While Feng Bai burned the midnight oil studying diligently, Obito sat uneasily at home, stealing glances at Fugaku from the corner of his eye.
After being "escorted" home, Obito entered to find Fugaku chatting and laughing with his grandmother, while several clan members busied themselves organizing various items around the house.
Once the clan members had finished setting up all the daily necessities, Fugaku sat down for dinner with Obito and the others, leading to the current scene.
"Lord Fugaku, I heard that Obito did something to Yowan—" After dinner, Obito's grandmother spoke up with concern, but Fugaku interrupted her:
"Please don't worry. The Eighth Division has already investigated this matter thoroughly—it was entirely Yowan and his friends' own doing. Obito bears no responsibility whatsoever."
"Obito's parents were both brave warriors who sacrificed themselves for the Uchiha clan. How could I possibly let our heroes shed both blood and tears?"
Fugaku spoke with righteous conviction.
However, Obito's grandmother was elderly and experienced; she had her own assessment of what kind of person Fugaku truly was.
At the very least, until today, Fugaku had been nothing more than a conservative who tried to smooth things over.
When faced with repeated provocations from Uchiha Wada, this clan leader had always chosen various forms of compromise.
For such a sudden transformation to occur, something significant must have happened—and the key seemed to lie with Obito.
She cast a complex glance at little Obito beside her, uncertain whether this development was good or bad.
Sighing at the thought, she patted Obito's shoulder: "Hurry up and thank Lord Fugaku, Obito."
Prompted by his grandmother, Obito stammered: "Th-thank you, thank you Uncle Fugaku—oh no, I mean Lord Fugaku."
"This is simply my duty. By the way, Obito, when did you first meet Feng Bai?" Having given himself a pat on the back, Fugaku smiled and waved dismissively before finally getting to the main topic.
"Uh, I think... today, I suppose." Obito answered uncertainly.
He was certain he'd never encountered that somewhat cute-looking fellow before, so why had Feng Bai taken the initiative to help him?
Obito desperately worked his not-particularly-bright brain, trying to find an answer.
"Oh, is that so? And what about Kakashi?" Having formed his own conclusions, Fugaku continued his inquiry.
"I ran into him before and played with him for a few days." Obito still had memories of Kakashi.
"Hmm..." Fugaku pondered, connecting the various clues.
Danzō's never-publicly-acknowledged son had appeared today, seemingly on good terms with Sakumo and his son, and had even taken the initiative to help the bullied Obito...
Has Danzō already formed an alliance with Sakumo?
But why involve Obito?
Could this mean Danzō is trying to court my favor?
After all, how could it be mere coincidence that he beat up a hawk faction grandson?
Connecting the series of clues, Fugaku arrived at a somewhat outlandish conclusion.
Is Danzō attempting to recruit me?
Recalling Danzō's attitude today, Fugaku became increasingly convinced of his theory.
After all, the old Danzō had always been aggressive and confrontational when they met, yet today he had been calm and reasonable in their conversation.
If not to recruit him, why else would Danzō adopt such a posture?
There had long been rumors in the village that Danzō and the Third Hokage were at odds. It seemed these speculations were true—this Hokage advisor must be gathering forces to launch an assault on the Third's regime.
So, would following Danzō lead anywhere?
Fugaku found himself conflicted again.
Compared to the vigorous Hiruzen Sarutobi, this Hokage advisor was not only disabled but also far inferior in strength. After all, Hiruzen was the "Professor of the Shinobi World," who had repeatedly battled Ōnoki—currently the only wielder of Dust Release—without falling behind.
Compared to him, Danzō seemed rather... pathetic.
It would be better not to take sides for now—maintain an ambiguous relationship while using this opportunity to suppress the hawks within the clan.
Having made his decision, Fugaku raised his head under the anxious gazes of Obito and his grandmother: "Is that so? Then Obito, you must maintain your friendship with them. After all, in the shinobi world, having a true friend is incredibly fortunate."
"Y-yes, I understand, Lord Fugaku." Obito nodded vigorously.
Although Feng Bai seemed like a schemer and Kakashi appeared to be an insufferable brooding type, Obito had already accepted them as friends in his heart—he didn't need Fugaku to tell him that.
Satisfied with the response, Fugaku stood up, bid farewell to Obito's grandmother, and left their home.
Since his objective had been achieved, it was time to return home and attend to his own affairs.
A son? Hmph, who doesn't have one? Not only will I have one, I'll have two!
Thinking of Mikoto waiting for him at home, Fugaku felt his entire body surge with energy.
What Danzō, what Sakumo—none of them can compare to me!
...
The next day.
"Thud!"
Early in the morning, Feng Bai expertly crashed into the wall, only to be dug out and healed by Yakushi Nonō standing nearby.
Yamanaka Zen had transformed into the "Whip Jinchūriki," lashing out at Feng Bai whenever he tried to slack off.
Since Yamanaka Zen's medical ninjutsu wasn't particularly proficient, Danzō—feeling that training time was being wasted—thought of that "Walking Priestess" who had long since left Root, and brought people to find her overnight.
Initially, Yakushi Nonō was reluctant to come out of retirement to assist Danzō. Though shocked that Danzō actually had a son, her deep understanding of his true nature made her acutely aware of the danger he posed.
However, Danzō offered her a condition she couldn't refuse.
Money—lots and lots of money that would be regularly supplied to the orphanage.
With no alternative, for the sake of the children, Yakushi Nonō agreed to Danzō's request, once again becoming his subordinate to help train Feng Bai.
Danzō was thoroughly satisfied with this arrangement. Compared to the funding he provided for Orochimaru's research, this amount was merely pocket change—rounding down, he was practically making a profit.
"There, all done." Having efficiently treated Feng Bai's injuries, Yakushi Nonō stepped aside.
"Quickly now, Feng Bai, get back to it." Seeing Feng Bai still lying on the ground unwilling to move, Yamanaka Zen directly lashed out with his whip.
"Damn it, did I transmigrate into some slave? Getting whipped every day—even cotton pickers don't get treated this badly!" Whipped to his feet, Feng Bai was forced to charge toward Aburame Ryōma, only to be beaten back into the wall.
[Hmm, this job is actually quite nice—I get to watch Danzō's son get beaten up.]
Yakushi Nonō dug Feng Bai out of the wall once more, finding herself less resistant to this work than she had been initially.
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