Kin Turned Against Kin

The smile on Hyuga Hiashi's face instantly froze. "..."

No.

Why did everything always somehow involve him?

But fortunately, members of the Hyuga Clan's Main Family rarely left the clan grounds. Even if Uchiha Akira wanted revenge, he would not be able to find anyone to take it out on.

At that thought,

his expression grew composed again.

After saying that, Uchiha Akira had no intention of continuing the conversation with anyone else. He greeted Neji and left directly.

This disciple had been a good choice.

As a member of the Hyuga Clan's Branch Family, choosing to speak up for an outsider in front of the Main Family would draw the Main Family's ire regardless of the reason. Though Neji was young, his father's death had made him mature far beyond his years.

What was rare was that

Neji knew speaking for him would make him a target, yet he still spoke without hesitation.

"So, why are some children so lovable that the elders in their families are willing to give them everything?"

Uchiha Akira smiled.

"Who the hell wouldn't be happy in that situation?"

His figure vanished in an instant. Then he concealed himself within the shadows. With his current mastery of Wood Release, even if Hashirama Senju were alive, he would not have detected him.

"Lord Hokage! Uchiha Akira clearly showed you no respect just now!"

Hyuga Hiashi hurriedly complained from the side.

"The conflict between the village and the Uchiha Clan is growing more intense by the day. Uchiha Akira's conduct clearly reflects the Uchiha Clan's current attitude toward the village. If a conflict breaks out, the Uchiha Clan will become a tremendous threat to the village!"

It had to be said that, as someone who had spent years keeping his head down,

Hyuga Hiashi began spinning schemes and conspiracies the moment he opened his mouth. Even knowing that Uchiha Akira was already an Anbu captain and could not possibly rebel, a trace of concern still rose in Hiruzen Sarutobi's heart.

"Hiashi, you have a point."

Hiruzen Sarutobi furrowed his brow in feigned contemplation. "I will consider this matter carefully. This old man will be leaving first."

With that, he turned and left as well.

Only then did Hyuga Hiashi reveal a satisfied smile.

Heh heh.

What Uchiha Clan?

What Uchiha Akira?

When it came to the art of lying low, even the Hokage was not worthy to carry the Hyuga Clan's shoes. Just wait, Uchiha Akira. You were showing off too much; sooner or later, it would come back to bite you!

"I just wonder what Lord Hokage came here for today."

Hyuga Hiashi felt as though he had overlooked something. "Could he have come just to offer condolences to our Hyuga Clan? Don't tell me he was senile and forgot why he came?"

Meanwhile,

as soon as Hiruzen Sarutobi returned to the Hokage's office, Uchiha Akira appeared in an instant.

The two exchanged knowing smiles.

Since they had done something shady, naturally they had to compare notes.

"Akira, don't reveal that you're an Anbu captain for now. This old man is afraid Hiashi won't be able to take it when the time comes."

"Got it. I understand."

Uchiha Akira made an OK gesture. "But he'll find out sooner or later. Remember to clean up your own mess then. If Hyuga Hiashi comes looking for trouble, I'll only beat him up."

Hiruzen Sarutobi: "..."

Well, damn.

Was he speaking to the Hokage this casually now?

Still, beating Hiashi up was not a major problem. Konoha might be one big family, but even families had their disputes. Strength was always the foundation of everything!

Akira was utterly candid. He and Hiruzen Sarutobi were now of the same generation.

Naturally, he spoke casually, doing whatever he pleased.

"Oh, right. Nothing has really been happening in the village lately. I'm planning to take on a mission and look around outside while I'm at it."

He had not left the village before because he was not strong enough. Now, he was more than strong enough. He wanted to go sightseeing—who could refuse a spontaneous trip?

"No, no. What are you thinking?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi hurriedly stopped him, smoking his pipe with a troubled expression, fear flickering in his eyes.

"The Uchiha Clan is like a powder keg that could explode at any moment. If something happens while you're in the village, you can still keep an eye on things. But if you're not in the village, what happens if something really does occur?"

Your family was about to blow up,

and you still wanted to go traveling?!

Hiruzen Sarutobi felt his heart pounding wildly!

"Fine, then."

Uchiha Akira shrugged helplessly. "Then help me bring Neji into the Anbu. He can't train properly if he stays in the Hyuga Clan all day."

His eyes were calm, though a sharp gleam occasionally flashed within them. At this moment, he finally revealed his true aim.

Hiruzen Sarutobi instantly understood Akira's intentions.

He had raised an impossible condition in advance to prevent him from refusing. By comparison, bringing Neji into the Anbu no longer seemed so difficult.

Tsk!

What a clever kid.

His political instincts were quite impressive!

"Fine, this old man agrees. But you must also agree to keep a close watch on the Uchiha Clan."

Hiruzen Sarutobi's voice was low, and a solemn look appeared on his face.

"If the Uchiha Clan shows any unusual movement, you must report it to this old man immediately. And you must immediately suppress any rebellion within the Uchiha Clan. Do you... understand?"

Reporting it would be simple.

Suppressing it was another matter.

It meant that if any Uchiha Clan member rebelled, he would have to personally kill members of his own clan!

Kin turned against kin—that was what it meant!

Just like Uchiha Itachi in the original story.

"Just as I said before."

Uchiha Akira's expression remained calm, carrying an unquestionable and inexplicable undertone.

"No matter who destroys the village's peace, I will never let them go."

That applied to Uchiha clan members who rebelled.

And it applied equally to those who targeted the Uchiha Clan!

"With those words, I can rest easy."

Hiruzen Sarutobi breathed a sigh of relief. From the moment Akira had mastered Sage Mode, he had already become a Kage-level expert. He could overlook a Hyuga clan head who was merely an Elite Jonin, but he could not overlook a Kage-level expert!

Unless something unexpected happened,

with Akira's political acumen, he was practically guaranteed to become the next Uchiha clan head. He was worth investing in!

"I'm leaving."

Uchiha Akira waved his hand, and his figure vanished from the spot like a shadow without making even the slightest sound. This secretly startled Hiruzen Sarutobi!

The Uchiha Clan's territory was located far too remotely.

Beyond the Uchiha clan grounds lay the outskirts of the village. It was practically the position of a guard dog.

To have fallen from one of the three great clans to this state—

it was no wonder Uchiha Fugaku was furious. Any normal Uchiha would have felt the same.

Uchiha Akira suddenly stopped. His gaze fixed directly on the shadows, his eyes like those of a hawk as they pierced through the distance and locked onto a spot behind the darkness. "Can the Yamanaka Clan's secret techniques be used from so far away?"

"If I remember correctly, Shimura Danzō never placed the Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal on you, did he?"

His black eyes held curiosity and scrutiny.

Tap.

Yamanaka Fu stepped out from behind the shadows. His broad, honest-looking features made him seem steady and dependable, yet his bright orange hair was exceptionally conspicuous.

"Not everyone is restrained by cursed seals. Lord Danzo's will is far stronger than you imagine."

Even after being discovered, Yamanaka Fu did not panic.

He remained calm and expressionless as he continued,

"Uchiha Akira, your sensory abilities are even stronger than expected. But this ends here."

The next instant,

he moved like thunder, drawing the short blade from his back.

Leaping into the air, he brought it down with tremendous force. The dazzling cold gleam stabbed at the eyes!