Test

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

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

Yuu did not explain further. Who could say for certain what the future held? With him fluttering through history like a butterfly, events that had once been set in stone had long since been overturned.

As the three discussed their next training plan, Uchiha Yuu suddenly sensed something and looked toward the distant forest. One of the Uchiha Clan members was there.

"Yuu, the clan leader wants to see you."

"I understand."

He knew the reason. Uchiha Shuiyun had vanished without a trace, neither alive nor dead, and even the Jonin in the team knew nothing. They wanted to ask about the details.

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

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

Knock, knock, knock!

After the knocking sounded, Uchiha Yuu pushed the door open and entered. The other man was handling clan affairs. Looking directly at him, Yuu got 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. Yuu dared to reveal the truth outright. Feeling the heavy atmosphere, he added,

"He told Amegakure our whereabouts, turning the mission into an S-rank one. We had Shuiyun to thank for that."

The word "thank" was especially sarcastic. Betraying the village was such a grave offense that he could have been executed on the spot!

He had betrayed the Uchiha Clan as well!

"I guessed as much."

Uchiha He rose to his feet and let out a deep sigh. He had not summoned Yuu 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 the clan!"

"Fortunately, you killed him in time. Though the matter was not handled perfectly, its impact has undoubtedly been greatly reduced."

He gave the good news first. Yet after good news came a harsh reality. He took out a letter from the desk, lightly pushed it forward, and let it land before Uchiha Yuu.

"Hm?"

It contained the Hokage's investigation report.

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

The Uchiha Clan would have to compensate for the damages. Furthermore, with war approaching, some clan members would need to be sent to the front lines in preparation for any emergency.

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

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

"I can help the clan endure one hardship after another, but one day, I will fall."

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

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

"The same darkness, yet extraordinary talent!"

Neither of them stated it outright, but Uchiha Yuu understood what the clan leader meant.

He wanted Yuu to become the next generation's leader and command the Uchiha Clan.

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

"Clan Leader, you're 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 Yuu raised his head, his eyes had already turned into the Sharingan.

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

Even if he had to shoulder certain burdens, Uchiha Yuu was confident that he could grow strong enough to stand shoulder to shoulder with his predecessors—or even surpass them. By then, any so-called burden would be nothing more than an effortless convenience!

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

He did not force him; He merely felt it was a pity.

Seeing the disappointment on the other man's face, Yuu suddenly felt that Uchiha He's back was no longer as straight as it had once been. After thinking for a moment, Yuu gave an affirmative answer.

"No, Clan Leader, you misunderstand."

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

Yuu's words caught Uchiha He off guard and filled him with surprise. Mutual benefit could only be built on equal standing. Could it be...

Yuu 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 Yuu could truly make a name for himself in the war and establish a certain level of prestige, coupled with the fact that he belonged to the Hokage's faction, then even if he could not become Hokage, one of his companions would certainly become Hokage!

The Third Hokage had been in office for a long time. Everyone would eventually 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 fail to 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 leaders were geniuses themselves. Most of those from his generation had also grown up. Though they might not compare to Uchiha Yuu, their strength could not be underestimated.

Take the younger generation's Uchiha Fugaku, for instance. His future achievements would certainly reach Elite Jonin. The Uchiha Clan's Elite Jonin were powerful, but they still could not stand against the village head-on.

"Mm."

This was confidence born from strength, not arrogance!

The power of radioactive elements grew stronger by the day. All he lacked now was an opportunity!

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

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

Uchiha He could handle the remaining cleanup. The material costs would indeed leave the Uchiha Clan temporarily drained, but compared to the time they had gained, 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 that."

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

And the village's response toward Uchiha Yuu over this incident would be the first lesson in testing him.

"Then let them come! No matter who they are, no matter what methods they use, I still won't fear them!"