“What do you want?” Fugaku asked plainly.
“The treatment of an elite clan member, a full quota of training resources, and…
reading access to B-rank and above Ninjutsu.”
Ryuha stated his terms without hesitation.
“An ambitious appetite,” Fugaku said, narrowing his eyes.
“On what grounds?”
“On the grounds that I can provide the clan with a second trump card besides the Sharingan.”
Ryuha leaned forward slightly, light catching the lenses of his glasses in a sharp glint.
“Patriarch, if I may speak frankly.
You understand the Uchiha Clan’s current situation in Konoha better than anyone.
The higher-ups harbor suspicion, and the villagers keep their distance.
We are confined to our duties in the Military Police Force.
On the surface, we hold power, but in reality, we’ve been pushed out of the village’s core.”
Fugaku’s gaze turned fierce.
This was the Uchiha’s sore spot—a taboo subject every clan member knew all too well, yet none dared mention lightly.
“The Sharingan is undeniably powerful, but its path of evolution is rife with tragedy and chance.
The Mangekyo requires the death of a loved one; that in itself is a cruel curse.
Furthermore, isn’t relying so heavily on a single form of power a shackle in its own right?”
Ryuha spoke quietly, but every word struck at Fugaku’s heart.
“My Mind’s Eye is different.
It doesn’t rely on bloody evolution.
It only requires systematic development and training.
It can assist in combat, interrogate spies, and lay down large-scale Genjutsu barriers.
It can even…
at a critical juncture, make anyone who saw what they shouldn’t have forget everything they witnessed.”
Fugaku’s fingers stopped tapping the armrest.
He understood Ryuha’s underlying message.
If the Mind’s Eye could alter memories on a large scale, what a terrifying political weapon it would be.
“That is merely potential,” Fugaku said in a heavy voice.
“You need to prove its value.”
“Which is precisely why I need resources,” Ryuha replied frankly.
“Give me time and support, and I will prove to you that the Mind’s Eye can be more than just the Uchiha’s sword.
It can be our shield, and even…
a stepping stone.”
“A stepping stone?”
“A stepping stone that allows the Uchiha Clan to return to the core of Konoha’s power without needing a coup,” Ryuha said softly.
“After all, when everyone believes what they see is the truth, what the truth actually is no longer matters.”
You could hear a pin drop in the study.
Fugaku stared fixedly at Ryuha, trying to spot a trace of bluffing on his face.
Yet he found only a stillness as deep as a quiet pool.
After a long moment, Fugaku slowly leaned back against his chair and closed his eyes.
“Starting tomorrow, you will enjoy the treatment of a main-line elite.
Your resource allocation will match Shisui’s tier.
As for B-rank Ninjutsu scrolls, you may consult them at the clan archive, but a guardian elder must be present.”
Hearing this, Ryuha’s interest was piqued—Shisui Uchiha, the genius later known as “Shisui of the Body Flicker.” Even now, his reputation was well-known throughout the clan.
A moment later, Fugaku opened his eyes, his gaze sharp.
“I’ll give you three months.
In three months, you must complete a B-rank mission to prove the combat value of your Mind’s Eye.
If you fail, all privileges will be revoked.”
“Deal.” Ryuha bowed slightly.
“Furthermore,” Fugaku added, “your Kekkei Genkai will remain undisclosed to the clan for now.
To the outside world, we will say you practiced Genjutsu in secret during your early years and possess a unique talent.
Your teacher…
will temporarily be attributed to certain secret techniques left behind by Kagami Uchiha.”
Kagami Uchiha, an Uchiha genius who fell years ago, was famous for his Genjutsu and open-minded nature.
Using him as a cover was perfectly logical.
“Understood.” Ryuha picked up on the intention immediately.
“Go on then,” Fugaku waved his hand.
“Your new residence is arranged at No.
7 in the Western District of the compound.
Remember to report to the Military Police Force tomorrow.
I’ve arranged a quiet, nominal clerical position for you to facilitate your ‘training.'”
“Thank you, Patriarch.”
Ryuha stood and bowed.
Just as he turned to leave, a voice called out to him.
“Ryuha.” Fugaku stood up, walked around the desk, and stopped in front of Ryuha, clapping a hand on his shoulder.
The intimate gesture caught Ryuha slightly off guard.
“You are not the shame of the Uchiha,” Fugaku said, looking into his eyes word by word.
“The clan overlooked you in the past; that was my dereliction of duty.
But starting today, I will be watching you—watching how far you can go, and watching what kind of future you can bring to the Uchiha.”
***
No.
7 in the Western District was a detached courtyard residence.
Compared to his previous cramped apartment, it was more than twice as spacious and even included a small private training ground.
Ryuha pushed open the courtyard gate and saw fresh bedding and weapon racks already arranged inside the room.
A scroll lay on the table, inscribed in Fugaku’s handwriting: *Someone will deliver the Ninjutsu scroll catalog tomorrow.
