Ao: What Use Do I Have For You, Clone!

Hiruzen Sarutobi walked away in a disheveled state, his conical hat hanging askew on his shoulder and his broken pipe still clutched in his hand. Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado followed closely behind him. The silhouettes of the three stretched long under the setting sun, looking like three tattered flags of defeat.

Shikaku Nara watched the direction in which they departed and suddenly let out a low chuckle. "I fear the Third Hokage's move today will lead to a total loss."

He turned his head to look at Uchiha Ao. "However, Uchiha Clan Head, your move to open up the forbidden techniques was truly ruthless—betting the future of your entire clan, aren't you afraid of losing everything?"

"Naturally, I am not," Uchiha Ao said indifferently.

Possessing the Otsutsuki Bloodline, he would only grow stronger. While the Uchiha Clan's forbidden techniques were good, they would only become shackles that bound him.

And once he reached a certain height, the Uchiha Clan would also undergo an evolution in their very life essence.

"Uchiha Clan Head, I will personally visit you tomorrow to discuss the detailed cooperation plan," Hiashi Hyuga said, stepping forward.

Hinata was thrilled to see her beloved Ao-kun, but upon hearing that her father didn't seem to have any intention of bringing her along, she tugged on his sleeve in dissatisfaction.

Hiashi Hyuga felt his daughter gently pulling at his sleeve from behind. He looked down to see Hinata tilting her small face up, her pearl-like Byakugan shimmering with aggrieved moisture.

Hiashi sighed slightly and turned to look at Uchiha Ao.

"Uchiha Clan Head, I wonder if I might bring my daughter along as well?"

Uchiha Ao's gaze fell upon Hinata's face.

He saw her puffing out her cheeks slightly, her eyes fixed intently on him.

It was as if she were saying, "If you don't agree, I'll never talk to you again!"

Watching Hinata's pouting expression, which carried a hint of a threat, Uchiha Ao couldn't help but chuckle.

"Clan Head Hiashi, that is naturally fine. It has been quite a while since I last saw Hinata," Uchiha Ao said with a faint smile.

Hiashi Hyuga nodded slightly in thanks. Out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of Hinata with her hands clasped over her chest, her lips curling upward uncontrollably, the light in her white pupils brighter than he had ever seen before.

Hiashi couldn't help but sigh.

A daughter grown is like water spilled.

However, if it were this Uchiha boy, he wouldn't be too resistant.

Thinking this, Hiashi felt his inner anxiety ease slightly.

The strength displayed by the Uchiha Clan was indeed daunting, but there was no denying that if a closer connection could be established, it might prove to be a turning point for the Hyuga Clan.

He glanced again at Hinata, who was standing beside Uchiha Ao with a face full of joy, and secretly resolved that he must carefully weigh the terms of cooperation during tomorrow's meeting to secure the greatest benefit for the Hyuga.

As the night deepened, the crowd gradually dispersed.

Fugaku walked to his side and whispered, "Clan Head, the attitudes of the Hyuga and the Ino-Shika-Cho clans were unexpectedly cooperative. What should our next step be?"

"The next step, of course, is to reorganize the Military Police Force. Go back and tell the clansmen to improve their attitude toward the villagers of Konoha from now on," Uchiha Ao paused, then continued, "If any clansman refuses to follow my orders, they will be dealt with according to clan law."

Uchiha Fugaku nodded, though he paid no mind to the mention of clansmen disobeying orders.

Ever since they had witnessed this Clan Head's Takamagahara, who would dare to be disobedient?

The Clan Head likely didn't realize just how high his prestige was among the clansmen right now.

"My little brother is so imposing," a voice filled with resentment sounded behind him.

Uchiha Ao scratched his head, turned around, and took Sister Izumi's small hand directly. "Oh, Sister Izumi, no matter how imposing I am, aren't I still your little brother?"

"Is that so? I saw you and that Hinata chatting quite happily." Uchiha Izumi didn't mind her brother's small gesture, but she kept her resentful gaze fixed on him.

Uchiha Ao gave a dry laugh and didn't say much, simply pulling Sister Izumi along to buy Three-Color Dango.

