Chapter 35: Living Together? Yuzhi's Plan (Seeking Followers)

Finally, I'm back.

In Leaf Village, within the Uchiha clan, Yuzhi sat in his own home and couldn't help but let out a slight sigh.

Just as he had thought, returning with Ziraiye's troops indeed avoided many troubles.

Although Leaf Village had strict inspections, seeing that Ziraiye was leading the team meant many things would be handled quickly.

Moreover, Yuzhi also had some reputation in Leaf Village, and the bridge‑blasting incident brought him considerable hidden wealth.

"Looks like you're quite popular in this village."

Just as Yuzhi was feeling lucky to have run into Ziraiye halfway, Uchiha Guang's voice sounded from behind him.

"Besides, they say you're a hero; it looks like you've done quite a bit."

"Yeah, people need to adapt to their environment, otherwise it's hard to survive."

Yuzhi turned his head, glanced at Hikari, shrugged, and spoke.

Nameless had already changed her name, but upon hearing the name 'Uchiha Guang', her expression became rather subtle.

It was clear she seemed to like the name, but in the end she accepted it rather reluctantly.

Moreover, she seemed a bit unsociable.

When they returned, Yuzhi and the fellow ninjas chatted and laughed, as if everyone were brothers.

But she kept her head down, following silently behind Yuzhi without a word, which made Yuzhi a little curious.

"Don't you like to communicate with others?"

"Now isn't the time to discuss this; you should explain your concrete plan."

A flicker appeared in Hikari's eyes, but she quickly calmed down and then spoke coldly.

"To destroy this clan, we ultimately need a plan; since you won't let me act directly, you must have some idea."

My idea doesn't match yours again.

Yuzhi complained inwardly, but he also knew what to say.

In fact, he did have a plan in mind; regardless of whether his strength was strong, he had already made preparations.

"That's right, I do have some ideas."

Yuzhi nodded, quickly formed hand seals and set up a sound‑proof barrier, then continued speaking.

"Actually my purpose is simple; after all, a leaking ship usually starts from the top."

"Doesn't a leaking ship start from below?"

Yuzhi hadn't finished speaking when Hikari directly interrupted him.

"Also, speak more directly."

Uncultured.

Yuzhi complained inwardly, then reluctantly spoke.

"The upper echelons of the clan aren't monolithic; if we take care of the top, the Uchiha ship will soon sink."

"Then why not just act directly?" Hikari asked, looking at Yuzhi strangely.

"I already said they aren't monolithic, so why not let their conflicts become more intense?"

Yuzhi sighed helplessly; he really didn't want to explain this so thoroughly.

"When we act later, everyone will think it's an internal struggle, allowing us to be safer and prepare other things."

"Is that so?"

Hikari thought for a moment, then simply nodded.

"Then how long should we wait before starting?"

"Rather than rushing to start, I think you should first get familiar with the current environment."

Yuzhi sighed and spoke helplessly.

"Only by understanding the current environment can you know what you should do, or better understand why I'm doing this."

Hikari didn't speak, just gave a light nod.

She knows little about this era; learning a bit might make it easier for her to fulfill her inner thoughts.

"Also, I'm sorry my living conditions are poor; I'm afraid I'll have to impose on you."

Yuzhi saw that Hikari had taken in his words, then he relaxed and continued speaking.

"After all, I'm considered an orphan in the clan, so..."

"It's fine; it's much better than what I went through—at least you weren't locked in a cave surrounded by seals."

Hikari didn't mind; Yuzhi's home was indeed small, with only a bookshelf, a wardrobe, and a bed.

However, there is also a private bathroom and a simple cooking area, and it's been kept spotless.

One could say, though small, it has all the essentials—far better than the place where Hikari was once imprisoned.

"Then that's good; settle in here."

Yuzhi nodded, then stood up and showed a smile.

"Rest assured, no one will ever force you to do something you don't want to do again."

Hikari fell silent for a moment upon hearing Yuzhi's words, then after a while she nodded: "Thank you."

"You're welcome, after all we share the same goal, right?"

Yuzhi smiled indifferently, then turned and walked toward the door.

"Rest first; I need to report in. If you're hungry, there are ingredients at home—you can cook something yourself."

Although he didn't want to, he indeed needed to report his situation to Uzhibo ChaNa.

Besides, he released that old man's pigeon, and didn't even go to find Shisui Uchiha; these things still need to be dealt with.

"Hmm." Hikari lightly nodded, not saying much.

Seeing that, Yuzhi turned and walked out.

Just after closing the gate, he suddenly looked back at his own house and for a moment thought of a strange problem.

"But, does this count as living together?"

After thinking it over, he felt he also had no answer, and he now thought of an even more important problem.

"Damn, I forgot to buy an extra bed."

——

"Is that so? It seems this really can't be blamed on you."

In Uzhibo ChaNa's villa, Yuzhi and that old man sat facing each other by the pond.

After listening to Yuzhi's account, I don't know how long it took before the old man slowly spoke.

"The village will hold a large-scale funeral for memorial, but I didn't expect that Jiraiya would also return, which is really unexpected."

"Indeed unexpected, I also want to see the level of that genius."

Yuzhi spoke calmly; if it weren't for worrying about startling the snake and affecting his later plans, he really would have wanted Uchiha Guang to kill that old man.

All day pretending to be deep, always talking about the Uchiha's honor, yet when actually doing treason, they're afraid others won't know.

In the end, the clan didn't stir up a ripple and was wiped out clean.

"Forget it; although there's some regret, there will always be a chance next time."

Uzhibo ChaNa took a sip of tea, then he spoke with an expressionless face.

"By the way, what do you think the result will be when Minato Namikaze visits our clan leader this time?"

The news of Minato Namikaze's return, Yuzhi already knew on the way back with Jiraiya.

Moreover, he knows he can no longer avoid this matter by using the 'Chunin' topic.

At that time, he deliberately ignored Kakashi's Sharingan, intending to push the blame onto Uchiha Fugaku, but now it seems this could be used.

"I think our clan leader probably won't take back the Sharingan."

Yuzhi's emotions were very calm, as if talking about something unrelated.

"After all, Minato Namikaze is Jiraiya's disciple."

"You mean, the clan leader would give up honor and compromise?"

Uzhibo ChaNa looked at Yuzhi with slight curiosity, as if not surprised he could say such things.

"Elder, I have no right to criticize, and this is merely my speculation."

Yuzhi immediately shook his head; he could never admit such a thing.

But as a member of the Uchiha clan, I would not want my power to be obtained by outsiders.

Even if this might improve our environment and even allow the clan leader to someday vie for the position of Hokage.

"But, obtained in this way,"

Having said this, Yuzhi decisively stopped.

He knows his limits, and even some topics he speaks of are especially vague.

After all, a person of little influence speaking too much brings no benefit.

But seeing Uzhibo ChaNa's furrowed brow, Yuzhi knew his purpose might have been achieved.

For a moment, the two fell into silence again.

I understand, you go back first.

After a while, Uzhibo ChaNa finally spoke.

Also, prepare to attend the funeral with us tomorrow.

"Yes, Elder." Yuzhi nodded, then he stood up.

"By the way, Kakashi isn't your friend, is he?"

Just as Yuzhi was about to leave, Uzhibo ChaNa spoke again.

"Kakashi is my friend."

Yuzhi paused, then he spoke solemnly.

"But I am a Uchiha."

(End of chapter)