Chapter 36

AN : Hello guys, Hope u r enjoying the story so far. I have saw the comments regarding the slow progression of the story. No worries, the Introduction volume is for readers, who are new to reading Naruto fanfics. From the Volume 2 : Genin days the progression is quite fast and thrilling.

AN2 : You can read chapters published ahead by supporting me (3$) on my p@treon account - p@treon.com/noviceauthor777

Currently published 24 extra chapters with 45K words in P@treon. The extra chapters are going to increase in the next two days to 30. Pls support me for the Hardwork.

Shigeyama looked at his son, whose face and demeanor closely mirrored his own. His heart harbored a subtle, unspoken guilt.

To ensure his son's growth, Shigeyama had always presented the same stern and formal facade to him as he did to others. From the moment his child could remember, he had never offered a word of praise or encouragement. When his son graduated from the Ninja Academy as the top student, Shigeyama merely remarked, "Worthy of my son," disregarding the eager anticipation in his son's eyes.

Even during his darkest moments, when his son lost teammates and desperately needed comfort, Shigeyama remained silent. Instead, he congratulated him on awakening the Sharingan, the clan's treasured ability, while ignoring the pain and confusion in his eyes. All his son saw was his father's unyielding back.

Yet, away from prying eyes, Shigeyama vigilantly observed Fugaku's every move, constantly worrying about his well-being but never expressing it. Fugaku had risen to meet his father's expectations, becoming one of the most powerful members of his generation and earning the respect of the clan elders. He handled difficult missions from the Hokage and navigated the internal politics of the clan with ease.

Now, as he faced the impending ninja war, Shigeyama believed Fugaku was ready to uphold the Uchiha name and secure the family's future. Still, one thought lingered in his mind.

'It's time to find a suitable match for him.'

Gazing at the tall, capable young man before him, who was just in his early twenties, he pondered this silently.

"Father, Toshiro seems mature beyond his years. He thinks clearly and has his own views on the possibility of war," Fugaku said, breaking the silence. "He doesn't seem to resent the clan's decision to have him graduate early from the ninja academy."

"On the contrary, he shows a strong desire for secret techniques and power, even inquiring about the family's secret vault," Fugaku continued. "Talking to him is no different from talking to an adult."

Recalling his interactions with Toshiro, Fugaku reported honestly and shared his thoughts.

At this time, Fugaku was unaware of the complex thoughts swirling in his father's mind. He couldn't foresee that he would soon meet a beautiful wife and eventually father sons of extraordinary talent. A son who, many years later, would defy him and lead the Uchiha clan to the brink of ruin.

Hearing both his brother's and his son's perspectives, Shigeyama refrained from expressing his opinion immediately. Instead, he asked his son to retrieve a thick book from the bookshelf and started reading it carefully.

Flipping through the pages of the family genealogy. It didn't take long to find Toshiro's record, along with the names of his father and grandmother. "Found it, Uchiha Toshiro! So he's Masahiko's son and also the grandson of one of the clan's elders!" Shigeyama exclaimed.

In any organization or family, thorough investigations into a person's background are standard when deciding to mentor someone. The Uchiha clan was no exception.

'Masahiko's son, so there's no issue with his identity. He could indeed be a pillar for the third branch of the clan.'

'Is he the grandson of our revered elders? No wonder he has such talent. I wonder if he possesses the potential to awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan?'

Shigeyama's thoughts wandered to the remarkable woman who once quelled the internal conflicts within the clan. She had created the forbidden technique 'Izanami,' a jutsu countering Izanagi, capable of forcing people into a genjutsu to face reality, effectively altering their fate.

At the same time, he couldn't help but think back to the largest civil strife in the history of the clan.

After Madara Uchiha left, a fierce power struggle erupted over the vacant position of clan head. Leaders from the first and second branches, each backed by their subordinates and armed with the Mangekyō Sharingan, fought fiercely, even employing the forbidden jutsu 'Izanagi.'

In this conflict, Uchiha Baru used Izanagi to kill his opponent and seize power. However, the struggle didn't end there, as others sought to kill Uchiha Baru. The elites of the warring clan era continued to kill each other until almost everyone had fallen. The last person standing was Uchiha Nako.

To save the clan from extinction and put an end to the civil strife, Uchiha Nako created Izanami and used it, successfully stopping the war. Even so, the clan paid a heavy price. The fighters from the first and second branches were nearly wiped out, and the third branch, which included the elders, which primarily handled support and logistics.

Three pairs of Mangekyō Sharingan were reduced to one dead and two disabled. If it weren't for the first Hokage's consideration and the presence of surviving Uchiha Nako, the newly formed village might have seen the clan's extermination. Tobirama had pushed for killing the whole clan, saying this was the prime opportunity to quell any unrest that might happen in the future because of the Uchiha clan. But Hashirama had effectively quelled his brother's idea. Each time he thought of this, a chill ran down his spine.

The clan had hopes of influencing the selection of the second or even the third Hokage. Instead, internal conflicts led to a significant loss of power, and they were ousted from the power center by the second Hokage, and effectively silenced.

With a deep sigh, Shigeyama pushed these thoughts aside and looked at Fugaku. The future of the family rested on the shoulders of these young ninjas.

"In that case, Fugaku, take him to the secret jutus vault tonight and let him choose a technique he likes. As the grandson of our esteemed elder, he might also excel in Genjutsu."

Since Toshiro was considered part of the family of Uchiha Nako, the elder who saved the clan, Shigeyama saw no reason to withhold his training. If Toshiro desired power, the clan would provide the means and see how far he could rise.

"And Satoshi, these young ones will be entrusted to your guidance in the future."

