Setsuna Uchiha: Am I also a part of your creation?!

"And then?"

Shisui was stunned.

Only then did he realize that not only himself, but even the elders in the clan had never considered this aspect of the problem.

"How many of those ninja clans would stand on the side of the Uchiha? Would the civilians of Konoha be willing to submit to Uchiha rule?! Would the Daimyo of the Land of Fire be willing to hand Konoha over to the Uchiha?!"

"Would other forces near the Land of Fire take advantage of the situation to invade?!"

"Even with your vision, you should be able to see this layer, right?!"

Shisui's gaze narrowed slightly.

He began to understand.

Even if Setsuna Uchiha had successfully replaced the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, back then, what he would have faced next would only be an even more difficult desperate situation.

The future of the Uchiha would not only fail to become better because of this, but it might even drag the entire Konoha into an endless abyss.

In the distance.

The two people beside the bookstore had fallen silent at this moment.

Setsuna Uchiha lowered his head, his eyes fixed tightly on Uchiha Shingen.

If he had originally only thought that Uchiha Shingen's personality was like the Nara clan, and perhaps he also possessed the innate wisdom of the Nara clansmen.

Then now, he was certain that at least in terms of vision, even most of the Nara clan would never be able to do better than Uchiha Shingen.

Setsuna Uchiha himself had only figured out why the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, had looked at him with that kind of gaze back then after being imprisoned for several years.

Because a coup d'état was never the goal, but a means!

For the Uchiha, this was even more true!

If one could not quickly control the entire Konoha after replacing its high-level officials, the best result would only be to tear Konoha apart completely.

"Shingen-kun, he is far more mature than most people think, and he wants to ease the relationship between Konoha and the Uchiha even more."

Jiraiya stared at the old man in front of him, his tone unconsciously carrying a bit of sincerity:

"I don't want what he wants to do to be ruined by any accident, otherwise I will spare no cost..."

"To kill you!"

Setsuna Uchiha did not answer. He stared at Uchiha Shingen for a long time before slowly withdrawing his gaze and turning to look at Jiraiya:

"I heard from my clansmen that although this kid hasn't taken the exam yet, he already has the combat power of a Jonin, and in the future, he might be able to push the Sharingan to a higher level."

"Coupled with this keen insight..."

"Take my advice, you can't handle this kid; he was born to be my successor."

"With my support, it is not impossible for him to become the head of the Uchiha in the future, or even become the Hokage."

"..."

Jiraiya's old face darkened.

Old guy!

You're trying to poach someone right under my nose, aren't you?!

And talking about becoming the Uchiha clan head, becoming the Hokage...

Heh!

That's because you don't understand him at all; this kid only thinks about making money and slacking off in the Police Force!

"That won't require your concern."

"I know my own disciple well enough!"

Setsuna Uchiha raised his chin and looked at Jiraiya with a proud expression:

"As an outsider, how could you know the capabilities of the Uchiha? You will only hold him back; I am the one with the ability to support him toward a higher position!"

"You can't stop him from moving toward better people, can you?!"

"Wait!"

Jiraiya suddenly raised his hand, interrupting Setsuna Uchiha, and then, to the latter's surprised gaze, took a notebook out of his pocket:

"What did you just say? The last sentence!"

Although Setsuna Uchiha did not know what Jiraiya was up to.

But seeing him look so humble and willing to learn, even taking notes, he mistakenly thought that Jiraiya had been moved by him.

He immediately became more patient and said:

"You can't stop him from running toward better people!"

"Yes! Yes! Yes!"

"That's the vibe!"

Jiraiya nodded vigorously, his pen flying across his notebook as he spoke:

"I was just wondering what Shirako's lover should say to provoke her husband for maximum impact!"

"Now I've got it!"

"There's no line more shameless or devastating than the one you just gave me!"

Setsuna Uchiha froze, and when the meaning finally sank in, his old face turned green on the spot:

"You brat, you go too far! Do you really think this old man's blade has grown dull?!"

He truly couldn't fathom how the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen—though small in stature—had managed to be a man of some standing back when he served under the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju.

How could he have raised such a creature?!

Setsuna Uchiha made a move to draw his blade, but the moment his hand touched the hilt, he stiffened.

Uchiha Shingen, who had been chatting with Shisui by the street, had approached at some point.

He looked at Setsuna Uchiha, who was in the middle of drawing his sword, then glanced at Jiraiya, frowning:

"Old man, what did you say to this elder to get him so worked up?!"

Seeing this, Setsuna Uchiha's expression improved immediately.

See that!

Blood is thicker than water in the Uchiha clan; even if he hasn't recognized my identity, this instinct to protect a clansman is etched into his very nature.

"Nothing much."

Jiraiya was in the throes of a creative breakthrough, scribbling away without looking up, his words muffled:

"We were just chatting about writing."

"Writing?!"

Uchiha Shingen was immediately intrigued:

"No wonder this elder came straight to the tea table you set up. So he's a fellow professional, is he?!"

"Come to think of it, while I've been training lately, some novel ideas have been popping into my head too."

Upon learning that the old man was also in the same line of work, Uchiha Shingen lost all his reservations.

He poured himself a cup of tea, plopped down into a seat, and began discussing his ideas with Jiraiya right then and there.

"The character design for Shirako's husband could use some tweaks. Your previous version was too mediocre; it completely lacked that sense of tension..."

"Hiss!"

"Now that's something!"

"It really has to be you, kid. In terms of creativity and depth, you're the best person I've ever met!"

"I acknowledge you!"

Setsuna Uchiha sat to the side, listening to the two of them discuss their "creative work" with such fervor. His face grew darker and darker, and the corner of his mouth began to twitch uncontrollably.

If he had initially only wanted to try and replace Jiraiya as Uchiha Shingen's mentor, that desire had now reached its peak.

What the hell have you been teaching him?

What kind of teacher doesn't pass down ninjutsu, but instead drags people around to write smut all day? He's still a minor!

If it weren't for your attitude just now, I would have thought this was a conspiracy by Hiruzen to corrupt an Uchiha genius!

Bang!

Fuming, Setsuna Uchiha crushed the teacup in his hand for the third time.

Listening to the filth pouring into his ears, his old face turned bright red—whether from excitement or rage, he couldn't tell.

He wanted to leave immediately, but thinking of the talent Uchiha Shingen had displayed, he couldn't bear to see such a fine seed ruined in Jiraiya's hands!

It was definitely not because he wanted to hear more!