Everyone stared at Uchiha Yan, dumbfounded. Had he gone mad? How could he be so arrogant with a mere single tomoe? Why had they never noticed before?
"Hahaha..."
Utatane Koharu was the first to react. "Hiruzen, now I'm certain Uchiha Haruna's lines were all Yan's ideas.
"With him there, Hizashi's squad is already halfway to completing its mission."
The Third Hokage nodded with a smile. "'I can crush the Five Kage with a wave of my hand'-even I wanted to hit someone after hearing that, let alone those spies.
"Yan, don't take it too far. If they decide they'd rather fail to deliver the intelligence than let you live, you'll be in danger.
"You've been staying in your room lately, so you wouldn't know, but everyone in the Uchiha Clan wants to give Xiaren a beating. Even Mikoto personally beat him up."
"Yes! I'll keep it within bounds. Thank you for the reminder, Third Hokage."
"Go!"
After they left the Hokage Building, Kakashi glanced at Uchiha Yan and abruptly offered a warning.
"Yan, knowing too much isn't good for you. Try to play dumb."
"Thanks for the warning!"
Uchiha Yan did not explain. Some people could play dumb, but he could not. He needed to grow smarter and smarter-so smart that the Third Hokage could not bear to kill him, so smart that the Uchiha Clan would have to rely on him.
Playing the fool to catch your enemies off guard felt great, but that depended on the circumstances. Otherwise, you really would become a sitting duck.
He had already established himself as someone who loved peace, was intelligent, and did not fear sacrifice. Casually changing that persona would only lead to death. There was no other outcome.
From the Third Hokage's refusal to replace Kakashi just now, Uchiha Yan