CHAPTER 80

With Fenghuo—the dog-headed "military strategist"—around, Kai's training days were becoming increasingly intense. On top of the Ninja Academy's daily coursework, he had to push himself to the brink developing his own version of the Hachimon Tonkō (Eight Gates Released Formation). Each day was more grueling than the last. If it had been anyone else, they might've collapsed long ago.

"I've never been a genius," Kai muttered through clenched teeth, lying battered and bruised on the ground. His limbs trembled, his muscles swollen and torn from overexertion, but the fire in his eyes remained fierce. "To get this far, I had to put in a hundred times the effort of ordinary people. This... is my youth!"

Beside him, Might Duy, the so-called Eternal Genin, crouched down and gently clasped Kai's hand, visibly moved.

Meanwhile, in the Uchiha compound, things were becoming increasingly hostile for Fenghuo. The clan's attitude toward him had grown cold and distant. Members of the Konoha Military Police Force, staffed almost entirely by Uchiha, began "inspecting" his yard regularly—accusing him of unpermitted construction, and claiming his cooking stove posed a fire hazard. The complaints were never serious enough to act on, but constant enough to wear someone down.

Whenever he passed other Uchiha children on the road, they averted their eyes or crossed to the other side as if avoiding a plague. He was effectively ostracized—well, everyone except for Obito.

"Fenghuo, why are they treating you like this?" Obito asked, his voice troubled. "Kakashi became a Chūnin at age six and everyone treats him like a genius. You're only a year behind him, and you're from the Uchiha clan. Shouldn't they be proud of you?"

Obito himself had awakened the Sharingan, though it only had one tomoe. After evaluation by a few clan elders, he was told his chakra reserves were insufficient and was advised to continue regular academy studies. Politics, secrecy, and clan agendas—none of it made sense to him.

He thought Fenghuo was a genius. To Obito, that should have meant respect and admiration from the clan. Instead, the opposite was happening.

"Don't worry about it," Fenghuo said calmly. "If you ask too many questions, it might cause you trouble."

"But—!"

"Obito… When you grow up, you'll understand."

"You say that like you're older than me! We're the same age!" Obito complained.

"Exactly. We're both still kids. So don't worry about the grown-ups and their drama."

Time passed, and Fenghuo immersed himself in a full, disciplined life. He studied Genjutsu under Yuhi Shinku, sparred in Taijutsu with Duy, and practiced sealing techniques using Shadow Clones to accelerate his training.

Before long, the first snows began to fall once again.

It had now been a year and a half since Fenghuo arrived in the Naruto world—Konoha Year 40 was drawing to a close.

That day, dozens of Uchiha and notable shinobi from various clans gathered at a grand mansion—far larger than Fenghuo's humble home. Among the guests were Yamanaka Inoichi, Akimichi Chōza, Nara Shikaku, Namikaze Minato, Uzumaki Kushina, and even Jiraiya, freshly returned from Mount Myōboku.

The entire estate was decked in festive red, lanterns and ribbons adorning every doorway. Uchiha clansmen dressed in bright ceremonial garb stood at the entrance, receiving guests. At the center of it all stood Uchiha Fugaku, the groom himself.

"Haha, Fugaku, congratulations!"

"Time to start working twice as hard now that you're a married man!"

Elders from the Uchiha clan offered sly, pointed congratulations. Fugaku bowed respectfully and ushered them inside.

"Fugaku, happy wedding!" Minato greeted him warmly, handing over a carefully wrapped gift.

"Take good care of Mikoto, or I'll beat you up myself!" Kushina added with a grin, jabbing a finger at him.

Fugaku chuckled. "Of course. Thank you both for coming. Please, come in."

More guests arrived in quick succession—Team Ino-Shika-Chō, and then Jiraiya, his white mane flowing, face painted as usual. His eyes casually scanned the crowd, clearly looking for attractive women.

"Is that Jiraiya-sama? One of the Legendary Sannin?" gasped a nearby Uchiha youth.

"Hmph. I heard Lord Fugaku is being considered for the next Clan Head. Even Jiraiya-sama would want to show respect."

Compared to the small number of "outsiders" like Minato and Kushina, the Uchiha turnout was massive. Only those injured or out on mission were absent. Children played at the gate, lighting firecrackers and chasing one another while the adults enjoyed themselves.

In the distance, two figures slipped away unnoticed—Fenghuo and Obito.

"Fenghuo, aren't you going?" Obito asked, itching to join the festivities.

"You can go if you want. Don't worry about me."

"No way! We're sticking together!"

Fenghuo just shook his head, eyes narrowed. He wasn't interested in weddings. What did intrigue him were the bride and groom.

Uchiha Fugaku and Uchiha Mikoto.

Their children would both become famous—Itachi, the prodigy who slaughtered his clan, and Sasuke, one of the so-called saviors of the world. Fenghuo couldn't help but think: Only Naruto's mouth could beat that guy's pride.

Later, even more influential figures arrived: Uchiha Chinatsu, current clan head; Uchiha Sanno, captain of the police force; and his son, Uchiha Tenizumi.

Inside the mansion, there were more jōnin than street dogs and so many chūnin it looked like a shinobi summit. The celebration echoed down several blocks.

Around noon, Shimura Danzō arrived unexpectedly, flanked by several Root operatives.

"Lord Danzō," Fugaku said stiffly, clearly surprised. Still, he greeted him politely.

Danzō's expression was unreadable, his smile subtle—and unsettling.

"Why is he here?" Jiraiya asked as he, Minato, Kushina, and the Ino-Shika-Chō trio sat at one table.

"Danzo-sama's always had it out for the Uchiha. What's he playing at?" Minato wondered aloud.

"There's definitely something fishy going on," Kushina muttered. "He always gives me the creeps when he looks at me."

"Kushina, don't say things like that," Minato sighed.

But just then, Danzō strode past their table and took a seat alongside Uchiha leadership—Chinatsu, Sanno, and the elders. His placement was politically valid, but morally suspicious.

Chinatsu stood up and greeted him with a smile, acting as if there was no tension at all.

That only made the guests at the "Hokage faction" table more uneasy.

Finally, the last guests arrived, and the auspicious hour struck. With the blessings of friends and allies, Uchiha Fugaku and Uchiha Mikoto were officially declared husband and wife.

After heartfelt toasts and speeches, the wedding banquet began in full.

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