It's normal to get a kaleidoscope as a first deposit of six yuan, right?

She's such an idiot, how could she forget her brother's birthday...

Chapter 69, Water Escape

"Chief Fugaku, just now, the village's expenditure on the security force was cut again. This is the third time in the past two years. You should understand what they're trying to do, right?"

In Fugaku Uchiha's house, an elderly man with white hair spoke in a low voice.

"Of course I know, but we still need to observe the coup situation further."

“Clan leader…when has our Uchiha clan ever suffered such anger? Moreover, Konoha is currently weakening our rights and interests in every way. Isn’t this a clear indication that they are on guard against us? If we don’t take action now, we may miss a golden opportunity.”

Fugaku had a somber expression. He had actually considered a coup, but as the clan head, he had to consider all aspects of the clan's affairs.

Both good and bad outcomes should be considered.

If they succeed, it would be best if the Uchiha clan could take the position of Hokage. Although the situation is still not very stable, as long as they control the Nine-Tails, it is only a matter of time.

But if they fail... the Uchiha clan will probably disappear from Konoha along with the Senju clan, and he will have no face to face the clan leaders after his death.

"Sigh, never mind. There's another clan meeting tonight, and this issue will inevitably be raised then. You'll have to figure out a way to stabilize things yourself." The elder sighed as he looked at Fugaku's still hesitant expression and left.

Mikoto Uchiha came out from the backyard and poured tea into the cup in front of Fugaku.

"Are you still worried about things in the clan?"

"Sigh, being the clan leader isn't easy." Fugaku downed his tea in one gulp; the matter between Konoha and the Uchiha had been a real headache for him.

If you make the wrong choice, you might face utter ruin.

.........

Hokage Building...

Shisui stood in front of Hiruzen Sarutobi, holding a document outlining a policy to increase the number of official positions for ordinary members of the Uchiha clan, in order to strengthen the bond between the clan and Konoha.

However, Shisui shook his head regretfully after reading it.

"Lord Hokage, this only applies to ordinary people, but the problems within the clan do not lie with these people. Even if the policy is issued, the effect will probably not be significant."

Hiruzen Sarutobi also sighed.

He was also struggling with this matter, wanting to stabilize the Uchiha clan while preventing infiltration that would greatly reduce the difficulty of a coup. It was a very difficult choice. The Uchiha clan and Konoha were now like two separate entities, and every handover was sensitive and fraught with suspicion. If the scales tipped in one direction, it could lead to explosive consequences.

"Shisui, in your opinion, how should this matter be handled?" Hiruzen Sarutobi asked seriously, looking into Shisui's eyes with his hands clasped together.

"Lord Hokage, I don't have a good plan to deal with this either." Shisui shook his head regretfully. If he really had a good solution, he would have already brought it up.

Moreover, this is also a legacy issue. Ever since the Uchiha clan took over the police force, the common people have harbored resentment towards the Uchiha who were in charge of the area. Until the night of the Nine-Tails, the Sharingan pattern reflected in the scarlet pupils were all sharp blades pointing the finger at the Uchiha clan.

The Uchiha clan is proud and has always been resistant to force rather than gentle persuasion. The villagers' rejection only led to a more intense counterattack from them, and it was at this time that hatred and conflict gradually emerged.

After failing to get any good advice from Shisui, Hiruzen Sarutobi let him handle the Anbu's affairs, as the Uchiha clan's matters probably still needed careful consideration.

In the corridor of the Hokage Building, Shisui walked past Danzo. Danzo narrowed his eyes as he watched Shisui's departing figure.

"Looks like it's a matter concerning the Uchiha clan. Sarutobi is still so indecisive." If Root hadn't been disbanded once before, the Uchiha clan probably wouldn't have been so arrogant under his suppression.

Danzo arrived at the Hokage's office and saw Hiruzen Sarutobi sitting in a chair with a worried expression. Wisps of smoke drifted in the air, slightly dispelling his irritation.

