Thank you for being my patron.
The List of The "ANBU" Member:
-Korron Hightower
-YoungPhxntom
-Z3kChrome
-Auzzo
-PandaSho
-ar4ngel
-Nako
-Yod
-Francisco Jimenez
-Lord_Clamiral
-Abhinav Ankur
-Jay Singh
-Fuad Mammadov
-Cain
You can read 40 chapters ahead of everyone on p@treon.
P@TREON - p@treon.com/lessaservantofcosmos
(just replace the "@" with "a")
ps: Please support me on P@treon. I can really use your help!
-------------------------------------------------------------
While a secret conversation was taking place among the branch families of the Hyuga clan, in a distant and secluded area of Konoha, a cluster of old houses lay connected to each other.
In the courtyard of one of these houses, another conversation was unfolding. The warm sunlight was not too harsh, casting a gentle glow on the verdant grass in the courtyard, infusing it with the vitality to continue growing. On the old veranda, two figures, one large and one small, sat kneeling, facing each other.
Both were dressed in traditional, casual kimonos, the colors muted and understated. However, the fan symbol on their backs clearly identified their clan.
"Fugaku, do you understand what this war means for the Uchiha clan?" The older man spoke first. He had his eyes slightly closed, with graying hair at his temples, though it was neatly combed back, giving him a tidy appearance.
The wrinkles on his face, especially around his cheeks, eyes, and forehead, bore the marks of time, making him appear as someone who had endured much in life.
As he spoke, he slowly opened his eyes, revealing a sharp, shrewd gaze that shifted from calm to intense as he stared at the young man before him.
Despite the older man's imposing presence, the young man remained calm. He straightened his posture slightly, pressed his lips together, and respectfully looked at the older man before him, replying in a deep voice.
"I understand, Father."
"With Lord Kagami's passing, there's no one left to mediate between the village and the clan. The tensions between them have only sharpened. This war might present an opportunity for the clan."
"An opportunity to break free from Konoha's restraints." The young man had black hair, and his eyes, partially hidden by his bangs, were calm, as if he were discussing something ordinary. Hearing his response, the older man looked at him with a smile of approval, then spoke slowly.
"You're mostly right, Fugaku, but there's one thing you got wrong."
"The Uchiha clan doesn't seek to break free from Konoha's restraints; we aim to regain control over Konoha."
A flash of light crossed his eyes as he said this.
Fugaku looked puzzled but did not ask further. The older man noticed his confusion, his expression becoming more serious as he spoke heavily.
"You still don't know the origins of the Uchiha clan's history. In a while, I'll take you to see the stone tablet deep within our clan that records our history."
"That tablet holds some of the answers you seek, but only part of them."
For some reason, as he said this, the older man's voice grew lower, and his back seemed to bend slightly.
Fugaku noticed this change, and a solemn expression crossed his face as if something had occurred to him. The older man lowered his gaze, his voice raspy as he spoke.
"Fugaku, remember, the reason I'm telling you this is because from the moment your brother passed, it was destined that you would bear this responsibility!"
"Your brother, Shino, possessed a talent that rivaled any of the Uchiha ancestors. He was the pride of the Uchiha clan, and my pride as well."
"But... he died in the Sand Village... on a ridiculous mission assigned by the village... caught in Sōsuke's schemes!"
"So, as his younger brother, you must not follow in his footsteps!"
"Fugaku, you must remember! From this moment on, you are the next head of the Uchiha clan. This is the heavy responsibility you must bear. Do you understand?"
As he spoke, the older man raised his head slightly, staring at Fugaku, his eyes filled with hope. Feeling his father's gaze, the young Uchiha Fugaku, whose face still held a hint of youth, nodded heavily and said in a deep voice.
"I understand, Father."
After speaking, he bowed deeply before the older man. Seeing this, a smile of satisfaction appeared on the older man's weathered face. He gently patted Fugaku on the shoulder and spoke softly.
"Among you three siblings, although you are the youngest, your temperament is the most like mine. I believe that under your leadership, the Uchiha clan will grow more and more prosperous—there's no doubt about it!"
With that, he slowly stood up and walked toward the door. As he reached the doorway, he paused slightly, turned his head slightly, and spoke in a low voice.
"Don't worry. In the time I have left, I will prepare everything for you. The village of Konoha... will eventually be in the hands of the Uchiha!"
After these words, his slightly burdened figure disappeared through the doorway.
It was only after this that Uchiha Fugaku, who had been bowing his head to the ground, slowly raised his head. His young face bore a composure and calmness beyond his years.
He glanced toward the small patch of green grass in the courtyard, which was bathed in sunlight, and a complex expression flashed across his eyes.
He slowly extended his hand, carefully touching the warm sunlight just outside the eaves before quickly withdrawing it. After that, he remained sitting there quietly, sitting for the entire day. For this young Uchiha clan leader, the choice between light and darkness would become the most significant burden of his life.
The day after, the current head of the Uchiha clan, Uchiha Jina, announced his retirement, and his second son, Uchiha Fugaku, succeeded him as the new head of the Uchiha clan.
Even during the war, this ceremony was highly regarded by Konoha's leadership, who sent representatives to pay their respects and show respect for the new clan leader. Under the watchful eyes of many high-ranking officials, Fugaku displayed no trace of nervousness. His behavior was polite, and his actions were measured, earning him praise as someone who had inherited the demeanor of Clan Head Jina.
The rather solemn ceremony lasted nearly an entire day.That night, the new clan leader, who was regarded by all as deeply embodying his father's spirit, disappeared from the Uchiha estate.
"Father, where is Fugaku?"
A cold-faced, beautiful woman asked Uchiha Jina, who was dressed in a relaxed kimono.
In response, Jina sipped his tea slowly and replied softly.
"Although Fugaku didn't say anything, I know this has been a heavy burden for him. He must have gone out to clear his mind."
As he said this, he looked up slightly, his gaze softening as he looked at the woman before him and spoke gently.
"Sakuya, you're not getting any younger; isn't it time to find someone..."
Before he could finish, the cold-faced woman's cheeks flushed with embarrassment, and she snapped.
"Father, what are you talking about!!"
Hearing Sakuya's flustered response, Jina didn't mind. He just smiled and waved his hand gently. For this daughter, who could be considered cold-hearted by Uchiha standards, Jina had always shown her the greatest kindness.
At that moment, as he looked at Sakuya, he seemed to see the figure that had been absent from his sight for too long. His voice grew melancholic.
"Before I knew it, you've all grown up, and I've gotten old."
With those words, he slowly stood up and walked inside. His voice, sounding like that of a lonely old man, slowly echoed.
"If there's time, let's go visit Shino together. I've always felt sorry for that child."
As these words faded, Jina's once upright figure bent slightly as he disappeared into the darkness. Hearing her father's words, Sakuya almost couldn't resist telling him that Shino was still alive, but she held back at the last moment.
After all, Shino was now following Aizen, and telling her father might cause unnecessary trouble... She decided to wait a little longer.