"What do you want?" Fugaku asked directly.
"待遇 accorded to elite clan members, a full allocation of cultivation resources, and... access to B-Rank and higher-level ninjutsu."
Liuyu stated his terms without holding back.
"Not a small appetite." Fugaku narrowed his eyes. "What makes you think you deserve it?"
"Because I can give the clan a second trump card besides the Sharingan."
Liuyu leaned forward slightly, and the light flashed sharply across his lenses.
"Clan Head, forgive my bluntness.
You know better than anyone the position the Uchiha Clan is in within Konoha.
The higher-ups distrust us, the villagers keep their distance, and we're confined to our duties in the Police Force. We may appear to hold power, but in truth, we're shut out of the village's inner circle."
Fugaku's gaze suddenly sharpened.
This was the Uchiha's sore spot, a taboo every clan member knew about but few dared discuss.
"The Sharingan is undoubtedly powerful, but its path of evolution is filled with chance and tragedy.
The Mangekyō requires the death of someone close to you. That in itself is a cruel curse. And isn't relying too heavily on a single power also a kind of shackle?"
Liuyu's voice was quiet, but every word struck Fugaku to the heart.
"My 'Eye of the Heart' is different.
It doesn't rely on a bloody evolution. It only requires systematic development and training.
It can support us in battle, interrogate spies, and establish large-scale genjutsu barriers.
It can even... make everyone who sees something they shouldn't forget everything they saw, at a critical moment."
Fugaku's fingers stopped tapping.
He understood Liuyu's implication.
If the Eye of the Heart could alter memories on a large scale, what a terrifying political weapon it would be.
"That's only potential." Fugaku's voice was low. "You need to prove its value."
"That's why I need resources," Liuyu said candidly.
"Give me time and support, and I'll prove to you that the Eye of the Heart can become not only the Uchiha's blade, but also the Uchiha's shield—and even... a stepping stone."
"A stepping stone?"
"A path that can return the Uchiha Clan to the heart of Konoha's power without a coup," Liuyu said softly.
"After all, when everyone believes they've seen the truth, what the truth actually is no longer matters."
The study fell utterly silent.
Fugaku stared hard at Liuyu, trying to find a hint of bluster on his face.
But all he saw was a calm as deep as an abyss.
After a long while, Fugaku slowly leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes.
"Starting tomorrow, you'll receive the treatment accorded to an elite member of the main family. Your resource allotment will match Shisui's.
"You may consult the B-Rank ninjutsu scrolls in the clan Library, but an elder must be present to supervise."
At that, Liuyu's heart stirred. Uchiha Shisui was the genius who would later be known as Body Flicker Shisui.
Even now, he was already a household name within the clan.
A moment later.
Fugaku opened his eyes, his gaze bright and piercing. "I'll give you three months.
"Within three months, you must complete a B-Rank Mission and prove the value of your Eye of the Heart in actual combat.
"If you fail, all your privileges will be revoked."
"Deal." Liuyu bowed slightly.
"One more thing," Fugaku added. "Your Kekkei Genkai won't be made public within the clan for now.
"Outside the clan, we'll say you trained in genjutsu on your own when you were young and have a special talent for it.
"As for your teacher... we'll say you inherited some secret techniques from Kagami Uchiha."
Kagami Uchiha, a Uchiha genius who had fallen many years ago, was renowned for his genjutsu and open-minded views.
Using him as a cover story made perfect sense.
"Understood." Liuyu caught his meaning.
"Go." Fugaku waved a hand. "Your new home is number seven in the western district of the clan compound. It's already been prepared.
"Remember to report to the Police Force tomorrow. I've arranged a comfortable clerical position for you, so you'll have time to 'train.'"
"Thank you, Clan Head."
Liuyu rose and bowed.
He was about to turn and leave when a voice called out.
"Liuyu." Fugaku stood, walked around the desk, and came over to him, patting him on the shoulder.
The familiar gesture caught Liuyu by surprise.
"You're not a disgrace to the Uchiha." Fugaku looked him in the eyes and spoke slowly, one word at a time.
"The clan neglected you in the past. That was my failure.
"But from today on, I'll be watching you—watching how far you can go and what kind of future you can bring to the Uchiha."
Number seven in the western district of the clan compound was a private little courtyard.
It was more than twice as spacious as his old, cramped apartment, and even had a small training ground of its own.
Liuyu pushed open the gate and saw that fresh bedding and a weapon rack had already been set up inside.
A scroll lay on the table, too, bearing Fugaku's handwriting: "Someone will bring you a list of the ninjutsu scrolls tomorrow. Get some rest."
Liuyu shut the door and leaned against it, letting out a long breath.
