Shadow of the Uchiha Guard

Uchiha Clan District.

At the Uchiha patriarch's residence, Bai Ye and Fugaku sat cross-legged across from each other.

Mikoto, standing nearby, had a slight tremor in her hands due to overwork.

"Brother, have a drink," said Fugaku, raising his teacup in invitation.

"I'll pass. I just had my fill of something else," Bai Ye replied with a slight smile.

At his words, Mikoto's delicate frame trembled slightly.

Fugaku feigned displeasure. "Brother, I have to say something to you."

"You come to my house, and yet you indulge in other things? You shouldn't drink strange concoctions. It's bad for your health."

"Bad for my health?"

Hearing this, Fugaku thought Bai Ye was implying his tea was inferior—what a disgrace.

"Relax, brother," Bai Ye said calmly. "What I drank is completely natural, free of pollution, and highly nutritious."

Fugaku looked at him skeptically. "What exactly were you drinking?"

Bai Ye chuckled and hiccupped, releasing a faint milky fragrance.

Fugaku blinked before realization dawned. AD Calcium Milk…

He chuckled, shaking his head. He had overthought things.

Bai Ye, on the other hand, was slightly embarrassed. Mikoto was also visibly flustered.

To shift the awkward atmosphere, Bai Ye suddenly pulled Sasuke, who was crawling on the ground nearby.

"It's been a few days. Call me godfather." Bai Ye's face was full of kindness.

Sasuke, the ill-fated child.

He truly embodied misfortune.

As a baby, Sasuke was innocent, his face round with baby fat, making him look especially adorable. But Uchiha Itachi's choices turned his life into a tragedy.

Dragged into clan politics, he was forced to witness his own brother slaughter their parents. At such a young age, he was consumed by vengeance.

Upon first reading the original manga, some might feel annoyed by Sasuke's actions. But if you put yourself in his shoes—

A mere child, experiencing such devastation—how else could he react?

At worst, complete mental collapse. At best, a lifelong obsession with revenge.

That's the harsh reality.

Reading the original manga multiple times reveals Sasuke's burden, making his character feel incredibly real.

Arrogance was practically embedded in Uchiha genes. Could he be blamed for it?

Surrounded by peers with loving families, how could Sasuke—whose own brother had murdered their parents—not feel out of place?

Obviously not.

Besides—

Bai Ye had always found Naruto's constant insistence that he "understood" Sasuke to be laughable.

Naruto had never known parental love. He didn't understand what it felt like to lose something he never had.

But Sasuke did.

He had once experienced the warmth of a strict but loving father and a gentle mother—only for it to be ripped away in a single night.

"You shouldn't tell others to move on when you've never suffered their pain."

At the end of the day, Naruto was the protagonist—otherwise, his "Talk no Jutsu" wouldn't work in a real ninja world.

"Humph!"

Sasuke, barely three years old, already carried the signature Uchiha arrogance.

He pouted unhappily at Bai Ye.

This guy had just bullied his mother!

But when Bai Ye's sharp gaze flicked to his tiny backside, Sasuke hesitated, fear creeping into his expression.

Finally, he conceded.

With great reluctance, he called out, "Father…"

"It's godfather," Mikoto quickly corrected, her tone filled with concern.

This was not something to get confused about!

Bai Ye shrugged. "Children should be allowed to call people however they like."

With a benevolent smile, he gave Sasuke a light smack on the rear.

"Go play."

So you called me over just to spank me?

Sasuke glared at Bai Ye angrily, clutching his backside as he scurried away.

"I'll go check on him," Mikoto said, shooting Bai Ye an annoyed look before following after Sasuke.

As a perceptive woman, she knew Bai Ye was about to discuss serious matters with Fugaku—matters she wasn't in a position to interfere with.

Fugaku took a sip of tea, his gaze lingering on Bai Ye.

His expression was hesitant, tinged with complex emotions.

As the patriarch, he had never expected Uchiha Bai Ye to rise to such prominence.

He wasn't sure if this was a blessing or a curse for the clan.

Initially, he had recruited Bai Ye into the Police Force to keep an eye on him and prevent him from idling around. But under Bai Ye's leadership, the Uchiha Police Force had undergone drastic changes.

Even within Konoha, where the Uchiha were not well-liked, the Police Force had begun earning some level of respect.

Of course, this only applied to those wearing the justice capes of the Police Force. The other Uchiha, still walking around with their noses in the air, remained resented.

This shift in perception was undeniable.

And today's clan meeting had only reinforced it.

Bai Ye's absence had been conspicuous, and the elders' dissatisfaction was growing.

They wanted Bai Ye to step forward and fight for the Uchiha's interests.

In other words, they wanted him to risk his life to elevate the clan.

The most vocal demand was relocating the Uchiha district to the village center.

Beyond that, some elders harbored even more ambitious plans.

Fugaku still wasn't sure of Bai Ye's true intentions, so today's conversation was a test.

After all, his understanding of Bai Ye was limited.

Aside from seeing him fight in the Third Great Ninja War—where he had helped Bai Ye escape an encirclement—the two had little connection.

Even the affectionate term "brother" had merely been a diplomatic move to foster a good relationship.

One cup of tea after another.

It wasn't until Fugaku felt the urge to relieve himself that he realized how much time had passed.

Setting down his teacup, he spoke solemnly.

"My dear brother, I think you have Hokage potential."

With your influence, not becoming Hokage would be a waste.

That was Fugaku's unspoken thought.

Bai Ye merely looked at him with a half-smile.

"You should already understand our clan's situation," Fugaku sighed bitterly.

As patriarch, he felt powerless.

He couldn't control the radicals within the clan, nor could he secure greater political leverage outside it.

Yet few knew how much effort he put into maintaining this fragile balance.

Bai Ye's assessment of him was accurate—

A competent father, an incompetent patriarch.

Because when faced with a choice, Fugaku would sacrifice the clan to protect his son.

Was it selfish? Yes.

But even if the Uchiha launched a full-scale rebellion, their chances of victory were slim.

And even if they succeeded, who would let an Uchiha become Hokage?

Konoha wasn't just a village—it was an alliance of powerful clans.

Even if Sarutobi, Danzo, Itachi, and Obito were all eliminated, the Uchiha would still lack the political support to take power.

Tsunade would likely be called back early to assume the position instead.

Fugaku understood this.

That was why he chose to bear everything alone and ensure his son's survival.

And now, he was suggesting Bai Ye had what it took to be Hokage?

Bai Ye's response was short:

"Heh."

Wisdom ends rumors. Conversation ends at "heh."

He didn't even bother discussing it.

"Actually… they just want you to act for the clan," Fugaku said awkwardly, changing the subject.

"That depends on my mood," Bai Ye replied, stretching lazily.

"No one can force me to do what I don't want to."

Fugaku knew that better than anyone.

Bai Ye exhaled smoke and spoke indifferently.

"There's a clan meeting tomorrow, right?"

"I'll be there."

"I'll tell them my decision personally."

Turning to leave, Bai Ye added one last remark.

"But if anyone seeks death…"

"Don't blame me for not showing mercy."

At that moment—

A chilling killing intent filled the air.

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