"It seems you still haven't decided to take action against the Uchiha clan, Sarutobi."

“The Uchiha clan should not be touched yet, otherwise it may trigger a new round of war.” Hiruzen Sarutobi stood up and looked at the map of the ninja world hanging on the wall.

If a civil war breaks out in Konoha, further depleting its fighting strength, it could become the trigger for the Fourth Shinobi World War, at which point far more people might die than just this few times.

“When the time comes, we must act decisively, Sarutobi. While they are still unaware of our intentions, tonight we can completely surround the Uchiha clan's territory with a barrier, assassinate some of the high-ranking Uchiha, and then gather the Anbu and Root to slaughter them all during the chaos. It won't take more than one night to completely resolve this issue.”

Upon hearing this suggestion, Hiruzen Sarutobi's face darkened.

"Danzo, such radical ideas could have serious consequences. If something terrible happens, will you take responsibility?"

"Hmph, Sarutobi, you're still the same as always. Even if we don't take action, the Uchiha clan will never settle down. Later on, if they decide to stage a coup, don't blame me for not warning you!"

Danzo, be mindful of your identity!

The Hokage's office erupted in another argument. The Anbu members stationed nearby were used to it; the two of them bickering and arguing was a regular occurrence. However, it was usually Elder Danzo who got driven away in anger.

Sure enough, after the two argued for five minutes, a familiar conversation came from inside.

"Sarutobi, you'll regret this!"

"Danzo, I am the Hokage!"

boom!

Danzo slammed the door shut and stormed out, clearly furious. He truly couldn't understand how the monkey had fought alongside him all those years ago. How could someone become a leader without being ruthless? The Hokage position should definitely have been his!

.........

Inside the guardhouse, Zhixue lay on the bed, covered with a thin blanket, a tear dripping from the corner of her mouth onto the floor.

She slept a little late yesterday, so she'll catch up on her sleep today. Anyway, it won't matter if she goes to the training ground less often.

Ding! Congratulations, host, for completing the "Slacking Off" task (30/30) and receiving the reward: Water Attribute Chakra Affinity.

Zhi Xue, who was still fast asleep in bed, woke up when she heard the system's voice.

"Hmm... Have the rewards been distributed yet?" Zhi Xue yawned, sat up in bed, and gently rubbed the tears welling up in her eyes while hugging the blanket.

Ding, yes, host, this is the second time you've received a reward while you're sleeping.

"The second time? When was the first time?" Zhi Xue rubbed her head, wondering if she had ever received a reward while sleeping before.

Chapter 70, Obito's Return

"Sister Zhixue, I feel like I'm good enough at close combat now. Really, maybe I should go back and practice ninjutsu." By the small pond, Erzhuzi said, feeling the burning pain all over his body.

Even though it's not made of iron, getting hit or poked by wood still hurts a lot. It's better to practice ninjutsu; at least you won't get beaten up.

"Ah, physical skills and swordsmanship are also basics, you'll learn them eventually anyway," Zhixue said, shrugging. Anyway, Erzhuzi would be practicing swordsmanship with Snake Uncle in the future.

Erzhuzi was originally quite interested in swordsmanship, but after experiencing repeated torture, he suddenly felt that it wasn't so appealing anymore and began to miss the days when he practiced ninjutsu.

"Sister Zhixue, why don't you teach me illusion magic first? I feel like I'm being exhausted by you every day. If I continue training, my small body might not be able to take it."

Zhi Xue thought about Er Zhu Zi's age and felt it made sense, but unfortunately she didn't know genjutsu. She did know the genjutsu function that came with the Sharingan, but Er Zhu Zi didn't have that ability right now.

By the time he awakens his Sharingan, she probably won't be in Konoha anymore.

"Ahem, go practice your illusion magic with your brother, I'm not very good at it."

Zhi Xue took out a pocket watch from her hand, glanced at the time, and then put the folding chair away.

"Alright, it's getting late, you should go home too. I still need to cook dinner later."

