Clap, clap, clap! A round of applause rang out at just the right moment.
Shota clapped excitedly, his eyes filled with admiration.
As expected of Big Brother Kazuhiko. That was so well said!
"Uchiha Issho is second to none! I'm going to become Hokage!"
"I'll awaken the Sharingan, defeat the Hyuga Clan, and become Hokage, so everyone will recognize the Uchiha!"
"Protecting the glory of the Uchiha is our duty!"
Rongguang had delivered a reliably solid performance, giving Kazuhiko all the support he needed.
As expected of my second disciple. His timing was perfect, and his brief words of praise hit the mark.
He'd expressed exactly what I meant.
"Big Brother Kazuhiko, let me speak from the heart. Senju Old Ghost is just awful. You shouldn't have defended him."
Kazuhiko: ...
Well said. As a reward, you can keep quiet next time.
Who was Shota, anyway? We weren't even close.
Yuta, meanwhile, was left standing there, stunned by Kazuhiko's speech. For a long while, he didn't know what to say.
His feelings were complicated. When Kazuhiko first started speaking, Yuta had thought—
How could an Uchiha say something so nauseating?!
He was openly sucking up to Senju Old Ghost and Sarutobi Monkey. Had he no shame?!
Yuta couldn't help questioning Kazuhiko's bloodline.
It wasn't pure!
There was no way someone like this could be one of us, an Uchiha!
By the time Kazuhiko finished speaking, Yuta had calmed down considerably.
He thought he understood what had happened to Kazuhiko.
Director Eri's son had been brainwashed.
He actually believed in that nonsense about the Will of Fire?
What a screwball!
The Will of Fire was supposed to be the will of the Uchiha Clan!
In Konoha, the Hokage's "son" became Hokage, the Hokage's aides' sons became aides, and the Police Force's sons joined the Police Force.
And becoming Hokage required others' approval?!
Yuta looked at Kazuhiko with a trace of pity.
The kid was a lost cause. What a shame...
In truth, everything Kazuhiko had said was completely honest, and fairly evenhanded, too.
But there was no way Yuta, a pure-blooded Uchiha, would accept it.
After all, hatred didn't come from nowhere. As one of the Police Force captains, Yuta knew better than anyone how the Uchiha Clan was being watched, suppressed, and persecuted.
He considered himself quite restrained to criticize only the Second Hokage, the Third Hokage, and Danzo.
After all, Uchiha Yuta was one of the few doves in the clan. He was on the side of peace.
Yuta looked at Shota helplessly. Not wanting to dampen his son's enthusiasm, he could only put it tactfully:
"Wanting to become Hokage... it's very difficult for an Uchiha."
"Why?"
"Because it's all that white-haired, naturally evil Senju Old Ghost's fault. He came up with the policies targeting our Uchiha Clan. And then there's Sarutobi Monkey..."
Seeing that Yuta was about to launch into a tirade, Kazuhiko hurriedly cut in, ready to make his escape.
He couldn't stay at Shota's house.
The longer he stayed, the greater the risk to his life.
He was still weak. He needed to lie low and grow stronger before making waves.
"Captain Yuta must be very busy with his work at the Police Force. I'm sorry to have bothered you today..."
Yuta didn't get angry at being interrupted.
A guest was a guest. Who would get mad at an idiot?
He pretended not to catch Kazuhiko's implication and tried to salvage the situation.
He wanted Kazuhiko to join the Police Force and see for himself just how dark Konoha's skies were without protection.
Besides, Kazuhiko was one of his own. The Uchiha were kindhearted, after all.
"The Police Force isn't busy. The workload is light, and the pay is good. Under our Uchiha's management, who would dare commit crimes in the village?"
As he said this, Yuta looked smug.
"I'm not boasting. The village's shinobi, whether they're from the Hyuga Clan or the Sarutobi Clan, behave like little monkeys in front of us Uchiha. No one dares to abuse their family background to run wild."
"As an Uchiha, you must have been mocked and looked down on by those great clans plenty of times. Join the Police Force, and you'll see how they act when the tables are turned."
"Besides, the Hokage Building district I oversee has been peaceful and stable for ninety-nine days straight, without a single incident. If nothing unexpected happens, the Second Police Squad will easily beat the record of 123 days without a crime, and set a new—"
"Urgent report!" Yuta was interrupted again.
A Police Force member ran in, looking frantic.
"Captain! There's a brawl in the Mission Hall. Both sides used Fire Release Ninjutsu, and the firefighting unit has already been dispatched."
The Mission Hall was inside the Hokage Building.
Using Fire Release Ninjutsu there was like setting the imperial palace on fire right in front of the emperor.
