A sharp hiss slipped from Uchiha Fugaku's lips as the door closed behind young Uchiha Souji. Only after several long breaths did he finally return to himself. His hand trembled slightly as he lifted the teacup on the table and forced a sip down his throat, trying to calm the storm inside his chest.
He had believed he already estimated Souji's courage, intelligence, and boldness correctly.
But now… he realized he had still underestimated that boy.
What he witnessed moments ago was something even grown warriors failed to show—that fearless aura, that disregard for danger, that overwhelming will to act even if death stood in his path.
For a moment, Fugaku felt something strange.
He compared Souji's spirit to the aura of the man once known as the strongest in Konoha—Sarutobi Hiruzen in his prime.
Yes… when Hiruzen became Third Hokage, he had that kind of bravery. It was that fire which earned him the title of "The Professor," a ninja who could face anything head-on.
And now, that same fire existed within a seven-year-old.
Fugaku exhaled and finally made up his mind.
He needed to increase Souji's training.
This boy clearly carried a spark that could reshape the future of the Uchiha clan—perhaps even Konoha.
Shaking off his thoughts, Fugaku remembered he had guests. Two of them, to be exact. He cleared his throat twice, placed down his teacup, and forced a calm expression onto his face.
"Ahem…," he said softly.
"I must apologize on Souji's behalf. He is still young and tends to act boldly. I hope you two can forgive his arrogance."
A polite smile spread across his face—not out of shame, but out of pride. Fugaku couldn't hide how impressed he now felt.
Souji had a first-rate mind and a first-rate spirit. Even if his natural talent wasn't the best in the clan, determination like that could break limits. Anyone with that kind of drive would become a powerful shinobi.
Unlike my own son…
Fugaku sighed inwardly as he glanced behind him and noticed his son, Uchiha Itachi, sitting silently.
Itachi was talented—brilliant even. But he lacked the fiery aggression of youth. His personality was too calm, too gentle, too silent. A forty-year-old soul trapped in a seven-year-old's body.
Fugaku once thought this made him mature.
Now, he wondered if Itachi simply lacked passion.
And maybe… maybe spending too much time with that brat Shisui had softened him even more.
Kakashi finally broke out of his thoughts as well, sipping his tea with a strained expression. Inside, he was still shaken. Souji's presence, his killing intent, his boldness—it reminded Kakashi of someone.
A man with silver hair.
A man who walked onto battlefields with a short sword in hand.
A man who cut through enemies like he was walking through a hallway.
His father—Sakumo Hatake, the White Fang.
That aura Souji displayed… Kakashi had only ever felt it from his father.
This child… was dangerous.
This child… could become a threat.
"This boy," Kakashi thought, "must be monitored. Uchiha power cannot be allowed to rise any further."
He hid his thoughts behind a smile and nodded toward Fugaku.
"Fugaku-san, you are too humble. Souji-kun's future is limitless."
But while Kakashi and Fugaku exchanged polite words, one man in the room wasn't speaking at all.
Moonlight Hayate was staring at the torn hole in his scarf—the mark left by Souji's sword thrust that passed near his neck like a ghost.
Moonlight Hayate came from a long line of samurai-like warriors. Even though he was a ninja, he held a swordsman's heart. His stubborn determination helped him rise to Jōnin despite his frail body.
He always believed he was special—stronger than 99% of ninjas his age.
He believed he could continue climbing, becoming even stronger.
Until today.
Today, a seven-year-old Uchiha had shattered every belief he had.
He no longer dared to call Souji a "kid."
He no longer dared to raise his chin with pride.
He no longer dared to think he was superior.
Souji wasn't someone he could look down on.
In fact, Hayate wasn't sure he could even look at Souji directly next time without feeling fear.
The crushing pressure he felt earlier wasn't skill.
It wasn't strength.
It was pure will.
"Is this… what it means to be truly strong?" Hayate thought.
"Is this the difference between me and a real warrior? A real monster?"
His thoughts cracked. His pride shattered.
And then—
BANG!!!
Hayate slammed his fist into the tatami so hard the entire room jumped.
Tears streamed down his face like a broken dam.
"Damn it… damn it all!" he shouted with all the pain in his soul.
No one moved.
No one comforted him.
Fugaku and Kakashi simply drank their tea in silence, pretending not to see.
Itachi stared, unsure what to do.
After a few painful moments, Hayate wiped his tears and forced his emotions into a cold, controlled mask. The warm expression he had earlier was gone—replaced by a steely calm.
He stood up and bowed sharply to Fugaku.
"My apologies. I acted rudely. Souji was correct—the blade is more dangerous in my hands than in his. I will accept that truth and carry it with honor."
Then he raised his head with firm resolve.
"Please inform Souji this: The ghost blade will stay with him for now. I will take it back myself—when I earn the right to."
Without another word, Moonlight Hayate walked out, leaving behind the sealing scroll he had brought.
He didn't even look at it.
It was as if he accepted he no longer deserved to take it back.
Kakashi scratched the back of his head, feeling awkward.
He came here as a mediator, and now both sides had stormed out emotionally.
"Fugaku-san, I'm really sorry about today," Kakashi said with an embarrassed smile. "I think I should leave as well."
He turned to go, but Fugaku picked up the sealing scroll and tossed it lightly to Kakashi.
"Take it," Fugaku said calmly.
"If Hayate insists on reclaiming the blade himself, then Souji should keep the scroll. The Uchiha clan has no need for such things."
Kakashi caught the scroll, hesitated, then nodded.
"Very well. I understand."
He left the room, following after Hayate.
Finally, silence returned to the Uchiha household.
Fugaku let out a long breath.
Today, Souji had shaken the mind of a Jōnin, impressed Kakashi, and even made Fugaku rethink his clan's future.
And he was only seven years old.
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