c106: Promotion
After a full day of intense cleanup efforts, most of the debris and scorched wreckage that once marked the proud district of the Uchiha clan had been cleared away.
Many survivors had erected tents near their damaged homes. Warm orange lamplight glowed softly from inside the makeshift shelters. Campfires crackled beside the tents, and the smell of simmering rice and miso-flavored vegetables filled the night air, reminiscent of simpler times before the disaster.
Though it had only been a day, the Uchiha clan had begun to accept the painful truth their ancestral grounds were devastated in the Nine-Tails' rampage. But with their people still alive, the will to rebuild remained strong. Most maintained a calm and pragmatic attitude.
As Uchiha Gen passed through the district, many clansmen greeted him warmly, smiling and even offering to share a hot meal. It was a show of camaraderie something that had been rare among the Uchihas in more politically charged times.
Yet, for some, grief lingered heavy in the air. A few families had lost loved ones during the Kyuubi's assault especially those who had taken up arms and fought to protect the village despite being blamed and marginalized over the years. Their sorrow formed a quiet undercurrent beneath the surface cheer.
This left Uchiha Gen uneasy. A single thought kept looping in his mind:
Had he made the wrong choice?
If he hadn't encouraged Fugaku to mobilize the clan during the attack, would fewer people have died?
But after some reflection, Gen reminded himself: Fugaku had made the final decision. And it had been the right one.
If the Uchiha clan had remained passive during the Nine-Tails' rampage an attack secretly orchestrated by Uchiha Obito, once thought dead the already fraying trust between the clan and the village leadership might have been completely severed.
Tensions between the Uchiha and the rest of the village had grown increasingly volatile since the end of the Second Shinobi War. The clan had been isolated both physically and politically after being relocated near the edge of the village and reduced largely to policing roles through the Konoha Military Police Force a role ironically viewed with resentment by other villagers.
If that pressure had continued unchecked, the outcome might have mirrored what the future would one day threaten: a massacre in the dark.
Without Gen's intervention and the clan's decision to step forward in defense of Konoha, the entire Uchiha clan might have been labeled collaborators—or worse, traitors and wiped out by internal forces.
Compared to the hypothetical annihilation of over 2,000 clan members, losing a few elite jōnin—even brilliant ones seemed a tragic but necessary sacrifice. Especially if it meant preserving a path to reconciliation with the village.
After all, ninja live by duty. The teachings of the Academy were clear: upon graduating as genin, one must be prepared to face death in any mission. Even children knew this.
The Uchiha jōnin who perished wouldn't be etched into the Memorial Stone like those who died in secret missions, but their families would still receive compensation from both the village and the clan. The village stipend would be modest, but the clan would not abandon its own. The honor of a ninja who dies in duty, especially defending both clan and village, is not forgotten.
Most importantly, none of this would have happened if Obito Uchiha hadn't returned from the presumed dead and unleashed the Nine-Tails upon the village. He was the true culprit—twisted by pain, manipulated by Madara's lingering ideology.
So why blame himself?
Once his thoughts cleared, Uchiha Gen made his way toward the homes of those who had lost family. He offered condolences, spoke respectfully, and remained calm even in front of tear-streaked faces.
To his surprise, none of them blamed Fugaku. Instead, they praised his leadership and expressed pride in the fallen.husbands, sons, fathers, brothers—who had fought and died with honor.
"We are proud they upheld Uchiha's name," one widow said. "They defended Konoha and proved our loyalty with blood."
It's almost two years since I came to this world, Gen thought. But sometimes, I still see things through the lens of my past life.
In this world—this shinobi world—personal, familial, and village honor often surpassed the value of individual lives. People didn't live for themselves alone; they lived for a name, a legacy.
It made him wonder if perhaps he was still too softhearted still carrying values that didn't belong here.
After making his rounds, Gen arrived at the residence of Uchiha Fugaku. Being the clan head, Fugaku's home was near the center of the district and had taken considerable damage during the Nine-Tails' rampage. Though much of the roof had caved in, the foundation stood, and emergency repairs during the day had made it livable again.
Lanterns illuminated the courtyard, where many Uchiha shinobi had gathered. Under the direction of Fugaku and the three elders—Setsuna, Yasunari, and Narizawa the clan was mobilizing. Though wounded, they were still the Konoha Military Police Force, and responsibilities remained.
As Uchiha Gen entered, many turned to greet him respectfully, parting to let him through.
"Gen, over here," a firm voice called.
It wasn't Fugaku but the great elder, Uchiha Setsuna. Gen changed course and approached, bowing deeply before the elder.
"Elder Setsuna."
"You performed well last night," Setsuna said, nodding approvingly. "Your quick thinking asking the Third Hokage directly to allow the Uchiha to aid in defense will change how they see us."
Setsuna's eyes narrowed, and a glint of amusement appeared. "And that jab at Root was masterful. That Danzo bastard's schemes are no secret to us elders. You've earned some favor for that alone."
Danzo Shimura, the shadow behind the ANBU Root division, had long sought to suppress the Uchiha. His actions.from surveillance to political marginalization had planted deep distrust.
"A shinobi who errs must face judgment," Setsuna declared. "And one who serves with merit must be rewarded."
He looked around the courtyard. "The captain of the Ninth Division died during the defense. I propose Uchiha Gen as his replacement."
"Fugaku? Yasunari? Narizawa?" he asked.
"I approve," Fugaku said with a nod.
"Agreed," Yasunari echoed.
"Support," Narizawa said curtly.
Setsuna turned to the assembled shinobi. "What say the rest of you?"
"Agree!"
"Support!"
"Let him lead!"
At first, the response was hesitant. Traditionally, such appointments were decided by the elders and captains, not publicly. But as realization spread, voices joined together, louder, more unified, until they formed a thunderous roar.
Even villagers nearby looked toward the courtyard in confusion, wondering what was happening.
Uchiha Itachi, still just a child, watched from the engawa, his face flushed with pride. The sound stirred something inside him, though he could not name it yet. Sasuke, a toddler, was startled by the noise and burst into tears. Itachi, flustered, tried to comfort him.
Inside the kitchen, Uchiha Mikoto, wearing an apron, poked her head out of the window, curious about the commotion.
Uchiha Gen's cheeks flushed red. He bowed deeply. "Thank you, Clan Head, Elders, everyone. I swear to fulfill my duty and honor the trust placed in me."
A man like that, one elder thought, might one day tie his fate to the clan's destiny.
"Good," Setsuna said with a booming laugh. "We expect great things from you."
"You may start tonight," Fugaku added seriously. "The Third Hokage has locked down Konoha. No one in or out. The Military Police Force is leading the village-wide lockdown."
"Alongside ANBU, we're tasked with finding spies and sealing the information breach," he continued. "Obito's attack can't be allowed to reach enemy ears. The longer we delay that, the more we regain control."
Gen nodded. "I've rested enough. I can take a full shift tonight."
"Excellent."
"Are any members of the Ninth Division present?" Setsuna asked.
"I'm one," said a familiar voice.
Uchiha Gen turned and recognized him—Uchiha Shu, the jōnin he had once fought alongside and later chastised during the Kirigakure operation. Gone was the former arrogance; Shu's demeanor was now composed, respectful.
"Take your new captain to your assigned sector."
"Yes, sir."
"Captain, this way."
"Clan head, elders—thank you. I take my leave."
And with that, Uchiha Gen vanished in a blur, with Shu quickly following.
The Uchiha clan had suffered, but they stood tall. And Gen had just taken his first step as a true leader in a world that didn't tolerate weakness but respected resolve.
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