The tea room was so quiet one could hear a pin drop.
Uchiha Fugaku looked into Lord Kagami's deep eyes, feeling that all his thoughts were clearly seen.
This was an opportunity, an opportunity to prove his path to the clan head, to Lord Hokage, and to himself.
He slowly stood up, bowed to Uchiha Kagami, and then began to elaborate on his answer.
"Clan Head, I believe that the relationship between the village and the clan..."
"Is more like a tree and its branches."
"The village is the towering tree that shelters us all from the wind and rain. And we Uchiha, along with other clans, are the branches of this tree. The villagers and common people are the lush leaves."
"Only when the roots are deep enough to absorb nutrients from the earth can the trunk be strong enough. Only when the branches are tough enough can they stretch towards the sunlight and provide space for the leaves to grow. Only when the leaves are lush enough can they perform photosynthesis and in turn nourish the entire tree."
"The tree, the branches, and the leaves are three in one, and none can be missing. The weakness of any one part will lead to the withering of the entire tree. Only when we are united can we keep the great tree of Konoha standing forever, resisting all storms."
This theory of the tree, branches, and leaves made a flash of surprise appear in Uchiha Kagami's eyes.
He didn't expect Fugaku to extend such an apt and profound metaphor from the "Will of Fire."
This was no longer simple imitation, but his own understanding and thinking.
Fugaku didn't pause and continued, "As for the Sharingan..."
He paused for a few breaths, his gaze becoming firm.
"It might have existed in the past for survival in chaotic times, for fighting on the battlefield. It has witnessed too much hatred and tragedy."
"But times have changed."
"In this new era created by Lord Hokage, the power of the Sharingan should no longer be bound by hatred."
"It should be a pair of eyes that see the future clearly, perceive evil, and protect comrades."
"It can help us precisely control flames to bake the strongest cornerstones and warm the coldest winters."
"The power of the Sharingan exists to protect the hard-won peace brought to us by Lord Hokage. It exists to protect everyone in the village!"
"This is my answer!"
His words were resonant and powerful.
Uchiha Kagami listened quietly. His face, which always wore a gentle smile, was now filled with gratification.
He seemed to see his younger self.
The self who was also inspired by the Second Hokage's Will of Fire and determined to become a bridge connecting the village and the clan.
Passing the torch.
The seed named "protection" planted by Lord Hokage had now taken root and sprouted in the hearts of the younger generation of Uchiha, and was about to grow into a towering tree.
"Good... well said!"
Uchiha Kagami could no longer suppress the excitement in his heart. He stood up and patted Fugaku heavily on the shoulder.
"Fugaku, you haven't disappointed me, nor have you disappointed Lord Hokage."
Looking at this young man with clear eyes, full of ideals and ambitions, he said solemnly:
"From today on, you are my, Uchiha Kagami's, disciple."
"I will give my all to personally teach you. Not just ninjutsu, but also how to become a qualified leader, how to balance the relationship between the village and the clan, and how... to inherit and carry forward the true Will of Fire."
Disciple?
Uchiha Fugaku's body trembled violently.
He couldn't believe his ears.
Lord Kagami wanted to take him as a disciple?
Knowing that Lord Kagami was Lord Hokage's most trusted arm and one of the most powerful figures in the current Konoha leadership.
Fugaku knew very well what it meant to become his disciple.
It meant that he would truly step into the core of Konoha's power.
He would follow in the footsteps of Lord Kagami and Lord Hokage towards a broader and brighter future.
Immense joy instantly overwhelmed him.
Fugaku trembled with excitement, stood up abruptly, and bowed deeply to Uchiha Kagami.
"Teacher!"
This "Teacher" was shouted with sincere emotion, full of excitement and gratitude.
Uchiha Kagami smiled and helped him up.
"Good, good."
He looked at Fugaku as if looking at a piece of unpolished jade.
In his hands, under the guidance of Lord Hokage, this jade would surely bloom with dazzling brilliance.
"Teacher, I..."
Fugaku's excitement couldn't calm down for a long time.
"Alright, that's it for today."
Kagami said with a smile, "Go back and rest well. Starting tomorrow, your training will be very hard."
"Yes! Teacher! I will never disappoint you!"
Fugaku bowed deeply again, then turned and left Kagami's house with infinite longing for the future.
From today on, a new chapter in his life would open.
He would follow in the footsteps of his teacher and Lord Hokage towards a broader and brighter future.
...
On the other side of the village.
Inside a newly built, huge barrier field specifically for genjutsu training.
Yuhi Shinku, the genjutsu master of Konoha second only to the Uchiha, was giving a final lecture to several genin in front of him with a serious face.
"Are you all ready?"
His voice was elegant and calm, yet carried an unquestionable authority.
"Yes! Teacher Shinku!"
The several young genin responded in unison.
Their faces showed both nervousness and excitement.
Because they knew that what they were about to experience was a training method unique in the entire ninja world.
"Very good."
Yuhi Shinku nodded. He glanced at the huge and complex genjutsu barrier behind him, a flash of pride in his eyes.
This training program, named the "Real Battlefield Simulation System" by Lord Hokage, was developed jointly by him, the Nara clan, and the intelligence department of the Uchiha Military Police Force, after months of painstaking effort.
It utilized the top-tier genjutsu of the Yuhi clan, combined with the spiritual sensing of the Yamanaka clan, and even drew on some of Lord Hokage's theories about deceiving the five senses.
It could simulate a real battlefield environment in an absolutely safe setting.
From sight, to hearing, to smell, and even touch and temperature.
"Remember, everything you experience after entering the system is genjutsu. However, your bodies, your brains, will think it is real."
Yuhi Shinku's expression became incredibly serious.
"You will smell blood, feel the pain of wounds, and even... experience death."
"This is a very cruel training, but it is also an opportunity for you to grow the fastest."
"I hope you can cherish this opportunity."
"Now, go in."
The genin exchanged glances, seeing determination in each other's eyes.
They walked into the barrier and sat down cross-legged.
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