I, Uchiha Yu, am solely focused on cultivating immortality

Chapter 98 All the bad things were done by Danzo on his own initiative.

Hiruzen Sarutobi, buried in piles of documents, knew it was Danzo Shimura when he heard that unique yet familiar footstep.

He sighed softly. He didn't know when it started, but whenever this guy took the initiative to come to him, he would always bring new trouble.

Some troubles are external threats, some are the escalation of internal conflicts within the village, but more and more troubles are the messes that Shimura Danzo stirred up after his unsuccessful attempts to cause trouble, leaving him to clean up the mess.

Hiruzen Sarutobi lit his pipe, took a deep drag, and sighed, hoping that Danzo wouldn't cause too much trouble this time.

Contrary to his expectations, Shimura Danzo did not bring trouble this time, but instead brought some intriguing information.

After listening to Danzo's report, which was mainly based on speculation and deduction, Hiruzen Sarutobi fell into deep thought. After a long while, he looked up and asked, "Are you saying that my conscription order this time inadvertently brought in a key figure from the Uchiha clan?"

Danzo Shimura nodded and replied, "That's right, it's this Chunin named Uchiha Yu."

Hiruzen Sarutobi said in confusion, "This doesn't make sense. I notified everyone of this list beforehand, and I didn't miss a single ninja clan."

"If this Uchiha Yu were really that important to the Uchiha clan, Fugaku would have told me in advance and removed him from the list long ago. He shouldn't be coming to me now to change the list."

Logically speaking, this shouldn't be the case. Shimura Danzo also felt that his old classmate made a lot of sense. He pondered this with a troubled expression and tentatively asked, "Hiruzen, where in the announcement you sent out did you mention the name Uchiha Yu?"

"I need to check. This Uchiha Yu had no name before, and I have absolutely no recollection of him..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi, with a pipe dangling from his lips, began rummaging through the desk.

Copies of the Hokage's orders issued within the past few days were all on the Third Hokage's desk. He searched for them by date and found them quickly.

"Uchiha Yu, uh... Yu, Yu, found it, it's on the list."

Hiruzen Sarutobi found Uchiha Yu's name in the list of names in the accompanying document; it was on the third line.

This is a very prominent position; anyone who has looked at this list will notice this name.

The Third Hokage looked at the list thoughtfully. Although it was impossible to tell what he was thinking, a slight smile played on his lips, indicating that the Hokage was in a good mood.

Danzo Shimura chuckled coldly: "Well, you didn't even remember the name of this position, which means that Fugaku Uchiha didn't know the importance of Yu Uchiha before. Good, very good."

Hiruzen Sarutobi did not respond to Danzo Shimura's words, but his eyes revealed extremely complex emotions, even a hint of murderous intent.

Shimura Danzo knew exactly what his old classmate was thinking. He was very satisfied with the current outcome, so he didn't waste any more time here.

He picked up his cane and stomped away from the Hokage's office. As he left, he turned back to the Third Hokage and said, "I'll let Fugaku Uchiha in. You can talk to him."

"We must get Uchiha Yu out of the village. I will deal with him outside the village later and prevent him from threatening the safety of Konoha."

"People who are important to the Uchiha clan but whom Fugaku doesn't really care about should be eliminated as much as possible."

Hiruzen Sarutobi waited until he could no longer hear Danzo Shimura's footsteps before letting out a soft sigh of relief: "Fugaku, don't blame me, it was all for Konoha..."

Having received prior intelligence and being well-prepared, Hiruzen Sarutobi easily overpowered Fugaku Uchiha.

The Hokage's authority cannot be compromised, the Uchiha clan's prestige should not be so fragile, and ninjas are also a fighting force that must abide by discipline. These grand principles left Fugaku speechless and bewildered.

In a moment of confusion, Fugaku Uchiha, in an attempt to emphasize the importance of Yu Uchiha, actually told the Third Hokage his reasons for protecting Yu, including his 31 Sharingan eyes and the fact that Yu possessed a three-tomoe Sharingan at the age of 18.

