The brazier in the center was lit, its orange flames illuminating the entire space, while flickering shadows danced across the stone walls.
Uchiha Yashiro stood by the door. Seeing that most people had arrived, he slowly walked to the stone door and forcefully shut the heavy slab.
With a muffled "boom," the chamber was completely cut off from the outside. The firelight became the only source of illumination, casting faint shadows across everyone's faces.
Kiyoshi, who had just become a genin, sat at the very back and could feel pairs of eyes constantly landing on him.
Those gazes varied—some were curious, some carried disdain, and some held faint admiration and expectation.
Among them, the crimson Sharingan stood out the most in the dim light, emitting a cold gleam.
Of course, there was also no lack of surprise.
Uchiha Hazuki, a chunin, sat slightly toward the middle-back.
Her eyes widened, clearly unable to process how Kiyoshi—who had only recently gone to receive ninjutsu—had already graduated.
Uchiha Hazuki wondered whether she should go talk to Kiyoshi and ease the relationship a bit.
After all, her attitude toward him last time hadn't exactly been good.
If Kiyoshi acted like nothing was wrong on the surface but held a grudge in private, that would be troublesome.
Hazuki didn't believe that a talent like him would remain just a genin.
"Congratulations, Kiyoshi, on becoming a ninja."
After hesitating for a while, Uchiha Hazuki stood up and walked toward him.
However, Kiyoshi only gave a faint nod, completely different from the simple and honest smile he had shown before.
His reaction caught Hazuki off guard.
"Kiyoshi, you…"
She was just about to ask if he was still bothered by what happened last time.
"Hazuki, Fugaku is about to speak."
As a jonin seated at the front, Mikoto turned back and spoke to Hazuki, who had just stood up.
"…Alright."
Hazuki had no choice but to sit back down.
In her heart, she began to wonder whether Kiyoshi's previous behavior had all been an act to deceive her.
The reactions of the clan members varied.
Uchiha Fugaku sat at the very front, facing everyone, his arms crossed. The Uchiha crest on his shoulders shone brightly under the firelight.
He gave a light cough, breaking the murmurs in the chamber.
"Today, the Uchiha clan welcomes a new ninja—Uchiha Kiyoshi."
As soon as his words fell, some clan members who had not yet activated their Sharingan opened them one after another. Crimson lights lit up the chamber like sparks.
The activation of the Sharingan was a unique ritual of the Uchiha clan—both a form of congratulation and a silent evaluation.
Kiyoshi stood up.
The firelight flickered, making his upright figure stand out clearly.
His gaze swept across the surroundings without the slightest hint of fear.
Fugaku couldn't help but nod inwardly.
He still remembered that on the first day, the boy had already performed well under the pressure of his Sharingan.
"We Uchiha are not a clan that cares about bloodline origins. As long as you join us, you are one of us."
Fugaku spoke calmly.
No matter whose blood flowed in Kiyoshi's veins, as long as he was loyal to the Uchiha, that was enough.
"Yes, Lord Fugaku."
Kiyoshi nodded.
Pretty words about unity—anyone could say them.
As for whether Fugaku himself could truly uphold them, there was already an answer in the original story.
"What are your plans next?"
Fugaku looked at Kiyoshi.
He had received hints from Hiruzen Sarutobi, saying that Kiyoshi carried the Will of Fire—clearly a sign of favor toward him.
Because of this, Fugaku changed his initial plan of directly assigning Kiyoshi to the Konoha Police Force.
"I… want to carry out missions like ordinary ninjas first. When I have enough experience, I'll join the Konoha Police Force and work with everyone."
Kiyoshi spoke with a hint of anticipation, then added after a pause,
"Also, Teacher Nono is willing to teach me some medical ninjutsu. I want to train in that area as well, so that I can better help the clan in the future."
"Yakushi Nono?"
Fugaku asked with slight confusion.
The other clan members were also puzzled.
"Isn't she a very skilled medical ninja?"
"I heard that aside from Tsunade, she's among the best in Konoha."
"Ah, I remember now—she once treated me. Her medical ninjutsu is incredible."
"Uchiha Kiyoshi actually has Yang attribute?"
Whispers spread among the clan members.
They were not only surprised that Yakushi Nono had taken interest in Kiyoshi, but also that he possessed Yang attribute.
Most Uchiha had Yin attribute; only a small number also possessed Yang.
Hearing this, Uchiha Hazuki grew even more uneasy.
Could it be… she had really offended Kiyoshi?
And now that he knew his own talent, he was confident enough to come back and settle things later?
At this moment, Hazuki felt a chill when thinking about Kiyoshi's earlier acting.
Just how young was this child?
"It was an agreement between Kiyoshi and Yakushi Nono."
Seeing that the others were confused, Mikoto stepped forward and explained the whole situation.
As long as Kiyoshi graduated from the academy and had the aptitude for medical ninjutsu, Yakushi Nono would be willing to teach him.
She had been present when that promise was made.
"I didn't expect you to have such talent."
Fugaku nodded.
Being favored by the head of the medical team meant Kiyoshi had strong potential in that area.
The only pity was that he had only one Sharingan. Whether it could evolve further remained uncertain.
Mixed-blood Uchiha weren't unheard of, but those with only one Sharingan were extremely rare, mentioned only briefly in ancient records from the Warring States period.
"For now, follow the village's arrangements."
Fugaku made his decision regarding Kiyoshi's future.
Since Hiruzen valued him, he could also use Kiyoshi to ease the relationship between the village and the Uchiha.
Ever since the Uchiha took charge of the Konoha Police Force, they had offended many people.
Many clans kept their distance, leaving the Uchiha somewhat isolated within Konoha.
"Do you need anything?"
Seeing Kiyoshi's talent, Fugaku decided to invest more in him and strengthen his bond with the clan.
"A ninja sword."
Kiyoshi answered honestly.
He had been worrying about how to earn money to buy one. If the clan could provide it, that would be even better.
"No problem. Mikoto, later take Kiyoshi to receive the Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique, and then bring him to the ninja cats outside the village to buy a suitable sword."
Fugaku instructed.
Mikoto had always been efficient in handling tasks, and Fugaku already regarded her as someone he could rely on deeply.
"Understood."
Mikoto nodded.
After that, Fugaku had Kiyoshi sit down and began discussing other clan matters.
Only Uchiha Hazuki remained restless, glancing toward Kiyoshi from time to time.
Kiyoshi noticed her unease, and a faint, sinister smile curved at the corner of his lips.
Wasn't she… the perfect target to increase his eye power right now?
(End of Chapter)