The Uchiha clan lands were enormous—quiet streets, wide yards, and towering houses everywhere. But in truth, no one who lived here ever got lost. The clan's territory was arranged so neatly that even children could find their way around.
And if someone didn't know where to find Uchiha Fugaku, the answer was simple:
Just look for the largest, most luxurious house in the entire district.
Corruption at its finest, Souji sighed inwardly.
Soon, he found himself at Fugaku's grand doorway. After a brief announcement at the entrance, he was led inside and brought straight into the clan head's study.
The moment Souji stepped inside, Fugaku didn't greet him, didn't ask questions, and didn't even look surprised. He merely pointed at a chair beside him and continued processing the documents on his desk.
The room fell silent.
Souji obeyed immediately. He sat as quietly as he could, back straight, hands steady. To calm his nerves, he lifted the cup on the table and took a sip of tea—warm, slightly bitter, and much too elegant for a child his age.
He didn't dare ask why he'd been called.
Because if he opened his mouth, he feared Fugaku might casually say:
"Souji, you are the future of the Uchiha clan. Go to Root and work undercover."
Just the thought made cold sweat gather at the base of his neck.
The entire study became so silent that the only sound was the faint scratching of Fugaku's pen as he signed document after document.
Time crawled forward.
Five minutes…
Ten minutes…
Thirty minutes…
Before he realized it, an entire hour had passed.
Uchiha Souji hadn't moved. Not a twitch, not a cough, not a shift in posture. But inside, he was losing his mind.
Please speak… say something… anything… this silence is killing me!
The longer Fugaku stayed quiet, the more Souji panicked. In his experience, when adults went silent for a long time, it meant they were preparing something terrifying.
He's definitely about to assign me a suicide mission… he's definitely going to send me to Root…
Meanwhile, Fugaku's thoughts were completely different.
As he quietly observed Souji from the corner of his eye, the clan head felt his heart fill with admiration.
"To sit still for an entire hour at age seven… without speaking or fidgeting… this is unbelievable discipline."
In Fugaku's eyes, Souji displayed the rare patience and endurance of a true shinobi. He truly believed:
This child is extraordinary.
Being able to endure silence, pressure, and uncertainty at such a young age—this alone placed him above 99% of the ninja population.
Souji had no idea he had just been added to Fugaku's personal "talent observation list."
Finally, Fugaku placed down the last document, nodded approvingly, and turned to the boy.
"You're seven this year, correct?"
Souji nodded stiffly, heart pounding.
Fugaku continued:
"It's time for you to enter the Ninja Academy. This is your admission scroll. School starts the day after tomorrow. Report with me."
An assistant stepped forward and handed Souji a neatly rolled scroll.
For a moment, Souji froze.
Then the tension inside him shattered like glass.
So THAT was it?
Just school?
Internally, Souji wanted to scream:
You nearly scared me to death! Why make it so dramatic?! I thought you were sending me to spy on Danzo!!
But his face—still cramped from earlier panic—remained stone-cold.
To Fugaku, it looked like Souji had long expected this outcome and was calmly accepting his future.
He stepped forward slowly, bowed politely, and took the scroll with both hands.
"Thank you, Patriarch."
His voice was steady, respectful, and modest—exactly the kind of tone Fugaku loved to hear from young shinobi.
Fugaku nodded, impressed beyond measure.
"A child who has skill, discipline, and manners… He truly is exceptional."
Then Fugaku placed a firm hand on Souji's shoulder and said four words Souji absolutely did not want to hear:
"Do well. I like you."
Souji nearly dropped the scroll out of pure terror.
LIKE ME? Can I refund this?
Can I exchange your liking for indifference?
Please do NOT like me!!
I only want to be a small, invisible civilian ninja who runs away before the massacre!!
But externally, his frozen face made him look touched.
Fugaku saw the trembling in Souji's body and misunderstood completely.
"Ah… he must be overwhelmed with emotion."
The clan head's heart softened. To him, Souji looked like a boy who had lost his parents, struggled to survive alone, and saw Fugaku as a spiritual father figure.
"This child… trusts me deeply."
Fugaku felt the flame of paternal pride ignite inside his chest.
If the political situation weren't so complicated, he might have said right then and there:
"If you don't mind, you may call me Father."
Unfortunately, that would be wildly inappropriate after knowing him for less than a day.
Still, his gaze softened until it was almost warm.
To Souji, however, that gaze looked dangerous—like he was being selected as a sacrifice for some Uchiha clan ritual.
Souji's scalp tingled. Every hair on his arms stood up. He swallowed hard and tried to speak.
"Patriarch, I… I think you misunderstand—"
But Fugaku raised a hand and cut him off sharply.
"I know. Your talent isn't very high. That's why you've worked so hard to make up for it. You did excellently."
Souji internally:
NO. That's the wrong conclusion! I was just scared for my life!!
But Fugaku continued confidently:
"A patriarch must not ignore the efforts of his clan members. If you ever encounter difficulties or have questions about training, come to me directly."
Souji blinked in horror.
Why is he offering mentorship?! I don't WANT mentorship! I want distance! Safety! Escape!
Fugaku then spoke in a tone full of earnest pride:
"Remember this: Uchiha who stand united are strongest. You are not alone. You are clan."
Only then did Souji realize the full picture.
Fugaku had seen him training secretly at night.
He thought Souji was a hardworking prodigy trying to compensate for his average talent.
If Souji didn't correct this misunderstanding now, he would be forced into the spotlight—something he desperately didn't want.
He inhaled deeply and tried again:
"Patriarch, truly, I—"
But Fugaku raised a hand and interrupted him once more:
"I know, I know!"
Souji's soul left his body.
YOU DON'T KNOW ANYTHING!!
But the misunderstanding had already grown far beyond Souji's ability to correct.
And the worst part?
It was only getting worse.