Chapter 34: Chapter 34: The Uchiha Clan’s Strange Behavior
"I know," Takuya shrugged, pointing at himself. "But the fact that I have Uchiha blood is enough for some people. Whether I return to the Uchiha clan or not doesn't really matter. In fact, not returning might make some people even audacious."
"…."
Is it really that serious?
Minato wasn't sure.
But he trusted that Takuya wouldn't be cautious for no reason.
There's no such thing as love or hate without cause.
Some things are just too complicated to explain.
"That's all I've got. Once the village sends out the official notification, we'll be a full-fledged Chunin team. We can start taking on higher-ranked missions and won't have to stick to C-rank ones anymore."
"I'm done talking. Do you guys have anything to add?" Takuya asked, looking at Uchiha Mikoto and then at Minato.
Uchiha Mikoto smiled and shook her head, indicating she had nothing to add.
Takuya's decision was her decision.
If you guys have nothing to say, what else could I possibly add? Let's just roll with it.
After hanging out with Takuya for so long, Minato had already learned to go with the flow.
"Is the news true?"
In the main house of the Uchiha clan, the elderly Uchiha patriarch focused his cloudy eyes on the clan member who had come to report the news.
As the future head of the Uchiha clan, Fugaku sat quietly by his side, observing.
Yagami Takuya?
He remembered that name.
As the heir apparent, Fugaku was well-informed about the clan's affairs.
Yagami Takuya—the last male heir of the Yagami family—his mother was an Uchiha.
When Takuya's father died, his mother tried to bring him back to the Uchiha clan.
After all, Takuya had Uchiha blood.
However, his striking silver hair displeased many clan members, and the two hawkish elders firmly rejected the idea.
And so, the matter was dropped.
Fugaku recalled the first time he saw Takuya—just a silver-haired little brat.
"Clan leader, the news is indeed true. Yagami Takuya has our Uchiha blood. It's very pure, and at such a young age, he's already awakened his Sharingan, and it's a double tomoe. Without a doubt, he's a genius of our Uchiha clan."
Judging by his age and his Sharingan, Takuya's bloodline was indeed pure.
But with that striking silver hair, Takuya didn't look like he had any Uchiha blood at all.
After all, no Uchiha had ever looked like that.
Even in cases of intermarriage with other clans, those with unusual hair colors mostly had brown or purple hair.
Silver was unheard of—a first for the Uchiha.
"Not allowing him to return to the clan when he was young, and now trying to win him back... Easier said than done," the Uchiha patriarch said with a raspy voice.
He couldn't help but cough, a mocking smile on his wrinkled face.
Seeing this, Fugaku quickly helped his father steady his breathing.
"Father, regardless of the past, he carries our Uchiha blood. Now that he has awakened the Sharingan, we should bring him back."
Cough, cough!
The Uchiha patriarch waved a dismissive hand as he coughed.
After catching his breath, he snorted in displeasure.
"Let those who opposed it back then go and handle it now."
Those who opposed it should go!
You all get to play the bad guys, but now you want me to clean up the mess?
Not a chance!
In the Hokage's office, the Third Hokage questioned an Anbu member:
"Any movements from the Uchiha clan?"
"Hokage-sama, the Uchiha clan hasn't sent anyone to seek out Yagami Takuya," the Anbu ninja reported truthfully.
"No movement at all?"
Did that old man finally change his ways?
The Third Hokage found it hard to believe.
He was certain that the Uchiha clan had received the news and would try to win Takuya back into their fold.
"Thank you for your hard work. Take a break."
It was strange that the Uchiha hadn't made a move.
But the Third Hokage had more pressing matters to worry about right now, as long as the Uchiha didn't cause trouble during this time.
As for stopping surveillance on the Uchiha clan, that was out of the question.
Even if he agreed, Danzo, Koharu Utatane, and Homura Mitokado would never consent.
The village's notification came quickly. As expected, the three of them were promoted to Chunin, leaving behind their Genin status.
To Takuya's surprise, after their promotion, the village didn't rush to assign them any specific missions.
"Let's go have some barbecue. My treat!"
Upon hearing the news of their promotion, Kushina cheerfully sought them out, suggesting they go out and celebrate.
When it came to good food, Kushina always had a special craving for the barbecue from the Akimichi clan.
"Won't that be too expensive?" Uchiha Mikoto asked, feeling a bit embarrassed.
Kushina had treated them to barbecue not long ago. If she did it again, it would be too much.
"Not at all, Mikoto-nee! I have plenty of money! You don't have to worry about making me broke. Eat as much as you want."
Hugging Uchiha Mikoto's arm, Kushina walked ahead with her, leaving Takuya and Minato to follow behind.
"Why do I feel like Kushina isn't very happy?" Minato leaned closer to Takuya, whispering quietly.
"Why don't you ask her and find out?" Takuya replied.
You think I'm falling for that? Are you trying to set me up?
Minato leaped away, holding up his hands, signaling to Takuya that he wasn't going to be fooled.
Trying to trick me?
No way!
I, Minato, have been burned too many times. I've learned my lessons well. Your little tricks, Yagami Takuya, won't work on me anymore.
"...."
I just said it offhandedly. Do you really have to react that much?
They ordered a pile of meat and some juice. Kushina placed both hands on the table and leaned in, almost knocking heads with Takuya.
"What's up?"
If he hadn't reacted quickly, they would have ended up bumping foreheads.
"Takuya, what do you want for your ninth birthday?"
"Birthday present?"
Minato reacted even faster than Takuya, while Uchiha Mikoto tilted her head, thinking it over.
Kushina's mention of it reminded her that Takuya was about to turn nine.
What should I get him?
I want a gift too. I'm almost nine.
Minato tried to hint at Kushina and Uchiha Mikoto with his eyes, but they both completely ignored him.
"Minato, is something wrong with your eyes? You've been blinking non-stop," Kushina asked, puzzled.
The smile on Minato's face froze.
Pfft!
Takuya couldn't help but burst out laughing.
Someone wanted a gift so badly that they were practically crossing their eyes from all the blinking, but the others didn't even notice.
Patting Minato on the shoulder sympathetically, Takuya thought for a moment and replied, "There's nothing I particularly want."
"Really?" Kushina frowned.
Without an idea, it was hard to pick out a present.
"Well, let's dig in."
"...."
People in this world are so strange. They all have to announce it before they eat.
Too bad Takuya didn't have that habit.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone