You Regret My Shadow

Uchiha Setsuna's gaze grew sharper as he said in a heavy tone, "Ying Yue, you are the dual-bloodline heir of the Uchiha and the Senju. If you can become Hokage, you will be able to completely change the fate of the Uchiha Clan."

"We no longer need to endure the fate of being discriminated against and suppressed; instead, we can regain sovereignty over the village. You have the potential to lead us, the Uchiha, out of this predicament."

Uchiha Ying Yue took a deep breath, fully aware of what Setsuna's proposal implied.

Becoming Hokage meant shouldering the responsibility for the entire village, and it also meant facing countless challenges and hostilities.

Moreover, this was not merely a personal choice; it concerned the future of the Uchiha Clan and the entire Konoha Village.

Uchiha Setsuna looked at Ying Yue, his tone softening with a rare touch of gentleness: "Ying Yue, if you choose to become Hokage, I can guarantee that the Hawks of the Uchiha Clan will support you with all their might. We possess immense power and resources; as long as you are willing, we will help you ascend to the position of Hokage smoothly."

Uchiha Ying Yue remained silent for a moment, his mind racing as he pondered Setsuna's words.

Ying Yue understood that while Setsuna's proposal was filled with temptation, it was also accompanied by immense risk.

Once Ying Yue accepted this, it meant he would stand at the center of power in Konoha Village, pitted against countless factions.

"Why me?" Ying Yue finally spoke, his tone laced with confusion. "There are many powerful individuals within the Uchiha Clan; why choose me?"

Setsuna smiled slightly, as if he had long expected Ying Yue to ask this: "It is precisely because you are a half-blood of the Uchiha and Senju, and have awakened Senju Hashirama's Wood Release, that you possess a unique advantage. Your very existence is a symbol—a symbol of reconciliation between the Uchiha and the Senju. Furthermore, your talent is unparalleled, and your future achievements will be limitless."

Uchiha Ying Yue nodded, understanding Uchiha Setsuna's meaning.

His bloodline indeed granted him a special status in the village, which also made Ying Yue an ideal candidate.

Yet, Uchiha Ying Yue still felt conflicted, for he did not want to become a pawn to be manipulated.

Uchiha Ying Yue fell into deep thought; he understood the profound implications in Setsuna's words and realized that he might be the key figure to change the Uchiha Clan's destiny.

However, Ying Yue also knew that the position of Hokage could not be obtained through support alone; the path was fraught with risks and uncertainty.

"Elder Setsuna, I am very grateful for your trust and support," Ying Yue said slowly. "But becoming Hokage is no simple matter. I need time to consider it, and I also need to continuously improve myself during this process to be capable of shouldering such a responsibility."

Uchiha Setsuna nodded slightly, revealing a look of gratification: "That you can think so calmly gives me even more confidence in you. Ying Yue, the Uchiha Clan will be behind you. If you decide to become Hokage, I will support you without reservation. If you choose another path, we will also respect your decision."

Uchiha Ying Yue felt Setsuna's sincerity; he knew this was not just an attempt to win him over, but a manifestation of expectation and entrustment.

"I will not let the Uchiha Clan down," Ying Yue said solemnly. "No matter what path I ultimately choose, I will strive for the future of our clan."

Uchiha Setsuna nodded with satisfaction and rose to leave: "Ying Yue, you are the hope of the Uchiha Clan. Regardless of what the future holds, I believe you will make the most correct decision."

Uchiha Ying Yue watched Setsuna depart.

Not long after the meeting between Uchiha Setsuna and Ying Yue concluded, Root ninjas quietly slipped away from the shadows, recording everything on scrolls.

These agile ninjas were elites belonging to Konoha Village's Root, tasked with monitoring individuals who might pose a threat to the village, and the Uchiha Clan and Uchiha Ying Yue were clearly on their watch list.

Shortly thereafter, the intelligence regarding Uchiha Setsuna's contact with Uchiha Ying Yue was swiftly delivered to the leader of Root—Shimura Danzo.

Danzo read the report carefully, his expression gradually darkening.

Uchiha Setsuna was the leader of the Uchiha Clan's Hawks and had once assassinated the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama; he was an extremely dangerous figure in Danzo's eyes.

As for Uchiha Ying Yue, as the dual-bloodline heir of the Senju and Uchiha who displayed astonishing Wood Release talent, Danzo immediately realized that the contact between these two was far from simple.

"Uchiha Setsuna and Ying Yue... this is definitely not an ordinary meeting," Danzo muttered to himself, a sinister glint flashing in his eyes.

He had inherited Senju Tobirama's prejudice against the Uchiha Clan, believing them to be inherently evil and a source of instability for Konoha Village.

The contact between Uchiha Setsuna and Ying Yue made Danzo feel a potential threat.

"The Wood Release talent displayed by Uchiha Ying Yue... if only it could be used for my purposes..." Danzo's thoughts raced, and a plan began to form in his mind.

Shimura Danzo not only wanted to strengthen surveillance on Ying Yue but also hoped to recruit him into Root, making him a pawn under his control.

With this in mind, Danzo decided to meet with Sarutobi Hiruzen immediately to discuss the matter.

The next morning, Danzo arrived at the Hokage's office, his visit catching Sarutobi Hiruzen by surprise.

"Danzo, what is it?" Sarutobi Hiruzen looked up, setting aside the documents in his hand, and asked calmly.

Danzo's face was grim as he walked straight up to Sarutobi Hiruzen and said, "Hiruzen, Root intelligence has discovered that Uchiha Setsuna is attempting to win over Uchiha Ying Yue. The contact between these two is unusual, especially Setsuna; he once assassinated Teacher Tobirama and remains the most dangerous Hawk within the Uchiha Clan."

Sarutobi Hiruzen's brow furrowed; Danzo's mention of Uchiha Setsuna indeed made him uneasy.

Uchiha Setsuna's extreme methods and hawkish stance had always been a hidden danger in the village, but he did not rush to express his position.

Shimura Danzo continued, "Ying Yue has displayed an incredibly powerful Wood Release talent. If such power is controlled by the Uchiha Clan, it will likely pose a massive threat to the village. We cannot sit idly by; we must strengthen surveillance on Ying Yue, and it would be best to incorporate him into Root to keep him firmly under our control."

Sarutobi Hiruzen remained silent for a moment, carefully weighing Danzo's words.

Uchiha Ying Yue was indeed a special existence, but Sarutobi Hiruzen also understood that handing over such a talented young ninja to Danzo's Root was not a wise choice.

"Danzo, I know what you are worried about," Sarutobi Hiruzen said, his tone peaceful yet firm. "But Ying Yue is a talented young ninja. I hope he can grow in a bright environment rather than being forcibly pulled into the dark Root. The Wood Release talent he has shown should become the new branches of our Konoha Village, not the roots hidden underground."

Danzo's expression grew increasingly dark; he was clearly dissatisfied with Sarutobi Hiruzen's response.

Danzo said, word for word, "Hiruzen, you are too soft. The ambition of the Uchiha Clan has never changed; they will always be a hidden danger in the village. If we do not take precautions in advance, we will pay a heavy price in the future."

Sarutobi Hiruzen met Danzo's gaze calmly, his tone carrying a hint of warning: "Dan