Dinner began.
"Happy birthday to you!"
Amid warm blessings, Mikoto blew out the candles, her face lit up with happiness. She carefully cut the cake and distributed it to everyone present.
It was rare for the family to gather like this, so they did not strictly follow the usual Uchiha tradition of "eating without speaking" at the table. Instead, everyone chatted freely, enjoying the evening.
During the meal, Mikoto subtly exchanged a glance with Fugaku. He understood immediately, cleared his throat, and casually shifted the topic.
"Duan, have you ever considered working with the Police Force?" Fugaku asked, placing his cup down. "You're strong, and with your skills, I believe you could be leading a team in no time."
He extended an olive branch to his brother-in-law.
"I appreciate the offer, Brother-in-law," Duan replied with polite firmness. "But I've gotten used to living freely."
"Not even a little reconsideration?" Mikoto leaned into Duan's side and rested an arm on his shoulder, trying to persuade him with a gentle tone.
"Let's not dwell on it, Sister. I do thank you both, but I'd rather remain at my gym."
Duan shook his head again, glancing at Samui beside him, and added casually, "Besides, I can't dump all the work on her."
Samui quickly waved her hands and spoke up: "Curator, I'm fine, really."
Fugaku and Mikoto exchanged a brief look, reading more into the situation. They now believed Duan's refusal stemmed not just from a desire for freedom—but because of his closeness with Samui.
"I won't press further then," Fugaku smiled faintly. "However… there's a clan assembly next month. You haven't attended one before, right? Come see how we run things. I'll have Itachi take you."
"Yes, Duan," Mikoto added gently. "You're part of this clan, too. Attending could help you reconnect with the others—and maybe bring more people to your gym."
Moved by their sincerity, Duan couldn't keep turning them down. "Alright," he said at last. "I'll go."
Then, Fugaku looked toward Itachi.
"I've told Itachi to visit your gym when he has time. He should learn about physical discipline outside missions. He's my son and your nephew—don't hesitate to work him hard."
So that was his plan.
He wanted Itachi and Duan to grow closer, to strengthen familial bonds and perhaps encourage mutual understanding between differing paths within the clan.
Duan turned to look at his nephew.
"Uncle, please guide me," Itachi bowed politely, hiding the unease in his heart.
He dreaded being near Duan.
"Of course. Anytime," Duan replied, baring a broad, toothy grin.
Seeing that grin, Itachi gulped unconsciously.
The evening wore on.
"Itachi, take Sasuke to bed. Mikoto, you should rest too—I'll handle the cleanup," Fugaku offered warmly, helping usher his wife and children away.
"We should be leaving too," Duan said, glancing toward Samui.
"Wait."
Fugaku's voice stopped them.
"I'd like a word with you, Duan. Samui, you as well."
He led them to a side room and slid open the door. Inside, low tables and floor cushions were arranged with traditional neatness.
Fugaku gestured for them to sit. The atmosphere changed.
Samui's heart raced.
Tonight, she'd sensed genuine warmth from the Uchiha family—especially from Mikoto, who had welcomed her like a sister from the moment they met.
Mikoto had asked her what she thought of Duan, whether they got along, and even what she disliked about him.
Samui suddenly realized…
They had misunderstood.
They thought she and Duan were lovers. That's why she had been invited to dinner and treated as one of their own.
A future sister-in-law.
And now—what was this private meeting for?
Was Fugaku going to formally acknowledge them?
Was she supposed to reveal the truth and leave now? Or keep playing along—to get deeper into Uchiha affairs?
She snuck a glance at Duan.
His side profile gave nothing away. Was he aware of all this, or was he just that dense?
Before she could decide what to say—
Shing.
Without warning, Fugaku's eyes spun into the scarlet tomoe of the Sharingan. His gaze locked onto Samui.
A burst of oppressive chakra struck her.
Unprepared, Samui's pupils dilated. She slumped over, unconscious, and into Duan's arms.
"Brother-in-law, what is this about?" Duan asked, calmly catching her and holding her still.
Fugaku didn't answer right away. His eyes remained focused, unwavering.
Instead, he posed a single question.
"Duan. Tell me truthfully—do you care for this woman?"
Duan blinked, mildly surprised by the question.
"Why ask that out of nowhere?"
"Because..." Fugaku began, tone even but serious, "...unlike the Hyūga, the Uchiha don't enforce internal marriages. You're free to be with whomever you want. The clan won't interfere.
But Samui—this woman—has issues with her background."
He slid a file across the table toward Duan.
"Read this."
Duan flipped it open.
The contents were precise and damning.
Samui: born in Kumogakure. A Special Jōnin. Dispatched three years ago. Sent under orders to embed herself in Konoha and gain access to Uchiha intelligence. Her assigned target: Duan.
"I apologize for investigating her without telling you," Fugaku said with weight in his voice. "But I suspect she's a spy. Planted by the Fourth Raikage himself."
"If you doubt the contents, I can use the Sharingan again. I'll dig through her mind myself and confirm the truth."
Fugaku's tone left no room for pleasantries.
He expected Duan to be shaken—or even furious.
But instead, Duan calmly closed the file, face unreadable.
"What do you plan to do with her?"
That response took Fugaku aback. He paused, studying his brother-in-law's unshaken demeanor.
"By protocol," he said finally, "all spies are to be detained and interrogated within the police force. But this case is delicate—Samui is a direct subordinate of the Raikage. If anything happens to her, Kumogakure won't let it go."
He met Duan's gaze.
"We all remember what happened with the Hyūga incident. I don't want Uchiha to be dragged into another political storm with a foreign village. Not now."
"So you're worried history will repeat itself," Duan said slowly. "You fear what happened to Hiashi might happen to one of our own."
Fugaku's silence was confirmation.
He was cautious.
Duan understood. For now.
But he had a decision to make—and fast.