UTBW: Ch. 74

The paper half-burned, half-wrinkled. This meant dual chakra affinity: Fire and Lightning!

But Junichi himself originally only had the fire affinity, the lightning affinity had only been developed recently.

"As my chakra training improves... I should be able to complete all seven chakra natures, and then attempt fusion to create a Truth-Seeking Balls."

He looked at the chakra paper and murmured, and that wasn't all. As he completed his chakra natures, his talent in various jutsu would also rise dramatically.

"Right now, I feel like I could thrash a Kage-level opponent." Junichi muttered with a smile. He waited for the chakra paper to burn to ash, then casually tossed it aside. Afterward, he turned back inside to enjoy a hearty breakfast.

While he was eating, Yuki came to visit, getting straight to the point, "I've already sent clansmen to invite Kakashi."

"Good." Junichi sipped his tea casually and said, "Have him meet me in the back garden."

"Yes." Yuki retreated.

---

On the streets of Konoha, Kakashi finished his breakfast, suited up, and stepped out of his house. His eyes held a touch of excitement. Last night, after being asked to take charge of the ANBU, he had spent half the night thinking.

And had come up with a solid plan.

As long as everything went according to that plan, with his status and reputation, he could definitely take full control of the ANBU. This was something unthinkable back when the Third Hokage was in power.

Though Kakashi wasn't overly fond of authority, he didn't dislike the feeling of holding power either.

"I'll start with..."

He walked onto the main street, eyes shining with confidence, thoughts whirring. Suddenly, he stopped in his tracks. His once-confident gaze instantly turned to one of deep vigilance.

Right in front of him, three members of the Uchiha clan stood smiling at him. The leader of the group spoke, "Kakashi, Junichi-sama would like to invite you to the Uchiha compound."

Junichi wants to see me? Kakashi felt a jolt in his heart, immediately recalling last night's secret conversation.

Could it have been discovered?

"Why?" Kakashi asked calmly, pretending not to be rattled.

"We don't know either. We're just here to bring you there." The leading Uchiha shook his head and gave a meaningful smile. "You're not planning to refuse, are you?"

As the words fell, the other two Uchiha around him sneered, their eyes flashing with chakra.

Both of them had awakened the fully matured Sharingan.

"..."

"Give me a moment, I'll change into something more formal." Kakashi tried to stall for time.

"No need." The leading Uchiha interrupted, "You look fine as you are. He doesn't care about formalities. Come with us directly."

"This... fine." Kakashi said with resignation. No chance to send word to the other jonin.

Surrounded by three elite Uchiha ninjas, he had no choice but to obediently head toward the Uchiha compound.

---

Inside the compound, Junichi had finished his breakfast and was feeding fish in the back garden.

It was an artificial landscape, with rockeries, flowerbeds, ponds, and bamboo, forming a small scenic garden with winding water channels.

The cost was nearly ten million ryō. A bit pricey, but considering it was paid for with Asuma's head, you could build several more. He thought idly to himself.

He was resting and digesting his food, casually waiting for Kakashi to be brought over.

"Junichi-sama." As he was thinking, an attendant approached respectfully and said, "Kakashi has arrived."

"Let him in," Junichi replied without even turning his head.

"Yes." The attendant bowed and withdrew.

A few minutes later, Kakashi was escorted into the garden by three Uchiha clansmen.

The three bowed in unison.

"Mhm." Junichi responded indifferently, finally turning his head to look at Kakashi, who had been brought in. Silver-gray hair, a face mask, and a forehead protector covering his left eye.

The same look as in the original story.

But the "main character halo" of these original characters had completely shattered in Junichi's heart the day Itachi died. Now, even if Minato, Hashirama, or Madara stood before him, he wouldn't feel a thing.

"This is our first meeting, isn't it?" he said casually.

"Yes." Kakashi lowered his gaze, a sheen of cold sweat forming on his forehead.

Even though Junichi's eyes were calm and emotionless, he felt a chilling sense of danger, like he was being stared at by a predator. Every muscle in his body involuntarily tensed.

Has he gotten even stronger?

He was stunned. He could keenly sense subtle changes in Junichi's presence, deeper, more intimidating than the day before.

He was deeply shaken.

Who improves their strength this fast?

Will the Fifth Hokage's plan really succeed?

If the Uchiha don't get the Hokage seat, will he resort to violence?

At that thought, he grew even more tense.

"You're nervous?" Junichi glanced at his sweat and suddenly smiled. "Why are you nervous? Are you perhaps... plotting something? Against me?"

Those words, Kakashi's heart jumped; he nearly lost control of his expression.

Was the plan exposed?

No—wait!

He doesn't know about the exact Fifth Hokage plan. He is just suspicious.

"It's just... facing someone as powerful as you, I..." Kakashi tried to compose himself and find an excuse.

"It's about the Fifth Hokage seat, right?" Junichi suddenly cut him off. "What else could you possibly be plotting or aiming for? The only thing worth scheming over is the Fifth Hokage position. What else is there? Just a bit of deduction gives you the answer."

He turned back around with a smile and casually tossed some fish food into the pond for the goldfish.

Kakashi didn't dare move.

"But the Fifth Hokage seat, what's it got to do with you?" Junichi said while feeding the fish, his tone casual.

It sounded like a question directed at Kakashi, yet also like he was speaking to himself.

"With your background, status, and strength, you could compete for the Sixth Hokage. That would be your time to step in. Right now, at just... 23? You're not even qualified to vote. In other words, what role can someone like you play at this point?"

Junichi continued feeding the fish, casually eliminating possibilities. "You can't attend the Jonin Council, you're not from a clan. You're not part of the village's conventional departments either, since you're with the ANBU. Oh... the ANBU."

He paused, then smiled and turned to look back at Kakashi.

"They want you to control the ANBU," he said with a grin, "and before the Fifth Hokage is chosen, use it to suppress the Uchiha clan's expanding influence, right?"