False Loyalty, True Backing
"Taiyi, your father seems very against you relying on the Sharingan. What's going on? The Sharingan is extremely powerful," Shirō asked as they walked together.
If Taiyi truly needed to learn powers beyond the Sharingan, Shirō thought, he wouldn't need to find someone who could defeat Taiyi—he could simply demonstrate techniques surpassing the Sharingan. For the Uchiha Clan, such displays shouldn't be difficult.
Taiyi gave a bitter smile. "Actually, I knew since I was little. Father never wanted me to awaken the Sharingan. Back then, I admired it, longed for it… but every time I mentioned it, he would scold me harshly."
"At the time, I couldn't understand why. This is the pride of our Uchiha Clan, the power we're known for. Why would Father reject it?"
His hand touched his eye, his expression turning serious. "It wasn't until I awakened it that I understood what it really represented."
"The Cursed Eye…" Shirō thought silently, recalling the dark destiny tied to the Uchiha.
"Still, this eye carries meaning for me. I won't give it up."
"You'd be foolish to give it up," Shirō replied bluntly.
He changed the subject. "Speaking of which, I'm not interested in the secret of your eyes. But hearing this, your father must have awakened the Sharingan as well. Perhaps you should talk with him. Show him your Lightning Release taijutsu while you're at it. Also—" Shirō waved a scroll teasingly. "—are you really not tempted by this?"
Taiyi snorted. "Tch. Don't bother. If you exchange that with the clan, I'll learn it eventually. I'm in no rush. Anyway, we're here. This is the Fourth Elder's residence."
"Residence? Doesn't he have an office?"
"Office? What office? We're a shinobi clan, not a village administration." Taiyi looked at him strangely.
"…Right. I was overthinking it."
After tidying their clothes, the two knocked on the door.
"Who is it?" came a girl's voice.
Shirō raised a brow. The voice was oddly familiar.
The door slid open. "Shirō? Why are you here?"
"Miyue?"
"You two know each other?" Taiyi asked.
"Yes. She's one of my classmates. You know her brother too."
"Oh? Who?"
"Tsuki."
Miyue stepped aside. "Come in. Don't just stand there."
Inside, Uchiha Tsuki blinked in surprise. "Shirō? Taiyi? What are you two doing here?"
"We came to speak with the Fourth Elder," Taiyi answered.
"Ah? You know each other?" Miyue's father, the Fourth Elder, raised an eyebrow.
"Yes," Tsuki replied. "We met during this mission."
"I see. What a coincidence." The Elder's eyes fell on Shirō. "Long time no see, Emiya Shirō."
Shirō bowed slightly. "I am honored that the Fourth Elder remembers my name."
"Haha! Sakumo Hatake's disciple is not so easily forgotten. But enough small talk. You came to see me for official business, yes?"
The atmosphere turned serious. Shirō straightened. "Yes. I wish to make a transaction with your noble clan on behalf of the Weimiya Family."
The room fell quiet. Even Miyue and Tsuki held their tongues.
The Fourth Elder sipped tea before answering. "Although you and Miyue are classmates, I separate personal matters from public. Friendship will not affect our dealings. I trust you understand."
"I do, Elder. In fact, before coming here, I did not know you were the Fourth Elder."
"Good. Then, what do you seek? And what do you offer?"
"I wish to exchange this—" Shirō placed the scroll on the table, but did not push it forward. "—for your clan's pharmaceutical field management techniques."
The Fourth Elder did not touch it immediately. "And this scroll contains…?"
"My spoils of war: Kumogakure's Lightning Release Body Flicker Technique."
The Elder's eyes sharpened. "The Raikage's lineage technique?" After a pause, he shook his head. "No. That would be too rare for you to obtain. But still… a formidable prize."
After tasting another sip of tea, he said, "From a value standpoint, it is enough. But why should we trade with the Weimiya Family? Our clan is not lacking in such jutsu."
Shirō's lips curled. "Then what if I add the loyalty of my Weimiya Clan?"
The Elder froze—then suddenly burst into laughter. "Hah! What an audacious boy. To offer loyalty like merchandise. Very well. We'll take this 'loss.'"
The two exchanged knowing smiles, leaving the others bewildered.
Shirō's reasoning was simple: the Weimiya needed a backer. The Hatake had too few members to count as a clan, and worse—Sakumo Hatake was destined to commit suicide within a few years. Shirō didn't know if he could prevent that. He had to prepare for the worst.
This wasn't the Warring States era. "Loyalty" now was simply choosing a side. If Shirō grew powerful later, such ties would fade. But for now, it was a profitable arrangement. The Uchiha weren't truly losing either: Lightning Release Body Technique equaled the value of pharmaceutical management techniques. And the added protection of the Uchiha Police Force made this alliance practically free.
Besides, the Elder had heard rumors of Shirō's flying puppet—one that could be mass-produced. For the Uchiha, that alone made him a valuable ally.
Shirō, meanwhile, wasn't worried about friction with the Third Hokage. Taiyi was his teammate, and through him, much could be concealed. After all, Sandaime himself once had an Uchiha teammate, and their bond remained strong.
Even so… a rift with the Hokage meant less funding and fewer missions. Shirō grimaced. Best to avoid that if possible.
"Then it's settled," the Elder declared. "I'll have the records organized and delivered. As for any formal ceremony… we'll skip it. Such traditions aren't common anymore."
Shirō recognized the excuse. For great clans like the Uchiha, tradition mattered deeply. If they truly accepted his clan's loyalty, no ritual would be omitted. The Elder didn't want the Weimiya's loyalty in earnest. After all, behind Shirō stood Sakumo Hatake. If Konoha thought the Uchiha were allying with the White Fang, it could create dangerous misunderstandings.
In truth, the success of this negotiation was not his alone. Shirō had to admit: without being Sakumo's disciple, he would have needed to spend far more effort—and owe far more favors—to achieve the same result.
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