Not only was there tension in the Hokage's office, but the Uchiha clan was also holding a meeting of its own.
Upon hearing that the grandson of one of the elders had gone to the White Fang's residence, the clan leader immediately summoned Renzō Uchiha to get the details. But to everyone's surprise, even Renzō had no idea about his grandson's actions.
Just as a few elders began criticising him for Aizen's behaviour, a clan member reported that Aizen had returned. Upon hearing this, the clan leader wasted no time and summoned the boy to the meeting.
"Good evening, Grandpas," Aizen greeted each elder with a calm nod, before turning to Uchiha Sōgen, the clan leader. "Good evening, Uncle Sōgen."
It was his habit to greet the elders before greeting the clan leader. Some time ago, he had been criticised for this—some considered it disrespectful to the leader's authority. But Aizen had only replied with the cutest expression,
"Aren't we all family? Shouldn't I greet the eldest people first? After all, aren't we all in their care?"
His simple words had shut down all arguments.
Some members had wanted to press the issue further, but no one could change the boy's way of thinking. In the end, elders found themselves pleased by his thoughtful attitude. Even the clan leader didn't see anything wrong with it, so they allowed him to continue as he pleased.
And just like that, Aizen's true goal was achieved—he crafted the image of someone who respected the elders. After all, if he wanted to influence future decisions within the clan, he would need their support. The elders played a major role in clan politics.
"Haha, good, good, Aizen. Are you okay? Did Renzō do anything bad to you? If he doesn't let you eat enough, just come to Grandpa's home," one of the elders said with a laugh. Though they were slightly upset with Aizen's actions today, it didn't change their impression of him. To them, Aizen was just a young boy—like their own grandsons. He was allowed to make mistakes. There was no need to be too serious.
Renzō immediately looked grumpy. "Hmph, what do you mean? As if I'd ever let my grandson go hungry."
Aizen quickly stepped in to make peace. "Don't worry, Grandpa. Grandpa Kenshiro was just joking. There's no way you'd keep me hungry."
Uchiha Kenshiro—the one who had spoken—was a known member of the moderate faction within the clan. He believed in improving the Uchiha's standing through diplomacy and cooperation, not rebellion. Seeing the grandson of a radical elder act so naturally and respectfully toward him, Kenshiro couldn't help but feel a pang of quiet envy.
If only I had a grandson like that... he thought to himself.
"Alright, elders, elders—let's get back to the topic," Sōgen said firmly, clearly wanting to get the information as soon as possible.
"Aizen, can you explain your visit to the Hatake clan?"
"Huh? You all already know?" Aizen blinked in surprise, his expression shifting to a shocked look—as if he hadn't anticipated anyone finding out.
Seeing his reaction, most of the elders just smiled knowingly. Not only us, even the Hokage knows, some of them thought, but no one said it out loud. After all, there was no need to burden the younger generation with unnecessary pressure.
Of course, Aizen had anticipated all of this—he knew they'd find out. But acting cute? That was always the easier way to win people over.
"Actually," Aizen began, his tone light, "I wanted to meet the White Fang. So I asked Kakashi to help me. Oh—" he added with an innocent smile, "you might not know Kakashi. He's my classmate and Sakumo-san's son."
"We know," one elder said with a dry chuckle. Everyone knew Kakashi.
Still, no one pressed further. Instead, it was Renzō who finally asked, voice calm but tinged with concern, "Why did you want to meet him, Aizen?"
He couldn't help but feel unsettled by his grandson's behaviour today. For a moment, a chilling thought crossed his mind—Is my grandson being manipulated by someone?
Aizen's expression shifted, as though caught in some internal struggle, not sure whether to share the full details. His eyes darted around the room, and his usual playful demeanor was replaced with a subtle hint of hesitation.
Seeing this, Renzō's concern deepened. "Did something happen, Aizen?" he asked, his voice gentle yet probing. "Don't worry, grandpa won't get angry, right?" He turned to the other elders, looking for reassurance.
The elders quickly responded, offering comfort in their own ways.
"Of course, don't worry. You're like a grandson to us."
"There's no need to worry, Aizen. We'll understand."
"We'll forgive any mistake you made," another elder chimed in.
Even the clan leader, Uchiha Sōgen, nodded with a kind smile. "Don't worry, Aizen. You can share everything with us. There's no need to be scared."
"Actually, it's not a big deal," Aizen finally said, scratching the back of his head with a sheepish smile. "I'm working on a new sword style… and I wanted White Fang to comment on it. Since he's the best in kenjutsu in the village, I thought he could help."
"A new sword style?" Renzō repeated with a sigh of relief—before his brain caught up to the words. "Wait, what?!"
The entire room stiffened. None of them had expected that. They had gone through a dozen theories—manipulation or secret orders—but not this.
Seeing their stunned faces, Aizen gave a small, innocent laugh and tilted his head. "I wanted it to be a surprise for Grandpa, but… I guess I can't hide it anymore."
Everyone exhaled in unison, tension finally breaking. There was no crisis. No rebellion. No manipulation. Just a child being… himself.
Still, as they looked at the boy smiling in front of them, only one thought echoed in every elder's mind: This child…
One of the elders leaned forward, eyes narrowing slightly. "So? What did White Fang say, Aizen?"
He had voiced the question lingering in all their minds. Was Aizen insulted or dismissed? Did the White Fang laugh at him?
Their gazes sharpened instinctively, some ready to activate their Sharingan if the boy had been mistreated in any way.
After all, while they all agreed Aizen had talent and an unusually strong work ethic for someone his age, creating an original kenjutsu style at such a young age sounded… impossible.
Still, what Aizen was doing at the Hatake residence for that long continued to linger in everyone's mind.
As if sensing their unspoken thoughts, Aizen added with a bright smile, "He said my idea was good and had potential. He even gave me guidance by demonstrating some of his own kenjutsu. After that, we had lunch together… and he invited me to visit them again sometime."
"Haaaah?"
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Minato and fukagu age ?
Others age