To win their complete loyalty, he needed to find a way to make all clan members recognize Sarutobi Hiruzen and the others for what they truly were.
With that thought, Uchiha Yuzuru said calmly, "Clan Leader Taro, you could try suggesting to Sarutobi Hiruzen that we reform the Military Police Force—allow ninja from other clans or civilian ninja to join."
"Of course, it would be best to also mention letting Uchiha ninja form teams and go on external missions like other ninja, just as freely."
"That's all for today. Thank you for your hospitality."
He'd said what needed saying. Some things required time to ferment.
In any case, with him here, the Uchiha clan members would definitely see Sarutobi Hiruzen and his ilk for what they were this time.
Let the bullet fly a while.
Watching Uchiha Yuzuru's departing back, Uchiha Taro couldn't help but say excitedly, "Impeccable in both vision and strength. It seems our clan is about to produce someone extraordinary."
Uchiha Fugaku, however, looked worried. "Father, if the Third really is as Yuzuru says, what should we do?"
After a moment of silence, Uchiha Taro sighed. "We'll see. Perhaps Yuzuru already has a solution."
"Fugaku, if things truly develop in the worst direction, Yuzuru may be the key to breaking our Uchiha deadlock. You mustn't hold a grudge against him."
"Don't worry, Father."
Thinking of Uchiha Yuzuru's terrifying ocular power and the talent he'd just displayed, Uchiha Fugaku muttered, "I'm not that petty."
When Uchiha Yuzuru left Uchiha Taro's house, dawn had fully broken.
Walking along the clan compound streets, early risers had already begun the day's work.
Steam drifted appetizingly from the breakfast shops lining both sides of the street.
The smell was appealing. Not having eaten all night, Uchiha Yuzuru approached a steamed bun shop and said casually, "Boss, ten buns."
"Coming right up! Twenty ryo total. I'll throw in an extra—come back if they're good."
The buns looked plump and white, but oil had already seeped through the outer skin.
Uchiha Yuzuru bit into one. Scalding steam and juice immediately flooded his mouth.
"Delicious."
Walking and eating, Uchiha Yuzuru soon reached the alley near his home.
After just two steps, he felt someone watching him.
Uchiha Yuzuru looked up and met the resentful gaze of the breakfast shop owner ahead.
On a table by the entrance sat a packaged breakfast, prepared in advance.
"Uh... Aunt Yuriko, what a coincidence. I was just coming to get breakfast."
Uchiha Yuzuru scratched his head, a sincere smile appearing on his face.
Only the burp that escaped made his face flush red.
"It's fine, Yuzuru. No need to force yourself."
Uchiha Yuriko glanced at the buns in Uchiha Yuzuru's hand, her tone calm as she waved him off.
"I'm not forcing myself."
"Actually, these buns were a gift from a friend."
"Too enthusiastic. Couldn't refuse."
Uchiha Yuzuru placed the money on the table and picked up the packaged breakfast. "Aunt Yuriko, I have some things to do. I'll be going."
Watching Uchiha Yuzuru flee in disarray, Uchiha Yuriko smiled and shook her head. "What an adorable kid. He actually blushed just now."
Turning into the alley, Uchiha Yuzuru finally let out a long breath.
He'd bought breakfast from Uchiha Yuriko's shop almost every morning since he was small. Sometimes when he was delayed, she would set aside a meal for him in advance.
Having just awakened his past-life memories, he'd momentarily forgotten about this.
How embarrassing.
"Just buying breakfast somewhere else, why do I feel this sense of betrayal..."
As Uchiha Yuzuru muttered to himself, a white-haired old woman approached from ahead.
"Yuzuru, I had too many vegetables at home, so I left them by your door. Remember to take them inside."
The speaker was Uchiha Yuzuru's neighbor—Uchiha Riko.
She had a happy family with two sons and a daughter. Because Yuzuru's parents had died young, she would look after him from time to time.
Even now that Uchiha Yuzuru could support himself, she would still bring him fruits and vegetables occasionally.
Uchiha Yuzuru adjusted Uchiha Riko's collar for her and smiled. "Grandma Riko, I understand. Next time you go out, remember to bring a cane."
Hearing this, Uchiha Riko laughed and scolded, "Brat, I'm not so old I can't walk yet."
Continuing forward, Uchiha Yuzuru encountered several more acquaintances.
"Yuzuru, you worked the night shift again. You're young—you need to pay attention to rest."
"I know, Grandpa Shuhei."
"Big Brother Yuzuru, look at all the candy my dad bought me. Do you want some?"
"What a good girl. Too much candy causes cavities. I'll just keep one for you."
"Waaah, Big Brother Yuzuru is mean..."
"Yuzuru, bullying Tekka again."
"..."
All along the way, the smile on Uchiha Yuzuru's face gradually grew.
The Uchiha clan was a clan filled with love, so most clan members got along very harmoniously.
Even having awakened his past-life memories, Uchiha Yuzuru felt no sense of distance.
Yet such a clan had ultimately fallen to the tragedy of annihilation...
A cold glint flashed in Uchiha Yuzuru's eyes.
This time, he would give the Uchiha clan a different ending!
Reaching his doorstep, a silvery laugh like bells reached his ears.
Uchiha Yuzuru looked up to see a gentle-looking black-haired young woman and a red-haired girl emerging from the residence across from his.
"Yuzuru, why are you here?!"
Seeing Uchiha Yuzuru, the red-haired girl looked surprised.
"I came to find Mikoto."
Uzumaki Kushina replied, then asked curiously, "This is your house?"
"Wow! You and Mikoto are actually neighbors—no wonder you're so close!"
Uzumaki Kushina seemed to have discovered a new continent, exclaiming excitedly, "Yuzuru, let us come in and sit for a bit?"
Looking at the lively Uzumaki Kushina, Uchiha Yuzuru stepped aside to make room.
Even before awakening his past-life memories, he'd had a good relationship with Uchiha Mikoto because they were neighbors.
Calling them childhood friends wouldn't be an overstatement.
And naturally, through Mikoto's close friend, his relationship with Uzumaki Kushina was also good.
Back when Uzumaki Kushina first moved to Konoha, she'd often been bullied. Yuzuru had stood up for her many times.
Compared to the boisterous Uzumaki Kushina, Uchiha Mikoto smiled gently at Uchiha Yuzuru. "Yuzuru, we're not disturbing your rest, are we?"
Before Uchiha Yuzuru could answer, Uzumaki Kushina asked in confusion, "Rest? Do you need to rest this early in the morning?"
Seeing this, Uchiha Mikoto explained, "Yuzuru works for the Military Police Force and often has night shifts. You were on duty all night, weren't you, Yuzuru?"
Uchiha Mikoto's father was captain of the Military Police Force's Third Squad, so she knew about last night's clan assembly.
Although Yuzuru's face showed no signs of fatigue, Uchiha Mikoto still wanted to remind Kushina, lest the energetic girl go on endlessly.