"Seiji-kun… isn't this too much of a burden on you?"Uchiha Hachidai looked at him with reverence, hesitation flickering across his face, tinged with something like guilt.
"It's nothing. Change clothes and let's move. This is all for the clan."Seiji shoved the fresh set of clothes that Shisui had brought into Hachidai's arms and clapped him firmly on the shoulder.
"Hachidai, we've got parasites sitting in high positions. That's dangerous for the clan—and for us. My strength alone isn't enough to snuff out endless problems, so I need you to cover for me."
"My reputation doesn't matter. Stepping back a little serves my plan better. But—if you see a clansman worth saving, try to do it quietly."His tone softened for just a moment."Don't carry the weight too heavily. I trust your skills, but remember—carrying the Uchiha's future? That's still my job."
Seiji sighed, showing a smile that looked weary but unshakably confident.
Hachidai stared at him, eyes stinging. His throat tightened."Yes, Seiji-kun. I'll do exactly as you say!"
The orders were simple.When Hachidai went back to report to Uchiha Setsuna, he was to downplay Seiji's strength—frame it as "a little troublesome, but easily handled."
That way, Setsuna's hawkish eyes would shift away from Seiji, at least for now. Killing Hachidai would've been easy, but riling up a paranoid old hawk like Setsuna would only invite endless provocations—or worse, overreactions.
Seiji wasn't afraid of some three-tomoe Sharingan posturing, but it was pure hassle with no payoff. Worse, it risked exposing his real power and trump cards.
But to Hachidai, Seiji looked like he'd made a massive sacrifice.In the Uchiha clan, reputation for strength was everything—your lifeblood. And yet Seiji had tossed aside the chance to shine, even while standing over a "veteran" three-tomoe. Even more shocking, he'd chosen to trust the same guy who'd just been picking a fight with him!
To Hachidai, Seiji became the image of a man who shouldered disgrace for the clan, who abandoned personal pride for the greater good—strong yet kind.
Clean clothes on his back, freshly healed wounds on his body, Hachidai dropped to his knees in a solemn dogeza, voice low and steady:"Seiji-kun, whatever orders you give, I'll walk through fire if I must."
"I know. My talent and brains don't compare to yours, but please—let this sinner shoulder some of your burdens. Someone like you shouldn't walk this path alone!"
"Seiji-kun, you don't owe the clan anything. It's the blinded clansmen who owe you."
Seiji reached down and pulled him up with steady strength, smiling faintly:"It's because I have clansmen like you, Hachidai, that I'm willing to bear Uchiha's fate."
Hachidai trembled, turned sharply, and blurted:"Seiji-kun, take care of your health! Don't push yourself too hard!"
When the man's figure finally disappeared into the distance, Seiji's lips curved.
This is Uchiha… show them strength, give them respect and a way to save face, and their life is yours to command.
Even if he's just a three-tomoe, Hachidai's a useful piece to plant inside the hawks' circle. He can keep an eye on their movements. Who knows—he might even grow into decent combat power someday.
Seiji narrowed his eyes, considering the intel Hachidai had just delivered.
Uchiha Setsuna. That relic Tobirama once toyed with, crawling back into the picture? And Fugaku… what the hell is he thinking, letting trash like that hold power?
At this point in history, Fugaku still had hopes for Konoha. He shouldn't be blocking me from leaning closer to the Hokage's side… unless he's wavering about where he stands with Konoha right now?
After a moment, Seiji chuckled and dropped the thought.
Uchiha Fugaku, the clan head. A man who managed to awaken the Mangekyō yet never even pulled out Susanoo once.By sheer cowardice and hesitation, Seiji would happily crown him strongest of all time.
How do you even understand a guy like that? He's the kind of "abstract art" lunatic who sends his son to be brainwashed, lets the clan splinter into pieces, then at the last moment decides on a coup—only to half-ass it and die.
To truly grasp his "logic," you'd have to lower your own IQ a few hundred points.
"Hey, Tobirama. How'd I do this time? Give me a score."Seiji tilted his head, deliberately opening the link.
"…Tch. Nothing impressive. I shouldn't have to remind you how to counter a simple Fire Release. But your little stunt winning hearts? Hmph. That reminds me of a bastard I killed once…"
Senju Tobirama's voice was cold, sharp."Listen, brat—I don't mind you getting close to Hiruzen. Everyone has their goals. Back in my day, Kagami, Danzō, Hiruzen… they all played the same game. What does surprise me is that you didn't try to shut me out of your mind."
Seiji rolled his eyes. "Tobirama, you're seriously petty. All I did was copy Uchiha Izuna's signature pose, and you almost flared killing intent. I can't learn ninjutsu from you, can't pick up defensive tricks, and now I can't even imitate poses? No wonder you're the ultimate domineering CEO type…"
For a moment, Tobirama actually looked… rattled. Was I that obvious?But he schooled his face back into an icy mask."Who's living in your body, brat? You kidnapped me here! If you want to atone, then protect Konoha properly—inherit the Will of Fire!"
Seiji snorted. "Funny you say that. Even if I stand still, a forest a hundred meters away will burn with my Will of Fire."
He grinned at Tobirama's constipated expression."Don't pout. The graduation test on the Will of Fire is in a few days. Why don't you try it out yourself? I guarantee my score'll be higher than yours."
"Brat! If not for me, my brother never could've put words to the Will of Fire!" Tobirama crossed his arms, full of pride."You stand before the first-ever principal of the Konoha Academy!"
Seiji shrugged. So what if you invented the concept? Times change. These days, the Will of Fire isn't about old speeches—it's about who owns the narrative.
That night, far away—
Hachidai jolted awake from sleep, clutching his head."…Damn it all, I deserve death!"
Smack! He punched the floor.
Meanwhile, in a hidden valley of the ninja world, an old Uchiha sat in thought.This butterfly named Seiji—would its wings whip up a storm strong enough to ruin his plans?