Late at night.
Uchiha Yuzuru returned to the clan compound reeking of alcohol.
The Third Raikage and A—those two were like a pair of bulls.
If he hadn't secretly transferred the sake into his Kamui dimension, he'd probably have been drunk under the table.
He was still just a kid!
Before he'd even opened the door, Uchiha Yuzuru saw Uchiha Mikoto running out from the side.
"Yuzuru, I made you some sobering soup. Drink it before you go to bed."
Looking at the bowl Uchiha Mikoto held, still steaming hot, Uchiha Yuzuru's heart warmed. "Mikoto, were you waiting for me this whole time on such a cold night?"
Uchiha Mikoto lowered her head and said softly, "Kushina told me you'd been dragged off to drink, so I was worried you'd feel unwell."
The perfect wife template.
Looking at Uchiha Mikoto, gentle as water, Uchiha Yuzuru felt a stir in his heart.
"Mikoto, I really don't feel too well. Will you help me back to my room?"
"Eh? That's not really appropriate, is it?"
"What's inappropriate? I'm not going to do anything."
"Um..."
Following Uchiha Mikoto's pointing finger, Uchiha Yuzuru saw Uchiha Kaen's grim face.
"Kaen-senpai, you're still awake?"
Uchiha Kaen pointed to the brazier at his feet and snorted coldly. "I'm tending the fire!"
"Mikoto, let's go!"
"Oh..."
Bang!
Watching the door close, Uchiha Yuzuru rubbed his nose awkwardly.
Couldn't time pass a little faster? He really wanted to grow up already.
The Uchiha clan compound.
In the newly built Naka Shrine, Uchiha Yuzuru sat at the head for the first time as clan leader.
A group of elite Uchiha ninja sat below, all with resolute expressions.
Though they'd only left Konoha a few short months ago, every clan member's spirit had been completely renewed.
"I've called this clan assembly today to share some good news with everyone."
"Not long ago, we exchanged our clan's jutsu resources for all of Kumogakure's body-forging secret techniques and Lightning Release jutsu."
"These secret techniques and Lightning Release jutsu are extremely well-suited to the Uchiha clan. I believe everyone's strength will reach new heights in the future."
Hearing this, the Uchiha clan members present couldn't help but show excited expressions.
During their time in Kumogakure, many of them had sparred with Kumogakure ninja.
What impressed everyone the most was the Cloud ninja's taijutsu.
If they could combine taijutsu with the Uchiha clan's Sharingan, they could surely unleash even more formidable power!
At this thought, Uchiha Yakumi raised his hand and asked, "Yuzuru-sama, can all of us in the clan train in these taijutsu?"
"Make sufficient contributions to the clan's population."
Uchiha Yuzuru spoke calmly. "For each child you have, you may select one high-level secret technique from the clan."
"Families with five or more children may freely train in all the clan's various jutsu."
"Of course, the clan will provide childcare subsidies for each child, covering free medical care and all educational expenses until the child graduates from the ninja academy."
"Even children without ninja talent will be given jobs sufficient to support their families."
"So everyone need not worry about excessive burdens."
"Also... anyone who hasn't married and had children by age twenty will no longer enjoy the clan's various welfare benefits."
Now that the situation had stabilized, it was time to make increasing the population the top priority.
Hearing Uchiha Yuzuru's policy, everyone present was a bit surprised, but upon reflection, it seemed reasonable.
After all, back when they were still in Konoha, Uchiha Yuzuru had already proposed strengthening the Uchiha clan by increasing the number of clan members.
"I've said my piece. Everyone, please raise your hands to vote."
The moment his words fell, everyone raised their arms in unison.
Everyone present understood full well that without Uchiha Yuzuru, the Uchiha clan would never enjoy the life they had now.
No matter what Yuzuru-sama wanted to do, they only needed to support him unconditionally.
What's more, secret techniques and high-level jutsu were extremely precious.
An ordinary person could work their whole life and consider themselves lucky to acquire a single B-rank jutsu.
Now, all they needed to do was have a few children and they could obtain what countless people dreamed of.
If this condition were made public, it would drive everyone mad!
"All right, that concludes today's clan assembly. Everyone, make sure to spread the word among the clan."
After Uchiha Yuzuru finished speaking, he turned and left.
Uchiha Fugaku immediately followed.
Once they'd left Naka Shrine, Uchiha Fugaku said with some concern, "Yuzuru, if we reward the clan according to the conditions you promised, the industries the Third Raikage allocated to us won't be able to sustain the funding."
