An "unexpected" visitor on the first day off

On the first day of his vacation, Shuo fulfilled his dream of waking up naturally-if being woken by the overly enthusiastic sunlight outside his window counted.

He hugged his blanket and rolled over twice, trying to bury his face in the shadows. It did not work.

In the end, he could only resign himself to getting up, his hair a mess as he squinted at the clock on the wall.

Ten thirty in the morning.

Not bad. A perfectly respectable start to a vacation.

He washed up at a leisurely pace, changed into his loosest, most comfortable clothes, and shuffled into the kitchen in his slippers.

The refrigerator was empty apart from half a carton of expired milk and two shriveled apples.

The groceries he had bought the day before yesterday had already been used up during those days at the border outpost.

Tsk. I still have to go shopping.

His vacation plans had hit a snag on day one, and Shuo was a little annoyed.

But his stomach was protesting.

He slowly got ready, pocketed his wallet, and prepared to buy a few things in the Shopping District outside the compound.

At the entryway, he paused.

That feeling of Uchiha Itachi watching him last night, and everything at the previous Clan Meeting... After some thought, he went back inside and put his Chunin Vest on over his casual clothes.

It was a nuisance, but inside the Uchiha Clan Compound, this uniform sometimes worked better than reason.

Sure enough, as he walked along the compound's rather quiet streets, the few clan members hurrying past looked at his "mix-and-match" outfit and Chunin Vest with gazes that remained distant, but held less of their former contempt and more scrutiny and... curiosity?

Shuo could not be bothered with them. With his hands in his pockets and the gait of a retired official, he ambled toward the compound gates.

Just as he was about to leave the compound, a somewhat timid voice came from the mouth of an alley beside him:

"Sh-Shuo?"

Shuo stopped and turned to look.

A skinny little boy of about eight or nine, dressed in the children's clothes common among the Uchiha, clung to the corner of a wall and watched him cautiously with large eyes.

The boy held a battered ball in his arms.

Shuo searched the original owner's memories but found little recollection of him.

He was probably a child from an even more peripheral Uchiha Clan household.

"Need something?"

Shuo's tone was neither particularly warm nor harsh.

The boy seemed taken aback by his mild reaction, then gathered his courage and said quietly, "Um... my ball... fell over that courtyard wall. I can't reach it... C-could you please get it for me?"

He pointed to a vacant residence nearby that looked rather old and had a high surrounding wall.

Shuo followed his pointing hand.

The wall was certainly high, but for a ninja, getting over it took little more than lifting a leg.

Was the kid afraid to climb over himself, or did his parents forbid it?

Asking a passing adult for help was normal enough, though that sort of mutual assistance was rather uncommon within the Uchiha Clan.

What a bother.

Shuo grumbled inwardly, but after looking at the boy's pleading eyes and then the high wall... Forget it. It's hardly any effort.

"Wait here."

With those two words, he walked over to the wall.

He used no flashy Taijutsu, merely pushing off lightly and jumping up to catch the top of the wall.

He vaulted onto it with a light, soundless movement.

The courtyard was overgrown with weeds. It had indeed been abandoned for a long time.

The battered ball lay amid a patch of weeds in the middle of the courtyard.

Shuo jumped down and walked over to pick it up.

The ball was old, with even its stitching coming apart. No wonder the boy treasured it.

He was about to return the way he had come when his gaze happened to sweep across a half-collapsed woodshed in a corner of the courtyard.

Something in the gaps between the rotting boards piled at its entrance seemed to catch the sunlight.

It was faint, but that sharp glint unique to metal or glass still stood out in natural surroundings.

Not rubbish.

More like... a ninja tool?

Shuo frowned.

A ninja tool in an abandoned courtyard?

Had the previous owner left it behind? Or...

He considered it but did not rashly approach to investigate.

Inside the Uchiha Clan Compound, especially in an old abandoned residence like this, who knew what old secrets or trouble might be hidden?

He did not want unnecessary complications.

Ball in hand, he returned to the wall and easily vaulted back over.

"Here."

He handed the ball to the boy, who had been waiting eagerly.

"Thank you, Shuo!"

The boy's eyes lit up. He took the ball, cradled it in his arms, bowed, then turned and ran off.

Shuo watched the boy's retreating figure, then glanced thoughtfully back at the high wall.

Forget it. None of my business.

He shook his head and continued toward the Shopping District.

The shopping went smoothly.

He bought enough food and daily necessities for three days, and even splurged on a box of fancy pastries for snacks.

