Chapter 10

Ruthless! Absolutely ruthless! As expected of the Uchiha Clan's leader, his methods were something else.

When one plan failed, he moved straight to the next.

First, he gave Liuyun a house, improving his living conditions and strengthening his sense of belonging to the Uchiha Clan.

Second, he swore an oath and appealed to Liuyun's emotions, making Uchiha Yuantong the scapegoat as the chief culprit.

That would erase the rift between Liuyun and the Uchiha Clan.

The third step was probably Uchiha Fuchu's trump card: announcing that Liuyun would receive every benefit reserved for the clan's greatest talents, winning him over!

In his previous life, Liuyun had read countless novels and watched plenty of spectacular palace dramas.

He knew this routine inside out.

A child of any other age would surely have been overwhelmed with gratitude by Uchiha Fuchu's string of moves.

But Liuyun merely chuckled to himself. I'll just sit back and watch you perform.

Seeing Liuyun remain silent, Uchiha Fuchu was pleased. He felt his plan was already working as intended.

"Liuyun! The most important reason I came here was to tell you that, from now on, the clan will give you the highest level of benefits!"

Uchiha Fuchu spoke with a beaming smile, his tone as kindly as could be.

"The highest level?" Uchiha Mikoto's mouth fell open.

The Uchiha Clan divided its talented members into three tiers. Uchiha Mikoto belonged to the lowest, the third tier!

Uchiha Fugaku's talent originally placed him in the second tier, but because of his father, he had been put in the first. He was effectively a first-tier talent in name only.

Even the monthly allowance for a third-tier talent was far higher than an ordinary person's.

That was without counting the subsidies for Ninjutsu, Ninja Tools, and everything else.

Uchiha Mikoto's third-tier benefits were enough to keep her and Liuyun fed all month, with money left over at the end.

As for the Uchiha Clan's first-tier benefits, no one had reportedly received them in decades!

The last person to receive them dated all the way back to the Sengoku era. He later earned a fearsome reputation throughout the Shinobi World.

He was the ancestor who first awakened the Eternal Eye and founded Konoha alongside Hashirama Senju: Madara Uchiha.

The first-tier benefits went without saying. As far as money was concerned, so long as he spent no more than one million ryo a month, he could simply write down his name and collect it from the storehouse.

Two dedicated Uchiha Jonin would also protect him in secret whenever he went out.

In short, the clan would treat him like an ancestor to be worshipped.

But such generous benefits came with immense pressure.

Every two weeks, someone would assess his strength. If he met their expectations, he would keep the benefits. If not, he would be demoted.

There was no such thing as a free lunch. To get something, he had to give something in return.

Naturally, Liuyun had thought of everything Uchiha Mikoto had.

Without hesitation, he shook his head and said gravely,

"Thank you for your generosity, Clan Leader, but I don't deserve first-tier benefits."

"Liuyun, you're being too modest!"

Uchiha Fuchu smiled warmly.

Before coming, he had already learned everything he could about Uchiha Liuyun's strength.

If nothing else, Liuyun's defeat of Minato Namikaze today was enough to warrant second-tier benefits.

"Please let me finish, Clan Leader," Liuyun interrupted.

"I'm used to taking things easy. First-tier benefits would be too much for me. Just give me the same third-tier benefits as Mikoto!"

"And if possible, I'd like some notes on Genjutsu, as well as some Ninjutsu. The Shadow Clone Technique would be great too!"

He would be a fool to turn down something free, especially when Uchiha Fuchu was offering it.

"Of course! I'll have them delivered tomorrow!" Delight instantly spread across Uchiha Fuchu's face.

He wasn't afraid of Liuyun making demands. He was afraid Liuyun wouldn't make any.

Now that Liuyun had asked for something, everything else could be settled!

"Very well! Since you don't want first-tier benefits, I'll respect your wishes."

"It's getting late. I'll be going!"

Having achieved his purpose, Uchiha Fuchu had no reason to stay.

"All right! We'll see you out, Clan Leader!"

Liuyun took Uchiha Mikoto outside by the hand, deliberately acting close to her.

He wanted Uchiha Fuchu to pass a message to that bastard Uchiha Fugaku.

Forget about chasing a girl younger than you. Uchiha Mikoto is already taken.

Only after Uchiha Fuchu's figure had vanished completely into the night did Liuyun and Mikoto return to the hall.

"Liuyun! Why didn't you accept first-tier benefits? The clan would have valued you so much more!"

Beside the table, Uchiha Mikoto tilted her little head, looking thoroughly puzzled.

"First-tier benefits are great, but they come with a lot of pressure. The clan would plan out every hour of my day."

"That's not the life I want!"

Liuyun poured himself a glass of water and shook his head slightly.

