Talking with Fugaku Again

"So it's Shisui." Shinji raised a hand in greeting. "What did you need me for?"

"The clan head wishes to see you. Sorry, senpai. I should have come to find you two days ago, but I was assigned a mission at the last minute, so it got delayed until today."

Shisui scratched his head, a hint of embarrassment on his face.

Fortunately, the clan head had not pressed him. Otherwise, he really would not have known how to explain himself.

Shinji was slightly taken aback, but not surprised.

Whether it was Fugaku or the elders, he had expected them to approach him.

Just like Shisui before him, geniuses within the clan had always been the primary targets for recruitment and support.

Although he was not as renowned as Shisui, his achievements on the front lines this time were enough to bring honor to the Uchiha Clan. Naturally, the credit would be counted toward the clan as well.

But recalling his last conversation with Fugaku, the atmosphere had not exactly been pleasant.

Shinji frowned.

He casually hooked an arm around Shisui's neck and lowered his voice. "Shisui, do you know exactly why the clan head wants to see me?"

Shisui did not hide anything. He briefly explained the key points from that day's Clan Meeting: granting Shinji the right to participate in clan meetings, discussing how to handle the Sharingan in Kakashi's possession, and certain matters regarding the clan's future arrangements.

It sounded as though Fugaku was most likely planning to promote him this time and formally bring him into the clan's inner circle.

But when the words "Naka Shrine" reached his ears, an imperceptible glint flashed through Shinji's eyes.

That was a place he cared deeply about.

"Once this funeral is over, we'll go see the clan head."

Shinji paused, then asked as if casually, "By the way, Shisui, tell me in detail—what is the inside of Naka Shrine like?"

He had a powerful intuition that it held what he needed most right now.

Shisui merely assumed that his senpai was curious about an important place within the clan and gave it no further thought. After all, Shinji was now qualified to enter the shrine.

Naka Shrine was the Uchiha Clan's sacred site for worship and also the clan's most important secret location. It was normally used for rituals and important gatherings, and many inheritances and secret treasures were stored there as well.

When Shisui mentioned that beneath the shrine were the Clan History Archive, a secret scroll repository, and a sealing chamber, Shinji's eyes quietly lit up.

Secret scrolls, sealing chamber! Every word struck precisely at what he needed.

His expression remained unchanged as he merely nodded. "I see. It sounds like there are many important places inside."

More and more people gathered in Memorial Stone Plaza.

Shinji spotted Kakashi and Asuma at a glance amid the crowd. Nearly all the ninja from their class had come, while Might Guy, Ebisu, Genma Shiranui, and the others stood solemnly to the side.

Everyone wore grave expressions as they looked toward the rows upon rows of cold gravestones ahead.

On the raised platform, all of Konoha's highest-ranking officials had arrived.

The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi; the two elders, Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu; and Shimura Danzō, standing within the shadows.

Hiruzen Sarutobi stepped forward, sweeping his gaze across the crowd as his solemn eulogy slowly carried through the plaza.

A mournful atmosphere instantly engulfed the entire square, with sobs and muffled weeping rising one after another.

"The battlefield is cruel, and we have lost countless comrades. Yet they were all heroes of Konoha, who traded their lives for peace for the village."

"Where the leaves of Konoha dance, fire endures without end. Their firelight will continue to illuminate the village, allowing new leaves to sprout."

Before the enormous Memorial Stone, every name engraved upon it represented a fallen ninja.

Uchiha Obito's name was among them.

Kakashi and Nohara Rin stood quietly before the monument, silently looking on.

They had long accepted the fact that Obito had died in battle, but the emptiness in their hearts remained impossible to conceal.

The crowd gradually dispersed, yet the two of them remained where they were, unwilling to leave for a long time.

At that moment, Shinji slowly walked over and gave a light cough, drawing their attention.

He looked at the stone monument before Rin and asked softly, "Is this Obito's memorial stone?"

Rin nodded gently, her voice tinged with exhaustion.

"Kakashi, Teacher Minato, and I made him a cenotaph."

She pressed her lips together. "At least... we had to bring Obito back to Konoha."

Shinji nodded slightly and looked at her. "We will inherit Obito's will."

Kakashi raised a hand and pulled his forehead protector down slightly, his tone carrying self-mocking dejection.

"That dead last Obito... he actually ran off so fast this time."

"So fast that I couldn't catch up to him."

Uchiha Clan Compound, Fugaku Residence.

It was still the same reception room, still the same seats facing each other, but Shinji's state of mind was completely different from last time.

Fugaku quietly studied the boy before him, a hint of indescribable surprise passing through his heart.

Shinji had changed far too much.

He had initiated this conversation. After consulting with several elders, the clan had decided to devote key resources to Shinji.

"Shinji, what do you think of my proposal?"

He had just proposed that Shinji enter the Police Force for training.

It was an assignment most young members of the clan dreamed of. Every Uchiha took pride in joining the Police Force.

Moreover, as the head of the Police Force, Fugaku could give Shinji the most comprehensive training by keeping him under his command.

Shinji was a genius who had awakened the Three-Tomoe Sharingan in a short time. His potential was no less than Shisui's. Given time, he would surely become a pillar of the Uchiha Clan. He was worth cultivating personally.

Shinji lifted his teacup and took a light sip before saying, "I don't want to join the Police Force."

Fugaku's eyes flew open. He nearly thought he had misheard. "What did you say?"

"I don't want to go to the Police Force. I plan to study medical ninjutsu. If the clan is willing to support me, you can prepare some medical ninjutsu scrolls for me."

Shinji stated his intentions.

What was so good about the Police Force?

Once he joined, his reputation would likely suffer from the association. His Charm might even drop, unless they put him directly in the position of Police Force chief.

But Fugaku and the elders definitely would not agree to that!

Fugaku's brow furrowed tightly, the creases beneath his eyes bunching together.

A perfectly good Uchiha genius was not going to hone his strength or temper his Sharingan, but instead wanted to learn some medical ninjutsu?

"Can you tell me why, Shinji? I want to know why you wish to take this path."

He raised a hand and pressed at his brow, looking thoroughly troubled.

A reason?

This was one part of changing Rin's fate.

But he could not tell Fugaku that outright.

Shinji thought for a moment and temporarily made up an excuse. He lowered his voice, making it sound more stirring.

"This war has claimed too many comrades. No matter how strong an individual may be, they cannot bring back those who have died."

"But if I learn medical ninjutsu, perhaps I can reduce the casualties. I don't want to keep watching my comrades die before my eyes."

Fugaku froze, repeating in a low voice, "Comrades?"

He lowered his head, his expression complicated as he thought of his own Sharingan.

After a long silence, Fugaku finally spoke again.

"Let's leave it at that for now. I'll discuss it with the elders again."

Shinji nodded, rose to his feet, and took his leave.

Just as he was about to step out of the reception room, Fugaku suddenly called after him.

"Shinji, wait."

Fugaku crossed his arms, his expression turning stern once more.

"I am the clan head of the Uchiha Clan. I will not apologize for sending you to the front lines."

"But if I had known beforehand that you would awaken your Sharingan because of it, perhaps I would not have done so."

With that, he said no more.

Shinji's face remained calm, but a trace of complicated emotion rose within him.

"Then I'll take my leave, Clan Head."