Chapter 124: Uchiha Fugaku
"What's wrong, Ling Yu? You look like something's on your mind. Did Orochimaru say something to you?"
While Ling Yu was thinking about Orochimaru, he walked toward Kushina and the others. Tsunade, watching everything from a distance, came over and asked with concern.
"Nothing much. He just wanted to collaborate with me on some research. I refused, that's all."
Ling Yu shook his head. It was better not to tell Tsunade and the others about this.
Otherwise, with Tsunade's fiery temper, if she found out that her great-grandfather's body had been dug up by Danzō and Orochimaru for experiments, she would probably smash Danzō's grave to pieces and beat Orochimaru half to death.
He didn't care what happened to Danzō—even if his grave was blown to dust, Ling Yu would just say "well done." But Orochimaru needed to be protected. As a future top scientist of the ninja world, Orochimaru's research abilities were extremely valuable.
"I see. Lately Orochimaru has been acting strange—always gloomy and hard to read. You should be careful around him from now on."
Tsunade thought of Orochimaru, her beautiful brows slightly furrowed. She spoke seriously to Ling Yu.
"Don't worry. I'll be careful."
Ling Yu nodded firmly.
No longer thinking about Orochimaru, Ling Yu shifted his attention to the surroundings. The ceremony hadn't started yet—there were still a few minutes left. More and more ninja were arriving at the cemetery.
Around him and Tsunade were members of the Senju clan along with people from various other large and small families. After finishing her conversation with Ling Yu, Tsunade went over to handle matters for the Senju clan.
Kushina was holding Konan's hand and standing in a corner. Only Mikoto was nowhere to be seen.
"Why are you two standing here? By the way, where's Mikoto? Why isn't she with you?"
Noticing that Mikoto was missing from Kushina's side, Ling Yu quickly walked over and asked in confusion.
"I know! Big Sister Mikoto was taken away just now by some people from the Uchiha clan. They said their clan head wanted to see her."
The moment she saw Ling Yu approach, Konan broke free from Kushina's hand and happily jumped into his arms, answering first.
"Hm?"
Gently catching Konan, Ling Yu turned his gaze to Kushina who was walking toward him—silently asking what was going on with Mikoto.
"Just like Konan said. At first I wanted to follow them too. Those Uchiha people didn't look like good news at all. But Mikoto stopped me. She said she would handle everything herself."
Seeing the confusion in Ling Yu's eyes, Kushina knew Konan hadn't explained clearly, so she continued from where Konan left off.
"You know Mikoto's strength. Even all those Uchiha together couldn't beat her. So I didn't follow."
With that, Kushina pointed in a specific direction to show Ling Yu where Mikoto was.
"The Uchiha clan head? Didn't I use Kyōka Suigetsu to create an illusion before we returned—making all the Uchiha believe he was dead? So how is there a new Uchiha clan head now?"
Ling Yu narrowed his eyes and looked toward the direction Kushina pointed.
It was a corner of the cemetery. Several Uchiha members stood in a row with their backs to him, blocking his view of what was happening inside.
After absorbing the Eight-Tails, Ling Yu had not appeared on the battlefield again. So during the spare time, he had returned to Konoha.
On one of those days, he had released the effect of Kyōka Suigetsu that had been impersonating Uchiha Fugaku. He casually fabricated a reason—death from failing to awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan—and let the Uchiha clan hold a funeral for "him," then withdrew Kyōka Suigetsu.
But now a new Uchiha clan head had been elected. Everyone in Konoha clearly knew Mikoto was with him, yet the new clan head still wanted to see Mikoto. It seemed this new leader was afraid of him and was deliberately trying to find a breakthrough through Mikoto.
"I'm a little worried about Mikoto. I'll go check on her. You two stay with Tsunade for now."
Placing Konan beside Kushina, Ling Yu gave the two girls a quick instruction and walked toward the Uchiha group.
...…
Passing through the crowd, Ling Yu arrived at the corner of the cemetery—the area where the Uchiha clan was gathered.
"I will never abandon him for your interests! Don't force me!"
At that moment, Mikoto's voice filled with anger rang out. The next instant, a fierce glint flashed in Ling Yu's eyes. He was just about to rush forward when—
"Wait! You can't go in there—our clan head is still inside."
Suddenly, a large hand blocked Ling Yu's path. Then a member of the Uchiha clan stepped in front of him.
This was an Uchiha ninja who had remained in Konoha, so he had never seen Ling Yu and didn't know that the "God of Death" of the ninja world was standing right in front of him.
If he had known Ling Yu's identity, he wouldn't have dared block him even with ten thousand times more courage. Unfortunately, it was already too late.
"Are you trying to teach me what to do? Do you want to die?"
Hearing Mikoto's angry voice earlier had already ignited raging fury in Ling Yu's heart.
He had cherished Mikoto like a treasure since childhood—never once letting her get upset. Now she was being made angry by the Uchiha. He couldn't hold back anymore.
Clenching his fist tightly, Ling Yu opened his Rinnegan. A massive repulsive force crashed down on the Uchiha ninja like a thousand tons.
"Pfft!"
Unable to withstand the pressure, the Uchiha ninja was slammed flat to the ground. He spat out a mouthful of blood and passed out.
"Senju Ling Yu! Why are you here? Why did you attack one of our Uchiha clan members?!"
The commotion on Ling Yu's side immediately alerted Mikoto and the others. The young Uchiha clan head rushed over and questioned him angrily.
Looking at that familiar face, Ling Yu instantly recognized who this so-called new Uchiha clan head was. Wasn't this Uchiha Fugaku—the one he had toyed with long ago?
He hadn't expected the new clan head to be him. But thinking about it, Fugaku was the son of the previous clan head Uchiha Fugaku, and aside from Mikoto, he was the most outstanding Uchiha ninja. It wasn't impossible for him to become clan head.
"Ling Yu! I'm sorry… I made you worry."
Mikoto also saw Ling Yu's figure and ran to his side. She tightly held his arm, lowered her head, and spoke with some self-blame.
"It's fine. They didn't do anything to you, right? Do you want me to wipe them out for you?"
Ling Yu's cold gaze swept across every Uchiha ninja present. There wasn't the slightest reproach toward Mikoto in his tone—instead, he wanted to help her vent her anger. His domineering attitude made Mikoto's heart feel warm and moved again.
"Senju Ling Yu! This is an internal matter of the Uchiha clan—what does it have to do with an outsider like you?"
Before Mikoto could speak, Uchiha Fugaku's furious voice reached Ling Yu's ears.
After ordering one clan member to carry the unconscious ninja away for treatment, he led a group of Uchiha behind him and aggressively walked toward Ling Yu.
Although he knew Ling Yu's fearsome reputation, Uchiha Fugaku also knew this was Konoha. The Third Hokage and people from other clans were all present—Ling Yu couldn't possibly act against him here. That was why he dared to be so bold.
"Heh! I don't care what your little Uchiha clan is up to. Trash like you isn't even worth looking at—it's an insult to my eyes. But…"
Pulling Mikoto behind him, Ling Yu walked straight toward Fugaku without backing down. His eyes were full of contempt. When he reached the last sentence, he paused deliberately.
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