Naka Shrine

The next day.

Uchiha Shimizu's application for early graduation was quickly approved; his academic performance at the Ninja Academy was more than sufficient to serve as his assessment.

In truth, for any ninja clan with a bit of a foundation, it was quite easy for their members to graduate early.

Because they possessed histories spanning over a thousand years, ninjas operated under a clan-based system where education and instruction were handled internally by their own families.

The Ninja Academy in the Hidden Leaf Village, established by the Second Hokage Tobirama Senju, had only existed for a few short decades.

By now, members of ninja clans were all arranged to receive early home education within their own ranks.

For instance, when Itachi was just a few years old, he would take Sasuke hunting; in reality, this was to train their physical stamina and their ability to handle combat crises.

This was precisely why, by the time the Third Shinobi World War arrived, children only a few years old were being sent to the battlefield.

Because they had, in fact, already fulfilled the most basic requirements; there was merely a gap in their ages.

"Congratulations, Qingshui, on graduating from the Ninja Academy."

An ordinary Uchiha chunin knocked on Qingshui's door, arriving with orders from Uchiha Fugaku.

"Do not forget to attend tonight's gathering."

"Understood."

Qingshui nodded.

He had completed all his registrations since the morning and was now an official ninja.

Although he was still a genin, he was now qualified to participate in the Uchiha Clan's secret gatherings at Naka Shrine.

When night fell, Qingshui arrived as promised.

The clansmen filed out one after another, arriving at Naka Shrine.

Naka Shrine was considered an important place within the Uchiha clan, boasting a history of several hundred years.

The elegant shrine sat behind rows of houses, the vermilion paint on its grand gate having worn away, revealing its original color.

In this place, which appeared solemn and dignified to outsiders, there was a different world hidden beneath the ground.

Boom.

The fire brazier burned, casting a dim light into the secret chamber.

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

The clansmen looked at the newcomer, Qingshui; some were surprised, some disgusted, and others felt quite favorable toward him.

Uchiha Fugaku gave a light cough, and the previously noisy scene instantly fell silent.

"Today, we of the Uchiha have welcomed a new ninja, Uchiha Shimizu."

Pairs of scarlet Sharingan glowed from the darkness, all fixed upon Qingshui, making the atmosphere of the secret chamber feel as if it were tinged with a murderous chill.

This was a traditional ritual of the Uchiha clan; they would activate their Sharingan to congratulate a newly joined ninja.

"He is worthy of our Uchiha clan."

Uchiha Yashiro immediately chimed in to show his support the moment Fugaku finished speaking.

"A youth with ambition. My son, Uchiha Tekka, still needs some time before he can be certain of graduating."

"I heard he seems to be studying some medical ninjutsu on his own?"

"Hmph, wasting his time on useless things, bringing shame to the Uchiha."

The clansmen whispered among themselves, expressing their differing opinions on Qingshui.

Uchiha Fugaku frowned slightly. There were too many stubborn old men in the clan who only knew how to cling to honor, completely unaware that in the ever-changing ninja world, one could not afford to fall behind in medical ninjutsu.

Because they, the Uchiha, were a clan born with "illness"—the defects of their bloodline limit required medical treatment.

He was the one who understood this point better than anyone.

Even if most clansmen could never reach the realm of the Mangekyo, they still had to preserve such means for emergencies.

Every Uchiha who awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan did so suddenly, for no one knew if they truly possessed the aptitude to awaken it.

Whether an Uchiha truly had the aptitude to awaken their eyes was something no one had a quantifiable method to detect.

"Regarding the arrangements for Uchiha Shimizu, I do not intend to have him join the Konoha Military Police Force."

"Captain, why is that?"

"Aside from joining the Konoha Military Police Force, where else can we Uchiha go?"

Fugaku's words left the others looking at one another in confusion, unable to grasp what was on his mind.

Only Qingshui, the person involved, had a faint realization.

Fugaku valued his talent in the field of medical ninjutsu; following that logic, there was only one place in Konoha for him to go.

Sure enough, just as Qingshui connected the dots, Fugaku spoke immediately:

"I intend to send Qingshui to the Konoha Hospital. I have already reported this matter to the Third Hokage."

Fugaku turned his head to look at Qingshui, then began to explain his intentions to the gathered crowd.

"Uchiha Shimizu is a rare genius in our clan. I believe you are all aware of the ancient legend within our clan, and Uchiha Madara is the best proof of that legend."

Several pairs of aged Sharingan suddenly flared with light.

As survivors who had lived through the Warring States period, no one knew the power of Uchiha Madara better than they did.

A few seconds later, a somewhat aged voice spoke out:

"Fugaku, are you referring to the Mangekyo?"

Elder Setsuna inquired.

He considered himself the successor to Madara's will and had conducted research into Madara's extraordinary Sharingan.

Although the records left within the clan were vague, he had understood at least a little bit.

"That is correct. Furthermore, I intend for Uchiha Shimizu to serve as a bridge between our clan and the village. The Third Hokage appreciates Qingshui greatly; if we can secure his favor, the situation for our Uchiha will improve significantly."

Uchiha Fugaku spoke eloquently, deciding Qingshui's future fate by ordering him to provide intelligence from Konoha Hospital on a regular basis.

He also told Qingshui not to bother learning other ninjutsu for now, claiming it would be a waste of time and that knowing Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique was enough.

From beginning to end, he never once asked for Qingshui's own opinion.

Qingshui listened quietly, his eyes calm and without a ripple of emotion.

Only occasionally would he glance at the massive stone tablet at the very top of the secret chamber, a faint smile touching his lips.

Uchiha Fugaku really knew how to push his luck, wanting him to focus solely on medical ninjutsu.

This was normal, however; the Uchiha's combat strength was already ranked highly in the Hidden Leaf Village, so Fugaku did not need another combat-oriented Uchiha. What he needed was an Uchiha with medical talent who could serve as a tool.

"The Chunin Exams are coming up soon. Qingshui, remember to participate and do not tarnish the prestige of the Uchiha. There will be a competition within the clan tomorrow, and once everything is settled, you will quietly study medicine within the Uchiha compound."

After saying this, Fugaku announced the meeting was adjourned.

Qingshui left the secret chamber without looking back.

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

"Elder Setsuna, I wonder what business you have with me?"

Qingshui's voice echoed through the deserted street.

After a long moment, the wall shimmered, and a figure stepped out.

The man wore a mask covering half of his left face, seemingly to hide something.

His hair was mostly white, and the wrinkles on his face were clearly visible.

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

He had been deeply dissatisfied with the policies of the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, regarding the governance of the Uchiha Clan, and had always yearned to seize sovereignty back from the Senju Clan.

He had later incited unrest and rebellion, only to be arrested by Anbu members and thrown into prison.

Years after the death of Tobirama Senju, when the Third Hokage took office, he had allowed Uchiha Setsuna to return to the clan in an attempt to ease tensions with the Uchiha.

"Junior, you are very sharp."