After breakfast, Naraku was washing dishes in the kitchen while Kakashi scrubbed a pot with a loud clatter. Then, he heard a knock at the door.
Naraku shook the water from his hands, wiped them on a towel, and went to answer it.
It was one of the Uchiha clansmen who had called them to Fugaku's house last time; he was always very polite to him.
Naraku offered a small smile: "Good morning, is there something I can help you with?"
The person probably didn't expect to receive such a smile, and his expression visibly softened: "The Patriarch asked me to inform you that there will be a clan meeting tonight at 7:30 PM at the clan grounds."
"I can attend too...?"
"Don't be nervous. Any clansman who has awakened their Sharingan is qualified to attend."
He paused, then added: "You might not know the way, so I'll come pick you up at seven o'clock."
"Thank you," Naraku suddenly remembered that he had never asked the person's name, and looked a bit embarrassed, "Senior, I still don't know your name."
"Fūyō, Uchiha Fūyō."
"Then I'll trouble you, Senior Fūyō."
"Mm."
After seeing Uchiha Fūyō off, Naraku pondered the purpose of Fugaku calling this clan meeting.
If it was just routine business, then going wouldn't be a problem...
At seven o'clock, Uchiha Fūyō arrived promptly to pick up Naraku, taking him to the Naka Shrine.
Inside the shrine, many Uchiha clansmen had already found their seats, quietly waiting for the clan meeting to begin.
Naraku's arrival attracted a lot of attention.
He was truly too young. While there were other children his age in the clan who had awakened their Sharingan, they only possessed a One-Tomoe.
Uchiha Fūyō led Naraku to the very front, explaining that it was the Patriarch's request.
Naraku had no choice but to sit down, feeling countless gazes on his back, and unconsciously straightened his spine.
In front of the Uchiha, he couldn't show any sign of weakness.
Fortunately, Fugaku arrived on time. As soon as he appeared, most people's attention shifted to their Patriarch, waiting for him to begin speaking.
Fugaku and several elders sat at the very front, facing over a hundred clansmen, and announced his latest decision.
"I believe you've all heard that we have a clansman who, at just nine years old, has awakened his Two-Tomoe Sharingan."
He looked at Naraku and said softly, "Come forward, Naraku."
Naraku walked to the front of the platform, knelt down facing the crowd to the lower left of Fugaku, allowing everyone to clearly see his face.
"The news is really true..."
"Shinji? That drunkard..."
"Nine years old, even that person back then didn't do it so early..."
"Our Uchiha Clan has finally produced another genius..."
Naraku listened to the discussions rising and falling from below without changing his expression. His calm demeanor earned him the recognition of most people for his talent and temperament, subconsciously gaining him an extra measure of respect.
When the chatter gradually subsided, Fugaku spoke again: "Not only that, Naraku is also the disciple of Sakumo Hatake. The White Fang's standing in Konoha is clear for all to see."
"In time, we will surely be able to break through the higher-ups' blockade against us and gain a certain degree of influence in the village."
"Therefore, the clan will fully support Uchiha Naraku's every need, including but not limited to various Secret Techniques, Ninjutsu, and resources."
"If anyone has a different opinion, please state it now and provide a detailed explanation. If not, then this resolution will take effect immediately."
The more conservative clansmen were naturally delighted to have such a gentle and appropriate method to improve their situation and would not object.
The more radical ones also did not object, as Naraku's talent was evident, and he would surely be a pillar of the Uchiha Clan in the future, so it was only right for the clan to give him some support.
The meeting hall was quiet for a few breaths. Fugaku looked around, satisfied, and said, "It seems no one has any objections, so this matter is settled."
Receiving Fugaku's signal, Naraku bowed his head in Rei, then stood up and returned to his original seat.
Next, several more measures were announced, mostly trivial matters. Naraku was getting sleepy listening to them, so he could only slightly lower his head and stare at the ground, pretending to be deep in thought.
When the clan meeting ended, just as he was about to leave with the others, Fugaku called out to him.
"Naraku, stay behind. I have something to say to you."
"Yes, Patriarch."
Most people had left. Fugaku led Naraku towards his home, casually asking as if making small talk, "Naraku, how do you feel about attending your first clan meeting?"
"Everyone seemed quite amiable."
"Hahaha," Fugaku, who knew the true nature of his clansmen, chuckled. "Then you haven't seen them when they argue; it's quite frightening."
"Do people also argue?"
