Uchiha Clan Head

Qingcheng had already thought it through. Given Danzo's personality, he would definitely find a way to kill him in the future. Before his strength had grown, he needed an identity to serve as an umbrella. Otherwise, he would surely disappear for no reason at all.

Becoming the Uchiha Clan Head was that identity. As long as he bore that title, just like the heads of Konoha's other ninja clans, they would not be able to kill him recklessly unless he posed a threat to Konoha.

The Third Hokage wore a kindly expression and said with a smile, "In three days, I will deliver the compensation to the Uchiha compound."

The Uchiha Clan's former compound had been in the center of the village. After the Nine-Tails Attack, they had been driven to the village outskirts. This, too, had been Danzo and the Third Hokage laying the groundwork to completely marginalize the Uchiha Clan.

There was nothing inherently wrong with the Uchiha Clan. They were simply proud by nature, but they were not bad people. They understood love better than even the Senju Clan. Yet once they lost that love, they became extreme, awakened the Sharingan, and gradually turned into arrogant maniacs.

Especially under the village's unreasonable suppression and indirect targeting, they had gradually been pushed to extremes and prepared to launch a coup. But honestly, anyone normal would resist under that kind of pressure, let alone the proud Uchiha.

Qingcheng had returned to the village center because it was safer there. With the other major clans nearby, Danzo's Root would not dare act recklessly.

The moment Qingcheng saw that the Third Hokage had agreed, he was overjoyed. With a delighted expression, he said, "Thank you, Third Hokage. You truly are as great as the First Hokage. May good people live in peace all their lives. Arigato."

The Third Hokage exchanged a few more pleasantries, then left the hospital room in great satisfaction. He smiled at Qingcheng again and said, "Once you are discharged, you can take over as the Uchiha Clan Head."

Qingcheng immediately buttered him up again. "Third Hokage, you are the kindest Hokage I have ever met. If the First Hokage knew in the afterlife, he would definitely be especially happy."

The Third Hokage waved his hand again and said solemnly, "Clan Head Qingcheng, rest well. We will take our leave first."

With that, the Third Hokage and his group left the hospital room and thoughtfully closed the door behind them.

Watching the Third Hokage and Danzo leave, Qingcheng finally let out a breath of relief. He wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and thought, Facing that beast Danzo, once my system reward arrives, I'll smash you to death first.

As the Konoha Elders walked down the hospital corridor, Danzo said angrily, "Hiruzen, why did you agree to his request? He may be a good-for-nothing, but he is still an Uchiha. What if he threatens Konoha in the future?"

The Third Hokage said with a serious expression, "Qingcheng-kun is an Uchiha who has inherited the Will of Fire. He will not threaten Konoha."

Danzo said furiously, "Hiruzen, you will regret this." With that, he snorted coldly and left, leaning on his cane.

Homura Mitokado asked seriously, "Sarutobi, is there some hidden truth here? Was the Uchiha Clan attacked by Danzo?"

Utatane Koharu spoke with a face full of confusion. "Hiruzen! The Uchiha Clan is one of Konoha's major clans. If their entire clan is suddenly wiped out, it will cause unnecessary panic."

Homura Mitokado looked grave as he thought, We're all Konoha Elders, yet you only hook fingers with Danzo and leave us out of it.

What were Konoha Advisors for? They existed specifically to oppose things. If you had a good plan, they opposed it. If you had a good policy, they opposed that too. As long as someone spoke during a meeting, they only needed to object.

Thus, Homura immediately spoke up in opposition. "We cannot continue targeting the Uchiha Clan. Once the other ninja villages learn that Konoha has lost the Uchiha Clan and its strength has greatly declined, they will definitely take advantage of the situation."

Sarutobi said seriously, "Put Uchiha Itachi on the wanted list and offer an S-rank Missing-nin bounty."

Utatane Koharu said solemnly, "We must also issue an announcement stating that it was Uchiha Itachi's personal action and had nothing whatsoever to do with Konoha's upper ranks."

The Third Hokage nodded, exhaled a ring of smoke, and said softly, "Send ANBU to continue monitoring every move of the Uchiha Clan."

Homura objected, "We should show the Uchiha Clan some appropriate care. If we blindly suppress them, it will only backfire."

Hiruzen Sarutobi said with great seriousness, "Give Uchiha Sasuke a little incentive. Konoha still needs Uchiha who can be put to use."

Homura Mitokado objected, "The incentive should be given to Uchiha Qingcheng."

Utatane Koharu objected, "Neither should receive it. Let the two fight for it themselves and see who gets the incentive."

Hiruzen said seriously, "Tell Uchiha Sasuke that Konoha agrees to restore the Uchiha Clan. As for the position of clan head, he and Qingcheng can decide it between themselves."

Lying in his hospital bed, Qingcheng thought solemnly, I still need to keep acting for a few days and make Konoha's upper ranks completely believe that I'm just an ordinary person. Then I can slowly activate mechanization.

Qingcheng had already felt the benefits of the Strong Kidney and Body Strengthening talent. He had taken three stabs to the chest, yet he had already recovered halfway.

Just then, the hospital room door was pushed open. A seven-year-old child walked in and said angrily, "You're just a dead last. What right do you have to become the Uchiha Clan Head? Can you kill that man and avenge the Uchiha Clan?"

Qingcheng looked at the black-haired child before him. His eyes were bloodshot as he glared furiously at Qingcheng, on the verge of awakening the One-Tomoe Sharingan.

