You Might Die, but You Will Live On in Another Way

"Besides mastery of Fire Style, what other requirements are there?"

Fugaku Uchiha's face was set with resolve.

Wasn't it just destroying the four nations and pacifying the Shinobi World?

Let's do it!

When have we Uchiha ever been afraid?

"A body on par with a Jonin's will do."

Ling Tian waved a casual hand.

This was in the bag!

The Uchiha could forget about jumping ship for the rest of their lives.

That brainless duo would make good muscle in the future, too.

Forget that edgy brat Sasuke, though. All he ever did was screw over his teammates.

"Oh! One more thing."

Ling Tian added, "I have something very important to do, so this person must be willing to sacrifice himself for the Uchiha. If he isn't, forget it."

He didn't know whether the clone would die. He could kill enemies however he pleased, but he wasn't cold-blooded enough to treat allies that way.

"Daoyu, come in."

Fugaku Uchiha called out loudly.

Then he looked at the man who entered:

"I have a mission for you. It concerns the future of our Uchiha Clan. You might not return if you go, but this mission is very important. Are you willing?"

Ling Tian hadn't said the man would definitely die, but his mention of a willingness to sacrifice himself had made everything clear.

"Clan Leader, I am willing."

As Fugaku's trusted confidant, Daoyu Uchiha had at least that much loyalty. He didn't hesitate at all.

"Then follow Ling Tian from now on. You heard what we said just now. The Hatake Clan will ally with us. From now on, we're one family."

Fugaku swept his hand out, issuing the order without expression.

"..."

One family...

I might be about to kill one of your men. You're going to make me feel guilty...

Ling Tian suggested, "Brother, how about we pick someone willing to sacrifice himself for the clan who's also disobedient?"

"No need."

Fugaku Uchiha remained impassive. "Daoyu's strength is his own, but his loyalty belongs to the clan, not me. Dying for the clan is his honor. If necessary, I can do it too. No one in the Uchiha Clan is exempt from sacrifice."

"But..."

"Lord Ling Tian, say no more. The Clan Leader is right. My loyalty belongs to the Uchiha."

Uchiha Island interrupted Ling Tian. "If the clan needs me, I will have no regrets."

Looking at the middle-aged Shinobi before him, Ling Tian felt something stir in his heart.

Was this what a great clan was like?

The higher-ups had chosen to indoctrinate Shinobi so they would fight for the village.

But Uchiha like these probably needed no such thing!

Only after a long while did he say, "I promise you, your clan will be proud of you. All its future glory will be thanks to the sacrifice you make now. I guarantee it!"

With that, Ling Tian clenched his fist hard.

He's already prepared to sacrifice himself. What the hell am I getting sentimental for?

He cursed himself inwardly.

But it also proved that his heart was still warm.

"Ling Tian, I won't ask what you intend to do, but the Uchiha bloodline must not fall into outside hands. You understand what I mean, don't you?"

"Don't worry, brother. I guarantee the Sharingan will never end up in an outsider's hands."

I'm no outsider. You said yourself that we're one family.

"I've staked the entire future of the Uchiha Clan on this. I fear failure, yet I don't. I hope things go as smoothly as you said they would."

Fugaku knew full well that the other man couldn't be deceiving him. Just as Ling Tian had said, the higher-ups were suppressing White Fang, and only the Uchiha were willing to help him.

Apart from the Uchiha, he couldn't find any natural allies.

Still, it only took one unexpected turn for things to go wrong.

Taking Daoyu's Sharingan was out of the question. If Ling Tian really had that intention, the Uchiha wouldn't mind serving as the higher-ups' weapon!

That was why it had to be Daoyu this time.

Even if this trusted confidant really would die.

He would take the gamble and bet that Ling Tian wasn't lying!

"Then we'll be going. If nothing unexpected happens, I'll send someone out of the village with you tomorrow morning."

With that, Ling Tian turned and left.

Seeing the Clan Leader nod, Daoyu Uchiha followed him.

Watching their retreating backs, Fugaku silently clenched his fists.

"No one can suppress the glory of the Uchiha. Not even the Hokage!"

After coming out and collecting Kakashi, Ling Tian and Daoyu headed straight in another direction.

No one spoke along the way. Although Kakashi was surprised by the middle-aged man accompanying them, he didn't ask.

Holding his Second Uncle's hand, he was very well-behaved.

Only when he noticed they were going the wrong way did he ask, "Second Uncle, aren't we going home?"

Ling Tian looked down with a smile. "We're going to Might Guy's house."

"Oh."

Kakashi nodded obediently.

He was puzzled, but he didn't dare ask for fear of getting hit.

When they reached their destination, it was Ling Tian's first visit to Might Guy's home. Looking at the low, single-story house before him, he thought of Dai's current strength and Might Guy's future strength...

For some reason, he wanted to curse the Third's mother again...

Uchiha Island was also a little confused, unsure what they had come here for, but he likewise didn't ask.

"Uncle Dai, Might Guy, are you home?"

"Kakashi's here."

As soon as the voice came from inside, Dai emerged. "Has our great Hatake benefactor brought Kakashi over to train with us?"

Kakashi: "..."

"Senior Dai, I told you, just call me Ling Tian."

Ling Tian nodded in greeting. Seeing the weights in Dai's hands, he asked, "What are you two doing?"

"Since we ate at Uncle Ling Tian's house today, Father said he'd reward himself with thirty extra laps around the Leaf Village tonight."

Might Guy still remembered what his father had told him at the Hatake home, and he had changed how he addressed Ling Tian.

"Senior Dai, let Kakashi train with Might Guy. My older brother needs to see you about something."

"All right!"

Dai patted his son's shoulder and encouraged him. "Then train with Kakashi first. I'll go over to Senior White Fang's house. No slacking off. This is a Manly Promise!"

"I understand. I'll keep an eye on Kakashi."

Might Guy nodded firmly.

Kakashi: "..."

"Might Guy, if Kakashi dares slack off, tell me tomorrow."

"Got it, Uncle Ling Tian."

"Then we'll be going. Kakashi, train properly with Might Guy."

Ignoring his eldest nephew's dead-fish stare, Ling Tian finished speaking and left with the others.

At the Hatake home, White Fang came out upon hearing the noise. Seeing the three men, he asked in confusion, "Where's Kakashi?"

"I sent him to train with Might Guy. Let him sleep over there tonight!"

After answering, Ling Tian turned to Daoyu Uchiha.

He asked solemnly, "You're certain you're willing to sacrifice yourself for the Uchiha, correct?"

"Yes, Lord Ling Tian."

"You might die, but you will also live on in another way. You're certain you can accept that, correct?"

"May I ask in what way?"

Uchiha Island frowned. He wasn't afraid of death, but he feared that this "other way" was what he was imagining.

"Don't worry. I won't break the promise I made to your Clan Leader."

"Once I begin, you must not resist, no matter what I do. Otherwise, all our efforts will be wasted. I'll ask you one last time: is your resolve firm?"

Once Daoyu nodded, Ling Tian led him into the room.

Meanwhile, White Fang and Dai stood guard outside the door, utterly baffled.