Fire Style: Majestic Destroyer Flame

Uchiha Xiao looked toward Uchiha Kiyoshi, seemingly wanting to read something from his expression, only to find that Uchiha Kiyoshi's face remained stiff, devoid of any change.

Uchiha Xiao sighed. "Lead the way."

"Yes!" Uchiha Kiyoshi replied. He then opened the clan gates and led Uchiha Xiao inside. Although Uchiha Xiao had never toured the Uchiha clan grounds and felt a flicker of curiosity, he had been summoned by the clan head for negotiations, so he could not afford to lose his imposing air.

Thus, Uchiha Xiao kept his gaze fixed forward, ignoring the stares and whispers of the people around him. Most of the Uchiha clansmen were interested in him; after all, rumors had it that he was the true commander of the recent war in the Land of Rain.

Yet, these were only whispers, unverified. Otherwise, why would the clan head and the Hokage remain silent?

Uchiha Xiao sighed. He knew these fellows would have such expressions, but he was no soft persimmon to be gawked at!

He let out a cold snort, gathering chakra in his hands. Magnet Release: Great Unity Wind Curtain (a self-created ninjutsu, unranked) isolated him from all prying eyes.

A curtain of sand, formed by swirling wind and grit, blocked the view of the Uchiha clansmen, preventing them from seeing even a fraction of Uchiha Xiao.

The crowd's expressions shifted. It was Magnet Release, the Magnet Release Kekkei Genkai! Combined with Uchiha Xiao's Sharingan, he was a dual-bloodline genius!

The eyes of the Uchiha clansmen were no longer filled with curiosity, but with shock and wild excitement!

Although they were a clan that admired strength, they were also a clan where honor stood above all else. Now that a dual-bloodline genius had appeared within their ranks, he was the new darling of the Uchiha clan!

Since the genius didn't want to be watched, they might as well leave. They were all Uchiha anyway, and knowing that was enough! In an instant, the ninjas dispersed.

The Uchiha clan always held a respectful attitude toward geniuses and the strong. Uchiha Xiao raised an eyebrow; this Uchiha clan wasn't half bad!

Following Uchiha Kiyoshi's lead, Uchiha Xiao soon arrived at the residence of the clan head, Uchiha Hirotomo. Uchiha Xiao knocked on the door, but Uchiha Hirotomo did not respond.

Uchiha Xiao frowned and knocked again. Still no response. He let out a cold laugh. Heh, trying to give me a cold shoulder? Fine, watch me flip the table!

Uchiha Xiao spoke up. "Kiyoshi, step aside!" Uchiha Kiyoshi was stunned, unsure of what Uchiha Xiao intended to do, when he saw Uchiha Xiao clap his hands together, take a deep breath, and exhale a torrent of high-temperature flames.

"Fire Release: Majestic Destroyer Flame!" Uchiha Hirotomo could no longer remain calm. His eyes snapped open as he performed hand seals. "Water Release: Water Formation Wall!" "Water Release: Water Prison Technique!"

The Water Formation Wall blocked the onslaught of the Majestic Destroyer Flame for two seconds. During those two seconds, the Water Prison Technique enveloped the house. Finally, the Water Prison collided with the Majestic Destroyer Flame, and both dissipated.

A figure slowly emerged from a cloud of white steam. He was flushed red—don't ask, it was the steam!

Uchiha Kiyoshi's eyes widened, his mouth twitching as he looked at Uchiha Xiao. Damn it, he just starts throwing ninjutsu without a word!

Uchiha Hirotomo, his forehead covered in black lines, walked out. He had only wanted to leave him waiting for a while; using a skill immediately was a bit excessive!

Uchiha Xiao offered a faint smile. "Greetings, Clan Head."

Uchiha Hirotomo's brow relaxed. "Xiao, you've arrived. Please, come in." He gestured toward his house. Uchiha Xiao did not move, looking at the house with a smile.

