Minato Namikaze's expression darkened. He had expected Uchiha Yuu to be furious over this, perhaps even to erupt into conflict with him, but he had never expected him to remain so calm, as if it 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 period, the village entered an eerie calm. Even the Uchiha family, listed as a key target for observation, said nothing about Uchiha Yuu's unfair treatment, as though even they had abandoned him.
But everyone knew that was impossible.
Ever since the last banquet ended, Uchiha Yuu had not left the Uchiha family compound. With Enlightenment Weapons Store secretly maintaining contact with him, both sides were under strict ANBU surveillance, so even the Explosive Tags were no longer being delivered.
The Hokage Faction's wariness was now out in the open. As for how to deal with the Uchiha family and Uchiha Yuu, even the consistently prudent Third Hokage had no good solution. He could only follow his usual cautious approach and first stabilize the Uchiha family.
Unfortunately, things had already gone far beyond the Third Hokage's control.
A guest of special status arrived at the Uchiha family's meeting hall. Even Uchiha Fugaku, the clan head, personally came to receive him.
"Teacher Orochimaru."
Yuu's aura had grown increasingly profound. Even those closest to him would instinctively feel afraid upon seeing him now. He was completely different from the youth who had once stood beneath the sunlight. Uchiha Yuu had truly entered the darkness.
But that was merely darkness as ordinary people understood it. Those who truly knew him understood that this was the night that had to be endured before the dawn arrived.