The Third Hokage's smile became even more amiable and radiant. He even patted Fugaku Uchiha on the shoulder and said happily, "Yuu Uchiha actually awakened the three-tomoe Sharingan at the age of 18. He's truly an amazing genius."

"Every Uchiha clan ninja with the three-tomoe Sharingan is an elite Jonin of Konoha. As long as Uchiha Yu accumulates a few years of experience, the village's Jonin team will gain a reliable and powerful member."

"Konoha Village is getting stronger and stronger, that's good, very good."

"Fugaku, Uchiha Yu desperately needs experience. Going to the front lines is the most suitable choice. Only on the battlefield of blood and fire can he grow up quickly."

"Besides, Uchiha Yu is so strong, you don't need to worry at all. His safety on the front lines is very well guaranteed."

Fugaku Uchiha was speechless at this point, but remembering what the old man Shin-in had said, he couldn't help but try to argue, "But..."

The Third Hiruzen interrupted him without hesitation, saying, "I know you're trying to say that the Uchiha clan's study group needs him."

"But can you really imagine that we can't do without him? If he goes to the front lines, this learning session will have to stop operating?"

Fugaku replied softly, "That's not it."

Hiruzen Sarutobi continued, "So, if we don't let such a young ninja like Uchiha Yu shine on the front lines, wouldn't that severely limit his development? He'll be unable to hold his head high in front of his friends in the future."

"Let him accumulate experience and merits on the front lines for a few years. When the renowned Uchiha Yu returns, wouldn't he be the best next clan leader?"

The Third Hokage's instigation was so natural that he even used himself as an example:

"The Uchiha clan is fortunate to have a successor, much luckier than this old man. Neither the Sarutobi clan nor the Hokage successor has a suitable candidate."

To be honest, when Hiruzen Sarutobi mentioned the successor, Fugaku Uchiha's heart skipped a beat, and his desire to protect Yuu Uchiha instantly faded.

The heir to the Uchiha clan? The next clan head?

Fugaku Uchiha is only 28 years old this year, why does he need an heir?

Fugaku believed that even if a successor to the clan head was needed, it should be his son, Uchiha Itachi. He was absolutely certain that Itachi was a once-in-a-century genius. When he was 50 and his physical strength declined, he could hand over the Uchiha clan to the 22-year-old Itachi—that would be true succession.

A ninja who is only 10 years younger than him, what kind of succession is this? This is an underdog overthrowing his superior.

Next, Fugaku Uchiha had no intention of arguing anymore. He went along with the Third Hokage's nonsense for a few words, then hurriedly took his leave, forgetting even to mention the conditions for compensation.

Once Fugaku Uchiha left, Hiruzen Sarutobi's smile vanished completely, and Danzo Shimura unknowingly slipped in from next door.

Upon seeing his old classmate, Hiruzen Sarutobi said coldly, "Danzo, this is your fault."

Danzo Shimura quickly explained, "Tsk, it was indeed my fault. Recently, my attention has been focused on the Land of Wind and the Land of Rivers, so I inevitably relaxed my monitoring of the Uchiha clan a bit."

"Danzo, you were indeed very busy during the time that Uchiha Yu was setting up this study group, and you weren't even in Konoha Village, so it can't be considered your responsibility..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi's tone turned stern, and his voice rose considerably: "But he has already awakened the three-tomoe Sharingan. This couldn't have happened in the last month, yet the information you gave me didn't even explicitly state whether he had awakened it!"

Upon hearing this information, Shimura Danzo was shocked and even blurted out, "What?! Uchiha Yu has awakened the three-tomoe Sharingan!"

"You don't even know such important information? Are you even capable of monitoring the Uchiha clan?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi scrutinized Danzo from head to toe with a critical eye, casually assigning him the "CPU" from his mouth: "If you can't do a good job of intelligence work, hand over Root to me, and I'll choose another suitable head!"

Upon hearing the Third Hokage's threat to take over Root, Danzo Shimura, who had poured half his life's blood into it, was enraged, but he was also afraid.

