Given Uchiha Fugaku's status, there was no need for him to greet a guest in person. Even if he wanted to show respect, meeting at his own door would have been more than enough.
Coming all the way to the clan's main gate—well, as the saying goes:
When courtesy bows low, it always seeks a favor.
"Fugaku-senpai, you're far too kind. This isn't necessary," Kageyama Kokugetsu said with a broad smile as he walked up.
"It's nothing. We're all old acquaintances," Uchiha Fugaku answered, the stern, fierce lines of his face easing into a smile.
"Kokugetsu-senpai," said Uchiha Itachi, bowing like a little adult.
"Itachi, you've grown taller.
"I hear you've entered the Academy. How is it?"
"It's good. I've learned a lot of useful things," Itachi said honestly.
Heh. The most useful among those is the Will of Fire, no doubt.
Aside from that, everything the Academy teaches can be learned within the clan.
Study away. I'm not far from becoming a beneficiary of the Will of Fire myself.
"Work hard. As Fugaku-senpai's eldest, you carry the right to represent the Uchiha," Kageyama Kokugetsu said, smiling.
"Yes. I will," Itachi said, nodding hard.
"Please, Kokugetsu-kun."
"After you, Fugaku-senpai."
After the polite back-and-forth, the two stepped into the compound together. Kageyama Kokugetsu chatted idly while letting his eyes roam.
What to call it?
Like an old-style village with Japanese timber houses—restrained, antique charm rather than polish.
By shinobi standards, it was certainly a grand clan domain; by Kageyama Kokugetsu's eye, it was just so-so.
Along the way they met many Uchiha—shinobi and civilians—warmly greeting Fugaku and his son while giving Kokugetsu curious looks.
At the center of the grounds, Fugaku's residence came into view—plain double wooden doors, nothing special at a glance.
Inside was more pleasing: a courtyard with flowers, bamboo, a cherry tree, a waterwheel and pond—something of an elegant air.
They reached the dining room. Uchiha Mikoto waited at the door in black loungewear, hands folded at her abdomen, smiling.
After pleasantries they went in. Four low tables sat in the middle, laden with dishes. Black cushions lay on the floor. The aroma was inviting.
They took their seats. Mikoto introduced the food, then focused on the meal.
What to say?
With more time at the stove, Mikoto's cooking edged out Kushina's.
They rinsed with tea after, then moved to the tearoom to talk—Itachi did not have the standing to join this part.
As the conversation went on, Fugaku suddenly let out a long sigh.
Here's the real play, Kageyama Kokugetsu thought. Fine, I'll follow your lead.
"Why the sigh, Fugaku-senpai?"
Mikoto said with a troubled face, "Because of the Nine Tails' night, the village's suspicion and exclusion of the Uchiha have worsened.
"Fugaku's been agonizing over it."
Fugaku nodded. "I quietly investigated the clan after the fact. I found nothing unusual.
"From what I know of our people, they wouldn't do such a thing. To bear this false charge is truly hard."
Kageyama Kokugetsu pondered a moment. "I don't much believe the masked man is a Uchiha from Konoha either.
"But I'm of small weight. My disbelief doesn't change much."
Fugaku smiled. "You underestimate yourself, Kokugetsu-kun.
"Among the younger generation, who is more trusted and relied upon by the leadership than you?
"Even that Kakashi falls a step behind you. You're the undisputed number one of your age."
Kokugetsu waved both hands, trying to press down the curl of his lips and failing.
"You flatter me. Truly, you flatter me."
"Not at all," Fugaku said earnestly. "Whatever others think, I—and the Uchiha as a whole—think so.
"To tell the truth, beyond sincerely inviting you as a guest, we do have a request.
"We hope that when you speak with Konoha's leadership, you'll put in a good word for the Uchiha and lessen the rift."
"I'm happy to see peace and unity in the village. I'll do what I can," Kokugetsu said with a smile.
Empty harmony doesn't favor an ambitious man's rise, he thought. But the words sounded good.
"Thank you, Kokugetsu-kun," they said, faces brightening as they offered small bows.
"There's one more matter we hope you'll help with."
"Let's hear it," Kokugetsu said, smiling slightly.
The first request could slide, but if the second came with nothing but air, then the clan head didn't understand the game.
"I think it's a waste for Shisui to remain only in the Police Force. I want to send him into ANBU.
"I don't know if the Hokage will agree, so I hoped you might speak for him."
That wasn't difficult. Uchiha Shisui was a descendant of Uchiha Kagami; even without his advocacy, Hiruzen would likely approve.
"This is a small token. Please accept it," Mikoto said, smiling as she set a small leather case on the table.
Kageyama Kokugetsu glanced at it and smiled. "No need for money.
"I'm not as wealthy as the Uchiha, but I have enough."
Fugaku caught the implication and felt a spark of hope.
"What would Kokugetsu-kun like, then?"
Kokugetsu's eyes slid to Mikoto at the corner, then he smiled. "I've been studying fūinjutsu lately.
"I've heard your clan has a technique called the Transcription Seal. Might I have a look?"
Fugaku and Mikoto were both shocked.
Few in the clan even knew of that seal. How did Kokugetsu know?
"Yesterday I asked Lady Tsunade about seals. She mentioned your clan's technique," Kokugetsu explained.
Ah. The Senju.
That made sense. The Senju did, in fact, know of it.
"You may examine it. But the Transcription Seal is designed for the Sharingan.
"Even among us, only three-tomoe users with strong sealing arts can barely employ it."
Kokugetsu smiled, unconcerned. "Even if I can't use it, seeing it broadens my horizons."
And if he could adapt it to work with his Black Eye, it would be quite useful.
"Very well. Mikoto, go fetch it," Fugaku said with a nod.
"Alright," Mikoto answered with a light smile, rising to leave.
They chatted for a few minutes about the front. Mikoto soon returned with a scroll.
"This is the Transcription Seal training scroll. Please," Fugaku said, passing it over.
"Much obliged."
Kageyama Kokugetsu unrolled it and read carefully.
When he finished, he could only admit the centuries of war in the shinobi world hadn't been for nothing—some arts were exquisitely wrought.
The Transcription Seal, for example, essentially used ocular power to trace the formula of a sealing technique and paired it with genjutsu.
"The Uchiha are worthy of a millennium-old clan. This seal is exquisite. My eyes are opened today.
"As for Shisui, I'll do my utmost to make it happen.
"If you trust me, send him to the front with me to earn some merit. He'll rise faster that way."
Fugaku's heart leapt and he agreed at once.
An unexpected bonus—generous indeed.
Perhaps because of that, both Fugaku and Mikoto walked Kageyama Kokugetsu all the way back to the clan gate when the evening ended.
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