After being bluntly called out by Uchiha Kai, little Hinata took quite a while to steady her emotions.
Only then did she quietly explain what she wanted.
She wanted Uchiha Kai to help her.
She wanted to become a shinobi.
She had overheard older girls from the Hyūga main house saying that after graduating from the Academy, members of the main family would not become active shinobi. Instead, they would train within the clan estate and only participate in the Chūnin Exams when the time came.
But if she followed that path, she would never become a true shinobi.
And Hinata's dream was to become an outstanding kunoichi.
So she hoped Uchiha Kai could help persuade her father.
Obviously—
She wasn't telling the whole truth.
Her desire for help was real.
And the blush from earlier had been real too.
Uchiha Kai might be an Uchiha, but that didn't mean he disliked girls.
He had emotional intelligence.
Still, realizing that Hinata liked him felt… complicated.
As for when it started, he had a guess.
After intentionally losing to Sasuke in a Fire Release contest, he had been walking home when he saw a group of ill-mannered Konoha children surrounding Hinata, calling her a "white-eyed freak."
So he used the Great Fireball Technique to scare them away.
To him, it had been nothing.
But to Hinata…
It might have meant something more.
The reason Uchiha Kai had dismissed the idea before was simple.
He had once encountered Hinata while walking around with Edo Tensei Madara manifested behind him.
Hinata had fainted on the spot.
He had concluded that Edo Madara was far too frightening and stopped bringing him out so casually.
And yet—
The present Hinata hadn't changed her feelings toward him just because he sometimes carried around a terrifying elderly Madara.
Learning that fact didn't exactly make him overjoyed.
But still—
Not being disliked by a girl felt pretty good.
Uchiha Kai had zero romantic experience.
In his previous life, all he had known was academic competition.
Daily problem sets.
Endless exams.
So being liked by a girl was… new.
"I can help with this," Uchiha Kai said.
"But for specifics, I'll visit your house later."
He said this because they had already left the Academy and noticed that Hiashi Hyūga was heading toward the Hokage Building.
If he wanted to speak with Hiashi, it would have to be later.
"Mm!"
Hinata nodded obediently.
…
After escorting Hinata back to the Hyūga compound, Uchiha Kai retraced his steps toward the Uchiha residential district.
Just like in the original timeline, even though the Uchiha and the Third Hokage appeared to coexist peacefully, the clan was still assigned to live on the outskirts of the village.
Uchiha Kai didn't mind.
The air outside the village center was fresher.
However—
Taking this fixed route meant he would likely run into the Uchiha Police Force.
Sure enough.
As he passed down the street, he saw a patrol unit.
Leading them was Uchiha Fugaku.
The former clan head.
After Uchiha Itachi's betrayal, Fugaku's reputation had plummeted.
Once Itachi was exposed as someone aligned with the Third Hokage, Fugaku voluntarily stepped down as clan head.
But the clan couldn't find anyone strong enough—or bold enough—to replace him.
Some feared retaliation from the Hokage.
So he remained acting clan head.
"Uchiha Kai… forget it."
Fugaku seemed about to say something, then stopped himself.
He continued leading the patrol, confiscating unauthorized street stalls from villagers.
While the Police Force enforced regulations, villagers acted submissive.
But once the patrol left with seized goods, people spat at their backs.
"…"
This.
This was exactly why Uchiha Kai didn't want to join.
He passed them without slowing down and continued toward the compound.
The Police Force members all glanced after him.
One scar-faced officer turned to Fugaku.
"Captain… that kid Uchiha Kai is graduating soon, right? He's joining the Police Force, yeah?"
"Assign him under me."
"He's always so listless. Doesn't act like an Uchiha at all."
"I'll reignite that Uchiha passion in him."
"…"
Fugaku said nothing.
He wasn't unaware.
In his heart, he believed the clan had already lost its future.
The son he had once placed all hopes upon—
Itachi—
Had sided with the Third Hokage.
As clan head, watching his own son adopt the method of slaughtering the Uchiha to prevent rebellion…
For a fleeting moment, Fugaku had even believed Itachi's choice was correct.
Because Itachi had stood from the village's perspective.
And as a clan capable of great love, the Uchiha also understood—
If they failed, or if they truly clashed with Konoha's leadership, other villages might seize the opportunity.
It could even trigger a Fourth Great Ninja War.
So Itachi had made a painful but pragmatic decision.
But—
So many years had passed.
The Uchiha and Konoha's leadership still coexisted.
Which meant…
The Uchiha could continue existing just fine.
That left Fugaku in an awkward position.
The clan had grown increasingly passive.
Still, there was one thing he couldn't ignore.
Sasuke had reported that Uchiha Kai was extremely talented.
The Great Fireball he unleashed was even larger than the one Itachi had once used as a prodigy.
That meant—
Uchiha Kai might become the next strongest member of the Uchiha.
Yet after observing him for some time, Fugaku felt Uchiha Kai didn't quite fit the Uchiha mold.
Which suggested—
He might not want to join the Police Force.
Just now, Fugaku had intended to call him over and have a proper talk.
Joining the Police Force was the correct path.
If he became a regular shinobi, he might be "guided" by the Third Hokage.
And at that very moment—
[Beep!]
Fugaku, who had just sighed, suddenly saw a translucent screen appear before his eyes.
[Randomly selecting one Uchiha clan member to join the Road to Uchiha Revival initiated by Uchiha Kai.]
[Congratulations, Uchiha Fugaku. You have been selected.]
[Do you wish to join Uchiha Kai's Road to Uchiha Revival?]
???
???
Fugaku froze on the spot.
Because—
The most listless-looking kid in the clan…
Was inviting him…
To embark on the Road to Uchiha Revival?!
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