Fugaku: "...What?"
Shisui: "...Impossible."
At Kaze's blunt admission, both of their expressions shifted sharply.
In their eyes, Kaze had always been one of the clan's weakest shinobi.
He had yet to awaken the Sharingan.
His taijutsu was passable at best.
Even the Uchiha's signature Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique was something he struggled to perform properly.
His promotion to Chūnin owed more to clan recommendation than individual merit.
Had he been born outside the Uchiha, he would likely still be a Genin.
And yet—
This same underachiever had just claimed to have created a new Lightning Release technique.
And had blown apart the roof of the clan head's house in the process.
Fugaku swallowed, glancing toward the smoking remains of his roof.
The distance between their houses was neither short nor long — roughly sixty meters.
Any ninjutsu released at such range would lose considerable power before impact.
Meaning that if Kaze had fired that technique at close range…
Its true destructive force would be even greater.
"To perform a Lightning Release of that level," Shisui thought, "would normally require at least jōnin-class chakra control."
But what shocked him more was Kaze himself.
After unleashing such a technique, there was no sign of exhaustion.
No labored breathing. No sweat. No tremor in his hands.
As though he had simply performed an ordinary, low-level jutsu.
"…Just how large is his chakra reserve?" Shisui wondered, astonished.
Kaze's sudden growth defied all expectation — like a door that had been sealed for years suddenly thrown wide open.
Soon, the rest of the Uchiha became aware of the disturbance.
Figures appeared atop rooftops and along the streetlights, crimson eyes glowing in the dark.
In moments, Kaze's home was surrounded.
Fugaku raised a hand, signaling calm.
"There has been no enemy intrusion," he announced.
"The Lightning Release that struck my residence… was performed by Kaze."
The gathered Uchiha erupted.
"That weakling? Impossible!"
"We were dozens of meters away! Even with the Sharingan, I couldn't produce lightning that strong!"
"Kaze was barely competent yesterday — how did he change overnight?"
"Could he be under genjutsu? Mistaken about what he saw?"
"He doesn't have the Sharingan — he wouldn't notice if his perception was altered!"
Speculation spread rapidly.
Some even suggested an ANBU operative had acted in secret, framing Kaze.
At that, Shisui shook his head.
"It wasn't ANBU."
"First, they have no reason to provoke the clan in such a manner."
"Second, whether Kaze is under genjutsu can be determined by his chakra flow."
For a Sharingan user, reading chakra was instinctive.
And as Shisui had confirmed —
Kaze was not under any illusion.
All physical traces, chakra residue, and trajectory marks pointed to him as the caster.
"So… it really was Kaze…"
"When did he gain this strength?"
"Hah! Whatever the reason, the clan has gained a Lightning Release prodigy."
"Well done, Kaze."
Gradually, excitement replaced suspicion.
In the current climate — with tensions rising between the Uchiha and the village leadership — a new powerful shinobi was an undeniable asset.
Even Fugaku allowed himself a satisfied expression.
"This strengthens the clan's position," he murmured, eyes narrowing slightly.
Compared to that, a damaged roof was meaningless.
Then Fugaku turned to Kaze.
"You are fifteen this year, correct?"
"Yes," Kaze answered.
Fugaku nodded slowly.
So this was it.
At this age, chakra sometimes underwent rapid development — rare, but not unheard of among gifted shinobi.
Meanwhile, Kaze realized something unexpected:
He had anticipated punishment.
Instead, he was being praised.
"From today onward," Fugaku said, "you will attend the clan meetings."
Kaze blinked.
Until now, only adult male shinobi with awakened Sharingan were permitted to join those gatherings.
This invitation was more than courtesy.
It was recognition.
Around them, the clan members smiled in approval.
But Shisui's expression remained thoughtful.
He knew what those meetings had become lately —
complaints against the village council.
Whispers of rebellion.
Dangerous ambition.
If Kaze was merely average, it wouldn't matter.
But if he truly possessed rare Lightning Release talent…
And if he were swayed by radical voices…
Shisui made a quiet decision.
"I'll need to keep an eye on him," he thought.
"And make sure he understands the Will of Fire… before others shape his path."
As the crowd dispersed, Shisui glanced toward the Hokage Tower in the distance.
"…I should report tonight's events to Lord Third."