Uchiha Clan Meeting

Blood Spot raised its tail and pointed in two directions in succession, stammering,

"East... cave, Black Snake, Karasu, hiss~, you can beat it."

"Then I'll make a trip to the cave in the east. When I come back tomorrow, I'll bring you a sheep as an apology for beating you up like this."

Uchiha Gen said to Blood Spot.

The latter lay where it was and nodded gratefully at Uchiha Gen.

Not long after, Uchiha Gen, his Chakra fully restored, set off once more for the place Blood Spot had mentioned.

When Uchiha Gen arrived at the cave and saw that Black Snake, he realized he did not need to fight at all.

Because this Black Snake named Karasu was the Black Scale Serpent he had beaten back into Ryūchi Cave in the Forest of Death a month ago!

Although he had used tactics to outsmart it and beaten it badly, this snake was still fairly capable.

Though it was weaker than Blood Spot, Karasu was not something an ordinary Genin could deal with easily.

After this trip to Ryūchi Cave, aside from Blood Spot and Karasu, the two relatively powerful giant snakes, Uchiha Gen did not attempt to tame any more powerful summoned beasts.

Maintaining summoned beasts consumed Chakra continuously. Uchiha Gen's Chakra reserves were not low compared to others his age, and after equipping Young Madara's card, they had become even greater. But he was not a ridiculous stat monster like Naruto with absurd amounts of Chakra. Being able to summon two at once to assist in battle was already about his limit.

As for stronger summoned beasts, if they were too much stronger, Uchiha Gen did not have the ability to tame them.

By the time they emerged from Ryūchi Cave, the three of them had returned to the previous Training Ground.

Orochimaru had long since disappeared, and even the sun had tilted westward as dusk approached.

Without realizing it, the three of them had spent nearly an entire day in Ryūchi Cave.

"Damn, what a shame. I didn't find that Two-headed Snake that chased me last time."

Sarutobi Enju stood with his hands on his hips, his face full of regret.

"Don't even mention me. I had just contracted a few ordinary pythons when I entered the territory of a crazed red giant snake, so I dispelled the Reverse Summoning Technique and came back early."

Utsuki Ruri said helplessly.

Thankfully, she had successfully formed summoning contracts and would have another chance to return to Ryūchi Cave. Otherwise, she would have been depressed to death.

"I did all right. I contracted two fairly powerful giant snakes. Enju, Ruri, it's getting late, so I'll be leaving first. There's a clan meeting tonight."

Uchiha Gen waved to his two teammates.

"Mm, then bye, Gen."

Utsuki Ruri nodded lightly.

"Alright, go back first. This is your first time attending a clan meeting, so don't be late."

Sarutobi Enju said with feigned seriousness, though he secretly glanced at Utsuki Ruri, unable to hide the delight in his eyes.

Yes!

Now I can naturally enter a world for just the two of us!

Uchiha Gen took in the scene and laughed silently before turning toward the Clan Grounds.

If he could not win her over, he was a simp. If he could, he was a warrior wolf.

And Sarutobi Enju was currently caught between the two, both wolf and dog.

This teammate, Utsuki Ruri, was actually very smart. On the surface, she seemed to be gradually growing closer to Sarutobi Enju, but in reality, she maintained just the right sense of distance.

In the art of Tea Ceremony, she was still somewhat inexperienced, but it was more than enough to deal with an innocent fellow like Sarutobi Enju.

She was like a carrot hanging before a donkey's head. It seemed as though he could eat it at any moment, yet it always remained just one step out of reach.

What could not be obtained was always the best.

As the Hokage's son, Sarutobi Enju had a special status. What Utsuki Ruri was doing was the choice that maximized the benefits for both herself and the small clan behind her.

Things obtained too easily seemed cheap to people of high status, and they would not cherish them. Yet she could not create too much distance either, lest he give up because of it.

However, Uchiha Gen did not care much whether the relationship between the two would affect the team's normal operations.

Because Utsuki Ruri was smart enough to know her limits.

Anything she did had to be done without affecting the team.

Whether it was Sarutobi Enju's Third Hokage, the Uchiha Clan behind Uchiha Gen, or Orochimaru, who possessed strength close to Kage level, all of them were massive figures that Utsuki Ruri and her small clan could absolutely not afford to offend.

It was a little past five in the evening, while the clan meeting began at seven, so there was still some time.

Uchiha Gen first ate a hearty meal at a snack shop in the Clan Grounds, then returned home to rinse off and change into the most classic attire.

He wore a gray-blue long robe with a cylindrical high collar, loose gray trousers, leg wraps tied around the ends, and open-toed Ninja Garb on his feet.

On the back of his clothes was an extremely conspicuous red-and-white fan-shaped Clan Crest.

It was about time. Time to go!

Uchiha Gen studied his appearance in the mirror for a while, then kicked open his door and strode toward Naka Shrine with his head held high.

Along the way, clan members dressed similarly to Uchiha Gen also emerged from their homes and headed in the same direction.

Naka Shrine stood beside the Naka River. Ever since the Uchiha Clan had moved from their former Clan Grounds to Konoha, it had become the place where the Uchiha Clan held clan meetings and worshipped their ancestors.

"Gen, come over here to this old man."

Beneath the towering golden statue of Indra God, the Great Elder tapped his cane and called out to Uchiha Gen.

"Great Elder, Sister Mikoto."

Uchiha Gen jogged over to the statue and greeted them.

"Mm. The order of the clan meeting is determined by Sharingan level, ninja rank, and when one awakened their eyes. After you go in, you should be placed in the last row."

After giving Uchiha Gen a few instructions, the Great Elder waited quietly where he stood.

The remaining Uchiha Clan members entered Naka Shrine one after another. When the clock struck seven, the shrine doors slammed shut.

The shrine immediately fell silent, solemn and grave.

A man with slightly graying hair and beard, appearing to be around fifty years old, held a long stick of incense in his hands and offered it to the golden statue of Indra God, Progenitor of the Uchiha Clan.

Uchiha Fugaku stood silently at his side.

The one offering incense to Indra was the current Clan Head of the Uchiha Clan, Uchiha Hisa.

After offering the incense, he bowed to the golden statue of Indra God. The remaining clan members then bowed in unison with perfect understanding.

Uchiha Gen reacted quickly, and with the Great Elder's hand gesture as a reminder, bowed as well.

Once the bow was over, Uchiha Hisa slowly rose and pressed a mechanism on the offering table before the statue.