Help Relay Messages for the Clan in ANBU?

Yun Yan answered without hesitation:

"Of course I've considered all that. Worst case, once I join ANBU, I'll be a lone wolf and carry out missions by myself.

With my strength, even if I can't complete those high-difficulty missions with absolute certainty, getting out safely shouldn't be much of a problem.

As for whether I'll be valued or earn merits... I truly don't care, because that isn't what I'm after."

Fugaku was somewhat puzzled:

"Then what are you after?"

"The ANBU environment. The training I can receive in ANBU. And the possibility that this training will allow my strength to advance even further in the future."

Fugaku fell silent.

Those reasons were truly thorough—so thorough that Fugaku could not find even the slightest argument against them.

First, the clan had offered him no help when he was struggling. Second, after he had risen, the clan had given him nothing in return. Finally, now that he did not want to remain in the clan... the clan had nothing to say.

What was more, Yun Yan's reason for joining ANBU was to receive training and further improve his strength. That made it even more impossible for Fugaku to stop him.

As a ninja, improving one's strength was naturally the most important thing.

Blocking someone's path forward, stopping someone from improving, was practically no different from murdering their parents. Even as clan head, Fugaku had neither the right nor the face to prevent Yun Yan from advancing further.

For a moment, Fugaku's expression turned bleak. He realized that he truly seemed unable to stop this.

An outstanding young member of the clan was about to join ANBU. That was truly hard to accept.

Watching Fugaku's expression shift, Yun Yan found it amusing.

His words about receiving training in ANBU and improving his strength were naturally just an excuse.

In reality, his reasons for joining ANBU were not so simple.

On one hand, Yun Yan coveted many of Konoha's resources and documents. Those foundations did not lie within the Uchiha Clan, but in the hands of Konoha's upper ranks. If he wanted those things, joining ANBU and making moves from within was the best choice.

On the other hand, Yun Yan, who had kept a low profile until now, needed to expand his influence, increase his authority, and build his prestige.

He could not achieve that within the Uchiha Clan either. Joining ANBU was likewise the best option.

So no matter what, he was going to ANBU.

He had no interest in the Uchiha Clan. Truly no interest. From beginning to end, he had never planned to stay.

Perhaps sensing Yun Yan's utter resolve, perhaps realizing there was no way to resolve the matter, Fugaku finally compromised helplessly:

"Fine, Yun Yan. Since Lord Hokage has already agreed, then... go join ANBU.

From now on, you must be cautious and careful in ANBU.

If certain Konoha higher-ups target you, or if things do not go well for you in ANBU, you can return to the clan at any time. The clan will always welcome your ret... welcome your arrival!"

Fugaku had nearly said that the clan would always welcome his return.

Good grief, no matter what, Yun Yan had never said that he intended to abandon or leave the clan. If Fugaku had used the word "return," it would have seemed as though he were personally kicking Yun Yan out of the Uchiha Clan.

That would not do. Such a young and promising member could not be pushed further and further away, even if he could not be won back over.

So, in his haste, Fugaku changed his wording at the last moment.

It had to be said that his attitude was quite commendable.

If it had been any other Uchiha, upon hearing that Yun Yan was unwilling to work for the clan and instead wanted to join ANBU, they would probably have already berated him loudly or even insulted him outright.

They might even have said harsh things about him forgetting the clan, abandoning his original heart, and becoming a traitor.

After all, that was the Uchiha Clan's temperament. They had also spent too long hypnotizing themselves with the so-called glory of the clan. In the eyes of its members, the Uchiha Clan was greater than the heavens, so naturally they could not tolerate Yun Yan's actions.

But Fugaku did not.

He did not become angry. Though he was deeply unwilling, he still accepted everything.

That patience, that relative clarity of mind, was enough to make Yun Yan see him in a new light.

He was the clan head, after all. His capacity for tolerance was quite admirable.

The reason he had ultimately agreed so helplessly to let Yun Yan join ANBU probably had something to do with the Uchiha Clan's current situation, didn't it?

The conflict between the Uchiha Clan and Konoha's upper ranks was growing increasingly severe, to the point where reconciliation was clearly impossible. Things might develop in an unpredictable direction.

