[Bitter Fruit Entry System] Target: Uchiha Shisui Bitter Fruit type triggered: Regret Bitter Fruit Content: Reflecting on his lack of understanding of his clan, feeling guilty for being too one-sided, and blaming himself for being too naive. Harvesting... [Harvest successful!] [Uchiha Shisui's Regret Bitter Fruit] [Extractable entries: Eye Power steadily increased by 2%, Uchiha Guardian Aura (Newly Awakened)]
As Hayato patrolled the streets again, he spared some of his attention for the system panel. At first, he had planned to choose the steady increase to his eye power.
But when he saw the other option, suspicion stirred within him. Guardian Aura?
Could this be the passive ability on his system panel?
After thinking it over, Hayato chose it. A five percent increase to his eye power was of no use to him right now.
Extract.
He silently selected Uchiha Guardian Aura (Newly Awakened). Good thing he didn't have to say it out loud.
Yesterday, he'd just been too excited.
With Hayato's choice, Uchiha Guardian Aura (Newly Awakened) appeared in the passive options.
He also understood what the so-called passive ability was.
[Uchiha Guardian Aura (Newly Awakened)] Bonus: When a Bitter Fruit entry is settled, it can be doubled, up to ×1.1. Effect: Slightly increases the overall goodwill of clan members.
Satisfactory.
Hayato was very pleased with this reward. The effect could wait; being able to double Bitter Fruit entries was simply perfect!
If anyone harbored ill will toward him or the Uchiha Clan and generated a Bitter Fruit, being able to double it would be a huge profit.
If this were a game, he'd have just acquired a powerful tool that could provide a steady stream of boosts.
"Hayato, what are you doing?"
Seiichi and Rin, who were walking ahead, turned around and saw Hayato standing still. They asked in confusion.
"Nothing. Just thought of something." Hayato suppressed his excitement and smiled.
"Let's go. Once we finish patrol, it'll be time to switch shifts."
The Police Force wasn't so bad. At the very least, once their work was done, they could return to the building and rest or do their own thing.
"Okay. By the way, what should we get to eat tonight?"
Seiichi opened his mouth, looking a little embarrassed.
Hayato raised his eyebrows at that. So this was the passive ability? It really was powerful.
"Sounds good!" Rin said, nodding repeatedly beside them.
Hayato did the same and said, "Sure. Let's go to Granny Yamazaki's shop!"
"Great! I've been craving Granny Yamazaki's Three-Color Dango for ages." Rin grew even happier at the suggestion and nodded again and again.
Hayato smiled when he saw her reaction. Granny Yamazaki was an old woman from their Uchiha clan.
She lived alone with her granddaughter and ran a little shop.
Many members of the Police Force liked to support her business. Most of all, the food there tasted great.
The three of them chatted and laughed, paying no attention to the villagers who kept moving away as soon as they saw them.
Let them avoid us. It just leaves more room on the road.
At dusk, Hayato left the Police Force Building ahead of the others.
They made their way against the flow of people toward the Uchiha district.
Seiichi's expression gradually turned uneasy. Seeing this, Hayato put an arm around his shoulders and said quietly, "Don't worry. Things will definitely get better."
It was an ordinary thing to say, but Seiichi's expression gradually eased.
Rin smiled at the sight, too. Usually, the three of them went their separate ways, but today felt different.
"By the way, tomorrow's our day off. Want to go to the clan training ground together?"
Hayato remembered that all three of them were off tomorrow. Before, he hadn't seen any need to go.
But now his plans had changed, so he needed to bring the people around him together.
If anything happened in the future, he could use that to build influence within the clan.
Before, he'd been ready to defect at any moment. Now that he had a chance to change things, he needed to prepare.
Uchiha Clan Head's residence.
Fugaku looked through the files on the clan members. When he reached Hayato's page, he stopped.
"Hayato, huh? His record is ordinary, but his parents were both among those who devoted themselves to the glory of the Uchiha."
"His father... once awakened the Three-Tomoe."
As Fugaku pondered, a small head peeked in through the doorway.
Fugaku had just looked up when Sasuke's head ducked back out of sight. His tousled black hair was still visible, though.
"Sasuke?"
At his father's voice, Sasuke, still a toddler, peeked out again, looking timid.
He'd done this before, but back then, his father had gotten very angry.
"Come here."
Fugaku smiled and beckoned Sasuke over.
Sasuke grinned and scampered toward Fugaku, throwing himself into his arms.
As Sasuke giggled happily in his arms, Fugaku felt a jumble of emotions.
It seemed like a long time since he'd last played with Sasuke like this.
"Papa! Food! Food!"
Sasuke tilted his head up, his big, round eyes wide and his chubby cheeks like two little buns. He struggled to get the words out.
Fugaku held Sasuke in his arms and asked with a smile, "All right, then. What are we having today, Sasuke?"
"Food... dango..." Sasuke chewed on his finger, drool already trickling from the corner of his mouth. His voice was soft and sweet.
Fugaku gently patted Sasuke's head, then suddenly lifted him onto his shoulders.
Caught off guard, Sasuke gave a start. Once he was sitting securely, he took in the unfamiliar view around him, felt Fugaku's stubble against his little legs, and giggled again.
Grabbing Fugaku's hair, little Sasuke waved his short arms and pointed ahead.
"Horse! Horse! Giddy-up!"
"All right, hold on tight!"
Fugaku chuckled and started walking, carrying Sasuke, who squealed in delight, all the way to the dining table.
Mikoto, who was already seated, heard them and looked up. She froze at the sight, then smiled.
"Looks like Sasuke really loves his papa."
"Papa! Wuv you!" Sasuke said, patting Fugaku's head with both chubby hands.
Itachi, who seemed like a little grown-up, smiled as he watched Sasuke's excitement.
"All right, Sasuke. Time to get down and eat."
Mikoto stood and lifted Sasuke down. She said nothing about how unusually affectionate Fugaku was being today.
She only said softly, "It's time to eat, Fugaku."
"Okay."
Fugaku nodded and sat across from Itachi.
With little Sasuke there, the atmosphere at the dinner table was quite different today.
"See you tomorrow, then."
After their meal together, Hayato said goodbye to his two fellow clan members and headed home.
He opened the door and stepped inside.
As usual, he first lit incense before the memorial portrait, then turned to get ready to wash up.
With Hashirama's Sage Body as his foundation, he genuinely didn't feel tired at all.
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