Chapter 39

The funeral had not yet commenced, and many family members were overcome with grief, their tears flowing uncontrollably. Despite Konoha's strength as a whole, the loss of a shinobi was deeply felt on an individual level.

The ninja world had endured years of constant warfare. To others, a fallen shinobi was reduced to mere statistics after each battle. Only those who stood on the battlefield truly understood the brutality of it all.

Uchiha Fugaku's mood soured as he stared at the stone tablet that listed the names of Uchiha clansmen who had become nothing more than words etched in stone. His eyes shifted to his father, Uchiha Tenjō, who gazed expressionlessly at the name of Uchiha Ueno on the tablet, his calm face betraying his inner sorrow.

The funeral proceeded smoothly, and the attendees' hands were now nearly empty of the white flowers they held.

Uchiha Tenjō, occupied with his duties as the Captain of the Police Guards, hurriedly departed after the funeral. Fugaku also intended to leave when a voice stopped him.

"Fugaku-kun."

It was the hoarse and distinctive voice of Orochimaru. Once heard, it left a lasting impression.

Fugaku turned around and addressed Orochimaru, saying, "Senior Orochimaru."

Orochimaru's eyes held an unusual serenity, devoid of the future's insidious and cunning nature. Perhaps it was due to lack of experience, as he hadn't been exposed much to the darkness of the ninja world.

After all, Orochimaru was only about 5 or 6 years older than Fugaku, barely a peer in age.

However, Orochimaru had been accepted as a disciple by the Third Hokage immediately after graduating and had received extensive training. Over the years, he had accomplished numerous challenging missions, steadily rising in status within Konoha.

"I recently read a battle report from the Land of Rain," Orochimaru's voice resounded. "It highlighted your remarkable performance, Fugaku-kun, alongside the Land of Rain. Such a display befits the genius Uchiha shinobi."

Feeling Orochimaru's scrutinizing gaze, Fugaku modestly replied, "Senior Orochimaru, you overestimate me. The success was a result of our team's seamless cooperation. Even if another jōnin had been in charge, they would have achieved a similar outcome."

"You are too humble. I've reviewed the profiles of your teammates, and they are unremarkable, just traditional Konoha teams. The Land of Rain is growing restless, and it won't be long before I join the battlefield as well," Orochimaru remarked. "I hope that when the time comes, Fugaku-kun won't refuse my invitation."

Fugaku understood that Orochimaru had come to recruit him in advance, seeking his involvement in future battles.

Given Konoha's Sannin's rapid growth, it would only be a matter of a few years before Orochimaru and Fugaku were at a comparable level. With his seniority and strength, Orochimaru would be qualified to lead, and the achievements of the shinobi under his command would be credited to his coaching.

Considering Fugaku's performance in the Land of Rain, it was worth Orochimaru's early interest. As the son of the Uchiha Patriarch, Fugaku possessed significant influence over Orochimaru's future position in Konoha.

While Fugaku had faced rejection from Konoha's higher echelons, he knew that his own capabilities and power were not to be underestimated.

From Fugaku's perspective, Orochimaru was the ideal and only choice at this stage. Jiraiya's whereabouts were unknown, perhaps roaming the ninja world in search of the prophesied Child of Destiny. He was unlikely to return.

Tsunade, on the other hand, focused on studying medical ninjutsu, attempting to expand her knowledge. Fugaku was uncertain of Tsunade's true stance towards the Uchiha clan, especially since the responsibility for the death of the First Hokage fell upon them.

As for Hatake Sakumo, Fugaku had never considered him. Sakumo's appearance had likely exceeded the expectations of Konoha's higher echelons. After all, he had no master-disciple relationship or blood ties to the Senju lineage.

Konoha's higher echelons wouldn't idly watch as their power slipped into the hands of outsiders. The current Sakumo served as Konoha's tool during the war, excelling in swiftly eliminating enemies with his blade.

Once the war ended, that blade would be sheathed once again. The birds would return to their nests, and the bow would be put away. Sakumo was merely an excuse, someone to take the blame for a mission failure and be framed by Konoha's higher echelons.

From the Third Hokage's compromises, it was evident that he, too, hesitated to place the Hokage position in the hands of outsiders, even if they inherited the First Hokage's Will of Fire and made significant contributions in the war.

"I also hope to join forces with you, Senior Orochimaru," Fugaku said. "I would appreciate your guidance."

Satisfied with Fugaku's response, Orochimaru nodded, and the two discussed the situation in the Land of Rain before parting ways.

Having mastered the basics of fuinjutsu, Fugaku didn't rush to continue his research. He returned to his room and retrieved the key to his father's study from a hidden box under the bed before heading towards the study.

The secret room remained as it was, a gateway to the flow of history.

The Uchiha Clan, descended from Indra, the son of the Sage of Six Paths, could be considered one of the oldest clans in the ninja world. As time passed and wars raged, some aspects of their history had been lost.

However, what Fugaku could still access and read was more than enough.

He perused the scrolls in the secret chamber, finding only a handful related to the Mangekyō Sharingan. There were only three of them, indicating that most of the scrolls may have been hidden in Naka Shrine or taken away by Uchiha Madara.

Fugaku picked up one of the scrolls that discussed a sealing ninjutsu that could be mastered after awakening the Mangekyō Sharingan—an ability to transfer a specific ocular power into one's own or another's eyes, activating automatically under certain conditions or at a specific time.

Itachi's later sealing of Amaterasu in Sasuke's eyes for a surprise attack on Obito, or his use of Shisui's eyes to free himself from Edo Tensei's control during their fourth battle—both instances had relied heavily on transcription seals.

However, without having activated his own Mangekyō Sharingan, Fugaku found it difficult to utilize the seals with only his three-tomoe eyes. It wasn't of much use at the moment.

Returning the scroll to its place, Fugaku then approached the shelf containing records of various ninjutsu. The Uchiha Clan predominantly utilized Fire Release, so most of the scrolls on the shelf were related to this element.

From Gōkyakū to Gōka Mekkyaku, the shelves held a record of all the clan's fire-based ninjutsu. This was the legacy of their clan—a unique system of ninjutsu that allowed even genin to excel in the ninja world. These fire-based techniques were their domain.

While some civilian shinobi were content with C-rank or B-rank ninjutsu, children from prominent clans like the Uchiha could already discern the most suitable techniques for themselves from the vast array available.

Thus, in the ninja world, few individuals possessed the capacity to become true shinobi. Those who did were typically taken in by influential or well-connected shinobi as their apprentices.

Fugaku selected the scroll labeled Gōka Mekkyaku from the shelf. This particular ninjutsu had left a lasting impression on him. Uchiha Madara had employed this powerful, wide-range B-rank ninjutsu during their fourth battle, showcasing its immense capabilities.