Inside the Hokage Office.
"Lord Third, this man was a Sunagakure shinobi."
"The deceased was Gen 10. We've already arranged compensation for his family."
"The one who killed the invading shinobi was a new member of the Konoha Military Police Force, Uchiha Roy."
In just a few minutes, the Anbu had investigated the whole incident.
One of them placed a report in front of Lord Third Sarutobi Hiruzen.
"Phew..."
Hiruzen exhaled a cloud of smoke, his expression grave.
"I understand."
"You may leave."
After signing the report, Hiruzen spoke slowly.
"Yes, sir."
The Anbu member bowed, then disappeared.
After the Anbu member was gone, a figure emerged from the shadows.
"You recognize this name, don't you?"
Hiruzen tossed the report in his hand to the other man.
"What do you mean?"
The man who caught the report was Shimura Danzō.
He responded to Hiruzen's question with one of his own.
"Some things are better left understood."
"Don't go too far."
As he spoke, Hiruzen exhaled another heavy cloud of smoke.
Danzō didn't press the matter. Instead, he took the report and disappeared into the shadows.
Meanwhile, inside the Uchiha Clan leader's compound.
"Roy?"
Uchiha Fugaku was taken aback when he heard the name.
He hadn't expected to hear the name of an ordinary clan member twice in such a short time.
"Clan leader, this combat analysis was compiled from the accounts of those who were there."
"Majiro was a Special Jōnin."
"His strength and combat experience both far surpassed that kid Roy's."
"But strangely, his ninjutsu seemed to have no effect on Roy."
"While he was still stunned, Roy had already killed him."
Uchiha Natsume was puzzled, too.
The Uchiha might be proud, but they weren't stupid.
A shinobi who had only just passed the Chunin Ninja Exams had instantly killed a Special Jōnin with nothing but a Two-Tomoe Sharingan!
It was hard not to be suspicious.
"I understand."
"He's a promising talent. Make sure to nurture him."
"Our clan has no shortage of geniuses. What we lack are geniuses who stand with the Uchiha."
With that, Fugaku closed the report in his hands.
"Understood, clan leader."
Natsume replied, then got up and left.
By then, Roy had returned to his room.
He hadn't expected that one action of his would draw the attention of so many powerful people.
Of course, even if Roy had known, he wouldn't have panicked.
"System, show me my status."
Roy brought up his status panel.
Host: Uchiha Roy Ninjutsu: Fire Style: Fireball Explosion, Fire Style, Blue Flame; Lightning Style: Lightning Snake Frenzy, Lightning Style: White Worm Taijutsu: Konoha Style Taijutsu, Uchiha Style Taijutsu Genjutsu: Thorn Bind Kekkei Genkai: Sharingan [2 Tomoe], Mera Mera no Mi Chakra Capacity: 3000 Items: Improved Explosive Tags*100, Improved Kunai*50, Over-fulfillment Mission Pack Function: Portable Space [1000m³] Main Mission: Save the Uchiha [Mission Requirements: Preserve as many Uchiha clan members as possible after the Uchiha Clan Downfall Night. The more survivors, the higher the rank and the better the rewards.] Random Mission: Convince Uchiha Shisui...[Progress: 50%]
After completing two random missions and receiving the new-player gift pack, Roy had gained 3000 Chakra Capacity and two new ninjutsu.
In less than ten days, his strength had improved considerably.
If he kept this up, he'd soon be strong enough to face the crisis at hand.
Roy turned his attention to the Over-fulfillment Mission Pack.
That's right, he'd exceeded the requirements for this random mission.
Not only had he defeated Majiro and protected Konoha, but his actions had also changed the villagers' opinions of the Uchiha.
All of that counted toward mission completion.
"System, open the Over-fulfillment Mission Pack."
Roy opened it without hesitation.
Right now, he needed strength. He couldn't pass up any chance to become stronger.
"Ding! Opening Over-fulfillment Mission Pack."
"Congratulations, host. You've obtained Kusanagi Sword: Turin and the special sword technique Phantom."
As the system's notification sounded, a Kusanagi Sword appeared in Roy's hand.
[Kusanagi Sword: Turin: One of the nine swords scattered throughout the world. Turin, the Soul Sword, can directly cut through souls.] [Phantom: Turin's exclusive sword technique. It can create up to ten thousand tangible phantom slashes.]
After reading the description of his reward, Roy's breathing quickened.
He'd heard of the Kusanagi Sword before.
The one used by Sasuke and Orochimaru was the Kusanagi Sword that appeared most often.
Then there was the Totsuka Blade in Uchiha Itachi's Susanoo, which was also one of the Kusanagi Swords.
Its power was no joke.
Looks like I'll have to exceed the requirements on every mission from now on, Roy thought.
Random mission rewards were usually Chakra Capacity, along with some weapons or tools.
The Over-fulfillment Mission Pack's rewards were simply too tempting.
"Whoosh..."
Just as Roy was celebrating, a figure appeared in his courtyard.
"Shisui?"
"Did you finish your mission?"
Roy calmly closed his status panel as he looked at the newcomer.
"Mm."
"I heard your name again as soon as I got back."
"Roy, you did very well."
Shisui had thought that Roy would be consumed by darkness after what had happened last time.
But the cheerful smile Roy had worn earlier had been genuine.
He had faced a powerful enemy calmly.
And when villagers were caught in the crossfire, he'd rushed to help at once.
This... was the kind of Uchiha Shisui wanted to see.
"Shisui, are you ready to give me your answer?"
Thinking of the generous reward, Roy felt even more eager to convince Shisui.
"Don't call me that."
"I'm a few years older than you. If you don't mind, how about calling me big brother?"
Shisui said it with easygoing sincerity.
That was simply his nature. He wasn't one for beating around the bush.
"Then I'll do as you say, Big Brother Shisui."
Roy stood and smiled.
"'If the clan is gone, then so is the village.'"
"I've thought about those words for a long time. Is there something you want to tell me?"
"Or... do you know something?"
As he spoke, Shisui sat down on the ground and looked at Roy intently.
He was convinced that Roy wouldn't have said something like that unless he knew something.
Even the Uchiha Clan leader, Uchiha Fugaku, couldn't read the village's attitude toward the Uchiha.
How could a clan member who had only just become a Chunin know better?
Before you continue