Chapter 165: Happy Times
Sasuko quick-stepped toward the bathroom, seeing Yu washing up as usual, expression even more leisurely than normal. He wiped his face methodically, movements unhurried.
"Yu, why did you get up so late today?" Sasuko leaned against the doorframe asking.
Yu hung the towel properly, turning to smile at her. "There's nothing much going on anyway. Occasionally I want to slack off too."
"Oh..." Sasuko responded, gaze still carefully examining his face. "If you feel unwell anywhere, you must tell me. If you don't say, I'll only worry more."
Yu reached out to ruffle her hair, showing a reassuring smile. "Don't worry. I'm very strong. Go eat first. I'll come after washing up."
Sasuko nodded lightly this time yet still couldn't help looking back when turning, tilting her head. "Yu, don't lie to me, okay?"
"I won't." Yu laughed helplessly. "Go on. You can't deny me even the occasional chance to slack off, right?"
Watching Sasuko's finally departing back, the smile gradually faded from Yu's face.
He gazed at his reflection in the mirror, silent for a long while, lost in unknown thoughts.
---
Food fragrance drifted across the dining table.
Sasuko served everyone rice yet still absent-mindedly gazed toward the corridor.
Only when footsteps came from the hallway did Sasuko's eyes brighten.
"Sorry for being late." Yu naturally sat in the empty spot beside her.
Mikoto smiled gently. "Rare to see you sleeping in." Speaking, she pushed tamagoyaki before him. "Sasuko specially made this for you."
Yu picked up a piece and placed it in his mouth, smiling at Sasuko. "Very delicious."
Sasuko carefully observed his every movement—how he held chopsticks, chewing frequency, even the arc of his throat when swallowing.
Everything seemed normal, yet she still felt something was off.
"Today's breakfast is very abundant." Fugaku rarely praised. He looked at Yu. "Any new developments in the village recently?"
This question stumped Yu.
He didn't care about Konoha's plans or developments. The Uchiha clan had long been entrusted to Shisui. These years he'd stayed in this small courtyard, detached from worldly affairs.
Seeing he couldn't answer, Sasuko quickly took over. "Father, the village is very peaceful now. Nothing special is happening. Don't keep asking."
Fugaku watched his younger daughter defend him so protectively, feeling somewhat uncomfortable. She wasn't even married yet, already helping him speak at every turn. He'd only casually asked.
He silently lowered his head to eat, saying nothing more.
Yu sensed his low mood and spoke up. "Adoptive Father, after breakfast, shall I accompany you around Konoha? You can personally see these years' changes, plus the Uchiha's current state."
These words indeed lifted Fugaku's spirits. "You said the Uchiha developed well. I should indeed go see for myself."
Good, now Sasuko was unhappy.
She'd originally planned to pull Yu out alone—like a date. Anyway, Yu said there was nothing urgent recently, and she had no missions. Now all her plans were disrupted. She couldn't help feeling somewhat aggrieved.
She glanced at Fugaku with some resentment.
The old father received his daughter's look, feeling puzzled—Yu himself had offered to take him out, so why was she giving him that look?
Mikoto took in everyone's expressions at the table, brow furrowing slightly.
She reached out to lightly pinch Sasuko's cheek.
"Eat properly."
Sasuko pouted in response. "Fine."
---
After the meal.
Morning light was perfect. Yu accompanied Fugaku as they slowly walked toward the Uchiha compound.
Passing through familiar streets, Fugaku's gaze gradually showed surprise.
The once heavily guarded clan entrance now stood open. Two young Uchiha shinobi stood at the gate's side, immediately bowing respectfully upon seeing them.
"This is..." Fugaku couldn't help stopping.
"Changes Shisui made." Yu explained calmly. "He said rather than isolation, better to let clan members truly become part of Konoha."
Continuing inward, more scenes different from the past met their eyes.
On training grounds, Uchiha children practiced shuriken together with children from other clans.
In the newly opened dumpling shop at the corner, several Uchiha girls wore server aprons, smiling as they greeted customers.
In the distance he could even see young Uchiha men walking arm-in-arm with Hyuga clan girls—clearly a couple.
Fugaku silently watched all this. The Uchiha in his memory always carried some aloofness. The clan grounds had been forbidden territory to outsiders. Such open, harmonious scenes now were beyond anything he'd imagined.
"That should be the newly built library." Yu pointed toward an elegant building. "Shisui made some of the clan's jutsu scrolls public. Of course, core Sharingan secrets remain open only to clan members."
Over these years, whenever the Uchiha clan had positive changes, Shisui would always bring a pot of tea leaves to share the good news with Yu.
An Uchiha girl carrying books passed beside them, politely yet shyly bowing to Yu. "Good morning, Lord Yu." She glanced curiously at Fugaku before hurrying away.
"She recognizes you?" Fugaku was somewhat surprised.
"Probably Shisui's doing." Yu mentioned casually.
They came to the Naka River's edge. This place had once been the Uchiha's secret meeting location yet now had become an open recreational area.
Several elders were fishing by the river. A few children chased and played on the grass.
Fugaku gazed at the flowing water, expression complex. "I never imagined the Uchiha would become like this."
"Times are changing." Yu's voice was light. "Shisui has done well."
They entered the Uchiha's administrative building. This had once been Fugaku's workplace, now arranged even more simply and brightly. The "Konoha Military Police Force" emblem hung on the wall. Beside it was posted a "Village Service Center" sign.
Fugaku looked at everything before him with mixed emotions.
He'd once firmly believed the Uchiha must maintain bloodline purity and independence. Now he personally witnessed clan members finding their place in a broader world.
"Clan Leader—"
A call came from the distance. Fugaku instinctively turned his head, thinking someone was calling him.
Yet he saw Shisui quick-stepping from the street corner, nodding to passing clan members before reaching them in moments.
He first nodded to Yu in acknowledgment before solemnly bowing to Fugaku.
"Lord Fugaku, I didn't expect you'd come."
Fugaku hastily reached out to help him up, tone carrying some shame.
"Don't do this. You're the clan leader now, and you've done far better than me... No need to bow to this failure."
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