CHAPTER 110

Leaving the newspaper office, Uchiha Chinatsu and Uchiha Fugaku both wore grim expressions. There was no hope in sight—Nara Shikamaru's words had blocked all possibilities. They had to include people like Inuzuka Kiba, Yamanaka Ino, the Hyuga clan, or even the Hokage himself, or else they'd never get their hands on the newspaper!

But was that even possible?

Daimon Studio?

It was an impossible dream.

"I didn't expect Uchiha Fenghuo to form such strong bonds with them in less than three years," Uchiha Fugaku sighed, recalling the time three years ago—Konoha's Year 39—when Fenghuo was first hospitalized. Back then, he was still very immature, just a kid eager to become stronger. What caused Fenghuo to gradually drift away from the Uchiha clan and fall under the influence of Sarutobi Hiruzen?

Fugaku pondered deeply and concluded that the root cause lay with the elders.

They held high positions and were used to being revered by all clan members. Anyone who opposed them would be struck down harshly. They hoarded all good ideas and benefits for themselves, their style cold and ruthless.

"The clan elders have seriously hindered the Uchiha's development," he said quietly.

Suddenly, Uchiha Chinatsu's eyes snapped open, revealing the slowly spinning Mangekyō Sharingan, radiating a fierce, ominous aura as he fixed Fugaku with an intense stare. "Fuyue, what do you mean by that?"

Chinatsu was also dissatisfied with the elders, but dissatisfaction alone was powerless. His influence was waning, and he would retire within a few years—only then would he be promoted to elder himself and join their ranks!

Would removing those elders not cut off his own path?

"Fuyue, you have to understand. One day, you'll become an elder too!" Chinatsu said earnestly.

Fugaku was taken aback, then nodded slowly.

Having served as captain of the Konoha Police Force for over a year, his feelings and anger had long been tempered by experience. Now he realized that even the patriarch he deeply respected was beginning to compromise with those elders.

When I become the head of the Uchiha clan, Fugaku thought, I will reclaim all power from the elders. One voice for the Uchiha—that's enough. Just like our ancestor, Uchiha Madara.

The elders were furious when Fenghuo returned—but now, Fenghuo himself was being "robbed."

"I'm getting married soon!" Inuzuka Kiba announced, hands on his hips, his giant dog Akamaru beside him glaring playfully at Fenghuo.

"Heh, congratulations," Fenghuo groaned in pain. "I'm still so young. You're not seriously asking me for money, are you?"

"Willing or not, as a shareholder in the newspaper, you owe a few months' dividends," Kiba smirked, openly extorting him.

"How many months? Hey, are you robbing me?" Fenghuo snapped. He didn't care much about money, but being 'robbed' without reason still upset him.

In his past life, he'd been forced to pay for friends' weddings during festivals. He hoped to escape that fate here.

"This is faster than robbing. Besides, I'll pay you back at your wedding!" Kiba chuckled mischievously.

Fenghuo was furious. He was only nine years old—wait until he got married? That would be in the Year of the Monkey at best!

Kiba paid no mind and reached down to pat Akamaru's massive head. Akamaru sniffed eagerly as Fenghuo silently pulled out a scroll and used a sealing technique to release a huge meaty bone.

Akamaru's eyes sparkled like peach blossoms. His nose twitched wildly as he sniffed all over the floor.

Fenghuo tossed the bone backward, and Akamaru leapt up, snapping it out of the air and gnawing vigorously.

Kiba's face twitched. He planned to give Akamaru extra training after this—otherwise, it'd be shameful if the dog lost out.

But in truth, Akamaru was an excellent ninja dog. He didn't pounce on just any meat or bone, no matter how tasty. His closeness with Fenghuo showed Akamaru's true loyalty and spirit.

The Inuzuka were an up-and-coming Konoha family, not on the same level as the Uchiha. Naturally, Kiba's wedding wasn't as grand as Fugaku's, but being from the Hokage's village meant more guests attended.

Akido and a large group of hefty family members arrived, seeming less interested in the wedding than the food. Watching Kiba and his bride, they worried the household cooks might not keep up with their eating pace.

Nara Shikamaru, Yamanaka Saiichi, and Shino also brought relatives to the party, eager to share in the celebration—and the steady income from the Konoha Hayate newspaper dividends.

Hatake Sakumo arrived with Kakashi, and Yuhi Zhenhong came with his family. Fenghuo followed discreetly, hoping to dodge the wedding expenses, but Kiba refused to let him off.

"Even though Fenghuo lives with the Yuhi family, both families need to chip in," Kiba insisted.

The groom could only accept defeat gracefully in the face of Kiba's relentless extortion.

Fenghuo watched the pair of dogs and men with bitter amusement.

After reluctantly paying a large sum, Fenghuo suddenly felt cold eyes on him from behind.

He turned quickly—and saw a group approaching with narrowed eyes and glaring expressions. Not a good sign.

They were members of the noble Hyuga clan.

Leading them were two young men who looked strikingly alike—the names Hyuga Hizuki and Hyuga Hizaza instantly sprang to Fenghuo's mind.

Among their entourage was Fenghuo's ninja school classmate, Hyuga Shinmune.

As the saying goes, enemies fuel their jealousy when they meet. Shinmune's gaze flared as he saw Fenghuo again.

Back in school, Fenghuo had beaten him so badly with his fire sealing technique that Shinmune had been humiliated beyond words.

Motivated by shame and his father's encouragement, Shinmune had trained relentlessly—but still failed the graduation exam until the very last moment, when he finally bested Uchiha Rakuna to graduate with flying colors and steal the spotlight.

"Uchiha, sealing fire again," Shinmune said coldly, eyes flashing with provocation.

Fenghuo smirked with disdain. Kai had also faced Shinmune at the graduation exam and paid him no mind. Shinmune had beaten him years ago, and now surpassing him was impossible.

Fenghuo's scorn made Shinmune uneasy—but bound by clan loyalty and the strict Hyuga code, he dared not cause a scene now.

Hyuga Hizuki and Hyuga Hizaza handed over their share money and were welcomed inside by Kiba and his wife.

Shinmune followed silently behind them, not sparing Fenghuo a glance, but when passing by, he snorted softly in contempt.

Once inside, Kiba thought to himself:

Though it was a small wedding, the presence of the Hyuga brothers Hizuki and Hizaza clearly showed the clan's respect and stance.

"Alright, kid, you can come in too. Heh, thanks for the money," Kiba said to Fenghuo with a wolfish grin.

Seal the fire!

Visit patreon.com/Morgansenpai to get 30+ chapters