Though the Third Raikage had given them some businesses to maintain the clan's operations, these welfare benefits were a bit too extravagant...
Uchiha Yuzuru stopped walking and looked at Uchiha Fugaku. "Have you forgotten? We still have plenty of assets in the Land of Fire. Combined with those properties, even if the population increases tenfold, we won't have to worry about funding."
"Eh?"
Uchiha Fugaku scratched the back of his head, a bit confused.
Properties in the Land of Fire?
Hadn't they already defected?
"Yuzuru, given our current situation, Konoha probably seized all those properties long ago."
"Then we'll just make them cough it back up."
"Huh? Will Sarutobi Hiruzen and the others agree?"
Seeing Uchiha Fugaku's innocent look, Uchiha Yuzuru patted his shoulder earnestly. "Fugaku, we only left Konoha—we didn't leave with nothing. What right does Sarutobi Hiruzen have to take what belongs to us?"
"If they won't give it back, we'll beat them until they do."
"I'm sure the Third Raikage would be more than happy to move against Konoha."
Uchiha Fugaku's mouth dropped open in shock. "We can do that?"
A driver steered a wagon loaded with goods along a muddy road, while a somewhat rotund man dressed in silk sat on the other side of the wagon.
On either side of the man and driver walked a muscular man with a stern expression.
A, along with Killer Bee holding a pencil and notebook.
On Killer Bee's shoulder sat a tiny Gyuki, gazing around curiously.
Atop the cargo the wagon carried sat a handsome young man in clothing emblazoned with the Uchiha fan, cross-legged.
"So it's still no good, huh?"
Uchiha Yuzuru slowly opened his eyes, a trace of displeasure on his face.
Kumogakure and the Uchiha clan had exchanged resources, and naturally the Lightning Release Chakra cultivation method was among them.
But no matter how long Uchiha Yuzuru tried, he still couldn't train in it.
His current body simply couldn't withstand the violent energy of the Lightning Release Chakra Mode during training.
Hearing Uchiha Yuzuru's voice, A couldn't help but let out a smug huff. "Kid, you think just anyone can train in our Kumogakure's Lightning Release Chakra Mode?"
"Without a body comparable to a Tailed Beast, forcing yourself to train will only put you in danger."
"I'd advise you to just give up. Don't end up crippling yourself."
Uchiha Yuzuru didn't argue.
What A said was harsh, but it was the truth.
Given the current situation, he could only use gentler methods to stimulate the cells in his body, thereby improving his speed, strength, reflexes, and other physical attributes.
As for the Lightning Release Chakra Mode...
He'd probably have to wait until after he transplanted Hashirama cells or White Zetsu cells to train in it.
"By the way, why are you coming along on this mission with us?"
"Sigh... your dad's worried, so he made me tag along."
Hearing this, A snorted coldly in displeasure and crossed his arms, saying nothing more.
Honestly. Last time he lost to Uchiha Yuzuru, and now Father didn't even trust him anymore.
Taking a mission as an excuse to let Killer Bee get out and relax, and now he still had to have Uchiha Yuzuru watch over him.
Sooner or later, he'd defeat Uchiha Yuzuru and prove himself.
Seeing the two fall silent, the short, plump man sitting in front of the wagon said, "Gentlemen, it's nearly noon. Shall we eat something before continuing?"
The short, plump man wiped the sweat from his forehead and said carefully, "Then let's stop for a bit."
"There's no need for introductions. My name is Shiraishi Yuta, and my goal this time is to escort the cargo to the Land of Frost."
Shiraishi Yuta immediately lowered his head and began gnawing on the dry rations he'd brought.
Uchiha Yuzuru glared at A in dissatisfaction. "Be more polite to the client, or the business Kumogakure finally snatched away will be gone again in no time."
A tossed a food pill into his mouth and said flatly, "I know."
"Then smile."
"Uchiha Yuzuru, don't push your luck!"
"I'm your uncle. If you don't listen, I'll tell the Third."
A took a deep breath and forced a smile onto his face.
Before the smile could fully bloom, Uchiha Yuzuru waved his hand. "Forget it, don't smile. You look damn ugly."
I'll endure it!
A clenched his fists until they crackled, forcing himself not to lose his temper.
Otherwise, getting beaten to a pulp would only make him feel even more stifled.
Killer Bee suddenly began waving his arms. "New inspiration strikes—Big Bro's an idiot!"
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