Naruto: The King Behind the Curtain

Uchiha Clan Territory.

The outside world was alive with noise, yet inside it remained eerily quiet.

"Yoda-senpai, you must have sensed the scent of war too, right?"

"I wasn't sure at first," Yoda replied, "but since the clan head has spoken of it, it seems unavoidable after all."

Fugaku wore a heavy expression. "As the largest clan in Konoha, our involvement in the conflict is inevitable—I don't object to that—but I fear someone might use this opportunity to suppress our clan."

Yoda narrowed his eyes. "You mean that man who claims to have inherited the will of the Second Hokage—the shadow over the shinobi world?"

Fugaku couldn't help but smile bitterly. "It seems Danzo's hostility toward us has reached a point where he no longer feels the need to hide it."

Yoda shook his head slightly. "Even if we know this, there's nothing we can do about it. Clan Head, what are your thoughts on this?"

Fugaku hesitated for a moment before speaking. "Though it may sound cold-hearted, I propose we focus on protecting those young members of our clan who've already activated their Sharingan."

Yoda nodded in agreement. "Bloodline limits are indeed the foundation of the clan. Take the Kurama clan for example—they declined because fewer and fewer descendants activated their Kekkei Genkai."

Speaking of the Kurama clan, Fugaku sighed with emotion. "Last time when I was caring for Mikoto at the hospital, I happened to run into the head of the Kurama clan. His child was born a few days earlier than Itachi, yet the village offered no recognition at all."

Yoda also sighed. "Once a clan falls into decline, nobody pays attention anymore."

"That's exactly why we must strive to protect our clan's foundation!" Fugaku looked outside. "My idea is to assign our young members who've already activated their Sharingan to jonin teams led by those who hold either goodwill or neutrality toward our clan."

Realization dawned quickly on Yoda. "So that's why you invited so many guests today—to test their positions?"

Fugaku sighed again. "I couldn't think of any better solution on such short notice. We'll just have to try avoiding Danzo as much as possible."

Yoda nodded. "I'll join you later and observe others' attitudes with you."

Both men felt somewhat downhearted. The once mighty Uchiha clan, which had dominated during the Warring States era, had now fallen to the point of retreating in fear from a mere walking corpse like him.

Trying to cheer things up, Yoda teased, "Still, are you sure about doing this? Treat Itachi like a tool—be careful he won't get revenge on you someday!"

Fugaku grinned unconcernedly. "Haha, isn't this exactly what people call *fatherly love and filial devotion*?"

Yoda laughed as well. "Go out already. It doesn't look good for the head of the household to stay locked up in the room for too long."

Outside.

The children sat together at one table.

"Tell us more! Tell us more!" Obito pulled at Seiki's sleeve with a look of pitiable innocence on his face, begging earnestly.

Seiki smoothly pulled his sleeve away without showing emotion, then gave in with a helpless tone. "For specific details, you should ask Asuma instead. He'd definitely be happy to share all of that with you."

An image of Asuma's carefree grin immediately popped into Obito's mind. He winced slightly. "I think I'll skip it."

"Shuunen was howling beside him. "Awwww, that's amazing! Just too amazing…"

Seeing Shuunen was about to transform on the spot, Yoda who had just walked out with Fugaku came over with a darkened face and slapped him at the back of his head, "Behave yourself. Don't embarrass the clan leader."

Interrupted mid-chant, Shuunen turned around with a bitter face, "Can't I just be excited?"

Yoda said without patience, "You're already a chunin. Why can't you act as calmly as Seiki?"

Muttering under his breath, Shuunen replied, "What difference does being a chunin make? Even two Iwagakure jonin were defeated by Seiki!"

Yoda's eyes bulged wide open, "What did you say?"

With a playful grin, Shuunen taunted, "Stay calm, staaaay calm… Ow! Why'd you hit me again?"

Yoda maintained his composed expression, "I'm a hypocrite. Got a problem with that?"

