"Master Yuichi, this is Uchiha Fugaku's confession."
Uchiha Kenta, the one who had conducted the interrogation, handed Yuichi a confession stained with blood. The details were damning—charges ranging from attacking fellow ninjas to peeping on women in the baths, and even assaulting widows at night. Fugaku's reputation had been thoroughly tarnished.
Yuichi glanced over the confession, a satisfied smirk playing on his lips. "Well done," he praised, patting Kenta on the shoulder before heading to another interrogation room, where Uchiha Yuan, the current patriarch, was being held.
"Patriarch, how are you finding your stay here? I hope they've been treating you well?" Yuichi asked with a mocking tone.
Uchiha Yuan, sitting on a humble tatami with his eyes closed, suddenly opened them, filled with anger. "Yuichi, what do you want?"
Yuichi remained unruffled. "Actually, I just wanted to show you something." He placed the confession in front of Yuan. "Fugaku has accumulated quite a list of crimes. How many years do you think he'll get if this goes to trial?"
Yuan's fists clenched in frustration. "Do you think framing your own clan and imprisoning me will gain you the support of the Uchiha? You're too despicable to lead this clan."
Yuan still believed Yuichi's ultimate goal was to become the head of the Uchiha family. And in truth, Yuichi had started to consider that possibility. Initially, he hadn't been interested in the position, knowing that even as a Kage-level ninja, leading the Uchiha might not prevent their downfall. But with the power of his new system, Yuichi's confidence had grown.
"Uchiha Yuan, I advise you to be more polite. It wouldn't be hard for me to have Fugaku executed right now," Yuichi stated calmly.
Yuan, realizing the gravity of the situation, asked, "What do you want?"
"I want to be the captain of the guard. Fugaku must step down."
"Fine, I agree," Yuan said, his voice laced with bitterness. As long as Yuichi didn't demand the patriarch's title, he was willing to concede.
Yuichi's expression didn't change. "Good, but there's one more thing. I need money—ten million ryo."
"What did you say?" Yuan's shock was evident as he stood up abruptly, only to cough up blood from the strain.
"Ten million Ryo shouldn't be a problem for you, Patriarch."
Yuan nearly choked at Yuichi's outrageous demand. Ten million Ryo was a massive sum, far more than a typical S-rank mission's reward, which was usually around one million Ryo. The Uchiha clan, though wealthy, had never amassed such a fortune, especially given their lack of business ventures compared to other clans like the Nara, Akimichi, and Yamanaka families.
"You have two choices: pay up or watch your son rot in Konoha's prison," Yuichi said, knocking on the table.
"The senior officials of Konoha would love to see Fugaku behind bars, and you know what happens to people in prison. Do you really want your son to lose his chance at becoming the patriarch?"
Faced with no alternative, Uchiha Yuan reluctantly agreed. "Fine, you'll get your money."
"Good. Now, someone will escort you out," Yuichi instructed, signalling to Uchiha Sota.
As Yuan was being led away, Uchiha Sota, one of Yuichi's subordinates, expressed his frustration. "It's too easy to let him go like this. That old man has caused you so much trouble."
Yuichi dismissed the concern. "If we kill him, do you think the elders of the Uchiha family will sit idly by?"
Yuichi had never intended to kill Uchiha Yuan. Killing him would not only provoke the Uchiha elders but also attract unwanted attention from Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Third Hokage. Besides, even without being killed, Uchiha Yuan wouldn't survive long. His injuries, old and new, would likely claim his life within a week.
"But what about Uchiha Fugaku? Are we really going to let him go?" Sota asked.
"Of course, but only after Uchiha Yuan is dead. I'm a man of my word," Yuichi replied with a sinister smile. "For now, make sure Fugaku is well-guarded. We can't afford any mistakes."
"Don't worry, Lord Yuichi. With me and Sota guarding him, Fugaku won't escape," Uchiha Sasuke assured him.
Yuichi nodded, satisfied. He left the guard post, and shortly after returning to the clan's headquarters, a Jōnin arrived, carrying the money Uchiha Yuan had promised. The Jōnin glared at Yuichi as he handed over the funds.
"Now, let the young patriarch go."
Yuichi, unfazed by the Jōnin's anger, responded by kicking him out. "Go back and tell Uchiha Yuan that I'll decide when to release Fugaku."
After shutting the door, Yuichi looked at the passbook on his table and pocketed it with a smirk. Uchiha Yuan had been quick to fulfil his demand, eager to save his son.
The familiar sound of the system chimed in Yuichi's mind:
[Ding, extorted Ten million Ryo, Reward: B-level Ninjutsu Fire Style · Extinguishing Fire, Evil Value +5000]
"Only 5,000 evil points? But at least I got a decent ninjutsu," Yuichi thought, satisfied with the outcome. The Fire Extinguishing Jutsu, once a powerful technique within the Uchiha clan, had been lost ever since Uchiha Madara's departure. Having access to it again gave Yuichi an additional edge in his quest for power.
With Uchiha Yuan's influence waning and Fugaku under his control, Yuichi knew he was on the brink of securing his dominance within the Uchiha clan. The road ahead was still fraught with challenges, but with the wealth, power, and now even the ancient techniques at his disposal, Yuichi was confident that nothing could stand in his way. The future of the Uchiha was his to shape, and anyone who dared oppose him would soon learn the true meaning of fear.