Chapter 52: 50: Fugaku's Decision
A short while later, the door opened again, this time revealing Fugaku Uchiha.
Fugaku had a stern demeanor, his dark eyes sharp and calculating. His hair was neatly combed, and his posture exuded authority. His very presence commanded respect.
"Who are you?" Fugaku asked, his voice low and firm. "I don't recall seeing you at any clan meetings, and you don't look like a villager."
Shiro glanced around cautiously, his voice dropping to a near whisper. "I'd like to explain, but not here. Someone might overhear, and it would end badly. Can we discuss this in your office?"
Fugaku studied him for a long moment, suspicion etched into his features. Shiro expected him to refuse outright, but to his surprise, Fugaku stepped aside.
"Follow me," Fugaku said, leading Shiro inside.
The interior of the house was simple yet elegant, with traditional tatami mats covering the floors. The faint aroma of tea and freshly cooked food lingered in the air. Shiro passed through the kitchen, spotting Sasuke hiding behind Mikoto's leg. Mikoto, busy washing dishes, looked up and gave Shiro a curious glance.
Shiro waved at Sasuke, who quickly ducked further behind his mother.
Finally, Fugaku led him to a private office. The room was sparse, with a single desk and chair, shelves lined with scrolls, and a window overlooking the compound.
"Sit," Fugaku commanded, taking his seat behind the desk.
Shiro complied, his posture straight but non-threatening. Fugaku wasted no time. "Now, who are you?"
"My name is Shiro Uchiha," Shiro began, his tone steady. "I am the grandson of..." He paused for dramatic effect, watching Fugaku's reaction carefully.
"Izuna Uchiha, the brother of Madara Uchiha."
Fugaku's eyes widened slightly, but he quickly masked his surprise. "That's quite the claim," he said. "Do you have proof?"
Shiro leaned forward, his Sharingan activating. "The proof is in my blood, in my power. But I didn't come here to boast lineage. I came here to ask for help"
You know the story of Izuna Uchiha," Shiro began, his voice low and measured, as though each word carried the weight of generations past. "He was the younger brother of Madara Uchiha, a prodigy of the Sharingan, and a warrior who died at the hands of Tobirama Senju. But what the world doesn't know is this—before his death, Izuna had a secret."
Shiro's gaze grew distant, his mind slipping into the tale passed down through whispers.
"Before the battles that defined the Uchiha and Senju rivalry, Izuna fell in love with a village girl. Their love was quiet, hidden from the clan and the world. They married in secret, with only Madara as their witness. He approved, not out of sentimentality, but because he knew the truth—if anyone discovered that one of the Uchiha's strongest warriors had married a common villager, it would be a scandal. Worse, it would make her a target."
Shiro paused, his fists clenching. "But love, it seems, does not care for politics or war. My grandmother bore a son—my father. To protect him, she hid him away from the clan and the chaos of the warring states. She never told him of his inheritance, not until he was grown and ready to carry the burden of the Uchiha bloodline. Yet, even then, my father made a choice."
Shiro's lips curled into a faint, bittersweet smile. "He chose not to return to the Uchiha clan. Instead, he fell in love with a woman from the Senju—my mother. Their union was an act of rebellion against the old hatred that bound their families in a cycle of war. They lived as ordinary villagers, pretending to be nothing more than farmers. And that's how I came to be."
His voice lowered, a shadow crossing his features. "They never told me either. I grew up in ignorance, thinking I was just another child. But ignorance doesn't last forever. When the truth came out, I didn't resent them for hiding it—I resented the world that forced them to."
He straightened, his tone sharpening with resolve. "I lived in secrecy for most of my life. And when the time came, I found my way to Konoha, but… not exactly by permission. I entered the village quietly, avoiding notice. No one questioned me, but now I face a challenge: I need an identity, a place within the Leaf, if I'm to stay here and honor the legacy my family built in silence."
His eyes gleamed with determination as he looked at his confidant. "That's where you come in. I need your help to create a new life here, one that no one will question. A story strong enough to withstand scrutiny, but subtle enough to keep my true heritage hidden. Can I count on you?"
Fugaku Uchiha leaned back in his chair, his fingers massaging his temples. The tension in the room hung thick, and despite his experience as a seasoned ninja, the strange aura around Shiro left him questioning the validity of his words.
Shiro's body language was impeccable; there were no visible signs of a lie, and Fugaku, who prided himself on his ability to read others, found no deception in his calm demeanor.
"Either he's telling the truth, or he's one hell of a liar," Fugaku muttered under his breath, his sharp gaze never leaving Shiro. The thought that this stranger, this young man, could so convincingly manipulate his perception of reality was unsettling.
