Chapter Forty-Two: Reunion with Orochimaru

“In light of the contributions Uchiha Rei has made to the clan, effective immediately, he will serve as a squad captain in the Police Force,” Uchiha Fugaku said simply, leading the applause. Seeing the clan leader clap, the rest of the clan members in the hall followed suit, and the previously tense atmosphere suddenly grew much warmer.

The elders, especially Uchiha Ryo and Uchiha Xiong, had intended to say more, but now found no opportunity. Having just suffered defeat before Uchiha Rei, and considering his impeccable achievements and strength, there was little to criticize. His youth was the only point against him, but it could hardly serve as a real objection.

With no one voicing dissent, Uchiha Rei quietly accepted the role of squad captain. Fugaku, worried he might not have rested enough, granted him another two weeks’ leave, instructing him to assume his post after the break. Rei had no objections; such a holiday was rare, and rest was always preferable to work.

“The clan meeting ends here for today. Everyone, return home early and rest,” Fugaku announced, after which the clan members began to file out of the hall.

Receiving congratulations from several clan members, Uchiha Rei prepared to take Uchiha Yao home. But just as they started down the mountain path, two figures blocked their way—it was the elders he had chastised earlier, Uchiha Ryo and Uchiha Xiong.

Uchiha Rei stepped forward, shielding Yao behind him, and spoke coldly, “Are you two here to pick a fight?”

“No, you misunderstand,” Uchiha Xiong replied earnestly. “We merely have some things we’d like to say to you.”

Rei narrowed his eyes, paused, then said, “If you have something to say, speak plainly.”

“No need for such hostility. Whatever happens, we are still kin,” Uchiha Ryo said, shaking his head. “We’ll be working together often from now on; there’s no need for our relationship to be so strained.”

“That’s right. There are many intricacies within the Police Force—you still have much to learn,” Uchiha Xiong added, his tone tinged with guidance and deeper meaning.

A faint smile played at Rei’s lips. He understood their intent: they wanted him to bow to their authority and acknowledge their leadership in the Police Force.

An ordinary Uchiha might have agreed, but Rei would never do so. “How I conduct myself needs no concern from either of you,” Rei replied coolly. “If there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave. Yao, let’s go.”

With that, he pulled Yao away, uninterested in entangling himself with these two or the elders they represented. Their actions purported to be for the clan, but were, in truth, for their own interests.

For Rei’s plans, the village’s upper echelons required cleansing—and so did the clan itself. These elders were the first to be removed, and he had no qualms about using certain methods if necessary.

Watching Rei and Yao depart, Uchiha Xiong frowned deeply. If not for Ryo shaking his head beside him, he would have been tempted to teach the boy a lesson. As clan elders, aside from Fugaku, the whole clan treated them with utmost respect—yet Rei showed not a shred of reverence.

“This brat is far too arrogant!” Xiong snorted. “Just a kid, and he dares ignore us, even taking the position that should have been ours.”

“Young people are always like this,” Ryo said, shaking his head as he watched Rei’s retreating figure. “He’ll learn soon enough that being a squad captain of the Police Force is no easy task.”

“Indeed. Whether it’s the Police Force or the clan, we are the foundation…”

…

Whatever Ryo and Xiong discussed after Rei left, he neither knew nor cared. He had never considered them worthy adversaries. Now, with Yao, he had reached the foot of the mountain. Glancing at the sky, Rei asked, “Shall we head home directly, or take a walk?”

Yao blinked, her familiar smile lighting her face. “You go home first. Unlike you, the new squad captain, I still have patrol duties tonight.”

“Thank you for your hard work,” Rei responded. “If you don’t want to do it, you could always resign—the salary isn’t that important.”

Yao shook her head earnestly. “No, it’s good to do something in the Police Force—it’s less boring that way.”

Seeing her resolve, Rei did not press further. For him, Yao’s happiness was paramount, and it was the reason he sought to create a harmonious village and clan.

After bidding her farewell and watching her silhouette fade away, Rei did not linger but walked toward the clan compound. Just then, a faint rustle from the nearby thicket caught his attention.

Peering into the foliage, Rei spotted a white snake coiled around a branch, calmly watching him, tongue flicking.

Rei nodded, then followed the snake into the thicket, his expression serene. “Teacher, you’ve returned?”

The snake coiled itself, tongue flicking, and Orochimaru’s voice emerged: “This isn’t my true body—just a simple trick.”

After a brief pause, Orochimaru continued, “Where is the summoning scroll I gave you? Why haven’t you used it?”

Rei’s expression did not change, but inwardly he smiled. He had planned to contact Orochimaru after returning to the village, since the transplantation technique for the First Hokage’s cells was crucial for him. He thought that, with his improved strength, he might sign the Ryūchi Cave summoning contract if necessary. Unexpectedly, Orochimaru had sought him out directly, saving him that step.

Thinking this, Rei replied calmly, “Forgive me, Orochimaru-sensei. Personally, I dislike summoning contracts.”

After a short pause, he continued, “Besides, I’ve been on the battlefield these past weeks and didn’t have the opportunity for your guidance, did I?”

The snake’s tongue flicked repeatedly, as if Orochimaru was mulling over the truth of Rei’s words. At length, the snake slithered closer, lifting its head. “I see. But now you have time, don’t you?”

“Of course. I’ll be in the village for a while,” Rei replied, stepping back to avoid the snake’s approach.

Hearing this, the snake stretched forward, and Orochimaru’s impatient tone sounded. “Excellent. Then we can have a proper discussion.”

Rei didn’t reply immediately; he paused, then spoke: “I’ve heard, sensei, that you were branded a rogue shinobi for conducting human experiments, and that those experiments are somehow connected to the legendary First Hokage and Wood Release…”