Rest well.*
Ryuha closed the door, leaned his back against the panel, and let out a long breath.
The first step was a success.
In just half a day, he had gone from the “Shame of the Uchiha” to the “Hope of the Clan.”
But this was only the beginning.
He ate a simple meal, washed up, sat cross-legged on the fresh tatami mat, and summoned the system panel.
[Host: Ryuha Uchiha] [Energy System: Spiritual Pressure (Chakra-Converted)] [Current Spiritual Pressure Level: Weak Sixth-Class Spiritual Pressure (Officer Level) / Quantified Spiritual Pressure: 2.5 Ka (Jonin average is 3 Ka)] [Zanpakuto: Kyoka Suigetsu (Shikai)] [Synchronization: 10%] [Mastered Skills: Shunpo (Beginner), Shakaho (Unmastered)] [Causal Points: 500] [Items: Shihakusho (Gigai Disguise Ver.)]
The starter mission rewards had been generous.
His Spiritual Pressure had doubled, reaching a level close to a Special Jonin.
Meanwhile, the 10% synchronization with Kyoka Suigetsu allowed him to feel the subtle “breathing” of his Zanpakuto far more clearly.
“System, view missions.”
[Main Quest (Long-Term): Become the true ruler of the Uchiha Clan.] [Stage Quest 1: Within one year, establish prestige and influence within the Uchiha Clan no lower than an “Elite Jonin.”] [Current Progress: 2% (You have drawn the patriarch’s attention, but have not yet gained broad recognition.)] [S-Rank Worldline Alteration Quest: Prevent Konoha’s White Fang from committing suicide.] [Quest Description: Sakumo Hatake, Konoha’s White Fang, faces severe public backlash due to a failed mission and will commit suicide at home three months from now.
His death will warp Kakashi’s personality and severely weaken Konoha’s top-tier combat strength.] [Quest Rewards: SSR Card Designated Draw Voucher × 1, Spiritual Pressure Limit +50%, Causal Points +10,000.] [Countdown: Three months.]
Ryuha’s pupils shrank slightly.
Konoha’s White Fang!
A legendary ninja who received little page time in the original story, yet whose strength was evaluated as making even the Sannin yield ground.
His suicide was a tremendous loss for Konoha and the starting point of Kakashi’s lifelong shadow.
More importantly, this event occurred shortly after the end of the Second Shinobi World War, right on the precipice of the Third.
The White Fang’s death would leave a critical void in Konoha’s top-tier combat capability, indirectly leading to Team Minato being left stretched thin at the Battle of Kannabi Bridge, Obito’s “death,” Rin being turned into the Three-Tails jinchuriki, and a whole series of tragedies.
The butterfly effect.
If he saved the White Fang, the trajectory of many events might change.
“The good news is that there’s still ample time,” Ryuha analyzed calmly.
“The difficulty lies in how I should approach the White Fang.
As a newly graduated Uchiha Genin, how can I interfere in the life-or-death choice of a Kage-level powerhouse?”
Walking up to his door and telling him “don’t die” was obviously out of the question.
He needed a far cleverer way to intervene…
[Ding!] [Detected host completing Phase One identity transformation.
Causal Points +200] [Current Causal Points: 300 (Gacha draw available)]
The words *Gacha draw* were highlighted in bold red, making the interface look eerily similar to predatory mobile gacha games from his previous life.
[Spend 100 Causal Points for a single draw in the R-Rank Pool?] [Ten consecutive draws require 900 Causal Points (10% discount).
Has a chance to yield SR-quality cards.]
“You didn’t even specify the drop rate for an SR.
Isn’t that a bit shameless?”
Though he complained aloud, his body was completely honest.
Let’s test the waters with a single pull first.
“System, perform an R-rank single draw.”
[Spent 100 Causal Points.
Commencing draw—]
In his mental space, a beam of white light erupted.
[Congratulations Host, obtained R-rank item: Psychiatrist’s Business Card (Reusable)] [Description: A seemingly ordinary business card.
When presented, it instills a first impression in the target that “this person is a trustworthy professional.” Lasts 30 minutes, 24-hour cooldown.] [Quality: White]
Looking at the white card that appeared out of thin air in his hand, the corner of Ryuha’s mouth twitched.
A trustworthy…
professional?
Though it was only White quality, in certain situations, it might prove far more useful than a powerful Ninjutsu.
Tucking the card away, he turned his gaze toward the window.
The moonlight hung cold as the village of Konoha slept in the quiet night.
“Three months…” Ryuha muttered under his breath.
“That’s enough.”
He needed to devise a plan.
A plan that could save the White Fang without exposing too many of his own secrets.
And the beginning of it all would start tomorrow at the Military Police Force.
After all, to get in touch with a high-profile elite Jonin, one always needed a suitable…
opportunity.
Ryuha pushed up his glasses, the lenses reflecting a cool, cold gleam under the moonlight.