Taking a Disciple

Land of Whirlpools, Uchiha residence.

Fugaku's house was about the same size as those of the clan's Three Tomoe users, only a little better than an ordinary clan member's.

He wasn't someone who pursued material comforts. His former mansion had been passed down from his ancestors.

Uchiha Sora wasn't going to demand that everyone in the clan be treated equally. If people with greater strength were given the same treatment as ordinary clan members, it would only cause conflict.

In the courtyard, Fugaku, Sora, and Shisui sat around the tea table.

Not far away, Itachi was looking after two children while Mikoto prepared dinner.

Shisui and Sora were both alone in the world, with no way to take in a child, so they had placed Gaara with Fugaku's family.

Of course, Fugaku could tell that there was something unusual about the boy. At first, he'd been shocked. He hadn't known that Uchiha Sora and Shisui had gone to seize a Tailed Beast!

Hadn't they said they were just opening up trade routes? How had they ended up bringing back Sunagakure's Jinchūriki?!

But he soon accepted reality.

No matter how crazy something was, if this guy Sora was involved... it made sense.

It was just that Sasuke didn't seem to like his new playmate. Every time Itachi held the boy, Sasuke would cry...

"Sora, things in the village have mostly stabilized. It's not just the Fuma Clan; they also brought some wandering shinobi from the Land of Fields, and they've joined us."

"Compared to some of the smaller hidden villages, we're not lacking in strength or numbers. It's about time we considered officially establishing a shinobi village."

Uchiha Sora took a sip of juice. He wasn't about to drink that bitter tea. He wasn't an old man.

"You explained to those wandering shinobi that they'd have to obey the Uchiha if they joined, and that they wouldn't be our equals, right?"

Fugaku nodded. "They're willing to accept it. Compared to a life on the road, they're happy to join a powerful organization."

"Hmm... We could also recruit some missing-nin from the other villages. There should be a few capable ones among them."

Fugaku frowned and hesitated. "But... what if spies from other villages infiltrate us?"

Uchiha Sora gave Fugaku a somewhat exasperated look. "Clan Head, have things been so quiet lately that you've forgotten what we used to do?"

"Our spies in Konoha—did we use the Sharingan to investigate them, or did we rely on the Byakugan's ability to see through things?"

"Forget it. Just stick to your old job and keep the village stable. I'll handle everything else."

Fugaku didn't seem offended. He gave an awkward smile. "I was just... being cautious."

"By the way, should we do it like before? I've got a new idea."

"Tell me what you're thinking first. I'll see if there's anything to poke fun at."

Fugaku took a deep breath and grew serious. "I've given it some thought."

"In the past, the village was called Konoha because the First Hokage was skilled in Wood Style. That other man was skilled in Fire Style, so the leader was called the Hokage."

"You led the clan into a new life. I considered naming the new village after you and calling it Sora Hidden Village."

"But during the Second Shinobi World War, a Sora Hidden Village was destroyed by Konoha. That name doesn't seem like a good choice."

He folded his arms and turned to gaze at the distant horizon, suddenly filled with grand ambition.

"Our Uchiha are destined to restore the glory we had during the Sengoku era. We'll stand beneath the sky. Let's call it Heaven Hidden Village!"

"What do you think?!"

"I can tell. You really have been bored lately."

"There are so many things to poke fun at that I don't even feel like trying."

Uchiha Sora shook his head helplessly. "Like I said before, Flame Hidden Village. Let's not make things needlessly fancy."

"Fine... Then should our leader be called the Flame Shadow?"

Uchiha Sora glanced at the eager Fugaku and said calmly, "Flame Hidden Village hasn't earned the right to call its leader a Shadow yet. We don't have the population or the economy for it. Besides..."

"Why do you think the title of Shadow would carry more weight than that of Uchiha Clan Head?"

Fugaku was momentarily speechless.

Wasn't that... obvious?

The title of Shadow definitely sounded more impressive than Uchiha Clan Head!

Uchiha Sora smiled faintly. "Clan Head Fugaku, your horizons only reach this far."

"My ambitions aren't limited to becoming a mere Shadow."

"For now, you can keep the position of Clan Head. When I want it, you can hand it over to me."

"Beneath the sky?"

"I'll make the name of the Uchiha stand above the heavens and resound throughout the infinite dimensions!"

Fugaku and Shisui had thought that Uchiha Sora objected to the name Heaven Hidden Village because he felt it was too ambitious...

So he simply disdained it?

Though Fugaku tended toward caution, things had come this far. Having someone so ambitious lead the Uchiha into the future wasn't a bad thing.

He understood his place very well. From that night onward, he'd been nothing more than a stand-in until Uchiha Sora came of age.

Fugaku took a small sip of tea and smiled. "Sora, I'll be waiting for you to awaken the Mangekyō and lead the clan."

"If it's you, you might really be able to reach that man's level!"

Uchiha Sora shook his head with a quiet laugh, then turned to look at Itachi feeding Gaara. "How old is Itachi?"

Mentioning his eldest son brought unmistakable pride to Fugaku's voice. "He just turned six a few days ago. He's a genius and can already use some ninjutsu proficiently!"

"I see..."

A smile touched Uchiha Sora's lips. "I'd like to take him as my disciple. What do you think?"

The two of them were only two or three years apart, so by age, it certainly wasn't appropriate.

But in terms of strength and standing, he was more than qualified!

"Of course!"

Fugaku didn't hesitate at all. Itachi was the son he valued most, and Sora was the next Uchiha Clan Head he'd chosen.

To him, this was Uchiha Sora sending him a signal—a reward for knowing his place.

Perhaps Itachi would be the clan head after next!

Uchiha Sora raised a hand. "Let me make this clear first: being my disciple is dangerous. My training is extremely strict, and you can't question anything I ask him to do."

"Discuss it with him, then give me your answer."

Fugaku shook his head. "There's no need to discuss it. I can decide for Itachi."

"Itachi, put the child down and come here!"

Was he really that eager to push his son into a fire pit?

Young Uchiha Itachi had only faint tear tracks. The most striking thing about him was his pair of big, adorable eyes.

"Father, Brother Shisui, Brother Sora."

After politely greeting them, Itachi stood at attention and waited for instructions.

Fugaku rarely smiled, but now he did. "Starting today, Sora is your teacher. Whatever he asks you to do, you must obey. Do you understand?"

Itachi nodded, then looked at Uchiha Sora.

He was more mature than most children in the Shinobi World.

But to him, Uchiha Sora seemed even more mature.

Beneath that young body was a profound sage who seemed able to see the future.

Even Brother Shisui admired him greatly, and Itachi thought it would be wonderful to become his disciple.

Perhaps he'd get answers to some of his questions.

Itachi bowed respectfully to Uchiha Sora. "Hello, Teacher."