In the past, after he met with Hinata, Sister Izumi could still force him into submission through sheer strength.

But now, he was stronger than Sister Izumi.

It wouldn't be appropriate to be pinned down underneath her anymore, would it?

However, for the sake of Sister Izumi's mood, he still took her to buy her favorite Three-Color Dango.

The two walked along the streets of Konoha. Uchiha Izumi let him hold her hand, yet she remained silent.

So hateful, it's all that Hinata's fault!

My little brother doesn't even know how to coax me anymore!

When the two stepped into the Three-Color Dango shop, the warm yellow light instantly shut out the night.

The wooden tables and chairs shone with the luster of years of polishing, and the air was filled with the sweet, soft scent of glutinous rice.

The shopkeeper was an elderly woman with a face full of wrinkles. She looked up, saw the two, and immediately rose with a smile. "What would you two young guests like to eat?"

Uchiha Ao nodded politely. Catching a glimpse of Izumi still pouting and looking away, he deliberately raised his voice. "Grandma, two extra-large servings of Three-Color Dango. Add extra red bean paste to Sister Izumi's, the kind piled up high!"

The old woman smiled in understanding and turned to get busy.

"Still angry?" Ao tugged on Izumi's sleeve, shaking it just like he did when they were children. "I came here specifically to make amends, didn't I?"

He stood on his tiptoes, trying to peek at Izumi's expression from below, his eyes blinking. "Actually, talking to Hinata was also to..."

"To win over the Hyuga, I know," Izumi finally spoke, her voice muffled. "But in the past, whenever you did things like this, you would always coax me first."

She lowered her eyes to stare at their joined hands. Her brother's hand was still as warm as ever, only much larger than in their childhood, with thin calluses forming on his palm.

Uchiha Ao was left slightly speechless.

He had thought Sister Izumi was still angry about him meeting with Hinata.

It turned out she was upset because he hadn't coaxed her.

However, he naturally had his own ways of coaxing Sister Izumi.

Uchiha Ao's lips curled into a mischievous smirk. He suddenly let go of Izumi's hand and, amidst her bewildered gaze, performed a hand seal with a "swish."

The next second, pale golden chakra transformed into a miniature Uchiha Ao. With its Sharingan blinking vivaciously, it held a small bouquet of cherry blossoms condensed from chakra, hopping and skipping as it circled around Izumi.

The mini Ao flew in front of Izumi and said in a milky, childish tone, "Don't be angry anymore, Sister Izumi! You won't be pretty if you stay mad!"

Izumi was stunned at first, then couldn't help but burst into laughter. She raised her hand to grab the mischievous chakra doll, only to watch it nimbly leap and land on her shoulder.

"Sister Izumi, if you're in a bad mood, just give him a beating."

This was a product of his improved Shadow Clone technique.

Similar to a Tailed Beast, it wouldn't vanish even if it took damage; it would only dissipate once its chakra was exhausted.

The miniature Uchiha Ao immediately widened its eyes, put its hands on its hips in a huff, and retorted in a fierce, babyish voice, "I am your most well-behaved clone! Sister Izumi wouldn't have the heart to hit me!"

As it spoke, it even rubbed against the nape of Izumi's neck.

Amused, Izumi's eyes curved into crescents. She reached out and pinched the mini Ao's cheek; the soft texture mixed with the warmth of the chakra caused the gloom in her heart to dissipate completely.

"I wouldn't have the heart to hit him. If I'm going to hit anyone, it'll be you!"

A triumphant smile tugged at the corners of Izumi's lips as she tapped her fingertip against Uchiha Ao's forehead—it looked forceful, but was actually quite affectionate.

Seeing this, the mini Ao immediately waved its tiny fists to chime in, "Exactly, exactly! If Sister Izumi wants to hit someone, hit the original! I'm so cute, how could you have the heart to do it!"

The original Ao glared fiercely at this miniature clone.

Damn it, what use are you to me!

This scene made the old woman nearby laugh so hard she couldn't straighten her back, and the wooden spoon she was using to make dumplings nearly slipped from her hand.