A Growing Stature

In the living room outside, Mikoto Uchiha was playing with Itachi Uchiha. Hearing Fugaku Uchiha's laughter and voice, mother and son exchanged glances, their faces full of surprise.

In their eyes, their husband and father was a stern, steady, solemn man who rarely smiled.

Yet now he was laughing so happily. What had he heard to change so much?

For a moment, both Mikoto Uchiha and Itachi Uchiha were filled with curiosity.

In the reception room, Uchiha Gen responded with a smile, though he was somewhat puzzled inside. Was such a huge reaction really necessary?

Oh... Konoha, and even this whole world, had no formal education in history or politics. Well, that explained it.

Someone like him, who only understood a little history and politics from his previous life, naturally stood out from the crowd in this world.

History could teach the rise and fall of nations, and studying it could make one wiser. No wonder those ninjas, who only studied how to complete missions, were so thoroughly misled by Konoha's self-taught politicians that they lost all sense of direction.

The foundation of education was right there...

Come to think of it, it was strange. This world had no systematic history. Unless someone had specifically studied it, people knew very little about past events.

Could Black Zetsu have been secretly meddling behind the scenes?

"By the way, Gen, there's a question."

"We can use the Sharingan as an opening to build ties with Jonin Minato, but what about Lord Orochimaru?"

Fugaku Uchiha spoke after calming down.

Without a suitable opportunity, were they supposed to approach him and discuss cooperation out of nowhere?

Even if it succeeded, the relationship would be far too fragile and unstable.

"Rest assured, Young Clan Head. I've already found an opening."

"From what I learned at the Hidden Cloud Front, Lord Orochimaru is extremely obsessed with researching all kinds of ninjutsu."

"Research consumes a great deal of money, and the Uchiha Clan does not lack funds. We can use that as an opportunity to establish ties with Lord Orochimaru."

"For example, we could provide funding in exchange for Lord Orochimaru taking an Uchiha clansman as his disciple."

"That way, the Uchiha Clan would have people among both leading Hokage candidates. No matter who took the position, neither could treat the Uchiha Clan poorly. At the very least, it would be better than our current situation."

"What do you think, Young Clan Head?"

As the foremost great clan of the ninja world, the Uchiha Clan was qualified to place bets on both sides. First of all, they had quite a few Jonin.

The Jonin vote of confidence was one of the indispensable steps to becoming Hokage.

Furthermore, the Uchiha Clan was not merely a ninja family. They were also nobles recognized by the Land of Fire's daimyo and held a certain degree of influence over him.

The Hyuga Clan had the same standing. The other clans were far less impressive.

It was simply that ninjas, with their political naivety and values shaped by their upbringing, found it difficult to think of such a "shameless" method.

After pondering carefully for a while, Fugaku Uchiha laughed loudly. "Haha, very good. Very good."

In the living room, Mikoto Uchiha and Itachi Uchiha once again exchanged glances in unspoken agreement, then both looked toward the reception room...

"I didn't expect you to have planned everything out so thoroughly."

"Our Uchiha Clan does not lack powerful clansmen, nor do we lack geniuses. What we lack most are talented people like you, Gen—people who can think and possess political wisdom."

"You know what our clansmen are like. They truly give me a headache..."

The ordinary civilians and ninja who had not awakened their Sharingan were fairly normal, but the ninjas who had awakened it were rather damned troublesome.

At best, they were tsundere and sharp-tongued, saying one thing while meaning another. At worst, they were arrogant, conceited, and looked down on everyone else.

Aside from battle intelligence, their general intelligence and emotional intelligence were both low. They did not understand the slightest bit of social etiquette and easily offended people.

The former were still better than the latter, since they remained kind at heart. Sasuke in his early days was a good example.

The latter were difficult to deal with. Their personalities had already taken shape, and they had become accustomed to them. Who knew how much effort it would take to turn them around...

Uchiha Gen had no intention of discussing the clansmen's personalities with Fugaku Uchiha, so he directly changed the subject. "Young Clan Head, I have an impertinent request."

"No need to be polite. Go ahead."

