Test

"I'm going to inherit the Hokage's position. How could I possibly die?"

Nawaki flashed a confident smile. Even on the battlefield, he feared nothing.

You did not explain further. Who could say what the future held? With himself as a butterfly fluttering through history, the events that had been set in stone had long since been overturned.

As the three discussed their upcoming training plans, Uchiha Yū sensed something and looked toward the distant forest. An Uchiha clansman was there.

"You, the clan head wants to see you."

"I understand."

He knew why. Uchiha Shuiyun had vanished without a trace, neither dead nor alive, and even the jonin in the team did not know what had happened. They wanted to ask him about the details.

"Once I deal with this trouble, we can discuss the training plan."

He followed that Uchiha clansman to meet the head of the Uchiha Clan.

Knock, knock, knock!

You pushed open the door and entered. The other man was handling clan affairs. Raising his head to meet his gaze, You got straight to the point.

"Shuiyun's disappearance was related to you, wasn't it?"

"I killed him myself."

There were only the two of them in the room. You dared to state the truth outright. Feeling the heavy atmosphere, he added,

"He told Rain Village about our movements. The mission became S-rank. We have Shuiyun to thank for that."

The word "thank" dripped with irony. Betraying the village was a grave crime, one worthy of immediate execution!

He had also betrayed the Uchiha Clan!

"I guessed as much."

Uchiha He rose to his feet and let out a deep sigh. He had not summoned You to investigate Shuiyun's death. Instead, he revealed the truth of the matter.

"The Hokage already knows. Shuiyun's madness was beyond anything I expected. He actually betrayed the village and the clan!"

"Fortunately, you killed him in time. Though you did not handle it perfectly, the impact has undoubtedly been greatly reduced."

He delivered the good news first, but it was followed by a practical problem. He took out a letter from the desk and gently pushed it forward until it landed before Uchiha Yū.

"Hm?"

It contained the Hokage's investigation.

Though Shuiyun had been killed by You, the consequences of this mission had fallen upon the Uchiha Clan.

The Uchiha Clan would compensate for the damage, and with war approaching, some clansmen would be sent to the front lines in case of emergencies.

"The Hokage still does not trust us. You are smarter than I thought, so you understand our relationship with the village."

He's voice was calm and deep. It was clearly one person's mistake, yet the entire clan had to bear it. The targeting was painfully obvious. What surprised You was that Uchiha He did not resist.

"I can help the clan survive one hardship after another, but there will come a day when I fall."

"The Uchiha Clan is full of radicals. I hope you can grow up quickly."

"Those radicals see you as their hope because they see Uchiha Madara's shadow in you."

"Equally dark, yet exceptionally gifted!"

Neither of them said it outright, but Uchiha Yū understood what the clan head meant.

He wanted You to become the next generation's leader and rule the Uchiha Clan.

The hawks needed his talent, while Uchiha He valued his composure.

"You are speaking too soon, Clan Head. The Second Shinobi World War is about to begin. The Uchiha Clan may yet rise with the tide!"

When Uchiha Yū raised his head, his eyes had already become Sharingan.

He would seize control of his own fate. First, he had to prove his talent and grow stronger at any cost!

Even if he had to shoulder certain burdens, You was confident he could grow to stand shoulder to shoulder with his predecessors—or even surpass them. By then, such burdens would be no more than an afterthought!

"So you still refuse to take over my responsibilities."

He did not force the issue. He merely found it somewhat regrettable.

Seeing the disappointment on the other man's face, You suddenly felt that Uchiha He's back was no longer as straight as before. After thinking for a moment, he gave a firm answer.

"No, Clan Head. You misunderstand."

"I will not carry the Uchiha Clan's beliefs, but the Uchiha Clan and I have a mutually beneficial relationship."

Uchiha He was caught off guard by those words, and a hint of surprise appeared in his eyes. Mutual benefit could only exist in an equal relationship. Could it be...

You displayed his talent. To ensure this investment could proceed smoothly, he would prove himself in a certain way.

"During the Second Shinobi World War, I will prove myself and earn a name that resounds throughout the shinobi world!"

At that moment, Uchiha He admitted that he had been persuaded. If the youth before him wanted to do something, he would definitely accomplish it.

If he truly earned a name in the war and established a measure of prestige, and since he belonged to the Hokage's faction, then even if he could not become Hokage himself, one of his companions would surely become Hokage!

The Third had held office for a long time. Everyone would one day grow old and retire. That would be when these young people revealed their brilliance.

"Since you are so confident, I will give you a chance."

"But let me make this clear: talent does not guarantee future achievement. If you cannot earn a name for yourself, I hope you will follow my advice and become the next head of the Uchiha Clan!"

Anyone capable of becoming clan head was a genius in their own right. Most of those from his generation had also matured. Though they could not compare to Uchiha Yū, their strength was not to be underestimated.

Take the younger generation's Uchiha Fugaku. His future achievements would certainly reach elite jonin level. The Uchiha Clan's elite jonin were powerful, but they still could not confront the village head-on.

"Mm."

This was confidence born from strength, not arrogance!

The power of radioactive elements grew with each passing day. All he lacked now was an opportunity!

The coming Second Shinobi World War would test not only the strength of every village, but also Uchiha Yū's future.

"I will suppress the details of this mission. The clan will make up for the losses, and I can guarantee they will not trouble you."

Uchiha He could handle the remaining cleanup. In terms of supplies, the Uchiha Clan would indeed be temporarily drained, but compared to the time they had bought, it was undoubtedly worth it.

"As for whether the village's shinobi will target you, you will have to rely on your own strength to deal with them."

A shinobi with a renowned name stood at the pinnacle of the shinobi world in both strength and prestige.

The village's reaction to Uchiha Yū over this matter would be the first lesson in his trial.

"Then let them come! Whoever they are! Whatever methods they use, I will not fear them!"