Naruto: The Fall of the Uchiha - Chapter 14
“Uh…”
Itachi Uchiha’s expression froze, utterly confused by Shisui Uchiha’s antics. Still, his high ninja standards compelled him to play along, furrowing his cute little face and responding calmly.
“In two months, I’ll be eleven!”
“Excellent!”
Shisui gave Itachi a deep look, then glanced provocatively towards the dais before returning to Itachi.
“You’re not eligible to compete. Go play in the dirt.”
“This guy, hmph!”
Fugaku Uchiha’s eyes blazed with fury, his killing intent palpable and spreading in all directions, living up to his reputation as the ‘Fierce Eyes.’ In front of so many clan members, this deliberate provocation could only be because of the recent conflict in the council hall.
Damn it!
He had tolerated that despicable low blow for the sake of the Uchiha’s future, but Shisui refused to back down and openly bullied his son.
“Shisui Uchiha, what do you mean by this?”
Fugaku slowly stood, his tone calm but authoritative.
“Oh!”
Shisui responded innocently, looking at the dais with a puzzled expression.
“Do you have a problem, clan leader?”
“Itachi is our clan’s top genius. Why can’t he compete?”
Fugaku’s tone was icy, his presence overwhelming.
“Father!”
Itachi trembled slightly, a warmth spreading through him, but it quickly faded as he saw the clan’s growing strength.
What if…
The clan… is in more danger…
Every move Itachi made was noticed by Shisui, whose killing intent grew stronger. It was a wonder this traitor had survived so long.
But now… I’m here!
Uh…
Shisui’s surge of resolve was dampened by thoughts of his ‘dutiful son’ system.
Sigh…
The Uchiha are indeed cursed!
But Shisui was not one to dwell on melancholy. He quickly shook off his thoughts. He ignored Fugaku, instead opening his arms to the waiting Uchiha below.
“Where the leaves dance, the fire burns eternal.”
“The fire will continue to illuminate the village… the clan, and bring new leaves to sprout.”
…
Itachi Uchiha: (??)?
Shisui Uchiha: (??)??
Fugaku Uchiha: (??)???
All Uchiha: ?(?°?°;)?????
Oh my…
Shisui is possessed by Hiruzen Sarutobi!
No, wait!
Has Root brainwashed Shisui and or controlled by some special ninjutsu?
There’s killing intent!
Shisui was ready to continue his speech, but a chilling realization stopped him. The killing intent was not just from the dais but from all the Uchiha around him.
Huh…
Shisui and Itachi, what’s with those looks?
But Shisui quickly recovered, deciding not to explain that he wasn’t under genjutsu.
“Itachi awakened the Sharingan at eight, became a Chunin at ten, and joined the Anbu at eleven. These achievements are indeed impressive.”
Hmm… but his personality is that of an orphan.
Taken to the battlefield at four by an unreliable father, the horrors of war-scarred his young mind.
Hmm… Fugaku set himself up for failure!
“But!”
As the Uchiha’s curiosity grew, Shisui raised his voice, filling the space with his clear and resonant words.
“What is the Will of Fire!”
“Our Uchiha clan and the Senju clan ended the Warring States period to form the Hidden Leaf Village. The ‘Wood’ represents the Senju’s Wood Release, and the ‘Leaf’ represents the fan leaf of our Uchiha clan’s emblem!”
“Konoha exists to prevent the return to the Warring States chaos, where even children had to fight, hiding their surnames just to survive!”
“How dare the inheritors of our Uchiha’s ‘Will of Fire’ send unripe children to the battlefield while cowering in the village, claiming to uphold the Will of Fire?”
Hah! Tui!
“Sorry, my throat’s a bit dry.”
Shisui’s eyes blazed with lion-like fury as he roared at the Uchiha before him.
“Though this is not a battlefield, you all know the dangers of this tournament!”
“I hereby announce a new rule! To embody the Uchiha’s ‘Will of Fire’ and respect for the young and old, the age requirement for this World’s Greatest Shinobi Tournament is twelve to thirty-five!”
“Who objects!”
Shisui’s voice thundered as he scanned the Uchiha, his eyes sharp.
Such prime crops…
You see!
A ninja’s lifespan is short. Before sixteen, they’re developing and can’t reach their potential. From sixteen to thirty is a period of rapid growth, peaking at thirty, then declining after thirty-five.
Hmm!
If not for the successive Ninja Wars, most ninjas over thirty-five would be retired unless they joined the elder council.
Do ninjas even have pensions? Probably not…
Silence…
The tournament grounds became deathly quiet, and Fugaku lost his earlier momentum on the dais.
Though Shisui’s new rule targeted Itachi, Fugaku couldn’t find a counter.
“Excellent!”
Shisui nodded in satisfaction, a strange sense of déjà vu flashing through his mind. Satisfied, he puffed out his chest and roared at the crowd.
“For the Will of Fire! For the Uchiha!”
The Uchiha clan roared back, filled with hunger.
“For the Will of Fire!”
“For the Uchiha!”
…
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