Shuunen quickly backed down, "Okay okay, they just took down two Iwagakure jonins and dozens of chunins and genins during this mission. Yep, truly worthy of my admiration!"

Yoda and Fugaku exchanged glances, both seeing shock in each other's eyes.

They knew all too well that Inoichi wasn't the kind of jonin with overwhelming combat strength. Which meant achieving such results must have been largely thanks to Seiki's team.

In their opinion, Asuma and Kurenai still had a lot to learn. That could only mean one thing — Seiki had created yet another miracle.

Thinking about it, Fugaku couldn't help but exclaim, "What a pity Seiki is still so young! Otherwise, I'd really want to ask you to become Itachi's godfather!"

Upon hearing this, Seiki couldn't help but twitch involuntarily at the corner of his mouth. You, with your bushy brows and giant eyes, actually trying to rope me into becoming a godfather?

…

The banquet ended late into the night.

Returning to his room, Seiki sat cross-legged on the bed, his eyes shining brightly. "Just as I thought, what I was missing was this very kind of experience. With this body-swapping experience as reference, this final obstacle no longer holds me back!"

Thinking this, Seiki closed his eyes.

At once, a pure white spirit floated up from atop his head.

[Is this the Spirit Transformation state?] Spirit-Seiki felt quite intrigued, drifting about in the air before looking at his own physical body which seemed to be sleeping. [This feeling is indeed very strange!]

After slightly adapting to this state, Spirit-Seiki returned back into himself.

It felt like a little fish leaping out of the sea only to plunge back in again — comfortable and peaceful.

"With my strongest soul talent, combined with years of genjutsu training foundation, plus Dan Kato's insights and five additional months of cultivation, topped with this last personal experience, I've finally mastered it!"

Exhaling impure air, Seiki lightly shook his head. "Indeed, no S-rank ninjutsu is easy to master!"

"But now with the Spirit Transformation Technique, I can finally dare to pursue that ability!"

Seiki's gaze burned slightly. At his current level, the Spirit Transformation Technique itself wouldn't significantly increase his combat effectiveness.

However, that had never been his focus. What he truly valued was developing additional capabilities based on the technique's side effects.

"Wait, better calm myself first. Don't rush. I'll proceed to the next step only after completely mastering the Spirit Transformation Technique."

Muttering to himself, Seiki's eyes gradually returned to a tranquil state, unmoved like an undisturbed well.

How many plans had failed at the very last moment before success? He would never make that kind of mistake.

After adapting for half an hour and setting up a Chakra Barrier around the area, Seiki reverted to his spirit form and carefully scanned the surroundings.

"I remember from my past life that spirits could indeed be seen by others, although it was somewhat troublesome. For safety's sake, I'd better go underground!"

With that thought, Seiki wasted no more time and leapt straight into the ground.

In spirit form, rocks and earth couldn't stop him at all. The only thing he needed to worry about was direction.

Fortunately, he already had memorized the entire layout of Konoha.

The spirit moved extremely fast—nearly instantaneously wherever his thoughts led.

Before long, he arrived at his destination—the territory of the Kurama clan.

This once-prominent family in Konoha had gradually declined through the passage of time.

Seiki didn't care about that. His spirit flickered as he entered a warm-looking room.

On the bed, a couple were already asleep.

Beside the bed stood a small crib.

Without hesitation, Seiki's spirit flew directly into the infant lying inside the crib.

The next moment, the deeply asleep baby suddenly opened its eyes.

"So this is the Kekkei Genkai of the Kurama clan? Truly amazing!"

Borrowing the baby girl's body for perception, Seiki quickly sensed the potential and power of this bloodline ability.

"Next, I need to analyze and reverse-engineer the structure of this Kekkei Genkai!"

He valued the Spirit Transformation Technique precisely for this reason—each time he used it provided firsthand experience, like data laid out right in front of him.

"Hopefully, I can finish analyzing this bloodline before the war ends. Otherwise, some of my plans will be hard to carry out."

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