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The Road to Winning Her Over Was Long

"Then what kind of life do you want?" Uchiha Mikoto asked curiously, pursing her lips.

"The life I have now is pretty good! A wife, kids, and a warm home. It'll be even better when we have a whole litter of little ones!"

Liuyun gazed at Uchiha Mikoto, his eyes full of affection and heat.

"Pah! There you go again!" Uchiha Mikoto lowered her head, unable to meet his heated gaze.

With that, she hurried toward her room on her short legs.

"That's enough to make her shy?" Liuyun paused, drained his glass, and sighed.

"Looks like I still have a long way to go with those two girls!"

"Oh, right! I haven't claimed today's sign-in reward!"

Remembering it, Liuyun slapped his forehead.

"System! Sign in!"

"Ding! Congratulations, host! You have obtained the adults-only, outrageously satisfying novel Life's Endless Regrets, Waters Ever Stirring."

Liuyun's mouth twitched. The novel was definitely adults-only, and it would certainly be a thrilling read.

The problem was that it was of no use to him at all.

Oh well. He had already gained plenty today!

Shaking his head, Liuyun washed up and lay down on his bed.

He opened the system's Character Panel.

[Uchiha Liuyun]

Physique: Chunin

Chakra: 0.2 Kakas (1 Kaka = Kakashi's chakra capacity)

Ninjutsu: Three-Body Technique (beginner), Kunai Throwing (mastered)

Taijutsu: None!

Genjutsu: Hell Viewing Technique (proficient)

Bloodline: Uchiha Bloodline, One-Tomoe Sharingan, Ice-Ice Fruit abilities

Overall combat strength: Elite Chunin

Inventory: Secret Room Douluo Deluxe Edition (slightly worn)

His physique had increased by twice its original amount, leaving him with three times what he had before, yet it had only just reached the Chunin level.

His overall combat strength had also reached Elite Chunin. All in all, he had gained a lot today.

Liuyun nodded in satisfaction, then opened the Secret Room Douluo he had been looking forward to. Tonight, he intended to give it a thorough going-over.

Two hours later, his face flushed, Liuyun took a cold shower.

Then his figure flashed, and he quietly disappeared from his room.

Breathing in the familiar fragrance, Liuyun looked at the sleeping Uchiha Mikoto.

He tiptoed over to the Tatami, gently took her into his arms, and fell peacefully asleep.

Perhaps only this could quench the raging fire within him.

In the morning, a ray of sunlight streamed in, and Liuyun opened his eyes.

Uchiha Mikoto was already gone from beside him.

Liuyun went to the hall and found Uchiha Mikoto humming as she made breakfast. She was clearly in a good mood today.

"You're awake! Wash up, and breakfast will be ready!"

Uchiha Mikoto greeted Liuyun with a bright smile and asked nothing about last night.

Liuyun naturally wasn't foolish enough to bring it up. He merely smiled and nodded.

Inside, though, he was thrilled. Did this mean that after reading Secret Room Douluo from now on, he could always...

Once he had washed up, a figure appeared at the entrance to the hall.

Liuyun recognized him. He was Uchiha Fuchu's personal guard, Uchiha Zhongtong, an Elite Jonin.

"The clan leader ordered me to give you this scroll!"

When Liuyun appeared, Uchiha Zhongtong took out a scroll and spoke without expression.

Then, without waiting for a reply, he vanished from Liuyun's sight in a flash.

"How very Uchiha. Cold and arrogant as ever! Still, Uchiha Fuchu works fast!"

Liuyun muttered his complaint.

He shut the front door and unsealed the Sealing Scroll.

Bang!

A cloud of smoke rose, and several scrolls appeared before Liuyun.

"What are these? The clan leader had someone deliver them so early in the morning!"

A sweet fragrance drifted over as Uchiha Mikoto approached, her bright eyes wide with curiosity.

"The Genjutsu scrolls I mentioned last night!"

"Oh!"

At that, Uchiha Mikoto's face fell. She immediately lost interest.

Liuyun glanced through the scrolls and put them away. He still had to go to school, and there wasn't enough time to study them now.

Besides notes on Genjutsu, the scrolls contained several basic Genjutsu techniques.

They included the Hell Viewing Technique, which he already knew, the Fox Heart Decapitation Technique, the Temple of Nirvana Technique, and the Tree Binding Death that Kurenai Yuhi had used while fighting Itachi!

There was also the Shadow Clone Technique, which Liuyun needed right now.

"Not bad! Not bad!" Liuyun was pleased with Uchiha Fuchu's efficiency.

He casually tucked the scrolls beneath the Tatami and headed for the dining table.

These were all basic, commonplace techniques. Even if the scrolls were lost, the Uchiha Clan wouldn't care.

Liuyun cared even less. If they went missing, he could always ask Uchiha Fuchu for another copy.