Beneath the setting sun, inside the house, Shirou and Mikoto stood facing each other.
"Sister Mikoto!"
As Shirou spoke, Mikoto gave him a gentle, understanding smile.
"Shirou, this is the quickest way for you to join the higher circles of the clan."
Looking at her, Shirou felt a warmth rise in his heart. Mikoto's concern for him was palpable.
Kekkei Genkai Sickness.
Those three words were a nightmare for any bloodline clan. For soone like Shirou—just a budding genius who had recently awakened his Sharingan—the clan wouldn't readily invest resources. Each dose of the cellular stabilizing serum cost between 100,000 and 200,000 ryo, sotis even more, depending on physical condition and frequency of use.
Dual Kekkei Genkai. In the proud Uchiha clan, the Sharingan reigned supre. Anything else was seen as weak.
Because of this, Shirou's unique heritage had little impact on the clan.
Suppressing his frustrations, Shirou sighed inwardly, only to be distracted by confusion flashing across his face.
"Sister Mikoto, what about Kushina?"
At the ntion of Uzumaki Kushina, Mikoto's smile turned wry.
"Shirou, while I approached her deliberately for the clan's sake, Kushina is a pitiful person too. She knows I had ulterior motives, but we still beca close friends."
Despite being older than Kushina, Mikoto's fond smile softened her expression as she recalled their monts together.
"You don't need to worry too much about this mission. It's mostly for show. I've already spoken with Kushina and made arrangents..."
Shirou quickly realized how much effort Mikoto had put in for his sake. The Kekkei Genkai Sickness wasn't sothing Mikoto wanted to risk with him, so she had taken control of the situation, carefully orchestrating every detail.
"Shirou, I'm not doing all this just for you. I have my reasons too," she admitted, her voice taking on a rare teasing tone.
"When the old man is gone, I won't be able to hold things down by myself. I'll need your help."
Mikoto was confident that within the next five or six years, she could consolidate Elder Setsuna's power and lead a united Uchiha clan.
Shirou couldn't help but chuckle as he responded in kind.
"Sister Mikoto, then the future of the clan will rest on the two of us."
The two shared a laugh, the tension montarily dissolving into camaraderie.
As she prepared to leave, Mikoto's Sharingan flared, her eyes gleaming crimson.
"Shirou, train hard. I'm preparing to beco a Special Jonin."
Her words left Shirou speechless.
Watching her figure retreat into the distance, Shirou stood alone in the quiet house. Narrowing his eyes, he murmured,
"Uchiha..."
He rubbed his temples, a wry smile curling his lips. This extre family, with all its complexities, was exactly what he wanted—ancient yet vibrant, ruthless yet resilient.
In a world ruled by power, the Uchiha belief in strength over tradition felt far more compelling than the rigid hierarchy of the Hyuga.
"When you lack the power to change everything, learn to blend in."
A confident grin spread across his face. He truly loved it here.
...
Later that night, Shirou found himself standing before Tsunade, who eyed him with her usual no-nonsense deanor.
"Coming to see this late at night—what do you want to report?"
Though Tsunade often appeared cold since the loss of her brother, Shirou bowed respectfully and began.
"Captain Tsunade, the clan has learned about my Sharingan awakening and my dual Kekkei Genkai. Afterward, the clan head and elders t with at Naka Shrine. From what I observed, the supposed divisions between them are little more than a facade."
Tsunade scoffed. The Senju had long been aware of the Uchiha's tactics. Their internal factions were a calculated act to maintain balance. Without the moderating influence of the two elder leaders, the Uchiha's infamous nature would have led them to self-destruct.
But this guy—sent as a spy in the morning and already reporting back at night?
"Captain Tsunade, they also ordered to make secret contact with Uzumaki Kushina. They claid she could act as a bridge between the clan and the village—a potential stepping stone for into higher ranks..."
At this, Tsunade's expression grew sharper.
"They want you to contact Kushina secretly?"
She felt her anger flare but quickly reined it in. This was Uchiha's way, always scheming for leverage within Konoha's inner circle.
"Sister Mikoto reached out to as well. She assured this mission is only for appearances and has already inford Kushina. It's all been arranged..."
Shirou revealed everything, omitting nothing. Partly because he did not need to fabricate details, but also because he needed Tsunade's trust.
"Doesn't it hurt to betray your clan like this?"
Tsunade finally asked, her sharp eyes boring into his.
Shirou's face grew solemn.
"Captain Tsunade, I am not betraying my clan! The Hidden Leaf Village was founded by the Uchiha and Senju together. Everything I do is for the good of the clan—and for the village!"
His voice grew impassioned as his Sharingan slowly activated, the tomoe spinning in his pupils.
"We live in a world of war! Poverty and hardship ravage the lives of shinobi! Have you seen how this endless conflict has scarred the village? The Uchiha clan has always sought to end this cycle. We have shed our blood to protect the village and fight for peace!"
Tsunade blinked, stunned by his fervor.
"Our real enemies," Shirou continued, his eyes blazing, "are those who seek to divide and destabilize the village!"
For a mont, silence filled the room. Tsunade's expression softened, her usual stern deanor replaced with quiet seriousness.
"I understand," she finally said.
"I apologize for what I said earlier."
Shirou was montarily stunned. Tsunade—apologizing? But her character made sense of it. The future Fifth Hokage was nothing if not principled, owning up to her words and actions.
Tsunade's brown eyes sparkled with determination as she addressed him again.
"Go on. What's next?"
Taking a deep breath, Shirou withdrew a scroll from his pouch. It was ti to take the next step—and bring Tsunade fully to his side.
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