The next morning, the Konoha Daily was released as usual.
"Pschhh"
Nawaki, who was eating breakfast at home while reading the newspaper, immediately spat out his milk.
Konoha Daily: "Shocking! The young master of the Senju Clan has actually done such a thing!" / "At the beginning of the school year, the village-bully Senju young master bullies the kind and lovely Uchiha second son!" / "Discussion: Why the Uchiha are constantly targeted – The unspeakable history between the Uchiha and Senju!"
After reading the newspaper, Nawaki was trembling with rage, tears streaming down his face. The entire world seemed out to get him! When would he, Nawaki Senju, finally stand up for himself?
Damn you, Shen Uchiha! I will never rest while you draw breath! If I, Nawaki Senju, fail to avenge this insult, I am no longer a man!
Thus, Nawaki followed Shen's footsteps and made his declaration of being 'not human.'
Meanwhile, in the office of the Hokage Tower, Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi had worked late into last night.
Just after waking up, he caught sight of the paper's outrageous headline and burst out laughing: "Now this is something to see!" He'd lived so many years but had never seen news like this before. He couldn't help but marvel at how vast and unpredictable the world truly was—he still had much to learn.
"Qing, what exactly happened?" the Third Hokage asked toward a shadowy corner.
"This originated from a duel between the two clan heirs. In the end, it escalated because the child from the Akimichi family misunderstood something," came a female voice from the shadows, devoid of any emotion.
After pondering briefly, the Third Hokage spoke, "So it's just another one of those childish squabbles. It must've been the Uchiha making the first move. That guy Kazushi really can't tolerate even the slightest loss."
"Need to control the situation?" the female voice sounded again.
"No need. Treat it as the village's honeymoon phase with the Uchiha. Kazushi, the clan head, knows how far he can go." After pausing momentarily, the Third Hokage continued issuing orders toward the shadows, "Also, have these two kids stay home and rest properly for now—they can return to school later."
"Yes!" the voice from the shadows responded once more.
Qing took over the role of Hokage's personal guard after Xiang went on a mission outside the village. She was also one of the Anbu members trained and led by the Third Hokage.
Meanwhile, at the residence of the Uchiha clan head.
"The winds today feel strangely unsettling."
Shen, sitting comfortably at the dining table drinking milk and reading the paper, expressed his feelings. However, the newspaper headlines looked somewhat odd to him—the tone felt overly strong.
After thinking the entire night through, he realized the outcome wasn't too bad after all. Although he failed to quit school permanently, he had gotten some vacation time. Overall, it wasn't much of a loss. He intended to make the most of this break—figuring out a way to deal with everything once and for all.
"Father, your efficiency truly remains as impressive as ever!" Fugaku flattered, clearly trying to please Kazushi.
Though he didn't know why his family had resorted to such a disgraceful smear campaign against the Senju, he genuinely felt delighted that everything resolved smoothly.
"That idea was your mother's doing. She said this kind of presentation really grabs people's attention—and since it cost us quite a bit, we might as well make the most of it."
At this moment, Kazushi, basking in spring-like warmth, displayed a proud smile. How many years had passed? The last time he felt this joyful was the day he officially became the clan leader. He could already imagine the Senju Clan's expression at this exact moment—their faces twisted in fury.
"Go ahead and hit me if you've got the guts! If you hit me, the rumors stick. If not, you'll just have to swallow your pride and take it." As he thought this, Kazushi even went ahead and ate an extra bowl of rice.
The word "content" perfectly described Clan Head Kazushi at this moment. He practically hoped more kids from the Senju clan would come provoke them again—it meant the revival of the Uchiha clan was drawing closer!
Aiko smiled gently as she watched them. She believed that even in such a "tricky situation," the family still needed to rely on her methods. Without her early intervention, the Uchiha could've been smeared beyond repair.
Look at how deeply rooted in people's minds the image of the Senju Clan as "ruthless warlords" has become through these reports.
"I'm done eating, Father, Mother, and Fugaku-niisan." Shen said eagerly, finishing his breakfast first before immediately heading back to his room.
In Shen Uchiha's room, our protagonist—Shen—was already trying to figure out how to pull off an official expulsion.
"If voluntary withdrawal isn't possible, I'll have to go for forced expulsion!"
He quickly finalized his strategy: The Expulsion Gambit!
The plan itself was relatively straightforward. After yesterday's threats, Shen knew that doing something minor like what the "crown prince" did wouldn't work. If he was going to stir things up, he had to go big. He planned to use this vacation to write a detailed script and make sure the plan worked on the first attempt.
After thinking for a while, Shen suddenly slapped his thigh. He had just realized—you need real power to stir up serious trouble. If you're strong, it's called stirring up trouble. If not, it's called overestimating yourself. He didn't want others seeing him as an idiot.
Shen immediately stood up and left his room. He decided to find his good older brother Fugaku first.
Inside Uchiha Kazushi's room, Fugaku solemnly recounted to Kazushi what Shen had speculated about Kagami Uchiha the previous day.
"That's everything Shen said, Father." Fugaku lowered his head after speaking, waiting patiently for a response.
"I'd long suspected something and had nearly identified the prime suspect. I never expected this child Shen would also be suspicious." Kazushi looked at the silent Fugaku and comforted him, saying, "You shouldn't underestimate yourself. I've never looked down on you for being trained from childhood to become a ninja instead of being naturally clever like Shen."
Fugaku raised his head and replied, "I've never envied Shen. Heaven took away his health but gave him wisdom instead. I've never liked thinking much myself. I'm only ashamed that as his older brother, I couldn't help him much. Sometimes I think if Shen were healthy, he would definitely lead the Uchiha to glory—and I'd willingly give my all to make that happen."
Kazushi was deeply moved by Fugaku's brotherly devotion and fought hard to hold back his tears.
The love within the Uchiha clan runs so deep that one mustn't assume they lack emotion—they simply don't know how to express it.
With red eyes, Kazushi told Fugaku, "Seeing such a strong bond between you two brothers makes me really happy. With you two sons, I can feel at ease about the future of the Uchiha clan."
"Father, perhaps I should wait a few more days before joining the Guard Unit. Since Shen can't attend the ninja academy yet, I'd like to tutor him for some time—I don't want him falling behind others," Fugaku suggested.
"Alright, focus on tutoring Shen recently. Be appropriately lenient with him and always report updates regarding his physical condition."
"Understood, Father!"
Shen lingered in the distant corridor, eyes red with emotion as he eavesdropped on the conversation inside. Honestly, with how sharp his ears were, he could've stayed in his room and still caught every word. But this was a power that no one could take for long.
Even though Shen had long thought of this place as home, the conversation between Kazushi and Fugaku stirred something warm inside him, finally grounding the drifting part of his soul.
Shen made up his mind to bid farewell to his former self. "From now on, I am Shen Uchiha, purely and simply Shen Uchiha of the Uchiha Clan!"
Back at the Senju Clan compound, Nawaki sat locked away in solitary confinement—punished once again by his sister's wrath. A dark look crossed his face as he grabbed a pen and furiously scribbled into his diary:
Konoha Year 25, September 2nd, Qing.
The very first day without Shen Uchiha—already missing him.
If that bastard dares show his face again, I'll make sure he regrets it! We're such great friends—so close I'd rip him apart with my own hands.
And just to be clear—I *really* hate men. Especially that jerk, Shen Uchiha!
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