Uchiha Hirotomo scratched his head. Neither moved. Finally, he gave Kiyoshi a look. Uchiha Kiyoshi understood immediately, walked out of the courtyard, closed the gate, and stood guard, observing the surroundings.

Uchiha Hirotomo and Uchiha Xiao sat around the stone table in the courtyard. Neither spoke; Uchiha Xiao knew this was a contest of patience, and whoever spoke first would lose the upper hand.

Uchiha Hirotomo looked at Uchiha Xiao's appearance and temperament and couldn't help but gasp. His appearance resembled that certain person, while his temperament was somewhat similar to Uchiha Izuna's.

Elegant and wise, as if everything were calculated. He couldn't understand why Uchiha Xiao looked so much like that person, yet possessed a personality like Izuna's.

I must find time to check the genealogy. This kid is no ordinary person.

Meanwhile, Uchiha Xiao observed Uchiha Hirotomo, finding him somewhat similar to Uchiha Itachi. His tear troughs were very prominent, and his hair was silky, hanging down on both sides.

The only difference from Uchiha Itachi was that there was light in his eyes, and he didn't possess that youthful, deathly aura.

Finally, after a period of silence, Uchiha Hirotomo sighed. "A hero emerges from the youth. Xiao, I want to ask you, are you interested in becoming an elder within the clan?"

Uchiha Xiao remained silent, not giving an immediate response. He calculated in his mind whether this would be advantageous for him.

Uchiha Hirotomo did not rush him. He believed Uchiha Xiao would agree. The Uchiha clan needed a clever mind, and his own days were numbered. Once he died, the Uchiha clan would be targeted by many.

Uchiha Xiao pondered for a long time. Becoming an elder meant the life and death of the Uchiha clan would be tied to his own; it was a responsibility. But as an elder, he could possess the clan's intelligence network. What was intelligence?

Intelligence was the first-mover advantage. If he could know the enemy's layout faster, he could devise countermeasures sooner. Furthermore, the Uchiha clan was straightforward; though arrogant, they would never scheme against their own.

He had to guard against the future Shimura Danzo and Sarutobi Hiruzen. He couldn't handle them alone, so he had to seize the power of the clan—and he had to secure real, executive power!

As for Fugaku? He was capable of maintaining the status quo but lacked the drive to advance. Among the clans of Konoha, if you lacked the heart to advance, you might as well prepare to be devoured and enslaved!

Thinking of this, Uchiha Xiao took a deep breath. "I can, but I have one condition. If the Clan Head does not agree, I can only choose to look out for myself."

Uchiha Hirotomo felt a surge of joy. His goal was to bind Uchiha Xiao to the Uchiha, so offering the elder position was just a probe; if it didn't work, he could sweeten the deal.

"Xiao, just say it. As Clan Head, I will certainly agree." Uchiha Hirotomo smiled slightly.

Uchiha Xiao nodded. "Hand the Uchiha clan's intelligence network over to me. Once there is any situation, notify me immediately!"

Uchiha Hirotomo nodded. "No problem. You are an elder, after all; you have the right to review it."

"Clan Head, I don't want the right to review intelligence. I want to control the intelligence network!" Uchiha Xiao smiled faintly.

Uchiha Hirotomo fell silent. He had intentionally changed the subject earlier because he knew how important this was, but seeing Uchiha Xiao's attitude, he knew he couldn't bluff his way through.

"Very well." This time, Uchiha Hirotomo did not change the subject, because he saw that Uchiha Xiao's eyes had transformed into the Three-Tomoe Sharingan.

Ding! (Three-Tomoe Sharingan) activated.

To increase his leverage—his talent—Uchiha Xiao chose to force the upgrade to the Three-Tomoe.

An 18-year-old with the Three-Tomoe and the Magnet Release Kekkei Genkai—as long as he didn't die, he would surely be a Kage-level powerhouse in the future!

What else could Uchiha Hirotomo do? Just obey!