The Uchiha Clan meeting

"Fugaku, did you really give it your all in your last fight with that Qingyun?" the Uchiha Clan Head asked curiously, looking at Uchiha Fugaku, who stood before them with a composed expression.

At the Clan Head's question, Uchiha Fugaku nodded, his expression turning grim.

After returning from his last battle with Qingyun, Uchiha Fugaku had thrown himself into frenzied training, hoping for another chance to fight Qingyun and redeem himself.

"Tell us every detail of that battle. Remember, leave nothing out and get nothing wrong."

The Uchiha Clan Head looked at Uchiha Fugaku solemnly.

Uchiha Fugaku clenched his fists tightly, but his face remained expressionless as he slowly recounted the details of his battle with Qingyun. Then he added, "His taijutsu is extremely strange. Not only can he unleash razor-sharp sword energy, but his footwork is also incredibly fast. Once he uses it, a string of afterimages appears across the battlefield. Even my Two-Tomoe Sharingan couldn't tell which one was his real body."

After a pause, Uchiha Fugaku continued solemnly, "And his Finger Sword is extremely powerful. It pierced my Shadow Clone before it could even react.

"And that was just intangible sword energy formed from pure chakra. If he incorporated various ninjutsu into it, its power would probably rival ordinary A-Rank ninjutsu."

The Uchiha Clan Head and the Elders all grew solemn at his words!

After a long silence, the Uchiha Grand Elder finally spoke slowly. "Fugaku, what do you think Qingyun's attitude toward our Uchiha Clan is? Is there any chance we could bring him back into the clan?"

Uchiha Fugaku shook his head. "Father, I already told you last time. Qingyun has no attachment to the Uchiha Clan. I've also looked into his past recently.

"I'm sure you and the Clan Head already know about his past. Having grown up in that sort of environment, it's already fortunate that he doesn't hate the Uchiha Clan. Getting him to return is practically impossible.

"And besides..."

Uchiha Fugaku hesitated, then glanced at the Clan Head and the Elders' differing expressions before continuing. "Besides, the Hokage treats Qingyun extremely well. With Tsunade as his teacher, he has probably committed himself completely to the Hokage's faction. Even if he returned to the clan, his loyalty would probably still lie with the Hokage. He wouldn't serve the clan's interests."

"Hmph. In that case, send someone to kill him."

As a member of the Hawk Faction, the Uchiha Second Elder had already resented Qingyun for leaving the clan. Hearing Uchiha Fugaku's words, he flew into a rage, slapped the table, and shouted.

"We cannot do that. Quite apart from the fact that Qingyun is one of our Uchiha Clan Members, we should make amends for what we owe him and win him over with sincerity. Only then can we bring back such a genius."

The Uchiha Fourth Elder immediately objected to the Second Elder's words.

As soon as the two voiced their opposing views, the Hawk Faction and the Dove Faction erupted into an argument.

Only the Uchiha Clan Head and the Grand Elder remained silent, deep in thought with furrowed brows.

After a long while, the Grand Elder slapped the table and shouted, "Enough! What sort of behavior is all this bickering?"

At his words, the ninja of both the Hawk Faction and the Dove Faction fell silent. Their eyes turned to the Clan Head, waiting for him to speak.

Once the room had quieted down, the Uchiha Clan Head turned to the Grand Elder. "Grand Elder, how do you think we should deal with Qingyun?"

The Grand Elder considered it for a moment, then said evenly, "I suggest we continue trying to win him over. Qingyun can already create various taijutsu techniques at such a young age. For now, they may seem merely unusual rather than particularly powerful.

"But none of you have considered his age. He is only nine, yet he has already created so many taijutsu techniques with power comparable to C- and B-Rank ninjutsu. What will happen when he grows older? Could he create even more powerful taijutsu or ninjutsu?

"Wouldn't you all find it a shame if our Uchiha Clan lost such a genius?"

"But Qingyun has no goodwill toward our Uchiha Clan. How can we win him over?"

The Second Elder looked at the Grand Elder in confusion as he asked.

"He is still young. His thinking is immature, and there are things he doesn't yet see clearly. Besides, the clan truly has wronged him. Our Clan Members' indifference wounded the heart of a gifted young boy. This should serve as a warning to us. From now on, you must keep the Clan Members in line and ensure that nothing like this happens again.

