Uchiha Clan Grounds
"Mikoto, do you have any objections to the notice of Uchiha Shirou's appointment as a jōnin?"
In the wooden house, Elder Uchiha Setsuna coughed heavily, barely able to support himself as he spoke in a low voice.
Sitting below him, Uchiha Mikoto glanced at the appointment notice. Her expression remained calm as she nodded.
"With the activation of the Curse Mark Kekkei Genkai, Shirou possesses the ability to contend with jōnin-level opponents. Coupled with his talent for developing A-rank ninjutsu without hand seals and his dual tomoe Sharingan, I have no objections to Shirou's promotion to jōnin."
Hearing his granddaughter's words, Elder Setsuna let out a suppressed, mocking laugh amidst his coughs.
"Fool! You're worse than this brat. How can I trust you to inherit this branch in the future?"
His tone was sharp with frustration as he scolded her before continuing:
"Thirteen years old, self-developed A-rank ninjutsu, the youngest genius jōnin in Konoha's history—do you even realize what this means?"
"Let me tell you! From the moment this appointment notice is issued, all of this brat's information will appear in the offices of the Five Great Shinobi Villages. Then it will filter down to the smaller villages, followed by high-value bounty notices!"
As he spoke, Elder Setsuna's face darkened with anger, and he slammed his leg hard against the floor.
"Moreover, as a jōnin, the missions he takes on will be significantly more dangerous. His fame as a genius will guarantee that enemy villages thoroughly analyze his weaknesses and ninjutsu affinities."
"Do you think being a famous jōnin is a good thing? That Third Hokage is plotting against our Uchiha genius!"
Elder Setsuna's anger was palpable. Having once rebelled himself, he understood the intricacies of conspiracies better than anyone.
For experienced shinobi, fame brought challenges they were prepared to face. However, Shirou was only thirteen, barely capable of battling jōnin with his Kekkei Genkai, and far from defeating them outright.
An undeveloped genius faced immense danger if their enemies had access to their information. In Shirou's case, the Curse Mark Kekkei Genkai had a time limit; any prolonged battle could lead to his defeat. Additionally, his chakra natures—fire, lightning, and earth—along with his commonly used techniques, would soon be disseminated to enemy villages.
Yet, upon hearing these dangers, Uchiha Mikoto remained unfazed. Instead, her expression grew resolute as she responded coldly:
"Elder, Shirou is the clan's genius. I trust he will grow stronger in the face of conflict."
The proud Uchiha clan had never been one to fear danger.
Elder Setsuna's face flushed with anger at his granddaughter's stubbornness. His hand trembled as he pointed at her.
"Mikoto! You—you—"
"Elder!"
Mikoto interrupted sharply, her tone formal and distant.
It was clear their relationship was strained, perhaps irreparably so.
"Mikoto, when you chose this brat, it was because he was easy to control and a genius, wasn't it?"
Hearing this, Mikoto's pupils contracted. Her expression darkened as she snorted coldly.
"Indeed. At the time, I thought Shirou would be easy to control."
"And now?"
Faced with Elder Setsuna's questioning, Mikoto fell silent. Initially, her choice had been a form of rebellion against the family. She knew her grandfather's failing health wouldn't allow him to hold power long enough to dictate her future. Rejecting the suitors tied to the clan leader's faction, she sought an easily controlled genius instead.
Shrou, a renowned talent at the Academy and someone she had grown up with seemed like the perfect candidate.
However, as time passed, trust and warmth grew between them. Mikoto unknowingly opened her heart to him.
Seeing his granddaughter's silence, Elder Setsuna sighed heavily, his frustration evident.
"Mikoto, this brat's growth proves your judgment wasn't wrong. When I was your age, I too believed in the pride of the Uchiha. But as I've aged, I've learned that pride alone isn't enough—Uchiha needs strength to back it up!"
He sighed again, his voice softening slightly.
"Don't let empty pride lead to your downfall. Do you want this brat to die carrying the so-called glory of the Uchiha genius?"
Despite his wisdom, gained through rebellion and hardship, Setsuna found it impossible to make the younger generation understand his perspective.
"If Shirou dies in battle, I will avenge him and then join him as a widow."
Good heavens!
Elder Setsuna nearly spat blood. Staring at his bull-headed granddaughter, he exclaimed:
"Mikoto, you're too extreme!"
But Mikoto remained calm. Slowly, she retrieved a scroll from her ninja pouch. Her actions made Setsuna raise an eyebrow in confusion. Her gaze softened slightly as she handed it to him.
"This is Shirou's self-developed A-rank ninjutsu."
Elder Setsuna fell silent. What a dedicated brat! Sharing his self-developed jutsu with her?
Typically, a ninja's self-developed techniques were reserved for their heirs or disciples. Even spouses weren't privy to them unless they were exceptionally trusted. This practice held even among noble clans.
Sharing such a technique with Mikoto was an act of complete trust.
"You're doing this for that brat?"
Elder Setsuna looked up, his gaze calm as he studied his determined granddaughter. For the first time, he realized he had never truly understood her.
Mikoto nodded softly, her expression unwavering.
"Shirou's dream is immense. I can feel that he wants to change the clan—not with words, but through actions."
She paused, then added, "Grandfather, your health gives us little time."
Her subtle use of "Grandfather" instead of "Elder" revealed a rare moment of familial connection.
Pride, risk-taking, and loyalty ran deep within the Uchiha bloodline—traits Mikoto embodied fully.
"You!"
Elder Setsuna felt utterly defeated. It was as if his granddaughter and her partner were already planning to take over while he was still alive.
"Fine! I will protect this Uchiha genius!"
This wasn't about Uchiha's pride anymore—it was about pushing Setsuna to use his authority to fully support Shirou.