Trouble (First Update)

"I believe in Lord Yue. When it comes to understanding him, having fought alongside Yue many times, I have the most right to speak. I believe in his character."

The first to speak was Minato Namikaze, who had already become the Fourth Hokage.

Though he was the newest newcomer to enter the highest decision-making circle, and still very young.

Yet it was precisely his youth that represented his potential. Under normal circumstances, people would give him some face. In theory, he was also Konoha’s highest authority now.

Even the Third Hokage could only be considered a former Hokage, having retired behind the scenes to enjoy his old age.

And after the Fourth Hokage spoke, Hiruzen Sarutobi also said,

"On the Land of Lightning battlefield, when faced with a powerful enemy, he still chose to save his teammates and nearly lost his life for it. He also chose to cover the rear on the way to provide reinforcements. So in terms of character, I too believe he would never betray Konoha."

"Before Jiraiya-sensei left, Kakashi also said that Lord Yue had followed them all the way and helped treat them. Otherwise, there would have been more trouble…"

Minato Namikaze continued to add.

One after another, he carefully listed Xu Yue’s achievements: discovering the Third Kazekage’s corpse in Sunagakure, repelling Hidden Mist, the bridge demolition mission, and standing against the AB Combo on the Hidden Cloud battlefield.

You did not realize it until it was all laid out. His accomplishments had usually been overshadowed by the Yellow Flash and others, but after truly counting them up, they discovered that Uchiha Yue had rendered outstanding service throughout the Third Ninja War!

In nearly every critical battle, his contributions had been indispensable!

Faced with such a meritorious ninja, one who had devoted himself to Konoha and possessed such fine character, he had even voluntarily returned to ‘turn himself in.’ Wouldn’t it be too much to pursue the matter any further?

He had no choice in choosing his teacher. It was not his fault!

Why should all the blame be pushed onto him?

For a time, under Minato Namikaze’s reasoned arguments, Uchiha Yue was no longer merely a ninja under interrogation. He practically became the obvious choice for the next Hokage, a textbook candidate.

Even Hiruzen Sarutobi seemed somewhat moved.

Danzo immediately sensed that things were going badly and hurriedly interrupted,

"Merit is merit, and wrongdoing is wrongdoing. They cannot be confused. His achievements have already earned him the rank of jonin and compensation such as being allowed to learn the Flying Thunder God. But his mistakes cannot simply be overlooked. Konoha must follow its rules as well."

Danzo struck his cane against the floor, refusing to back down in the slightest.

At that moment, Xu Yue also spoke at the appropriate time.

"Lord Danzo is right. I ultimately disobeyed orders and aided a rogue ninja. If I receive no punishment, it will be impossible to convince others. I am willing to accept punishment."

Xu Yue lowered his head, causing everyone to sigh inwardly. Even Danzo inexplicably felt a trace of shame, but he immediately discarded that useless emotion and stared at Xu Yue as he spoke.

"Since that is the case…"

"Since that is the case, then strip him of his membership in the ‘Anbu Special Mobile Unit’ and transfer him to the ‘Assassination Tactical Special Forces,’ where he will serve as an Anbu advisor. Let him use his abilities to make up for his mistakes."

Before Danzo could speak, Minato Namikaze spoke first.

Danzo nearly spat blood. ‘Anbu Special Mobile Unit’ was Root’s official designation, while ‘Assassination Tactical Special Forces’ was the designation for the regular Anbu.

Why did this feel like he had been promoted instead? And somehow, he had gone from Danzo’s subordinate to a direct subordinate of the Hokage?

"I object. His abilities are indispensable to our ‘Anbu Special Mobile Unit.’ If he is to be punished, then he should discard his public identity and glory, and devote himself wholeheartedly to striving for Konoha within Root."

Danzo spoke shamelessly, his face filled with righteous indignation…

After that, what had originally been a trial aimed at Xu Yue somehow turned into a contest to claim him…

The final result of the meeting was that Xu Yue would retain identities in both the regular Anbu and Root. Root members had no identities of their own.

Xu Yue now publicly held the title of Anbu advisor and possessed a clean identity, but in secret, he still had to work for Root.

