In the quiet room, the atmosphere was heavy with silence.
The first rays of dawn marked New Year's Day in the 50th year since Konoha's founding. Through the wooden latticed windows of this elegant chamber at Naka Shrine, sunlight cast mottled shadows upon the freshly polished tatami mats. Outside, although the main rituals of Hatsuhinode, the first shrine visit of the year, had ended, the lingering joy of the New Year still flowed like gentle waves of warmth, sharply contrasting with the solemn silence within.
Shisui kept his head lowered, his bangs covering eyes filled with complex, unreadable emotions. Aozora's earlier subtle persuasion felt like throwing boulders into a calm lake, creating lingering shockwaves that left his heart in turmoil. Unconsciously clenching his fists, his knuckles turned slightly white from the pressure — clear signs of inner unrest.
Aozora sat opposite him, completely composed, even wearing an imperceptible smile on his lips. He reached for the teacup on the low table—it was still warm—and took a quiet sip, his gaze subtly fixed on Shisui, studying every minute reaction. Confident in his words, he knew it would take time for Shisui to digest and accept them — plus confirmation by the "truth" soon to come.
Finally, Shisui abruptly lifted his head. Bloodshot eyes revealed confusion and inner conflict as he locked stares with Aozora. His voice came out hoarse, barely audible but filled with strain: "Aozora… what you said… about Clan Leader Fugaku… does he really possess the Mangekyo Sharingan too? And truly hides it only for peace between clan and village? Also… Third Hokage… will he actually owe the Uchiha any kind of apology?"
This flood of questions nearly drained all courage he'd gathered. Each one struck like a hammer against his established beliefs, making his world spin. In his mind, Clan Leader Fugaku always stood firm — authoritative, powerful, even somewhat cold-hearted. As for Third Hokage, he was nothing less than the supreme Hokage himself — how could such a figure possibly owe anything to Uchiha?
Putting down the cup made a soft "clink" that rang clearly through the stillness. Aozora's gentle smile remained unchanged, as if expecting exactly this. Leaning forward slightly while locking eyes with Shisui, he countered softly but penetratingly: "Shisui, think calmly — given Clan Leader Fugaku's position and deep calculation, if he lacked the Mangekyo Sharingan or truly harbored great hostility toward the village as rumors claim, would I have both reasons and courage enough to casually reveal something so important — your awakening of the Mangekyo?"
His voice wasn't loud, but it cut straight to Shisui's core.
Hearing this, Shisui hesitated instinctively following Aozora's logic. Indeed, revealing the Mangekyo Sharingan meant unimaginable consequences. If Fugaku really did hide his motives for the greater good as Aozora claimed, informing him and seeking help might genuinely offer a path forward.
But if not...
Aozora seemed to see through his hesitation and continued, "As for whether it's trustworthy or whether the Third really feels remorseful, won't you find out soon enough when meeting the Third Clan Leader? No matter how much someone tells you, many things still can't be truly understood. Seeing with your own eyes and hearing with your own ears will always be more real. So, don't rush to judgment just yet."
As he spoke, Aozora reached out his hand and gently patted Shisui's shoulder, his eyes filled with reassurance and encouragement. "Relax a bit, Shisui. Just remember this—you only need to stay by my side no matter what happens. And believe in me, as well as in the Clan Leader."
Aozora's firm expression and steady tone acted like a calming balm, soothing some of Shisui's inner agitation. He took a deep breath; the heaviness in his chest felt somewhat lighter. Looking into Aozora's clear and trusting eyes, his doubts had not entirely disappeared, but that sharp inner turmoil was temporarily subdued.
"I understand, Brother Aozora." Shisui nodded, his voice firmer than before. "I'll... I'll wait and see how things develop."
Satisfied with the reply, Aozora gave a faint smile and withdrew his hand. He knew well that mere words could never completely convince someone, especially a person like Shisui—pure-hearted yet stubbornly set in his ways. Only concrete facts could eliminate all his lingering doubts.
