The central brazier was lit, and the reddish-orange firelight illuminated the entire space, with flickering shadows dancing on the stone walls.
Yashiro Uchiha stood by the door. Seeing that nearly everyone had arrived, he slowly walked to the stone gate and firmly closed the heavy door.
With a deep *boom*, the secret room was instantly sealed off from the outside. The firelight became the only source of illumination, casting shadows over everyone's faces.
Kiyoshi, who had just become a Genin, sat in the very back, feeling pairs of eyes constantly directed toward him.
These gazes varied, some carrying curiosity, others showing disdain, and some mixed with faint appreciation and expectation.
Among them, the scarlet Sharingan eyes were particularly striking in the dim light, emitting a cold luster.
Of course, surprise was also present.
Hazuki Uchiha was a Chunin and sat in the middle-rear section.
Her eyes were wide. She clearly hadn't processed that Kiyoshi, who had been coming to the Academy to receive Ninjutsu just recently, had already graduated.
Hazuki Uchiha pondered whether she should approach Kiyoshi to exchange a few words and mend their relationship.
After all, her attitude toward Kiyoshi last time was far from pleasant.
It would be troublesome if Kiyoshi pretended not to mind publicly but secretly held a grudge.
Hazuki Uchiha did not believe that a genius like him would be confined to the rank of Genin!
"Congratulations, Kiyoshi, on becoming a ninja."
After much thought, Hazuki Uchiha stood up, intending to walk toward Kiyoshi.
Unexpectedly, Kiyoshi merely nodded indifferently, a stark contrast to the simple and honest smile he had displayed that day.
Kiyoshi's attitude was outside Hazuki Uchiha's expectations.
"Kiyoshi, are you..."
She was about to ask Kiyoshi if he was still bothered by what happened last time.
"Hazuki, Fugaku is about to speak."
Mikoto Uchiha, who was a Jonin and sat closest to the front, turned back and said to the standing Hazuki.
"Right."
Hazuki Uchiha had no choice but to sit down first.
She wondered in her heart if Kiyoshi's previous behavior was an act to deceive her.
*How old is this child, anyway!*
The reactions of the clan members varied.
Fugaku Uchiha, sitting opposite all the clan members, held his arms crossed, the Uchiha clan crest on his shoulders gleaming in the firelight.
He cleared his throat, breaking the whispers and discussions in the secret room.
"Today, we Uchiha welcome a new ninja, Kiyoshi Uchiha."
As soon as his voice fell, some clan members who had not yet awakened the Sharingan activated it, and the scarlet dots of light flickered across the secret room like stars.
The activation of the Sharingan was a unique ritual for the Uchiha clan, serving both as congratulations to a new member and as a silent scrutiny.
Kiyoshi stood up.
The firelight flickered in the secret room, making Kiyoshi's upright figure exceptionally clear.
He scanned the surroundings, showing not the slightest hint of fear.
Fugaku couldn't help but nod secretly.
He recalled that on the very first day, the child had performed well even under the scrutiny of his Sharingan.
"We Uchiha are not a clan that cares about foreign blood. As long as you come to the Uchiha, we are all united clan members."
Fugaku stated.
No matter whose blood Kiyoshi had flowing in him, all that mattered was his loyalty to the Uchiha clan.
"Yes, Lord Fugaku."
Kiyoshi nodded.
Who couldn't say pretty words about mutual unity?
As for whether Fugaku himself could live up to that, the original work already offered a conclusion.
"Next, what are your plans?"
Fugaku looked at Kiyoshi.
He had received a hint from Hiruzen Sarutobi that Kiyoshi carried the Will of Fire.
This statement clearly indicated a favorable view of Kiyoshi.
Thus, Fugaku, who had originally planned to directly assign Kiyoshi to the Hidden Leaf Village Police Force, changed his mind.
"I... want to perform missions normally like other ninjas. When I have enough experience, I will then join the Hidden Leaf Village Police Force and work alongside everyone."
Kiyoshi's expression was filled with aspiration. He paused and then added:
"Also, Teacher Nonō is willing to teach me some Medical Ninjutsu. I want to train myself more in this area as well, so that when I gain ability, I can better help the clan members."
"Nonō Yakushi?"
Fugaku questioned doubtfully.
The other clan members were equally puzzled.
"Isn't she a ninja with very strong medical skills?"
"I heard that besides Tsunade, she is the best medical ninja in the Hidden Leaf Village."
"Ah, I remember now, she once treated me. Her Medical Ninjutsu is truly powerful."
"Does Kiyoshi Uchiha actually possess Yang Release?"
The clan members whispered among themselves.
They were shocked not only that Nonō Yakushi would take an interest in Kiyoshi but also that Kiyoshi possessed Yang Release.
Most Uchiha were of the Yin Release nature. Only a very small number of clan members also possessed Yang Release.
Hazuki Uchiha grew increasingly uneasy upon hearing this.
She... might have truly offended Kiyoshi.
And Kiyoshi, knowing his own talent, was acting fearlessly, coming back to settle the score?
At this moment, Hazuki Uchiha only felt a chill at Kiyoshi's acting skills that day.
"It was an agreement between Kiyoshi and Nonō Yakushi."
Mikoto, seeing the confusion of the other clan members, stepped forward to explain the circumstances of the matter.
As long as Kiyoshi graduated from the Ninja Academy and possessed the aptitude of a medical ninja, Nonō Yakushi was willing to teach him.
She had been present when Nonō Yakushi made that statement.
"I didn't realize you possessed such talent."
Fugaku nodded.
Being favored by the captain of the Medical Squad meant Kiyoshi had great aptitude in the medical field.
The only pity was that Kiyoshi had only one Sharingan eye. Whether it could evolve further remained a question mark.
Mixed-blood Uchiha were not unheard of, but an Uchiha with only one Sharingan eye was extremely rare, with only a few scattered records surviving from the Warring States Period.
"In that case, you will first follow the village's subsequent arrangements."
Fugaku decided Kiyoshi's path.
Since Hiruzen Sarutobi favored Kiyoshi, he might as well use Kiyoshi to ease the tension between the village and the Uchiha.
Since the Uchiha took charge of the Hidden Leaf Village Police Force, they had offended many people.
Many ninja clans had a cool or indifferent attitude toward the Uchiha, which left the Uchiha clan somewhat isolated within the great Hidden Leaf Village.
"Is there anything you want?"
Since Kiyoshi was so talented, Fugaku decided to increase his investment to strengthen Kiyoshi's bond with the Uchiha.
"I need a ninja sword."
Kiyoshi spoke truthfully.
He was worrying about how to earn money to buy a sword. If the Uchiha clan could provide one, that would be even better.
"No problem. Mikoto, you will take Kiyoshi later to receive the Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique and then take him out of the village to the Ninja Cat Clan to purchase a suitable sword."
Fugaku instructed Mikoto.
Mikoto could always complete Fugaku's tasks with high efficiency, and Fugaku implicitly saw her as his un-married consort.
"Understood."
Mikoto nodded.
With this matter concluded, Fugaku motioned for Kiyoshi to sit down and began discussing other miscellaneous matters concerning the Uchiha.
Only Hazuki Uchiha felt as if she were sitting on pins and needles, occasionally glancing in Kiyoshi's direction.
Kiyoshi noticed Hazuki Uchiha's unusual behavior, and a wicked smile curved on his lips.
Wasn't she the perfect candidate right now to enhance his Dōjutsu power?
***
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