Chapter 64: Ninja Family

"It's father!"

"It's big brother!"

"Then we will take our leave first!" X2

After Uchiha Shigeyama finished speaking, he seemed somewhat absent-minded, as if he was contemplating something important. Fugaku and Shigeza didn't stay in the office to disturb him any further and thus excused themselves.

"Speaking of which, Fugaku, you're not that young anymore. Do you have a girl in the clan you fancy? Do you need your uncle to introduce someone to you?"

In the corridor outside the office of the Police Force's captain, Uchiha Shigeza's faint teasing voice could be heard, gradually becoming quieter and eventually inaudible.

Toshiro had known for a long time that his grandmother was Uchiha Jiri. However, the deceased remains deceased, and besides some illusions-related training insights, she didn't bring him much benefit, so he didn't pay much attention to this matter.

After all, his grandmother passed away during the first Great Ninja War, a time too distant for him. Even his father only started to form memories gradually after his mother passed away, and only had a cursory understanding of his mother's feats.

Unexpectedly, a twist of fate brought him such great convenience without his knowledge. The secret scrolls passed down by the Uchiha clan were not ordinary artifacts. Consider the later achievements of Uchiha Shisui and Uchiha Itachi; the preciousness of these scrolls was evident.

And the illusion insights left by his grandmother…

Don't think the Uchiha family only excelled in Sharingan-related illusions. Given the obvious nature of the Sharingan's bloodline limit, any ninja who had heard of it would guard against it.

To cope with the increasingly brutal wars of the ninja world, Uchiha forebears had to increase their investment in ordinary sensory illusions. Because illusions maximized the advantage of the family's enormous mental energy.

In terms of illusions alone, within the entire Konoha, whether it's the Kurama clan, the Yamanaka clan, or the lesser-known Yamashiro clan, all had considerable differences with the Uchiha. Only the Kurama clan, with their bloodline limit controlling the five senses, could contend with the Uchiha, albeit ultimately failing.

The reason why the Uchiha family often had an air of lofty arrogance wasn't without basis. In terms of illusions, no one in Konoha could compare. In terms of taijutsu, thanks to the dynamic visual prowess of the Sharingan, the Uchiha practically overwhelmed every other clan in Konoha. And in terms of ninjutsu, with their heritage of the Flame Fan emblem, the Uchiha were proud masters of fire manipulation.

Throughout the entire ninja world, apart from Senju, only the Senju – with their massive chakra reserves, superior regenerative abilities, and physical strength – could rival the Uchiha.

In the eyes of the Uchiha, aside from themselves and the Senju, all other clans were just minor players not worth their attention...

Toshiro had no idea about the conversation that took place in the office. At that moment, he was helping his two companions, stumbling back to the clan.

Uchiha Homura could be overlooked, but Uchiha Tetsu was another story. He had fought on with great courage, depleting his stamina to a significant extent. It was only due to sheer willpower that he managed to keep up during Shigeza-sensei's presence. After Shigeza left, he completely relaxed and could barely stand.

"It's really troubling for Toshiro! Escorting Tetsu all the way home. Please, take care of this child in the future!" said a middle-aged woman in her thirties at the entrance of a courtyard in the clan, expressing her gratitude to Toshiro.

"Kasan, I'm not a kid anymore. Besides, Toshiro is two years younger than me, it's not clear who should be taking care of whom!"

Knowing well her son's impulsive and reckless nature, understanding further discussion would only aggravate him, the woman smiled apologetically at Toshiro and invited him:

"Toshiro, why not come in and have a seat? Auntie makes some very tasty snacks!"

"No, Auntie, I've just had a fierce workout. I need to go home and freshen up, it would be rude to visit now!" Having just been through a battle, he wasn't in the mood to visit others. His untidy appearance wasn't appropriate either, so Toshiro declined.

"Then Auntie will look forward to your next visit." With that, she turned and led her son back into the house. However, the worry and helplessness in her gaze towards her son were unmistakable.

The youthful heart always yearns for battle, heroes, and the Hokage, aspiring towards a higher sky and broader stage. The care that surrounds them is often unintentionally overlooked.

With a silent sigh, seeing it all but powerless to change, Toshiro could only turn a blind eye, slowly making his way home.

Unlike Toshiro whose parents had passed away, his two teammates had different family situations.

Uchiha Homura's parents were alive and well, her father being a prominent figure of the first squad of the Police Force. She also had two brothers at home, and the whole family doted on her, fulfilling her every wish. They were pleased to support her decision to become a ninja.

Uchiha Tetsu, however, differed from the both of them.

His father sacrificed himself in the last war, leaving his mother to raise him alone. This contributed to a unique stubbornness and resilience in his character that others might lack.

His mother opposed his decision to become a ninja due to an intimate understanding of his nature, fearing he might follow his father's path. However, the boy's stubborn nature left her powerless.

A boy aspiring to follow in his father's footsteps, to protect his clan, village, and mother – what reason could she possibly have to stop him? All she could do was to silently pray, hoping her late husband would guard their son.

Families like Uchiha Tetsu's were common among ninjas. When two ninjas married, one would often leave the ninja ranks to avoid the possibility of both perishing on missions and leaving behind an orphaned child.

Just like in the original story, "Sasuke's" mother, Uchiha Mikoto, became a housewife. Even Kurenai Yuhi retired from the active ninja service after becoming pregnant. If Toshiro's mother hadn't passed away early, it would have been the same for him.

Of course, this also led to numerous mothers bearing the weight of the family alone. Some couldn't withstand the loneliness and remarried early; others succumbed to the pain of losing their husbands and the burden of the family, passing away early. Some, after raising their children, watched as their offspring trod the same battlegrounds as their fathers.

Such were the various outcomes.