Trial

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

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

You offered no further explanation. Who could say for certain what would happen in the future? With him fluttering through history like a butterfly, the predetermined course of events had long since been overturned.

As the three discussed their next training plan, Uchiha You sensed something and looked toward the distant forest, where a member of the Uchiha Clan stood.

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

"I understand."

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

"Once I deal with this troublesome matter, we can discuss the next training plan."

He followed that Uchiha Clan member to meet the clan head.

Knock, knock, knock!

The sound of knocking rang out. Uchiha You pushed open the door and entered, seeing the other man handling clan affairs. The man looked up at him, and You went straight to the point.

"Shuiyun's disappearance had something to do with you, didn't it?"

"I killed him myself."

There were only the two of them present. You dared to state the truth outright. Sensing the heavy atmosphere, he added,

"He revealed our movements to the Hidden Rain Village, turning the mission into an S-rank one. We had Shuiyun to thank for that."

The word "thank" was exceptionally sarcastic. Betraying the village was a grave enough crime to warrant immediate execution.

He had also betrayed the Uchiha Clan!

"I had guessed as much."

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

"The Hokage already knows about this. Shuiyun's madness was beyond my expectations. He actually betrayed the village and betrayed the clan!"

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

He first delivered some good news. But after the good news came a harsh reality. He took out a letter from the desk, gently pushed it forward, and it landed before Uchiha You.

"Hm?"

What was written on it was the Hokage's investigation.

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

The Uchiha Clan would have to make up for the losses, and with war approaching, some clan members would need to head to the front lines in case of emergency.

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

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

"I can help the clan weather one crisis after another, but there will always come a day when I fall."

"The Uchiha Clan is full of radicals. I hope you can grow up as soon as possible."

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

"Just as dark, yet possessing extraordinary talent!"

Neither of them stated it outright, but Uchiha You understood the clan head's meaning.

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.

"Clan Head, you are speaking too soon. The Second Shinobi World War is about to begin. The Uchiha Clan may not be unable to rise with the tide!"

When Uchiha You raised his head, his eyes had already transformed into the Sharingan.

He wanted to control his own destiny. First, he had to prove his talent and grow stronger at any cost!

Even if he had to bear certain burdens, Uchiha You was confident that he could grow to stand shoulder to shoulder with his predecessors, or even surpass them. By then, those so-called burdens would be nothing more than a casual matter!

"So you are still unwilling to take over my responsibilities."

He did not force him, only feeling somewhat regretful.

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 pondering for a moment, he gave a definite answer.

"No, Clan Head, you misunderstand."

"I will not carry the Uchiha Clan's beliefs on my back, but the Uchiha Clan and I have a relationship of mutual benefit."

His words caught Uchiha He by surprise and filled him with curiosity. Mutual benefit could only be built on an equal relationship. Could it be...

You displayed his talent. To ensure this investment could proceed smoothly, he used a method to prove himself.

"In 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 certainly accomplish it.

If he could truly make a name for himself in the war and establish a certain degree of prestige, while also belonging to the Hokage's faction, then even if he could not become Hokage, one of his companions would surely become Hokage!

The Third had been in office for a long time. Everyone would one day grow old and retire. That would be the time for these young people to reveal their brilliance.

"Since you are so confident, then I will give you an opportunity."

"Let me make this clear first. Talent does not represent future achievements. If you cannot earn a name for yourself, I hope you will follow my wishes and become the next leader of the Uchiha Clan!"

Those who could become clan heads were geniuses themselves. Most people of his generation had also grown up. Though they could not compare to Uchiha You, their strength was not to be underestimated.

Take the younger generation's Uchiha Fugaku, for instance. His future achievements would certainly reach the level of an Elite Jonin. The Uchiha Clan's Elite Jonin were powerful, but they still could not directly contend with the village.

"Mm."

This was confidence born from strength, not arrogance!

The power of radioactive elements grew stronger by the day. Now, all he lacked was an opportunity!

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

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

Uchiha He could handle the remaining cleanup. The loss of supplies would indeed leave the Uchiha Clan temporarily strained, but compared with the time they had gained, it was undoubtedly worthwhile.

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

A shinobi with a name, whether in strength or prestige, had reached the peak of the Shinobi World.

And the village's response to Uchiha You over this matter would be the first lesson in testing him.

"Then let them come. No matter who they are! No matter what methods they use, I will still fear nothing!"