He knew that at this moment, he was not capable of fighting against the Third Hokage, so he immediately swallowed his anger and bowed respectfully while leaning on his cane.

"I'm sorry, Hiruzen, I know I was wrong."

Danzo loudly pledged: "Before returning, I have strengthened the surveillance of the Uchiha clan, especially the intelligence gathering on Uchiha Yu. I guarantee that no one will be overlooked."

The Third Hokage was very satisfied with his old classmate's attitude, and he immediately changed his tone to appease Shimura Danzo.

"Danzo, you are my most capable assistant. Only by working together can we protect Konoha. You can't let me down. I can't be Hokage alone."

"I'll do my best, Hiruzen, I promise!"

"Yes, we can't relax our efforts in external intelligence gathering, but internal surveillance is even more important. Any powerful village is most easily breached from within. So you must first ensure internal control, and we must never again let such crucial intelligence slip through our fingers."

"Stop talking. I'll handle things. Just wait and see!"

Danzo Shimura, enraged by what he was being said, slammed the door shut and stormed out of the Hokage Building. He vowed to keep the Uchiha clan under tight surveillance and shut Hiruzen Sarutobi up.

Oh, and that bastard Uchiha Yu, he's dead meat!

Although he has the three-tomoe Sharingan, he had served as a patrolling ninja in Konoha for six years before, so how much combat experience could he possibly have?

Furthermore, every time the Sharingan of the Uchiha clan awakens, it occurs when they suffer a major psychological blow. Uchiha Yu must have encountered something during the mission he completed last month, which is why he awakened the three-tomoe Sharingan.

In other words, his awakening time was very short, and his strength was definitely still very limited. The Root faction was fully capable of surrounding and killing him.

Danzo Shimura suddenly stopped in his tracks. He thought of a question: even if the three-tomoe Sharingan was recently awakened, what about the two-tomoe Sharingan he had awakened and advanced to the next level?

Six years of patrol time is impossible; it can only mean that he awakened in the mission team during the first two years. That is to say, Uchiha Yu was already a two-tomoe demon at the age of 14.

"Uchiha Yu actually kept it a secret for six whole years, only showing himself after awakening his three-tomoe Sharingan. He's a truly treacherous and cunning guy."

Danzo Shimura muttered to himself, "For the sake of Konoha, we can't let Uchiha Yu live any longer. We must kill him as soon as possible."

"Otherwise, this treacherous fellow will become our greatest threat. Yes, he is Konoha's greatest threat!"

"He must be killed!!"

Danzo Shimura quickened his pace, rushing to Root, eager to arrange the encirclement and killing plan.

As Danzo walked further and further away, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, appeared on the balcony of the Hokage's office at some point. He smoked his pipe, waving to passersby and ninjas who saluted him, but his eyes were fixed on Shimura Danzo until his figure disappeared into the crowd.

[I never said anything about killing Uchiha Yu. Everything you did was your own decision. I hope you do it cleanly and efficiently, so I can easily speak up for you.]

……

Late at night, Uchiha Yuichiro convened an emergency clan meeting in his capacity as an elder. Uchiha Yu attended this gathering of three-tomoe Sharingan users for the first time, and he was also the only non-Jonin Uchiha present.

At the start of the gathering, Uchiha Shin-in introduced Uchiha Yu to all the Jonin of the clan. The Jonin were surprised and happy to hear that Uchiha Yu had awakened the three-tomoe Sharingan at the age of 18.

The Jonin were in a good mood, but the atmosphere in the venue was very strange.

The group's convener, Uchiha Yuichiro, sat in the center, his face solemn as he waited for the clan leader. As time passed, his expression grew increasingly grim, frightening the Jonin into silence, who could only exchange glances with each other.

At that moment, Uchiha Fugaku, who had arrived late, was outside the door. He was huddled in the shadows, his face contorted in a strange way. If possible, he really didn't want to enter this meeting room.