Though Shisui outwardly expressed understanding, deep within he still felt waves of unease and apprehension about the unknown and what was yet to come. For now, he could only choose to trust Aozora. He silently prayed everything would unfold exactly as Aozora had said—the clan really did have a way to help him, and the Clan Leader truly was acting for peace.
The two sat down again. In the center of the quiet room rested an elegant tea set on a low table. On the wall hung a piece of calligraphy inscribed with one powerful character—Kagami. This single word represented the core of the Uchiha clan code. Sunlight filtered through the window lattice, casting shifting shadows on the tatami mats. The slow movement marked the passing moments, making their anxious wait feel even longer.
Shisui appeared visibly restless, glancing repeatedly toward the closed fusuma door while unconsciously tapping his fingers lightly against his knee. Every faint footstep from outside made his body instinctively tense up.
In contrast, Aozora remained far more composed. With eyes lightly shut, he regulated his breathing as if meditating. Yet his ever-so-slightly twitching earlobes indicated that he remained highly alert to every sound from outside, showing no sign of laxity at all.
The air in the room grew thicker with tension with every passing second.
Who knows how much time passed before a pair of steady, rhythmic footsteps approached, growing clearer with every step until they clearly reached both of their ears.
Shisui shot upright, holding his breath.
Aozora slowly opened his eyes as well, a flash of sharpness briefly gleaming within.
The footsteps stopped right outside the room. Soon after, a respectful and calm male voice sounded: "Master Aozora and Master Shisui, Zhong Ming announces the arrival of the Clan Leader."
It was Zhong Ming, the Clan Leader's guard.
Hn.
A deep and commanding reply came from outside — just a single word, yet carrying undeniable authority.
With a soft "swish," the elegant paper sliding door was drawn open by a firm hand with sharply defined knuckles.
A middle-aged man stood at the doorway. He wore the usual formal attire of the Uchiha Clan — dark-colored and embroidered with the Uchiha clan's flame-patterned fan emblem. His face was solemn, exuding quiet authority. This was Fugaku Uchiha.
Zhong Ming, the guard, bowed respectfully to one side, allowing Fugaku to enter before quietly closing the sliding door behind him.
Fugaku's steps were steady and graceful, devoid of any ostentation. Yet as he entered, an invisible pressure spread like rising tide throughout the entire Quiet Room. The air grew heavy, like a storm pressing down on them.
His piercing gaze cut through the space like a blade — lingering just long enough to acknowledge Aozora with a brief nod — before settling fully on Shisui, whose expression had instantly stiffened.
The moment Shisui met Fugaku's gaze, immense pressure pressed down upon him. Almost instinctively, he lowered his head, avoiding that penetrating stare which seemed capable of seeing through everything. His heart pounded uncontrollably, as if it would leap from his chest. It was completely different from previous encounters — those distant glimpses during clan meetings or brief interactions while reporting missions. The overwhelming presence Fugaku radiated now was unlike anything he'd felt before.
Aozora calmly rose to his feet, bowing slightly alongside Shisui, and greeted respectfully, "Clan Leader."
Fugaku responded with a low hum and took his seat at the head of the room. He didn't speak immediately but instead picked up the fresh tea prepared by the attendant. He gently skimmed off the foam, proceeding at a leisurely pace, yet the atmosphere inside the Quiet Room grew increasingly tense.
Fugaku's gaze remained fixed on Shisui for several long seconds. Those deep eyes resembled an ancient well, bottomless and unfathomable, making Shisui feel as though he was standing bare-skinned in a freezing snowstorm — every inch of his skin, every thought in his mind, completely exposed. Sweat even began to bead on his forehead, and a chill crept down his back.
Aozora, meanwhile, stood beside them with his head lowered respectfully. He subtly gauged both Fugaku's demeanor and Shisui's reactions. He knew the real test had only just begun.
Inside the Quiet Room, silence fell so completely that you could hear a pin drop. Only occasional chirps from birds outside the window served to highlight the oppressive tension within. A meeting destined to shape the future of the Uchiha and determine Shisui's fate was about to begin.
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