Thump... Thump... Thump...
Kawaki lightly knocked on the gate.
Soon enough, the doors swung open, and upon seeing Kawaki, a servant hurriedly bowed in greeting.
"There's no need for formalities."
"Is Fugaku at home?"
Kawaki stepped forward through the gate.
"Yes, he is. I'll lead you to him."
The servant immediately took the lead without bothering to announce his arrival.
Fugaku had already made it clear who didn't need to be announced, and Kawaki's name was naturally among them.
"Is he babysitting right now?"
Walking behind the servant, Kawaki broke the silence by asking.
"Yes, the clan leader and his wife are playing with young Master Itachi."
The servant honestly replied, not daring to say more than necessary.
"That's what I figured."
Kawaki murmured to himself. It made sense for Fugaku to want to spend time with his family before heading off to battle.
"We're here."
After leading Kawaki to the destination, the servant bowed and excused himself.
Thank you for your trouble.
Kawaki watched the servant leave before pushing aside the sliding door and stepping inside.
As soon as he entered, he saw Fugaku holding Itachi and playing around while Mikoto stood nearby, watching them with a gentle smile.
The warm scene made Kawaki hesitate to speak up and ruin the moment.
"Lord Kawaki, you've arrived."
Fugaku was the first to notice someone entering, handing Itachi to Mikoto before going to greet Kawaki.
"I'll go prepare some tea."
Mikoto gave Kawaki a slight bow before carrying Itachi away.
She knew Kawaki must have come to discuss something important with Fugaku.
"Please, have a seat."
Fugaku led Kawaki into a private room and waited for Kawaki to sit down before taking his own seat.
"I hope I'm not interrupting during an inconvenient time."
Slightly apologetic, Kawaki felt like he was intruding on Fugaku's peaceful family time.
"Don't even say that. You're not interrupting at all."
Fugaku understood priorities well and wasn't the type to pretend otherwise.
"For this expedition to the Land of Earth, the responsibility you bear is great."
"I've assigned someone to assist you. Dai will accompany you on this mission."
Kawaki wasn't questioning Fugaku's abilities—he was just ensuring he had enough support.
"Thank you."
"With Senior Dai by your side, victory should be assured."
Fugaku didn't take it as Kawaki doubting his strength—he knew better than most how valuable help would be.
"I already spoke with him."
"He'll join you when it's time to depart."
As they talked, Mikoto reentered the room carrying the tea tray. Itachi had already been handed over to the nanny.
"I'll leave you two to talk."
After pouring the tea, Mikoto started to leave.
"Stay," Kawaki interjected before she could leave. "It's not anything urgent."
It might seem impolite to ask the hostess to stay, but given their relationship, Fugaku wouldn't think much of it.
"Sit down."
With Fugaku's approval, Mikoto sat beside him.
"Mikoto,"
"About this mission... please don't hold it against us for sending Fugaku away."
"Though there are capable people in the village, Fugaku is the best choice."
"I hope you understand."
"After this mission, I promise we won't send him out on missions again."
Kawaki feared Mikoto might be feeling uneasy and stepped forward to take responsibility.
"It's not your fault. I understand everything."
"Surprisingly, Fugaku didn't hide this from me when he volunteered for the mission."
"He has his reasons for going."
"If he doesn't personally take revenge on Uncle's killer, he'll regret it for the rest of his life."
"So no matter what he does, I will always support him."
Mikoto was indeed a truly ideal wife and mother.
As she said that, she looked at Fugaku with deep affection in her eyes.
"That's good."
"You don't need to worry about Fugaku's safety, I've already taken care of everything."
"Just wait for his triumphant return home with Itachi."
"We'll celebrate together when he comes back."
Knowing that Fugaku's expedition would naturally make Mikoto anxious, Kawaki said reassuringly.
"Lord Kawaki has arranged for Elder Dai to accompany me as well."
"You know his strength."
"There's nothing to worry about."
Fugaku patted Mikoto's shoulder gently—Dai had been Mikoto's former Jonin instructor.
"Dai-sensei is going with you."
"Then I feel relieved."
Dai certainly gave off a strong sense of security.
Mikoto had initially worried if Fugaku could handle everything on his own, but now, she felt relieved.
"Oh right, there's one more thing."
Suddenly, Kawaki remembered something almost forgotten.
"What is it? Please tell me."
Fugaku looked at Kawaki seriously, waiting for his reply.
"The Four-Tails Jinchūriki doesn't deserve any pity."
"But I'd like to ask you to bring back some pieces of the Four-Tails' flesh."
"Of course, if he hasn't reached his perfect form yet, then forget it."
Since the Four-Tails Jinchūriki was an important target of Fugaku's journey, Kawaki didn't bother being polite.
"Oh, that thing?"
"Orochimaru-sama wants to use it for an experiment. He already mentioned it to me."
Fugaku wore an expression of complete understanding. It seemed Orochimaru was even more eager than Kawaki.
"Do your best."
Kawaki didn't want Fugaku to strain himself too hard because of this.
After all, Rōshi wasn't a perfect Jinchūriki. If he transformed into his full Tailed Beast form, it wouldn't exactly be good news for Fugaku either.
It would only give Fugaku an opponent filled with overwhelming destructive desire.
"I understand."
Fugaku quietly kept Kawaki's request in mind. For someone with the Mangekyō Sharingan, forcing a Jinchūriki into transformation wasn't an issue.
Besides, who cared anyway?
[Naruto: Starting from Pursuing Tsunade]
At most, it just meant letting Rōshi live a little longer. His ultimate fate would still be death.
"Mm."
"There's nothing else, so I won't stay any longer."
"Spent more time with Mikoto and Itachi. You two won't see each other for a while after this."
Kawaki finished his tea and stood up to leave.
"Let me see you out."
Fugaku rose as well, accompanying Kawaki all the way to the edge of the Uchiha compound.
"Don't worry about the aftereffects of the Mangekyō Sharingan."
"We've already prepared the Hashirama cell transplantation. Orochimaru's close to succeeding."
"So don't hesitate—do whatever you need to."
Kawaki firmly believed that Hashirama's cells could resolve the side effects of the Mangekyō Sharingan—a guarantee even Orochimaru wouldn't dare make.
"I believe you."
"After this battle, the name Uchiha will surely resound across the Ninja World once more."
"I won't disappoint Uncle."
Fugaku made no effort to conceal his ambition, nor did he concern himself with whether it caused resentment or fear in Kawaki.
"You can do it."
Kawaki gave Fugaku's shoulder a firm pat before turning to leave with a wave.
He understood that Fugaku's ambition was grand yet deeply personal—the village held a sacred place in his heart.
Watching Kawaki slowly disappear from sight, Fugaku turned back home to continue staying beside his wife and children.
As the sun set on a beautiful day, Fugaku came alone to the ancestral hall.
Only a few candles flickered inside the dimly lit room. Many memorial tablets were enshrined here, belonging to past clan leaders.
Kneeling on both knees before these tablets, Fugaku softly whispered while focusing on his late uncle's tablet at the front.
"Uncle, don't be anxious. I'll avenge you soon."
"Now, I've finally become the man you hoped I'd become."
"And things will only get better from here."
"It's just... I miss you so much..."
As he spoke, tears brimmed in his eyes.
That strict man from his memories—who always seemed so stern—he would never see that man again.
He had no idea how long he'd remained in the ancestral hall, but only after calming his emotions did he return to his bedroom.
Seeing Mikoto and Itachi already asleep in bed, a smile reappeared on his face.
They were his new source of joy—something real and close at hand.
[End of excerpt]
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