Uchiha Yoichi carefully pondered for a moment and felt that no unexpected events would occur at tonight's clan meeting, so he did not seek Elder Kenji for further discussion.
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"Before the task begins, Obito, Rin, and Kakashi, I must remind you of something."
Namikaze Minato had a serious expression. Bringing two Genin and Kakashi on this mission was already against the ninja mission regulations, and Kakashi originally could not participate, but it was approved by Sarutobi Hiruzen.
The reason for bringing Uchiha Obito and Nohara Rin was to avoid any psychological disparity among the three classmates due to this mission.
"This mission prohibits free actions. You must listen to me. If any of you violate this rule, I will halt the mission and send you back to Konoha!"
"Yes, Teacher Minato."
Seeing Namikaze Minato's serious demeanor, the three nodded quickly, understanding this was not a time for jokes.
An A-Class Task, even assuming no involvement of ninja, could still encounter unforeseen changes.
Thanks to Uchiha Yoichi, there had been several incidents where tasks escalated, leading other ninjas to suspect if the task force was slipping A-Class or S-Class Tasks into B-Class Tasks.
"Let's go. Due to the great danger of the Land of Wind, this time we have to detour through the Land of Rain; since the journey is longer, we have to compress our rest time to reach the destination within the specified time."
Namikaze Minato took out a map; the route had been pre-planned by him, Aburame Shibi, and Inuzuka Gaku; even with two scout ninjas, they couldn't guarantee crossing the Land of Wind unnoticed by the Hidden Sand Village.
The best strategy was to go through the Land of Rain, then along the border of the Land of Wind. This would greatly reduce the chance of being discovered.
"If there are no issues, let's set out. Advance in the formation discussed earlier, and inform me ahead of time when you need rest."
Namikaze Minato scanned around and promptly ordered the departure.
Team 7 was likely the only new class taking on an A-Class Task while other teams at most accepted C-Class Tasks to quickly enhance their new Genins' abilities.
Meanwhile, Uchiha Yoichi's Team 8 was still taking on D-Class Tasks. Yuhi Kurenai and the team took on two D-Class Tasks in the afternoon; the first one, finding a pet cat, was relatively simple and was completed, but the second task was more strenuous.
The task required cleaning a section of wall.
Originally, they would have completed the task using tools before dinner, but Uchiha Yoichi, having nothing else to do, came by to check.
After learning their task, Uchiha Yoichi took away all the rope tools they were going to use, making them walk on walls to clean them.
Moreover, he provided each with a twenty-pound backpack for additional burden.
"... Pay attention to Chakra, it's best to refine and release Chakra simultaneously, and remember, hands can catch walls, so when you are about to fall, use your hands to grip the wall."
Upon hearing Uchiha Yoichi's continuous instructions from the side, Yuhi Kurenai complained, "Teacher Yoichi, you are distracting us..."
Before she finished, the Chakra under Yuhi Kurenai's feet suddenly slackened, and she fell without reaction.
"Oh no, aaah~"
Thud.
Yuhi Kurenai did not fall on the ground as imagined but was caught by Uchiha Yoichi's Shadow Clone, who placed her down and said, "Continue, Satomi and Ichihiko are very focused."
"Got it...."
Yuhi Kurenai, feeling somewhat embarrassed, climbed back up the wall to start cleaning again.
Under Uchiha Yoichi's guidance and urging, the three managed to clean the area just in time for dinner.
Uchiha Yoichi was not stingy with his promise, taking the three to a grill restaurant and allowing them to order whatever they wanted.
Upon hearing this, Yuhi Kurenai, Hyuga Satomi, and Chishima Ichihiko's eyes lit up. Hyuga Satomi ordered fifty portions of grilled meat, Chishima Ichihiko scratched his head and ordered three portions of sashimi, and Yuhi Kurenai requested ten servings of dumplings.
"For D-Class Tasks, you should become proficient in Chakra control as quickly as possible. A powerful ninja can achieve tenfold results with one portion of Chakra. My requirement for you is not to waste any Chakra. After doing enough D-Class Tasks, prepare for B-Class Tasks."
Uchiha Yoichi addressed Yuhi Kurenai and her team, "You must become Chunin within a year, and also, I don't mind if you attack me in the grill restaurant, but if you break anything, you'll have to pay for it yourself."
Hyuga Satomi and Yuhi Kurenai exchanged glances, somewhat embarrassed, and discreetly put away the Kunai under the table before picking up their chopsticks to enjoy a sumptuous dinner.
After having a simple meal with the students, Uchiha Yoichi left them enough money and left early as he had a clan meeting to attend that night. He had left them enough money to order more if necessary.
Upon returning home,
Uzumaki Minami was already back. Hearing Uchiha Yoichi's return, she simply peeked out her door to greet him shyly, "Lord Yoichi, you're back?"
"Yes, I just had dinner with the students. I have a clan meeting to attend later. Minami, about this morning..."
Bam!
Uzumaki Minami promptly shut her door and said from inside, "There was nothing this morning, Lord Yoichi, please don't say anything. I don't know anything.....
That pants-wetting incident was so embarrassing. Even though Uzumaki Minami had affection for Uchiha Yoichi, it was something she wished hadn't happened.
Apparently, it happened twice, with the latter being uncontrollable...
She just wanted to seal away her memories, although sealing one's own memories was ineffective, she couldn't very well seal Yoichi's memories, and he just had the nerve to bring it up again. How she wished she could turn back time.
Seeing that Uzumaki Minami was unwilling to come out, Uchiha Yoichi mentioned he was heading to the clan grounds and left with the Uchiha welfare system plan.
The clan meetings were always held at Nankai Shrine, the ancestral grounds of the Uchiha, where an ancestral Uchiha stele was said to be readable only with the Mangekyo Sharingan.
This meeting had a much larger gathering than usual. Previously, clan meetings comprised around twenty to thirty people, including the Clan Leader, Squad Leader, and Elder, which constituted the Uchiha high command.
However, Uchiha Kenji aimed to bolster his influence and even called in Junior Leaders.
A total of over seventy people attended, nearly the entire elite of the Uchiha came to the meeting, including Uchiha Shisui whom Uchiha Yoichi noticed upon arrival.
"Mr. Yoichi, over here."
Uchiha Kenji, having arrived early at the Nankai Shrine's secret chamber, waved for Uchiha Yoichi to sit in front of Uchiha Masato upon seeing him.
This was a tacit expression of preference, and neither Uchiha Masato nor Uchiha Yokokawa had objections.
Given the fame of Konoha Lightning Fang, it was only fitting to sit in front.
Once most attendees arrived, Uchiha Fugaku began, "Everyone, the current situation in the Ninja World is grim. The village has already begun to stockpile resources, and in the event of war, we cannot remain exceptions, so I've ordered the Ninja Cat Race to purchase war supplies..."
Uchiha Fugaku's speech mainly served as a warning about war and briefly encouraged the younger generation, such as the recently acclaimed Uchiha Shisui.
The age at which he activated the Sharingan was even younger than Uchiha Yoichi, and now he already had Chunin-level strength, making him an extraordinary genius from any perspective.
With Konoha Lightning Fang, Uchiha Yoichi, leading the way, many clan members were optimistic about Uchiha Shisui, believing he would make a name for himself in the Ninja World.
After Uchiha Fugaku finished speaking, Uchiha Kenji spoke up, "Clan Leader, Great Elder, and everyone, Mr. Yoichi has an idea that would benefit all clan members, and I find it quite advantageous. Let's bring it up during this clan meeting for the Clan Leader and the clan members to hear..."
Hearing these words, a foreboding feeling crept into Uchiha Fugaku's heart.