Chapter 3: Fire, Too, Burns Eternally

Xia Yu’s mind burned with the need to vent his frustration, but no matter how he looked at it, none of the four "powerful" techniques in front of him could help him deal with the three Anbu members outside. "System, even giving me the Shadow Clone Technique would be better than this!" [Heh heh heh, rewards like Shadow Clone will come later. Whether you earn them depends on your efforts. The Newbie Gift Pack is just the foundation for your future...] [Kid, I’m the *Descendants Revival System*. You’re one in a million. Don’t disappoint me...]With no other choice, Xia Yu took a deep breath and calmed himself. Curiosity crept in. "What exactly does this system do? Am I supposed to... repopulate the Uchiha clan? The more offspring, the more rewards?" [Exactly~] [For every new Uchiha clan member you contribute, you’ll receive random rewards: ninjutsu, chakra, ocular abilities, enhanced physique—anything you need. Want power? Then get to work!]Xia Yu’s eyes lit up. *This is perfect! With my looks and this system, I’ll dominate the ninja world in no time! If fate wiped out the Uchiha, I’ll just rebuild them from scratch! Let’s do this!* He glanced back at the Newbie Gift Pack and decisively selected the **Ninjutsu • Guaranteed Success Technique**. For now, this was the most practical choice. At least it ensured his... *efforts* wouldn’t go to waste. "Just wait. Everyone thinks I’m still that reckless playboy, huh? The Uchiha clan’s disgrace? With this system, in a year, I’ll make them all eat their words! Revenge can wait—rebuilding the clan comes first!" As he vowed this, the door creaked open. Two elderly men walked in: Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, and Danzo Shimura. Xia Yu instinctively stepped back, fearing they might eliminate him as the last "loose end" of the Uchiha massacre. But to his shock, Hiruzen spread his arms and embraced Xia Yu with tearful sincerity. "My boy... The tragedy that befell the Uchiha clan... As the Hokage of the Leaf, I am deeply sorry. This is my failure. I should have sent reinforcements sooner..." "Uh..." Xia Yu stared blankly, stunned by the performance. *Damn, the "Will of Fire" act is strong with this one. Calling last night’s massacre a "sudden tragedy"? What an Oscar-worthy performance! Unreal...* Danzo stood silently behind Hiruzen, his single eye cold and calculating, as if already plotting how to exploit this "surviving Uchiha fool."
Xia Yu internally rolled his eyes but maintained his act, leaning into his carefree persona. "Lord Hokage, please... I’m not into hugging men. Don’t worry about me. I’ve always been an orphan anyway. All I want is to live freely among the flowers and have fun. Anything not involving women? Not my problem~" As he spoke, he shot a sidelong glance at Danzo, who stood stone-faced, refusing to even look at him. Hiruzen released Xia Yu with a grandfatherly smile. "It’s good to see you’re handling this so well. I’ve already declared Uchiha Itachi an S-rank traitor to the Leaf. We *will* bring him to justice someday." Xia Yu shrugged. "Whatever. As long as I’m alive, that’s all that matters." Hiruzen clasped his hands solemnly. "Rest assured, I will protect you and Sasuke, the last of the Uchiha. No harm will come to you. The Uchiha will always be part of the Leaf. Where the leaves dance, the fire—" "Lord Hokage," Xia Yu cut in lightly, "I get the whole ‘Will of Fire’ speech. Anything else? I’ve got a lady waiting for me." Hiruzen sighed deeply. *Even after his clan’s massacre, all he cares about is chasing skirts. This boy is hopeless.* "Very well. If you ever need help, come to me. I’ll do what I can." "Really?" Xia Yu’s eyes glinted with sudden calculation. "Of course. You’re not even a registered ninja yet. If you need work, I could arrange a clerical position—" "No thanks!" Xia Yu waved dismissively. "Too much effort. Look, since I’m technically the last Uchiha adult, shouldn’t I inherit at least 10% of the clan’s assets? Let’s give 40% to little Sasuke as the heir. I’m not greedy." Hiruzen blinked. "And the remaining 50%?" Xia Yu grinned. "That’s for the village, of course! You and Lord Danzo worked so hard ‘handling’ the Uchiha... Especially Lord Danzo, who *miraculously* collected all the bodies by midnight. Truly inspiring efficiency! Plus, Sasuke and I will need round-the-clock protection from that traitor Itachi. Consider the 50% a... security fee. No need to consult Sasuke—he’s just a kid. I’ll decide for both of us." Hiruzen’s eyes crinkled with barely concealed delight. "Ah, Xia Yu, such generosity! Protecting villagers is my duty as Hokage. But since the village *is* facing budget constraints, and the Uchiha funerals *were* quite costly... I’ll humbly accept your contribution on behalf of the council." Behind him, Danzo’s lone eye narrowed—not at the money, but at Xia Yu’s audacity. *This fool thinks he’s clever? Let him play his games. Sooner or later, even his luck will run out.* As Xia Yu sauntered out, he smirked to himself. *Enjoy your cut, old men. Just wait till my ‘Uchiha revival plan’ kicks in. Every coin you took will burn hotter than the Will of Fire.* ---

Xia Yu grinned obsequiously, like a sycophant, his demeanor utterly devoid of the Uchiha clan’s famed pride. He knew that to survive under the watchful eyes of these two old foxes, he had to play the harmless fool. Unlike Sasuke, who was spared by Itachi’s twisted mercy, one wrong move here could cost him his life.