Uchiha Fugaku

Uchiha Gray was surprised.

He had thought Uzuki Yugao might protect him, but he hadn't expected her to be so resolute, willing to defect from the village with him.

After all, once someone became a rogue ninja, they were left without protection in the entire Shinobi World.

Being ambushed or assassinated became an everyday occurrence.

It was like being a lone boat adrift on the open sea.

Yet Uzuki Yugao was willing to defect from the village for his sake.

Uchiha Gray had underestimated Uzuki Yugao's resolve.

But how could he let her worry about him?

"No need. From now on, you'll live with me in the Uchiha Clan. I'll settle this matter soon!"

Uchiha Gray's expression softened.

With a wife like her, what more could a man ask for?

Shimura Danzō watched the scene of Uchiha Gray killing Gekko Hayate, his eyes blazing with fury.

"Do you see that, Sarutobi Hiruzen?"

Shimura Danzō's voice was icy. His wrinkled face looked like tree bark.

"I told you long ago that this brat would eventually slip out of your control and become Konoha's greatest enemy!"

"So... we should start carrying out the Uchiha Clan's extermination plan now."

Cold light flashed in Shimura Danzō's eyes.

"If we don't wipe out the Uchiha Clan soon, one day they'll strike at us first."

Shimura Danzō had no regard for any so-called loyalty to the village.

From beginning to end, all he wanted was to be an iron-fisted leader. He wanted fear and submission, never reverence.

That was why he looked down on Sarutobi Hiruzen for waiting for the Uchiha Clan to make the first move in the name of the village's so-called greater good.

Like a coward!

"Danzō, we can act against Uchiha Gray because he has killed Gekko Hayate. Any ninja who attacks someone in the village must be punished."

"But we can't recklessly move against the other members of the Uchiha Clan yet."

Sarutobi Hiruzen spoke calmly.

His tone brooked no argument.

Danzō's expression darkened. He hated Sarutobi Hiruzen's way of speaking most of all.

As if Danzō would always be his subordinate.

No. He was going to become Hokage!

"Hmph! Hiruzen, if you don't do this, you'll regret it one day."

With that, Shimura Danzō said no more and turned to leave.

If Sarutobi Hiruzen was such a coward, there was no point discussing this with him any further!

Sarutobi Hiruzen watched Shimura Danzō walk away, a glint flashing in his eyes.

This was, of course, a provocation.

How could the Hokage possibly sully his hands?

That was something Danzō would never understand, which was why he would never become Hokage.

"Danzō, I'll leave this matter to you."

Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes glinted.

Just then, Uchiha Shisui suddenly appeared beside him.

"You heard what just happened. What do you think?" Sarutobi Hiruzen asked calmly.

Uchiha Shisui's eyes were filled with grief and hostility.

"How could Uchiha Gray do such a thing?"

"We're all Leaf shinobi, all supposed to be comrades. How dare he commit such an outrageous act?"

Uchiha Shisui trembled all over, as if he could hardly wait to curse Uchiha Gray to his face.

"Uchiha Gray is still young. He may have been led astray." Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed and spoke calmly.

"Even so, I still want to help him turn back from the wrong path." Sarutobi Hiruzen looked utterly benevolent, as if he truly had Uchiha Gray's best interests at heart.

Uchiha Shisui's face filled with admiration. "You're so kind, Lord Hokage."

"Then I'll try to persuade Uchiha Gray to come and admit his mistake."

Sarutobi Hiruzen shook his head slightly. "No. Uchiha Gray is like a piece of wood riddled with wood-boring insects. His body has already been eaten away by them."

"Merely trying to reason with him will hardly change him."

Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed.

"How about this: try to talk some sense into Uchiha Gray. If you succeed, all the better. If you can't convince him, use Kotoamatsukami. Make him loyal to me."

At last, Sarutobi Hiruzen revealed his true intention.

When he heard those words, Uchiha Shisui's heart turned cold.

Heh. How hypocritical!

But Uchiha Shisui's face remained respectful.

"Understood, Lord Hokage. It will be Uchiha Gray's honor to be loyal to you."

Seeing Uchiha Shisui's respectful expression, Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded with satisfaction.

"Do you see the difference between us, Danzō?"

"While you're thinking about how to eliminate your enemies, I'm considering how to turn my opponents into loyal subordinates."

Sarutobi Hiruzen looked smug.

In less than half a day, the news had spread throughout Konoha. Everyone in the village was abuzz with curiosity.

Nine-year-old Uchiha Gray had killed Gekko Hayate, an elite jōnin!

It was a bombshell of a story no matter how you looked at it.

First, nine-year-old Uchiha Gray had the strength of an elite jōnin.

Second, Uchiha Gray had attacked someone inside the village and killed Gekko Hayate!

And fighting inside the village was forbidden!

Anyone who got into a fight or killed someone had to pay with their life!

"Uchiha Gray, the clan head wants to see you."

A Uchiha Clan ninja from the security force had come to find Uchiha Gray.

Unlike the other Konoha shinobi, he showed no hostility.

On the contrary, his eyes burned with excitement.

He couldn't help whispering, "Well done, brother. If it were me, I wouldn't have been able to hold back against trash like that either."

"He dared to try to steal your wife right in front of you. Killing him was already letting him off easy!"

The ninja's words reflected Uchiha Fugaku's attitude.

Uchiha Gray chuckled.

That was the Uchiha Clan: fiercely protective, and without the slightest need for a reason.

Something like this could never happen in the Hyuga Clan.

"Gray." Uzuki Yugao gripped Uchiha Gray's hands tightly.

Her lovely face was full of worry.

"It's all right." Uchiha Gray gave her a gentle look.

As long as Uchiha Fugaku wasn't an idiot, he wouldn't do anything to him.

Given all the strength and talent he had displayed, Uchiha Fugaku should praise him.

Maybe Uchiha Fugaku would even start planning to defect from the village sooner because of him!

Before long, he arrived at Uchiha Fugaku's residence once more.

Just like last time, Uchiha Fugaku stood with his back to him, showing only his figure. He seemed mysterious and powerful.

"I'm here, clan head."

Uchiha Gray bowed and waited for Uchiha Fugaku to speak.

Uchiha Fugaku possessed the Mangekyō Sharingan, which could see the future. Was it possible he had already seen how Gray's story would end?

Uchiha Gray was curious.

Still, even if he had seen something, it was probably only a glimpse of the future. The future could change at any moment, depending on what happened in the present.

"Uchiha Gray, do you know what you did wrong?" Uchiha Fugaku suddenly turned around, his voice sharp.

A pair of Mangekyō Sharingan had appeared in his eyes.

Scarlet. Eerie.

They spun wildly!