Uchiha Clan's Scheme

News of the Ninja Academy's latest class graduating brought much vitality and bustle to Konoha.

Inside Uchiha Fugaku's home, several imposing members of the Uchiha Clan wore gloomy expressions.

The atmosphere was icy to the extreme.

"What a humiliation! Our Uchiha Clan was actually defeated by taijutsu!"

Elder Uchiha Fusan swept his gaze across the room and spoke coldly.

"Elder Fusan, don't get so worked up!"

Uchiha Fugaku, smiling ingratiatingly beside him, refilled his tea and tried to smooth things over.

"Am I worked up?!"

Elder Fusan's face was dark, his voice hoarse as he glared at Uchiha Fugaku.

"Heh-heh!"

Uchiha Fugaku shook his head and set down the teapot.

"Elder, are you referring to the Ninja Academy's Ranking Match?"

The Second Elder, Uchiha Fusui, glanced at Uchiha Fugaku. After pondering for a moment, he spoke as well.

"Actually, I think it's enough that the winner of the final Ranking Match was still one of our Uchiha Clan."

Hearing this, Elder Uchiha Fusan became even more agitated.

"What do you mean, enough? An Uchiha must take first place, but it has to be through our Bloodline Limit!

A trash who didn't even open his Sharingan actually defeated one of our outstanding clansmen who had awakened his Sharingan. How humiliating! What will those civilian ninjas think of us in the future?"

"I propose that we seize Uchiha Yufeng and bring him back to the clan, where he will be kept under strict guard!"

At those words, Uchiha Fugaku's eyes narrowed.

"Elder, you've had too much to drink. You should go back and rest early."

The sudden shift in attitude startled the surrounding clansmen.

When Uchiha Fugaku had risen to the position of Clan Head, Elder Uchiha Fusan had strongly supported him.

It was no exaggeration to say that he had been one of Uchiha Fugaku's greatest pillars within the clan. Yet now, Uchiha Fugaku was openly refuting the Elder?

"Fugaku, what do you mean?"

Elder Uchiha Fusan had likewise not expected Uchiha Fugaku to treat him this way. Embarrassed and enraged, he slammed his hand against the table and glared at Uchiha Fugaku.

"Elder, I said you're drunk. Do you understand?"

As Uchiha Fugaku spoke, his black pupils turned blood-red.

Three black tomoe began to spin.

"Yes!"

With just that one glance, Uchiha Fusan's entire body trembled, his face filled with terror.

The surrounding clansmen were stunned.

They had never expected this Clan Head, who always tried to play peacemaker, to suddenly become so forceful.

"If there's nothing else, please leave. I'm a little tired."

At this point, the Elder could not utter another word. His entire body shook as though he were convulsing.

Uchiha Fugaku turned his gaze toward the Second Elder, Uchiha Fusui.

"The Elder is somewhat tired. Be sure to bring him back safely!"

"Yes! Rest assured, Clan Head!"

Uchiha Fusui hurriedly agreed.

"Clan Head, we'll take our leave first."

After saying that, he signaled several younger Uchiha clansmen beside him. They wiped the cold sweat from their foreheads, helped Uchiha Fusan up, and departed.

Only then did the spinning Sharingan in Uchiha Fugaku's eyes fade away.

"What a disgrace!"

Uchiha Fugaku stared toward the doorway and spat out coldly.

Uchiha Mikoto, who had come over to clear the table, saw the expression on Uchiha Fugaku's face and smiled gently.

"Why are you so angry?"

"Those old fools are becoming more senile by the day. For the sake of their own grandson, they actually tried to pull rank and make me deal with Uchiha Yufeng!"

Uchiha Fusan's grandson was Uchiha Homura, the one Uchiha Yufeng had defeated.

"Although Uchiha Yufeng is one of our Uchiha Clan, he has now graduated from the Ninja Academy, and he took first place at that. The Third Hokage has also spoken with him several times and values him greatly.

Yet under these circumstances, they still want me to deal with Uchiha Yufeng! If I did that, where would it leave the Uchiha Clan's reputation? When the Third Hokage steps down in the future, how am I supposed to run for Hokage?"

Hearing this, Uchiha Mikoto recalled Uchiha Yufeng's bright smile and smiled at Uchiha Fugaku.

"This matter was indeed taken too far by the Elder and the others..."

Before Uchiha Mikoto could finish, Uchiha Fugaku's expression changed.

"Actually, even if we truly made a move against Uchiha Yufeng, the Third Hokage couldn't say much. After all, it would be an internal clan matter. But now isn't the time, and I certainly wouldn't use such a lowly method..."

Uchiha Mikoto froze.

"Now isn't the time? What do you mean?"

A trace of fervor appeared in Uchiha Fugaku's eyes.

"Naturally, it is for the clan—for our Uchiha Clan.

Shisui is a genius of our Uchiha Clan. His current strength already rivals that of a Chunin, and he may even be able to defeat an ordinary Jonin.

Given time, once his Sharingan develops to Three Tomoe, he will surely become one of the Uchiha Clan's strongest."

"If that is all, then it would be a waste for me to have mobilized the entire clan's experts to teach him.

No, that is far from enough!

According to the records of our Uchiha Clan, above the Three-Tomoe Sharingan lies a legendary power!

Shisui's talent is sufficient. No matter what method must be used, as long as he can awaken it, he will surely lead the Uchiha Clan back to glory!"

"What does Shisui's Sharingan evolving have to do with Uchiha Yufeng..."

Uchiha Mikoto frowned deeply and murmured.

But a few seconds later, she seemed to realize something.

As she looked into Uchiha Fugaku's eyes, a trace of horror appeared in her own.

"Could it be that you want to..."

Mikoto's delicate hand trembled, and the teacup shattered across the floor...

Elsewhere.

Outside Ichiraku Ramen.

"You all did well today. Your teacher is treating you to ramen!"

"Thank you, Sensei!"

"Thank you, Father!"

Yuhi Shinku laughed heartily, clearly in a fine mood.

Previously, he had only heard his daughter Kurenai say that Uchiha Yufeng was quite capable.

But after seeing him today, even his tactical arrangements alone had been astonishing.

Aside from his taijutsu and medical care skills, Uchiha Yufeng was unexpectedly so seasoned in team organization, planning, and battlefield layout.

He had even caught a Jonin like himself in a trap just now.

If this had been a battlefield, and he had underestimated this team, he would have paid a bloody price!

Yuhi Shinku had previously worried that his daughter, Yuhi Kurenai, would face danger during missions after becoming a ninja.

But if she carried out missions with someone as reliable and skilled in combat strategy as him...

Her chances of survival would surely increase greatly.

While the three were eating ramen,

a pale-faced man passed by. Spotting Uchiha Yufeng, he looked slightly surprised.

"Yufeng-kun?"

Hearing the hoarse voice, the four of them turned around.

"Orochimaru-sama!"

Yuhi Shinku stood up.

Orochimaru nodded to him, but his gaze ultimately fell upon Uchiha Yufeng.

"Yufeng-kun, do you have time to come to my place?"

Hearing Orochimaru's invitation, Uchiha Yufeng put down his chopsticks.

But he looked toward Yuhi Shinku.

"If you want to go, then go. There are no more missions today!"

Uchiha Yufeng nodded. After saying his goodbyes,

he followed Orochimaru out of Ichiraku Ramen.

Orochimaru said nothing more. He led the way toward the laboratory where he lived.

"Ding, Yakushi Kabuto Fragment +6."

"Uchiha Sasuke (Shippuden) Fragment +2."

"..."