Naka Shrine

The next day.

Shimizu's application for early graduation was quickly approved. His usual grades at the Ninja Academy were enough to qualify him.

For ninja clans with even a little history and influence, their members could easily graduate early.

With over a thousand years of history, the ninja had always lived in clans, receiving instruction and education within their own families.

The Ninja Academy in Hidden Leaf Village, founded by the Second, Tobirama Senju, had only been around for a few decades.

By now, members of ninja clans all received early education arranged by their clans.

For example, when Itachi was just a few years old, he would take Sasuke hunting. In reality, this was training for physical fitness and the ability to fight in dangerous situations.

That was why, by the Third Shinobi World War, even children only a few years old had to go to the battlefield.

They had already met the most basic requirements; they were only a little short on age.

"Congratulations, Shimizu. You've graduated from the Ninja Academy."

A Chunin from an ordinary Uchiha family knocked on Shimizu's door, carrying an order from Uchiha Fugaku.

"Don't forget to attend tonight's meeting."

"Okay."

Shimizu nodded.

He had completed all the registration formalities that morning and was now an official ninja.

Although he was still a Genin, he was qualified to attend the Uchiha Clan's secret gathering at Naka Shrine.

That evening, Shimizu arrived as promised.

The clansmen filed out one after another and made their way to Naka Shrine.

Naka Shrine was an important place within the Uchiha Clan, with a history stretching back several hundred years.

The elegant shrine stood behind rows of closely packed houses. The paint on its vermilion gates had begun to wear away, revealing their original color.

To outsiders, this solemn and dignified place seemed unremarkable, but beneath the ground, it held secrets.

Boom.

The brazier blazed, casting a dim glow through the secret chamber.

Seeing that most people had arrived, Uchiha Yashiro closed the door.

The clansmen looked at the newly arrived Shimizu. Some were surprised, some displeased, and others seemed rather fond of him.

Uchiha Fugaku cleared his throat, and the noisy room fell silent at once.

"Today, a new ninja has joined our Uchiha Clan: Uchiha Shimizu."

Pairs of scarlet Sharingan glowed faintly in the darkness, all fixed on Shimizu. The atmosphere in the chamber seemed to turn faintly murderous.

This was a traditional Uchiha ceremony: they would activate their Sharingan to congratulate a new ninja joining the clan.

"As expected of our Uchiha Clan."

As soon as Fugaku finished speaking, Uchiha Yashiro chimed in with his support.

"What a promising young man. My son, Uchiha Tekka, will need a while longer before he's confident enough to graduate."

"I heard he's been studying some Medical Ninjutsu on his own?"

"Hmph. He's neglecting his proper studies and bringing shame on the Uchiha."

The clansmen whispered among themselves, voicing their differing opinions of Shimizu.

Uchiha Fugaku frowned slightly. There were too many stubborn old-timers in the clan. They only knew how to cling to their honor, with no understanding that the Ninja World was changing by the day. They also had to keep up with others in Medical Ninjutsu.

After all, the Uchiha were naturally a "sickly" clan. The flaws in their Kekkei Genkai needed treatment.

He understood that better than anyone.

Even if most clansmen would never reach the level of the Mangekyō Sharingan, they still had to preserve this method for emergencies.

Every Uchiha who awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan did so suddenly. No one knew whether they had the aptitude to awaken it until it happened.

There was no way to measure or test whether an Uchiha had the aptitude to awaken it.

"As for what to do with Uchiha Shimizu, I don't plan to have him join the Konoha Military Police Force."

"Captain, why not?"

"Where else can we go besides the Konoha Military Police Force?"

Fugaku's words left the others exchanging bewildered looks. They couldn't figure out what he was thinking.

Only Shimizu, the person at the center of the matter, had a vague idea.

What Fugaku valued most about him was his talent as a medical ninja. By that logic, there was only one place in Konoha for him to go.

Sure enough, as soon as Shimizu figured it out, Fugaku spoke up:

"I'm sending Shimizu to Konoha Hospital. I've already reported this to the Lord Third."

Fugaku turned to Shimizu and explained his intentions to the others.

"Uchiha Shimizu is a rare genius in our clan. I'm sure you all know the ancient legend of our clan. Uchiha Madara is the best proof that the legend is true."

A few pairs of aged Sharingan suddenly gleamed.

As survivors who had lived through the Warring States Period, no one understood Uchiha Madara's strength better than they did.

A few seconds later, an aged voice rang out:

"Fugaku, are you talking about the Mangekyō?"

Uchiha Setsuna asked.

He considered himself the inheritor of Madara's will and had researched Madara's unusual Sharingan.

Although the records left behind by the clan were vague, he had still managed to understand a little.

"That's right. And that's not all. I also want Uchiha Shimizu to serve as a bridge between our clan and the village. The Lord Third thinks highly of Shimizu. If he earns the Hokage's favor, things will be much better for the Uchiha."

Uchiha Fugaku spoke at length, deciding Shimizu's future for him. He wanted Shimizu to regularly provide information from Konoha Hospital.

He also told Shimizu to stop studying other ninjutsu for now. It would only waste his time. Knowing Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique would be enough.

From beginning to end, he never asked Shimizu what he wanted.

Shimizu listened quietly, his eyes calm and utterly unruffled.

Only once in a while did he look toward the enormous stone tablet at the top of the chamber and smile faintly.

Uchiha Fugaku really knew how to push his luck, telling him to focus only on Medical Ninjutsu.

It made sense. The Uchiha's combat strength already ranked among the best in Hidden Leaf Village. Fugaku didn't need another Uchiha fighter. He needed an Uchiha with medical talent who could be used as a tool.

"The Chunin Ninja Exams are coming up soon. Shimizu, remember to take part. Don't disgrace the Uchiha name. Tomorrow, the clan will hold a sparring match. Once it's over, you can quietly focus on studying medicine for the Uchiha."

After saying this, Fugaku announced that the meeting was over.

Shimizu left the secret chamber without looking back.

Not long after, Shimizu suddenly stopped and spoke to the empty wall behind him:

"Elder Setsuna, is there something you need?"

Shimizu's voice echoed through the empty street.

A moment later, the wall rippled, and a figure stepped out.

The newcomer wore half a mask over the left side of his face, as if to hide something.

Most of his hair had turned white, and the wrinkles on his face were clearly visible.

He was none other than Uchiha Setsuna, the leader of the Uchiha Clan's Hawk Faction.

He had been deeply dissatisfied with the policies Tobirama Senju, the Second, had used to govern the Uchiha Clan, and had always longed to reclaim authority from the Senju Clan.

Later, after he stirred up trouble and rebelled, Anbu members arrested him and sent him to prison.

A few years after Tobirama Senju's death, the Lord Third took office. Only then, in an effort to ease relations with the Uchiha, did he allow Uchiha Setsuna to return to the clan.

"You're very perceptive, young man."