Uchiha Hikaru retracted the chakra that had enveloped his entire body as he stared at the scene before him.
He knew his goal had been achieved.
Uchiha Ang had come to him with a purpose.
And Hikaru had come to the Uchiha compound despite the risk of drawing Madara Uchiha's attention—he clearly had his own goals as well.
The Uchiha clan had always been criticized for various reasons, but in truth, they were often just a little... prideful.
That pride made them sharp-tongued, but once you earned their recognition, they would treat you as a true friend.
They weren't like other clans—if they accepted you, they would genuinely be willing to put their lives on the line for you.
And the Uchihas who made their name in the Warring States Era… they hadn't built that reputation with empty talk.
One-on-one, most enemies would rather flee than fight.
That was the recognition the Uchiha had earned across the shinobi world—paid for in blood.
So of course, Uchiha Hikaru hoped to make that strength his own.
And now, he had.
Facing Uchiha Ang, who was kneeling on one knee with his head lowered, Hikaru asked:
"Can you truly represent the Uchiha?"
Uchiha Ang raised his head and met the gaze of the one he had staked everything on.
"I represent the Dove Faction within the Uchiha clan—and I am also the clan head. I can speak for the Uchiha."
Behind him, Uchiha Noboru hesitated as if wanting to say something but held back, not wanting to embarrass his father.
Uchiha Hikaru grinned, not offering any direct response to Ang's claim.
He didn't know the current situation within the Uchiha clan in detail—but he did know who Uchiha Setsuna was.
As long as that man was around, there was no way the clan had only one voice.
Still, since Ang had made the statement, Hikaru would take it at face value.
If problems arose later, the one who made the promise would naturally bear the responsibility.
"I'm curious," Hikaru said. "Back when Madara was even stronger than I am now… why didn't you choose him? Why choose me now?"
"In the end, I'm just a kid. I can't do much for you right now."
"So why bet everything on me?"
Hearing this, Uchiha Noboru also turned to look at his father, clearly curious about the answer.
Uchiha Ang let out a soft chuckle and began explaining.
"Although Lord Madara and the First Hokage built the village together, only Hashirama truly earned the villagers' respect. Madara was merely feared."
"Hashirama becoming the First Hokage was what everyone in the village hoped for. Madara… never had a real shot at it. He didn't have the right temperament for it."
"When Madara wanted to lead the clan away, the other nations had already finished forming their own Hidden Villages. Anywhere we went, we'd just be stealing someone else's pie."
"And on top of that, the clan yearned for peace… and feared the uncertainty of the future. That's why they didn't follow him."
At that, Uchiha Ang stood up and walked up to Uchiha Hikaru, staring directly into his eyes.
"But you, Hikaru-kun… you're different."
"You're not just talented. You've already proven your strength. And your chances of becoming the next Hokage are higher than anyone's."
"The entire village is looking to you as the next Hashirama Senju—a protector of Konoha who can safeguard it for decades."
"Besides… you've already given us something. This isn't a one-sided deal."
Hearing this, Uchiha Hikaru blinked in confusion.
He gave the Uchiha something? He didn't remember doing that.
Uchiha Ang noticed his confusion and explained what had happened in the clan after Uchiha Chiri awakened his Sharingan.
Once Hikaru understood, he gave a subtle nod and mentally made a note under Chiri's name.
Later, as they discussed ideas for "eye-awakening plans," Hikaru's curiosity was piqued, and Ang ended up sharing more.
Those extra few lines?
They gave birth to another new method for awakening the Sharingan.
Because Hikaru proposed that sorrow from the death of parents wasn't the only viable trigger. Other emotions could work too.
For instance—fear.
Some Uchiha kids who were scared of ghosts could be tricked by someone dressed up as one. Then they'd secretly take a picture of it—just in case.
If the fear still didn't trigger the Sharingan, they could always resort to emotional blackmail by broadcasting that embarrassing photo everywhere.
That could trigger anger.
Standing off to the side, Uchiha Noboru watched the two of them with a horrified expression—as if they were devils in disguise.
Especially when they got excited and started cackling, their laughter gave him goosebumps all over.
Time passed slowly as the conversation went on.
By afternoon, Hikaru finally remembered he had other things to do and reluctantly brought the discussion to an end.
Looking at this man decades older than him yet so in tune with his sense of humor, he couldn't help but remark:
"Didn't expect Clan Head Ang to be this clever… But I've got business to take care of today. Let's continue next time."
Uchiha Ang seemed satisfied.
Since he had already staked his entire future on Hikaru, getting closer to him was only natural.
And now that they had shared such a niche, borderline insane idea? That practically made them kindred spirits.
But then again, even kindred spirits couldn't compare to becoming in-laws.
And at that thought, the idea he'd had from the start came bubbling back up again.
He looked over at Hikaru, who was currently unsealing a barrier, and said:
"Hikaru-kun, what do you think of the proposal I mentioned earlier?"
Hikaru was still preoccupied with removing the last of the seals, so he responded instinctively:
"What proposal?"
"Oh, you know… the engagement one. My Chiri's a great girl—why don't we become family?"
Just as Hikaru finished unsealing everything, his thoughts snapped back into the conversation.
He tilted his head and stared at Ang, his expression darkening with a twitch.
'How did we end up back here again?! Is this guy a genius or something? How did he circle back to this topic?!'
He shook his head, trying to shake the thought away, while also giving a clear rejection.
"No thanks. Chiri and I are just classmates for now. Whatever happens in the future… let's leave that to the future."
"I prefer falling in love freely—mutual feelings, you know? So let's drop it."
Uchiha Ang had already guessed the answer when Hikaru shook his head.
Still, hearing it aloud brought a twinge of disappointment.
But he didn't push. It was fine if it worked out. If not—no real loss.
And with everything settled and his goals accomplished, Uchiha Hikaru took his leave.
After he left, Uchiha Noboru walked up to Ang and asked:
"Father… you really believe in Hikaru-kun that much?"
Uchiha Ang let out a scoff and smacked him lightly on the back of the head.
As Noboru looked at him in confusion, Ang said:
"Why else would I be your father? Hikaru-kun might even surpass Lord Madara one day."
He didn't bother explaining why he believed that.
And just like that, with Noboru still stunned and confused, Ang walked off briskly.