Chapter 64: Fugaku's Resolve
Uchiha Clan District~
Uchiha Setsuna walked leisurely through the clan district, his hands clasped behind his back, humming an old war song from the Warring States period.
"What a good day, a good day indeed! A bright day for the Uchiha!"
The old man had been in high spirits ever since he heard that Fuma had slain the One-Tail. His usually stern face had softened into a kindly smile.
"As I remember, Clan Leader Madara awakened his Sharingan at twelve and only attained the Mangekyō at twenty."
"Although Fuma is already twenty-three, I believe he has the potential to surpass Clan Leader Madara!"
"Fuma's strength has also been increasing at an astonishing rate."
Setsuna was deep in thought as he walked, his hands still clasped behind him, heading toward the clan's shrine.
As Madara's biggest admirer, Setsuna knew all there was to know about him. After comparing the growth trajectories of Madara and Fuma, Setsuna was overjoyed to find that at similar ages, Fuma wasn't far behind Madara at all.
To him, Fuma was the new prodigy of the Uchiha Clan, destined to lead them to greatness once again.
As for the fact that Fuma hadn't awakened his Sharingan, Setsuna had already come up with an explanation:
"Even though Fuma hasn't awakened the Sharingan, he has awakened a unique bloodline limit unseen in the Uchiha Clan for hundreds of years! This is a sign that the Uchiha Clan will rise again!"
In a way, Setsuna wasn't wrong. Fuma's [Predator's Malice] did indeed evolve by sacrificing the chakra associated with the Sharingan, so it did have some connection to the Uchiha Clan.
Humming his little tune, Setsuna walked into the shrine, his expression suddenly turning cold as he said sternly, "Have you realized your mistake, Fugaku?"
Fugaku had listened to Danzo's words and led his unit back to Konoha, leaving Fuma in a potentially dangerous situation, caught between two tailed beasts. Setsuna had been furious when he found out, scolded Fugaku severely, and ordered him to reflect in the shrine.
Fugaku remained in a position of deep bowing, his forehead pressed firmly to the ground, as he loudly replied:
"Clan Leader, I truly understand my mistake. I have wronged Brother Fuma and the Uchiha Clan!"
"I should never have trusted Shimura Danzo. I nearly caused a disaster!"
"I am ready to accept any punishment you decide!"
Setsuna's Mangekyō Sharingan spun again, and his cold, ominous chakra filled the shrine as he looked down at Fugaku, speaking icily:
"Fuma is the future of our Uchiha Clan. He is the foundation upon which we will rise to the top of the ninja world once again."
"Konoha was founded by our Uchiha Clan. So, do not let the likes of Sarutobi Hiruzen or Shimura Danzo cloud your mind. They are unworthy."
"The only one who will lead the Uchiha in the future is Fuma. Not even I will come before him."
"When he returns, I will step down and let him become the clan leader of the Uchiha."
"Huh?"
Fugaku looked up in shock at Setsuna, his heart trembling.
Uchiha Setsuna gazed deeply at Fugaku and said, "Since the start of this war, how many of our clan members have we lost? And how many have awakened their Sharingan?"
"Fuma is barely in his twenties and has already killed a tailed beast, a calamity of nature. Do you understand what that means?"
"He is the most perfect clan leader for our Uchiha Clan."
Fugaku's expression also became resolute. As the deputy commander in this war, he too had come to realize many things.
Fuma's formidable strength, his genuine care for the clan members, and his shrewd maneuvering against the Hokage's faction had deeply impressed the Uchiha, who were known for their keen minds.
Some of the younger members of the Uchiha Clan had even begun to develop an almost fanatical devotion to Fuma.
..............
At the entrance of Konoha Village, after discussions, the Third Hokage and Danzo decided to frame the outcome of the war as a victory.
This was the first large-scale war led by the Konoha leadership under the Third Hokage, so managing the post-war narrative was crucial for maintaining the Third Hokage's prestige.
