Chapter 249. Breaking the Illusion
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The conflict between the Hyuga Clan's main and branch families had unexpectedly erupted at this time.
As Yuto walked out of Minato's house, he sighed inwardly. He glanced at Suzune in front of him and thought about Minato's "advice." His forehead immediately twitched with a dark line.
Trying to set me up?
Isn't he afraid he'll buy the trending page with the "Fourth Hokage" headlines tonight?
"What did Kushina say to you?"
"Kushina-sama?" Suzune snapped out of her thoughts, smiled faintly, and shook her head. "Actually, she didn't really say much."
"…"
So… what did she say?
But judging by her reaction, it seemed he wouldn't get an answer.
Yuto shook his head helplessly and didn't press further. After all, he wasn't Minato. Even if he hit the jackpot, he wouldn't act recklessly like Minato…
After becoming Hokage, Minato had become arrogant and even learned to bring his disciples to visit his girlfriends.
As for Suzune…
She was as gentle as ever.
No problem, no problem.
"Send a few kilograms of exercise books to Minato's house later and say they're a gift from Uncle to Naruto."
The kid was almost two years old—why was he still goofing off?
This was the ninja world!
Children here started training at three or four, and by five or six, they were already contemplating the meaning of life!
Sure, training at one or two years old might not be very effective, but as the son of the Hokage… how could he afford to slack off?
Now was the perfect time to instill the spirit of the Will of Fire!
As Naruto and Sasuke's uncle, Yuto couldn't sit back and watch them become prodigals.
"Also, send a set to the Uchiha Clan as well."
After those words—
Suzune gave Yuto a strange look. Then she nodded. "...Alright."
Yuto…
He really does care about the kids!
Thinking of this, Suzune felt a wave of melancholy in her heart. She had no idea how the conflict between the main and branch families would turn out this time.
Especially her First Brother, as the Clan Leader and head of the main family… He had just had a daughter. If her talent wasn't up to standard, things would become even more complicated.
Of course—
She understood why her brother Hizashi was doing this. If his child were also forced to bear the Caged Bird Mark by the main family, he'd be angry too.
After a moment of silence, Suzune said softly, "Maybe I should return to the Hyuga Clan for now."
At a time like this—
With the conflict between the main and branch families escalating, it probably wasn't appropriate for her to be wandering around.
Especially with Yuto…
Even though he had formally withdrawn from the Uchiha Clan, in reality… who would truly believe he wasn't part of the Uchiha?
[It would be better if my child didn't inherit the Hyuga Clan's bloodline in the future…]
However—
Yuto looked at Suzune in surprise. "Why would you leave?"
"The clan…"
Before she could finish—
"The conflict between the main and branch families?" Yuto interrupted directly and waved his hand dismissively. "It's not a big deal! If anyone threatens you, just tell me. I'll put a bounty out on them—ahem, I mean… just stay at home. Don't go anywhere, and don't bother attending the Hyuga Clan meetings for now."
After those words—
Suzune wondered if she had just heard something… incredible?
But when she saw the confidence in Yuto's expression, her heart warmed. She smiled gently, nodded, and said softly, "Okay."
"I'll listen to you."
"Don't worry, nothing will happen." Yuto looked at Suzune's smile, nodded, and said, "Relax, there's someone even more worried about the main and branch family conflict than you."
It seemed—
The sudden outbreak of conflict between the main and branch families had left Suzune feeling uneasy too.
But—
Where was Hanabi?
Why hadn't she taken action yet?
Even if she thought this was an illusion, Neji was still her brother!
Just think about the Konoha 12.
If even one of them died, wouldn't the others feel heartbroken?
Not even a little guilt?
Why hadn't she done anything to change Neji's fate yet?
Yuto sighed helplessly and muttered to himself, "If it really comes down to it… I'll just buy a headline."
After those words—
A soft and sweet voice suddenly came from beside him.
"Yuto, can I ask you something?"
"I have."
