The Uchiha clan had seven elders in total.
Six of them were now standing.
Everyone had assumed that Elder Retsuka, the leader of the hardline faction, would remain seated.
Yet, to their surprise, he rose without the slightest hesitation and turned toward the still-stunned Fugaku.
“Fugaku, I have to admit—you really stepped in dog shit to have a son this outstanding.”
After speaking, he even cast Qiyu an appreciative glance.
Qiyu’s heart sank.
No!
Old man, what happened to that proud, unruly attitude of yours?
And what was with this extra hundred approval points?
I liked you better the way you were at the beginning!
Qiyu wailed inwardly.
Fugaku gradually recovered from his shock, though his expression still darkened when he heard Retsuka’s words.
“Since all the clan elders have agreed, I will report the outcome of this meeting to Lord Hokage.
As for the final result… that will depend on Lord Hokage’s decision.”
Fugaku had no desire to argue with Retsuka any further.
He had already lost enough face today.
Besides, Retsuka was still one of the clan’s elders.
Fugaku had to leave him at least some dignity.
After leaving the clan meeting, Fugaku walked in silence with Qiyu and Itachi.
Qiyu had no interest in trying to read Fugaku’s mood.
Instead, he quietly opened his system panel.
The moment he saw that his Gratitude Points had reached thirty-five thousand, a deep sense of fulfillment filled his heart.
His Malice Points were somewhat lower, at only twelve thousand.
Still, most of those points had come from a single leek.
But when he remembered that he had completely lost such a thick, healthy leek, Qiyu wanted to slap himself across the face.
He should never have made things so obvious.
In the end, he had only himself to blame for being too outstanding.
While Qiyu was lost in thought, Fugaku suddenly stopped ahead of them.
With Fugaku’s back turned, Qiyu had no idea what this cheap father of his intended to do.
Qiyu and Itachi stopped as well and looked at him.
Then Fugaku’s slightly strained voice reached them.
“Qiyu!
You performed well today.
Take Itachi home.
Father needs to visit the Hokage’s office.”
The moment he finished speaking, Fugaku vanished in a Body Flicker Technique, leaving the two brothers staring after him in confusion.
“Hahahaha!”
Fugaku raced toward the Hokage Building, unable to suppress his laughter along the way.
Today had undoubtedly been one of the most satisfying days of his life.
The memory of Uchiha Retsuka’s miserable expression—and the frustration on the old man’s face when he had been forced to praise Fugaku’s son—filled Fugaku with delight.
Back when they had competed for the position of clan head, Retsuka’s son had lost to Fugaku, allowing Fugaku to take the position.
Ever since then, the old man had found fault with him at every opportunity.
For the sake of maintaining the dignity and unity expected of the clan head, Fugaku had endured it time and again.
Yet Retsuka continued to oppose him like some ridiculous clown leaping onto a stage.
Although Fugaku did not want to admit that the old man had been right, Qiyu’s calm performance during the clan meeting had indeed surpassed his own by far.
Every statement Qiyu had made had been clear, logical, and well supported.
At that thought, Fugaku suddenly felt an urge to retire early.
But after remembering Qiyu’s age, he shook his head.
“I should carry the burden for Qiyu a few more years.”
Thanks to the enhanced hearing granted by his cultivation technique, Qiyu caught the faint sound of laughter in the distance.
He curled his lips.
“What a two-faced man.”
“Brother, what did you say?”
Itachi leaned closer, his adorable little face filled with curiosity.
The sight was so endearing that Qiyu could not help smiling.
“I was talking about our irresponsible father.
It’s already so late, yet he abandoned two six-year-old children in the middle of the street.
Isn’t he worried that human traffickers might abduct us?”
Qiyu knew perfectly well that the shinobi world had no shortage of people who specialized in deceiving children.
Orochimaru alone was an expert in that field.
Uchiha Madara was no less capable, and neither was Obito, whom Madara had personally trained.
“Hehe.
Brother, you’re so funny.
Father only feels comfortable leaving us alone because you’re so strong.”
As Itachi spoke, his eyes seemed to light up as he gazed at his older brother.
He had watched everything Qiyu had done during the clan meeting through the crack in the door.
The powerful Fire Release ninjutsu.
The stirring speech.
Although some of Qiyu’s views conflicted with Itachi’s own beliefs, that did nothing to diminish Itachi’s admiration for his brother.
Seeing Itachi’s sparkling eyes, Qiyu felt an intense sense of accomplishment.
He reached out and rubbed Itachi’s fluffy hair.
“Itachi, you’ll become an outstanding shinobi too.”
“Mm!
I’ll catch up to you, Brother!”
Moonlight stretched the shadows of the two children across the road.
Before long, they reached home.
The moment they knocked on the door, hurried footsteps sounded from inside.
The door flew open.
Mikoto visibly relaxed before pulling both Qiyu and Itachi into her arms.
“Qiyu, Itachi, welcome home.
Are you hungry?
Would you like Mother to make you something to eat?”
Mikoto placed one hand on each of their heads as she spoke in a gentle voice.
“There’s no need, Mother.
We’re not hungry.”
Qiyu smiled and shook his head.
After seeing that both brothers looked perfectly fine and had not suffered any mistreatment, the anxiety that had weighed on Mikoto’s heart finally eased.
Qiyu spent some time reassuring his worried mother before quickly escorting Itachi back to his room.
Then, unable to contain his anticipation any longer, he hurried into his own room and climbed onto his small bed.
Qiyu immediately sat cross-legged and opened his system panel.
Uchiha Qiyu
Cultivation Realm: Refining Essence into Qi
Cultivation Technique: Azure Nether Art — Qi Refinement Chapter, Earth Rank
Mystic Arts: Five-Element Dao Arts
Fire: Proficient
Lightning: Proficient
Wind: Beginner
Water: Beginner
Earth: Beginner
Artifact Manipulation Art: Proficient
Beginner Fist, Body, and Movement Techniques: Proficient
Artifact Refinement: Beginner
Pill Refinement: Beginner
Plant Cultivation: Beginner
Formation Arts: Beginner
Gratitude Points: 35,000
Malice Points: 12,000
Qiyu’s heart surged with excitement as he stared at the unprecedented abundance of Gratitude and Malice Points.
At that moment, he wanted nothing else.
He only wanted to raise his cultivation as quickly as possible.
He might have displayed overwhelming power during the clan meeting, but only Qiyu understood the truth.
If Elder Retsuka had not insisted on confronting him head-on, and had instead used the mobility and experience of an elite jōnin to engage him in a prolonged battle, Qiyu would have been the first to exhaust his strength.
His lack of spiritual power had always been his greatest weakness.
The power of his techniques had increased, but after using them only a few times, he would completely drain himself dry.
That was the helpless reality Qiyu currently faced.
Hopefully, raising my cultivation will solve this problem.
Qiyu silently prayed before giving the command.
“System, invest all my Gratitude Points into my cultivation technique.”
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