"Elder Kenji, why did you call me here?"
Uchiha Fugaku ignored the tea that Satoe served, his expression slightly solemn.
Facing this elder whose health remained robust even though he had retired from the Security Team, but still held considerable influence within the clan, Uchiha Fugaku remained vigilant.
If it weren't for the Great Elder stepping aside and handing over power to him, Uchiha Fugaku, this young Clan Leader, would have been just a puppet.
Uchiha Kenji set down his teacup and, with a faint smile, asked, "Clan Leader, you just came from the Hokage Building, you must be planning to find Yoichi."
Upon hearing this, Uchiha Fugaku fell silent for a moment before replying, "....That's right, has the Second Elder also heard about this?"
"After Yoichi acted against the Root Ninja, he came to my house and explained the situation. All of this commotion was stirred up by Root..."
Uchiha Kenji did not hide or deceive Fugaku; after all, he is the Clan Leader, and low-level deceit has no effect.
"So, I had the Security Team bring back the thirteen people spreading rumors the most frequently. Among them, three were driven by hatred from prior detention, five were paid, and five showed signs of being under an illusion technique."
"Out of concern for the younger generation, I had Masato use Sharingan Genjutsu on Yoichi's former teammate, and concluded that it was born out of jealousy.
He resented not being able to become a ninja, whereas Uchiha Yoichi completed the mission unharmed and might become a Konoha Hero, hence his slander of Yoichi....."
Uchiha Kenji chuckled as he laid out what he'd uncovered and placed a scroll on the table.
"Clan Leader, Yoichi has had some bad luck, but he knew to come to me once things went wrong, like a child who gets into trouble outside seeking parental help. Here is the Lightning Release Nin-Taijutsu scroll he gave, which can be handed to the Clan Leader."
Uchiha Fugaku, silent up until now, remained unmoved even when seeing the scroll on the table.
If he takes the scroll for the Lightning Release Chakra Mode, he'll have to bear the clan's expectations.
Taking the Ninjutsu means he must clear Uchiha Yoichi's name, dispel the village rumors, and question Danzo.
Uchiha Fugaku clenched his fists tightly; the Second Elder had cornered him, leaving only two choices, and choosing to take the Ninjutsu scroll meant he would pay a high price.
All previous efforts gone to waste!
"...Second Elder, this matter... should end here."
"Fugaku..."
"There are still issues at home I haven't dealt with, Second Elder, I'll head back first. This matter with Uchiha Yoichi ends here, as for those in the Security Team... I'll handle it."
Uchiha Fugaku bowed slightly, his tone was decisive, then got up and walked out.
The tea on the table was untouched, and he didn't take the Ninjutsu scroll as he left.
After people had left for a while, Uchiha Kenji shook his head and sighed, "'Indecisive, I should never have listened to Hiroki back then. If Yoichi had been born a few years earlier, I wouldn't have had to choose him."
Uchiha Fugaku's indecisiveness strengthened Uchiha Kenji's resolve to foster Uchiha Yoichi.
His son, Masato, doesn't possess the ability to be a Clan Leader; being a Squad Leader and obediently following orders is sufficient.
The Clan Leader must not cater to others unconditionally, a point which Uchiha Fugaku hasn't realized at all.
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"Lady Tsunade, you don't need to personally attend to such minor wounds."
"Spare me your chatter and see it as compensation for unwittingly stirring you; hurry up and come over!"
Tsunade ordered with a huff, arms crossed, exuding a 'come here or I'll make you come here' vibe.
"Last time you said I was tattling, but when encountering external village nin-taijutsu, I couldn't help but report it, though I didn't expect Root to act like this..."
What is a woman in her thirties being so coy about? As she shyly looked away, it gave an oddly cute charm, and she still appeared so young.....
Uchiha Yoichi moved his gaze from Tsunade's face and then sat on the chair in front of her, responding, "Since that's the case, how about treating me once in return? I appreciate it, Lady Tsunade."
"Such minor wounds aren't any trouble; if I treat you, you'll be fully healed in just one session..."
As Tsunade spoke, she sealed and performed Mystical Palm Jutsu, pressing her hand against Uchiha Yoichi's body.
The Mystical Palm Jutsu uses Yang Release Chakra to stimulate and adjust the body's internal cell division, achieving wound healing. Tsunade's chakra control makes her recovery efficiency ten times that of other medical ninjas.
Even when using Katsuyu to heal others, it's more effective than regular medical ninjas.
Currently, Tsunade holds the title of the world's number one medical ninja. Many desire her medical expertise, but she rarely bothers unless in financial need.
In no time, Uchiha Yoichi's injuries had healed ninety-nine percent, and after expressing gratitude, he left Konoha Hospital.
"Feeling better?"
Outside Konoha Hospital, Kakashi suddenly appeared before Uchiha Yoichi, greeting without expression.
"Next time, don't appear suddenly, and do you have some business with me?"
Uchiha Yoichi replied, thinking Kakashi would avoid him post-mission, especially after the clash with the Root Ninja.
"Actually, I first went to your clan land, then came to the hospital to find you."
Kakashi sized up Uchiha Yoichi and continued, "Mission outside the village, seems you're fine. When do you plan to take on a mission?"
After returning home that day, Kakashi indeed inquired of Hatake Sakumo, but Sakumo merely shared some information and left Kakashi to decide the rest.
After careful consideration, Kakashi chose to continue teaming up with Uchiha Yoichi.
He trusts his instincts—Uchiha Yoichi isn't the person from the rumors, leading him to the clan land and the hospital today.
"If you're not in a hurry, how about in five days? I've received a few new Jutsu recently, need to practice to increase the success rate of future missions."
"Alright then, training these days or not?"
"If you plan to, meet at the usual place!"
"Understood, but once the mission time hits, I won't accomplying as a sparring partner!"
After speaking, Kakashi turned and left; his father will soon be out for missions again, and his training yields slow results; throughout Konoha, only Uchiha Yoichi suits as a training target.
Although it has been a year since graduation, Kakashi knows very few people, typically training solo except with his father.
With someone stronger than himself to spar and train, this opportunity is rare for Kakashi.