Early the next morning.
Shinji tidied up his room and headed straight for the living room.
As soon as he stepped in, he caught a faint scent of wheat mixed with the slightly charred aroma of fried eggs.
He instinctively glanced toward the dining table, where three sets of utensils were already laid out. Soft, toasted bread, golden fried eggs, and warm milk were neatly arranged.
A gentle warmth spread through Shinji's heart.
"How long has it been since someone made breakfast for me?"
Hearing the noise from the living room, Shizune peeked out from the kitchen doorway. Seeing Shinji, she waved the spatula in her hand and greeted him with a smile.
"Good morning, Shinji. Breakfast will be ready soon."
Shinji smiled and nodded, walking toward her. "Morning, Shizune. Let me help!"
Shizune shook her head. "It's almost done. You should go freshen up first."
With that, she retreated back into the kitchen to continue her work.
Shinji stopped in his tracks, feeling a wave of admiration.
Shizune was truly capable. Having been by Tsunade's side for so long, her homemaking skills were likely maxed out.
Not long after, Tsunade slowly descended from the second floor, rubbing her eyes.
She was still wearing the same light white silk nightgown from the previous night, its hem slightly wrinkled, evidence of a restless sleep.
Her long, fair legs swayed gently in the air, but she paid no mind, walking straight to the sofa and lazily leaning against it.
Shinji stood up to greet her. "Good morning, Tsunade-sensei."
Tsunade propped an arm on the edge of the sofa, her demeanor relaxed and casual. A faint smile curved her lips as she responded softly:
"Morning."
Just then, Shizune emerged from the kitchen carrying a plate of fried bacon, waving to the two of them. "Come and eat!"
…
At the dining table, Shinji sat across from Shizune and Tsunade.
"Shizune, your cooking is really good."
He finished the last sip of milk and praised her sincerely.
Shizune scratched her head, looking a bit embarrassed. "It's just simple cooking, nothing special."
Genuinely praised, a shy smile spread across her face.
"Shizune's cooking is quite good."
Tsunade chuckled lightly, then picked up another piece of bread and took a bite. Muffled by the food, she asked Shinji, "Shinji, what are your plans for today?"
Shinji thought for a moment before replying, "I'm going back to the Uchiha Clan Territory."
"I should report yesterday's events to Clan Leader Fugaku."
Besides that, he also planned to retrieve the homework Tsunade had assigned and bring a few changes of clothes.
With his home destroyed by Orochimaru, he would likely be staying at Tsunade's place for a while.
Thinking this, Shinji silently grumbled to himself: Should I thank Orochimaru?
After all, he was now living with two beauties, one older and one younger.
He mentally lit three candles for Orochimaru!
Tsunade nodded and suddenly spoke up. "Your blood test results will be ready today. When you come back, we'll take a look together."
Shinji was slightly taken aback, remembering the physical examination from a few days ago. A sense of curiosity stirred within him.
"Alright, Tsunade-sensei."
…
Police Force.
Shinji gazed at the building, still exuding an aura of coldness and authority, and slowly walked inside.
The guard, recognizing him, didn't ask further questions. Instead, he stepped forward, giving him a deep look, and said, "The clan leader instructed that you should go directly to the second floor to see him upon arrival."
Shinji nodded and made his way through the corridor to the office at the far end of the second floor.
He raised his hand and knocked on the door.
"Come in."
Fugaku's steady voice came from inside the room.
Shinji pushed the door open and entered, only to find that besides Fugaku, there was another figure in the office.
"Shisui, you're here too?" Shinji raised his hand in greeting.
Shisui nodded and explained, "I just finished reporting my mission to the clan leader."
Knowing that Shinji had important matters to discuss with the clan leader, he prepared to take his leave: "Mission report completed, Clan Leader, I'll excuse myself now."
However, Fugaku raised his hand to stop him, his tone firm: "Shisui, you stay and listen as well."
There were some matters he indeed intended to discuss in detail with Shinji.
Shisui was a genius within the clan. If nurtured properly, he would undoubtedly become a key right-hand man in the future.
Having him stay was both a form of cultivation and unnecessary to deliberately keep him in the dark.
Shisui hesitated for a moment, then glanced at Shinji.
Seeing the other shrug indifferently, he no longer declined and quietly stood by Shinji's side.
He, too, wanted to know what exactly had happened to Shinji-senpai.
After a brief silence, Fugaku finally spoke, asking the question he was most concerned about:
"Shinji, have you mastered Storm Release?"
"Why didn't you report it to the clan?"
He clasped his hands together, resting his chin on them, his sharp gaze fixed on Shinji, exuding an undeniable aura of authority.
As a member of the Uchiha Clan, capable clansmen had the duty to make the clan stronger.
No one was an exception.
Yet, neither he nor the elders had received any prior information. Faced with the Orochimaru incident, they could only react passively, momentarily left speechless.
Last night, he had already held an urgent secret meeting with the three elders, informing them of the general events that had occurred.
Upon learning that Shinji had indeed mastered Storm Release, the elders were extremely excited.
They believed this was an omen of the Uchiha returning to their peak and prospering once more.
This meant that the next generation, or even the generation after, of the Uchiha could potentially awaken both the Sharingan and Storm Release simultaneously.
After all, even a small ninja clan could rise to become a major clan simply by possessing one Kekkei Genkai.
And their clan, in the future, would possess two Kekkei Genkai. By then, the strength of the Uchiha would be unimaginable.
Yet, they also had doubts: Why didn't Shinji report it immediately?
Could it be a lack of trust in the clan?
Sensing the slowly intensifying pressure from Fugaku's presence, Shinji instantly understood his intention.
Fortunately, on the way here, he had already prepared his explanation.
"Yes, I have indeed awakened Storm Release."
Shinji calmly explained that he had accidentally fused Storm Release during his training and also clarified the reason for not reporting it initially:
"I wanted to have Tsunade-sensei examine me first, to confirm whether Storm Release might have any hidden effects on my body."
"I just didn't expect such an unexpected incident to happen yesterday."
He spread his hands and sighed lightly, indicating that he was merely being cautious, not intentionally hiding anything.
If Orochimaru hadn't suddenly appeared, he would have reported it to the clan within the next couple of days.
With these words, Shinji subtly shifted the blame to Orochimaru, while also using Tsunade as a witness. His explanation was reasonable and flawless.
Fugaku fell silent for a moment, his imposing aura gradually receding as his tone softened. "I understand."
He accepted Shinji's explanation.
Indeed, Shinji truly had no reason to hide it.
Once Storm Release was unleashed, anyone paying attention would immediately notice. By then, trying to conceal it would be impossible—the clan would inevitably find out sooner or later.
Last night, he had personally witnessed Shinji using Storm Release and recognized it at a glance.
While Shinji and Fugaku were speaking, Shisui's gaze remained fixed on Shinji.
A faint gleam flickered in his eyes. Senior Shinji clearly still had something held back.
He knew better than anyone that his senior had likely already awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan.
"It's time to have a proper talk with my senior."