Carrying bags of various sizes on his way back, he felt considerably better.

Back in the compound, as he passed near the training ground, he spotted several young Uchiha practicing with Shuriken in the distance.

One of them was Uchiha Itachi.

He stood alone at the edge, watching the others train. He held several Shuriken himself but did not throw them, merely watching quietly.

Shuo did not want any contact with him and planned to take a detour.

But Itachi seemed to notice him. He turned his head, his calm gaze settling on Shuo.

Then he walked toward him.

Here comes trouble.

A faint alarm sounded in Shuo's mind, but his face remained expressionless. He simply stopped and watched the other boy approach.

"Shuo."

Itachi stopped in front of him and nodded politely.

His voice was still childish, but his tone was far too steady for a child his age.

"Need something?"

Shuo's attitude was much the same as it had been toward the boy earlier.

"The clan leader asked me to tell you that, if you have time, you can visit Naka Shrine this afternoon."

Itachi spoke as evenly as if he were saying, "The weather is nice today."

Naka Shrine?

The place where the Uchiha Clan gathered, discussed important matters, and even launched their coup in the original story?

Why did Fugaku want him there? A level-ten alarm instantly sounded in Shuo's mind.

"Did the clan leader say what it was about?" Shuo asked tentatively.

Itachi shook his head. "He only said if you have time. It's not compulsory."

It sounded like an invitation, not an order.

But coming from Fugaku, delivered personally by the "young master," Uchiha Itachi, it carried different weight.

Shuo's mind raced.

Go?

It definitely wouldn't be anything good. Most likely, it meant further probing into his "ability," or an attempt to recruit him. He might even get dragged into the Uchiha's internal affairs.

Refuse? That would show too little respect for the clan leader, and life in the compound would probably become even harder.

"Understood."

Shuo neither accepted immediately nor refused. "I'll consider it."

Itachi did not seem surprised by his reaction and simply nodded again. "All right. I'll take my leave, then." With that, he returned to the training ground and resumed quietly observing.

Watching him go, Shuo felt the last of the good mood his vacation and shopping had brought vanish completely.

Sure enough, a completely peaceful vacation was impossible.

He carried his bags home, put away his purchases, then slumped on the sofa and stared at the ceiling.

Naka Shrine... should I go or not?

He weighed the pros and cons.

In the end, he decided that rather than have Fugaku keep thinking about him, he might as well go see what the man wanted.

After all, it would be broad daylight in the heart of the compound. Surely Fugaku would not do anything directly to him.

At most, he would issue a warning, try to recruit him, or assign some troublesome mission.

Having made up his mind, Shuo relaxed instead.

He took out one of the pastries he had bought and ate it slowly.

That afternoon, he changed into slightly more formal dark casual clothes-still not clan attire bearing the family crest-and headed toward Naka Shrine, following the route in his memories.

Naka Shrine lay deep within the Uchiha Clan Compound, in a secluded, peaceful setting that usually saw few visitors.

Today was no exception. The area around the shrine was silent.

When Shuo reached the shrine, he found the door ajar.

He pushed it open and entered.

The shrine was somewhat dim inside, with a faint scent of incense lingering in the air.

In the main hall ahead, Uchiha Fugaku knelt alone with his back to the entrance, seemingly meditating before the Uchiha Clan's sacred tablets.

Hearing footsteps, Fugaku did not turn around, merely saying in a low voice, "You're here."

"Clan leader."

Shuo stopped at the entrance to the main hall and bowed slightly.

Fugaku slowly turned around.

His face remained stern and rigid, but his eyes lacked the oppressive quality they had held at the Clan Meeting. Instead, there was a hint of... scrutiny and inquiry?

"No need for formalities. Sit."

Fugaku gestured toward a cushion beside him.

Shuo walked over and knelt down, his posture proper but conveying a sense of distance.

"I hear you've been quite active in Minato Namikaze's squad lately."

Fugaku went straight to the point. "You distinguished yourself at the border outpost."

"I was lucky, and Jonin Minato provided excellent guidance."

Shuo gave a standard answer.

Fugaku neither agreed nor disagreed. His gaze lingered on Shuo's face. "Your ability... seems to share some similarities with Minato's Flying Thunder God? Both involve 'light' and 'speed.'"

So that was what this was about.

Shuo understood perfectly, but showed an appropriate degree of confusion. "I'm not sure. Jonin Minato's technique is Space-Time Ninjutsu. Mine... is just a few little tricks, nothing worth mentioning."

"Little tricks?"

