The glory of the Uchiha

"This little fellow seems rather laid-back. Otherwise, with strength surpassing Kakashi's, he would have no trouble graduating early."

"His proficiency at turning Susanoo into armor alone is impressive, very impressive. But have any of you noticed something strange about the hardness of his Susanoo armor?

That Hatake boy hasn't fully mastered Hatake Style Swordsmanship, but... with an edge that sharp, he shouldn't have been unable to break through the defenses of the first form of Susanoo armor."

"Geniuses are bound to have their quirks, especially a genius of our Uchiha clan."

"But the boy usually keeps such a low profile. That doesn't quite suit my tastes. As a genius of our Uchiha clan, he ought to thoroughly suppress the other geniuses. And why does he cover his Sharingan? Even we can only deduce that he has two tomoe."

"Heh, I think he's fine this way, doing exactly as he pleases. Besides, you can't really say he's kept a low profile. If he truly wanted to hide, he wouldn't have agreed to fight Kakashi, much less defeated him so overwhelmingly."

The other elders offered their comments as well.

"Enough, you old fossils. Stop showing off your interpretations. Since Uchiha Gen deliberately concealed his talent, that means the boy has ideas of his own.

Don't go bothering him. However, as a genius of our Uchiha clan, he must still receive everything he's entitled to. Starting today, give him access to every ninjutsu in the Library and all Uchiha Secret Techniques except the High-Risk Forbidden Techniques.

Also, since Uchiha Gen came from the Orphanage, Kōka should be the one most familiar with him. From now on, Kōka will be responsible for protecting Uchiha Gen until he grows strong enough to need no protection.

And don't let the boy worry about money. Heh, why should a proud Uchiha need someone else to buy him dinner... Don't look at me like that.

Although the boy holds back, when it comes down to it, he isn't really hiding. After all, he hasn't shown any weakness. It's perfectly normal for a genius to have ideas of his own. As for concealing his Sharingan, he's right to do so. It shows he's mature enough and understands this village's... heh.

What's more, you all know what the Shinobi World is like now. The air of war is growing heavier and heavier. War could break out again at any moment.

With the strength Uchiha Gen has shown so far, he will surely become a genius ninja capable of standing on his own after being tempered by war.

I don't want a genius like that to be taken in by the man sitting in that seat. Besides, you should all have heard about recent events. I don't believe that man had no hand in what happened to Hatake Sakumo.

Since Uchiha Gen has been in frequent contact with Hatake Sakumo, that means the Uchiha have an opportunity to befriend a powerful ninja."

Uchiha Setsuna spoke quietly, deciding the arrangements for Uchiha Gen in just a few sentences. No, they could hardly be called arrangements; he was simply providing Uchiha Gen with better benefits.

"Let's do as Setsuna says. Consider it an... investment. After all, the Military Police Force these days... heh."

Beside Uchiha Setsuna, an old man with a curled beard glanced at him, seeming to understand something, then spoke quietly.

After he finished, Uchiha Setsuna continued, his voice low and indifferent, seemingly devoid of emotion.

"Also, Old Seven, go immediately to the place where Uchiha Gen fought the Hatake boy. Make sure you erase every trace of their battle. Don't leave any evidence that a fight took place there.

Konoha has quite a few old fossils with noses like dogs. Since the boy wants to hide, we'll lend him a hand. I'm very curious about just what this little fellow wants to do."

"I know, I know. Heh, these old bones still have to run errands for you. I must really owe you."

The old man Uchiha Setsuna called Old Seven rose impatiently. His figure flickered, and he vanished from the room.

"All right, get back to your own business. I still have to pay our genius a visit."

After watching Old Seven leave, Uchiha Setsuna rose as well and departed with the Body Flicker Technique.

"That old fossil really is in a hurry."

"Heh, how could he not be? That good-for-nothing currently sitting in the Military Police Force keeps wanting to entrust the Uchiha's fate to outsiders.

That alone is enough to make Setsuna anxious. An Uchiha, yet he doesn't understand at all that only his own clansmen can be relied on and trusted. Heh, Fujima, this is the fine successor you chose."

Evening clouds rolled across the sky, and the orange-red dusk settled heavily over Konoha's streets and alleys.

Still carrying a takeout box of unfinished grilled meat by his fingertips, Uchiha Gen strolled leisurely toward his home in the Uchiha Clan Compound.

By the time he returned to the Uchiha Clan Compound, it was already growing late.

Yet a warm yellow light shone steadily in Uchiha Gen's home, standing out in the darkening evening.

Uchiha Gen stopped before the door, his brows drawing together slightly.

Someone had entered his home.

Was it Obito? Or...

As he considered it, Uchiha Gen simply pushed the door open and entered. Whoever was inside, he would know once he saw them.

What danger could he possibly face within the Uchiha Clan Compound?

When he opened the door, an old man wearing a standard Uchiha kimono with a subtle woven pattern came into view, seated on a cushion in the living room.

"Elder Setsuna?"

Uchiha Gen was somewhat surprised as he looked at the old man sitting cross-legged on the cushion.

Why had this man suddenly come to his home?

"Uchiha Gen, from now on, you will receive the best resources and treatment."

Looking at the boy, Uchiha Setsuna stated his purpose outright.

"What do I need to give in return?"

Looking at this "legendary figure" who had dared to attempt to assassinate Tobirama Senju, Uchiha Gen asked calmly. After agreeing to fight Kakashi, he had already guessed that his strength would inevitably be exposed to certain people.

He just hadn't expected this old man to be the first to seek him out.

He had originally thought it would be a certain one-eyed man. After all, that was how most fanfiction went, followed by a scene of "Hand him over to me," "No," "You'll regret this," "I'm the Hokage," and "Bang," or something along those lines.

"Give in return? Hahahaha, that's an interesting question. Gen, you need to understand one thing. This... is not a transaction. If it isn't a transaction, why would you need to give anything in return?"

Everything the clan can offer you is simply because your talent warrants it. But... if there truly is a price, then there is only one: live up to your Uchiha name and become a truly powerful ninja, then... protect the glory of the Uchiha."

Smiling, Uchiha Setsuna looked at Uchiha Gen and spoke loudly. Especially when he spoke of the glory of the Uchiha, a light shone in the old man's eyes. It was... faith.

In the end, Uchiha Setsuna left Uchiha Gen's home with a satisfied smile.