Chapter Thirty-Seven: Eyes from Beyond the Clan

"The clan's eyes lost outside, never reclaimed?" Uchiha Li repeated, finally catching on as his own eyes narrowed slightly.

He understood exactly whose eyes Yao was referring to.

The answer was obvious—at this moment, aside from the Uchiha clan, only one person in the village openly possessed the Sharingan.

That person was Kakashi Hatake.

Uchiha Li and Kakashi could be considered contemporaries, as Kakashi was only a year older than him. Yet, compared to Li, Kakashi's various titles had long since become well-known. After all, Kakashi graduated from the ninja academy at five, became a chunin at six, and was promoted to jonin at twelve.

Now, having inherited a Sharingan from his friend Obito, Kakashi had begun to make his name as the "Copy Ninja" throughout the nations and villages.

Naturally, Kakashi owed this reputation to the Sharingan's copying ability.

Yet now, voices within the clan were demanding that Kakashi return the Sharingan.

Uchiha Li rubbed his chin, instinctively feeling something was amiss. He hurriedly asked, "When did this start?"

In fact, debates about Kakashi's Sharingan had arisen within the clan after the Third Shinobi War, but soon faded. At the time, Obito had willingly entrusted his eye to Kakashi before his “death,” and with the Fourth Hokage’s subsequent rise, the Uchiha were reluctant to press for its return.

But now, a topic long since laid to rest had surfaced again.

Despite the previous precedent on the battlefield, Uchiha Li didn't believe it was mere coincidence.

"It started just a few days ago. Someone in the clan mentioned it, and many began to discuss," Uchiha Yao continued, "Moreover, the village now knows—it's spreading rapidly."

"Someone is definitely stirring things up."

Uchiha Li shifted from sitting to reclining on the sofa, eyes fixed on the ceiling as his thoughts raced.

His first suspicion fell on Danzo; after all, this wasn’t the first time Danzo had manipulated such matters. Kakashi’s father, Sakumo Hatake, had failed a mission to save his teammates, damaging the village’s interests. This news, as if sprouting wings, became public knowledge overnight.

In the end, even those Sakumo had saved turned on him. Unable to bear the ostracism and pressure, Sakumo took his own life, leaving young Kakashi behind.

To Li, the entire affair was riddled with doubts. Konoha's missions, while perhaps not always highly classified, weren’t matters for the general populace. A ninja of Sakumo's caliber would have his mission details known only to the Hokage and the village’s higher-ups.

Yet somehow, the entire village, even ordinary people, knew overnight—a scenario that defied logic.

Only the Root and the Anbu had such reach, and Li leaned towards the Root.

Now, the news about reclaiming the Sharingan was spreading just as swiftly.

Though Li had only just returned and hadn’t verified things personally, Yao’s account was clear.

Yao nodded in agreement. "I've had my squad investigate covertly, but there are no useful leads."

She paused, then added, "The news spread too quickly, and the clan is in heated debate."

"What about the clan leader? What’s his stance?" Li asked.

"I asked him. He doesn’t agree with reclaiming Kakashi’s Sharingan," Yao replied, "But with so many voices in support, he can’t suppress it outright."

Hearing Fugaku’s opposition, Li relaxed a bit. But the latter part left him speechless; he didn't know what to say.

Fugaku was once again plagued by his chronic indecisiveness.

Li himself would have voiced opposition immediately, quelling dissent and forbidding further discussion.

But he knew Fugaku’s nature, and besides, Fugaku couldn't know that the original owner of Kakashi's Sharingan was very much alive—and moreover...

This issue was far from simple; it could trigger a series of repercussions.

For instance, if Obito learned of this, would he come to stir up trouble?

Though Li wasn’t afraid of Obito, he preferred not to invite chaos.

He didn’t want to expend too much ocular power at this juncture; his priorities were strengthening himself and changing the village’s situation.

Additionally, Kakashi was ultimately the Fourth Hokage’s student; such bonds were crucial in Konoha.

Now that Minato was still alive, Li planned to use him to eventually deal with the Third Hokage and others.

In short, taking Kakashi’s Sharingan would bring no benefit, only trouble.

Seeing Li’s furrowed brow, Yao comforted him. "Nothing is settled yet. If you disagree, we’ll oppose it at the clan meeting."

She paused, clenched her fist, and said coldly, "Don’t worry. No one will object—and if they do..."

"Hmm?"

Hearing Yao’s increasingly radical tone, Li turned on the sofa to look at her.

When he saw her expression, he instinctively rubbed his eyes.

Yao leaned close, her delicate face blooming with an elegant smile, full of puzzlement. "What’s the matter? Why keep staring at me?"

Li blinked, looking at the familiar smile, and sighed. "Nothing. Maybe I’m just tired from the journey."

He had just glimpsed a side of Yao wholly different from his usual impression, even a faint chill.

But on closer inspection, her warmth and comfort remained unchanged; clearly, his previous feeling was mistaken.

Yao pouted, still smiling. "If you’re tired, go rest in your room. I’ve just gotten a wonderful cookbook—perfect for making something nourishing for you."

As she spoke, Yao recalled the recipes, her smile growing brighter.

"I’ll go rest, then. No need to trouble yourself. One night’s sleep is enough."

Li replied casually and headed to his room.

He hadn’t felt it before, but now he truly wished for a proper rest.

As for the upcoming clan meeting and its two matters, Li decided to handle them as they came.

Yao watched Li enter his room, her expression returning to calm.

She took a book from the drawer on the coffee table and began flipping through it, her face devoid of emotion...