Fugaku

Another Konoha villager who had brought in a pet for treatment had just left.

Thanks to them, Qingfeng's reputation as a "veterinarian" had spread throughout Konoha. Every day, people came seeking treatment for their pets or ninja beasts, and Inuzuka Hana deserved much of the credit.

So far, he had never failed. The medicine worked as soon as it was administered, and Qingfeng Pharmacy's name had become known throughout Leaf Village. Qingfeng, who had originally only wanted to lie low and grow stronger, had somehow become famous as a veterinarian.

After refusing repeatedly, he still accepted the ten thousand ryo banknote.

One drop of antidote could cure an animal. Rounded up, that meant he was going to get rich.

Of course, training was still the most important thing every day. No amount of money was useful without sufficient strength.

Qingfeng had now grown accustomed to starting every morning with a hundred laps as a warm-up, using the Physical Enhancement Secret Medicine to strengthen his body.

Ever since Might Guy had taught him the Eight Inner Gates Formation, Qingfeng had shifted his focus to ninjutsu. After Shisui left on a mission, only Itachi and Inuzuka Hana, both his age, remained to train with him.

Today was a little different. During his warm-up, he ran into not only Might Guy, but also Kakashi Hatake.

Kakashi had already joined the Anbu. For some reason, he had removed his Mask and was competing with Might Guy.

As for that kind of competition, Qingfeng simply kept his head down and continued warming up.

Once he finished warming up, the two had decided their winner as well. Unsurprisingly, Kakashi won.

"Qingfeng, come here and tell me, why won't the Hokage agree?"

After listening to Might Guy ramble on for a while, Qingfeng learned that Kakashi had been in the Anbu for a long time, and Might Guy also wanted to join. He had gone to apply to the Hokage, only to be rejected.

Anyone could figure out the reason with a little thought. The Anbu was a place where people concealed their identities, but with Might Guy's Taijutsu, there was no one else like him in the entire Ninja World. He might as well have been announcing himself to everyone.

The Hokage had probably grown tired of Might Guy's relentless persistence, so he had sent Kakashi out to talk him out of it.

"There have never been any Taijutsu Ninja in the Anbu. The Hokage must have his reasons."

But Kakashi's persuasion had little effect. At the moment, Might Guy was determined to join the Anbu and fight alongside Kakashi.

Qingfeng said, "Maybe your strength isn't enough. A Special Jonin doesn't meet the requirements, after all. Kakashi is already a Jonin."

That remark seemed to hit Might Guy right where it hurt, but it also ignited his competitive spirit.

Might Guy practically burst into flames before their eyes. "Fine! I'll apply again after I become a Jonin. From now on, I'm stepping up my training!"

Filled with surging enthusiasm, Might Guy immediately went off to train.

Though he had not said it outright, Might Guy probably would not bother the Hokage again until he became a Jonin. For Kakashi, that indirectly counted as completing his mission.

Qingfeng had already finished warming up and was about to practice ninjutsu when Kakashi called out to him.

"Qingfeng, is there anything you need help with?"

"Everything's fine. I'm not having any difficulties."

He still declined Kakashi's offer, though he glanced at Kakashi's face.

Mainly because Kakashi's left eye had belonged to Obito, and Obito was Qingfeng's older brother.

Qingfeng withdrew his gaze and turned to leave.

He had to remember the words "keep a low profile" at all times. He could not afford to provoke anyone. Being known as a veterinarian was already conspicuous enough; as for Obito's Sharingan, he did not dare think about it for now.

It would be best if Clan Head Fugaku of the Uchiha demanded Obito's Sharingan be recovered, but that was simply impossible at present.

Kakashi was the Fourth Hokage's disciple, and the Sharingan had been gifted to him rather than taken by force. Even if the Uchiha wanted it back, they had no justifiable reason.

Most importantly, the Fourth Hokage had a fairly favorable view of the Uchiha. Not a bit of the postwar compensation had been withheld, and he had not continued to ostracize the Uchiha. Things were actually quite good this way, so they should continue maintaining friendly relations.

Kakashi watched Qingfeng walk away before vanishing in a Body Flicker.

Qingfeng's two Shadow Clones had long since been training at the forest practice ground.

But Inuzuka Hana's talent truly was not outstanding. She had been practicing the Three Jutsu for half a month and still had not fully mastered them. The Shadow Clone Jutsu was out of the question for now.

He casually cast several Fire Style techniques. There was no longer any hesitation or stumbling; everything flowed smoothly.

Qingfeng had also tested it. His Chakra reserves were already twice Itachi's. As for Inuzuka Hana, she could simply be ignored. The stronger the body, the more Chakra it could refine and store.

"Qingfeng, Father knows that you've awakened the Three Tomoe. He wants to invite you to our home for a meeting."

Itachi's father was Fugaku, the Uchiha Clan Head. An invitation from the Clan Head could not be refused, but why now? Qingfeng had been back for quite some time already.

"Does the Clan Head need something?"

"Probably nothing. It should just be an ordinary meeting."

Qingfeng put aside his doubts. From what he knew of Fugaku, the man would not do anything to his clansmen. If he had been harsher toward the radicals in the clan, the Uchiha would not have ended up with only one survivor.

He deliberately ended training early and followed Itachi back to his home.

The last time he had come had been in the middle of the night. He had arrived in a hurry and left in a hurry, without taking a proper look around.

This time, he truly saw the difference between the Clan Head and ordinary civilians. There were not only several large trees in the spacious courtyard, but even a pond. It was probably where Itachi practiced Chakra control.

Fugaku was already seated there, resting with his eyes closed.

Itachi stepped forward and respectfully called, "Father."

Qingfeng also obediently said, "Clan Head."

Fugaku opened his eyes, and his originally stern expression gained a trace of warmth.

"Sit."

Qingfeng sat across from Fugaku, while Itachi sat to one side.

"Qingfeng, how much do you know about the Uchiha clan's Sharingan?"

"I've heard Shisui talk about it. I know the basics."

Fugaku paid no mind to Itachi beside him and continued, "Legend has it that the Sharingan can continuously evolve, eventually becoming the Immortal Eye. Its power can easily destroy a small ninja village, but no one has ever been seen achieving it."

Qingfeng only wanted to say that the legend was true. Leaf Village had once been destroyed by the Immortal Eye, but Fugaku had already been dead by then and never saw it. Still, remaining silent was best.

"The clan has decided that any clansman who awakens the Sharingan will receive a subsidy based on their family circumstances. Qingfeng, aside from your monthly Survivor Benefit, you will receive an additional One Million Ryo."

After saying that, Fugaku pushed a stack of banknotes across the table toward Qingfeng.

What was this? Giving him money without warning? Only a fool turned down money. Qingfeng unceremoniously picked it up and stuffed it into his pocket.

"Thank you, Clan Head."

"This is what you deserve. Itachi, go see whether dinner is ready."

Itachi rose and left, leaving only Fugaku and Qingfeng in the room.

Was he going to kill me to silence me after giving me the money? Qingfeng's thoughts ran wild.

"Qingfeng, which do you think is more important: the clan or the village?"

Uchiha Qingfeng could no longer remember how many times he had been asked that question. This time, it was by the Uchiha Clan Head, the man fully capable of rewriting the Uchiha's fate.