Ready to make the first move!

"Bai Ye, are you home?"

Outside Bai Ye's room, a girl's clear voice rang out along with a knock at the door.

"Coming." Bai Ye put away the things he had just packed, then went to the door, where he found Uchiha Izumi waiting.

At the sight of Bai Ye, a flicker of delight crossed Uchiha Izumi's face. "I knew you were home! Hmph, Grandpa said you were leaving on a mission!"

"That was the plan, but I've changed my mind. I'll take a break. I've been going on missions too often lately!"

Bai Ye smiled and reached out to pat Izumi's head, but she quickly ducked away. "Bai Ye, patting my head will stop me from growing taller!"

Uchiha Izumi frowned, though she hardly looked displeased.

She had never really minded before. The main reason was that she had heard somewhere that having someone pat your head would stunt your growth.

That had scared her.

Seeing her reaction, Bai Ye chuckled. "What did you need me for?"

He had actually approached Uchiha Izumi deliberately when they first met.

After all, Bai Ye had considered getting in touch with that oh-so-filial son, but approaching him out of the blue clearly wouldn't work. Uchiha Izumi had offered the perfect opening.

Later, though, Bai Ye had given up on that route.

It wasn't as if Bai Ye hadn't initially considered changing Shisui Uchiha and Uchiha Itachi.

But after interacting with them a few times, he realized that turning those two around wouldn't be so simple.

Especially that oh-so-filial son.

The guy had a one-track mind. There was no getting him to change course.

There was still a chance of winning Shisui over, but he would need something compelling enough to sway him.

Although that plan hadn't worked out, his relationship with Uchiha Izumi had turned out quite well.

Originally, Bai Ye had wondered whether he could find an opportunity to take Izumi away with him.

But that would be too difficult.

Besides, without knowing the truth, Uchiha Izumi probably wouldn't leave with him.

It really would be a shame if this girl died on the night of the clan massacre.

Of course, the saddest thing would be if Uchiha Izumi truly still liked that oh-so-filial son, Uchiha Itachi.

Watching Bai Ye drift into thought, Uchiha Izumi tilted her head and studied him for a moment before asking, "What are you thinking about, Bai Ye? I wanted to invite you over for dinner."

Uchiha Izumi had originally only wanted to see whether Bai Ye was home.

After school today, she finally had some free time without any homework.

She had planned to come play with Bai Ye, but when her grandfather told her he was leaving on a mission, she had rushed right over.

Uchiha Izumi hadn't had many playmates to begin with.

Most of the other people in the village didn't really play with members of the Uchiha Clan.

Her playmates were mostly children her own age within the clan. Older Uchiha like Bai Ye, especially an Elite Jonin, generally couldn't be bothered to play with a little kid like her.

But Bai Ye was an exception.

He was well-liked within the clan, unlike the other Uchiha who looked down their noses at everyone.

That was why many people in the Uchiha Clan were happy to spend time with Bai Ye.

Uchiha Izumi was no exception.

A moment ago, she had simply thought she would have no one to play with for a long time.

So she had rushed over without a second thought to see whether Bai Ye had already left.

But now that Bai Ye wasn't leaving, she immediately thought of inviting him to her house for dinner.

Of course, this wasn't entirely a spur-of-the-moment idea. Hadn't her grandfather mentioned it before?

"Sure, but I need to tidy up first. I'll come over in a bit, all right?"

"Okay!"

Uchiha Izumi nodded, then prepared to head home and tell her grandfather the news.

Two hours later.

When Bai Ye arrived, he was a little surprised to find only Uchiha Izumi's grandfather, Uchiha Hui, there.

"Sorry. Izumi was supposed to join us, but something came up, so she ate early and went off to take care of it. That leaves just this old man here. You don't mind, do you?"

"Of course not. It's been a while since you and I had a chat alone, hasn't it?"

Bai Ye gave Uchiha Hui a meaningful look.

Whether Uchiha Izumi really had something to do was debatable.

But Uchiha Hui clearly had something to discuss with him.

Uchiha Hui was an elder of the Middle Faction and held real authority within it. Essentially, the Middle Faction was led by him.

And Bai Ye was hardly the only person who could see the Uchiha Clan's current situation clearly.

So, in Bai Ye's view, the fact that Uchiha Hui had arranged to be alone with him meant he definitely had something else in mind.

"A chat would be nice. Before long, the clan will be in the hands of you young people. Old fellows like us will have to step down sooner or later."

Uchiha Hui sighed and gestured for Bai Ye to sit.

Once Bai Ye sat down, he immediately changed the subject. "I'm sure you're aware of the Uchiha Clan's current situation. I didn't really want to bring these questions to you, but...

"Whether inside or outside the clan, things don't seem to be going well. And with your fighting strength, I imagine the other two factions have already tried to recruit you, haven't they?

"I'd been meaning to find a chance to talk to you anyway, but since Izumi invited you over this time,

"I might as well take this opportunity to have a proper talk with you."

Uchiha Hui was a straightforward man by nature.

He said whatever was on his mind.

Although his position in the Middle Faction sometimes forced him to make decisions he didn't want to make,

he knew very well that they were necessary to maintain a balance.

Otherwise, they would start fighting among themselves before they even resolved the problem.

That was a very real possibility within the Uchiha Clan.

He had also chosen to speak so directly because he knew there was no point in beating around the bush with Bai Ye. Better to come right out with it.

In Uchiha Hui's view, the three most promising young people in the Uchiha Clan were Shisui Uchiha, Uchiha Itachi, and Uchiha Bai Ye.

The first two leaned toward the Dove Faction, but Bai Ye's current stance was entirely unknown.

Whether it was the Middle Faction, the Dove Faction, or the Radical Faction, all three factions currently wanted to win Bai Ye over.

He was young and powerful. That meant he represented not only the future, but could also play a significant role right now.

Bai Ye also had an excellent reputation within the clan and treated everyone well, so whichever faction he sided with would benefit from his support.

It would surely gain a whole group of supporters afterward.

After hearing Uchiha Hui's words, Bai Ye thought, Just as I expected.

This old fox...

He sent Uchiha Izumi away just to find out where I stand.

But this works too...

In the past, he would certainly have dodged the issue, but now it was time to give Uchiha Hui a little shock!