The first step had gone well.
It had taken him only half a day to go from "Disgrace of the Uchiha" to "the clan's hope."
But this was only the beginning.
After a simple meal and a wash, he sat cross-legged on the new tatami and called up the system panel.
[Host: Uchiha Ryūha] [Energy System: Reiatsu (Chakra-conversion type)] [Current Reiatsu Level: Weak Sixth-Class Reiatsu (Seated Officer level) Quantified Reiatsu: 2.5 cards (a Jonin has 3 cards)] [Zanpakuto: Kyoka Suigetsu (Shikai)] [Compatibility: 10%] [Skills Mastered: Flash Step (Beginner), Red Fire Cannon (Not Mastered)] [Karma Points: 500] [Items: Shihakusho (Gigai disguise version)]
The beginner mission rewards had been generous. His Reiatsu had doubled outright, bringing him close to Special Jonin level.
And with a 10% compatibility with Kyoka Suigetsu, he could sense the Zanpakuto's subtle "breathing" more clearly.
"System, show me the missions."
[Main Mission (Long-Term): Become the true ruler of the Uchiha Clan.] [Stage One Mission: Establish a reputation and influence within the Uchiha Clan no lower than that of an Elite Jonin within one year.] [Current Progress: 2% (You've attracted the clan head's attention, but have yet to earn widespread recognition)] [S-Rank Worldline Alteration Mission: Prevent the White Fang of the Leaf from committing suicide.] [Mission Description: Hatake Sakumo, the White Fang of the Leaf, will face criticism after failing a mission and commit suicide at home three months from now. His death will twist Kakashi's personality and weaken Konoha's top combat forces.] [Mission Rewards: One designated SSR Card Draw Ticket, 50% increase to Reiatsu limit, 10,000 Karma Points.] [Countdown: Three months.]
Liuyu's pupils contracted slightly.
The White Fang of the Leaf!
He hadn't received much attention in the original story, but he was a legendary shinobi whose strength was said to be enough to make even the Sannin give him a wide berth.
His suicide would be a great loss for Konoha, and the beginning of the shadow that would haunt Kakashi for the rest of his life.
More importantly, this would happen not long after the end of the Second Shinobi World War, with the Third Shinobi World War about to break out.
The White Fang's death would leave a gap in Konoha's top combat forces.
That would indirectly contribute to a chain of tragedies: Minato Team left struggling alone at the Battle of Kannabi Bridge, Obito's "death," and Rin having the Three-Tails implanted in her.
The butterfly effect.
If he saved the White Fang, the course of many events might change.
"The good news is, I still have a decent amount of time," Liuyu analyzed calmly.
"But the hard part is, how do I approach the White Fang? As a newly graduated Uchiha Genin, how can I interfere in the life-or-death decision of a Kage Level fighter?"
Going to his door and saying, "Don't die," definitely wouldn't work.
He needed a more subtle way to get involved...
[Ding!] [The host has completed the first stage of identity transformation. Karma Points +200] [Current Karma Points: 300 (Available for card draws)]
The words "card draw" were highlighted in red. This interface looked just like the shady gacha games from his previous life.
[Would you like to spend 100 Karma Points on a single draw from the R-Rank pool?] [A ten-pull costs 900 Karma Points (10% discount) There is a chance to obtain an SR-quality card]
"It doesn't even state the odds of getting an SR. Isn't that a bit...?"
He complained, but his actions said otherwise.
He might as well try one.
"System, do a single R-Rank draw."
[100 Reputation Points consumed. Beginning card draw—]
A white light blazed in the space of his consciousness.
[Congratulations, Host. You have obtained an R-Rank item: Psychiatrist's Business Card (Reusable)] [Description: An apparently ordinary business card. When the holder presents the card, the target will form the first impression that "this person is a trustworthy professional." Effect lasts 30 minutes. Cooldown: 24 hours.] [Quality: White]
Liuyu looked at the white business card that had appeared out of nowhere in his hand, the corner of his mouth twisting.
A professional... someone trustworthy?
It might only be white quality, but in certain situations, it could be more useful than powerful ninjutsu.
He put the card away and looked out the window.
The moonlight was cold and clear, and Konoha lay sleeping beneath the night sky.
"Three months..." Liuyu murmured. "That's enough."
He needed to come up with a plan.
A plan that would save the White Fang without revealing too many of his secrets.
And it would all begin with reporting to the Police Force tomorrow.
After all, approaching an elite Jonin who drew so much attention would require the right... opportunity.
Liuyu pushed up his glasses, their lenses reflecting a cold, ghostly glint in the moonlight.
Before you continue