence of Uchiha Yoichi gave Uchiha Kenji hope for a new Clan Head. Moreover, Yoichi's temper and personality suited him perfectly. He was far stronger than his son Masato.

After Uchiha Rie brought Uchiha Yoichi to the Security Force, he explained everything to the Second Elder's son, Uchiha Masato.

Two Security Force members then accompanied Uchiha Yoichi toward Konoha Hospital.

This was for his protection. Otherwise, if a Root Ninja suddenly appeared and tried to forcibly take Uchiha Yoichi away, he would not even have time to resist.

Now that the Security Force was accompanying him, even if a Root Ninja came, they would not be able to take him away.

After arriving at Konoha Hospital, Uchiha Yoichi found a doctor to treat his injuries.

If he wanted to quickly heal the damage to his muscles and meridians, two uses of the Mystical Palm Technique would be enough.

As for the skin burned by lightning, he only needed to apply medicine and wrap it in bandages.

After Uchiha Yoichi finished receiving treatment and was preparing to leave, someone suddenly called out from behind him.

"Hey, Uchiha brat!"

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