Scheming

Inside the Uchiha Clan Head's residence.

"Clan Head, it seems that war between our village and Kumogakure is unavoidable this time."

A burly man dressed in a kimono sat kneeling on the tatami. In front of him sat a long table, upon which rested a porcelain cup emitting wisps of steam.

He picked up the teacup, took a sip, and said with concern:

"Tobirama Senju dared to send someone to assassinate Uchiha Ao; he must have found out about our secret cooperation with Kumogakure. The proposal to expand the Police Force is likely a lost cause now..."

"Setsuna, am I such a foolish person in your eyes?"

Uchiha Qiongyue feigned a pained expression and said, "Do you think if I truly wanted to kill the eldest grandson of the Senju Clan, I would have sent that piece of trash Uchiha Ao, and even left a survivor?"

"The Clan Head means..." Uchiha Setsuna suddenly looked up.

"Heh..."

Uchiha Qiongyue unhurriedly picked up his teacup, gently blew away the steam on top, and then gazed with deep, unfathomable eyes toward the entrance, at the fan emblem representing the Uchiha family crest.

"Do you think that even without this incident, what are the chances of our clan successfully expanding the Police Force?"

"Less than thirty percent," Uchiha Setsuna replied after a moment of contemplation.

Although Konohagakure was ostensibly led directly by the Senju Clan, it was founded at its inception by the joint efforts of Uchiha Madara and Hashirama Senju.

In terms of influence and strength, even if the Hyuga, Uzumaki, and other major clans were added together, they wouldn't amount to half of theirs.

Therefore, if their Uchiha Clan wanted to expand the Police Force, the other clans would certainly do their utmost to stop it; the proposal had basically no chance of success.

"Then aren't we just giving them an opportunity to attack us this time? When the time comes, whether it's the Sarutobi Clan or the Hyuga Clan, they will surely use this matter to force our clan to the front lines, and at that point..."

As he spoke, Uchiha Setsuna's eyes widened abruptly as he looked at the Clan Head, who remained smiling.

"Clan Head, you mean..."

Uchiha Qiongyue sat upright in the seat of honor, looking toward the direction of the Hokage Building: "This war is the perfect opportunity for our clan to rise. While other families are calculating how to preserve their strength, our clan will take the initiative to send a large number of elites into the war, perform meritorious deeds, and increase our prestige.

"When that time comes, we will propose the expansion of the Police Force to protect the village, and it will be a logical progression, supported by the will of the people. Even Tobirama Senju will be unable to openly oppose it."

Uchiha Setsuna was completely convinced: "Lord Clan Head is brilliant. As long as this plan can be successfully implemented, our clan's strength will surely reach a new level. However..."

As he spoke, he seemed to think of something, his expression showing a hint of hesitation.

"Are you worried about Kagami Uchiha?" Uchiha Qiongyue saw through his thoughts at a glance.

"Yes. Aside from myself, the only elite jonin our clan can mobilize is that guy, Kagami Uchiha. He is a disciple of Tobirama Senju. I fear that in this war, he might use this opportunity to be deployed and get rid of me..."

Uchiha Setsuna knew the Hokage's personality all too well. Unlike the open and forthright nature of Lord Hashirama Senju, the Hokage was just as cunning and calculating as the Clan Head standing before him.

If he were to go to the battlefield, the probability of him ending up with eight kunai in his back and being declared dead would be roughly ninety-eight percent.

"Rest assured."

Uchiha Qiongyue chuckled. "I have already prepared a contingency for you. That S-rank long-term surveillance mission on the Kumogakure border is yours. This mission has the highest priority and confidentiality; once you take it on, you cannot be redeployed even during wartime unless I personally recall you. As for Kagami Uchiha..."

He paused, then said with profound meaning, "The more he is Tobirama's student, the more he will be held over the fire at a time like this. Sending him is 'trust'; not sending him is 'suspicion.' Given Tobirama's personality, he will put on a show of this 'trust' for everyone to see."

"Thank you, Clan Head," Uchiha Setsuna said, bowing.

"Mm."

Uchiha Qiongyue seemed to suddenly recall something and asked casually, "Oh, speaking of which, how is that good-for-nothing Uchiha Ao doing? What is the Ninja Academy's stance on him?"

Hearing that name, Uchiha Setsuna scoffed as if he had heard a joke. "You mean that trash? I just received word before coming here; he has already been expelled from the Ninja Academy. He's probably holed up somewhere drowning his sorrows right now."

