Chapter 52: Desire
During Sasuko's school hours, Yu mostly remained alone in the courtyard, carefully studying jutsu scrolls with a cup of hot tea by his side. The wispy tea fragrance drifted through the tranquil garden as he turned ancient pages with practiced fingers.
Though merely thirteen years old, his every gesture carried a detachment beyond his years—as if he'd already lived through centuries of conflict and emerged weary of it all.
Shisui had visited repeatedly over the months, always with the same request: "The clan members are looking forward to your return. The compound has been rebuilt, and your rightful place as heir awaits."
Each time, Yu politely declined: "This place is quiet. I prefer it here."
He wasn't one who enjoyed crowds or ceremonies. Apart from Sasuko, Naruko, and perhaps Shisui himself, he found solitude more appealing than the complex web of clan politics. Moreover, returning to the compound in his current position would inevitably stir ambitions among certain clan members—ambitions that could prove troublesome.
This afternoon, as cherry blossoms drifted down like snow, Yu poured tea for his regular visitor. The ritual had become familiar: Shisui arriving with quality tea leaves, settling into the wooden chair opposite, and sharing news of the clan's progress.
"The integration with other families continues smoothly," Shisui reported, accepting his cup with both hands. "Three more Uchiha-Hyuga marriages were arranged this month. The children are already calling each other cousins."
Yu nodded approvingly. "Political marriages can become genuine bonds, given time."
"The clan elders are... eager for guidance on expansion policies," Shisui continued carefully. "Some believe we should leverage our current influence to secure more resources, perhaps territories from the disbanded Sarutobi holdings."
"And what do you think?" Yu's voice remained neutral, but his dark eyes sharpened slightly.
Shisui set down his cup, choosing his words deliberately: "I think we've gained enough. Too much too fast breeds resentment."
"Wise." Yu traced the rim of his teacup with one finger. "Tell me, Shisui—have you considered what happens when I'm gone?"
The question caught Shisui off-guard. "Gone? You're only thirteen—"
"Age is irrelevant to power." Yu's gaze drifted to the horizon beyond the garden walls. "Hashirama was young when he unified the clans. Madara was young when he challenged the world order. Power like mine doesn't wait for gray hair."
Shisui leaned forward, genuinely curious now. "Then what are you planning?"
"Balance." Yu lifted his cup, studying the liquid's surface. "Right now, the Uchiha prosper because I forced Konoha's hand. But what happens in twenty years? Fifty? Will future Uchiha use that prosperity responsibly, or will they become the oppressors they once despised?"
"You're... thinking like a historian, not a clan heir."
"Perhaps because I've seen this cycle before." Yu's voice grew distant. "Strength creates advantage. Advantage breeds arrogance. Arrogance leads to conflict. Conflict destroys the strong and elevates the weak, who then become strong themselves. The wheel turns."
Shisui absorbed this, his usual confidence wavering. "So what's the solution?"
"There isn't one—not permanently." Yu set his cup down with finality. "Human nature ensures the cycle continues. All we can do is try to make each turn a little less destructive than the last."
They sat in contemplative silence as afternoon shadows lengthened. Finally, Shisui spoke: "The clan looks to you for leadership. If you won't take the position officially..."
"They have you. You understand them better than I do—their hopes, their fears, their limitations." Yu's expression softened slightly. "Guide them toward sustainability, not dominance. Teach them to be strong enough to defend themselves but wise enough not to provoke unnecessary conflicts."
"And if I fail? If ambition overcomes wisdom?"
"Then the cycle continues, and eventually someone stronger than me will put the Uchiha back in their place." Yu's tone held no malice, only acceptance. "That's the nature of power—it's temporary."
Their conversation was interrupted by approaching footsteps. A female ANBU agent knelt at the garden entrance, presenting a sealed letter.
"Lord Yu, urgent message from the Hokage's office."
Yu gestured, and the letter floated into his hand through magnetic manipulation. He scanned its contents quickly—something about Kumogakure requesting a trade delegation visit.
"Tell Tsunade the answer is no," he said without looking up from the letter.
"Should I provide a specific reason, my lord?"
Yu crumpled the letter, letting it dissolve into ash through controlled heat application. "Konoha doesn't need to prove its strength to scavengers. If Kumogakure wants something from us, they can make a genuine offer—not probe our defenses under the guise of commerce."
The ANBU agent bowed and departed. Shisui watched the exchange with growing understanding.
"You see threats everywhere," the clan leader observed.
"Because they are everywhere." Yu refilled his teacup calmly. "Strength invites challenge. Always has, always will. The question is whether we meet those challenges with wisdom or mere force."
"And this time?"
Yu's eyes hardened, revealing a glimpse of the power that had reshaped Konoha's political landscape. "This time, we send a message that some doors shouldn't be tested. Let Kumogakure wonder why we're so confident we can afford to refuse them."
As evening approached and Shisui prepared to leave, Yu added one final thought: "The Uchiha's future doesn't depend on how much power they can accumulate. It depends on how wisely they use the power they already have."
Standing alone in his garden afterward, Yu watched the last cherry blossoms fall and contemplated the letter's implications. Kumogakure's interest confirmed what he'd suspected—other villages were watching Konoha for signs of weakness.
Soon, he would need to remind them why such watching was inadvisable.
But first, he had to collect Sasuko from school. Some responsibilities, at least, remained simple and clear.
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