Knock, knock, knock.
Kawakaze lightly rapped on the door.
Before long, it opened, and a servant, upon recognizing him, quickly bowed.
"No need for formalities."
"Is Fugaku ho?"
Kawakaze stepped inside, taking a few steps forward.
"The Clan Head is here. I'll take you to him."
The servant imdiately led the way without announcing his arrival.
Fugaku had already given instructions—there were certain people who didn't need to be announced, and Kawakaze was one of them.
"He's with his son, isn't he?"
Kawakaze followed behind, breaking the silence.
"Yes, the Clan Head and Lady Mikoto are playing with the young master."
The servant answered honestly, keeping his words brief.
"I figured as much."
Kawakaze muttered to himself. With the expedition approaching, it was only natural for Fugaku to want to spend more ti with his wife and child.
"This is the place."
The servant stopped and bowed before leaving.
"Thanks."
As the servant walked away, Kawakaze pushed the door open and stepped inside.
The first thing he saw was Fugaku holding Itachi in his arms, playing with him, while Mikoto stood nearby, watching them with a warm smile.
It was such a peaceful mont that Kawakaze hesitated to interrupt.
"Lord Kawakaze, you're here."
Fugaku was the first to notice the unexpected guest. He handed Itachi over to Mikoto and welcod Kawakaze inside.
"I'll go prepare so tea."
Mikoto gave Kawakaze a slight bow before carrying Itachi out of the room.
She knew he wouldn't have co unless it was sothing important.
"Please, have a seat."
Fugaku led Kawakaze to a quiet room, only sitting down after his guest had taken a seat.
"I hope I'm not intruding."
Kawakaze felt a little apologetic. He was, after all, cutting into Fugaku's precious ti with his family.
"Not at all."
Fugaku knew when to prioritize business—there was no need for unnecessary pleasantries.
"You have a heavy burden in this campaign against the Land of Earth."
"I've arranged for soone to accompany you—Duy will be going with you."
Kawakaze didn't fra it as if he doubted Fugaku's strength. He made sure to give him due respect.
"Thank you."
"With Duy on board, this battle will be much easier."
Fugaku didn't take it as an insult to his abilities. He wasn't oblivious to the reality of the situation.
He understood Iwagakure's current strength—if he had to face them alone, it would be a difficult fight.
"I've already spoken with him."
"He'll et up with you when it's ti to depart."
As they talked, Mikoto entered the room, carrying a tray of tea. Itachi had already been handed over to a caretaker.
"I'll leave you two to talk."
Mikoto poured the tea and was about to leave.
"Stay. It's nothing too urgent."
Inviting the hostess to stay might have seed improper, but with their relationship, Fugaku didn't think much of it.
"Stay."
At Fugaku's nod, Mikoto took a seat beside him.
"Mikoto," Kawakaze began.
"I hope you don't hold it against us for sending Fugaku on this mission."
"There are plenty of capable people in the village, but he's the best choice."
"I hope you understand."
"And once this is over, I promise I won't send him out again."
Kawakaze took responsibility for the decision, just in case Mikoto had any lingering resentnt.
"How could I bla you? I understand."
"Fugaku didn't hide it from —he volunteered."
"He has a reason to go."
"If he doesn't take revenge for his uncle himself, he'll regret it for the rest of his life."
"So no matter what, I'll support him."
Mikoto was truly as gentle and understanding as she appeared—a perfect wife and mother.
She turned to look at Fugaku, her eyes filled with affection.
"I'm glad to hear that."
"And don't worry about his safety—I've made all the necessary arrangents."
"You and Itachi just stay ho and wait for him to return in victory."
"We'll celebrate together when he's back."
Kawakaze knew Mikoto would worry, so he tried to reassure her.
"Lord Kawakaze has arranged for Duy to accompany ."
"You know his strength."
"There's nothing to worry about."
Fugaku patted Mikoto's shoulder. Duy had once been her jōnin instructor.
"Duy-sensei is going with you?"
"Then I have nothing to worry about."
Duy had a way of making people feel at ease.
Mikoto had been concerned about Fugaku handling everything alone, but now she felt reassured.
"Oh, there's one more thing."
Kawakaze suddenly rembered sothing.
"What is it?"
Fugaku looked at him seriously, waiting for his answer.
"The Four-Tails Jinchūriki deserves to die."
"But I need you to bring back so of the Four-Tails' flesh."
"Of course, if he doesn't reach his full transformation, then forget it."
Since Rōshi was already a key target, Kawakaze didn't bother with formalities.
"Oh, that?"
"Lord Orochimaru already spoke to about it. He wants it for his experints."
Fugaku nodded, already aware of the request. It seed Orochimaru was more eager than Kawakaze about this.
"Do what you can."
Kawakaze didn't want Fugaku to go out of his way for it.
Rōshi wasn't a perfect Jinchūriki, but if he lost control and fully transford, that would be more of a problem than an advantage.
All it would do is turn him into a mindless monster with imnse destructive power.
"I know what to do."
Fugaku made a ntal note of Kawakaze's request.
For soone with the Mangekyō Sharingan, forcing a Jinchūriki into a rampage wasn't difficult.
At most, it just ant keeping Rōshi alive a little longer before his inevitable death.
"Alright."
"That's all I needed. I won't take up any more of your ti."
"Spend as much ti with Mikoto and Itachi as you can—you won't see them for a while."
Kawakaze finished his tea, stood up, and prepared to leave.
"I'll walk you out."
Fugaku stood as well and accompanied Kawakaze to the entrance of the Uchiha district.
"You don't need to worry about the Mangekyō's side effects."
"The cell transplant I arranged for you—Orochimaru is close to perfecting it."
"Just go all out."
Kawakaze was confident that Hashirama's cells would resolve the Mangekyō's drawbacks, sothing even Orochimaru couldn't guarantee yet.
"I believe you."
"After this battle, the na Uchiha will once again resound throughout the shinobi world."
"I won't let my uncle down."
Fugaku didn't bother hiding his ambition, nor did he worry about making Kawakaze wary of him.
"You're capable of it."
Kawakaze clapped Fugaku on the shoulder before waving him off.
He knew Fugaku's ambitions weren't just about power—his loyalty to the village was just as strong.
As Kawakaze disappeared into the distance, Fugaku turned back and returned ho to his family.
...
That night, as darkness settled, Fugaku went to the Uchiha shrine alone.
Inside the dimly lit hall, only a few candles flickered, casting shadows over the nurous ancestral tablets of past clan heads.
Kneeling before them, he fixed his gaze on the tablet of his late uncle and spoke softly.
"Uncle, don't worry. I'll have my revenge soon."
"The Uchiha have beco what you always hoped for."
"And we'll only continue to grow stronger."
"But... I miss you."
As he spoke, his vision blurred with unshed tears.
The strict, imposing figure he once knew was gone forever.
Fugaku didn't know how long he stayed there, but once he had cald himself, he returned to his bedroom.
Looking at Mikoto and Itachi peacefully asleep on the bed, a smile returned to his face.
They were his new source of strength—his reason to keep moving forward.
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