Three soft knocks echoed against the sliding door.
"Fugaku, Gen is here," Mikoto called, her voice calm but carrying.
"Let him in," came the reply; a deep, steady, and carrying the weight of command.
Gen inclined his head to Mikoto as she slid the door open for him.
"Thank you, Mikoto-nee."
She stepped aside, and Gen crossed the threshold. The door closed quietly behind him.
Fugaku sat waiting in the reception room, posture straight, short black hair neat, dark blue robe marked with the Uchiha fan across his back. green jōnin vest rested over his shoulders, the polished green color contrasting against black trousers.
"Greetings, Young Clan Leader." Gen gave a small bow, the kind that showed respect without fawning.
"No need for such formality. Sit," Fugaku said, his voice serious but unexpectedly warm.
Gen settled onto the tatami across from him. He didn't particularly like kneeling, his body in his previous life would have protested within minutes, but in this world it was second nature. Still uncomfortable, but tolerable.
Fugaku poured tea and slid a cup toward him. "Here."
"Thank you." Gen took a sip.
"Well?"
"I'm no tea expert," Gen admitted. "But it's good."
A rare smile crossed Fugaku's face. "Honest boy."
Gen set his cup down. "You called me here because you wanted to discuss something?"
"Nothing urgent. I heard another prodigy had appeared in the clan and wanted to meet him myself." Fugaku's eyes sharpened slightly. "I also heard you've been training with Namikaze Minato."
Gen shook his head. "Not officially. I've only been assigned to Team 7 temporarily. To become his real student, I'll need his recognition and that of my two teammates."
"Then make sure you earn it," Fugaku said. "Minato is already a strong contender for the next Hokage. If you become his disciple, the Uchiha will have a stake in the village's next era. If you need help from the family, ask."
"I will do my best," Gen replied. Then he added with a faint smile, "Though… this kind of recognition is hard to measure. I don't know when it'll happen. But if you want Minato to accept an Uchiha sooner rather than later, I may have an idea."
Fugaku raised an eyebrow. "Go on."
"You know that Obito gave his Sharingan to Hatake Kakashi."
"I do." Fugaku's brow furrowed. "Many in the clan have pressed me to retrieve it, but it's… complicated."
Gen didn't interrupt.
"First," Fugaku continued, "it wasn't stolen. Obito gave it willingly. Both he and Kakashi are considered Konoha's heroes. Disregarding a hero's dying wish would tarnish our reputation.
Second, Kakashi is the only son of Hatake Sakumo the White Fang, who was a friend to our clan. Forcing the issue would stain that friendship.
And third… Kakashi is Minato's student. Minato is Jiraiya's student, and Jiraiya is the Sandaime's. They're well-connected. Push too hard, and we create enemies we don't need."
He shook his head. "But if we do nothing, our own people will accuse us of letting the Sharingan slip from our grasp."
"That's why," Gen said evenly, "instead of trying to take it back, we trade it. Publicly acknowledge Obito's gift, but negotiate something in return, something that benefits the clan."
Fugaku studied him. "You mean… use it as leverage to make Minato take on an Uchiha disciple?"
"It doesn't have to be me," Gen said, his tone firm. "It could be Shisui, Itachi or anyone worthy. This is about the family."
Fugaku's eyes widened slightly. The boy was willing to give up a personal opportunity for the clan's good? That kind of thinking was rare. He felt a flicker of excitement—this was the kind of talent and loyalty worth cultivating.
"In that case," Fugaku said, "if Minato becomes Hokage and one of ours becomes his disciple, I'll see to it that you become captain of the Police Force when the time comes."
Gen inclined his head. "I appreciate your confidence, Young Clan Leader." Then his tone shifted. "But there's something else to consider, Minato isn't the only candidate. Orochimaru is still in the running."
Fugaku's expression cooled.
"If Orochimaru wins," Gen continued, "Minato's chances could vanish for good. And if we've put all our hopes on Minato, we'll be left exposed. The clan won't be destroyed as we're too strong for that, but we'll be weakened and contained."
Fugaku's gaze sharpened. "You're suggesting we support both sides."
"I'm suggesting we spread our bets," Gen said. "We're not a small clan that has to gamble everything on one man. We've endured for a thousand years by thinking long-term. Even if they know we're playing both sides, neither candidate will want to lose our support."
Fugaku's eyes lit with approval. Then he threw back his head and laughed—a rare, full sound.
"Hah! Excellent. Very good."