"T-This! That's not what I meant!" Suzune's face flushed slightly, and after a brief pause, she asked, "What's your relationship with Hanabi?"
"Relationship? Nothing much—just a relative who hasn't found a job yet and came to stay over for a while."
Yuto responded righteously and without hesitation.
After those words—
Suzune nodded in satisfaction.
[Looks like there's really nothing going on.]
After all—
If there were something…
Yuto would have definitely said:
[My relationship with her is completely pure and innocent, just like my relationship with you.]
…
Meanwhile—
After Suzune and Yuto left, Hyuga Hanabi also started her own investigation.
Unfortunately—
On the surface, she was just a member of the Hyuga Clan and not a registered ninja of Konoha, so most information was out of her reach.
That would easily raise suspicion.
So—
For now—
She could only search online.
She guessed that even… Yuto-san probably never expected… that with the internet, if you provide a little bit of information, and I provide a little bit of information… the truth eventually surfaces.
Of course, most of the information online was either false or exaggerated—she'd have to sort through it herself.
[Uchiha Yuto]
[A graduate of Konoha's XX class. He has written "Konoha Youth Speaks", "My Konoha, My Hokage", and "A Brief Discussion on the Will of Fire of the Third Hokage". He has been highly praised by the Third Hokage, once called the next generation of the Will of Fire. He had exceptional ninja talent and was allowed early graduation, but he ultimately refused. After graduation, he stopped working as a ninja. He is suspected to have been taken as a disciple by one of the Legendary Sannin, Jiraiya—but later dropped it, possibly due to his departure from the ninja path.]
[Founder of Yuto Milk Tea, Yuto BBQ, Yuto Dance Hall…]
[Creator of the internet, computers, and mobile phones.]
[…]
The rest was a long list of achievements: Businessman of the Will of Fire, Outstanding Businessman of the Ninja World, the Richest Man in the Ninja World…
But none of that mattered much to her.
The only real mystery—
Was why he refused early graduation and gave up the ninja path despite his talent.
But that wasn't the point.
Maybe he just liked business?
Hanabi kept scrolling down—
[During the Mahjong God Cup, it was exposed…]
[He is suspected to have a close relationship with Konoha Orphanage's Director, Yakushi Nono, and is suspected to have a special relationship with his secretary, Hyuga Suzune. He is also suspected to have a mistress in the Land of Rain.]
Hanabi narrowed her eyes. Thinking back to what happened in the Land of Rain… this… might actually be true.
But since that person wasn't a ninja and seemed to be noble, she couldn't really say much about it.
As for Sister Suzune…
Sigh~
Hanabi kept scrolling.
[It is suspected that there is an illegitimate child, Uchiha Obito…]
"…"
She had heard that one this morning.
But judging by the ages involved, it was probably impossible. Still… Sister Suzune's words might not have been entirely groundless.
Which meant—
Uchiha Yuto had possibly tried to prevent Uchiha Obito from becoming a ninja in the past.
Why?
After refining the intelligence in her mind, Hanabi continued scrolling down.
Suddenly—
Her eyes narrowed sharply as she fixed her gaze on the screen.
[It is rumored that he once helped the Fourth Hokage improve the Rasengan, which shows his extraordinary ninja talent.]
After an unknown amount of time—
Hanabi closed the computer, her delicate brows furrowing as her refined face showed a trace of confusion. She murmured to herself, "It seems... he is indeed weird."
If this really was an illusion—
Why was he doing all this?
Even though strange things had happened among Konoha's higher-ups…
He hadn't killed them or done anything unusual to them.
What's the point?
Was he just watching for fun?
However—
It was undeniable—
He probably knew something.
But…
Wasn't Uchiha Sasuke supposed to be the last surviving Uchiha?
"No… that's not right!"
At that moment—
Hanabi's eyes narrowed sharply as she recalled that guy who called himself Uchiha Shin.
"Could he be the same?"
If this is true...
In order to break this illusion... perhaps the only way is to start with him.
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