The grassland along the Nanaha River was unusually noisy today.
The riverside meadow, usually peaceful and serene, had turned into a bustling construction site. The destructive power of ninja proved equally effective for building.
With the village's mobilization, many ninja willingly took on construction tasks.
Fire Release users cleared weeds, Earth Release users flattened roads, and Taijutsu specialists weaved through them carrying massive stones and logs.
On a nearby hillside, watching the ninjas hard at work and imagining the new Uchiha Compound rising from the ground, Fugaku Uchiha's stern face showed a glimmer of hope.
As he pictured future plans for the compound, Fugaku suddenly noticed Aozora and Itachi approaching in the distance.
...
Reaching the hilltop, Aozora glanced around and spotted someone familiar standing with Fugaku.
This man had short black hair, a black dot on his forehead, and a long blade strapped to his back — clearly an elite member of the Uchiha clan.
Who else could it be but Uchiha Tetsuka, the prodigy of this generation?
Fugaku's expression turned very serious as he coldly asked, "Uchiha Aozora, what brings you here?"
Aozora slightly frowned. It seemed his speech during the last clan meeting had really gotten to the clan leader.
"Clan Leader," Aozora said calmly. "I've come specially to see you. I saw the announcement about relocating our compound and had some questions about it."
"What doubts could you possibly have? Everything is clearly stated in the notice," Fugaku replied.
Seeing Fugaku's unwelcoming attitude, Aozora got straight to the point. "I'm not here to oppose the Relocation Plan. I just want to ask how and when the compensation payments will be distributed."
Upon hearing that, Fugaku looked surprised, then sneered. "I thought you were merely shortsighted but still loyal to the clan. I never expected you to betray your own principles just for money."
Aozora just stood there. "Believe what you want."
"Isn't that exactly what you wanted?" he added. "After all, isn't my support for the relocation plan what you wished for?"
Looking at Aozora's nonchalant demeanor, Fugaku snorted. "Compensation will be distributed collectively after the entire clan has relocated."
Hearing this, Aozora furrowed his brow. "Distributed only after relocation?"
"Yes!"
After answering, Fugaku turned his gaze back toward the distant construction site.
At this news, Aozora's frown deepened.
When he first saw the relocation notice, Aozora suspected foul play — it felt like Konoha's leaders were pulling off an old trick, promising something for nothing.
With the ongoing war between Konoha and Hidden Cloud, resources like food supplies, military equipment, and casualty compensations were all consuming funds rapidly. In such circumstances, where would the village find money for Uchiha compensation?
Once relocation completed, if Konoha simply denied payment, what could the Uchiha do but grin and bear it?
Even if they didn't deny it outright, the village could always say no other clans received compensation and ask the Uchiha to understand in the interest of peace.
Alternatively, even if they acknowledged the promise, the village might claim these were exceptional times requiring sacrifices and expect the Uchiha to endure.
Clearly, there was practically zero chance this compensation would ever reach the Uchiha clan.
So, Aozora said, "I need the compensation urgently. Without it, I won't relocate."
Relocation payments were always issued before the move itself—never after the demolition. He'd never even heard of such a thing.
Konoha wanted to proceed with the relocation without paying any compensation. He couldn't stop the Relocation Plan, but he would never give up on the benefits rightfully his.
"What?"
Fugaku Uchiha snapped around, demanding, "What did you just say?"
Aozora remained unflinching as he locked eyes with Fugaku and emphasized clearly, "Without the compensation, I won't relocate."
Upon hearing this, Itachi stared at Aozora in disbelief. "Aozora-niisan, how could you do this?"
"Father didn't ask for compensation to ease the village's financial burden, so why must you pressure it?"
At this moment, Uchiha Tetsuka also couldn't help but show disdain toward Aozora.
Hearing those words, Aozora looked at Itachi with disappointment—it seemed that what he'd said on the way here had been wasted.
Unfazed by their confused and scornful stares, Aozora remained expressionless and replied calmly, "Then I should collect my compensation even sooner."
"If the clan leader sets the example by not taking compensation, will the village still be willing to offer it afterward? And if the clan leader acts first, will other members still dare to claim theirs?"
"You might get praised for being noble, but what about the rest of the clan? Moving from Konoha's downtown area to the suburbs adds half an hour to our daily errands like grocery shopping—so, should we or shouldn't we receive this compensation?"
Itachi felt Aozora was making excuses, wanting to argue back, but he couldn't find anything to say and flushed red-faced.
After a moment of silence, Fugaku admitted, "I hadn't thought thoroughly enough."
"Father!" Itachi widened his eyes, staring at his father in confusion.
Fugaku waved to stop his son from speaking further before addressing Aozora, "I'll keep my refusal of compensation confidential."
He paused briefly then added, "Your family's share of the payment can be released early too, but—"
Aozora said, "I understand the rules. I won't spread the information."
Then, seizing the moment, he added, "Could my compensation be exchanged entirely into equivalent Chakra-conductive Metal instead?"
Fugaku showed greater disapproval in his eyes yet answered, "Fine. The Chakra-conductive Metal will arrive at your home this afternoon."
"Just do what's wise."
Only then did Aozora respond, "Thank you, Clan Leader!"
Turning around to head home, he reminded them before leaving, "Is there an official announcement about the compensation from the village? I've only seen the notice within the Uchiha Compound. I hope it isn't just verbal assurance from some elders."
Fugaku fell into deep thought.
Meanwhile, Itachi angrily watched Aozora leave.
Not long after Aozora left, Uchiha Tetsuka bowed slightly and requested, "Clan Leader, I have something urgent and must step away for a while."
Fugaku nodded, "Go ahead."
Once Uchiha Tetsuka had also left, Itachi asked, "Father, why agree to pay Aozora early without consulting the village?"
Fugaku, hands behind his back, replied, "There's no need to wait for the village's approval—I'll cover the cost for now."
"Aozora is Shisui's younger brother, and many people are watching him closely. If he leads resistance against relocation, it will surely create a negative impact."
Itachi still appeared somewhat upset but responded, "I see. Aozora really isn't considering the big picture—he even promised me earlier on the road that he wouldn't oppose the relocation plan!"
"It's rare to see my eldest son so angry," Fugaku Uchiha said, trying to comfort him. "Don't worry, someone will teach him a lesson."
Itachi looked confused for a moment before his eyes suddenly lit up. "Uchiha Tetsuka?"
Hearing that, Fugaku glanced at Itachi with satisfaction. "My son indeed! You read my mind."
...
Elsewhere, after receiving the compensation, Aozora felt what it was like to be suddenly rich for the first time. Light on his feet and full of joy, he practically skipped back home.
Suddenly, he stopped in his tracks and said, "You came."
"Yes, I came."
Twenty meters away, Uchiha Tetsuka suddenly appeared on a tree.
Aozora turned his gaze toward that spot, saying coldly, "You really shouldn't have shown up."
Tetsuka crossed his arms and leaned against the tree. "I had to come."
Before Aozora could reply, he continued,
"I misjudged you."
"A week ago, I thought although your stance differed from your brother's, both of you genuinely had the clan's best interests at heart."
"But I didn't expect I was wrong about you. You are nothing but a greedy bastard. I'm ashamed knowing someone like you."
"Someone like you doesn't even deserve to be Shisui Uchiha's younger brother..."
Seeing Tetsuka wouldn't stop talking, Aozora couldn't help interrupting sarcastically, "Aniki, you've got way too many lines. You're ruining the powerful aura I worked hard to build."
As Tetsuka wore an expression full of confusion, Aozora shouted loudly, "Also, do you really think I *want* to be that idiot Shisui's younger brother?"
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