Fugaku's tone was level, yet brooked no argument. "Precisely destroying an enemy command post, disrupting attacks from jonin-level opponents, and accurately locating enemies in the dark... those are no little tricks."

Shuo remained silent.

It seemed Fugaku knew more details about the border events than he had imagined.

Did the Uchiha have eyes and ears at the outpost?

Or had Minato mentioned it in his report?

"The Uchiha Clan is renowned for its Sharingan and Fire Release."

Fugaku shifted the subject. "But the clan's strength goes beyond those. Embracing different talents and uncovering our members' special abilities are also a clan leader's duties."

He looked at Shuo, his gaze deepening. "Shuo, your parents died young, and you've remained obscure within the clan. But that doesn't mean the clan has overlooked you. I've seen your potential."

Here it comes. The classic recruitment pitch.

Shuo listened with his eyes lowered.

"The clan can provide you with better resources, more systematic guidance, and even... ancient records concerning the connection between 'light' and 'ocular techniques.'" Fugaku offered his bait. "In exchange, you must take a clearer stand on the clan's side and contribute to the Uchiha's future."

"Of course," Fugaku added, "this won't affect your continuing to gain experience in Minato Namikaze's squad. On the contrary, the clan hopes you can secure more prestige and... information for the Uchiha there."

Shuo understood.

Was Fugaku trying to turn him into a "double agent"?

Or at least plant a pawn closer to the Uchiha in Team Minato. Those records about "light and ocular techniques" were probably the bait.

Agree?

Then he would be firmly hitched to the Uchiha's war chariot, with endless trouble ahead.

Besides, he doubted the authenticity and value of those records.

Refuse?

That would mean disrespecting the clan leader. Life within the clan might become impossible, and he might even be secretly ostracized and suppressed.

What a dilemma.

Shuo kept his head lowered, seemingly caught in a fierce internal struggle.

A few seconds later, he raised his head, his expression a mixture of difficulty, hesitation, and an earnest hint of "my abilities really are limited."

"Clan leader..."

His voice was quiet but clear. "I'm very grateful that the clan thinks so highly of me. But..."

He paused, as though gathering his words. "My ability... really is unstable. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. Luck played a big part in this mission's success. I'm afraid... I'll fall short of the clan's expectations."

"And," he said cautiously, watching Fugaku's expression, "Minato-sensei... is very demanding of me, too. My schedule is packed with training and missions. I'm afraid I won't have much energy left... to do more for the clan."

He had phrased it very diplomatically.

He had neither directly rejected Fugaku's overtures (by expressing gratitude), nor failed to emphasize his own lack of ability (to shirk responsibility), and had even used Minato as a shield (to imply that the matter was out of his hands).

Fugaku listened quietly, his expression barely changing. Only after a long while did he slowly speak:

"I understand."

Neither pleasure nor anger could be heard in his tone.

"In that case, I won't force you. The clan's resources will remain available to you. Whenever you wish to read those records, you may come to the shrine and consult them."

"As for serving the clan..."

Fugaku looked at him meaningfully. "Sometimes, there's no need to do anything in particular. Being yourself and improving your strength is itself a contribution to the Uchiha's glory."

Shuo inwardly breathed a sigh of relief. Fugaku had taken a step back for now, but he had left things unsaid.

"You may go now."

Fugaku waved a hand. "Get some rest, and give it some thought. The Uchiha will always stand behind you."

"Yes. Thank you, Clan Head."

Shuo rose, bowed, and left the shrine.

Only when he stepped out of the shrine into the afternoon sunlight did he feel a slight chill across his back. He had broken into a light sweat earlier.

Dealing with an old fox like Fugaku is exhausting.

Still, at least I've managed to fob him off for now.

With his hands in his pockets, he strolled home.

As he passed the abandoned residence where the little boy had asked for help that morning, he paused and glanced at its high courtyard wall.

That glint in the woodshed... ninja tools...

And Fugaku's meaningful words today...

The Uchiha's murky waters really aren't easy to wade through.

He shook his head and quickened his pace, wanting only to get back to his little home as soon as possible. It might be lonely, but at least it was safe for now.

It's only the first day of my leave, and it already feels more exhausting than going on a mission.

The remaining two days...

Hopefully, I can really get some "rest."

He sighed, his figure disappearing into the winding alleys of the Uchiha Clan Compound.

Behind him, the doors of Naka Shrine slowly closed after his departure.

Inside, Fugaku still knelt before the spirit tablets with his eyes closed, as though he had never moved.

Only the wisps of smoke rising from the incense burner slowly drifted away.