"Of course, Naraku. We are all different individuals, so our thoughts naturally vary. We will always encounter times when our opinions differ."
Fugaku looked at Naraku, who seemed to be deep in thought, and spoke earnestly:
"Although there are sometimes quarrels, we are ultimately a family bound by blood. As fellow Uchiha, this is a bond that cannot be severed. You can try to spend more time with the clansmen; they will not disappoint you."
"I understand, Patriarch."
Naraku nodded, his eyes smiling: "Everyone is actually very kind. The uncle and aunt at the ninja tool shop, the old woman selling dango, Senior Fūyō who brought me to the shrine, and you and the elders—everyone has been very good to me."
"Good child."
Fugaku was relieved that the Uchiha Clan had finally produced someone easy to manage. When Naraku grew up, he should be able to relax a lot more.
"Patriarch," Naraku pondered repeatedly but still decided to give Fugaku a heads-up, a preventative measure. "I met someone on this mission."
"Who was it?"
"The Fourth Young Master of the Matsukata Family; he said..."
As Naraku recounted his story, Fugaku gradually fell silent, and the night wind grew colder, rustling the two men's hair.
After Naraku finished relaying Matsukata Seigou's hints about the Uchiha Clan's predicament, the two stood in silence for a long time.
Fugaku exhaled deeply, looking at the brightly lit Konoha in the distance, feeling an inexplicable chill down his spine.
"Did you feel it, Naraku?"
"Yes, I always heard people discussing it, but before, I didn't think much of it. But..."
Naraku's conflicted and sad expression fell upon Fugaku, who couldn't help but praise the child's keen perception. From just a few clues and a handful of hints, he had understood the Uchiha Clan's dilemma.
"It's alright, Naraku, we won't reach that point."
Fugaku smiled, and thinking of Sakumo and the Uchiha Clan being almost allies, the oppression in his heart lifted considerably.
"You probably don't understand what kind of person your master truly is. He is an upright and powerful ninja, and he will likely become the Hokage in the future. At that time, with you as the bridge between the Uchiha Clan and the village, our situation will improve."
This solution sounded like it had no problems, but Sakumo... Naraku felt a wave of powerlessness.
He didn't know if he could successfully prevent the other party from walking towards a self-destructive end.
Naraku didn't voice these thoughts, only nodded silently.
Unconsciously, they arrived at the Patriarch's residence. Naraku followed Fugaku inside and had a cup of hot tea and some refreshments in the tearoom.
Light footsteps approached, someone pulled open the door, and a gentle voice came from behind Naraku.
"Excuse me."
Naraku quickly swallowed the pastry in his mouth, turned to bow to the Patriarch's wife.
"Madam."
"There's no need to be so formal, Naraku. You can just call me Aunt Mikoto."
Uchiha Mikoto put down the box in her hand, smiling as she looked at the bandages on Naraku's body, a hint of concern in her eyes.
"Working on missions must be very tiring lately, right? These are some medicinal herbs to nourish your body. Take them back and eat them with Kakashi; your injuries will heal faster that way."
"Thank you, Madam—" Seeing a hint of chiding on her face, Naraku could only hesitantly change his address: "...Aunt Mikoto."
"That's better, Naraku. Come visit Auntie often in the future. You can bring Kakashi too, don't mind your Patriarch, that old fuddy-duddy."
Mikoto very affectionately helped Naraku tidy his hair. The dignified Uchiha Patriarch, who had been called an "old fuddy-duddy," could only sit by, drinking tea with a straight face to hide his embarrassment.
"Alright, Naraku is still young; he should go back to sleep and rest."
Fugaku, seeing that his wife still had more to say, quickly interrupted, afraid that his image in front of the younger generation would completely collapse.
"Honestly, I just got here."
Although Mikoto complained, she was still very understanding of Fugaku's little thoughts. She smiled at Naraku and then got up and left.
Naraku politely declined Fugaku's offer to escort him back, walking out the gate alone, wearily pursing his lips and looking up at the sky.
Turning around, he saw Kakashi waiting not far away, hands on his hips.
The streetlight cast a warm glow on his head.
"Kakashi!" Naraku's face lit up with surprise, and he ran over, smiling, to stand beside him. "Sorry, have you been waiting long?"
"I told you before, your Patriarch really drags his feet."
"No, the Patriarch was just concerned about me, so..."
"What's this?"
"Medicine from the Madam. We'll eat it together..."