"I have no choice but to believe you, Shiro Uchiha," Fugaku finally said, his voice steady, though tinged with suspicion. "Tomorrow, I will bring some ninja—sensor types. We'll see if what you say is true."
Shiro met his gaze, never faltering, his poker face unwavering despite the pressure mounting on him. He knew he was in deep, but revealing even the slightest hint of vulnerability could be catastrophic.
"Alright, then," Shiro responded flatly, his tone barely betraying the seriousness of the situation.
Fugaku gave a curt nod before standing up. "You can stay in the guest room tonight," he said. "Come on, I'll show you where it is."
Shiro was surprised. He hadn't expected Fugaku to let him stay in the Uchiha household, especially after the tense atmosphere that had filled the room just moments ago. But then again, he wasn't one to look a gift horse in the mouth. Rising from his chair, Shiro followed Fugaku down the hallway, his mind racing as he tried to figure out how to get through tomorrow without revealing the truth.
Fugaku led him to the guest room, a modest yet comfortable space with a single bed and a dresser. "My wife is making dinner," Fugaku explained. "You have about five minutes, so get comfortable. I'll be back to check on you then."
Once inside, Shiro wasted no time. He flopped onto the bed, staring at the ceiling as his thoughts whirled. The situation had taken an unexpected turn. Fugaku Uchiha, patriarch of the Uchiha clan, was now allowing him to stay in their home. But this wasn't the time for relief. Tomorrow's test was inevitable, and Shiro had to find a way to deceive the sensory ninja that would be brought in.
With a resigned sigh, Shiro accessed his system, hoping it would offer some solution.
---
System Shop
Current Points: 0
Flash Step Mastery (70,000 Points)
Perfect your Shunpo, increasing speed and precision. Gain the ability to execute afterimages during combat.
Shadowfang Blade (200,000 Points)
A sword that can absorb shadows to increase its cutting power. Each absorbed shadow boosts the user's stealth abilities.
Blacksteel Armor (35,000 Points)
Lightweight armor that enhances durability and reduces incoming physical and energy damage.
Reaper's Gauntlet (300,000 Points)
A glove with a weapon that can absorb some of the enemy's energy on impact and convert it into increased health.
Speed Silver Boots (20,000 Points)
Boots that increase movement speed and reaction time. Great for evasive maneuvers.
Elixir of Resistance (12,000 Points)
Temporarily increases physical resistance, making you harder to beat in combat for 10 minutes.
Phoenix Pen (1,000,000 Points)
A rare item that revives you upon death and restores 50% of your health.
Mystic Orb (60,000 Points)
Increases one of your abilities by a level for a limited time.
Map of the Invisible (10,000 Points)
A map that reveals hidden paths, treasures, or enemies in the area.
Cloak of Shadows (25,000 Points)
Grants temporary invisibility when activated.
Monster Summoning Token (50,000 Points)
Summons a powerful beast to aid you in battle. Choose between offensive, defensive, or utility summons.
---
Shiro scanned the available items, noting the steep point requirements. He felt a fleeting moment of frustration before spotting a particular option.
Cancel Lie Detection-One Time Use (15,000 Points)
No one can detect your lies.
That was it. That was the key to ensuring his survival. But as his finger hovered over the option, he quickly realized his predicament. He had zero points. Not a single one.
A sigh escaped his lips. He was so close yet so far. But Shiro wasn't one to give up easily. He rose from the bed, the wheels in his mind turning.
Progress: 25.31%
Template: Madara Uchiha
[System Status]
Strength: 50
Endurance: 52
Speed: 48
Reiatsu Control: 51
Intelligence: 49
Battle Instinct: 53
[Abilities]
Sharingan (3nd Tomoe):
Enhanced tracking of fast movements, with greater accuracy.
Can cast basic genjutsu, manipulating the opponent's perception.
Can copy techniques such as Zanjutsu, Hakuda, and Kidō with near-perfect accuracy, adapting them for personal use.
Hollow Detection: Sense the presence of
Hollows.
[Techniques Unlocked]
Water Style: Water Prison Jutsu
Shunpo
Byakurai
Shō
Reiatsu Strengthening
Moeru Danmaku
Water Style: Water Shark Bullet
Kaidō
Shadow Clone Jutsu
Bakudō: Sai
Bakudō: Hainawa
Wind Style: Gale Palm
Earth Style: Mud Wall
Fire Release: Ash Pile Burning
Summoning Jutsu to Kitsune's
Lightning Style: Chidori
Fire Release: Great Fire Annihilation
[Asauchi Imprinting Progress]
Current Bond Level: 90%