In the evening, the setting sun dyed the sky a warm orange-red.
Today's patrol mission had gone relatively smoothly.
"Phew—"
Just as Uchiha Fugaku was somewhat distracted, a figure suddenly appeared in front of him.
"Fugaku, Director Tekka has ordered you to return to headquarters immediately."
It was Uchiha Yagen of the Military Police Force.
"Yagen, return to headquarters? Is there an urgent mission?" Fugaku's eyes lit up instantly.
"I don't know."
Fugaku didn't dare to delay. He immediately handed over the patrol mission to Yagen and rushed back to the Military Police Force headquarters.
Military Police Force Headquarters.
"Director?"
"Mm."
Uchiha Tekka nodded, his expression more serious than usual. "No need to change clothes for now, come with me."
"Yes, Director."
Fugaku had some doubts in his heart, but he followed immediately.
Tekka walked straight out of the headquarters building and headed towards the Uchiha clan compound.
Along the way, neither of them spoke.
Fugaku could feel that Director Tekka seemed a bit different today.
Finally, they stopped at the door of the Uchiha clan head—Uchiha Kagami's house.
"Go in, the Clan Head is waiting for you," Tekka said to him.
"Waiting for me?" Fugaku was even more confused.
Lord Kagami was the leader of the Uchiha clan, Lord Hokage's most trusted right-hand man, and a god-like existence in the hearts of all young Uchiha ninja.
Why would he... suddenly want to see him?
Uchiha Kagami's house was a typical Japanese-style courtyard.
There were a few maple trees planted in the yard, and a small pond where several koi fish swam leisurely.
With an uneasy heart, Fugaku adjusted his attire, took a deep breath, and knocked gently on the door.
"Come in."
A gentle and peaceful voice came from inside the house.
Fugaku pushed open the door and walked in.
His clan head was kneeling on the tatami mat on the veranda, arranging the tea set in front of him.
He wore a plain-colored home robe, his temperament gentle as jade, and a warm smile on his face, as if he were not the decisive commander on the battlefield, but a hermit aloof from worldly strife.
"You're here? Fugaku."
"Sit."
"Yes, Clan Head."
Fugaku bowed respectfully, then sat upright opposite him.
Although the clan head before him looked relatively gentle, Fugaku felt an invisible pressure.
Not only because the other party was the clan head, but also because of the unfathomable strength he possessed and the status of being trusted by Lord Hokage.
His performance today would determine his future path.
Uchiha Kagami was not in a hurry to speak, but just quietly brewed tea.
Washing the cups, warming the pot, putting in tea, pouring water...
Every movement was smooth and flowing, filled with a certain Zen.
In the tea room, there was only the gurgling sound of boiling water being poured into the teapot, and the fragrance of tea leaves unfolding in the water.
Fugaku's heart gradually calmed down in this tranquil atmosphere.
After a long while, Uchiha Kagami pushed a cup of freshly brewed hot tea emitting a delicate fragrance in front of Fugaku.
"Try it."
"Thank you, Clan Head."
Fugaku picked up the teacup and, imitating Kagami, took a gentle sip.
The tea fragrance was mellow, with a sweet aftertaste.
"Tekka specifically recommended you to me."
Uchiha Kagami finally spoke, breaking the silence.
His voice was gentle, like chatting with a junior about family matters.
"He said you are the most outstanding among the new generation of Uchiha. Your temperament is calm, and you are a talent worth cultivating."
Fugaku's heart skipped a beat, but he forcibly suppressed his excitement and said modestly, "Director Tekka is too kind, I still have many shortcomings."
"Hehe, modesty is a good thing."
Uchiha Kagami smiled. "But here, there's no need for these formalities."
He put down the teacup, his gaze becoming serious.
Those eyes that always carried a smile now seemed to be able to see into people's hearts.
"Fugaku, I called you here today not to talk about ninjutsu, nor about missions."
"I just want to ask you one question."
Fugaku's heart instantly leaped to his throat.
"In your opinion, which is more important, the village or the clan?"
This question exploded in Fugaku's mind instantly.
This was an incredibly sharp and sensitive question.
In the past, in the era when those stubborn old elders still controlled the clan's discourse, the answer to this question was unique and unquestionable—the clan was above everything.
But now, the times had changed.
Changes that had taken place in the village over the years flashed through Fugaku's mind rapidly.
He remembered Lord Hokage's speech about "protection" at the opening ceremony.
He remembered Lord Danzo, the once most feared root of darkness, now working day and night for the construction of the village, winning everyone's respect.
The legendary White Fang of Konoha sweating in the fields for the villagers' food and clothing.
He remembered himself and his clansmen.
They were no longer suspected, no longer isolated.
They could use their flames to bake the strongest cornerstones for the village.
Use their eyes to protect the bustling streets for the village.
The village and the clan...
Fugaku's breathing gradually became steady.
His face also changed from initial nervousness to determination.
Uchiha Kagami didn't rush him, just watched quietly, waiting for his answer.
This question was a soul-searching interrogation for any Uchiha.
Just then, Uchiha Kagami threw out a second question, a question that struck even deeper into the soul.
"The powerful strength possessed by our Uchiha's Sharingan, why should it exist?"
"Is it to pursue more extreme power?"
"Or..."
Uchiha Kagami's gaze became profound and distant.
"Like now, use it to maintain order, protect the light... and see clearly a path that allows both the clan and the village to move towards prosperity together?"
Fugaku fell silent.
He lowered his head, looking at the clear tea in the cup, reflecting his blood-red eyes.
Sharingan...
Known as the "cursed eyes," it brought not only powerful strength but also endless pain and conflict.
It had witnessed too much hatred, too much killing.
Can it really... only be used for fighting?
Fugaku remembered the clansmen on the reservoir construction site, using the dynamic vision of the Sharingan to precisely control the temperature of the flames.
The comrades in the Military Police Force, using the insight of the Sharingan to find criminals.
He suddenly felt that his previous understanding of these eyes was too narrow.
Power itself has no attribute.
What determines its direction is the direction of the heart of the person using it.
Having figured this out, Fugaku's heart suddenly became clear.
He slowly raised his head, meeting Uchiha Kagami's eyes that seemed to see through everything, ready to give the answer that had already taken shape in his heart.
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