He stood up.
Straightening the Genin Forehead Protector on his forehead, Ning Feng was about to leave his room when he finally noticed that the Genin Forehead Protector had stats, too.
[Genin Forehead Protector]: A symbol possessed only by those who successfully graduate from the Ninja Academy. This Genin Forehead Protector increases the user's defense by 500 points and can protect against attacks to the head! Reduces damage from head attacks by 30%!
Although the Genin Forehead Protector's stats were nothing special, it was better than nothing.
Leaving his room, Ning Feng went straight to the Meeting Hall at the Uchiha Estate. Uchiha Fugaku sat quietly at the head of the hall, with several Uchiha elders seated beside him.
This was Ning Feng's first time meeting the elders of the Uchiha Clan, and every face was unfamiliar. Even so, he could sense the intense killing intent that only ninja who had lived through life-and-death struggles possessed.
Uchiha Fugaku in particular radiated an intense killing intent, one that even surpassed Uchiha Itachi's.
"This is Uchiha Minato, my son. A few days ago, he made quite a contribution by killing Kirigakure spies."
"He was even promoted to the Anbu by Lord Hokage!"
Before Ning Feng could speak, Uchiha Fugaku smiled with gratification and hurried to introduce him to the elders.
In fact, even now, Uchiha Fugaku was still shaken.
The reason was simple. Very little time had passed since Uchiha Minato began practicing ninjutsu, yet the boy had not only awakened the two-tomoe Sharingan but also mastered many of the Uchiha Clan's ninjutsu and Taijutsu techniques.
He had thought Uchiha Itachi was already an extraordinary genius who far surpassed his peers. He had never expected Uchiha Minato to be even more impressive than Uchiha Itachi.
At just five years old, he was already so highly regarded by the Hokage that he was being promoted to the Anbu!
"What a promising young talent! Whether our Uchiha Clan can continue its glory depends on this generation, on Uchiha Itachi and Uchiha Minato."
"Indeed. I had some concerns about our Uchiha Clan's future, but now it seems those worries were entirely unnecessary!"
"If only my children could be like Minato!"
The many Uchiha elders discussed among themselves, showering him with praise and admiration. Their gazes toward Uchiha Fugaku brimmed with envy, while a trace of resentment secretly flickered in the corners of their eyes.
After all, as the head of the main family, Uchiha Fugaku controlled all the resources of the entire Uchiha Clan, and the branch families had always had their eyes on him.
The emergence of Uchiha Itachi and Uchiha Minato had thoroughly dashed the hopes of those branches.
After all, none of their peers could match Uchiha Itachi or Uchiha Minato.
Ah, if only Obito Uchiha were still around, perhaps we could still compete!
One Uchiha elder thought this regretfully.
Seeing the looks in the elders' eyes, Uchiha Fugaku's lips curved slightly. He thought his position as clan leader would probably remain secure for a very, very long time.
In fact, he had summoned Uchiha Minato precisely to silence the Uchiha elders who coveted his position as clan leader. Only then could he better control the entire Uchiha Clan.
"Hahaha, elders, there's no need for regret. Perhaps you'll soon have genius ninja like Minato yourselves!"
"Actually, Minato, besides having you meet your uncles, there's something else I wanted to tell you today!"
At this point, Uchiha Fugaku's gaze gradually turned cold. "You'll be joining the Anbu soon, and the Anbu holds countless secrets. I hope you'll be able to tell us all those secrets when the time comes."
"Just like your older brother, Uchiha Itachi!"
As soon as he finished, before Ning Feng could speak, the Uchiha elders exchanged knowing looks.
Clearly, they were secretly plotting something.
Hearing this, Ning Feng thought, Just as I expected.
In the original story, Uchiha Itachi had spent a period working as a double agent, sharing Konoha's intelligence with the Uchiha Clan.
And sharing the Uchiha Clan's intelligence with Konoha...
Sure enough, now that he was about to join the Anbu, the Uchiha Clan wanted him to become a spy.
"Of course, these secrets are actually inconsequential. It's only to strengthen the Uchiha Clan," Uchiha Fugaku hurriedly added, seemingly worried that Ning Feng would refuse.
"Yes, they're inconsequential. Besides, we'll give you plenty of benefits!"
The Uchiha elders all chimed in.
Listening to them, Ning Feng's lips curved slightly.
He had anticipated this day long ago. As for intelligence, he could simply make something up when the time came.
As long as he could grow stronger as quickly as possible and resolve everything before the Night of the Uchiha Clan Massacre arrived, everything would be fine.
Of course, the Uchiha Clan could not be wiped out. Otherwise, how would he dominate the entire Shinobi World?
He alone was far from enough.
When he returned to the real world and the demonic beasts descended, others would unleash ninjutsu, while he would directly summon the entire Uchiha Clan. How terrifying would that be?!
"I can provide intelligence, but I'll need things in exchange!"
Ning Feng smiled faintly.
Naturally, he would not give them real intelligence.
Seeing how obedient Ning Feng was, Uchiha Fugaku immediately nodded in satisfaction. "Good, good. Whether your dad can secure a place in Konoha High Command depends on you!"
Soon, the Uchiha elders began celebrating, as though having Itachi and Ning Feng as their two sharp blades meant the Uchiha Clan had nothing left to worry about!
Of course, Ning Feng, who was familiar with Naruto, also knew that the Uchiha Clan had resorted to this out of helplessness.
After all, as Konoha rapidly developed, both the Yamanaka Clan and the Akimichi Clan had attached themselves to the Hokage and secured positions in his upper ranks, clearly gaining countless benefits as a result.
By contrast, ever since Madara Uchiha defected from Konoha, the Uchiha Clan, once one of Konoha's greatest contributors, had become increasingly marginalized.
Indeed, after Minato Namikaze took office, the Uchiha Clan no longer even had a seat in Konoha High Command. Their highest position now was merely captain of the police force...
It could be said that Konoha's exclusion had made survival increasingly difficult for the Uchiha Clan.
Now that Uchiha Itachi and Uchiha Minato had finally both won the Hokage's favor and successfully joined the Anbu, this was undoubtedly a good opportunity for the Uchiha Clan to rise again!
Naturally, this was even more true for the ambitious Uchiha Fugaku!
Unfortunately, what Uchiha Fugaku did not know was that Uchiha Minato was even more ambitious than he was!
Before you continue