My Mom is Senju!

Hyuga Neji's mouth fell open in shock as he stared at the Uchiha youth, who was over a decade older than him.

His parents had died long ago?

He had never even met them?

But this time, he wasn't sure if the other was lying to him, though his emotions had already calmed down.

"If what you're saying is true, then I apologize for my words just now."

Hyuga Neji bowed deeply and seriously: "But if you're lying to me, I'll definitely give you a good beating later!"

"Hahaha!"

Uchiha Siming laughed heartily: "Fine by me, but before that, you should get some proper rest. If you have any questions about training, you can come find me at the Senju Clan."

No wonder he was the first of the twelve rookies to become a Jonin.

But unfortunately, being imprisoned by the Caged Bird Seal would inevitably wear down a genius's spirit, and youthful ambition is something that cannot be regenerated.

That was why Neji's strength never advanced further later on.

"No need."

Hyuga Neji shook his head and refused: "If I have any questions, I'll ask the Clan Head."

In his view, as the Clan Head's nephew, even though he bore the Caged Bird Seal, the man would at least still guide him in training.

"Uchiha Siming!"

A voice came from behind, quickly arriving before the two: "Hurry back to the clan with me. The Clan Head has been looking for you all day—it's something very urgent!"

Uchiha Tetsu's face was full of anxiety.

Urgent was an understatement. The Clan Head had given him a strict order: no matter how late it got today, he had to bring Uchiha Siming back to see him!

"What's so urgent?"

Uchiha Siming waved to Neji: "See you later. Come find me if anything comes up."

Tch.

He'd talked through it all but hadn't triggered a quest. Guess the approach was wrong.

But just then, several figures appeared in an instant.

"It's... Root!?"

Uchiha Tetsu tensed up as if facing a great enemy, cold sweat beading on his forehead: "What do you want?"

He was only a Chunin now, but every Root Ninja was at least Chunin-level, ruthless and decisive in combat, showing no mercy. In his eyes, running into enemy ninja was better than running into Root!

Slap.

A figure stepped forward, blocking his path: "Si, Siming?"

"What's this? Since when do Root scum get to block my way, an Uchiha?"

Uchiha Siming's gaze was lazy as he looked down on the group, as if they were nothing but roadside trash!

Hiss—!

Uchiha Tetsu couldn't help but suck in a cold breath: "Siming, Siming! Watch your words! They're, they're Root!"

The Uchiha might be domineering, but they couldn't afford to offend everyone!

His legs were already going weak.

"Root?"

Uchiha Siming sneered: "I'm cursing Root, that's what I'm doing!"

It's over!

Uchiha Tetsu's heart leaped into his throat. Today might be the day the Uchiha and Root went to war, possibly even the spark that ignited the Third Great Ninja War!

But to his surprise, the dog-masked Root Ninja's voice was calm, even carrying a hint of politeness: "Uchiha Siming, we have no intention of provoking you."

"Lord Danzo summons you. Please come with us."

Eh?

Uchiha Tetsu's eyes went wide.

Root was always cold and merciless, but this time they weren't angry—they were even showing respect to Uchiha Siming?

It was like a fairy tale!

"Not interested."

Uchiha Siming didn't even spare him another glance as he turned to head back to the clan. That old bastard Danzo was just trying to recruit him, but did he need that?

Meanwhile, Hyuga Neji's eyes sparkled beside him.

Whether it was the Root leader or the Uchiha Clan Head, both were strong enough to rival the Hyuga Clan Head, yet they both favored the Uchiha before him. That meant... his strength was undoubtedly the pinnacle of the younger generation!

But... that had nothing to do with him.

When he encountered cultivation problems, he could go ask his uncle for advice.

He arrived at the Uchiha Clan.

Uchiha Fugaku had already brewed tea, piping hot. Uchiha Siming glanced at it—clearly, Fugaku the Schemer had brewed this pot more than once.

Just waiting for him.

"Spit it out, Clan Head. What's the matter? If nothing, I'm going home."

Uchiha Siming took a lazy sip. He had to admit, good tea really was good tea—naturally sweet, the more he drank, the smoother it went.

Square face, middle-part hairstyle—that was style.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have two sons.

Uchiha Fugaku: "..."

"You call going home going back to the Senju Clan?"

He let out a helpless, exasperated laugh: "You spend every day at the Senju Clan. Are you really that used to it?"

"And why not?"

Uchiha Siming said with utter confidence: "My mom's a Senju!"

In the old days, Uchiha Fugaku would have been furious. But not now—the Senju Clan was gone, and there was no point in the Uchiha and Senju holding grudges. Besides, most Uchiha clansmen even felt grateful to Princess Tsunade.

Grateful for her life-saving help in the Second Shinobi World War.

"Fine, fine."

Uchiha Fugaku was helpless. Apart from a few elders, everyone who saw him as Clan Head had to show respect—except Uchiha Siming, who treated him with such casual ease.

He didn't put this Clan Head in his eyes at all.

"There's something."

He paused, his gaze probing, and said in a low voice: "Siming, have you been in contact with Itachi lately? Is his change related to you?"

When he said this.

His voice carried a hint of urgency.

Uchiha Siming understood. That kid Itachi had always had a rebellious streak. So, when he learned that his own younger son's talent was no less than Itachi's, he warned his younger son not to learn from Itachi. But Two-Eyes took it as "Your talent's too weak, don't compare yourself to Itachi."

From then on, he fell into a spiral of trying to prove himself.

In reality, Sasuke's talent was extremely strong.

When Itachi was taught the Great Fireball Technique, he had already been on the battlefield, undergone rigorous training, and was older than Sasuke.

Sasuke, on the other hand, had not.

This was truly his first time touching ninjutsu.

In one afternoon, he trained the Great Fireball to a level not inferior to Uchiha Fugaku—Sasuke's talent was obvious.

As for why Sasuke wasn't trained much.

Probably because the first son was a failed experiment, and he wanted the second son to live a happier life...

So now, seeing that Itachi showed signs of being saved, Uchiha Fugaku couldn't sit still. Uchiha Siming glanced at the man's calm face, but his hands trembled slightly.

Ha.

Not a great act.

"Clan Head."

Uchiha Siming took a sip of tea and smiled contentedly: "Your tea is pretty good."

"???"

Uchiha Fugaku's breath caught. He knew exactly what that meant: "Take it, take it! Just tell me quickly—does it have anything to do with you or not?"

Damn it.

The more urgent things got, the more you could keep your cool, huh?

Uchiha Siming waited another moment.

Uchiha Fugaku was about to lose his temper.

Tsk.

Siming let out a faint sigh. System, your mission-triggering speed isn't great!

[Ding! Lord Hashirama is actually sitting cross-legged discussing philosophy with the Uchiha Clan Head! Mission triggered: Uchiha Fugaku's Plea!]

[Please help Uchiha Fugaku ease his relationship with Uchiha Itachi!]

[Mission reward: One Heavenly Lottery Draw!]

Heavenly Lottery Draw?

System, you... you were actually holding out on me!

"I've been in contact with Itachi quite a bit lately."

Uchiha Siming said calmly: "But whether his change has anything to do with me, I wouldn't know. I just often tell him to respect his elders, and I happen to talk about Uchiha history, and that little matter of how, if not for Senju Tobirama, the Uchiha would definitely have produced a Hokage."

"Ah, he keeps coming to find me. It's exhausting, Clan Head, you understand!"

He emphasized the word "little."

And his tone was full of helplessness, his face showing disgust.