"Mm. When he returns to the clan compound, have him come see me. I'm sure that fellow Tobirama has a message for me," Uchiha Qiongyue said, taking a sip of tea as his final instruction.

"Yes!"

Uchiha Setsuna acknowledged the order and withdrew.

Uchiha Qiongyue sat alone in the room, gazing at a beam of light piercing through a gap in the dark clouds above the courtyard, and muttered:

"The sky has cleared. This game of chess is about to begin."

Six o'clock in the afternoon.

The sun was setting, the streetscape was picturesque, and the afterglow draped a thin veil of warm orange over the streets.

"Youth, burn bright!"

A child with thick eyebrows and large eyes, dressed in a moss-green bodysuit, was running frantically along the main road of Konoha.

As he ran, he performed various high-difficulty movements.

This was already his ninety-ninth lap, yet his stamina seemed inexhaustible, and he continued to run with wild intensity.

"Hey, kid, can you let me join you?"

Uchiha Ao had appeared from out of nowhere, silently keeping pace right behind Might Duy.

Might Duy used his heels to brake, yet even so, he skidded for a long distance, kicking up clouds of dust.

He turned his head and asked with a naive, goofy expression, "Who are you?"

As he spoke, he looked at Uchiha Ao's handsome face and the forehead protector casually tied around his arm, suddenly realizing:

"Oh, I know you! You're Teacher Sou from the Ninja Academy."

"..."

Uchiha opened his mouth, momentarily at a loss for words.

After all, having the same name as that great "artist" caught him a bit off guard.

Teacher Sou... er, no, Uchiha Ao gave two dry coughs, squeezed out a smile, and said:

"I'm not a teacher at the academy anymore. You can call me Brother Sou."

Might Duy seemed to understand something and nodded foolishly:

"Oh, I see. Then, Uncle Sou, is there something you need from me?"

"..."

Uchiha Ao felt his temple throbbing. He suppressed the urge to rub it, trying his best to keep his tone calm:

"Little brother, where are the adults in your family? I would like to ask them for some advice regarding Taijutsu."

He hadn't rushed back to his clan because he wanted to use his connection with Might Duy to obtain the Secret Technique known as the Eight Inner Gates.

After all, with his Heaven Rewards Diligence destiny, practicing Taijutsu was a relatively faster way to increase his strength.

As for whether this Secret Technique existed, he was quite confident.

After all, even that old fossil Uchiha Madara knew about it; it had likely existed for much longer than one might imagine.

However, when Might Duy heard this, the light in his eyes instantly dimmed. He lowered his head and stared at his toes.

"A few days ago, they sacrificed themselves while on a mission..."

"..."

Uchiha Ao was silent for a moment, then apologized: "I'm sorry, I didn't know you..."

"No, it's okay!"

Might Duy suddenly raised his head, sniffed his reddened nose hard, and wiped his face messily with his sleeve. Then, he forced a wide grin, revealing a row of sparkling teeth, even though his eyes were still a bit damp.

"My parents were heroes, and I am proud of them. They died on the path they chose!

My father often told me that in front of a man who has made his resolve, both pity and sorrow are insults to him.

Therefore, I will not be sad, because I will inherit their will and firmly walk the path I have chosen!"

Hearing these childish yet resolute words, Uchiha Ao felt a jolt in his heart and couldn't help but feel a sense of respect.

He took a deep breath, looking at the determined boy before him with a very solemn expression.

"You're right. Your father is a true man."

He patted Duy on the shoulder, his tone sincere. "If you run into any difficulties in life, come find me at the Uchiha Clan Compound. I can't promise much else, but I do have some money."

As for information regarding the Eight Inner Gates, he would have to give up on it for the time being.

After all, a child of only five or six years old hadn't even mastered the basics of Ninjutsu yet; he likely wouldn't know much about such a complex Secret Technique. He would have to revisit this later.

Might Duy flashed a toothy grin, his smile much more natural this time. "Thank you, Brother Sou."

This natural "Brother" made Uchiha Ao freeze for a moment before he shook his head and chuckled.

This little guy was actually quite sharp.

"I'm off. You keep training."

He turned to leave.

"W-wait! Brother Sou!"

Might Duy's timid, even slightly panicked voice came from behind him.

Uchiha Ao turned back to see the boy nervously twisting the hem of his shirt with both hands. His face was full of hesitation and longing, a stark contrast to the hot-blooded appearance he had just moments ago.

"Um... may I ask... could you... teach me Ninjutsu in private?

In return... the Taijutsu you want to learn... I, I might have a way to help you..."