A large crowd of villagers gathered joyfully at the village gates, organized by the Anbu, to welcome the heroes returning from war.
Fugaku, however, wore a grim expression, anxiously scanning the distance, in stark contrast to those around him.
The moment he spotted Fuma's towering figure in the distance, he dashed forward, ready to drop to his knees.
Fuma, puzzled by Fugaku's actions, felt a wave of confusion.
"Just a few days ago, he was calling me 'Brother Fuma.' Now... is he going to start calling me 'father' or something?"
"Whoosh!"
With a wave of his hand, Fuma sent a strong gust of wind that stopped Fugaku's knees from touching the ground. Amused, he looked at Fugaku, waiting for an explanation.
Fugaku, full of shame, lowered his head and spoke in a deep voice:
"Brother Fuma, I have wronged the Uchiha Clan, and I have wronged you."
"For the past two years, you have led us into battle and cared for me and all our clan members in every possible way."
"The entire Uchiha Clan now relies on your leadership and believes in your capabilities. Yet I defied your command and followed Danzo's orders instead."
"Even though your strength is unparalleled, and you have slain a tailed beast, this does not excuse my error."
"It was my foolishness that put you in danger. I do not know how to face you!"
Fugaku kept his head bowed, speaking faster and faster as he went on.
Fuma suddenly understood, but in his heart, he had never blamed Fugaku, nor had he ever taken this matter seriously.
Since arriving in the ninja world, Fuma had never relied on others to ensure his safety.
This was just a common occurrence of internal conflict in war. Fugaku hadn't done it on purpose; he was just somewhat naive.
Fuma patted Fugaku on the shoulder and said lightly, "No harm done. I don't blame you. You still have room to grow."
But Fugaku kept his head down and didn't respond, his shoulders even trembling slightly.
Fuma, a little exasperated, raised his voice and said, "I really don't blame you. You are still young, and there is much to learn about the village's affairs, which is quite normal."
Still, Fugaku remained unmoved, his aura growing even more somber as he slowly drew a short blade, ready to atone for his failure.
Fuma's face darkened as he realized what might be necessary. He sighed inwardly, thinking, "Do I really have to do this?"
Clearing his throat, Fuma changed his tone, speaking coldly, "Very well, Uchiha Fugaku, consider yourself indebted to me."
"From now on, bear this shame for the rest of your life. Serve me and the Uchiha Clan. Use your accomplishments to atone for your mistakes!"
Upon hearing this, Fugaku finally raised his head, looking at Fuma with excitement, and shouted:
"Brother Fuma, if I fail to complete your commands in the future, I will atone with my life!"
"From now on, in my heart and in the hearts of the entire Uchiha Clan, there will only be you, Brother Fuma, our Sun!"
Fuma nodded expressionlessly, feeling a rare sense of embarrassment at this fiery, melodramatic display. He had gained a new understanding of the Uchiha Clan's intense loyalty and passion.
Seeing Fuma's reaction, Fugaku relaxed, his excitement not yet subsided as he continued:
"Brother Fuma, Clan Leader Setsuna has decided to pass on the position of Clan Leader to you, and it will be officially announced at the clan meeting in a few months!"
"In recent days, young people in the clan like Tetsuka and Hachidai are thrilled. There's even a kid named Obito who made badges with your image on them, and they're very popular!"
Fuma's eye twitched. He had nearly forgotten about Obito.
As expected of Obito, to do something so embarrassingly fanatical at the age of five or six!
Looking at Fugaku, Fuma's mind turned to a troubling thought.
"After becoming Clan Leader, do I have to engage in these sorts of melodramatic interactions with the clan members regularly?"
Facing the combined threat of the Eight-Tails Jinchūriki and the Third Raikage, Fuma had felt no fear, even a bit of excitement.
But the thought of communicating with the Uchiha in such a cringe-worthy manner made Fuma's normally resolute face gradually pale.
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