Compared to the Senju compound, Uchiha Clan Head Uchiha Hirotomo sat cross-legged on the floor in the Uchiha Clan Compound, listening to Uchiha Kiyoshi's report. When he heard that the commander of the battle had officially been Tsunade, but that in truth it had been Uchiha Xiao of the Uchiha Clan, his eyes lit up.
He looked at his six-year-old son sitting beside him, so prim and proper. He sighed. His son Fugaku was wonderful in every way, but he was so serious that it really worried him.
Uchiha Hirotomo didn't send Uchiha Kiyoshi away. Instead, right in front of him, he asked Uchiha Fugaku, "What do you think of this?"
Uchiha Fugaku bowed. "I think Uchiha Xiao did the right thing. Our Uchiha Clan is in the spotlight right now. We should keep a low profile and let the clan recover."
Uchiha Hirotomo's face darkened, and he gave Uchiha Fugaku a sharp slap on the head. Uchiha Fugaku was stunned. He looked at his father in confusion, silently asking whether he'd said something wrong.
Uchiha Hirotomo snorted. "Then tell me, why did Uchiha Xiao give up the credit?" Uchiha Hirotomo was the smartest and strongest person in the Uchiha Clan. He asked his son these questions to test his capacity for understanding.
Uchiha Fugaku hesitated. "Because he didn't want to draw attention?" This time, he'd gotten half the answer right. Uchiha Hirotomo nodded.
Uchiha Hirotomo asked again, "Whose attention didn't he want to draw?" He closed his eyes, knowing that even his clever son wouldn't be able to figure it out.
Probably only the heads of the various clans could work it out. If Fugaku could come up with the answer, it would prove he had the mindset of a clan head.
Uchiha Fugaku pondered for a while, then said, "He didn't want to draw our attention. After all, the people of the Uchiha Clan..." He trailed off, and Uchiha Hirotomo finished for him.
"Because no one in the Uchiha Clan supported him, treated him well, or even stopped insulting and bullying him!" Uchiha Hirotomo opened his eyes, his pupils turning into Three-Tomoe Sharingan. A chilling pressure surged from him, spreading through the room.
"F-Father!" Uchiha Fugaku was blown backward. He clung tightly to the tatami to keep from being swept away, while Uchiha Kiyoshi broke out in a cold sweat.
Uchiha Hirotomo closed his eyes again, and the pressure vanished as if nothing had happened. "Fugaku, your answer was incomplete. Besides the reason you mentioned, there's another, more important one."
Fugaku raised his head to look at his father. He knew his father would explain. Sure enough, just two seconds later, Uchiha Hirotomo smiled. "On the other hand, he didn't want to draw the attention of Konoha High Command. Sometimes, the taller the tree, the harder the wind blows. Especially when his surname is Uchiha."
Fugaku was taken aback. "His surname is Uchiha?" He'd heard that Uchiha Xiao had beaten up Uchiha Yamazaki, the First Elder's son. Back then, he hadn't cared about the Uchiha name.
He didn't think Uchiha Xiao cared about his surname. He would never know that if Uchiha Xiao had been there, he would have broken into a cold sweat.
Uchiha Hirotomo really was a clever clan head. He'd guessed almost exactly what Uchiha Xiao was thinking!
But seeing the confusion on his son's face, Uchiha Hirotomo couldn't help sighing. Then he turned to Uchiha Kiyoshi. "Kiyoshi, thanks for your hard work. Tonight, take Uchiha Xiao back to the compound and tell him I'd like to talk with him."
Uchiha Kiyoshi accepted the order and left the clan head's residence. Uchiha Hirotomo stepped outside and gazed up at the sky, thinking, Uchiha Xiao, can the fate of the clan be changed?
Then, unseen by anyone, his Three-Tomoe Sharingan slowly disappeared, transforming into pupils shaped like three plum-blossom petals.
If Uchiha Xiao had seen this, he probably wouldn't have dared to come at all. Holy crap, a Mangekyō Sharingan! Who would dare show up?
But just an instant later, the Sharingan turned black, its surface perfectly still. Uchiha Hirotomo went back inside to rest. He still had to talk with Uchiha Xiao that evening.
He might as well rest up now, so he could think more clearly later.
Meanwhile,
At the Senju compound, Uchiha Xiao had not only received Mito's attention; Tsunade had also openly hugged his arm and taken him for a walk around the courtyard. His arm was nestled between her breasts, and their warm softness made his face flush.
Jiraiya was discussing the Shinobi World War and the savior with Nagato, and had also taught him a few C-rank ninjutsu for self-defense.
Nagato was clever and learned everything quickly, which made Jiraiya very pleased. Orochimaru, meanwhile, was asking Lady Mito about Sealing Jutsu. Uzumaki Mito looked at Tsunade and Uchiha Xiao in the distance, feeling very pleased, and taught Orochimaru quite a bit.
Everyone had gained something from the visit, and both host and guests had enjoyed themselves. But now Uchiha Xiao had to return to the clan compound. After all, as a Uchiha, staying at the Senju compound would cause trouble for Tsunade. They weren't married, nor were they dating, so when Uchiha Xiao prepared to leave,
Tsunade called out to him. Uchiha Xiao stopped and turned around. Before he could react, a graceful figure rushed up from behind and hugged him. His eyes widened at the feel of her soft breasts against him.
"Lady Tsunade... I..." Before Uchiha Xiao could finish speaking, Tsunade cut in. "Xiao, thank you. Without you, our Senju Clan would have suffered so many losses."
Although the Senju Clan had become more like an ordinary civilian clan, its jonin and other core members were still alive. They were all Tsunade's relatives, and even losing one might have plunged her into grief.
Under Uchiha Xiao's command, the Senju forces had suffered almost no casualties. More than a hundred had been seriously injured, but they could all recover.
Tsunade was deeply grateful to Uchiha Xiao. She might not have realized how much her behavior affected an adult man.
Uchiha Xiao was stunned, then smiled. "Lady Tsunade, it was the least I could do."
Tsunade let go of Uchiha Xiao, puffed out her cheeks, and huffed. "From now on, just call me Tsunade—or call me Little Tsunade like Grandma does. 'Lady Tsunade' makes me sound old."
Uchiha Xiao was taken aback, then grinned. "All right, Little Tsunade." Tsunade was taken aback too. What kind of way was that to address someone? But she shook her head and said, "Xiao, it's getting late. Hurry and go. The Military Police Corps will start its patrols soon."
Uchiha Xiao nodded, waved, and left the Senju compound. Tsunade watched him until his back disappeared, then turned away, feeling a little down. Just then, she saw Uzumaki Mito watching her with a smile.
Tsunade blushed. Uzumaki Mito didn't say anything, but put an arm around Tsunade and led her back inside.
Meanwhile,
At the entrance to the Uchiha Clan Compound,
Uchiha Kiyoshi suddenly appeared. He bowed to Uchiha Xiao, then said respectfully, "Lord Xiao, the clan head requests your presence."