Kin Against Kin

Hyuga Hiashi's smile instantly froze on his face: "..."

Seriously.

Why did he always have to be involved?

Still, it was fortunate that the Main Family members of the Hyuga Clan rarely left the clan grounds, so even if Uchiha Siming wanted revenge, he wouldn't find anyone to take it out on.

Thinking this.

His expression settled back into composure.

[Remember the domain name: Taiwan Novel Network, ẗẅḳäṅ.ċöṁ—super impressive!]

After speaking, Uchiha Siming showed no intention of continuing the conversation with anyone else. He nodded to Neji and left directly.

This disciple was a good catch.

As a member of the Hyuga Branch Family, choosing to speak for an outsider in front of both the Main Family and outsiders—no matter the reason—would inevitably draw the Main Family's hostility. Neji was young, but because of his father's death, he was unusually precocious.

Thus, what was rare was.

Neji knew that speaking up for him would invite trouble, yet he still opened his mouth without hesitation.

"So tell me, why is it that some kids are so endearing they make the elders in the family willingly give everything?"

Uchiha Siming chuckled:

"Who the hell wouldn't be happy with that?"

His figure vanished in an instant, then concealed itself in the shadows. With his current mastery of Wood Release, even if Hashirama Senju were alive, he wouldn't be able to detect him.

"Lord Hokage! Just now, Uchiha Siming clearly showed you no respect!"

Hyuga Hiashi immediately seized the chance to tattle.

"Now that the conflict between the village and the Uchiha is escalating, Uchiha Siming's behavior is clearly the outward manifestation of the entire Uchiha Clan's current stance toward the village. If a clash breaks out, the Uchiha Clan will be a massive threat to the village!"

He had to admit, as a veteran schemer.

The moment Hyuga Hiashi opened his mouth, it was all conspiracy and cunning. Even though he knew Uchiha Siming was already an Anbu Captain and unlikely to rebel, Hiruzen Sarutobi still felt a flicker of unease rise in his heart.

"Hiashi, what you say has some merit."

Hiruzen Sarutobi furrowed his brow in feigned contemplation: "I'll give this matter proper thought. I'll take my leave now."

With that, he turned and departed.

Only then did Hyuga Hiashi reveal a satisfied smile.

Heh.

What Uchiha Clan?

What Uchiha Siming?

When it came to the art of "lying low," even the Hokage couldn't hold a candle to the Hyuga Clan. Just wait, Uchiha Siming—so sharp and reckless—sooner or later, you'll have your day of suffering!

"I wonder what the Hokage came for today."

Hyuga Hiashi felt like he'd missed something: "Could he really have just come to pay his respects to the Hyuga Clan? Surely he hasn't gotten so old and senile that he forgot what he was supposed to do?"

On the other side.

The moment Hiruzen Sarutobi returned to the Hokage's office, Uchiha Siming appeared in the next instant.

The two exchanged a knowing smile.

Since they'd done something shady, naturally they needed to compare notes.

"Siming, it's best not to let news of your Anbu Captain position out for now. I'm afraid Hiashi wouldn't be able to take it."

"Got it. I understand."

Uchiha Siming made an OK gesture: "But he'll find out sooner or later. When that happens, remember to clean up your own mess. If Hyuga Hiashi comes looking for trouble, I'll just beat him up."

Hiruzen Sarutobi: "..."

Good grief.

Was he really this casual when talking to him, the Hokage, now?

Still, beating up Hiashi wasn't that big a deal. Konoha might be one big family, but even within a family, friction was inevitable. Strength was always the foundation!

Siming was completely at ease. He and Hiruzen Sarutobi were now on the same generational level.

So he spoke freely, going with the flow.

"By the way, there's nothing much going on in the village lately. I'm planning to take a mission and look around outside while I'm at it."

Before, he hadn't left the village because he wasn't strong enough. Now, he was more than strong enough, and he wanted to go out and explore. Who could resist a trip that started on a whim?

"No, no. What are you thinking?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi quickly stopped him, his face troubled as he drew on his pipe, fear flickering in his eyes.

"The Uchiha Clan is like a powder keg ready to explode at any moment. If you're in the village, you can keep an eye on things. But if you're not here and something really happens, what then?"

Your own clan is about to blow the hell up.

"You still want to go traveling?!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi felt his heart pounding in his chest.

"Fine then."

Uchiha Siming shrugged helplessly. "Then help me bring Neji to the Anbu. Staying cooped up in the Hyuga Clan all day won't let him train properly."

His eyes were calm, yet occasionally flashed with sharp light. At this moment, the dagger was drawn.

Hiruzen Sarutobi instantly understood Siming's meaning.

This was to prevent him from refusing—by first proposing a difficult condition, making it seem less troublesome to bring Neji to the Anbu in comparison.

Tch.

Clever kid.

His political instincts were quite sharp.

"Fine, I agree. But you must also agree to keep an eye on the Uchiha Clan."

Hiruzen Sarutobi's voice was low, his face taking on a solemn edge.

"If anything unusual happens with the Uchiha Clan, you must report it to me immediately, and suppress any rebellion from the Uchiha Clan at once. Do you... understand?"

Reporting was simple.

But suppression was another matter entirely.

This meant that if any Uchiha clan member rebelled, he would have to personally kill them—kin slaying kin!

Just like Uchiha Itachi in the original story.

"As I said before."

Uchiha Siming's expression was calm, carrying an unyielding and enigmatic weight.

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

Whether it was an Uchiha clan member rebelling.

Or someone targeting the Uchiha.

"With those words, I can rest easy."

Hiruzen Sarutobi breathed a sigh of relief. From the moment Siming mastered Sage Mode, he had become a Kage-level expert. He could overlook an Elite Jonin like the Hyuga Clan head, but he could not ignore a Kage-level powerhouse!

Barring any accidents.

With Siming's political acumen, he was a shoo-in for the next Uchiha Clan head—worth investing in.

"I'm off."

Uchiha Siming waved his hand, and his figure vanished like a shadow, not even a sound left behind. This startled Hiruzen Sarutobi inwardly!

The Uchiha Clan's compound was too remote.

Beyond the Uchiha compound lay the village outskirts—essentially the position of a guard dog.

Falling from one of the three great clans to this.

No wonder Uchiha Fugaku was furious. Any normal Uchiha would feel the same.

Uchiha Siming's steps suddenly halted. His gaze fixed straight on a patch of shadow, like a hawk's eyes piercing through space to lock onto what lay behind it: "At this distance, can the Yamanaka Clan's secret technique even work?"

"I recall Shimura Danzō didn't plant the Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal on you, did he?"

His black eyes held inquiry and curiosity.

Slap.

From behind the shadow, Yamanaka Fu stepped out. His broad, honest face made him look steady, but his orange hair stood out conspicuously.

"Many people aren't bound by cursed seals. Lord Danzō's will is far stronger than you imagine."

Even when discovered, Yamanaka Fu showed no tension.

He remained calm and expressionless, continuing:

"Uchiha Siming, your perception is stronger than expected. But this is as far as you go."

The next instant.

He moved like a thunderbolt, drawing a short blade from behind him.

With immense force, he slashed down through the air, a blinding cold light stabbing into the eyes!