The Second Elder, Uchiha Kenji (Seeking Follow-up Reads)

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

"Root ninja... I remember my father saying that's a department that trains personnel for Anbu, buried deep within Konoha, hence the name Root. But what did that guy mean? Would I suffer the same treatment as today?"

When he said Root was the one spreading rumors, Kakashi somewhat believed it in his heart.

Having spent about ten days together, Kakashi hadn't been able to hide anything from him. Uchiha Yoichi's keen insight, almost like mind-reading, was the only thing Kakashi admired about him.

But he had no dealings with Root, and they were all village ninja. Why would Root spread rumors about him?

"Forget it. My father will be back soon. I'll ask him."

Kakashi thought to himself. He suddenly felt that Uchiha Yoichi and Root might have a considerable rift, and at this point, he needed his father's guidance.

If it was troublesome, he'd just continue doing simple missions to gain experience.

On the other side, after returning to the clan compound, Uchiha Yoichi headed straight for Second Elder Uchiha Kenji's house.

He hadn't said he wanted to see Elder Kenji just to bluff the Root ninja. Now that Root was planning to move against him, Uchiha Yoichi had to find a similarly powerful backer.

The Great Elder was out of the question—he'd practically retired and hadn't attended several clan meetings, he'd heard.

Although Uchiha Yoichi had some strength, and when he struck at Aburame Ryoma earlier, his Sharingan had evolved to Two Tomoe out of anger, boosting his chakra significantly.

But his current condition was truly poor.

His body had sustained damage to his skin, muscles, and meridians from continuously unleashing overloaded Lightning Release chakra. He needed proper rest now, and it would be best to go to Konoha Hospital to find a Medical Ninja for treatment.

If he could stay safely in the clan compound, Uchiha Yoichi wouldn't worry, but he feared that Clan Head Uchiha Fugaku might "sell him out" again to curry favor with the Third Hokage.

Sacrifice him alone for the benefit of the Uchiha!

That wasn't something Uchiha Fugaku hadn't done before—that was his philosophy.

Arriving at Second Elder Uchiha Kenji's house, Uchiha Yoichi rang the doorbell and said directly to the person who opened the door, "I'm Uchiha Yoichi. I'd like to see Elder Kenji. I have something to discuss with him."

"Young Yoichi, please come in. I'll call Father."

The one who opened the door was the Second Elder's daughter-in-law; his son was a squad leader in the Security Force.

Uchiha Yoichi was led to the reception room. He hadn't been seated long before an elderly man arrived.

"Second Elder."

"Young Yoichi, no need to be formal. Sit."

Uchiha Kenji saw Yoichi starting to stand to greet him and gestured downward with his hand, then sat down as well.

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

"Elder Kenji flatters me. The reason I've come is to ask for your help with something."

Uchiha Yoichi didn't beat around the bush. He directly placed the Lightning Release Chakra Mode scroll on the table, then continued.

"Recently, rumors that I used my squad members to complete missions have been spreading wildly through Konoha. Today I learned that Root is secretly fueling them. Just now, someone named Aburame Ryoma came to me, saying that if I hand over the Lightning Release Chakra Mode training scroll, he'd clear the rumors and recruit me into Root."

"Hmph, Danzo. That old bastard only knows these tricks."

Uchiha Kenji snorted coldly after hearing this. Although he rarely left the clan compound, he was well aware of the rumors about Uchiha Yoichi.

They had spread unusually wide in the last two days. If someone wasn't behind it, he wouldn't believe it.

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

"When Root came to me, they were extremely arrogant. I couldn't hold back and struck at them. Thanks to their provocation, my Sharingan evolved to Two Tomoe, but I'm a bit injured now. I hope the Second Elder can help me keep Root off my back until I recover."

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

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

"Forget the Clan Head. I'm afraid he'd hand me over to take the blame for the clan's benefit, since he's had that idea before."

Uchiha Yoichi shook his head, then continued writing on a slip of paper, "Compared to the Clan Head, Elder Kenji's way of doing things is more worthy of my trust."

Uchiha Kenji nodded, then fell into silent thought.

After a moment, he spoke, calling his daughter-in-law from outside the room. "Rie, go to the Security Force and find Masato. Have him send two clan members from the Security Force to accompany Young Yoichi to the hospital for treatment. Then have him lead the Security Force to arrest and punish those spreading false rumors!"

"Yes, Father."

Uchiha Rie bowed in acknowledgment, then turned to Uchiha Yoichi. "Young Yoichi, please follow me."

Uchiha Yoichi nodded to Uchiha Kenji, then followed his daughter-in-law out.

"Two Tomoe Sharingan, killed a Stone Ninja Jonin, and even fought Aburame Ryoma—looks like he won. That talent is even better than Masato's."

After they left, Uchiha Kenji carefully recalled the information about Uchiha Yoichi.

He remembered that aside from his parents, Uchiha Yoichi had never received guidance from any clan member, and after graduating from the Ninja Academy, he'd explored and trained on his own.

That talent was enough to make him a ninja who could make the Uchiha Clan's name known abroad.

"With proper nurturing and a few opportunities, Uchiha Yoichi could become the next Clan Head!"

A look of growing anticipation appeared on Uchiha Kenji's face. He was becoming increasingly disappointed with Uchiha Fugaku as Clan Head, even feeling he was inferior to the Hyuga Clan's head.

Although the Security Force was a department established by the Second Hokage to restrict the clan, it held great power, was safe, and suited the clan's development.

But Uchiha Fugaku was somewhat failing to read the situation.

Just then, Uchiha Yoichi's appearance gave Uchiha Kenji hope for a new Clan Head; moreover, his temper and personality suited him far better than his own son Masato.

After Uchiha Rie brought Uchiha Yoichi to the Security Force, he clarified things with the Second Elder's son, Uchiha Masato.

Then two Security Force members followed Uchiha Yoichi as he headed toward Konoha Hospital.

This was for his protection—otherwise, if a Root ninja suddenly appeared and tried to forcibly take Uchiha Yoichi away, he wouldn't even have time to resist.

Now, with the Security Force escorting him, even if Root ninja came, they couldn't take him.

Once 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 applications of the Mystical Palm Technique would suffice.

As for the skin burned by lightning, some medicine and bandages would do.

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

"Hey, Uchiha brat!"

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