After much deliberation, the rewards were finally decided.
"Gen, from this day forward, the Uchiha Clan's Ninjutsu Library and Archives will be permanently open to you. At the same time, you will receive clan benefits equal to an elder's share from the clan's industries," Fugaku announced solemnly.
Gasps rippled through the chamber.
"What…?"
"The Library and elder-level benefits?"
The reward was enormous.
Even those who managed to stay quiet couldn't fully hide their envy. Yet no one looked at Uchiha Gen with jealousy but only admiration. The danger he'd faced, the contributions he'd made… even such generous rewards felt barely enough to match them.
If Gen had been arrogant or unlikable, resentment might have brewed. But with the goodwill he'd earned, no one begrudged him.
To Gen himself, however, the rewards felt somewhat underwhelming. Compared to the recognition Hiruzen Sarutobi had given him, this didn't shake him at all. With his status in the clan, could the elders truly keep him from the Ninjutsu Library if he wanted to study? If they tried, they'd only alienate their most promising Hokage candidate.
And money? Financial help meant little to him. The ninja world was full of fat sheep waiting to be fleeced; coin had never been his true pursuit.
Still, he could see how sincere the elders were in front of their clan, and that sincerity mattered. He quickly shifted his thoughts and broke into a wide, excited grin.
"Thank you, Clan Head, honored Elders! I will not become complacent. I'll continue working hard to bring greater honor to the Uchiha Clan!"
His enthusiasm earned satisfied smiles from Fugaku and the elders.
Then Gen's face turned serious. "Besides personally returning the war fan, I came back with another important matter."
Fugaku's eyes narrowed. "What is it?"
"I believe the one who attacked me was after my Sharingan."
A tense silence fell.
"The enemy revealed only one eye. That strongly suggests their other eye has a problem. He needs a replacement and spares. That means any awakened Sharingan user in the clan could become a target. The stronger the eyes, the greater the danger. And this man possesses a strange space–time ability. Even inside the village walls, we cannot assume we're safe. Everyone must remain vigilant."
The weight of his words settled heavily across the room.
Truthfully, Gen knew the warning changed little. With Obito's Kamui, even Fugaku or Shisui would struggle to escape unless they awakened Mangekyo. Obito would eventually harvest Sharingan; how many he collected would depend on his methods and the clan's countermeasures.
Faces darkened. Some of the unawakened Uchiha felt a flicker of relief, yet guilt followed immediately. Their brothers and sisters were in danger; blood ties bound them all.
"To dig out Uchiha eyes… to twist Madara-sama's will and defile our bloodline…!" Shisui clenched his fists, voice burning with indignation.
His words struck like a spark in dry grass. The hall erupted with curses against the unknown mastermind. Uchiha weren't skilled at insults—they were warriors, not poets—but their fury was unmistakable.
When the storm of voices died down, Fugaku's tone cut through the silence. "This enemy is no Uchiha. He is Konoha's enemy. He is our sworn enemy. From today onward, no one is to move alone. Be cautious. I will confer with the Elders tonight, and concrete measures will be put into place."
Then he turned to Gen. "Thank you for rushing back to warn us."
Gen smiled faintly. "It's only right. I felt a personal return would carry more weight, so that everyone would understand the seriousness."
That simple line softened the room. They could all feel his goodwill. Though no one voiced thanks aloud, many silently engraved it in their hearts. His favor among them rose yet again.
Fugaku gave a slow nod. "When do you depart for the front lines?"
"Tomorrow morning," Gen answered.
"So soon?"
"I don't have a choice. Orochimaru-sensei has piled military duties on me. I can't be away long."
The humble-brag was deliberate. As expected, hearing how highly Orochimaru valued him filled Fugaku and the others with pride. The rank-and-file clan members swelled with the same feeling, Uchiha Gen wasn't only a hero among them, he was recognized beyond that.
"In that case," Fugaku said, "rest tonight. You look travel-worn."
A murmur of agreement circled the chamber. Their sharp eyes caught even the small details in how Gen presented himself, and admiration deepened. More hearts tipped into absolute loyalty.
"Thank you for your concern, Clan Head. But before I rest, I have one suggestion on dealing with this enemy."
"Oh?" Fugaku leaned forward. "Speak."
The Elders, Shisui, Mikoto with Sasuke in her arms, and even young Itachi turned their eyes toward Gen, expectant.
Gen's smile grew sly. "This isn't something to discuss openly. If I say it aloud, it won't work. Allow me to write it."
Curiosity spiked. He walked to the table, squatted down, and gathered the leaders around him. Mikoto stood nearby with Sasuke, peering down. Itachi tried to squeeze in but was pushed back, bouncing on his toes like an anxious child.
The rest of the clan could only crane their necks, frustration burning in their eyes.
Channeling chakra to his fingertip, Gen scrawled four bold characters across the table.
Some looked puzzled. Others went pale. A shiver ran through Fugaku's eyes.
"This is a forbidden technique," he whispered. "Sealed by the clan for generations… It once caused bitter internal strife."
"I know," Gen said. "But consider our three-tomoe jōnin are the backbone of the clan. Losing even one is a great loss. With this technique, at least they have a chance to survive. At worst, they can destroy their own Sharingan rather than let the enemy take them. Better to deny the enemy than see our legacy twisted."
"Of course, restrictions should be placed. Those allowed to learn must be sworn to silence. Its spread must be tightly controlled."
He looked up calmly. "I only suggest it. The decision rests with the Clan Head and the Elders."
The chamber hung in silence. Finally Fugaku nodded. "It is a grave matter. I will discuss it with the Elders tonight before deciding. You should rest."
"Understood." Gen rose, gave his farewells, and departed swiftly.
He knew what their silence meant refusal.
Izanagi had real merit, but it also bred arrogance and recklessness. More than that, it threatened authority itself. To a ruler, nothing was more dangerous than a technique that could undermine their reign.
Even pillars of the clan, even blood relatives—better they fall than allow such risk.
—
Before dawn the next morning, Gen departed. Shisui and Itachi came to see him off.
From them, he learned the decision; Izanagi would not be taught.
His first suggestion, rejected.
Gen didn't argue. He had done what he could. Now the burden lay on their shoulders.
He only hoped the high command prayed they never became Obito's target.