As clan head and leader of the Uchiha Clan, he had to remain calm and lead his people toward a path forward.

Fugaku, whose temperament was relatively conservative, probably did not want to directly resort to force and launch a coup unless things had reached that point.

But since he had already considered such matters and was worried about the Uchiha Clan's future, and since Yun Yan happened to be joining ANBU, Fugaku suddenly had another idea.

He looked at Yun Yan and finally spoke:

"Yun Yan, after you join ANBU, if circumstances permit, could you... help relay some information to the clan?"

Yun Yan's brows furrowed slightly, and he immediately understood.

Relay information for the clan?

What information?

Naturally, ANBU intelligence, perhaps even intelligence from Konoha's upper ranks.

Good grief, Fugaku wanted him to become the Uchiha Clan's spy, infiltrate ANBU, and gather intelligence!

Yun Yan looked at Fugaku expressionlessly. Fugaku still wore a stern face, but inwardly, he could not help feeling awkward.

He seemed to be pushing his luck.

But... he had no other choice!

In the struggle between the Uchiha Clan and Konoha's upper ranks, he did not believe the Uchiha Clan could gain the upper hand. So for the sake of the clan, he was willing to seize any possibility of a turning point.

Yun Yan did not directly answer Fugaku's request. Instead, he brought up someone else:

"Clan Head, as for relaying information... if I remember correctly, Shisui should already be doing that, shouldn't he?

Shisui is stronger than I am, and he joined ANBU long ago. Recently, he has risen to prominence within ANBU and earned the title Shisui of the Body Flicker.

He even has a title now. That clearly means he has achieved something and established a certain position within ANBU.

Wouldn't Shisui be more suited to this kind of thing?

Why ask me when you already have Shisui?"

When Yun Yan mentioned Uchiha Shisui, a fleeting look of despondency appeared on Fugaku's face.

After adjusting his emotions slightly, Fugaku spoke frankly to Yun Yan with a helpless sigh:

"You... may not know this.

Shisui is indeed the most outstanding young member of our Uchiha Clan. Sending him into ANBU was indeed the result of a compromise in the struggle between the clan and Konoha's upper ranks. His original goal... was indeed to relay information to the clan from within ANBU.

But I do not know when it began, yet I could sense that Shisui's heart had changed. He was no longer wholeheartedly devoted to the Uchiha Clan."

Yun Yan continued to question him with interest:

"Are you saying Shisui has betrayed the Uchiha Clan?"

Fugaku quickly denied it:

"I have not concluded that.

It is merely that all sorts of signs indicate that Shisui has gradually slipped out of control within ANBU.

It seems that, in Shisui's heart, the most important thing is not the clan, but the Konoha he values, the Will of Fire he values."

At this point, Fugaku could no longer conceal his anger:

"Shisui is different from you. The clan devoted all its efforts to nurturing him from childhood. When we sent him into ANBU, we had hoped he could play an even greater role, but who could have expected...

Sigh..."

By the end, Fugaku could say nothing more. He could only let out a deep sigh, and a trace of weariness appeared on his face.

Seeing his exhausted helplessness, even a hint of age in this middle-aged man, Yun Yan rarely felt a bit of respect for Fugaku.

For that reason, Yun Yan offered him a slight compliment:

"Clan Head, you have truly exhausted yourself for the sake of the clan."

Who would have thought Fugaku's eyes would light up, and that he would actually try to seize upon that compliment:

"So, Yun Yan, can you help the clan by relaying some information from ANBU?"

Yun Yan's expression immediately changed, and he decisively shook his head.

Fugaku grew somewhat anxious:

"Yun Yan, the other clan members and elders cannot see it clearly, but I can. The Uchiha Clan is nowhere near as powerful as its members imagine, and the clan's future is truly worrying.

The conflict between us and Konoha's upper ranks can no longer be reconciled. If this continues, where is the clan's way out? Must we truly resort to the most violent method and launch a coup?

Unless there is no other choice, I do not want to lead the clan down that path."

At this point, Fugaku's voice began to rise:

"Yun Yan, the clan's future is uncertain. Can't you help the Uchiha Clan? You bear the Uchiha name!"