Naruto entry.

Chapter 187 Fugaku asks Mikoto to go find Kiyoshi.

Peaceful times always pass quickly, and in the blink of an eye, another period of time has gone by.

Kiyoshi is constantly refining and organizing what he has learned, and whenever he has extra time, he goes to his private laboratory to study the power of demons.

During this time, Hiruzen Sarutobi approached him, inviting him to join the Anbu and giving him Kiyoshi's Anbu combat uniform and the Anbu's matching katana.

Kiyoshi declined, saying that he would have to wait for Fugaku to return so that the clan head could make the decision.

Hiruzen Sarutobi agreed to Kiyoshi's request, but did not take back the equipment.

Life returned to its usual routine.

Not only within the village, but the battle situation outside the village also seemed to be stabilizing, with all fronts shrinking and becoming more focused.

Everyone knew this was the calm before the storm.

The Ninja World War will not end so hastily. Once it begins, even the militant faction cannot stop it. The new hatred bred by the war will drive people to continue their advance.

Until the limits that each country can withstand are reached, either the country will be destroyed or a truce will be reached.

The streets of the Uchiha settlement appeared much more desolate.

Fallen leaves fluttered on the ground, and occasionally a few tribesmen passed by on the street, all in a hurry.

The suppression of the Uchiha clan has intensified recently.

Even within the Uchiha clan, the reason became clear: it seemed the clan leader was concealing his true strength.

Some veterans speculate that it is the Mangekyou Sharingan, but unfortunately, the information sent back by Fugaku has consistently denied this.

"A secret meeting will be held today."

Fugaku returned to Konoha travel-worn, his face now bearing a few more wrinkles.

"Captain Fugaku, shouldn't we take a day off?"

Uchiha Hachimoku was taken aback.

They've been fighting for so long, and they've just returned today and they have to attend a secret meeting.

"No, this is fine."

Fugaku shook his head.

His immediate priority is to appease his people; otherwise, resentment towards him will arise within the tribe.

The secret of the Sharingan must never be revealed.

Once this is revealed, the Uchiha clan will be feared, and their weaknesses will be investigated.

The Mangekyou Sharingan is powerful, but it's ultimately a double-edged sword; under high-intensity stress, it can cause complete blindness in just over ten days.

Only what you keep hidden in your hand is your ultimate trump card.

"Yes."

The Eighth Hokage nodded and immediately went out to make the arrangements.

"The smell of medicine... I heard that Kiyoshi has been highly regarded by the village lately, and the third generation even gave him the uniform of the Anbu (secret branch)?"

Fugaku turned his head and looked at the Uchiha medicine smell beside him.

Kiyoshi was valued by the village more than he had imagined.

Since the village was founded, not a single Uchiha has ever joined the Anbu.

The only member of the Uchiha Kagami faction to join was the Hokage's bodyguard.

"Yes, Lord Fugaku, but Kiyoshi hasn't agreed yet; it seems he's waiting for your decision."

The smell of Uchiha medicine.

They were satisfied with Kiyoshi's actions.

No matter how good the village is to Kiyoshi, he is still an Uchiha.

First, it's the Uchiha clan, then Kiyoshi!

"This is an opportunity."

Fugaku muttered to himself.

The Anbu are directly subordinate to the Hokage and only obey his orders; no other department has the authority to issue commands.

Even the root of that man, Danzo Shimura, belongs to the major category of the Dark Division.

"Fugaku, you're back?"

Upon receiving news of Fugaku's return, Mikoto immediately went to visit him.

"Um."

"Fugaku, you... have aged a lot."

Mikoto was surprised to find that Fugaku had two new wrinkles on his face, which looked like tear troughs or nasolabial folds.

It's unclear whether it's due to the long years of war, the constant worry about the future of the Uchiha clan, or the recent slander against Fugaku by the village.

Some civilians also knew that Fugaku was hiding his strength, making those heroes who went to their deaths a laughing stock.

There must be someone behind this.

But Mikoto doesn't know who she is.

She was like a small boat rocking on the sea, her whole appearance obscured.

"That's not important."

Fugaku briefly changed the subject of whether he was old or not, and instead asked:

"The third generation values Qing Si highly. How is the bond between Qing Si and the clan?"

The Fugaku Road.

The bond between clans is an abstract concept, but in reality, it means having a deep relationship with certain people.

"There are some, but not many."

Mikoto thought for a moment and then said.

Aside from her, Kiyoshi had only had contact with a handful of other Uchiha.

And there's also the Uchiha who don't like Kiyoshi.

For example, Obito Uchiha, who was in the same class as Kiyoshi, seemed to have a strained relationship with him.

Mikoto wasn't entirely sure of the specific reason, but she guessed it was because of the little girl, Nohara Rin.

Fortunately, the two never had any major conflicts or arguments.

"Is there a girl in the tribe he likes?"

Fugaku then said.

Kiyoshi was a bit older than his peers; he had also transferred into the ninja academy.

She was already old enough to legally marry during the Warring States period.

This custom has not been changed within many ninja clans.

Upon hearing this, Mikoto's face showed a hint of awkwardness.

Fugaku's insight caught on to this, and he pressed Mikoto for an answer again.

"Yes, there is, but..."

Mikoto found it difficult to speak, unsure how to bring it up.

"This is a major event for the clan. Only by marrying within the clan and raising the next generation can Kiyoshi be considered to have fully integrated into the Uchiha clan."

Fugaku emphasized his words slightly.

Mikoto thought about how much Fugaku had toiled for the clan, hesitated for a moment, and then spoke:

He said it was me.

Fugaku frowned and paused for a moment.

Then he realized that it was normal for Kiyoshi to have some feelings for Mikoto, since she was the first gentle older sister he had ever met.

He's reached marriageable age, but he's still just a child.

"In that case, you should spend more time with him and let him see more women of the same age in the clan."

"I'll leave this to you, Mikoto," Fugaku said.

"Okay, Fugaku."

Mikoto sighed inwardly.

Having said that, she had no choice but to continue.

At first, it was fine since she wasn't familiar with Kiyoshi, but after getting to know him, Mikoto always felt that she was approaching Kiyoshi with ulterior motives.

Upon hearing that Mikoto had agreed, Fugaku felt a surge of warmth in his heart.

Mikoto always completed whatever he asked her to do very quickly.

If the war hadn't suddenly broken out, the two might have already gotten married.

"After this war is over, I will definitely make you happy, Mikoto."

This is what Fugaku thought to himself.

…………

"It's 95%."

Kiyoshi checked the progress of the entry.

I'll be able to learn the [Medical Jonin (Purple)] skill tomorrow.

He closed the entry panel, changed the tea bricks in the kitchen to make tea, and then took the tea out.

Today, not only was he at home, but a guest was also welcomed.

"Kiyoshi, here's your living expenses for this month."