"I heard that Lord Fugaku was blessed with a son last year, and his fate was in danger. So this old man shamelessly came here!"
When Fugaku heard Mingye state his true purpose, he nodded and answered him.
"I did ask the Hokage for a name before, but I never expected to trouble you personally. I'm truly grateful!"
His smile was as fake as ever, transparent at a glance. Though Mingye thought this inwardly, his outward response remained courteous and proper.
"The Uchiha Clan is one of Konoha's pillars. It is no trouble at all. Rather, this old man is the one borrowing the Uchiha Clan's prestige!"
"You jest, Lord Wu!"
Fugaku Uchiha nodded in thanks. Mingye then placed the letter he had brought from his sleeve before him. Fugaku opened the envelope, looked at the three words within, and frowned in confusion before looking up at Mingye again.
"Susanoo-no-Mikoto? That is the name of an ancient deity. Why would you have my son bear such a name? Su Ming is unacceptable! But Itachi..."
Fugaku pondered this only because, on the very first day his child had been born, Mingye had summoned him in the night and given the child the name Itachi. That word weighed heavily on Fugaku's heart, because it seemed to imply that the kindly old man before him, like himself, was loyal to—or cooperating with—someone.
"This old man has overstepped. Since you do not wish to use the name I chose, then name your own child yourself!"
There was no one around, yet Mingye's expression suddenly changed. He rose to his feet and rebuked him sternly, then stormed off in anger. Fugaku Uchiha casually tossed the letter and envelope into the air with a cold snort, reducing them to ashes.
"I truly didn't expect it! He