I am Uchiha Sasuke Uncle

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Night had fallen, and a campfire crackled in the dense forest. 

Several people sat on the ground around the fire, the flames popping and sparking in the quiet. 

Kaito glanced at Sasuke, who had been silent and downcast, and nudged his arm. "What's wrong? Still upset?" 

Sasuke shook his head in silence. 

Izuna, who had been staring at the dancing flames, looked up at Sasuke and said, "Since you've already made your decision, there's no need to dwell on Itachi's actions." 

"This kid probably just can't wrap his head around Itachi's choices," Kaito chuckled. "That's why he's stuck in confusion." 

"I'm not!" Sasuke retorted in a low voice. 

Izuna scoffed, "Not understanding is the right thing. If you could, wouldn't that make you just like him?" 

"Alright, let's not dwell on the past." Kaito reached out and ruffled Sasuke's hair. "You should focus on what you're going to do next." 

"Hmph!" Sasuke lifted his head, glaring at Kaito. "Shouldn't you be the one assigning me tasks?" 

"So eager?" Kaito laughed. "Then I'll have to think carefully about it." 

"Assign him tasks within his ability," Izuna interjected with a smirk. "I don't want to be burdened with protecting him all the time." 

"I don't need protection!" Sasuke snapped. 

"Oh? How many times have I saved you? Want to count?" Izuna shot him a disdainful glance. 

"Hmph." Sasuke, flustered and red-faced, had no comeback. 

Neji, observing the Uchiha trio's close interaction, couldn't help but feel out of place. 

'I'm from the Hyuga clan... why am I mixed up with the Uchiha?' 

"Neji," Kaito, noticing his discomfort, spoke up. "The research on the Caged Bird Seal—your father was instrumental in helping. He has since returned to the Pure Land." 

"Thank you," Neji said after a pause, addressing him formally. "Lord Kaito." 

"There's no need for such formality," Kaito waved his hand dismissively. "Just call me Uncle." 

"Uncle Kaito," Neji managed, feeling even more awkward. 

"Oh, right." Sasuke suddenly remembered something. "Uncle, Neji has a favor to ask of you." 

"Hmm?" Kaito turned to Neji. 

"It's nothing... just some immature thoughts," Neji stammered, flustered. 

"Don't be nervous," Kaito said warmly. "I'm not a scary person." 

'No, you are terrifying.' 

Izuna cast Kaito a knowing look. 

'I've always been gentle,' Kaito silently retorted with a smile. 

"Well... about the Caged Bird Seal..." 

Neji hesitated, struggling to speak. 

"I'll say it!" Sasuke interjected smugly. "After all, it was my idea." 

Kaito raised an eyebrow, signaling Sasuke to proceed. 

Sasuke explained, "Uncle, is it possible to modify the Caged Bird Seal to remove its harmful aspects, leaving only the feature that destroys the eyes after death?" 

"I've never thought of that," Kaito mused, then shook his head. "It's probably very difficult." 

"Why?" Sasuke asked curiously. 

Neji also watched Kaito with anticipation. 

"If it's just to destroy the eyes after death, that's relatively easy," Kaito explained. "But the simpler a seal, the easier it is to break. Conversely, the harder it is to break, the more of a burden it places on the wearer. Achieving a perfect balance is nearly impossible." 

"Is that so..." Sasuke muttered, disappointed. 

"Oh, there's one thing I forgot to mention, Neji," Kaito said, catching Neji's attention. 

"What is it?" Neji looked up, hope reigniting in his eyes. 

"I've already handed over the method to lift the Caged Bird Seal to the Fifth Hokage," Kaito revealed. "What happens next depends on her courage." 

Neji's eyes lit up. 

He had been worried about how to lift the seals on the other Hyuga clan members, but now it seemed there was hope for everyone. 

"Thank you so much." Neji stood and bowed deeply to Kaito. 

"No need for such formalities," Kaito smiled and motioned for him to sit. 

Still, Neji couldn't help but cast grateful glances at him. 

"Hyuga boy," Izuna said bluntly. "Don't thank him so quickly. He probably has ulterior motives." 

"What are you saying, Izuna-senpai?" Kaito said with a harmless smile. 

"Don't smile at me like that," Izuna replied coldly. "I won't be fooled by your facade." 

"Such harsh words, Senpai. You're breaking my heart," Kaito said with mock grievance. 

"Scram!" Izuna picked up a burning stick and threw it. 

"Can't do that," Kaito caught the stick and placed it back in the fire. "Too dirty here." 

"Ugh." 

Izuna rolled his eyes as Sasuke and Neji, full of curiosity, looked on. 

"Surely you understand," Izuna said to the two younger ones. "Even if it's the Hokage, unless absolutely necessary, they won't interfere in clan matters." 

"And once the news gets out, what kind of upheaval will the Hyuga clan face?" he continued. "The Hokage and the clans often have conflicting interests." 

"I understand now," Neji spoke first, realization dawning. "Even if the Fifth Hokage has the method, she won't use it lightly." 

"Not unless she wants to cause internal strife in the village," Izuna said with a meaningful smile. "Although lifting the Caged Bird Seal would benefit the village overall, if the Hokage has her own agenda, she might let the Hyuga tear themselves apart first." 

"The Hyuga clan is probably already in turmoil," Kaito said innocently, spreading his hands. "Neji's safe departure is the real trigger." 

He patted Sasuke's shoulder with mock solemnity. "The mastermind is Sasuke, who abducted their clan member." 

Sasuke silently shifted away and asked, "Uncle, why did you give the method to the Fifth Hokage?" 

"Good question!" 

Kaito smiled warmly. "Because someone kidnapped Konoha's ninja and defected. When they demanded an explanation, as an elder, I could only silently make amends." 

"Tch," Sasuke sneered. "Even without an explanation, who could do anything to you?" 

"He just wants to watch the drama unfold," Izuna said, hitting the nail on the head. 

"Don't paint me as the villain," Kaito said, exasperated. "I'm merely fostering unity within Konoha and offering the Hokage a little help." 

"Shameless," Izuna said bluntly. 

"Twisted," Sasuke muttered under his breath. 

"Don't be disrespectful," Kaito said as a ball of spiritual energy formed in his hand, which he used to knock Sasuke on the head. 

While the trio chatted lively, Neji remained uneasy. 

"Um..." He mustered his courage. "Will the Hyuga clan be alright?"