"Red bean paste?" Erzhuzi's eyes seemed to light up. It was great that training could end so early today.

Zhi Xue didn't respond. She had missed her brother's birthday yesterday, and she would go buy some groceries later to make it up to him.

Looking at the bustling streets in the distance, Zhixue stood on the rooftop, picked up her binoculars, and peered at the places she was going to, noting them down on paper.

The original owner wasn't very familiar with the places in Konoha where to buy groceries, though she knew the places within the clan. But recently, the smell of gunpowder emanating from the Uchiha clan made Zhi Xue not want to go anywhere except the road home.

"Looks like you're still quite interested." A voice sounded from behind Zhixue.

"Aren't you afraid of arousing Konoha's suspicion by coming here like this?"

"Is this how you speak to your ancestors?" Obito said, crossing his arms and walking up behind Shisei.

“You didn’t just come to see me out of boredom, did you?” Zhixue said, turning around.

"Hehe, although I admit you are very beautiful and do remind me of someone I know, that is not the purpose of my visit."

"You want to... see the Uchiha clan?" Zhixue asked Obito with a hint of probing.

clap clap clap...

Obito squinted and clapped his hands.

"Although you are young, you are quite quick-witted. The Uchiha clan is doomed, and your dear brother needs your careful guidance."

Obito was referring to the Uchiha clan's attempt to stage a coup. The conflict had reached an irreconcilable point. Even if they temporarily dealt with some of the radical Uchiha, it would only lead to a stronger counterattack. The Uchiha clan, who value emotions, might experience the stress of losing loved ones, which could cause their Sharingan to evolve and lead them down an extreme path, which is extremely dangerous.

Konoha would never make such a foolish decision; there are only two possibilities: total annihilation or total preservation. As a genius of both Konoha and the Uchiha clan, Obito naturally wanted to bring in Uchiha Shisui to increase his own influence within the Akatsuki organization.

Of course, what he needs is a corrupted Shisui, but killing her beloved sister is no longer an option, so he has no choice but to go through the family route.

Zhi Xue looked at Obito with a strange expression, who held such high hopes for her.

If you knew what Shisui's awakened Mangekyou Sharingan technique was, you probably wouldn't let him in even if it meant your own death.

“Nisan won’t join Akatsuki. I’m enough.”

Obito chuckled twice upon hearing what Shisue said.

"Hmph, whether you go or not when the time comes is up to your brother to decide." Obito left with these final words, his figure disappearing from the spot with a twisted Kamui.

Zhi Xue also thought of something that gave her a real headache.

That is, how to separate my brother from the Uchiha's impending coup. He wants to protect the village and maintain the peace of the Uchiha clan, and he's the kind of person who won't turn back until he hits a brick wall.

Zhi Xue covered her eyes, and her immense pupil power gradually converged, with three black magatama cleverly linking together to form a black clover pattern.

She had a winning hand right from the start, but unfortunately, she didn't realize it at all, and the system didn't give her any hints. It was truly outrageous.

"How about I lie to my brother and say that my eye technique can foresee fate and the future? Hmm... just say that, I just hope he doesn't get stuck on things and do something like Shisui in the original story, jumping off a cliff."

Although Shisui knew that sealing Izanagi in Shisui's Sharingan would most likely be fine, she was still a little worried.

After all, he only has one older brother.

"Forget it, let's think about this later. I still have to cook dinner tonight..."

…………

While Zhixue was still preparing to go to Konoha to buy groceries, the Uchiha clan had already begun planning Konoha's overall defenses and weak points for attack.

At the Uchiha clan meeting, a detailed map of Konoha and the approximate distribution of the other clans' territories were laid out on the table.

"Chieftain, you don't need to delay any longer. Even if you disagree, this matter will inevitably erupt sooner or later. We might as well strike first."

"Yes, clan leader, Konoha can no longer tolerate us. If we don't show them what we're made of, they'll ride roughshod over us sooner or later."

"They've already ridden over the heads of our Uchiha clan. If we don't act now, when will we?"