Although Uchiha Yuji's actions this time had made Sarutobi Hiruzen lose face, Hiruzen had no intention of turning against him.
Arrogance, conceit, aloofness, and a penchant for going their own way—the Uchiha clan's bad habits had all been on full display.
The higher you climbed, the harder you fell. That was the lesson passed down by those who came before.
It was only a little embarrassment. Sarutobi Hiruzen didn't care much.
The Uchiha clan thought they were strong? Fine, let them think so. When war broke out again in the future, he'd have plenty of ways to send them to the battlefield.
To a battlefield that was nothing but a meat grinder.
As Hokage of the Hidden Leaf Village, he had that authority. The other clans naturally wouldn't want their people sent to the most dangerous front lines. As far as he was concerned, the Uchiha clan was just meat on the chopping block.
The biggest problem was still the man standing before him.
Sarutobi Hiruzen watched Uchiha Yuji leave with Uzumaki Kushina, his gaze deep and troubled.
That blade was too sharp. It had already wounded him, and he could no longer deal with Uchiha Yuji alone.
They were outmatched in terms of combat strength. A complete break with the Uchiha would only leave Konoha dangerously weakened. The war that had just ended would flare up again, and by then, he might not even be able to protect the village.
It was time to summon Orochimaru back. The scattered members of the Root needed a leader, too.
As for Jiraiya?
He was a good shinobi.
Inside Otsutsuki Ichiraku's ramen shop, Uzumaki Kushina looked at the steaming ramen before her and asked with concern, "Yuji, is it really all right to treat Lord Hokage like that?"
"It's fine. The Uchiha clan and the Hokage's faction have always had a tense relationship."
Uchiha Yuji waved a hand dismissively, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "The Uchiha clan has tried to kill the Hokage more than once."
Uzumaki Kushina froze. She wondered if she'd misheard him.
"Kill...the Hokage?"
Her shock tasted exceptionally delicious, too.
"Our predecessors wanted to claim the Hokage's seat, but various circumstances caused their plans to fail."
"Overall, you could call it cutthroat competition."
Having come from the Land of Whirlpools, Uzumaki Kushina didn't really understand the Uchiha clan's situation. But if she had to choose between Konoha and the Uchiha clan now, she was beginning to waver.
On one side was Konoha, which Grandma Uzumaki Mito, who had taught her about [love], cared about. On the other was the Uchiha clan, where Uchiha Yuji belonged.
"Don't worry, Kushina," Uchiha Yuji reassured her. "Our generation has no plans to kill the Third. At least, killing him in the near future wouldn't do our clan any good."
The near future.
Though Uzumaki Kushina was still young, she could hear what he meant.
When the time comes, we'll kill Sarutobi Hiruzen!
"Is it really all right to tell me this?" Uzumaki Kushina clutched the hem of her clothes. "This should be the Uchiha clan's strategy. Is it really okay to tell me?"
"It's fine."
"Even though we've only known each other for a few days, I've felt how sincere you are, Kushina. I can feel your true heart."
"I'm not very good with sweet words. I can only answer sincerity with sincerity. I'll return your feelings with the same feelings you've given me."
"I trust you, Kushina, just as you trust me."
Zetton had truly conveyed Uzumaki Kushina's feelings to him. Faced with those emotions, all Uchiha Yuji could do was respond in kind.
Unlike her, who knew so little, he knew much more. He also understood her better than she understood herself. He was a sly man.
Listening to Uchiha Yuji, Uzumaki Kushina couldn't help looking at him. Her reflection shone in his dark eyes, which were filled with sincerity.
That sincerity made her blush.
"You're too sly, Yuji."
The scales in her heart tipped further and further toward the Uchiha, until, at that moment, they outweighed Konoha entirely. After all, Konoha wasn't her village, and there were all sorts of unpleasant people living there.
"Hey, are you two not going to eat your ramen?" The young Teuchi looked at the couple with mild annoyance. "If you keep talking, it'll be past its best."
"Sorry, sorry." Uchiha Yuji hurriedly apologized and began slurping down his ramen.
In this world, nothing was more precious than delicious food, and nothing should ever be wasted.
The sounds of slurping rang out loudly. Before long, the two of them had finished eating. They'd just enjoyed a delicious meal, but Uzumaki Kushina had her head lowered, lost in thought.
"What's wrong, Kushina?"
Uchiha Yuji had never been very good at understanding girls, and he didn't want to guess what they were thinking.
Sometimes, girls' thoughts really were impossible to understand.
Perhaps she had finally made up her mind. Uzumaki Kushina suddenly lifted her head, grabbed Uchiha Yuji's hand, and pulled him out of the shop.
They pushed through the dense crowd, ran along the street, and ducked into a small, deserted forest nearby.
Perhaps her thoughts were weighing too heavily on her, or perhaps it was something else, but Uzumaki Kushina's heart pounded at an astonishing speed, its rhythm loud in the quiet surroundings.
She lightly bit her lip. After hesitating for a moment, she squared her shoulders, then lowered her head and avoided Uchiha Yuji's gaze. "Yuji, the truth is, I'm a Jinchuriki. I'm the Nine-Tails' Jinchuriki."
"So what? I've known for a long time."
"Eh?"
Uzumaki Kushina abruptly raised her head and met Uchiha Yuji's gaze. She stammered, mouth hanging open. "But it's a Tailed Beast! It's the Nine-Tails!"
"It's a Tailed Beast like a natural disaster!" she repeated, emphasizing each word.
Uchiha Yuji answered calmly, "So what? Kushina is Kushina. You've shown me your true feelings. You're you, not the Nine-Tails."
"But a Tailed Beast is a natural disaster! Even I don't know when I might suddenly lose control."
Uchiha Yuji covered her mouth with his hand, stopping her unfinished words.
"You won't hurt me, Kushina."
"I won't let the Nine-Tails hurt you."
For some reason, though he had black hair and black eyes, Uchiha Yuji seemed especially radiant and dazzling in Uzumaki Kushina's eyes, bright enough to make her want to draw closer.
"Kushina, you have your worries. I have one of my own, too."
"If I lose in a fight against the Hokage one day, will you protect me?" Uchiha Yuji asked, pretending to look troubled.
"I'll protect you!"
"I'll beat that old geezer! I'll pound him until he can barely move! I'll stand by your side forever!"
Her vivid red hair fluttered as she spoke with unwavering resolve. Her clenched fist and fiery eyes revealed her determination. She showed him her truest self without reservation.
She showed him the side of her known as the Bloody Habanero.
The deliciousness of this emotion surpassed anything else in the world.
Before you continue