"According to the contracts made when Konoha was founded," Fugaku continued, "the village cannot forcibly mobilize a clan elder. Even if your strength is needed, they must negotiate with you—never command you."
"So, you do not need to worry."
"When you return to Konoha, focus only on growing stronger."
"The rest—leave it alone."
"Unless the Uchiha are wiped out completely, the village has no authority to interfere with you."
"…Understood," Jin replied quietly.
Fugaku rose.
He had not tried to persuade Jin to take sides, nor did he attempt to recruit him into any faction.
He simply stated the clan's arrangements, delivered the Mangekyō rewards, and then left.
He did not even look back.
Uchiha Jin sat there, expression blank.
Of all the scenarios he had imagined when meeting Fugaku, this was not among them.
He had prepared arguments.
Power negotiations.
Political games.
Psychological maneuvering.
Instead—
He was simply recognized, compensated, and left alone.
It was… awkward.
Even for someone with the Mangekyō, this felt like being blindsided.
But still—
It wasn't bad.
In truth, it was good.
Too good to ignore.
In the past, when he held no affection for the clan, he could have simply watched the night of the massacre from the sidelines.
But now there was Shisui.
A gap had formed in his heart.
Fugaku's words were few—yet the gesture was enormous.
Could he truly just walk away as though nothing had been given?
He was not that kind of person.
A drop of kindness should be repaid with a spring.
This was something he had inherited from his previous life.
"Enough. Thinking too far ahead is useless."
"One step at a time."
"Nara Kazama's plan will definitely bring benefits to the Uchiha."
"And like Kazama said—if I were to run away, things might be simpler for me. But what about my future children?"
"I didn't get a chance to have children in my previous life. Am I going to repeat that here?"
"Carrying on the family line is carved into us."
"And Fugaku really did help me this time."
"With the status of Uchiha Elder, I can lie down comfortably in Konoha."
"Hokage? Danzo? They don't get to command me anymore."
"At least until the night of the massacre, life will be peaceful."
"As for being Captain of the Police Force… ugh."
"It's a troublesome position. But fine. When the time comes, I'll just slack."
"If there's one thing I learned perfectly in my previous life—it's the art of doing nothing while looking busy."
"Yes. No problem."
With that thought, his mood lightened again.
The conflict between the Uchiha and village leadership?
Let Shisui handle it.
If Shisui couldn't, Nara Kazama definitely could.
Let them work.
He would simply enjoy life.
Cool.
---
Two Days Later
Even though Elder Koharu excelled only at internal political struggle, she still retained diplomatic skill.
Negotiations concluded quickly.
The war was over.
A week later, Kirigakure would send a delegation to Konoha to sign the ceasefire and announce its withdrawal from the Third Great Ninja War.
A garrison remained on the frontlines, and the main force began their journey back to Konoha.
Uchiha Jin walked in the returning group, chatting casually with Shisui and the others.
Compared to the battlefield, returning home was like breathing fresh spring air.
Only one thing surprised him:
Uchiha Itachi was in the unit.
A four-year-old Itachi.
Round cheeks.
Soft face.
Little hands.
A presence so cute it practically begged to be pinched.
So he pinched him.
It was very satisfying.
Then he pinched him again.
He had to admit it—young Itachi was adorable.
A shame he would grow into… that.
And it was entirely Fugaku's fault.
Who sends a four-year-old to a battlefield?
Children need to play, watch cartoons, chase butterflies—not learn about death and loyalty before their molars finish growing.
If in his past life someone had made a four-year-old read The Art of Thick Black Theory or Das Kapital, everyone would assume that adult had lost their mind.
But this wasn't his child, so whatever.
Better to pinch him now—soon he would grow into the expressionless prodigy who lectures people about peace while planning genocide.
Uchiha Jin reached out—
Pinch.
Uchiha Itachi: "…"
His face darkened.
There was no lofty contemplation of life, no reflections on war, no profound comprehension of existence.
Just pure, simple anger.
He was very unhappy.