"Thirteen-year-old with the Three-Tomoe Sharingan. There haven't been many like that in the history of the Uchiha Clan."
"The few who did achieve it all went on to reach another level."
Fugaku Uchiha said no more. He stopped there and fixed his gaze on Uchiha Shingen.
"Another... level?!"
Uchiha Shingen repeated the key words from Fugaku Uchiha's remark.
He'd thought the Three-Tomoe Sharingan was already the limit, but it seemed these eyes could still evolve.
He was about to ask more when Fugaku Uchiha changed the subject and asked about Jiraiya:
"I hear you've been spending a lot of time with Jiraiya lately."
At that, Uchiha Shingen shot Shisui an annoyed look. The boy's face instantly turned red to the tips of his ears, and he ducked his head like a quail.
"Shisui, what does this have to do with you?!"
Seeing this, Fugaku Uchiha found it amusing, but his gaze also settled on Shisui.
"I... I... I just..."
Shisui shuddered and stammered, unable to get a full sentence out.
After a long hesitation, he realized he couldn't bluff his way out of it and finally gave up:
"It was Captain Shingen. He said that book held the secret to becoming Hokage, so I wanted to give it a try. I didn't expect to run into Lord Jiraiya."
"So you sold me out without a second thought?!"
Uchiha Shingen's mouth twitched.
He'd gone too easy on him earlier. He shouldn't have held back on that last hit!
"I..."
Shisui didn't know what to say. He lowered his head again.
By now, Fugaku Uchiha had pieced together what had happened:
"So after that, Jiraiya sought you out and spent all day dragging you into discussions about writing?"
"You knew?!"
Uchiha Shingen blushed. Getting caught slacking off by your boss was hardly a pleasant experience.
Am I going to get fired?
Damn it!
I shouldn't have let the money tempt me. If I really get fired, where will I go to clock in and collect my sign-in bonuses?!
Fugaku Uchiha gave him a cool glance and immediately understood.
Taking into account the earlier report from Uchiha Yakumi, the Police Force's second-in-command, Jiraiya and Uchiha Shingen really were just discussing writing.
The Third Hokage wasn't trying to extend his influence into the Uchiha Clan.
Relations between the Uchiha and the Konoha High Command were gradually improving. The Third Hokage had no reason to do something like this now—and if he did, he wouldn't be stupid enough to make it so obvious.
As for Danzo, it was even less likely.
Jiraiya's lack of interest in Konoha's internal power struggles had long been plain for all to see.
Fugaku Uchiha's expression softened:
"I'll seek an explanation from Lord Hokage about what happened tonight."
"If anything like this happens again, have someone notify me immediately. The Uchiha will always be your strongest support."
"And if you need anything, you can tell me."
Uchiha Shingen recognized Fugaku's goodwill and finally breathed a sigh of relief. At least his position in the Police Force was safe for now.
With the clan head's support, Uchiha Shingen's thoughts began to turn.
Tonight's unexpected incident had been a wake-up call.
Without enough strength, his laid-back life at the Police Force could be ruined on a whim by an important figure like Danzo.
Kekkei Genkai and Chakra could be improved with attribute points, but he would probably have to handle ninjutsu on his own.
Speaking of ninjutsu, Shisui's Sword Leap Flame had made a deep impression on him tonight.
The technique compressed Fire Release Chakra along the blade and unleashed a flaming slash. It was incredibly fast and required almost no Hand Seals.
At least, Uchiha Shingen hadn't seen Shisui perform any.
In other words, it was probably a hand-seal-less technique.
In a ninja battle, the side proficient in techniques that required no Hand Seals had an overwhelming advantage in striking first.
And that advantage could often decide the outcome of a fight.
Besides, the clan head had gone out of his way to show goodwill. Refusing now might seem suspicious.
With that in mind, Uchiha Shingen said:
"I want the Sword Leap Flame Technique."
"The technique? Understood."
Fugaku Uchiha wasn't surprised. He stood up and took a crimson scroll from the bookshelf behind him.
After a brief pause, he picked up several more scrolls and set them on the tea table in front of Uchiha Shingen.
"This scroll contains the Sword Leap Flame Technique, along with notes and advice left by previous clan members."
Fugaku Uchiha held up the crimson scroll, then pointed to the others.
"You've awakened the Three-Tomoe Sharingan, too. It's only a matter of time before you take the Jonin exam, so these commonly used techniques should come in handy."
"Thank you, Patriarch."
Uchiha Shingen nodded and accepted the scrolls.
Feeling their weight in his hands, Uchiha Shingen realized that awakening the Three-Tomoe Sharingan at thirteen meant more to the Uchiha Clan than he'd thought.
As for the other level of the Sharingan that Fugaku Uchiha had casually mentioned, Uchiha Shingen wasn't in a hurry to pursue it.
Given his current circumstances, he could raise his Sharingan's level through attribute points just by sticking to his daily sign-ins.
Fugaku then asked what Shisui needed.
Following Uchiha Shingen's example, Shisui asked for several of the clan's secret Fire Release Ninjutsu. Then, gathering his courage, he added:
"Patriarch, I'm responsible for this, too. Please don't punish Captain Shingen. He's important to both the Uchiha and Konoha."
Fugaku Uchiha ruffled Shisui's hair. His eyes warmed with kindness, and he nodded, agreeing to let the matter go.
By the time Uchiha Shingen and Shisui left the clan head's residence, it was past midnight.
The night was deep.
The temperature had dropped, and dew clung to the leaves along the road.
A cold wind blew. Uchiha Shingen pulled his clothes tighter and yawned, then turned to Shisui and chided him with a grin:
"You really sold me out just like that?!"
As he spoke, Uchiha Shingen reached out and ruffled Shisui's hair, ignoring his protests.
"Now we're even!"
"Don't be late tomorrow!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Uchiha Shingen disappeared at the crossroads.
Shisui stood there for a long while, smoothing his ruffled hair. A smile crept into his eyes.
He turned and headed home, his steps light, as if he'd finally cast off some kind of burden.
Fugaku Uchiha had just received a summons from the Hokage and was preparing to head to the Hokage Building for an emergency meeting. Seeing this, his stern, stony face softened with a smile.
"They're good kids."
Before you continue