He trusted his younger brother deeply. Although Satoshi had once harbored unrealistic dreams, maturity had brought a clear-eyed acceptance of reality.

"Yes Father!"

"Yes, Nee-sama!"

"Then we'll take our leave!" they both said in unison.

Seeing that Shigeyama had finished speaking and seemed a bit distracted, lost in thought, Fugaku and Satoshi decided not to linger. They offered their farewells and left the office without further interruption.

As they walked down the corridor outside the head of the police force's office, Satoshi's voice echoed faintly with a teasing tone, "Fugaku, you're not too young anymore. Is there a girl in the clan you fancy? Do you need an introduction from your uncle?" His voice gradually faded until it was no longer audible.

Toshiro had long known that his grandmother was Uchiha Nako. However, since she had passed away before he was born, leaving behind only some Genjutsu-related training notes, it hadn't brought him any tangible benefits. He hadn't focused much on this part of his heritage.

When his grandmother died during the First Ninja War, it was a distant past for him. Even his father had only vague memories of her, and the stories about her were sparse and difficult to comprehend fully.

Yet, unbeknownst to him, this lineage had bestowed him with significant advantages. The Uchiha clan secret vault was no ordinary library.

The Uchiha family's prowess in illusions extended far beyond just the Sharingan. Ordinary ninjas, wary of the Sharingan's power, would often take precautions against it. To address these, the Uchiha ancestors invested heavily in traditional five-sense Genjutsu, leveraging their immense spiritual power to gain an edge.

In terms of pure illusion expertise, no Konoha clan—whether the Kurama, Yūhi, or the lesser-known Yamashiro—could match the Uchiha. The Kurama clan, with their formidable five-sense Genjutsu, could contend with the Uchiha but ultimately fell short.

The Uchiha's dominance wasn't limited to illusions. Their mastery of taijutsu, enhanced by the Sharingan's dynamic vision, outclassed many in Konoha. Moreover, their ninjutsu, symbolized by the clan's Asuka fan crest and their exceptional ability to control fire, commanded respect and fear alike.

The Uchiha's reputation for being stuck-up and proud wasn't unfounded. Their unmatched skill in illusions, taijutsu, and ninjutsu set them apart, making them formidable in all aspects of combat within the ninja world.

In the vast ninja world, only the Senju clan, with their immense chakra, superhuman recovery, and physical strength, could truly rival the Uchiha. From the Uchiha's perspective, aside from themselves, the Senju and the Uzumaki, with their sealing and physical vitality, the other clans were merely minor beings, insignificant in comparison.

Unaware of the discussion taking place in the office, Toshiro was busy supporting his two teammates as they made their way back to the clan compound. Asuka was manageable, but Kirishima was another matter. His recklessness and physical exertion in battle had left him utterly spent. Once their sensei left, Kirishima, having held on through sheer willpower, could no longer stand.

"Toshiro, please take Kirishima to his room. Thank you for looking after him," said a middle-aged woman in her thirties, expressing her gratitude as they arrived at the entrance of one of the clan's homes.

"Kasan, I'm not a child anymore, and Toshiro is two years younger than me. I should be taking care of him!" Kirishima protested, his voice tinged with irritation. If not for his exhaustion, he would have made a point to show his mother that he had grown up.

Knowing her son's impulsive and reckless nature, the woman smiled helplessly at Toshiro and said, "Why don't you come in for a while? My snacks are quite delicious!"

"No, Auntie, I just went through some intense exercise. I need to go home and wash up. It would be rude to intrude on you now." Toshiro declined politely, feeling that his disheveled appearance was not suitable for visiting someone's home.

"Then I will look forward to your next visit," she replied, turning to lead her son inside. Yet the worry and helplessness in her eyes were unmistakable.

A young man's heart yearns for the battlefield, for heroism, and for becoming the Hokage. In their pursuit of a higher calling and broader stage, they often overlook the love and care that surround them.

Toshiro sighed silently, feeling powerless to change the situation. He could only turn a blind eye and slowly walk towards home.

Unlike his own situation, where both parents had passed away, his two teammates had different family circumstances.

Asuka's parents were still alive, with her father serving as the leader of the police force's First Squad. She also had two older brothers, and the entire family doted on her, supporting her decision to become a ninja.

Shigeyama is the eldest brother, Asuka's father is the husband of Shigeyama's sister. And finally Satoshi is the youngest sibling.

Kirishima's circumstances were different from both of them. His father had died in the last war, leaving him to be raised by his mother alone. This upbringing imbued him with a unique stubbornness and tenacity.

His mother was against him becoming a ninja, understanding his determined nature and fearing he would meet the same fate as his father. Despite her concerns, she felt powerless against his resolve. Kirishima wanted to follow in his father's footsteps and protect his clan, village, and mother. She could only pray that her deceased husband would watch over their son and keep him safe.

Single-parent families like Kirishima's were common among ninjas. When two ninjas married, one often left active duty to prevent both parents from dying on a mission, leaving a child orphaned. This was the case with Mikoto Uchiha, who became a housewife after marrying Fugaku, and Kurenai Yuhi, who retired from active service upon becoming pregnant. In contrast, Toshiro lost his mother early on, leaving him without such a safety net.

These circumstances also created many single mothers who bore the burden of raising their children alone. Some remarried early to avoid loneliness, while others, burdened by grief and family responsibilities, died young. There were those who successfully raised their children, only to see them step onto the same battlefields as their fathers. And so, the cycle continued.

AN2 : You can read chapters published ahead by supporting me (3$) on my p@treon account - p@treon.com/noviceauthor777

Currently published 24 extra chapters with 45K words in P@treon. The extra chapters are going to increase in the next two days to 30. Pls support me for the Hardwork.