Chapter 44 044: Such Clowns
Uchiha Fugaku stood at the fork in the road, watching Uchiha Taiga's retreating back.
That figure moved at an unhurried pace, carrying his sword with a casual stride. It was no different from when he had arrived, nor was it any different from every other time he had walked this path.
It seemed as though nothing had changed, yet everything had changed.
Only now, as he snapped back to reality, did Fugaku realize that it wasn't Taiga who had changed, but himself.
An indescribable feeling welled up in Fugaku's heart.
Before seeing that golden Susanoo, his attitude toward Uchiha Taiga had been complicated.
He admired his talent, was angered by his arrogance, and feared his uncontrollable nature.
But when he actually saw that Susanoo towering over the battlefield, all those emotions were washed away.
Replacing them was a sense of yearning and reliance he hadn't even noticed in himself.
It was as if, with this pair of Mangekyo Sharingan, everything would be fine for the Uchiha.
As if Taiga's willingness to fight meant he still acknowledged this clan.
As if as long as he was here, the Uchiha were saved.
But was Taiga's attitude any different from before?
No.
He was still that solitary person, still living in the old compound, still keeping the Uchiha at arm's length.
He fought today because Uchiha Obito came looking for him, not because he wanted to stand up for the Uchiha.
He stopped because he wanted to stop, not because of the Hokage Advisor's orders.
He laughed because he found it amusing, not because the Uchiha had won anything.
The Uchiha hadn't won anything. Utatane Koharu's suspension wasn't because of the Uchiha, and the wariness Sarutobi Hiruzen showed today wasn't because of the Uchiha either. Even the reason they were rejoicing right now had nothing to do with the Uchiha.
All of this was just wishful thinking on the part of him and his clansmen.
"Father."
Uchiha Itachi's voice sounded from beside him, interrupting Fugaku's thoughts.
He looked up, his eyes filled with confusion and curiosity.
"Why aren't we going in?"
Uchiha Fugaku looked down at his eldest son.
Itachi's eyes were clear; he genuinely didn't understand, his gaze holding a massive question mark.
He didn't understand why a group of people who had walked here in such high spirits had suddenly stopped in their tracks.
He didn't understand why everyone had fallen silent after Taiga-sensei said those words.
He especially didn't understand why, even though they were all one clan, they didn't live in the same place.
This place used to be their clan's home, after all.
Uchiha Fugaku opened his mouth, only to find he couldn't say a word.
He subconsciously looked at the clansmen behind him.
The excitement on their faces had mostly faded, replaced by a complex expression.
Conflict, awkwardness, and an indescribable sense of embarrassment.
They had realized it too.
All their excitement, all their pride, all their feelings of vindication just now were built upon Uchiha Taiga's power.
But what had they ever sacrificed for this power?
Nothing.
How had they ever supported Uchiha Taiga?
They hadn't.
In fact, in the days past, they had mostly harbored resentment toward this youth living in the old compound.
But now?
Standing here, they didn't even have the right to enter his home.
Those who had been loudly boasting just moments ago now lowered their heads or looked away.
They finally realized how ridiculous their previous words were in front of Uchiha Taiga.
Like a bunch of clowns.
Uchiha Fugaku remained silent for a long time before speaking.
He didn't answer Uchiha Itachi's question, only saying, "Don't go looking for Taiga tomorrow."
Uchiha Itachi paused, looking up at his father.
"Go in a few days."
Uchiha Fugaku's voice was a little hoarse.
He didn't know how many days to make Itachi wait, nor did he know what a few days could change.
He just instinctively felt that today was not a good time.
Taiga's words still echoed in his ears. The tone had been too casual, so casual that it stung.
"Yes, Father."
Uchiha Itachi didn't press the issue, earnestly agreeing.
But the confusion in his heart didn't dissipate.
He lowered his head, his mind repeatedly replaying everything he had seen today.
The golden Susanoo and the blue Susanoo, and the face revealed after the mask shattered, which seemed to be about the same age as Taiga-sensei.
Was that an enemy?
He didn't know.
But that person was clearly an Uchiha too.
What exactly had that person experienced?
Why did he seek out Taiga-sensei and fight him?
And why were his father and the others standing here instead of going inside?
He thought about it for a long time but couldn't figure it out.
Uchiha Fugaku led the clansmen back to the new compound. He didn't return to his own home but went straight to the clan's meeting hall.
At this time, the Naka Shrine had not yet been repaired. Due to the relocation to the new compound, clan meetings were temporarily held in the meeting hall.
"Summon all clansmen who have awakened the Sharingan. We need to hold a clan meeting tonight."
The news spread quickly.
In less than half an hour, the meeting hall was packed.
The Uchiha clansmen who had awakened the Sharingan rushed over from all over. Some had just returned from missions, still covered in dust; others had clearly dropped whatever they were doing, not even having time to fix their hair.
But everyone's face wore the same expression—anticipation.
Uchiha Fugaku sat at the head seat and recounted everything that had happened today from beginning to end.
He didn't embellish the story, nor did he deliberately hide anything. He just told the whole truth exactly as it happened.
And clearly, everyone already knew about this matter.
After all, with such a massive commotion, Uchiha Fugaku and the other adults had gone to investigate first. As the commotion persisted, more and more ninjas rushed over, naturally including members of the Uchiha clan.
Therefore, many people present had actually seen the two Susanoo today, and knew even better that one of them was Uchiha Taiga.
So, when Uchiha Fugaku finished speaking, the meeting hall erupted.
"The Mangekyo, it really is the Mangekyo."
"I knew it. That kid Taiga would reach this day sooner or later."
"That is the legendary power of the gods of our Uchiha clan. This is wonderful. Ever since Lord Madara, this power has finally reappeared in the ninja world."
"This is great. Let's see if those guys in the village dare to look down on our Uchiha now."
"Utatane Koharu was suspended? Hahaha, how satisfying!"
"Even the Hokage backed down. This has never happened before."
One voice after another rang out in the meeting hall—excited, passionate, and exhilarated.
Some slammed the table in laughter, some stood up and paced back and forth, and some high-fived the people next to them in celebration.
The entire meeting hall was permeated with a long-lost excitement, as if years of pent-up resentment had finally found an outlet.
"The village higher-ups must be regretting it now, right?"
"Exactly. With Susanoo around, let anyone who disagrees try their luck."
"Taiga is only thirteen. If he grows for a few more years, how incredible will he be?"
"The era of the Uchiha is coming."
Uchiha Fugaku sat at the head seat, looking at these excited clansmen and listening to their passionate words, but his heart grew colder and colder.
He thought again of that retreating back at the fork in the road, and of the expression on Taiga's face—seemingly devoid of emotion, just indifferent.
That kind of indifference was more embarrassing than any other attitude.
Because it meant he simply didn't care.
He didn't care how the Uchiha viewed him, didn't care how the Uchiha treated him, didn't care whether the Uchiha won or lost, whether they felt vindicated or swallowed their pride.
He had never changed.
And these clansmen sitting here, excitedly discussing the "era of the Uchiha," had never truly seen this clearly.
They never thought about how they used to ostracize him and dislike him, yet now they were smugly taking credit for his talents.
It was always about the glory and pride of the Uchiha.
Uchiha Fugaku slowly closed his eyes.
They were still dreaming.
But he had just woken up.
What was this?
Was this what Uchiha Taiga meant by clowns?
He finally understood now.