At the same time, no one knew what Danzo was thinking, but he repeatedly stressed that while serving as an Anbu advisor, Xu Yue could not act under his real name, ‘Uchiha Yue.’ He had to abandon all his former glory and use a designation similar to a codename.

All sides more or less reluctantly accepted this outcome.

But afterward, unfavorable rumors about Xu Yue began spreading throughout Konoha, exactly like what had happened to the Konoha White Fang.

Xu Yue could guess with his feet that Danzo was behind it, trying to diminish his reputation. But it did not matter. Danzo could do as he pleased. It would make them feel more at ease, wouldn’t it…

"Hmph, utterly unreasonable! This is a complete humiliation of our Uchiha Clan!"

Uchiha Fugaku, who now had only one eye but carried even greater authority, slammed his palm heavily against the tea table, seeming deeply indignant on Xu Yue’s behalf.

Xu Yue, visiting his home as a guest, merely drank his tea with an unconcerned smile.

"Brother Fugaku, don’t be angry. This outcome is already quite good. After all, I helped an S-rank rogue ninja."

Then he looked toward Itachi, who still had the appearance of a five- or six-year-old child.

He stretched out a finger and teased him.

But despite being only five or six, Itachi carried himself like a little adult. He did not look like a brat at all, and was at least more mature than Obito before his descent into darkness.

Seeing Xu Yue notice his son, Fugaku revealed a proud expression.

"Haha, Itachi is excellent, isn’t he? He’s very talented. I intend to nurture him greatly."

"He truly is excellent. He will be suited to take over from you in the future. Don’t worry, Shisui and I will clear away every obstacle for him."

Xu Yue knew what Fugaku wanted to hear. He pinched Itachi’s soft little cheek and smiled.

At that moment, Uchiha Mikoto, her belly swollen with pregnancy, brought over fresh tea and snacks.

Xu Yue hurriedly rose and took them from her in advance.

"Sister-in-law, why are you still doing these things? We can handle them ourselves."

"I am a ninja too."

Uchiha Mikoto rolled her eyes at Xu Yue, then gently stroked her belly.

According to the story, Sasuke would be born a little earlier than Naruto, though not by much…

"Brother Fugaku, have you chosen a name for the child?"

Pondering something, Xu Yue asked casually.

"Hmph, I decided long ago. Sasuke. Not bad, right?"

"It’s not bad."

"Right? The Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi’s father was also named Sasuke. Hahaha, my son will be Sasuke too…"

Xu Yue stared blankly at Uchiha Fugaku, already seeing the tragic scene of the Uchiha Clan massacre in his mind…

Xu Yue was in a time-extension phase. Under the limitations of the space’s rules, the speed at which he refined Chakra continuously decreased.

However, there were no such restrictions on studying knowledge such as Sealing Jutsu and the Flying Thunder God.

Xu Yue also spent quite a bit of time stabilizing his relationships, continuing to raise everyone’s favorability toward him.

From time to time, he would visit the Uchiha Clan or Minato Namikaze’s home to mooch meals.

In all of Konoha, Xu Yue was the only person who could move freely between the Uchiha Clan and the Hokage’s faction.

Although unfavorable rumors about Xu Yue circulated throughout Konoha’s civilian population, he got along very well with the various ninja clans and factions.

That was right, he was from the Uchiha Clan, but unlike the other Uchiha, Xu Yue was practically a separate household. He also had good relations with the Hokage’s faction and maintained a friendship with the Hyuga Clan.

Since he did not take sides himself, it was not difficult for Xu Yue, with his mask, to build good relations with the other ninja clans.

Only with the Nara Clan was Xu Yue somewhat more cautious, maintaining a little distance.

Though Shikaku Nara was currently only at the level of an ordinary jonin and ranked in the lower-middle among the clan heads, it was precisely because his strength was not particularly high among people of comparable status that he preferred to use his brain.

It could not be said that Shikaku Nara was smarter than Orochimaru, but he preferred to solve problems with his mind. He did not possess Orochimaru’s arrogance or weaknesses of character.

And amid this state of affairs, Xu Yue watched Kushina’s belly grow larger day by day…

There will be three updates today~ This is the first one~ Also, while we’re on the recommendation list, everyone, say some nice things and give me praise. Come on, compliment me!