"As for Qingyun...

"Arrange for a girl from the clan to attend his class. Hopefully, she can win him over. Also, direct more of the clan's resources toward Qingyun as far as possible. We can give him access to some ninjutsu as well. Clan Head, what do you think?"

After explaining his proposed solution, the Grand Elder looked toward the Clan Head. After all, the final decision belonged to the Uchiha Clan Head. Though the Grand Elder held considerable power and standing within the Uchiha Clan, he still respected the Clan Head's authority.

The Uchiha Clan Head considered it for a while, then nodded. "We'll do as the Grand Elder suggests!"

"What if Qingyun refuses?"

Since even the Clan Head had agreed, the Second Elder could hardly object, but he continued with another question.

"Then we kill him. Hiruzen Sarutobi protects him in Konoha, but he will have to graduate eventually. Once he graduates and leaves the village on a mission, we can arrange for someone to kill him. We Uchiha cannot allow someone hostile to the clan to keep growing stronger, especially someone with such talent."

A flash of murderous intent crossed the Grand Elder's eyes as he answered coldly.

"Father, you mustn't!"

Hearing his father's words, Uchiha Fugaku blurted out before he could stop himself.

The Grand Elder frowned. Uchiha Fugaku had always been the son he favored. He had placed great hopes in him and intended to groom him into the next Uchiha Clan Head. He had no desire to see Uchiha Fugaku become softhearted.

"Why? Give us your reasons. If you cannot convince us, you will face clan punishment. Don't forget where you are."

The Grand Elder stared at Uchiha Fugaku with a deep frown and spoke coldly.

Uchiha Fugaku shuddered. The Uchiha Clan's punishments were not easy to endure. Uchiha Ichigo, the most recent person to receive one, was still bedridden after a month of recovery.

Yet his father's words had suddenly filled Uchiha Fugaku with a sense of foreboding.

Having met Qingyun, he knew a little about him. His father's plan might work on someone else, but against Qingyun...

Recalling Qingyun's final words to him that day and the inhuman chill in his eyes, Uchiha Fugaku knew that Qingyun was extremely satisfied with his current life. He also bore no ill will toward the Uchiha Clan.

But if the clan sent someone to kill him, it would be fine if they succeeded. If Qingyun escaped, however, the Uchiha Clan would face his unending revenge.

The thought of offending a genius like Qingyun and having to endure his attacks in the future filled Uchiha Fugaku with dread. His instincts told him they must not make an irreconcilable enemy of Qingyun, or something truly terrifying would happen.

Uchiha Fugaku explained his thoughts, placing particular emphasis on Qingyun's temperament.

The Grand Elder and the Clan Head exchanged a glance. Then the Uchiha Clan Head said, "Let's set this matter aside for now and focus on winning him over. We can discuss the future when it comes!

"First Elder, don't blame Fugaku, either. He is thinking of the Uchiha Clan's future."

"Why haven't you thanked the Clan Head for his generosity?"

Taking the opportunity to back down, the Grand Elder spoke evenly to Uchiha Fugaku.

"Thank you for sparing me punishment, Clan Head."

Uchiha Fugaku bowed to the Uchiha Clan Head in thanks.

The Uchiha Clan Head waved a hand, signaling for Uchiha Fugaku to straighten up.

"If I'm counting correctly, you'll graduate next year, won't you, Fugaku? Do you plan to join the Police Force after graduation, or form a team and go on missions?"

The Uchiha Clan Head regarded Uchiha Fugaku with satisfaction. He was the most gifted clansman of his generation, surpassing his peers in both temperament and strength. The Clan Head thought highly of him and asked the question with a smile.

"I plan to form a team and go on missions first to gain experience. Once I have enough experience, I'll return to the Police Force."

Uchiha Fugaku explained his intentions with neither servility nor arrogance.

"Good. A mature way of thinking. Do as you intend!"

Looking at Uchiha Fugaku's mature expression, the Uchiha Clan Head nodded in satisfaction.

"Thank you for your praise, Clan Head."

Uchiha Fugaku calmly thanked the Uchiha Clan Head.