Chapter 83: The Plan
Uchiha Kei was genuinely surprised. He hadn't expected his almost unrelated superior, Fukuhiko Kohei, to know Uchiha Yuu?
This made Kei think quickly. If they were teammates, then perhaps Fukuhiko Kohei knew some useful information about Uchiha Yuu?
As this thought crossed his mind, Kei paused and deliberately cast a questioning look at Fukuhiko Kohei.
"If you know him, why didn't you just mention his name?" Kei asked, feigning curiosity. "The guy I just injured, he seems to have a good relationship with Uchiha Yuu. And Uchiha Yuu holds significant sway in the clan, especially in the Konoha Police Force."
"If it would have been helpful, I would have gone to him already." Fukuhiko Kohei sighed, a trace of helplessness in his voice.
Kei silently nodded, his assumptions confirmed. It seemed their relationship as teammates was indeed rather superficial.
It was possible that they had only fought together on the frontlines against the Cloud ninja, and while they might have been part of the same team, their bond certainly wasn't strong.
Uchiha Yuu, with his explosive temper and overwhelming 'Uchiha sense of honor', likely wouldn't respect even his own clan members, let alone outsiders.
"Is that so?" Kei nodded. "Uchiha Yuu's reputation is certainly not the most pleasant, even within the clan."
"Seems like you don't like him either," Fukuhiko Kohei said, scratching his head helplessly. "But he's really powerful. If it weren't for him, I probably wouldn't have had the chance to become your superior."
Got him!
Kei silently chuckled. He had been waiting for Fukuhiko Kohei to start sharing stories from their past.
By hinting at some of his thoughts, Kei had triggered a sense of camaraderie in Fukuhiko Kohei. It seemed that Uchiha Yuu wasn't just a formidable fighter; he had played a significant role in Fukuhiko Kohei's past.
Kei had now managed to coax Fukuhiko Kohei into reminiscing about the past, hoping to learn some 'interesting' tidbits.
"Oh?" Kei rubbed his chin. "Could you tell me more about him? I'm curious as to why he holds such a high status within the family. It's said that his power is truly terrifying."
"It is terrifying," Fukuhiko Kohei didn't hesitate. He sighed deeply and began to recount his memories. "Uchiha Yuu has an older brother named Uchiha Shuu. Both of them showcased extraordinary strength on the battlefield against Land of Cloud. I was assigned to a squad with Uchiha Yuu at the time."
It seemed that, in this world, ninja often had a habit of recounting entire events when they were reminiscing.
Kei had no choice but to listen patiently.
Fortunately, Fukuhiko Kohei's story was exceptionally detailed, even including battle specifics from his own perspective.
Kei paid close attention as they reached the entrance of the Uchiha clan's compound, and Fukuhiko Kohei finally finished his tale.
"My story's pretty much like that," Fukuhiko Kohei smiled at Kei. "It's funny, I had no way to resist back then. Although Uchiha Yuu looked down on me, I still have to thank him for saving my life."
"No, that's how the battlefield is," Kei shook his head. "Captain Fukuhiko, I've reached home now. Thanks for walking me back. I'll take my leave now."
"No problem, Kei," Fukuhiko Kohei scratched his head. "By the way, about my younger brother—"
"Don't worry." Kei smiled. "I'll think of a way. He won't suffer."
"Thanks, Kei. I hope next time you can share some stories from your mission."
"I will."
As Fukuhiko Kohei walked away, Kei's smile quickly faded. He rubbed his chin, beginning to process and analyze the information he had gained from Fukuhiko Kohei.
The majority of Fukuhiko Kohei's memories about the Uchiha clan were based on the times they had worked together on the battlefield.
For example, the most dangerous encounter Fukuhiko Kohei recalled was when they faced a user of the Storm Release technique.
This individual had a powerful physique and impressive taijutsu, and their mastery of Storm Release was flawless. During that battle, Fukuhiko Kohei had nearly been killed.
But it was Uchiha Yuu who stepped up. Alone, he faced the Cloud ninja and unleashed an incredible amount of power.
With the help of his Sharingan, illusions, and superb fire release techniques, Uchiha Yuu was able to kill the formidable Cloud ninja.
From Fukuhiko Kohei's description, Kei could confidently conclude that Uchiha Yuu's skill was nothing to scoff at. Based on his own understanding, Yuu was at least the level of an elite jonin.
His proficiency in genjutsu, taijutsu, and ninjutsu made him a formidable opponent in every area.
Especially his fire release techniques, which Fukuhiko Kohei claimed had vast range and incredible destructive power. One fire technique could nearly engulf half a forest!
In addition, Uchiha Yuu possessed the dreaded Sharingan, which he had mastered from a young age. The level of his power was staggering.
Kei couldn't help but acknowledge that unless one had a clear advantage in a specific area, it would be difficult to win in a one-on-one battle with Uchiha Yuu.
After all, Uchiha Itachi had wiped out his entire clan, with the assistance of Obito and the covert manipulations of Danzo. Itachi's Sharingan was not only a powerful tool for control, but it also enabled him to overpower any Uchiha who lacked defenses against it.
Kei, at the age of thirteen, was at a similar stage to Itachi when he possessed the Mangekyō Sharingan.
Without the necessary conditions for victory, Uchiha Yuu might not be prepared for Kei's countermeasures.
Though Kei was careful not to deplete his ocular power unnecessarily, he knew that in a dire situation, using his Sharingan was the best course of action.
"Of course, I'll have to be cautious," Kei thought, stopping as he neared his home. "If I run into trouble, I'll have to use my Sharingan without hesitation!"
Although Kei was aware that his other abilities placed him at a disadvantage compared to Uchiha Yuu, he was confident that the Sharingan gave him a significant edge in combat.
"Better to be prepared," Kei muttered as he finally entered his home.
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Note: Caution isn't the same as cowardice; it's about weighing the risks carefully. When there's a lot to gain but the danger is manageable, there's no need to hesitate. However, when your life is on the line and the potential reward is enormous, that's when risks are worth considering.