Toolbox Fugaku

"Ruohuo, your eyes..."

"Ah, this? It's the Sharingan."

"..." Fugaku was caught off guard. "Ruohuo, when did you awaken your Sharingan?"

"Well..." Ruohuo thought for a moment. "I can't remember exactly. It was probably a year or two ago?"

"Obito got beaten up pretty badly. At the time, I just saw red, and then I had it..."

It would've been more shocking to say he awakened it at two, but Fugaku probably wouldn't believe that anyway.

It didn't matter, though. Awakening at four or at two would have pretty much the same effect.

Fugaku's expression said it all...

He stared blankly for a few seconds, his Adam's apple bobbing. Then his eyes quickly sharpened, and excitement spread across his face!

"Ruohuo... Just as Grandmother said, you really are a dependable big brother..."

Ruohuo had been home for less than ten minutes.

And this was already the fourth time Fugaku had changed how he addressed him that evening.

First "the man of the house," then "little guy," then just Ruohuo's name, and now he'd added an honorific.

That meant Fugaku had already started seeing Ruohuo as completely different from the other brats his age.

A genius who awakened at four!

A super genius!

"Thank you for the praise, Clan Head."

Ruohuo didn't particularly like Fugaku, but that didn't stop him from milking Fugaku for all he was worth.

For one thing, Fugaku's stockpile of Fire Style techniques was a treasure trove to him right now.

The Fire Style Little Genius had upgraded to Star of Fire Style. Just its stats alone were enough to make your jaw drop.

Lower learning requirements!

Half the cost, and even more power!

If it kept upgrading, then sooner or later, he'd be able to recreate Uchiha Madara roasting the Allied Shinobi Forces with a single Fire Style technique, right?

"So, Clan Head, do you have any other ninjutsu scrolls prepared?"

Ruohuo blinked. "Preferably something a little more difficult. I'm not a three-year-old anymore. These C-rank techniques feel just like the textbooks at school. They're way too easy."

Ruohuo kept showing off.

He didn't think there was anything wrong with that.

Since they'd met, Fugaku had already hinted twice that he should join the Konoha Military Police Force.

"Haha! They're only easy for you." Fugaku shook his head with a laugh.

Were C-rank techniques easy? They certainly were.

But if a six-year-old brat said that, it was a whole different story...

"I'm sorry, I only brought two scrolls today. But that's all right. If you want to learn, then as Clan Head, I have no reason to refuse."

Fugaku coaxed him along. "You're still in school, right? How about this... You can come by the Konoha Military Police Force on the weekend."

"The Uchiha Clan has all its elite shinobi there. You'll find answers there not only about Fire Release Ninjutsu, but also taijutsu, genjutsu, and the proper use of the Sharingan."

"Ruohuo, you should know that our clan's Kekkei Genkai isn't just for studying and reading."

A flash of scarlet crossed Fugaku's eyes, and three Tomoe gleamed in them!

"Wow..." Obito gasped.

"Big bro, the Clan Head's eyes are just like yours!"

Ruohuo: ...

Fugaku: ...

Mikoto covered her mouth, giggling. "Of course they are, little Obito... We're all members of the same clan. Uncle Fugaku is the Clan Head, so he's like the head of your big family."

"We all have the same Kekkei Genkai. Once you awaken your eyes, you'll have the same eyes as your big brother..."

Ruohuo's opinion of Mikoto went up by ten points.

That was a perfect assist.

"I understand, Clan Head."

Ruohuo patted Obito on the back of the head. "When the weekend comes, I'll take Obito to the Konoha Military Police Force for some guidance."

There was a placement test this week, and the results would basically determine who got top student.

If everything went smoothly, Ruohuo planned to graduate right away and not spend a single day longer at the Ninja Academy.

This year's Chunin exams were only two months away.

And if nothing unexpected happened, after this round of Chunin exams, the next one wouldn't take place until next year.

The Ninja World War was about to enter its second phase: the villages battling one another.

With the reward from the B-rank Clan Mission, he'd have a better chance of gaining experience and earning merit on the battlefield.

As for qualifying for the Chunin exams...

As far as Ruohuo knew, besides approval from a supervising ninja, major clans also seemed to have the authority to recommend their members.

Before he officially took over the Uchiha Clan, led them to greatness, and restored their glory...

No matter how you looked at it,

Fugaku was a fully equipped toolbox.

"All right, then. I'll be waiting for you at the Konoha Military Police Force, Ruohuo."

Fugaku rose and reached out to ruffle Ruohuo's close-cropped hair.

Ruohuo wanted to refuse, but didn't dodge. He reached out too.

"Haha!" Fugaku laughed as he shook Ruohuo's hand. "You're sure to become an outstanding shinobi, Ruohuo."

"I think so too."

"Haha! That's the confidence I like. Good! It's getting late, so I won't keep you. See you on the weekend."

"Take care, Clan Head. Take care, Aunt Mikoto." *2

"Honey, do you know anyone else who awakened their eyes at that age?"

On their way home, Mikoto leaned against her husband and asked.

"Well..." Fugaku thought for a moment, then said with a straight face, "As far as I know, there is one."

"Who? How come I've never heard of them?" Mikoto asked curiously.

"His name is Itachi Uchiha—or maybe Nanako Uchiha. He awakened the Sharingan as soon as he was born, even earlier than that kid Ruohuo."

Mikoto rolled her eyes, but her smile didn't fade. She gently stroked her belly. "Baby, did you hear that? Daddy's looking forward to you."

"Of course. My child is bound to be a one-in-a-million genius," Fugaku boasted.

"Why can't it be a girl? Nanako is such a lovely name." Mikoto rolled her eyes at her husband again.

"A daughter would be a one-in-a-million genius too, and a great beauty, just like her mother." Fugaku answered without missing a beat.

The young couple spent the whole way home teasing each other, blissfully happy.

"Speaking of which, honey... That child seems so mature for his age. I keep feeling like he isn't really a child. His little brother seems more like one."

"Geniuses are all like that," Fugaku said with a laugh.

"But even geniuses need time to grow."

"I really hope more children like him will be born into the Uchiha Clan."

"Then when I step down, I'll know I haven't let the former Clan Head down..."