In early February of Year 47, inside the Uchiha Clan Compound, many Uchiha Clan ninjas looked curiously at the boy beside their clan leader.
Though it was in the "Second Ring," some distance from the commercial district, the Uchiha Clan had still made a fine place of their compound. Some villagers even chose to shop there.
At a senbei shop run by an elderly couple, many children cheered loudly when they received free treats. Outside the shop, a group of boys chased one another around, laughing and playing.
The shopkeepers warmly welcomed their customers, and the Uchiha ninjas stationed in the compound bowed respectfully when they saw their clan leader.
The peaceful scene made Fugaku Uchiha feel proud. It was proof of his ability to govern, and under his leadership, the Uchiha Clan was thriving!
"Furukawa, this is your first time here, isn't it? In fact, the Uchiha Clan's goods and weapons are of better quality, and cheaper than those sold by most of the village's merchants."
"That's why so many people like to shop here. We're always happy to have our fellow villagers come by!"
Fugaku Uchiha spoke proudly about the clan's affairs, but soon his expression changed completely. With a sigh, he lamented the difficulties the clan faced:
"Many people in the village misunderstand us terribly, and the Police Force's reputation keeps getting worse."
"Perhaps many people have forgotten that Konoha was originally founded by the Senju Clan and the Uchiha Clan together."
"We love this village just as much as anyone."
Shu Furukawa, wearing the blue uniform of a Chunin, nodded in agreement. But he didn't echo the clan leader's talk of love for the village. Instead, he smiled and replied:
"Lord Fugaku, are you worried the village will cut the Police Force's budget?"
"I don't think you need to worry for now. Sunagakure seems to be on the verge of internal strife. If war breaks out, Lord Orochimaru will be sent to that front."
"The Uchiha Clan will surely be called up, and the village may even increase next quarter's budget."
At the mention of "increasing the budget," Fugaku Uchiha didn't smile. He only sighed and said helplessly:
"It seems you've already learned about the Uchiha Clan's difficulties, Furukawa. As clan leader, I have to think about the future of my clan."
"..."
The two didn't discuss the matter in depth there. After Fugaku Uchiha showed Shu Furukawa around the compound, they returned to his home together.
As clan leader, Fugaku Uchiha had a modest courtyard, but every detail was refined. The house also had all the latest appliances, and its comforts far surpassed those of an ordinary household.
Uchiha Mikoto, her belly swelling with pregnancy, served them tea. In just a few months, they would welcome a new member of the family, and Mikoto's smile was especially warm.
"I hope this child can have talent like yours, Furukawa."
Fugaku Uchiha had high hopes for his first child, too. A tender expression crossed his face as he looked at his wife and said softly:
"I believe in this child. Go and rest."
Shu Furukawa bowed politely, then took his seat again. Suddenly, Fugaku Uchiha asked him a rather pointed question:
"Furukawa, what do you think of the Uchiha Clan?"
He hadn't planned to discuss such things, but when Shu Furukawa brought up the budget earlier, Fugaku Uchiha realized that the boy before him possessed an unusual degree of "capacity."
"The Uchiha Clan may bear the 'darkness' of the village. That's something I've observed over the years."
"Many people are ruled by jealousy and hatred. My teacher doesn't like me getting involved in these matters, but everything that happens at Konoha Hospital keeps reminding me of them."
"Even a father who's a ninja can grow jealous of his son's talent. That jealousy eventually turns to hatred, and a five-year-old child raises a blade against his father."
"The hatred left behind by war keeps spreading. It twists the minds of ninjas, until death itself seems like a kind of release."
Shu Furukawa calmly gave these examples. He wasn't exaggerating. He had witnessed many cases like this: a five-year-old killed his father, then was absorbed into Root.
Fugaku Uchiha hadn't expected that answer and was speechless for a moment. Shu Furukawa, on the other hand, smiled kindly and continued:
"Light and darkness are both part of the village. The Uchiha Clan has shouldered a heavy burden, and Lord Hokage sees it."
"..."
After a long silence, Fugaku Uchiha sighed. He actually thought Shu Furukawa made sense. The Police Force confronted the village's evils head-on; it truly was part of its "darkness."
"No wonder so many Jonin think so highly of you, Furukawa. Do you think the Uchiha Clan will have a chance to change things in the future?"
"That depends on the attitude of the village's leadership. Relying on the village for funding will always be a problem. The system needs reform."
Shu Furukawa didn't hide his intentions. Seeing Fugaku Uchiha nod, he continued:
"That's why I've always hoped my teacher, Tsunade, could become Hokage and redistribute the power and resources."
"The Uchiha Clan could be freed from some of its Police Force duties. Everyone knows how talented Uchiha ninjas are. The Police Force is too small a role for them."
"As her student, this is what I wish for. I'll keep working toward it. As for the outcome, that depends on what the village chooses."
Fugaku Uchiha had never been very satisfied with the leadership. At the word "chooses," he couldn't hold back and reflexively asked:
"What if the village makes the wrong choice..."
He stopped halfway through. Shu Furukawa didn't take it to heart, and replied easily:
"There is no wrong choice. In the end, the Hokage has to win everyone's approval."
"Forgive me. Whenever I talk about the Uchiha Clan, my thinking gets a little narrow."
Fugaku Uchiha gave a self-deprecating smile and looked deeply at Shu Furukawa. Now he understood why the other ninja clans had all approached the boy on their own. An ordinary teenager wouldn't have thoughts like these.
They stopped discussing such "profound" topics, and Fugaku Uchiha took the initiative to share his insights into Fire Release Ninjutsu. Before Shu Furukawa left, he even gave him a scroll.
At dinner, Uchiha Mikoto became more talkative under Shu Furukawa's gentle prompting. Watching the two of them chat animatedly about cooking, Fugaku Uchiha couldn't help hoping:
"If the child Mikoto's carrying has talent like his, the Uchiha Clan will sooner or later take the Hokage Position."
"..."
After seeing Shu Furukawa off, an Uchiha ninja with a head of white hair came to visit. Though Yashiro Uchiha was a little older than Fugaku Uchiha, he was very respectful in the clan leader's presence.
As his trusted aide, Yashiro was told about their earlier conversation. Sitting across from Fugaku, he grew irritated at the comparison to "darkness," and finally shouted:
"Arrogant brat!"
"Didn't he ever consider that the Fourth Hokage might come from the Uchiha Clan? No surprise there, coming from a ninja taught by the Senju Clan!"
Fugaku Uchiha said nothing, only stared at his trusted aide. Yashiro Uchiha's anger quickly faded, and he muttered dejectedly:
"I'm sorry, clan leader. I shouldn't have lost my temper."
Yashiro Uchiha knew the Fourth Hokage would be chosen from among the Sannin. Their reputation and connections far surpassed those of any Uchiha ninja.
Only after seeing his trusted aide calm down did Fugaku Uchiha remind him again:
"This is a good chance for us to enter the village's center of power, Yashiro. I don't want to hear anyone in the clan say otherwise."
"..."