The next day, at Uchiha Fugaku's home.
Fugaku was like a living volcano, while standing in front of him was still the smiling Gekko Chizan. Fugaku was spewing magma while rubbing his own legs with both hands.
"You bastard, cheating me out of one meal would have been fine, but you actually dumped me thirty kilometers away. To make it back, I ran the entire night!"
"You're really ruthless, you know!"
Uchiha Itachi, standing to the side, felt a bit curious about his father's behavior. After all, for so many years, no matter what he faced, his father had always been stern, setting a perfect example for him.
But after he woke up, he noticed that his father had changed. His face was full of anger, and when Gekko Chizan came knocking, that anger instantly erupted like a volcanic explosion.
Seeing Fugaku like this, Gekko Chizan found it amusing. He knew very well that if Fugaku hadn't run all night until his legs were aching badly, he would definitely be chasing him right now.
"After running all night, did your head clear up a bit?"
"If you're still not clear-headed, how about I treat you to a seafood feast today?"
Fugaku shot him a vicious glare. Running all night had indeed made him think through a lot of things.
But he was still furious about what Gekko Chizan had done. This bastard was always finding new ways to mess with him.
"Forget it. You treating me to food? I'm afraid I'd get diarrhea."
"Itachi, see him out! Then go find Shisui and continue your training."
"I need to rest for a bit."
"Mikoto, get me something to eat."
Uchiha Fugaku needed time to think about how to carry out a certain level of reform within the clan. This was a major matter for the Uchiha.
But given the current situation, he had to make a change—not for himself, not even for the Uchiha, but for his family.
Watching Fugaku, Gekko Chizan chuckled inwardly. This move of his was entirely about pushing Fugaku at the moment when his paternal love was at its strongest.
Once Itachi grew a bit older and showed intentions opposite to his own, Fugaku's resolve would begin to waver. At that point, the Uchiha would walk down their old path again.
So sometimes, people really do need a push—otherwise, they just won't stand up straight.
...
The Hokage's Office.
This time, there was no one else in the office—only the two members of Konoha's Twin Stars.
The Fourth Hokage, Namikaze Minato, listened to his close friend's report, a hint of ease appearing on his face.
"If Fugaku can really take it this far, then personally speaking, the Uchiha will no longer be a threat."
"Fugaku will become, like you, my most powerful helper."
"The entire Uchiha clan will also become the strongest force within the village."
Hearing the pie Minato was painting, Gekko Chizan spat disdainfully.
"Give me a break. You should first deal with those four old men—that's the real issue."
"Even if Sarutobi supports you and me, he'll still have his concerns, not to mention the other three."
"Especially that old man Danzo. He wishes he could stab you to death and become Hokage himself. You think he'll let you accept the Uchiha so smoothly?"
As for Danzo, Gekko Chizan had started dealing with him long ago. Why hadn't Danzo shown his face recently?
Hmph. Wasn't it because his circle curse technique had never stopped? The moment the cooldown ended, it was immediately arranged.
Danzo was now completely neurotic, his complexion getting worse by the day.
"I'll do my best to persuade them. But you're right—Danzo probably won't support it. Still, as long as I win over advisors Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado, making it three to one, it won't matter even if he disagrees."
"But Chizan, can you be sure Fugaku will take action against his own clan?"
Kin killing kin was no joke—if mishandled, it could become the beginning of a split.
"I know Uchiha Fugaku. He has that kind of resolve. Besides, he's not alone, is he?"
"There are still plenty of Uchiha in the village who stand with the village. Just like my students and my teammates—aren't they the same?"
"Don't worry. Give Fugaku some time."
"Alright, if there's nothing else, I'm off. My house is still under construction—I can't afford delays."
Namikaze Minato watched Gekko Chizan disappear, chuckled softly, then continued his work.
As the Fourth Hokage, there were simply too many things he needed to handle.
Little did he know that after leaving the Hokage's Office, Gekko Chizan went straight to the Hyuga clan compound to look for Hyuga Hiashi.
...
"Hizashi—yo yo, is this little Neji? Oh wow, he looks pretty good."
"Where's Hiashi? I heard he had a daughter?"
Failing to find Hiashi, Gekko Chizan first ran into Hyuga Hizashi and his son, Neji.
"Chizan, my brother is still at home. Hinata was just born—he's over the moon."
"Neji, see this guy? Stay away from him in the future. He's not a good person."
Gekko Chizan: ...You bastard, Hizashi, damn you!
"Hey, hey, hey, is that how you do things?"
"I was even thinking of taking Neji as my disciple in the future. Fine then—just for that comment, forget it."
Hizashi burst out laughing and instantly changed his expression. After all, Gekko Chizan's current status was no less than the former Konoha Sannin—if anything, it surpassed them.
After all, one of Konoha's Twin Stars had already become the Fourth Hokage. Don't be fooled by the fact that Gekko Chizan was still just a jonin—he was also a Ninja Academy teacher and an ANBU training officer. That alone carried immense weight.
"I'll remember what you said. Neji will become your disciple in the future. But there are some things..."
"You don't need to say it. Neji is special. When he turns three, I'll personally come to take him as my disciple. I like dealing with old men."
Hizashi's expression changed slightly, then quickly became extremely serious. He didn't doubt that Gekko Chizan would personally come to take a disciple—but the fate of the Hyuga...
"Are you serious?"
"Of course. Where's that guy Hiashi? I'm here to propose marriage. Look—he had a daughter, I had a son."
"What a perfect childhood sweetheart pairing. Shouldn't we start cultivating it from a young age?"
Hizashi was stunned. Damn—so that was his plan???
The girl had just been born, his son was only one year old, and he was already setting his sights on her? Wasn't this way too fast???
Just then, a voice suppressing anger suddenly rang out.
"Bastard! Don't you think you're getting ahead of yourself?"
Seeing the displeased Hiashi, Gekko Chizan quickly walked up to him—only to make him instantly furious with a single sentence.
"Oh, Hiashi, you're out? Hey hey hey, where's my precious niece? Let me see her so I can give the betrothal gifts—ah, no, the birth gift."
Hiashi's Byakugan activated, steam practically rising from his head.
"Gekko Chizan! That's crossing the line! My daughter was just born and you're already setting your sights on her?"
"Take this palm! Eight Trigrams!"
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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