Since his negotiations with the Third Hokage, Fugaku Uchiha's attention had shifted to the succession to the clan headship. He spent the entire afternoon thinking about how to appease Yuichiro Uchiha and Shin'in Uchiha.

Just as he was fretting over this, a ninja informed him that Elder Yuichiro was convening an emergency clan meeting.

Fugaku Uchiha felt guilty and his mind went blank.

He knew why Uchiha Yuichiro had convened the clan meeting, but he couldn't think of a way to explain it.

Persuading one person is completely different from persuading a group of people. Many arguments that are very persuasive to an individual from a self-interested perspective will appear very clumsy and morally corrupt when spoken to a Jonin of an entire clan.

Therefore, although Fugaku Uchiha arrived very early, he was unable to take the final step into the conference room.

Although he knew in his heart that the longer he delayed, the worse things would become, his personality made him particularly prone to indecisiveness, especially when faced with a difficult choice; he always opted for the third option.

That is to do nothing, hand over the initiative, and wait for the enemy or fate to decide.

On the way there, Uchiha Yuichiro said, "I think that with the clan leader's chubby personality, he will go to the meeting room but not come in for a long time, which will prevent the clan meeting from starting normally."

Uchiha Shin'in stared in disbelief and asked, "Surely not? If Fugaku doesn't enter the venue, wouldn't it make him seem guilty?"

Uchiha Yuichiro, however, sensed something was very wrong. He looked at Uchiha Yu with a troubled expression and said, "I have to say, if he really doesn't show up, all my efforts in convening the clan meeting will be in vain."

"If he doesn't convince the Third Hokage to change the order, you have to leave tomorrow. That means if you don't attend the clan meeting after today, the effect of me bringing up your matter again will be greatly reduced."

Uchiha Yuu laughed heartily: "Haha, Elder Yuichiro, don't worry. The clan head isn't that powerful. Otherwise, he would definitely have been able to persuade the Third Hokage, and our Uchiha clan wouldn't be in this dilemma now!"

"If you get impatient while waiting, you can shout loudly. I'm sure the clan leader will be embarrassed by you calling his name and will come into the venue on his own."

As Yuichiro Uchiha pondered Yu's assertion, his hesitation diminished while his anger grew stronger as the clan meeting progressed.

Finally, his reason was consumed by rage.

Uchiha Yuichiro roared, "Uchiha Fugaku!! As the clan head, what kind of behavior is this, sneaking around outside like this?!"

"Aren't you coming in?!"

With a whoosh, the paper sliding door of the conference room was pulled open, and Uchiha Fugaku walked into the conference room with a gloomy face. Under the strange and surprised gazes of everyone, he walked to his seat with a mixture of regret and grievance, and sat down silently.

The Uchiha clan's Jonin were truly shocked. It was the first time they had witnessed their young clan leader's vulnerability, how disheveled and weak he appeared.

These Uchiha clan Jonin were all elites, survivors of two wars. In the future, during the Third Shinobi World War, the vast majority of them would die in battles against Kirigakure, Kumogakure, and Iwagakure.

Unlike the group of three-tomoe jonin who grew up in peacetime fifteen years later, these true core ninjas built their pride on large-scale killing. They were all confident and strong, and had no superstitious feelings towards the elders and clan leaders.

Not only are most of them unorganized neutrals, but even those who belong to the power of a certain elder still maintain their independence and will not allow the elder to speak for them on their behalf.

The presence of these Jonin balanced the power of the elders, giving Fugaku Uchiha considerable authority and preventing him from becoming a mere puppet clan leader like the Fourth Kazekage.

However, no benefit is absolute. When Fugaku Uchiha showed weakness under Yu Uchiha's scheme, the Jonin would naturally reassess the clan leader's abilities and status.

Uchiha Yuichiro was furious.

He shouted as Yu had suggested, and surprisingly, he managed to summon Fugaku, who then jumped into the most unfavorable situation.

Despite having a clear advantage and having already won a major victory in the clan meeting, Yuichiro was not happy at all. Instead, he was burning with anger and could hardly contain himself.

I'm so damn stupid.

(End of this chapter)