"I think this plan is feasible. Orochimaru is your disciple, so we are relieved."
"Indeed, having one of the Sannin oversee the Jinchuriki and a genius who can subdue the One-Tail is an excellent choice."
Mito Haruken and Koharu Utatane both expressed their approval. They had met Orochimaru before. Although he seemed a bit cold, his talent was undeniable. He was perfect in all aspects and had never made any major mistakes, making him worthy of cultivation.
Seeing that Orochimaru had gained the recognition of his two old friends, Hiruzen Sarutobi's wrinkled face broke into a smile, filled with relief. "Then it's decided. Remove the Anbu surrounding Kushina. As long as she doesn't leave the village, Orochimaru will supervise them. Lin Yu is also Orochimaru's disciple."
"Uzumaki Lin Yu is Orochimaru's disciple? Since when?" Mito Haruken was somewhat surprised. He hadn't received any notification. He glanced at Koharu Utatane, who also shook her head, indicating she was unaware.
"Haha, I haven't had a chance to inform you of this. It just happened these past couple of days."
"Uzumaki Lin Yu is Orochimaru's apprentice, which makes him your grand-disciple, doesn't it? I didn't expect you to have a grand-disciple already. Time really flies," Koharu Utatane remarked sentimentally.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk. Uzumaki Lin Yu is only ten years old this year, and he can subdue the One-Tail at ten. He's quite a little genius! Hiruzen, you've gained a good grand-disciple!" Mito Haruken looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi with some envy.
Hiruzen Sarutobi chuckled, his old face showing some pride. However, when he thought of the intelligence Jiraiya had sent him a few days ago, his brow furrowed. Uzumaki Lin Yu had some connection with the Uchiha clan, which he hadn't expected.
Hiruzen Sarutobi hesitated slightly before saying, "It's just that this Lin Yu kid has some ties to the Uchiha clan, and he seems to have awakened the Three-Tomoe Sharingan."
Mito Haruken and Koharu Utatane were shocked upon hearing this. "What! The Sharingan? And Three-Tomoe! How is this possible? Uzumaki Lin Yu is only ten years old, and isn't he from the Uzumaki clan? How could he awaken the Sharingan?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi took out a file from his drawer. It was a bit dusty, with Uzumaki Lin Yu's name written on it. "Uzumaki Lin Yu is the illegitimate son of the Uchiha and Uzumaki clans. Both his parents have fallen in battle. He has no relatives and has lived among the Uzumaki clan since childhood, with no ties to the Uchiha in Konoha."
Koharu Utatane breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this, but she still frowned. "That's acceptable. However, he still has the blood of the Uchiha clan, and he's awakened the Three-Tomoe Sharingan. With such excellent talent, if the Uchiha clan were to find out, would they accept him?"
"Hmph! That clan only acknowledges those with Uchiha blood. They are incredibly arrogant towards outsiders, but they do worship strength and admire geniuses. If they were to learn that Uzumaki Lin Yu awakened the Three-Tomoe at ten years old, they would undoubtedly want to bring him back into the clan!" Mito Haruken held no affection for the Uchiha clan, but his words were pragmatic.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's brows were deeply furrowed. He really wanted a cigarette right now to relieve his stress, but he could only think about it. He said, "The conflict between the Uchiha clan and Konoha has existed since ancient times. It's fundamentally impossible to resolve unless a Hokage emerges from their clan."
"Impossible!" Mito Haruken and Koharu Utatane exclaimed in unison. For an Uchiha to become Hokage? Would they still have their current power? No need to even think about it!
"So, this is an unsolvable problem," Hiruzen Sarutobi said with a bitter smile.
"Then Uzumaki Lin Yu..."
"That depends on the child's choice. We'll leave it to Orochimaru."
"Yes, that's all we can do."
...
Uchiha Compound.
The Uchiha clan did not welcome outsiders into their territory, but they did not prevent them either. They merely disliked it and wouldn't offer pleasantries. The same applied to Lin Yu.
The surrounding Uchiha clansmen looked at Lin Yu with unwelcoming eyes. Lin Yu didn't care; he was only there to find Mikoto. He disdained to pay attention to a bunch of short-lived people!
After their last parting, Lin Yu and Mikoto had learned each other's addresses. However, Lin Yu was quite unfamiliar with the Uchiha compound and took a long time to find Mikoto's home.
Uchiha Mikoto had not yet awakened her Sharingan, so her home was modest. However, it was much larger than Lin Yu's. There was a small courtyard in front with some flowers and fruit trees, which were growing well. It was evident that Mikoto often tended to them.
This house was left to Mikoto by her parents, who had also died in the war. The village had provided substantial compensation, enough for her to grow into adulthood.
This was why she and Kushina, who was also an orphan, had become best friends. They shared the same fate.
"Mikoto, I heard you're graduating soon. Can you accept my date request now?"
Lin Yu felt he had arrived at an inopportune moment. Judging by the situation, if he were to leave now, he might cause trouble again. However, Mikoto had already seen him, so Lin Yu could only walk over with a bitter smile. The current Uchiha clan, not that Lin Yu looked down on them, was truly garbage!
"Fugaku-niisan, I'm sorry, but I've already promised someone I'd go out with them today." Mikoto looked at Lin Yu approaching her, her fair cheeks flushing slightly. She completely ignored Uchiha Fugaku beside her.
So beautiful! Uchiha Fugaku beside her was mesmerized. He had never seen Mikoto like this before. He had to marry her! Fugaku vowed silently.
"Hi! Mikoto, I'm not late, am I?" Lin Yu walked up to Mikoto and gave her a perfect smile.
Lin Yu had already figured out who the somewhat handsome young man beside her was: Uchiha Fugaku! His greatest rival! However, the current Fugaku had only awakened the Three-Tomoe Sharingan and was already eighteen. He truly wondered why he would pursue Mikoto, who was six years younger than him!
Although Mikoto was indeed more mature and beautiful, her figure was perfect, and her development was... uh, she was certainly worth pursuing!
Lin Yu didn't take Fugaku seriously at all. He hadn't even awakened the Mangekyo, which didn't pique his interest in the slightest. Wait until you're over thirty and have awakened the Mangekyo, then come and compete with me!
"You're not late, Lin Yu. I was just about to go out and meet you." Mikoto smiled beautifully at Lin Yu.
"Damn it! Who is this brat? How can he make Mikoto smile at him? Damn it!" Uchiha Fugaku's face contorted, but he managed to suppress it and pretended to be elegant, "Mikoto, who is this child? Why don't you introduce him to your Fugaku-niisan?"
Mikoto frowned slightly, looking displeased. "My Fugaku-niisan"? Who do you think you are! But being gentle by nature, she would never say that. Besides, he was the clan leader's son. She said somewhat helplessly, "He is Uzumaki... Ah!"
Lin Yu completely ignored Fugaku, and amidst Mikoto's startled cry, he took her soft hand and ran outside. He even turned back and mockingly said to Uchiha Fugaku, "Mikoto and I are going on a date. You should go home and look in the mirror, old man."
Uchiha Fugaku froze. Old man? Was he that old?