What It Means to Be a Clan

The golden light in Uchiha Gen's eyes faded. He got up and opened the door.

As soon as he opened it, he saw a member of the Uchiha Clan standing outside.

"Gen, the Third Elder wants to see you."

The Uchiha at the door looked amiable. After Gen opened the door, he spoke softly.

"...Understood."

Half an hour later.

Uchiha Gen appeared...

At Setsuna Uchiha's home.

"Third Elder."

Uchiha Gen greeted Setsuna Uchiha, who was seated before him, wearing a hairstyle like Kenji Uchiha's and a black iron mask over his face.

"You did well today. You defeated that Hyuga branch-family brat in one move. Gen, you have a lot of talent, but... the Hyuga alone aren't enough. You understand what I mean?"

Setsuna Uchiha narrowed his eyes at Gen, his voice deep with approval.

"I don't understand."

Looking at the representative of the Uchiha hardliners, who had only been released from Konoha's prison a few years ago, Gen could hardly have failed to understand what he meant.

"You're still young, but you must have heard about the feud between the Uchiha and... the Senju from many different sources. Forget it... It's not time to tell you about that yet.

"Your talent is good enough—that's why we're meeting now. Uchiha Gen, remember this: weakness and hiding yourself will never earn you a strong person's pity or attention. Since you have talent, show it without holding anything back.

"When more people take notice of your talent, the clan will stand behind you and shield you from any dangers that may come."

Setsuna Uchiha looked at Gen and spoke in a deep voice. At the same time, immense ocular power surged through the room, and the three red tomoe of his Sharingan slowly revolved in his eyes.

"Talent? You mean... like this?"

Seeing Setsuna Uchiha suddenly activate his Three-Tomoe Sharingan and stare at him, Gen's lips curled upward.

The next moment, amid the surging ocular power, a relatively weak yet remarkably tenacious force emerged. As soon as it appeared, it clashed with Setsuna Uchiha's ocular power.

The sight startled Setsuna Uchiha. He abruptly looked into Gen's eyes.

There, a single black tomoe slowly revolved in his blood-red iris.

"Ha ha ha ha ha! Ha ha ha! Good! Excellent! Uchiha Gen, your appearance makes me even more certain of that plan!"

After staring into Gen's eyes for a moment, Setsuna Uchiha suddenly threw his head back and laughed. His excitement and delight were unmistakable.

An Uchiha who had awakened his Sharingan at such a young age...

Tobirama Senju! The time had come for the Uchiha to reclaim everything that belonged to them.

"Uchiha Gen, after tonight, I'll discuss this with the other old fellows. Most of the clan's resources will be made available to you.

"Whether it's ninjutsu, ninja tools, or money, you can take whatever you need as long as you have a good reason—including... a certain number of people you can call upon."

When his laughter subsided, Setsuna Uchiha formed Hand Seals and slapped his wrist. A puff of white smoke burst into being, and when it cleared, a purple scroll rested in his palm.

He placed the purple scroll in front of Gen and spoke solemnly.

"Then... what's the price?"

Looking at the scroll before him, Gen couldn't pretend he wasn't tempted.

With the Mist Space at his disposal, Gen was sure he wouldn't lack offensive abilities. But the clan's support could still save him a lot of trouble.

For instance, now that he had just mastered swordsmanship, he needed a good blade.

If he relied on the Mist Space, he might draw a decent sword in the future, but he wouldn't get one right away. More than anything, Gen was tempted by the authority to call upon a portion of the clan's people.

Right now, he badly needed opponents to earn new card draws.

"The price? Ha ha ha ha! Gen, this has never been a transaction. If it isn't a transaction, how could there be a price? The clan gives you what it can because your talent is good enough.

"But... if I had to name a price, there's only one: live up to the Uchiha name, become a true strongman, and protect the clan's honor."

A smile returned to Setsuna Uchiha's face. He looked at Gen and spoke with a grin that was... genuine.

Looking at Setsuna Uchiha's smiling face, Gen suddenly understood.

What it meant to be a clan.

In the end, Gen left Setsuna Uchiha's home with the scroll Setsuna had given him.

At Setsuna Uchiha's home, after Gen had left.

"My lord, that child..."

A shadow appeared beside Setsuna Uchiha, and together they looked toward the doorway.

That was where Gen had left from.

"I only wanted to see your grandson and get him to go after that Senju brat. I never expected... Ha ha ha! She, arrange a clan meeting. I need to discuss Gen's talent with the other old fellows.

"The future of the Uchiha has finally been grasped by me, Setsuna! Ha ha ha! An Uchiha who awakened his Sharingan at such a young age... The plan can be revised. This time, I'll convince them."

"Yes!"

"What an unexpected bonus."

Back at his home, Gen sat cross-legged on his bed and studied the scroll in his hands.

Showing Setsuna Uchiha his Sharingan had only been a spur-of-the-moment decision. Having lived in the Uchiha Clan Compound for so many years, Gen knew perfectly well how highly the Uchiha valued this Kekkei Genkai.

Being able to master ninjutsu, Taijutsu, and genjutsu with ease? None of that compared to awakening these eyes.

Among the Uchiha, only those who awakened these eyes qualified to be called geniuses. As for any other talents, they merely made someone an ordinary person with some aptitude for being a ninja.

Gen had awakened his Sharingan much earlier than Setsuna Uchiha imagined.

When Gen had first begun practicing the Golden Light Spell, the growth of his life-force cultivation had awakened his One-Tomoe Sharingan.

After several years of training, Gen could clearly feel that his eyes would soon evolve into the Two-Tomoe Sharingan. He didn't need to force them open with extreme emotions; the improvement of his life-force cultivation would naturally bring it about.