My Uchiha Clan Will Never Have Anything to Do with Him

!?

What are you doing with your finger?

Waving your finger at a man and telling him he's no good? That's a pretty brutal insult, isn't it?

What?

He's only twelve?

Oh, then never mind.

Ye Ning pretended not to hear Tsunade's taunt.

Ignoring that last taunt, Ye Ning had to admit that Tsunade's analysis was spot-on. He knew his weaknesses were genjutsu and taijutsu, but he was still a little shocked.

The fight just now had been very brief, and most of the time Tsunade had been attacking while he ran away.

Even so, Tsunade had managed to spot his weaknesses in that short time.

Was this a shinobi's powers of observation and judgment?

Yikes... terrifying!

"Alright, let's go. I'll treat you to barbecue. Training starts tomorrow!"

Tsunade yawned and stretched lazily. Then the corner of her mouth lifted as she looked back and said,

"Tell me, you're not that weak, are you? Can you walk?"

Ye Ning was at a loss for words.

That sounded so wrong!

He'd just used up a lot of chakra and stamina. It wasn't like she'd completely drained him!

Ye Ning rolled his eyes and followed Tsunade out of the ruins.

Neither of them had any sense to bring up the house again.

It had already collapsed. Did they expect two lazy people to rebuild it?

As for where they'd sleep tonight...

With so many empty houses in the Senju Clan Grounds, surely they could find somewhere to stay.

"Lord Hokage. Lady Tsunade and Ye Ning left the Senju Clan Grounds together. They seemed... to be getting along."

The Third Hokage gazed out the bright window and silently nodded.

Ever since Tsunade had returned to the village after the Second Shinobi World War, she had shut herself away in the Senju Clan Grounds and refused to see anyone. It was as though she had closed herself off completely. She only came out once or twice to buy alcohol.

Her younger brother, her clan members, and her lover had all died one after another. The blow had been far too devastating...

Perhaps Ye Ning's arrival was a good thing.

At the very least, with Ye Ning keeping her company, Tsunade seemed happier now.

He hoped Tsunade could move on from her grief...

The Third Hokage let out a long sigh and waved his hand.

"Go summon the heads of the major shinobi clans."

"Everyone, I called you here today because there's something I need to make clear."

The Third Hokage looked around at the heads of the various clans seated around the long table, carefully choosing his words.

"The Daimyo paid us an unexpected visit yesterday. You should all know that. Though the Daimyo left Konoha under the protection of the Anbu Ninja, his only son remained in the village."

The Third Hokage put special emphasis on "only son," making sure the clan heads understood Ye Ning's importance.

Seeing them all look thoughtful, he continued,

"The Daimyo's only son is named Ye Ning, and he is now a Konoha shinobi. I want to remind you all that Konoha's stable development depends on the Daimyo's generous support. So I hope you'll avoid unnecessary conflict with Ye Ning, both for the sake of your own clans and for Konoha as a whole."

"If a conflict does arise, report it immediately. I can't bear the Daimyo's wrath, and neither can Konoha."

As he spoke, the Third Hokage's gaze fell on Uchiha Fugaku.

Uchiha Fugaku was only twenty-two years old and the only person present who hadn't come as a clan head. Though he wasn't clan head yet, most of the Uchiha Clan's affairs had already been entrusted to him, and he had earned considerable standing among his clan.

It was only a matter of time before he took over as clan head.

Of all Konoha's clans, the one the Third Hokage worried about most was the Uchiha Clan, which controlled the Police Force.

As long as he warned the other clans, they were unlikely to provoke Ye Ning. But there was no guarantee the Uchiha Clan would hold back.

Who knew what those emotionally volatile lunatics might do?

Besides, the Police Force was the department most likely to come into conflict with Ye Ning.

If anything happened during a clash, the Daimyo wouldn't care which clan or department was to blame. He would direct his fury at Konoha.

So the Uchiha Clan had to be kept in check.

Better yet, they should never cross paths at all!

Uchiha Fugaku keenly noticed the Third Hokage's unusual gaze, and his brow furrowed almost imperceptibly.

He hated that look.

He had seen it countless times growing up.

The village leadership, shinobi from other clans, and even the villagers all looked at him that way. Without exception.

He wanted to change things, but didn't know how.

Of course, he understood what those shinobi and villagers feared. He also understood the Third Hokage's concerns.

Without waiting for the Third Hokage to speak, Uchiha Fugaku said,

"My Uchiha Clan will never have anything to do with him. Please rest assured, Lord Hokage. I'll make sure to keep my clan members in line."

With Uchiha Fugaku's assurance, the Third Hokage finally breathed a sigh of relief.

As long as the Uchiha Clan didn't start any trouble, surely no one else would be foolish enough to provoke Ye Ning.

The Third Hokage's expression stiffened as he suddenly thought of his own arrogant, spoiled son.

If there was anyone else who might provoke Ye Ning, it would have to be his own incorrigible son!

If that little brat ever crossed Ye Ning, he wouldn't even know where to go to cry about it!

Konoha, barbecue restaurant.

The corner of Ye Ning's mouth had twitched more times than he could count.

Ever since he met Tsunade, it had been happening an awful lot.

There was a whole table of alcohol and only five plates of meat. Was she sure she'd invited him for barbecue and not just wanted to drink?

Ye Ning leaned back instinctively and eyed Tsunade warily.

"I'm warning you, if you get drunk this time, don't try to make me drink with you again. If we both pass out here, no one will be able to take you home."

"Relax, relax. Someone else is coming to drink with us later. I won't be the only one drinking." Tsunade looked disdainful as she picked up a bottle and downed it. "Look at how scared you are."

"Someone else is coming?"

Ye Ning looked puzzled.

He didn't remember Tsunade inviting anyone else.

Who else could be coming?

Could it be Jiraiya?

Wait, that didn't seem right. Wasn't Jiraiya in the Land of Rain at this time?

"Stop guessing. That person actually has a bit of a connection to you."