"Elder Kenji, why did you call for me?"
Uchiha Fugaku paid no attention to the tea Rie had served him. His expression was somewhat grave.
Facing this vigorous old elder, who had retired from the Security Force but still wielded considerable influence within the clan, Uchiha Fugaku did not relax in the slightest.
If not for the Great Elder's refusal to involve himself in affairs and his decision to hand over his authority, Uchiha Fugaku, this young Clan Head, would probably have been nothing more than a puppet.
Uchiha Kenji set down his teacup and asked with a faint smile, "Clan Head, you just came from the Hokage Building. You're planning to look for Yoichi, aren't you?"
Uchiha Fugaku fell silent for a moment before saying, "That's right. The Second Elder knows about this too?"
"After Yoichi acted against the Root Ninja, he came to my house and explained what had happened. This whole mess was stirred up by Root."
Uchiha Kenji did not conceal or deceive Fugaku. After all, he was the Clan Head, and low-level deception would serve no purpose.
"So I had the Security Force bring back the thirteen people who spread the rumors most frequently. Three of them did it out of resentment because they had previously been detained by the Security Force. Five accepted money, and five showed signs of having been affected by an Illusion Technique."
"Out of concern for the younger generation, I had Masato use Sharingan Genjutsu on Yoichi's former teammate. The conclusion was that it stemmed from jealousy.
"He hated that he couldn't become a Ninja, while Uchiha Yoichi had completed the mission unharmed and might even become a Konoha Hero. That was why he slandered Yoichi."
Uchiha Kenji cheerfully explained what he had discovered, then took out a scroll and placed it on the table.
"Clan Head, Yoichi has had some bad luck. But when he realized something had happened, he came to me, just like a child who gets into trouble outside and goes to his parents for help. This is the Lightning Release Nintaijutsu Scroll he gave me. You can take it."
Uchiha Fugaku had not said a word from beginning to end. Even when he saw the scroll on the table, he showed no reaction.
If he took the scroll containing Lightning Release Chakra Mode, he, as Clan Head, would have to shoulder the expectations of the clan members.
If he took the Ninjutsu, he would have to clear Uchiha Yoichi's name, eradicate the rumors circulating through the village, and confront Danzo.
Uchiha Fugaku clenched both hands tightly. The Second Elder had forced him into a corner. Now he had only two choices, and taking the Ninjutsu Scroll would come at a tremendous cost.
All his previous efforts would be wasted!
"...Second Elder, let's end this matter here."
"Fugaku."
"There are still matters at home that need handling. Second Elder, I'll be leaving first. Let's put Uchiha Yoichi's matter to rest. As for those people from the Security Force... leave them to me."
Uchiha Fugaku lowered his head slightly and spoke with utter decisiveness. He then rose and walked outside.
He left the tea untouched and did not take the Ninjutsu Scroll with him.
Only after the man had been gone for a while did Uchiha Kenji shake his head and sigh. "Indecisive. I really shouldn't have listened to that fellow Yuki back then. If Yoichi had been born a few years earlier, I wouldn't have needed to choose him."
Seeing Uchiha Fugaku like this strengthened Uchiha Kenji's resolve to cultivate Uchiha Yoichi.
His son Masato lacked the talent to become Clan Head. Being a squad leader and honestly following other people's orders was enough for him.
A Clan Head's bottom line was that he could not cater to others unconditionally, yet Uchiha Fugaku had completely failed to realize this.
"Lady Tsunade, this minor injury doesn't require you to treat me personally, does it?"
"Enough chatter. Consider it compensation for accidentally getting you involved. Come here, now!"
Tsunade snorted as she ordered him. With her arms crossed over her chest, she looked very much as if she intended to beat him over if he refused to come.
"Last time, you said I had reported you. But when I encountered Nintaijutsu from another village, I couldn't not report it. I just didn't expect Root to go this far."
What was a woman in her thirties acting tsundere about? She even turned her head aside and explained bashfully. Still, the old woman was rather adorably awkward like this, especially with such a youthful appearance.
Uchiha Yoichi withdrew his gaze from Tsunade's face, then walked over and sat down in the chair before her. He replied, "Since that's the case, treat me once and we'll call it even. Sorry for the trouble, Lady Tsunade."
"This little injury is no trouble at all. If you let me treat you, I can heal you completely in one session."
As Tsunade spoke, she formed hand seals and used the Mystical Palm Technique, then placed her hand on Uchiha Yoichi's body.
The Mystical Palm Technique used Yang Release Chakra to stimulate and regulate the cells within the body, causing them to divide again and achieve the effect of healing wounds. With Tsunade's control over Chakra, her efficiency in treating injuries was ten times that of other medical Ninjas.
Even when she treated others through Katsuyu, the results were stronger than those of ordinary medical Ninjas.
Tsunade already held the title of the Ninja World's foremost medical Ninja. Countless people wanted to ask her to treat them, but she usually couldn't be bothered to go. Only when she was short of money did she become busy.
Before long, ninety-nine percent of the injuries on Uchiha Yoichi's body had healed. After thanking her, he left Konoha Hospital.
"Are you feeling better?"
Outside Konoha Hospital, Kakashi suddenly appeared in front of Uchiha Yoichi and asked without expression.
"Don't suddenly appear like that next time. And do you need something?"
Uchiha Yoichi answered. He had thought Kakashi wouldn't look for him again after completing his mission, especially since he had already clashed with Root Ninja.
"Actually, I went to your compound first. I came to the hospital afterward to find you."
Kakashi looked Uchiha Yoichi over, then continued, "It's a mission outside the village. You seem to be fine. Around when will you take another mission?"
After returning home that day, Kakashi had indeed asked Hatake Sakumo about it. However, Hatake Sakumo had only told Kakashi some of the details and left the rest for Kakashi to judge and choose for himself.
Kakashi had thought about it for a long time before finally deciding to continue forming a team with Uchiha Yoichi.
He trusted his own instincts. Uchiha Yoichi was not the kind of person described by the rumors, so he had gone to the Uchiha compound today and then come to the hospital.
"If you're not in a hurry, five days from now. I've obtained several new techniques recently, so I need to practice them first. That will give us a better chance of completing the mission successfully."
"All right. Do you still want to train over the next few days?"
"If you have any ideas, meet me at the usual place!"
"Understood. But the mission period has already arrived. I won't be your training partner anymore!"
After saying that, Kakashi turned and left. His father would soon have to leave the village for another mission, and training alone was too inefficient. In all of Konoha, only Uchiha Yoichi was suitable as a training partner for him.
Although Kakashi had graduated a year ago, he knew very few people. Aside from his father, he usually trained alone.
Now that he had someone stronger than him to fight and train against, it was a rare opportunity for Kakashi.
Please vote.
Before you continue