Chapter 304: Good news never gets out! Bad news spreads a thousand miles! Something to suit the situation!
Although the Uchiha Clan's high-ranking members issued a gag order last night, prohibiting the spread of what happened, this interesting matter still reached the ears of others through the casual chatter of some Uchiha Clan members who couldn't keep a secret.
Among them was Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage... In the early morning, sunlight streamed into the hospital room through the window.
Fujiwara Tetsuya, who had just fallen asleep, was awakened by the hospital's commotion under the gentle sunlight.
"What a tormenting night!"
Rubbing his eyes, Fujiwara Tetsuya slowly sat up and leaned back.
"Tetsuya-kun, just as Tsunade said, your condition is recovering well; you woke up so early."
Hearing that familiar gentle voice, Fujiwara Tetsuya subconsciously looked towards the door, and his expression paused when he saw who had arrived.
"Hokage-sama, you also woke up so early!"
"But, at this hour, is it alright for you not to be at the Hokage Building?"
Noticing where Fujiwara Tetsuya's gaze lingered, Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn't help but glance at his empty hands, immediately understanding something.
"Cough~ I came in a bit of a hurry this time. I'll make up for the gift next time."
"Hokage-sama, actually, I don't really care about gifts... But since you've said so, then let's combine this gift with the next one."
Upon hearing Fujiwara Tetsuya's reply, Hiruzen Sarutobi was visibly taken aback.
It made sense... As the Kage of the village, it was always the powerful, the wealthy merchants, and the high-ranking members of the various Shinobi Clans who eagerly offered him gifts.
When had he ever... given gifts to others?
"Alright, then we'll combine the two."
"Tetsuya-kun... Seeing you like this, I feel relieved."
"I will send people to warn the Uchiha Clan, but as Hokage, it's not appropriate for me to interfere in matters between you and Mikoto..."
"I hope you understand!"
"Hokage-sama, don't worry, I won't be that impulsive."
"At least, not for now."
He wasn't stupid; he naturally understood the deeper meaning behind Hiruzen Sarutobi's early visit.
It was simply to support him in yesterday's events, to tell the Uchiha Clan's high-ranking members that some things... shouldn't be taken too far.
But that was the extent of it.
If Hiruzen Sarutobi truly had the ability to flatten the Uchiha Clan... he wouldn't have been so troubled, nor would there have been the later Uchiha Clan extermination incident.
"Oh, right... There's something I think you'll be very interested in."
"Just last night, an internal conflict occurred within the Uchiha Clan. Uchiha Yashiro, Uchiha Ryuuka, Uchiha River, Uchiha Shinji, and others were severely injured. It's said... they won't be able to get out of bed for at least half a month."
"Is that so?"
"I understand. Thank you for the trouble."
Meeting Hiruzen Sarutobi's meaningful gaze, Fujiwara Tetsuya's eyes flickered slightly, then instantly returned to calm... "Hokage-sama?"
At the hospital entrance, as Hiruzen Sarutobi, surrounded by people, was about to leave, he happened to bump into Uchiha Mikoto, who was planning to visit Fujiwara Tetsuya.
"Oh! It's Mikoto. Are you here to visit Tetsuya-kun?"
"His injuries are recovering well; there's no need to worry too much."
"By the way, Tetsuya-kun is already awake, and I've already told him about yesterday's events."
"If you go see him now, I think... he'll be very happy."
"Haha~ I'm really getting old. Seeing you young people always makes me want to say a few more words... Youth is truly wonderful."
Under countless envious gazes, Hiruzen Sarutobi chatted briefly with Uchiha Mikoto, then waved and walked towards the Hokage Building.
Only... a slightly expectant, yet slightly anxious Uchiha Mikoto remained.
At the door of the hospital room.
After a moment of hesitation, Uchiha Mikoto still pushed open the door.
"Tetsuya-kun..."
"Mikoto... You're here!"
"Yes! I'm here, Tetsuya-kun!"
"You've truly worked hard during this time... You've endured a lot of pressure."
Sitting on the edge of the hospital bed, stroking his lover's soft hair, Fujiwara Tetsuya's expression immediately became incredibly gentle.
Although... he wasn't in the Uchiha Clan, he could imagine how much Uchiha Mikoto had silently endured facing those stubborn, arrogant, and obstinate old fools of the Uchiha Clan.
"Yes! Tetsuya-kun, I can still hold on... Don't worry, I'll handle this matter."
"Oh?"
"Mikoto, how do you plan to handle it?"
"Those old stubborn fools of the Uchiha Clan, in terms of both strength and cunning... far surpass you."
"Those guys, after all, are beings that even the Second Hokage and Sandaime found troublesome."
Hearing Uchiha Mikoto's reply, Fujiwara Tetsuya's tone paused slightly... with a hint of curiosity.
"I plan to contend for the position of the next Uchiha Clan leader."
"As long as I become the Uchiha Clan leader, then... neither those old stubborn fools nor anyone else will be able to stop us from being... together."
"I've already convinced my grandfather... And, after the events in the Land of Frost, I feel my pupil power seems to have increased quite a bit. With just a little more time, I'm confident I can defeat Uchiha Fugaku and the others."
"Clan leader?"
"Mikoto..."
"Hmm? What's wrong, Tetsuya-kun? Is it... that this method won't work?"
Seeing the change in Fujiwara Tetsuya's expression, Uchiha Mikoto's eyes showed a hint of panic.
This was the most feasible method she had come up with after countless days and nights of thought and hesitation.
"Cough~"
"Mikoto, I'm very pleased that you're getting stronger, but... becoming the Uchiha Clan leader, let's just forget about that."
"However, with the arrogance of the Uchiha Clan's men, even if you defeat all of them, those arrogant guys would never tolerate a woman becoming their clan leader."
"And, look at the recent generations of Uchiha Clan leaders: Uchiha Tajima died in battle, Uchiha Madara was killed by the First Hokage after defecting from the village... In my opinion, the risk of you becoming the Uchiha Clan leader is simply too high."
On this point, Fujiwara Tetsuya wasn't making things up.
Even if there was a one-in-ten-thousand chance that Uchiha Mikoto replaced Uchiha Fugaku as the next Uchiha Clan leader.
At that time, she would not only have to face the rebellious members of the Uchiha Clan but also the suppression from Danzo, Hiruzen Sarutobi, and others... What was even more dangerous was facing the covetous gaze of that old fox, Uchiha Madara.
Of course, he wasn't afraid... but he felt it wasn't worth it to needlessly create so many powerful enemies for a bunch of idiots.
"But... but if I don't become the Uchiha Clan leader!"
Hearing Fujiwara Tetsuya's objection, Uchiha Mikoto was clearly a bit anxious.
She even... wondered if Fujiwara Tetsuya was truly planning to abandon her, to abandon their feelings and vows.
"Mikoto, don't overthink it..."
"The one who should bear this pressure is me! Not you!"
"I will solve that matter personally. If anyone disagrees, then I'll cripple them."
"In short... no matter who it is! Even if the entire Ninja World stands against us, they won't be able to stop us from being together."
"Cough~"
"Even if the entire Ninja World stands against us, they won't be able to stop us from being together?"
"Tetsuya-kun... when you two say things like that, could you at least consider my feelings a little?"
Just as Fujiwara Tetsuya was about to do something appropriate for the situation, the door suddenly opened... and Torune Ryoui walked in, looking displeased.