Uchiha Yorin and Elder Yakumi parted on bad terms.
The latter left cursing, saying, "This Uchiha is finished," then turned and walked away.
The former, expressionless, went to the Konoha Orphanage and dumped most of the cash he had earned as a donation to the smiling girl with glasses. He refused her invitation to eat together and returned to the Uchiha clan's training grounds to hone his skills.
The girl with glasses was wonderful, but over time his body really couldn't take it. She had been so green and shy at first, yet by now she made Yorin suspect she was the one courting him, not the other way around.
...
At the same time, the Third retracted his Telescope Technique.
"Truly not bad. Consistent inside and out, a kind child. That boy Yorin is worth cultivating."
He turned to look at Namikaze Minato, who seemed to want to speak.
The latter must have thought that his behind-the-scenes peeking was somewhat unseemly. How naive.
If you don't secretly take a closer look, how can you judge whether Uchiha Yorin truly loves Konoha, or if he's a plant sent by the Uchiha to infiltrate the Hokage faction's waterline.
Sure enough, the Fourth is still too young, too naive. He needs an old comrade as steady as himself to prop him up. Thinking of this, Sarutobi Hiruzen felt all the more that he should remain on the Hokage advisory council and continue to shine for Konoha.
"That settles it. Do as you intend, Minato."
Sarutobi smiled as he spoke. "There's nothing wrong with showing goodwill to and winning over the Uchiha, but such goodwill should be placed on the right person. I think that boy Yorin is a good choice, isn't he?"
"Yes..."
"I recall you and Yorin are on decent terms. It's good for young people to interact more."
"Indeed. Because of Kakashi, I've had some contact with Yorin, but..."
"Then it's decided."
"Ah... yes. Let's decide it that way."
Minato nodded, answering the Third, yet doubt stirred in his heart.
If, when conflicts arise between Uchiha Yorin and the Uchiha clan, you encourage and reward the former, it will surely increase his goodwill toward and reliance on the Hokage faction. But won't it also deepen the clan's resentment toward the Hokage, convincing them Yorin betrayed his people and defected to the village.
This was hardly the first time Namikaze Minato doubted the Third's plan, even his intent.
To sow discord in an ally clan and widen the rift between the village and the Uchiha—was that malice, or folly.
He was unwilling to believe the Third was a scoundrel, but neither did he think him a fool.
Very soon, Minato arrived at a conclusion similar to Yorin's. He too felt the Third showed signs of senility.
"An elder's experience is valuable, but a new era has its own character."
He thought, "Perhaps I should do something different. Even if this time it displeases Lord Hiruzen, still..."
Still, Hiruzen, I am the Hokage.
For some reason Namikaze Minato very much wanted to say that to Sarutobi Hiruzen.
He even began to look forward to the scene when Hiruzen, upon hearing the news, would twist his face, finally lose control, and roar, 'Minato, you'll regret this,' then vent all his anger on the office door.
"No, no, I mustn't think like that. That would be far too awful."
Thinking so, as a good kid, a top student, a gentle husband henpecked by his wife, Minato felt a powerful guilt.
But he would not back down.
Because he is the Hokage.
...
At the same time, upon entering the Uchiha training grounds, the dumb system promptly issued a task.
\[Permanent Task: Train Hard. Strive for the Senju's tomorrow, young man. Goal: train; Reward: training effects doubled]
Once this permanent task appeared, it kindly displayed it for Yorin.
Uchiha Yorin: "Oh oh oh. Double effect? I'm fired up."
...
Some claim that if you let grade-schoolers see a study progress bar, their efficiency would soar.
Yorin didn't know whether progress bars or leather belts were better, but he knew his willpower beat a grade-schooler's by miles.
At least during training he didn't need to cast Sharingan Genjutsu: Harem Technique on himself, imagining Tsunade, Hinata, Hanabi, Terumi Mei, Konan, Ino, and Kurenai in cheer uniforms dancing and chanting go go, just to have enough motivation.
He was a man who had seen Konoha at four in the morning. He again confirmed that refusing the orphanage director's invitation had been right. If he spent too much energy there, how could he train hard.
With that, he began today's routine.
First was Body Flicker practice. After that, throwing kunai, then senbon, then shuriken. Next came mad running, and then kenjutsu drills—cleaves, thrusts, lifts, presses—bottom line, cut down ten thousand tatami rolls. While training, he mixed in footwork and Body Flicker.
Finally he finished with a Dragon Flame Song or a Great Fire Annihilation. Another fulfilling day.
Uchiha Yorin: "Wait."
After releasing Great Fire Annihilation, Yorin found he still had chakra to spare. Enough for another Dragon Flame Song or Great Fire Annihilation. That must be the extra from completing the system task.
Chakra is great. However much, it's never enough. At a crucial moment, even an E-rank jutsu can defeat a Kage-class foe. Right, old man Third who face-planted under a Sexy Technique.
With that thought, Yorin lay flat on the training ground, forming the character for "wood." A little ways off came a clapping sound. Turning his head, he saw a plain-looking Uchiha clan head.
"You really do work hard, Yorin. I heard you were the hard-work type of genius, but hearing is one thing, seeing is another."
"Genius? I'm no genius. Shisui or Itachi are. I'm just using the time others spend on coffee to drink plain water." Yorin kept lying there as he answered. It was a bit impolite, but he truly had no strength.
"Heh, and witty too. But Yorin, you and Yakumi had a quarrel. What happened exactly."
"Different paths, clan head. I've analyzed it with you too. The Uchiha need to change. I think the Fourth's ascension is an opportunity. Elder Yakumi seems to disagree."
"Hm... young people having their own ideas is reasonable. But Yorin, this newspaper you mentioned..."
Yorin took a draft from his tool pouch and handed it to the clan head. "Have a look. This is tomorrow's Uchiha News headline."
"Oh... oh... oh?"
Uchiha Fugaku took the draft and, after a few lines, could barely keep a straight face.
"Yorin, explain to me—what is 'The Clan of Love, Uchiha'?"