Do You Want to Understand the Meaning of Life? (Seeking Recommendations, Collections, and Powering Up for Love!)

At this moment, Konoha began to be filled with a different kind of rumor.

"You know, the Sharingan of the Uchiha Clan combined with the Wood Release of the Senju Clan can unleash unimaginable power when used together."

"The restraining effect of the Sharingan on Wood Release—the experimental process was truly shocking."

"I heard it was the Uchiha Clan that stole Hashirama Cells to conduct experiments."

"The Uchiha Clan has captured quite a few civilian ninjas in the village for human experimentation."

And so on, countless rumors, and the public sentiment began to shift.

The members of the Metropolitan Police Department, who were maintaining order, heard the news and quickly sent someone to notify their clan leader, while the others began arresting those spreading the rumors.

They prepared to drag them into the Police Force Prison to give them a proper "welcome."

At this time, Masaki Uchiha was leading Itachi Uchiha through training at the training grounds.

"Half of a teacher's strength lies in this physical body, so you must also train your body to inherit your teacher's mantle."

Itachi Uchiha was holding a horse stance, listening to his teacher explain the key points of the movement.

Sweat dripped from his forehead into the dust beneath his feet, and his thigh muscles throbbed with soreness, swelling, and pain.

Ever since he heard those words like "genius" and "taken away" yesterday, he had wanted to ask his teacher what exactly was wrong with the village.

Unable to contain his doubts, Itachi Uchiha gathered his courage and asked, "Teacher, is there someone in the village who specifically targets geniuses?"

Masaki Uchiha was stunned by the question, a smile appearing on his face as he said, "There is indeed such a person. I remember Uchiha Fugaku, the deputy clan leader, took you to experience the war last year, right?"

Uchiha Fugaku had been appointed as the deputy clan leader of the Uchiha Clan by Masaki Uchiha just yesterday, as a recognition of his work, or perhaps as compensation.

Seeing his teacher bring up the war, Itachi Uchiha couldn't help but lower his head, his tone heavy: "Yes, Father took me to the battlefield so I could feel the atmosphere in advance. After a series of events on the battlefield, I wanted to understand the meaning of life."

"You want to understand the meaning of life?"

Masaki Uchiha was taken aback by these words, then burst into laughter: "I happen to have a genjutsu called Infinite Terror; it can help you understand the meaning of life. Would you like to try it?"

"Eh? If possible, I would like to try." Itachi Uchiha was surprised; how could there be such a coincidental genjutsu?

But his desire to understand the meaning of life compelled him to agree.

Infinite Terror

With just one glance from Masaki Uchiha, Itachi Uchiha fell into the world of the genjutsu.

Well, I wonder how long you can last in that genjutsu world?

Resting his chin on his hand, Masaki Uchiha thought about how best to train Itachi next; after all, he was only five years old, and some plans could not be rushed.

Hm?

Someone is coming.

Masaki Uchiha sensed someone approaching and turned to look toward his front left.

A man wearing the Metropolitan Police Department combat uniform appeared.

"Clan Leader, the Metropolitan Police Department just learned that rumors about Sharingan and Wood Release experiments are spreading wildly throughout the village. The Chief sent me to ask how you would like to handle these rumors."

"Hahaha, it seems this is the handiwork of that old man Shimura Danzō. Pass the word down: the Police Force will not only ignore these rumors but will actively help spread them." Masaki Uchiha wished he could grab Shimura Danzō and kiss him right now; he was just handing him a pillow when he was feeling sleepy.

You want to pin this pot on the Uchiha Clan, but I, the Uchiha Clan, also want to pin this pot on your back.

When the time comes, we shall see whose back this pot ends up covering.

It is a pity that I have anticipated every step you take, Shimura Danzō.

This situation perfectly illustrates the saying, "The one who knows you best is not your friend, but your enemy."

"Yes." The clan member from the Metropolitan Police Department heard his leader's instructions and did not ask why.

Because the clan leader's decisions had never had a single flaw so far.

All the clan members believed that Masaki Uchiha could lead the Uchiha Clan to revival.

"Ah!" Itachi Uchiha let out a scream and woke up.

He was drenched in cold sweat, his chest heaving, looking as if he had been terrified to the core.

Even his eyes were stimulated into activating the two-tomoe Sharingan.

As expected, Itachi Uchiha's talent was worth affirming.

"How is it? Did you find the meaning of life?"

"I think I have found it," Itachi Uchiha replied like a robot.

"Then training ends here for today. Go back and see your family."

"Right, family... Sasuke..." Itachi Uchiha muttered to himself, then stood up and walked toward his home. His two-tomoe Sharingan seemed to have lost its luster, and he even forgot to say goodbye to Masaki Uchiha.

He was in a completely absent-minded state.

Did I add too much to that genjutsu just now? Masaki Uchiha wondered, rubbing his chin.

Just as Masaki Uchiha was thinking, the news of the Sharingan and Wood Release experiments in Konoha had spread like a hurricane; basically, everyone knew about it.

Everyone was buzzing with discussion about this matter.

Even Minato Namikaze urgently summoned Sarutobi Hiruzen to discuss countermeasures.

"Third Hokage, didn't we agree on this last time? Why are these rumors spreading everywhere again?" Minato Namikaze said, clearly dissatisfied.

Sarutobi Hiruzen hurriedly clarified, "This really wasn't Danzō's doing. After what happened last time, I ordered him to stay home and rest. This time, someone else must be stirring up trouble."

The one behind this incident was indeed not Shimura Danzō, but Koharu and Homura.

Oh, Danzō, Danzō, do you see? Now, whenever anything happens, you are the first person everyone thinks of.

This is the difference between a good reputation and a bad one.

With a reputation like yours, how could you ever have a chance to become Hokage?

Thinking of this, Sarutobi Hiruzen couldn't help but feel a tinge of pity for Shimura Danzō.

"We cannot let these rumors spread unchecked; they must be stopped."

"Kakashi, go to the Police Force and have them coordinate with the Anbu to put an end to these rumors together."

Minato Namikaze did not want to wait a single moment longer; if the rumors continued to spread, there was no telling if the Uchiha Clan might lose their minds.

Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes flickered, but he did not speak to stop him. Rumors were never that easy to suppress.

Minato was still too young.

Early the next morning, after saying goodbye to Mie, Masaki Uchiha gathered with his guards to meet up with the rest of the clansmen.

"Let's go. It's time to be elected as the leader of the Jonin Squad."

Masaki Uchiha said confidently, then led the active-duty jonin of the Uchiha Clan as they departed from the Uchiha Clan compound.

The clan had issued a notice yesterday to vote alongside the clan leader today.

At this moment, the ninjas following Masaki Uchiha were all high-spirited, wearing expressions that screamed their clan leader was destined to win—the look on their faces was enough to make anyone want to punch them.