"But the Third Hokage is trying hard to repair the relationship between the village and our clan."
Rika's face showed some reluctance.
At this age, Elder Shikora should be enjoying his twilight years rather than continuing to battle in the political arena, sacrificing his life to illuminate the path for the clan.
"They're just birds of a feather. That little brat Hiruzen Sarutobi is either figuring something out or in the process of figuring it out. It's never possible to get a definitive answer from him. Sooner or later, the Uchiha will be destroyed by his indecisive political stance of 'figuring it out.' Despite being the Hokage, he lacks the decisiveness and responsibility of one; he's far from Senju Tobirama."
Elder Shikora snorted coldly.
Rika remained silent.
He thought about the conflict incident between Root and Ruri a few years ago.
Then thought about many things from even earlier.
Every time, the Hokage maintained balance, but some matters involving the village's principles were clearly not to be tolerated and needed balancing.
As Elder Shikora said, one could trust Hiruzen Sarutobi's loyalty to Konoha and his love for the entire village, but not his ability to govern.
One could say that Root was the darkness birthed under his indulgence and hesitation.
"The only path forward for the Uchiha is self-rescue, not placing the clan's hopes on outsiders. Uchiha men and women, even in death, should die on the battlefield. Let's go, Rika."
◎
Evening, 7:10 PM.
"Are you back? It must have been tough on the mission outside, come and eat quickly, or it'll get cold."
At the dining table, Hakushi had already set up the dishes, waiting for Ruri to come and enjoy dinner together.
Ruri didn't say anything, she just sat at the table as usual and ate dinner with Hakushi.
"How was today's mission?"
"Just a typical C-Class Mission. Next year, I'll take those three brats to participate in the Chunin Exams. Once they pass, they can undertake A-Class Missions. There's really no fun or joy in C-Class Missions."
Hearing Ruri say this, Hakushi could only express condolences for the three Genin in her squad.
C-Class and D-Class Missions do not involve ninja combat, but starting with B-Class Missions, the difficulty increases qualitatively, involving battles between ninjas.
And A-Class Missions involve Jonin-level opponents, where any carelessness can result in failure and total annihilation.
Chunin indeed have the qualifications to take on B-Class and A-Class Missions.
Generally speaking, when team members just become Chunin, a Jonin Squad captain will cautiously choose B-Class Missions to accumulate experience before moving to A-Class Missions.
But with Ruri's personality, once the three Genin in her team become Chunin, she might directly start with A-Class Missions to accumulate experience.
Rather than leading Genin, Ruri prefers finding fun for herself.
A-Class Missions are indeed a lot more interesting than B-Class and C-Class Missions, although for newly minted Chunin, they might result in instant death.
The difference in ninja ranks is very significant.
"By the way, Elder Shikora came looking for you today. You weren't home, so he had a cup of tea here and left."
Hakushi remembered and told Ruri about Elder Shikora's visit that evening.
"Elder Shikora?"
Ruri paused her eating, and her brow furrowed immediately.
"What, not happy? I remember he taught you various ninja battle techniques before, and you respected him a lot, didn't you?"
"He's just a decaying old man."
Ruri snorted coldly.
"That's really disrespectful."
"Did he say anything excessive to you when he was here?"
Ruri's eyes showed dissatisfaction.
Currently, those holding important positions in the Uchiha clan are radical ninjas, and Uchiha Shikora is the leader of the Uchiha Radical Faction.
In her eyes, those radicals all have something wrong with their heads.
They're obsessed with power in the village, as if they believe becoming Hokage is the only way to save the Uchiha clan.
Indulged in past glory, they are a mix of martial power and arrogance, devoid of brains.
While Ruri hasn't explicitly drawn a line away from them, she knows she cannot blend into such an environment.
Her main thought and approach to power are incompatible with that environment.
Even with Elder Shikora, she hasn't visited him in a long time.
Even if Elder Shikora holds the key to activating the Mangekyo Sharingan, she doesn't want to see someone who makes her dissatisfied. Especially with the Hokage, she doesn't want too much contact, her resistance and dissatisfaction are written all over her face.
Plus, having trained in Sage Mode, she feels much calmer and can think about issues with a cool mind.
Of course, there are times when calmness is impossible.
Thinking of this, Ruri glared at Hakushi with an unhappy expression, eating her meal fiercely.
Hakushi looked bewildered, not sure where he had upset her again.
Was it because he hugged her for thirty seconds less than usual a few days ago?
Maybe he should make up for that tonight?
"How could he? He only came by to check on us; I thought he was quite a kind old man."
Hakushi spoke honestly.
According to Ayane, the elders of the Hyuga Clan are very rigid and harsh, always about rules and regulations, making her quite annoyed, though she always had to maintain a smile on her face.