Peaceful times always pass swiftly, and in the blink of an eye, another period had gone by.
Kiyoshi spent his time continuously refining and organizing what he had learned. Whenever he had a spare moment, he would head to his private laboratory to research the power of Moryo.
During this time, Hiruzen had approached him again, inviting him to join the Anbu. He even sent over an Anbu combat uniform and the standard-issue Anbu katana.
Kiyoshi declined politely, stating that he had to wait for Fugaku's return so the Clan Leader could make the final decision. Hiruzen agreed to his request but notably did not take back the equipment.
Life settled into a mundane routine once more. This was true not only within the village; the situation on the battlefields outside seemed to be stabilizing. Front lines everywhere were contracting and becoming more consolidated.
Everyone knew this was the silence before the storm. A Great Ninja War would never end so abruptly. Once ignited, even the most aggressive hawks couldn't stop it; the new hatreds bred by war would drive people to keep attacking until the nations reached their absolute limit—either total collapse or an uneasy truce.
In the Uchiha District, the streets appeared quite desolate. Fallen leaves swirled across the ground, and the few clansmen who passed by did so with hurried steps. Lately, the pressure and suppression on the Uchiha had been intensifying.
Word had even spread within the clan regarding the reason: it seemed the Clan Leader was hiding his true strength. Some veterans speculated about the Mangekyo Sharingan, but the reports Fugaku sent back consistently denied its existence.
"We are holding a secret meeting tonight."
Fugaku had returned to village looking travel-worn, with several new lines of exhaustion on his face.
"Captain Fugaku, aren't you going to rest for a day first?" Yashiro Uchiha asked, stunned. They had been fighting on the front lines for so long; to return and immediately jump into a secret meeting was taxing.
"No, we do it now," Fugaku shook his head. His priority was to pacify the clansmen. If things continued like this, internal resentment against him would start to build.
The secret of his Sharingan could never be revealed. Once exposed, the Uchiha would be feared even more, and enemies would investigate its weaknesses.
The Mangekyo Sharingan was powerful, but it was a double-edged sword; under high-intensity use, one could go completely blind in just over ten days. It was only an ultimate trump card if it remained hidden.
"Yes, sir," Yashiro nodded and immediately went out to make arrangements.
"Yakumi, I heard Kiyoshi has been heavily relied upon by the village lately. Did the Third even give him Anbu gear?" Fugaku turned to ask Yakumi Uchiha.
Kiyoshi was even more highly regarded by the village than he had anticipated. Since the village's founding, no Uchiha had ever joined the Anbu. The only exception was Kagami Uchiha, but he had been part of the Hokage's personal guard.
"Yes, Lord Fugaku. However, Kiyoshi hasn't agreed yet. He seems to be waiting for you to make the decision," Yakumi replied. He was satisfied with Kiyoshi's conduct. No matter how well the village treated him, he was an Uchiha first.
'This is an opportunity,' Fugaku thought to himself. The Anbu reported directly to the Hokage and took orders from no one else. Even Danzo Shimura's Root technically fell under the broader umbrella of the Anbu department.
"Fugaku, you're back?" Mikoto had received news of his return and hurried to visit him.
"Mm."
"Fugaku, you... you've aged quite a bit." Mikoto was startled to find new wrinkles on Fugaku's face—tear troughs and nasolabial folds that hadn't been there before.
She didn't know if it was from years of war, the stress of managing the clan's future, or the recent slander the village had directed at him. Some civilians now knew Fugaku was "hiding his strength," making the heroes who died on the front lines look like a joke. Someone was definitely pushing this narrative from the shadows.
But Mikoto didn't know who. She felt like a small boat tossing on a vast sea, unable to see the whole picture.
"That's not important," Fugaku brushed off the topic of his appearance and asked instead: "The Third values Kiyoshi highly. How is his bond with the clan?"
A clan's "bond" was an abstract concept; in practice, it meant his personal relationships with specific people.
"There are some, but not many," Mikoto said after a moment's thought. Aside from her, Kiyoshi had only had contact with a few Uchiha. Moreover, there were clansmen who disliked him—like Obito Uchiha, who seemed to be at odds with him.
Mikoto wasn't entirely sure why, though she suspected it had to do with that girl, Rin Nohara. Fortunately, the two hadn't caused any major trouble beyond minor bickering.
"Is there any girl in the clan he's interested in?" Fugaku asked. Kiyoshi was older than his peers, having entered the Academy as a transfer student. He was already at an age where marriage was legal in the tradition of the Warring States period—a custom many shinobi clans had not changed.
At this, a flicker of unnatural embarrassment crossed Mikoto's face. Fugaku's insight caught this immediately, and he pressed her again.
"There is... but..." Mikoto found it difficult to say, unsure of how to voice it.
"This is a major matter concerning the clan. Only by marrying within the clan and raising the next generation will Kiyoshi truly be integrated into the Uchiha," Fugaku's tone grew sterner.
Mikoto thought of how much Fugaku had sacrificed for the clan. After a long hesitation, she finally spoke. "He said... it's me."
Fugaku frowned, stunned for a moment. Then, he reasoned that Mikoto was likely the first gentle, older sister figure Kiyoshi had encountered; it was natural for a boy to have a bit of a crush. He was of marriageable age, sure, but he was still a child at heart.
"In that case, you should spend more time with him. While you're at it, encourage him to look at the other women his age in the clan," Fugaku said. "I'm counting on you for this, Mikoto."
"Alright, Fugaku." Mikoto sighed inwardly. Since he had put it that way, she had no choice but to continue. Initially, it was fine when she didn't know Kiyoshi well, but now that they were close, she felt like she was approaching him with an ulterior motive.
Seeing her agree, a wave of warmth rose in Fugaku's heart. Every time he asked for something, Mikoto carried it out promptly. If the war hadn't broken out, they might have already been married.
'Once this war is over, I will definitely give you happiness, Mikoto,' Fugaku thought.
...
"95% now."
Kiyoshi looked at his Trait progress. By tomorrow, he would master [[Medical Jonin (Purple)]]. He closed the panel, went to the kitchen to replace the tea bricks, and brewed a fresh pot.
He wasn't alone today; he had a guest.
"Kiyoshi, here is your living allowance for this month." Mikoto accepted the tea and handed him a small stack of money in an envelope.
"Thank you, Sister Mikoto."
Kiyoshi took it. Today, Mikoto didn't have her hair in her usual high ponytail. Instead, it was tied in a low side-ponytail, draped over her shoulder across her chest.
It was a very "dangerous" hairstyle—one typically associated with young mothers or wives in certain stories. The Mikoto of today was still missing that specific mature charm.
Kiyoshi's eyes narrowed slightly. That kind of charm was best developed personally.
***
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