Minato Namikaze's expression was grim. He had expected Uchiha Yū to be furious over this, perhaps even to clash with him, but he had never expected him to be so calm, as though the matter had nothing to do with him.
Today's invisible storm left a thorn in the hearts of everyone present. They were destined never to gather as they once had, chatting and laughing together.
During this time, the village entered a strange period of calm. Even the Uchiha Clan, who had been listed as a key subject of observation, said nothing about Uchiha Yū's unfair treatment, as though even they had abandoned him.
But everyone knew that was impossible.
Ever since the last banquet, Uchiha Yū had not left the Uchiha Clan compound. With the Dawn Weapons Store secretly maintaining contact with him, both sides were under strict ANBU surveillance, and even the explosive tags had stopped being transported.
The Hokage faction's wariness was now out in the open. As for how to deal with the Uchiha Clan and Uchiha Yū, even the ever-steady Hiruzen Sarutobi had no good solution. He could only follow his usual cautious approach and stabilize the Uchiha Clan first.
Unfortunately, things had long since gone beyond Hiruzen Sarutobi's control.
A guest with a special identity arrived at the Uchiha Clan's meeting hall. Even Uchiha Fugaku, the clan head, personally received him.
"Orochimaru-sensei."
Yū's presence had grown increasingly deep and unfathomable. Even those most familiar with him would instinctively feel fear upon seeing him now. He was completely different from the youth who had once stood in the sunlight; Uchiha Yū had truly entered the darkness.
But that was merely the darkness as ordinary people understood it. Those who truly knew him understood that this was the night that had to be endured