Inside the tent, Shirou examined the data on the scroll, a faint smile playing on his lips as he pointed out three nas. The sight made Uchiha Fugaku's eye twitch slightly—Shirou's sharpness was truly remarkable.
However…
Fugaku nodded solemnly. "Tekka and Inabi are exceptionally talented within the clan, both having already awakened their Sharingan. As for Yashiro, he's a mber of the Police Force and specializes in analysis. His calm and composed mind makes him a rare asset."
The three individuals Shirou had chosen—one elite jōnin and two chūnin—were all remarkable in their own right. In particular, Yashiro, with his steady deanor, had originally been soone Fugaku intended to recruit for his team. Yet, feeling a sense of responsibility toward Shirou, Fugaku graciously conceded. Geniuses needed opportunities to grow, and the Uchiha clan had no shortage of talent.
"Well then, thank you, Brother Fugaku."
Seeing Fugaku's generosity, Shirou smiled warmly.
When Shirou had reviewed the profiles of the Uchiha elites stationed on the frontlines, these three nas imdiately caught his eye. In the original story, they might have been minor characters, but in Shirou's mind, they stood out as noteworthy figures among the Uchiha clan.
In the original tiline, after Shisui's death, these three were among the few elites who confronted Uchiha Itachi, despite knowing they were no match for him. Moreover, according to the clan's records, all three had achieved full mastery of the three-tomoe Sharingan in the future. This potential alone was enough to earn Shirou's attention.
In the ninja world, countless prodigies shone brightly in their youth but faded into obscurity later on, often unable to advance beyond chūnin or special jōnin. Becoming a full jōnin was a significant milestone that many ninjas never reached.
For example, Mitarashi Anko was a prodigy in her youth, personally trained by Orochimaru. She graduated at 10 and beca a chūnin by 12, an extraordinary achievent. Yet, due to Orochimaru's defection and other circumstances, her progress stagnated, leaving her stuck at the special jōnin level.
In the Five Great Nations, jōnin represented high-tier combat strength, while in smaller nations, they were considered elite forces.
"Shirou-kun, please wait a mont. I've already sent soone to summon the three of them."
Outside, the rain continued to fall, the sound of raindrops on the tent creating a rhythmic, almost oppressive atmosphere. Inside, Fugaku used the brief pause to take out a red-covered book from his ninja pouch. Smiling, he held it up teasingly.
"Shirou-kun, this book of yours, written from an outsider's perspective, is truly eye-opening. It offers profound insights into Konoha, the Uchiha, and even… myself. I've learned a lot from it."
"I'd never thought of viewing the Uchiha from an outsider's perspective before, but after reading your book…"
Fugaku, particularly captivated by the fourth chapter, "In Konoha," couldn't help but beco uncharacteristically talkative. To him, Shirou was more than just a clan mber—he was a confidant.
As the young clan leader, Fugaku had borne imnse pressure from an early age. Over ti, he had co to understand the complex and strained relationship between the Uchiha and Konoha. Yet, he had felt unsure about how to move forward, often lost in his thoughts.
Then, Shirou appeared.
Shirou had taken the first step toward change that the Uchiha had always hesitated to take. His book laid bare the so-called "Uchiha pride"—a pride the clan understood but that outsiders often viewed as arrogance.
The book had given Fugaku clarity, igniting a desire to change the Uchiha.
And Shirou seed like the guiding light the clan desperately needed, illuminating a new path forward.
"Brother Fugaku, you flatter . I only wanted to share my story."
Speaking of the book, Shirou shook his head, a faint sigh escaping his lips.
"At the sa ti, I hoped it would help others understand the Uchiha, the ninja world, and the brutal reality of war."
Shirou's tone grew somber, his gaze resolute.
"I'm just soone searching for peace amid the chaos. I may not succeed alone, but there will always be others in the ninja world who yearn for peace and pursue it. One day, we'll find the true path to peace."
Fugaku felt a pang of sha as he listened. While his perspective remained confined to the clan and the village, Shirou's vision encompassed the entire ninja world.
If anyone else had spoken of seeking peace, Fugaku might have dismissed it as naive. But coming from Shirou, it felt different. Sohow, as he stared at the red-covered book in his hands, he couldn't shake the feeling that Shirou might truly be the one to bring peace to the ninja world.
"Captain Fugaku!"
A voice from outside interrupted the mont of reflection between the two n.
Outside the tent, the three summoned Uchiha elites waited nervously.
The oldest, Uchiha Yashiro, his rare brown hair standing out among the clan, smiled reassuringly at the two younger ninjas beside him.
"Don't worry. Your talents and potential will surely earn the clan's support."
Despite the Uchiha's abundant resources, distribution within the clan wasn't entirely fair. True equality only existed among equals.
Encouraged by Yashiro's words, the youngest of the three, Uchiha Tekka, asked hesitantly,
"Yashiro-senpai, please guide us."
Uchiha Inabi also bowed respectfully. As their senior, Yashiro hesitated briefly before lowering his voice.
"Before coming here, I heard that Jōnin Shirou is with the young clan leader. And as you know… Elder Setsuna has recently passed."
Though Yashiro left his words unfinished, the younger n imdiately grasped his implication.
"Thank you, Yashiro-senpai!"
Excitent flashed in their eyes. As younger mbers of the clan, they naturally gravitated toward the Hawk faction—a group that admired strength and decisiveness, much like Uchiha Shirou.
The Hawk faction didn't necessarily advocate rebellion. Instead, they emphasized boldness and determination. Shirou, with his daring solo infiltration of Land of Grass, had earned their respect.
As the three entered the tent respectfully, their deanor was serious.
"Captain Fugaku, (Jōnin) Shirou!"
The youngest two addressed Fugaku as "Captain" and Shirou as "Jōnin," while Yashiro, as a jōnin himself, addressed them more casually.
In warti, rank dictated respect, with jōnin wielding authority over lower-ranked ninjas. This protocol extended even to the fad Chūnin Exams, where jōnin like Kakashi could assign missions to genin teams without hesitation.
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