The Uchiha Clan's Apology, I Refuse

Uchiha Fugaku felt that Chiyu and the Uchiha Clan could never reconcile.

However, Uchiha Masaki did not think so.

As the clan head of the Uchiha Clan, Uchiha Masaki already had quite a good grasp of the bigger picture.

But Uchiha Masaki still instinctively approached matters from the perspective of the Uchiha Clan as Konoha's foremost ninja clan.

Uchiha Masaki believed that so long as the Uchiha Clan, Konoha's foremost ninja clan, extended an olive branch to Chiyu, Chiyu would have no reason to refuse.

Uchiha Masaki rubbed his temples, continuously assessing Chiyu's value in his mind.

The more Uchiha Masaki thought about it, the more he felt that Chiyu's value was immense.

Not because of Chiyu's talent or strength, but because of his identity.

He was firmly part of the Hokage's faction, someone Hiruzen Sarutobi was heavily cultivating, and the disciple of Orochimaru, one of the Legendary Sannin.

The Uchiha Clan was now completely isolated. No one wanted to associate with them, including Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Other than the Konoha Military Police Force, the current Uchiha Clan had completely withdrawn from Konoha's center of power.

If Chiyu could become a core figure in the Hokage's faction, perhaps he could help the Uchiha Clan establish a bridge of communication with Hiruzen Sarutobi.

But the prerequisite was that Chiyu had no conflicts with the Uchiha Clan, held goodwill toward them, and was willing to act on their behalf.

Uchiha Masaki pondered for a long time, while Uchiha Fugaku did not disturb his father.

Based on his understanding of his father, Uchiha Fugaku could roughly guess what his father was thinking.

After contemplating for a long while, Uchiha Masaki said to Uchiha Fugaku, "Fugaku, go to Orochimaru's base tomorrow and find Chiyu. Bring along the Uchiha Clan's Fire Release Ninjutsu Scrolls and our notes on using the Sharingan."

Uchiha Fugaku let out an almost imperceptible sigh.

Just as he had expected.

Uchiha Fugaku said to his father, who still harbored illusions, "Father, you just said that Chiyu could never return to the Uchiha Clan. Is there any point in doing this?"

Uchiha Masaki said with certainty, "There is. I never intended to make him return to the Uchiha Clan in the first place. He cannot come back anymore. My purpose is merely to make him view the Uchiha favorably and not be hostile toward our clan. As long as he continues growing like this, it is practically certain that he will become a core ninja of the Hokage's faction. And half the Uchiha Bloodline will forever flow through his veins. Now do you understand, Fugaku?"

Uchiha Fugaku understood Uchiha Masaki's intentions.

But he felt it would be difficult to make Chiyu develop goodwill toward the Uchiha Clan.

After all, the grudges built up over so many years could not be erased by a Ninjutsu Scroll and some notes on using the Sharingan.

But he also knew his father's temperament. Once his father made a decision, there was no way he could stop him.

Uchiha Fugaku nodded. "I understand, Father."

Uchiha Masaki nodded. "Mm. Fugaku, you must work even harder as well. Do not let yourself be surpassed by an outsider who only has half the Uchiha Bloodline."

Uchiha Fugaku felt bitter upon hearing that. He also wanted to awaken the Sharingan. He also did not want to be surpassed by Chiyu, who only possessed half the Uchiha Bloodline. But what could he do if his Sharingan simply would not awaken?

Awakening the Sharingan was not something effort alone could accomplish. He did not even have a direction in which to work.

The next day.

Chiyu got up as usual before dawn.

Orochimaru still had not returned.

But Orochimaru had said that he would take him to form a contract with Ryūchi Cave today, so he should return today.

Chiyu arrived at the Training Ground in the underground base and began his training for the day.

After training alone for two or three hours, Chiyu suddenly sensed the barrier outside the base being triggered.

A barrier had been set up around Orochimaru's base. Whenever it was triggered, Orochimaru would be able to sense it.

For convenience, Orochimaru had also given Chiyu permission, allowing him to sense it whenever it was triggered.

Chiyu grabbed a towel and wiped the sweat from his face. As he walked toward the entrance of the base, he muttered, "Here to see Teacher Orochimaru?"

When Chiyu stepped out of the base, his eyes immediately narrowed.

Seeing the familiar Uchiha Clan crest, Chiyu folded his arms and leaned against the doorway, sizing up Uchiha Fugaku as he said sarcastically, "Tsk, you really came looking for me. As expected of the Uchiha Clan, you really hold grudges. What happened last night, and you came knocking first thing this morning. But if you came to take me down, isn't it a little inappropriate to send a brat like you? Where are the members of your Konoha Military Police Force? Shouldn't they be the ones arresting me, the criminal who injured the noble Uchiha?"

Uchiha Fugaku's face immediately darkened at Chiyu's sarcasm.

A brat? Chiyu was clearly younger than him. What right did he have to call him a brat?

Uchiha Fugaku bowed slightly. "Chiyu, you misunderstand. I represent the Uchiha Clan in apologizing to you for what Yuto and Kazuma did yesterday."

Chiyu's brows furrowed for a moment before relaxing. His tone remained just as sarcastic. "Oh? When I first came to Konoha, I was bullied quite a lot by the Uchiha. I don't recall any of you coming to apologize back then. Yet now you're moving quite fast. Let me guess, is it because of this?"

Chiyu pointed toward the base.

The owner of this underground base was Orochimaru. The implication was obvious: they had come to apologize because of Orochimaru.

Orochimaru alone was certainly not enough to make the arrogant Uchiha Clan apologize, but the person behind Orochimaru carried enough weight.

Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Uchiha Fugaku's heart tightened. He realized that this brat, who was younger than him, was a little difficult to deal with.

And Uchiha Fugaku was now fully aware that making Chiyu view the Uchiha Clan favorably was practically impossible.

Uchiha Fugaku got straight to the point. "Chiyu, our apology is sincere. These are the Uchiha Clan's Fire Release Ninjutsu and notes on using the Sharingan, offered as proof of our sincerity."

Uchiha Fugaku tossed over two scrolls.

Chiyu caught the scrolls and weighed them in his hand. "So part of the reason for this apology is my Sharingan. I thought that after seeing me awaken it, you shamelessly wanted me to return to the Uchiha Clan. Looks like you still have some brains."

Uchiha Fugaku lowered his head slightly, a faint flush appearing on his cheeks.

If not for Kushina Uzumaki, his father Uchiha Masaki might really have asked Chiyu to return to the Uchiha Clan.

Uchiha Fugaku bowed. "Since you have accepted the Uchiha Clan's apology, Chiyu, I shall take my leave."

Just as Uchiha Fugaku was about to turn and leave, Chiyu suddenly said, "Wait. Aren't you being a little too presumptuous? Did I ever say that I accepted your apology?"

Uchiha Fugaku frowned at Chiyu, not understanding what he meant.

Then Chiyu's next action immediately enraged Uchiha Fugaku.

Lightning flickered around Chiyu's hand as he held the two scrolls. The high temperature instantly ignited them, reducing them to ashes.

Chiyu looked mockingly at Uchiha Fugaku and said, word by word, "I refuse your Uchiha Clan's apology!"