Yuta felt his face flush and swell, as if someone had just slapped him twice.
He couldn't spare another thought for Kazuhiko. Still in his casual clothes, he rushed outside and vanished after a few leaps.
Shota's mother, who had been preparing tea nearby, spoke with an apologetic air.
"We've been terribly rude."
The head of the household leaving a guest unattended was considered disrespectful in the Uchiha Clan.
Kazuhiko didn't feel slighted.
In fact, Yuta's unexpected mishap had come as a relief.
"Captain Yuta is a straightforward man, and there's been an emergency. I understand."
He rose to his feet and took out the scroll he'd prepared, presenting it to her.
"This is a guarantee personally signed by Director Eri, along with the 'physical assistance plan' I drafted. Please take a look. If anything seems inappropriate, we can stop at any time."
Shota's mother took the scroll and read it carefully.
Director Eri's guarantee put her somewhat at ease.
And although the physical assistance plan looked a little strange, it didn't seem dangerous.
"Also," Kazuhiko added, "I've scheduled the eye-opening session for after the clan meeting the day after tomorrow. The Jonin and elders who are interested in this matter will be there to observe. Director Eri will also personally oversee everything to ensure nothing goes wrong."
Shota's mother put away the guarantee and bowed.
"I've seen the changes in Shota over these past few days of counseling. He smiles a lot more now. Your Psychology Clinic is truly impressive. We've put you through a lot for Shota's sake."
"Shota's future is at stake. I couldn't afford to be careless."
[Uchiha Mako's favorability toward you has increased to: Friendly]
[Uchiha Mako's independent trait card pool has been unlocked]
[Jonin trait draw chance +1]
You're a Jonin, too?!
Two top-tier shinobi in one family! Incredible!
I was blind to it. My apologies, my apologies.
It's all Shota's fault. He only said you'd glared at him with your Byakugan. He never mentioned you were a powerful shinobi, too.
In the world of Naruto, stay-at-home mothers and fathers were a thing.
A shinobi's work was a high-risk occupation, with no guarantee of making it home, no matter the era.
So once many shinobi had a stable life, they gave up their shinobi status and devoted themselves to their families.
"Whatever the outcome of this treatment, we'll make it up to you."
"You're too kind. I'll take my leave, then."
Kazuhiko had gained quite a bit and was perfectly satisfied.
The three Jonin trait draw chances were an unexpected bonus.
As a Genin, he'd visited a Jonin's home without being mocked or looked down on, and had even gained some favorability. It was practically a miracle.
Anyone who said the Uchiha were hard to get along with could answer to me!
"Big Brother Kazuhiko!"
Shota's voice came from behind him, followed by a quick patter of footsteps.
Kazuhiko turned and saw Shota hurrying after him with two black-haired girls.
The girls looked about seven or eight. Their eyes were bright, and one of them had a beauty mark at the corner of her right eye.
"This is my little sister, Moe, and her classmate, Izumi."
Shota introduced them eagerly. "Moe, Izumi, this is Big Brother Kazuhiko..."
"I know!"
Moe ran up to Kazuhiko and tilted her head back, eyes full of curiosity.
"My brother talks about you at home every day. He says you're the best psychologist in all of Konoha!"
Kazuhiko chuckled. "I wouldn't go that far. That's a bit much."
He looked over the two girls. They were both lovely little things. The Uchiha Clan produced plenty of handsome men and beautiful women, so it wasn't surprising.
But one of those names sounded familiar. Wasn't Uchiha Itachi's little girlfriend named Izumi? And didn't she have a beauty mark, too...?
"Moe, Izumi," Kazuhiko said, crouching down to meet their eyes. "I didn't have time to prepare a gift for you this time. How about this: do you know the village's Three-Color Dango shop?"
"We do! The Three-Color Dango there is sweet and delicious!"
The two little girls answered in unison, and Moe added, "Izumi loves sharing Three-Color Dango with Itachi."
Just as I thought.
Kazuhiko understood. There was a good chance this was the girl from the original story.
Uchiha Izumi, the one who brought Itachi Three-Color Dango. Itachi's... little girlfriend?
"Then how about I bring you some Three-Color Dango next time?"
"Okay! Thank you, Big Brother Kazuhiko!"
Kazuhiko stood up and ruffled their hair. "Pretty girls really do love sweets."
The little girls lowered their heads shyly.
[Uchiha Izumi's favorability toward you has increased to: Friendly]
[Genin trait draw chance +1]
[Uchiha Moe's favorability toward you has increased to: Friendly]
[Genin trait draw chance +1]
Itachi, Itachi... how could you bring yourself to kill such a sweet girl?
I don't think you love sweets at all. You just like bitter things!
Before you continue