Uchiha Ryun looked at Uchiha Kiyoshi, as if trying to read something from his expression. However, he found that Uchiha Kiyoshi's face was stiff, showing no emotion at all.
Uchiha Ryun sighed. "Lead the way."
"Yes!" Uchiha Kiyoshi replied. He then opened the clan gate and guided Uchiha Ryun inside. Although Uchiha Ryun had not yet explored the Uchiha clan grounds and was somewhat curious, he was currently being summoned by the clan head for negotiations, so he could not afford to lose his imposing demeanor.
Thus, Uchiha Ryun kept his gaze forward, paying no attention to the surrounding clan members' stares and murmurs. Most of the Uchiha clan members were interested in Uchiha Ryun, as rumors had spread privately that he was the true commander of the Land of Rain war.
However, these were just unverified rumors. Otherwise, why wouldn't the clan head and the Hokage mention it?
Uchiha Ryun sighed. He had expected this kind of reaction from these people. But he was not some pushover to be gawked at freely.
So, he snorted coldly and gathered chakra in his hand. Magnet Release: Great Wind Veil (self-created jutsu, no rank) blocked all probing gazes from the clan members.
A curtain of wind and sand formed, obstructing the Uchiha clan members' line of sight, making it impossible for them to see Uchiha Ryun at all.
The crowd's expressions changed. Magnet Release—a Kekkei Genkai! Combined with Uchiha Ryun's Sharingan, this was a dual Kekkei Genkai genius!
The Uchiha clan members' eyes were no longer filled with curiosity but with shock and excitement.
Though they were a clan that revered strength, they also valued honor above all else. Now that a dual Kekkei Genkai genius had appeared within the clan, he would undoubtedly become the clan's most cherished member.
If the genius didn't want to be stared at, then they would leave. After all, he was still an Uchiha—knowing that was enough. In an instant, all the ninjas dispersed.
The Uchiha clan members held nothing but respect for geniuses and strong individuals. Uchiha Ryun raised an eyebrow. This Uchiha clan wasn't so bad after all.
Following Uchiha Kiyoshi's lead, Uchiha Ryun soon arrived at the residence of the clan head, Uchiha Hirotomo. Uchiha Ryun knocked on the door, but there was no response from Uchiha Hirotomo.
Uchiha Ryun frowned and knocked again. Still no response. He smirked coldly. Hmph, trying to intimidate me? Fine, I'll flip the table then.
Uchiha Ryun said, "Kiyoshi, step aside!" Uchiha Kiyoshi froze, unsure what Uchiha Ryun intended to do. Then, he saw Uchiha Ryun clap his hands together, take a deep breath, and exhale a stream of scorching flames.
"Fire Release: Great Fire Annihilation!"
Uchiha Hirotomo could no longer remain calm. His eyes widened as he formed hand seals. "Water Release: Water Wall!" "Water Release: Water Prison Jutsu!"
The Water Wall held back the Great Fire Annihilation for two seconds. During those two seconds, the Water Prison enveloped the house. Finally, the Water Prison and Great Fire Annihilation collided, canceling each other out.
From the billowing white steam, a figure slowly emerged, his entire body red—no need to ask, it was from the scalding steam!
Uchiha Kiyoshi's eyes widened, his lips twitching as he looked at Uchiha Ryun. What the hell? You just casually start a fight with ninjutsu?!
Uchiha Hirotomo walked out with a dark expression. He had only wanted to leave Uchiha Ryun waiting for a bit, but this guy directly unleashed a jutsu. That was going too far!
Uchiha Ryun, however, smiled faintly. "Greetings, Clan Head."
Uchiha Hirotomo relaxed his brow. "Ryun, you're here. Please, come in." He gestured toward his house.
Uchiha Ryun didn't move. He simply smiled at the building.
Uchiha Hirotomo scratched his head. Neither of them moved. Finally, he gave Uchiha Kiyoshi a look. Uchiha Kiyoshi immediately understood, exiting the courtyard, closing the gate, and standing guard outside to observe the surroundings.
Uchiha Hirotomo and Uchiha Ryun sat around the stone table in the courtyard. Neither spoke first, as this was a test of who would yield first.
Uchiha Hirotomo observed Uchiha Ryun's appearance and demeanor, inwardly taking a sharp breath. His looks somewhat resembled that person, while his temperament was more like Uchiha Izuna—elegant and wise, as if everything was part of a grand calculation.
He couldn't understand why Uchiha Ryun's appearance was so similar to that person while his personality resembled Lord Izuna's.
I'll have to check the clan records later. This kid… is extraordinary.
Meanwhile, Uchiha Ryun studied Uchiha Hirotomo's appearance. He noticed that he somewhat resembled Uchiha Itachi, with two pronounced tear troughs and smooth hair hanging on either side of his face.
The difference was that Uchiha Hirotomo's eyes still held light, unlike Uchiha Itachi, who had been filled with lifelessness from a young age.
After a long silence, Uchiha Hirotomo sighed. "Truly, heroes emerge from the young. Ryun, I want to ask if you'd be interested in becoming a clan elder."
Uchiha Ryun remained silent, not immediately responding. He was weighing the pros and cons for himself.
Uchiha Hirotomo didn't rush him. He believed Uchiha Ryun would agree. The Uchiha clan needed a smart individual. His own time was limited, and once he died, many would set their sights on the Uchiha clan.
After much deliberation, Uchiha Ryun considered the implications. Becoming an elder meant the Uchiha clan's survival would be tied to him—a responsibility. But as an elder, he would gain access to the clan's intelligence network.
Information is everything. The sooner I know an enemy's plans, the faster I can counter them.
Another point was that the Uchiha clan members were straightforward. Though somewhat arrogant, they would never scheme against their own.
Future threats like Danzō Shimura and Hiruzen Sarutobi were unavoidable. Relying solely on himself would not be enough to outmaneuver them. Thus, he needed the clan's power—and real authority at that.
As for Fugaku? He was adequate at maintaining stability but lacked ambition. In a village like Konoha, without ambition, one could only wait to be devoured or enslaved.
With this in mind, Uchiha Ryun took a deep breath. "I accept, but I have one condition. If the Clan Head refuses, I can only choose to remain uninvolved."
Uchiha Hirotomo was inwardly delighted. His goal was to bind Uchiha Ryun to the Uchiha clan, so offering the elder position was just a test. If that wasn't enough, he could sweeten the deal.
"Ryun, speak freely. As Clan Head, I will agree," Uchiha Hirotomo said with a smile.
Uchiha Ryun nodded. "Hand over the Uchiha clan's intelligence network to me. If anything happens, I must be the first to know!"
Uchiha Hirotomo nodded. "No problem. As an elder, you already have the right to access intelligence."
"Clan Head, I'm not talking about the right to access intelligence. I mean control over the intelligence network," Uchiha Ryun said with a faint smile.
Uchiha Hirotomo fell silent. He had deliberately dodged the issue earlier because he knew how crucial this was. But from Uchiha Ryun's attitude, he realized evasion wouldn't work.
"Fine." This time, Uchiha Hirotomo didn't sidestep the issue, because he saw Uchiha Ryun's eyes shift into the Three-Tomoe Sharingan.
(Three-Tomoe Sharingan) activated.
To strengthen his bargaining position—his talent—Uchiha Ryun forcibly pushed his Sharingan to the Three-Tomoe level.
An 18-year-old with the Three-Tomoe Sharingan and Magnet Release Kekkei Genkai was guaranteed to become a Kage-level powerhouse if he didn't die prematurely.
What could Uchiha Hirotomo do? Obey, of course.
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