The Uchiha compound.
Uchiha Togashi strode along the flagstone path, his footsteps ringing with confidence.
He was back.
Not only had he walked away unscathed from his meeting with Lord Hokage, but more importantly, he had stood up for the Uchiha in front of every clan!
In the past, it had always been the other clans accusing the Uchiha of lacking the Will of Fire!
Today, it was finally the Uchiha's turn to accuse the other clans of lacking the Will of Fire!
There was a genius in the village who could copy ninjutsu? Who else could it be but an Uchiha?
If no one else was willing to step up, was Uchiha Togashi supposed to stay quiet?
Togashi had never felt so elated. He could already picture some unknown young clan member shining under his guidance and reminding all of Konoha of the Uchiha Clan's true glory.
He passed through the gates bearing the clan's Gunbai crest. The clan members inside bowed to him as he entered. Enjoying the attention, Togashi cleared his throat and stopped in an open courtyard. His voice rang out as he announced:
"Listen up! I just got back from seeing Lord Hokage! A genius who can copy ninjutsu has appeared in the village, and the Third personally selected me, Uchiha Togashi, to train him!"
A wave of barely restrained gasps and chatter immediately swept through the courtyard.
"A genius who can copy ninjutsu? They must have awakened the Sharingan!"
"Whose child is it? When did they awaken their eyes, and how did they get Lord Hokage's personal attention?"
"Lord Togashi will train them himself? That's an incredible honor!"
Togashi listened to his clansmen's chatter with satisfaction. He raised a hand to quiet them, his face wearing the Uchiha's characteristically restrained and haughty smile.
"So,"