Qingcheng laughed loudly, then his expression suddenly changed.

With a serious face, he said, "I can let you be the Uchiha Clan Head too, but can you produce descendants for the Uchiha Clan? Do you have that kind of ability, Sasuke?"

Sasuke looked astonished. He lowered his head to look at his crotch, then said in bewilderment, "Then can you avenge the Uchiha Clan?"

Qingcheng said seriously, "What good is revenge? Can it revive the Uchiha Clan? We Uchiha should have more clan members. Only then can our clan be restored."

Sasuke was rendered speechless. He stared blankly at Qingcheng, then emphasized again, "Then what are we supposed to do about the Uchiha Clan's revenge?"

Qingcheng looked at little Sasuke. He was still adorable, with a baby face, and easy to fool. Smiling, Qingcheng said, "Wait for the right time, place, and people. When we find an opportunity, smash your brother to death."

Sasuke shouted angrily, "He isn't my brother! His name is Itachi, and he is unworthy of being called an Uchiha!"

Qingcheng said very seriously, "You're right about all of that. But I'm the clan head. Once you're strong enough, I'll agree to let you leave the village and kill that man who murdered his father and mother."

Sasuke regained his composure and said proudly, "Remember this. Once I'm strong enough, let me leave the village and kill that man."

Qingcheng was greatly surprised. He had only just become clan head, yet Sasuke already knew. Someone must have secretly prompted him, wanting him and Sasuke to fight.

Little Sasuke already had the strength of a genin, while Qingcheng had no Chakra. He really could not beat Sasuke. If Sasuke lost his mind, Qingcheng would end up back in a hospital bed.

Qingcheng immediately played the emotional card. "Sasuke, we are the only Uchiha left. If the Uchiha Clan is to prosper, someone has to step forward. As for the clan head, he must undertake the task of reproducing the clan. Clearly, you have that ability."

Hearing Qingcheng's words, Sasuke looked extremely smug. He glanced at his thigh and said indifferently, "Indeed, you are more suited for the position of clan head than I am."

Qingcheng said with a smile, "You can serve as deputy clan head. One of us will be the head and the other the deputy. Together, we will definitely revive the Uchiha Clan, which has been passed down for thousands of years."

The ANBU members were all stunned. "A seven-year-old deputy clan head? This Uchiha dead last has really gone mad."

Another ANBU laughed. "One is a dead last, and the other is mentally paralyzed. Thinking they can revive the Uchiha Clan is nothing but wishful thinking."

Sasuke said seriously, "Clan Head, I will definitely cooperate with you and rebuild the Uchiha Clan."

Qingcheng said with a smile, "We're family. No need to be so formal. Just call me big brother."

Sasuke asked expectantly, "Big Brother Qingcheng, our Uchiha Clan will definitely be rebuilt, right?"

Looking at Sasuke's eager expression, Qingcheng thought, He still loves the Uchiha Clan, just like those people whose loyalties are crooked.

They could not distinguish between a clan and a village. What use was a village without a clan? Besides, who did Konoha belong to now? Wasn't it the Sarutobi Clan's?

During the Fourth Hokage's era, not a single Uchiha had called for a coup. Even during the Nine-Tails Attack, every member of the Uchiha Clan had wanted to join the battle and help the Fourth Hokage suppress the Nine-Tails.

It was only because Hiruzen Sarutobi had Danzo suppress the Uchiha Clan that calls for a coup had been provoked. In the end, those calls grew louder and louder. Danzo had long been obsessed with the power of the Sharingan and could not have wished for anything better.

Qingcheng said with a smile, "Sasuke, teach me the Chakra Cultivation Technique and the Great Fireball Technique. I'll see if I can cultivate Chakra."

Sasuke was equally astonished and said worriedly, "Big Brother Qingcheng, you don't even know the Chakra Cultivation Technique?"

Ten minutes later, Qingcheng still could not grasp the Chakra Cultivation Technique. With black lines across his face, he said to Sasuke, "Go back to your hospital room first. Remember to close the door for me."

Sasuke said in surprise, "Big Brother Qingcheng, you simply can't become a ninja. At this point, I can only rely on myself to kill that man."

With that, he left Qingcheng's bedside and shut the door behind him.

The ANBU ninja monitoring Qingcheng relayed the news that Qingcheng had been training but could not cultivate Chakra to the Third Hokage.

Inside the Hokage's Office, Danzo and the Third Hokage were discussing the matter. Danzo said seriously, "Giving those two useless Uchiha so much compensation is a waste. It would be best to kill them in secret."

The Third Hokage puffed on his pipe and said softly, "We cannot lay hands on the village's comrades. Qingcheng-kun is an outstanding Uchiha."

Upon hearing this, Danzo wore a deep expression and thought, I can't make a move against Uchiha Qingcheng inside the village. Hiruzen, you really are darker than I am. Compared to me, you're more suited to be Root's leader.

The Third Hokage looked at the secret report and said meaningfully, "Uchiha Sasuke is the future of the Uchiha Clan."

Danzo looked solemn. "He truly is a dead last." He looked at his own arm again and thought, Once their Uchiha Clan is rebuilt, I can replenish my Sharingan once more.

Hiruzen Sarutobi said seriously, "Continue monitoring them. Konoha cannot allow another person like Uchiha Madara to appear."

The ANBU wearing a fox mask replied solemnly, "Understood, Third Hokage."

Hearing the Third Hokage's words, Danzo's face filled with mockery as he thought, Wasn't Uchiha Itachi personally taught by you?