Hearing Senju Yuki's blunt reproach, Uchiha Yuan did not grow angry. Instead, he smiled faintly at her.
"Miss Yuki, this isn't recklessness. It's living true to my nature. A man standing beneath heaven and earth must have clarity of mind. How can he be shackled by petty schemes? If that old thief Danzō wishes me harm, then he should first test how hard my fists are."
"Yuan, well said! I support you!" Senju Gen declared loudly. "I've long been fed up with Danzō. Several of our uncles have been pressured by him more than once."
He was immediately silenced by a glare from his sister and awkwardly shut his mouth.
Yuki's expression turned cold as she stared at Yuan. "The only reason you're still standing here is because you're an Uchiha. If anyone else had acted the way you did, they'd already be rotting in a prison cell."
Yuan's brows lifted slightly. "Miss Yuki… are you worried about me?"
She stiffened. A flush bloomed across her cheeks—whether from embarrassment or irritation was hard to tell. She shot him a sharp look and snorted.
"I'm worried you'll drag Gen down with you. And I don't want to see Izumi frightened because of your foolishness."
Gen blinked in confusion. He distinctly remembered that the night she'd heard about Yuan's clash with Danzō, Yuki had been restless, sending him out repeatedly for news. When she'd learned the details, she hadn't slept at all.
Yuan smiled gently, meeting her gaze. "Regardless… thank you. I'm sorry for making you worry."
Her heartbeat quickened under his steady eyes. She turned away abruptly.
"Who said I was worried about you?"
Gen narrowed his eyes suspiciously.
Yuki cleared her throat. "You caused such chaos. What punishment is the village giving you?"
Gen and Izumi both looked at Yuan anxiously.
Yuan waved his hand casually. "Relax. The village won't go overboard."
"Why?" Gen asked.
"Because they don't want to anger me a second time."
His confidence made Yuki bristle.
"If you're dissatisfied with the punishment, are you planning to rampage through the village again? Yuan, the village will not tolerate your rebellion forever."
Her tone softened despite herself.
"Stop acting so recklessly. Don't make everyone worry. Please."
Just as Yuan was about to respond, a voice called from outside the courtyard gate.
"Yuan-kun, are you home?"
Yuki's eyes sharpened instantly.
Yuan opened the gate.
A graceful young woman stood there.
"She's Uchiha Tsukine," Yuan said as he walked back beside her and introduced her to the others.
From the moment Tsukine appeared, Yuki's gaze never left her.
Izumi gasped softly. "It's Uchiha Tsukine! How does Brother know her? She's from the main family… Itachi-kun's aunt!"
Tsukine's eyes swept across Yuki, Gen, and Izumi before she slipped her arm through Yuan's with a bright smile.
"Hello. I'm Uchiha Tsukine. Yuan-kun's fiancée."
"…What?!"
Fiancée?!
Shock rippled through the courtyard.
Yuki's face flickered with surprise before settling into calm composure.
"Hello. I'm Senju Yuki. This is my younger brother, Senju Gen."
Gen nodded hurriedly. "Hello."
Izumi stared at Yuan in disbelief. "Brother… when did you get a fiancée? Why have Mother and I never heard about this?"
Tsukine released his arm and turned toward Yuan, smiling sweetly.
"Yuan-kun, I'm also very curious. Could you give us a proper explanation?"
After a brief silence, Yuan answered flatly:
"…I forgot."
"Forgot?!"
Tsukine's smile vanished.
Izumi planted her hands on her hips indignantly. "Brother, that's terrible! You should apologize immediately!"
Tsukine's eyes shimmered with unshed tears. "Yuan-kun… are you dissatisfied with me? Or is there another girl in your heart?"
"Tsukine, I'm not dissatisfied. You're a good girl. I truly just forgot."
She bit her lip. "You're an idiot, Yuan-kun. A complete idiot!"
At that moment, a figure appeared atop the courtyard wall.
"Yuan-sama. The Clan Head summons you."
Relief flickered across Yuan's face.
"I understand."
His expression turned serious. In a flash, he departed alongside the Police Force member.
Tsukine watched him leave, worried in her eyes. "If the Clan Head is calling him… the village's decision must be ready."
Yuki also stared toward the gate, concerned in her gaze.
Then Tsukine turned toward her.
"Senju Yuki. You like Yuan-kun, don't you?"
A flicker of panic crossed Yuki's eyes, but she quickly regained her composure.
"Miss Tsukine, such baseless speculation is troublesome."
Their eyes locked.
Then both smiled.
Deep within a secluded forest of the Uchiha district—
Two figures clashed at high speed.
Uchiha Shisui and Uchiha Itachi.
Their forms flickered like lightning, sharp impacts cracking through the night air in rapid succession.
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