Too Ridiculous

Fugaku Uchiha stood at the fork in the road, watching Genkawa Uchiha's retreating figure.

That figure was neither hurried nor slow, sword in hand, his steps lazy and unrestrained. He looked no different from when he had arrived, no different from every other time he had walked this road.

It seemed as though nothing had changed, yet everything had changed.

Only now did Fugaku realize that perhaps the one who had changed was not Genkawa, but himself.

An indescribable feeling welled up in Fugaku's heart.

Before seeing that golden Susanoo Armor, his attitude toward Genkawa had been complicated.

He admired his talent, resented his unruliness, and feared how uncontrollable he was.

But when he had truly seen that Susanoo Armor standing upon the battlefield, all those emotions had been swept away.

In their place was a longing and reliance that even he himself had failed to notice.

It was as though everything would be fine as long as the Uchiha had those Mangekyō.

As though Genkawa's willingness to act meant that he still acknowledged this clan.

As though the Uchiha could still be saved as long as he was here.

But had Genkawa's attitude changed in any way from before?

No.

He was still the same solitary person, still living in the Old Clan Grounds, still keeping the Uchiha at arm's length.

He had acted today because Obito Uchiha had sought him out, not because he wanted to stand up for the Uchiha.

He had stopped because he wanted to stop, not because the advisors had ordered him to.

He had laughed because he found it amusing, not because the Uchiha had won anything.

The Uchiha had not won anything. Utatane Koharu's suspension was not because of the Uchiha. Hiruzen Sarutobi's wariness today was not because of the Uchiha either. Even the reason they were rejoicing now was not because of the Uchiha.

All of this was merely wishful thinking on the part of him and the clan.

"Father."

Itachi Uchiha's voice sounded beside him, interrupting Fugaku's thoughts.

He looked up, confusion and curiosity in his eyes.

"Why aren't we going in?"

Fugaku lowered his head and looked at his eldest son.

Itachi's gaze was clear. He truly did not understand, his eyes filled with immense confusion.

He did not understand why a group of people had excitedly come all this way, only to suddenly stop.

He did not understand why everyone had fallen silent after Teacher Genkawa asked that question.

What he understood even less was why they were clearly one clan, yet did not live in the same place.

This place had clearly been their clan's home before.

Fugaku opened his mouth, only to find that he could say nothing.

Instinctively, he looked toward the clansmen behind him.

The excitement on their faces had mostly faded, replaced by complicated expressions.

Conflicted, embarrassed, and with a trace of inexpressible shame.

They had realized it too.

All their excitement, all their pride, all their sense of vindication just now had been built upon Genkawa Uchiha's power.

But what had they ever given in return for that power?

Nothing.

What had they ever supported Genkawa Uchiha in?

Nothing either.

In fact, during the past years, they had felt more resentment than anything toward that boy who lived in the Old Clan Grounds.

But now?

They stood here without even the right to enter his home.

Those who had been speaking so grandly just moments ago lowered their heads one after another, or turned their faces away.

They had finally realized just how laughable those words had been in front of Genkawa Uchiha.

Like a pack of clowns.

Fugaku remained silent for a long time before speaking.

He did not answer Itachi's question. He merely said, "Don't go looking for Genkawa tomorrow."

Itachi froze for a moment and looked up at his father.

"Go again in a few days."

Fugaku's voice was somewhat hoarse.

He did not know how many days Itachi should wait, nor did he know what those days could change.

He merely felt instinctively that today was not a good time.

Genkawa's words still echoed in his ears. That tone had been too casual, so casual that it stung.

"Yes, Father."

Itachi did not press him further and answered seriously.

Yet the confusion in his heart did not fade.

He lowered his head, repeatedly replaying everything he had seen today.

The golden Susanoo Armor, the blue Susanoo Armor, and the face revealed after the mask shattered—it seemed to be about the same age as Teacher Genkawa.

Was that an enemy?

He did not know.

But that person was clearly an Uchiha too.

What had that person experienced?

Why had he sought out Teacher Genkawa, only to fight him?

And why were Father and the others standing here without going inside?

He thought about it for a long time, but still could not understand.

Fugaku led the clansmen back to the New Clan Grounds. Rather than returning home, he went straight to the Council Chamber for the clan meeting.

Naka Shrine had not yet been repaired at this time, so because of the New Clan Grounds, clan meetings were temporarily held in the Council Chamber.

"Gather every clansman who has awakened the Sharingan. We will hold a clan meeting tonight."

The news spread quickly.

In less than half an hour, the Council Chamber was full.

The Uchiha clansmen who had awakened the Sharingan came from all directions. Some had just returned from missions, dust still clinging to them. Others had clearly dropped what they were doing, without even having time to fix their hair.

Yet every face bore the same expression—anticipation.

Seated at the head of the room, Fugaku recounted everything that had happened today from beginning to end.

He neither embellished nor deliberately concealed anything. He simply explained the entire sequence of events exactly as it had happened.

And clearly, everyone had already learned of the matter.

After all, the commotion had been enormous. Fugaku had gone there first, and then the disturbance only continued to grow as more and more ninja rushed over, naturally including members of the Uchiha Clan.

Thus, quite a few people present had seen the two Susanoo Armors today and knew that one of them had been Genkawa Uchiha.

So when Fugaku finished speaking, the Council Chamber erupted.

"Mangekyō—it really was the Mangekyō."

"I knew that Genkawa would have his day sooner or later."

"That is the legendary divine power of our Uchiha Clan. This is wonderful. Since Lord Madara, that power has finally reappeared in the Ninja World."

"Now let's see whether those people in the village still dare look down on the Uchiha."

"Utatane Koharu was suspended? Hahaha, satisfying!"

"Even the Hokage bowed his head. That has never happened before."

Voices rang out one after another throughout the Council Chamber, excited, fervent, and exhilarated.

Some slapped the table and laughed. Some stood and paced back and forth. Some high-fived the people beside them in celebration.

A long-lost exhilaration filled the entire Council Chamber, as though grievances suppressed for years had finally found an outlet.

"The village higher-ups must regret it now, right?"

"Exactly. With Susanoo Armor, let anyone who refuses to accept it give it a try."

"Genkawa is only thirteen. Once he grows for a few more years, who could possibly stand against him?"

"The age of the Uchiha is coming."

Fugaku sat at the head of the room, watching these excited clansmen and listening to their impassioned words, yet his heart only grew colder.

He thought again of that figure at the fork in the road, of the expression on Genkawa's face. There had seemed to be no emotion there, only indifference.

That indifference was more humiliating than any other attitude.

Because it meant that he simply did not care.

He did not care what the Uchiha thought of him, how the Uchiha treated him, whether the Uchiha won or lost, held their heads high or swallowed their humiliation.

He had never changed.

And these clansmen, sitting here and excitedly talking about "the age of the Uchiha," had never truly seen that.

They had never considered how they had once excluded him and looked down on him, yet now smugly took pride in his talent.

Once again, it was the Uchiha's glory and pride.

Fugaku slowly closed his eyes.

They were still dreaming their beautiful dreams.

And he had only just awakened.

What was this?

Was this what Genkawa Uchiha had called being a clown?

He finally understood now.