Chapter 33. That's... That's the Youth that Has Passed Away~

Chapter 33. That's... That's the Youth that Has Passed Away~

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Uchiha Ishizawa, the Second Elder of the Uchiha clan. 

This man was one of the hard-liners in the clan, just like the Chief Elder, always wanting to restore the Uchiha to its former glory. 

For some reason, though, the Chief Elder had recently become obsessed with dancing at the Senior Citizens' Center and was rarely seen anymore. 

Ah, the power of love~

Of course, he wasn't optimistic about this late-in-life romance. 

Not to mention the whole matter of ancestral feuds between two major clans; the higher-ups would never let the Uchiha and Hyuga unite.

Years ago, the Second Elder had also taken care of him. 

The Second Elder was wholeheartedly devoted to the clan and treated talented children very well, hoping the Uchiha would produce another legendary figure. 

Sadly…

Though the clan had many talented members, most of them… were either indecisive or had issues. 

They practically destroyed the Uchiha from the inside.

"Yuto, you're still an Uchiha." Uchiha Ishizawa huffed, "Now you've made a little money, you think you're too good for the Uchiha? Even in front of me?" 

"???" 

What does that mean? When did he ever dismiss the clan? 

Yuto looked at him in confusion.

Is this a poor relative seeking a handout or something?

Before he could ask, Uchiha Ishizawa huffed again, "Wasting your money on such pointless things! Do you know, because of you, the Chief Elder, in his old age, has to get up at dawn every day to clean up your messes, only returning home after dark!" The more he spoke, the darker his tone grew. "Do you even know how old he is? Yet he's forced to drag his tired body all over the place because of the trouble you've caused, you brat!"

"???" 

So what on earth happened? 

The more he listened, the more confusing it sounded. Wasn't the Chief Elder supposed to be having the time of his life? 

Yuto was completely baffled. "Second Elder, I…" 

He didn't get to finish.

"Ah! Everyone's gathered here!" 

An aged voice sounded from behind, seemingly with a hint of anxiousness. 

Everyone turned and, indeed, saw the stooped figure leaning on a cane. 

The Chief Elder?!

The Chief Elder grinned and said, "Yuto, did you come to attend the clan meeting?" 

"Chief Elder." Yuto shook his head. "I just came to see Itachi." After a moment's hesitation, he frowned at the Elder. "Just now, the Second Elder said… mmmph—" 

Before he could finish, the Chief Elder clamped a hand over his mouth.

He didn't see that coming.

Despite his age, the Elder's movements were surprisingly quick! 

But why was he covering his mouth?

"Chief Elder, what are you doing?" Yuto pried the Elder's hand off, frowning. "The Second Elder said—mmph—" 

"I understand, I understand," the Chief Elder said with a sigh. "If you don't want to attend the clan meeting, don't. No need for any more talk; you're busy enough as it is!" 

"But I wasn't talking about that—mmph—" 

And with that… 

"…" 

They both fell silent, staring at each other. 

The Chief Elder looked at Yuto calmly. "Understood?" 

"…" 

Yuto nodded. 

He got it.

The issue wasn't with him; it was this old man, who clearly had some hidden pride.

So… 

He said seriously, "I suddenly remembered I have some business matters to attend to." With that, he grabbed Suzune and ran off. 

"Go on, go on!" The Chief Elder nodded in satisfaction. 

That brat at least had some sense. 

And that grip just now… not ordinary strength~ 

Watching Uchiha Yuto and his companion leave the clan grounds, Uchiha Setsuna let out a sigh and shook his head, "Oh, you fool..."

"Brother, you..." The Second Elder frowned, hesitating as if he wanted to say something, but before he could speak—

"Don't underestimate Yuto," the Chief Elder said earnestly. "Yuto has always been clever, with his own ideas." The Elder patted him on the shoulder, his hunched figure conveying the weight of his words. "I told you already, the waters here... they run deep." He sighed deeply, "Get ready; the clan meeting is about to begin. The ninja world is restless this year. Don't do anything unnecessary."

With that, he ignored Ishizawa and turned back inside. 

He had returned early, specifically for the clan meeting. 

A slight smirk appeared on his face. Without me around to help, I bet that old hag would be in a mess! 

Hmph!

Meanwhile, Uchiha Ishizawa stood alone in the courtyard, watching the Chief Elder's hobbled figure disappear. 

So frail, so unsteady. 

At last, he too sighed deeply, gazing at the setting sun, "Are the waters really that deep…?"

...

"Deep! Damn deep! Too deep!" Yuto muttered as he walked along, shaking his head. 

Now he understood. 

It turned out the real fools… were him and the Second Elder.

"Yuto, you..." Suzune looked at him, noticing how he had been muttering nonstop since they left. "What's wrong?" 

"Nothing," Yuto shook his head, letting out a sigh. Gazing at the sunset, he asked, "What do you see out there?" 

"???" Suzune paused, glancing at the half-sunken sun and musing, "That it's almost dinnertime?" 

"...Yes, it's getting late." Yuto was silent for a moment, then sighed again, "It's just… that's youth that has passed away~" 

Sunset hues! 

That proud old man!

"Alright, let's get dinner. What would you like, Suzune?" 

"Hmm, ramen!" Suzune smiled softly, almost shyly. "It's been a while since we had ramen together. Suddenly, I really want some." 

"Alright! Ramen it is tonight!"

…

Meanwhile, at Ichiraku Ramen… 

Minato looked over at Kakashi, who was recently discharged from the hospital. Though he still seemed to walk a bit stiffly, he'd be fully recovered with a few more days of rest. 

As for Guy… it seemed he would be discharged tomorrow, too.

What a relief! 

Minato smiled, trying to keep his expression gentle. "Would you like some ramen? It's on me. I'd planned to take you three to Yuto's BBQ for some barbecue, but the doctor said no spicy food for you right now..." He paused, catching Kakashi's mournful gaze, and quickly laughed, "Order whatever you like! I'll even throw in an extra slice of meat if you want."

However… 

Kakashi didn't order right away. He had come straight over the moment he was discharged, not pausing even for a minute, because he had something important to discuss with Minato-sensei.

Looking at Minato with utmost seriousness, he pulled out a carefully prepared sheet of paper and handed it to him. "Sensei, I'm requesting a team transfer." 

"…" 

Minato went silent, taking the paper and reading the transfer request. He looked at Kakashi with a serious expression, "Have you really thought this through? You know, team changes aren't something that can be done lightly. And Obito didn't mean it; he's already promised to apologize to you. There won't be a second time…" 

"Last night… Guy slept next to me in the hospital," Kakashi said flatly.

Minato laughed awkwardly. "Let's eat first, let's eat first. I'll check with the Hokage later, and you can think about it some more." 

He watched Kakashi struggle to sit on the seat, and his heart trembled. 'What a mess~'