UGB Chapter 90 Village or Family: Which is More Important?
Chapter 90 Village or Family: Which is More Important?
In the evening, the afterglow of the setting sun dyed the sky a warm orange-red.
Today's patrol mission went quite smoothly.
"call--"
Just as Fugaku Uchiha was getting a little distracted, a figure suddenly appeared in front of him.
"Fugaku, Minister Tetsuka has ordered you to return to headquarters immediately."
It was Uchiha Yoruichi of the security forces.
"It's Yoru, going back to headquarters? Is there some urgent mission?" Fugaku's eyes lit up instantly.
"I don't know."
Fugaku dared not delay and immediately handed over the patrol mission to Yoru, then quickly rushed back to the garrison headquarters.
Headquarters of the Garrison Force.
"minister?"
"Um."
Uchiha Tekka nodded, his expression more serious than usual. "No need to change your clothes yet, come with me."
"Yes, Minister."
Fugaku had some doubts, but he immediately followed.
Tiehu walked straight out of the headquarters building and headed towards the Uchiha clan's territory.
Neither of them spoke the rest of the way.
Fugaku could sense that Minister Tetsuka seemed somewhat different today.
Finally, they stopped in front of the house of Uchiha Kagami, the head of the Uchiha clan.
"Go in, the clan chief is waiting for you," Tiehuo said to him.
"Wait for me?" Fugaku was even more puzzled.
Lord Kagami is the leader of the Uchiha clan, the Hokage's most trusted right-hand man, and a god-like figure in the hearts of all young Uchiha ninjas.
Why would he... suddenly want to see me?
Uchiha Kagami's house is a typical Japanese garden.
There are several maple trees in the yard, as well as a small pond where a few koi carp swim leisurely.
With a mix of trepidation and excitement, Fugaku straightened his clothes, took a deep breath, and gently knocked on the door.
"Please come in."
A gentle and peaceful voice came from inside the room.
Fugaku pushed open the door and went inside.
The clan head was kneeling on the tatami mats under the eaves, fiddling with the tea set in front of him.
He was dressed in a plain-colored home robe, with a gentle and refined demeanor and a warm smile on his face. He seemed not to be the decisive commander on the battlefield, but a recluse who lived a life of peace and tranquility.
"You've arrived? Fugaku."
"Please sit down."
"Yes, clan chief."
Fugaku bowed respectfully, then sat upright opposite him.
Although the clan chief in front of him seemed rather gentle, Fugaku felt an invisible pressure.
It wasn't just because the other party was the clan leader, but also because of the unfathomable strength he possessed and the position trusted by the Hokage.
His performance today will determine his future path.
Uchiha Kagami didn't rush to speak, but quietly brewed tea.
Wash the cups, warm the teapot, add the tea leaves, pour in the water...
Every movement was fluid and graceful, imbued with a sense of Zen.
In the tea room, the only sounds were the gurgling of boiling water being poured into the teapot and the delicate fragrance of tea leaves unfurling in the water.
Fugaku's heart gradually calmed down in this tranquil atmosphere.
After a long while, Uchiha Kagami pushed a freshly brewed cup of hot tea, exuding a delicate aroma, in front of Fugaku.
"Try it."
"Thank you, clan chief."
Fugaku picked up his teacup and, mimicking Kagami, took a small sip.
The tea has a rich aroma and a sweet aftertaste.
"Tiehuo, I specifically recommended you to me."
Uchiha Kagami finally broke the silence.
His voice was gentle, as if he were chatting casually with a younger person.
"He said you are the most outstanding among the new generation of Uchiha. You have a calm temperament and are a promising talent."
Fugaku's heart skipped a beat, but he forced himself to suppress his excitement and said humbly, "Minister Tetsuka is too kind. I still have many shortcomings."
"Hehe, humility is a good thing."
Uchiha Kagami smiled. "However, there's no need for such formalities with me."
He put down his teacup, his gaze becoming serious.
Those eyes, which always held a smile, now seemed to be able to see right through people's hearts.
"Fugaku, I called you here today not to talk about ninjutsu, nor about the mission."
"I only have one question for you."
Fugaku's heart jumped into his throat.
"In your opinion, which is more important, the village or the family?"
This question instantly exploded in Fugaku's mind.
This is an extremely sharp and sensitive issue.
In the past, when those stubborn old elders still held the power of family discourse, the answer to this question was unique and unquestionable—family was above all else.
But now, times have changed.
Fugaku's mind raced through the changes that had taken place in the village over the years.
He recalled the Hokage's speech about "protection" at the opening ceremony.
I thought of Lord Danzo, the once most feared root of darkness, who now works tirelessly day and night for the village's development, earning everyone's respect.
Legend has it that the White Fang of Konoha toiled on the ridges of the fields, working tirelessly to ensure the villagers' basic needs were met.
He thought of himself and his people.
They were no longer suspected, no longer isolated.
They can use their own flames to forge the strongest foundation for the village.
Use your own eyes to protect the village's bustling streets.
Village and family...
Fugaku's breathing gradually became steady.
His expression gradually changed from initial tension to determination.
Uchiha Kagami did not urge him, but simply watched quietly, waiting for his answer.
This question is a soul-searching question for any Uchiha.
Just then, Uchiha Kagami posed a second question, one that struck at the very core of his being.
"What is the purpose of the immense power possessed by our Uchiha Sharingan?"
"Is it in pursuit of even greater power?"
"still……"
Uchiha Kagami's gaze became deep and distant.
"Like now, using it to maintain order, to protect the light... to see a path that can lead the family and the village to prosperity together?"
Fugaku remained silent.
He lowered his head, looking at the clear tea in the teacup, which reflected his blood-red eyes.
Sharingan...
Known as the "cursed eye," it brings not only immense power but also endless pain and strife.
It has witnessed too much hatred and too much killing.
Is it really only good for fighting?
Fugaku recalled the clansmen at the reservoir construction site who used their Sharingan's dynamic vision to precisely control the temperature of the flames.
In the police force, there are those colleagues who use the Sharingan's insightful abilities to identify criminals.
He suddenly realized that his previous understanding of those eyes had been too narrow.
Strength itself has no attributes.
What determines its future is the direction of the heart of the person who uses it.
Having figured this out, Fugaku felt a sense of clarity.
He slowly raised his head, meeting Uchiha Kagami's eyes that seemed to see through everything, preparing to give the answer that had already taken shape in his heart.