"If I fail to become Senior Minato's disciple, I hope the Young Clan Head will recommend me as Lord Orochimaru's disciple."

"Certainly. That is a reasonable request."

When it came to becoming the disciple of a Hokage candidate, Fugaku Uchiha's eldest son was the first choice, Gen, who had come up with the excellent plan, was the second choice, and Shisui Uchiha was the third.

As for the other clansmen, they would not even be considered unless all three were rejected.

Why recommend someone inferior when there were better prospects available?

If they were not valued, would that not be a waste of a wonderful opportunity?

"Thank you, Young Clan Head."

"No need to thank me. You deserve it."

"Oh, and stay for dinner tonight."

Hmm?

It was only a little past two. Wasn't dinner still far too early?

Was he planning to keep me here and chat all afternoon?

Damn it, today is my day off. Starting tomorrow, I'll have to train hard again.

"Alright. It would be my honor."

It was Fugaku Uchiha's first invitation, so Gen could not easily refuse and make him lose face.

Thus, Uchiha Gen spent the entire afternoon chatting with Fugaku Uchiha. Fortunately, they were not kneeling in the reception room the whole time, or he truly would not have been able to endure it...

As for Mikoto Uchiha's cooking, Uchiha Gen thought it was decent, but it still was not as delicious as his own.

After Uchiha Gen went home, Mikoto Uchiha, having finished the housework, could no longer suppress her curiosity and asked Fugaku Uchiha about what had happened that afternoon and evening...

Normally, Mikoto Uchiha was content being a housewife and would not ask such questions. But Fugaku Uchiha's two unusual displays that day had left her unable to restrain her curiosity.

Fugaku Uchiha did not hide anything from the wife who supported him, and told Mikoto Uchiha about it.

Mikoto Uchiha's eyes shone with astonishment after hearing it.

Could a thirteen-year-old child really think of such things?

He was truly gifted in both literary and martial pursuits!

From then on, Fugaku Uchiha and Mikoto Uchiha often mentioned Uchiha Gen in front of Itachi Uchiha, telling Itachi Uchiha to learn more from him.

Over time, Uchiha Gen became the child from someone else's family, an incredibly impressive figure in Itachi Uchiha's heart.

To carry out Uchiha Gen's plan, Fugaku Uchiha began writing letters to his father at the Hidden Mist Front.

After receiving the letter, the Uchiha Clan Head wrote back, approving Uchiha Gen's idea. He also instructed Fugaku Uchiha to focus on nurturing him and found an excuse to send Shisui Uchiha back to Konoha.

This was in case of unforeseen circumstances.

If either of the two was rejected, Shisui could take their place. It would be rather awkward if they could not even produce someone when the time came.

After Shisui Uchiha returned to the village, Fugaku Uchiha had Mikoto Uchiha invite Kushina Uzumaki and Minato Namikaze over as guests.

Mikoto Uchiha and Kushina Uzumaki were close friends, with an excellent relationship.

With Mikoto Uchiha making the invitation, it would neither attract attention nor be easily refused.

Indeed, Minato Namikaze did not refuse. He attended the dinner with Kushina Uzumaki.

Before Minato Namikaze, Fugaku Uchiha was no longer as stern and solemn as he was before his wife and son. His smile was kindly, and his tone was gentle, as though he were a different person.

This was both respect for Minato Namikaze's status as a Hokage candidate and awe of Minato Namikaze's strength!

In the end, the ninja world respected only the strong.

So never believe nonsense like "that's just my personality." Whether man or woman, a person's personality depended on who they were facing...

If you encountered someone while dating who said, "That's just my personality," reject them immediately.

After dinner, Mikoto Uchiha took Itachi Uchiha with her to accompany Kushina Uzumaki on a walk and chat.

Meanwhile, Fugaku Uchiha brought Minato Namikaze to the reception room to drink tea and chat, looking for a suitable moment to raise the matter.

In truth, Minato Namikaze had also come this time intending to discuss Kakashi's Sharingan with Fugaku Uchiha.

Their ideas happened to coincide, but whether they could reach a result that satisfied them both remained uncertain.

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