Chapter 26: This is Too Much
Moonlight filtered through the paper sliding doors, casting intersecting shadows.
This tea room that once belonged to Sarutobi Hiruzen now filled with the sweet aroma of various snacks. Torn toy packaging littered the corners—walking mechanical puppets, picture books with cartoon patterns, even a set of children's ninja tools—all spoils from tonight's commercial district sweep.
Yu sat cross-legged on a cushion with sleeping Sasuko curled in his arms. The little girl's hand still gripped his clothes tightly, delicate teardrops clinging to her long lashes, trembling slightly with each breath.
"Yu..."
Sasuko murmured in her dreams, unconsciously nuzzling his chest with her small head.
Yu gently stroked her smooth black hair, the silky strands between his fingers like fine satin, still carrying that unique milky scent of childhood.
After confirming Sasuko was completely asleep, Yu carefully lifted her petite form and carried her to a bedroom.
In the bedroom, Yu knelt on one knee on the tatami, his fingertips deftly unbuttoning Sasuko's outer garment. The little one lay pliant in his care, only frowning slightly when the cool air touched her skin.
He quickly wrapped her in blankets, carefully tucking in the corners.
Only after her breathing became long and steady again did Yu silently slide the paper door shut.
Returning to the tea room, Yu poured himself hot tea.
The scalding liquid slid down his throat, finally giving his weary nerves a moment's relief.
Today's gains far exceeded expectations.
Decades of Konoha's accumulated jutsu scrolls.
Danzo's miserable death.
The Sarutobi and Shimura clans' pathetic departure.
Once tomorrow's final results were settled, the plan would be perfectly complete.
Lamplight rippled in the teacup, reflecting an unfamiliar ceiling.
Just weeks ago, he'd been the clan's waste—even genin could order him around.
And now...
Those so-called Konoha higher-ups lacked even the courage to meet his gaze.
Power...
Was this the taste of power?
Yu stared at the intersecting lines on his palm, magnetic fields flickering beneath his skin.
Knock knock knock—
The morning's knocking was particularly crisp.
"Lord Yu, the Hokage requests that you—"
The ANBU outside hadn't finished speaking before being "banged" back by a magnetic field.
"Wait."
One word instantly silenced the ANBU outside.
It wasn't until the sun rose high that Sasuko woke, rubbing her eyes.
Yu patiently combed her messy black hair, clumsily tying it into small braids. He really couldn't manage twin tails—after multiple attempts, he gave up.
At the washstand, he awkwardly wrung out a towel. These had been Aunt Mikoto's tasks—now they fell to him.
"Yu's so clumsy~" Sasuko complained drowsily but obediently tilted up her small face.
At the breakfast shop, seeing the ANBU standing respectfully behind the pair, the owner was so startled he added two extra eggs.
"Eat slowly." Yu wiped oil from Sasuko's mouth corner, completely ignoring the ANBU still waiting outside.
Making Konoha's leadership wait a few more hours...
What did it matter?
Sasuko's breakfast couldn't be rushed.
When the clock struck ten, Yu finally took Sasuko's small hand and leisurely walked out of the breakfast shop.
In the meeting room, Konoha's leadership had been sitting formally at the long table for four hours, yet no one dared show the slightest impatience.
Creak—
The sound of opening doors made everyone jump like they'd been electrocuted!
A black-clothed youth entered slowly, leading a delicately carved little girl.
"Welcome, Lord Yu!"
Konoha's leadership stood in unison, their unified greeting echoing through the meeting room.
Attendants tremblingly led them to the head seat—the high-backed chair that should belong to the Hokage.
Yu casually lifted Sasuko as he sat down, the little one nestling obediently in his arms, playing with her hair.
"Tell me the results."
The youth's fingertip lightly tapped the table. Wherever his gaze fell, everyone unconsciously bowed their heads.
The meeting room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
Tsunade took a deep breath, her full chest rising with the motion. She steeled herself and stood, her body trembling slightly beneath the Hokage robes.
Her clear voice echoed through the meeting room.
"By unanimous vote of all Konoha families—"
"The Shimura and Sarutobi clans no longer belong to Konoha!"
"All assets, jutsu, and territories under their names..."
"Are entirely transferred to the Uchiha."
"Furthermore," she stole a glance at Yu's expression before continuing, "all clans must maintain harmony and strictly prohibit private conflicts."
"Finally..." her lips curved in a bitter smile, "I, Senju Tsunade, will temporarily serve as Hokage."
With that said.
All eyes focused on Yu, awaiting the reaction of this actual controller.
Sasuko seemed to sense the tense atmosphere, quietly gripping Yu's clothes.
Yu's palm gently stroked Sasuko's back, gradually relaxing her tense body.
His lips curved upward—this result had been expected.
"Acceptable."
His fingertip tapped a crisp rhythm on the table before suddenly shifting tone: "However..."
Everyone's hearts tightened.
"Henceforth, all important decisions..."
The crimson Mangekyou slowly rotated, sweeping across every pale face:
"Must be reported to the Uchiha clan in advance."
"Anyone with objections..."
"Can voice them now."
The meeting room fell instantly silent.
Even Tsunade's eyes widened—this wasn't what was agreed! Didn't he say he had no interest in the Hokage position? These conditions were more domineering than being Hokage. Even the Third never dared be so autocratic.
A white-haired elderly clan head tremblingly stood, his cane tapping crisp sounds on the floor: "Please... may I ask, my lord, what constitutes the standard for important decisions..."
Other clan heads cast grateful looks his way. Indeed—the Uchiha now had only a handful of members left. Surely they wouldn't need to report even garbage collection?
"Good question."
Yu suddenly smiled, that expression making everyone's blood run cold, especially Tsunade.
Only Sasuko in his arms looked up curiously, not understanding why Yu had suddenly become happy.
"Very simple—"
He held up one finger:
"Just one standard—"
"Anything that might harm Uchiha interests..."
"Counts."
Silence spread through the meeting room.
'This is too much!'
This thought exploded in every clan head's mind, yet none dared let their anger show. They knew too well—this seemingly naive youth before them was a monster who could casually tear kage-level opponents to shreds.
Their hearts roared with fury while their lips had to force respectful smiles.
Seeing the room's silence, Yu smiled: "Since no one objects..."
"I'll take that as unanimous agreement."
Yu slowly stood, his tone light: "This meeting was very pleasant—we've reached consensus."
"I look forward to our next... encounter."
He then carried Sasuko out of the meeting room.
BANG!
The moment the meeting room doors closed, a young clan head smashed his teacup to the floor. Porcelain shards scattered as hot tea stained the carpet dark.
"He doesn't consider us at all!" The young man's forehead veins bulged. "This is pure dictatorship!"
"Exactly, Lady Tsunade, we can't let this brat ride over our heads."
"When the jonin return..."
The young man's words instantly resonated with everyone, voices rising to condemn that arrogant youth.
The young man turned to Tsunade, his eyes burning with indignation: "Lord Hokage, surely we won't just let him—"
"Have objections?"
Tsunade suddenly interrupted, her jade finger pointing toward the door: "You can still catch up and voice them."
She lazily leaned back in her chair, her neckline slightly open: "If you succeed, I'll let you be Hokage."
The meeting room instantly fell silent. That furious young man was like a rooster with its neck grabbed, face flushed as he sat back down.
She mockingly curved her red lips, scanning the now-quiet crowd. These people hadn't dared make a sound when he was present, but now they jumped out crying injustice.
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