Chương 18: The Uchiha Compound

Three years ago, the Nine-Tails' claws tore Konoha's central district apart. Yet beneath the scarred ruins lay an unexpected convenience for rebuilding the village. When Konoha was founded, it was merely a settlement carved out after the Senju and Uchiha shook hands. The original architects never imagined it would expand into a massive village with tens of thousands of people.

As other shinobi clans joined over the years, their compounds grew scattered across the map, locking together like rigid bone spurs driven deep into the village structure. Urban planning had been completely paralyzed. The Nine-Tails disaster was like crude surgery. It removed away those awkward bone spurs, finally allowing Konoha to rebuild along a clean, logical blueprint. Now, the Hokage Residence stood as the core, with residential and commercial sectors clearly separated.

The clan compounds once scattered everywhere were pushed out to the outer ring. In this massive reshuffle, Konoha's premier clan, the Uchiha, was assigned to the most remote, cornered location. The official justification sounded good enough: it allowed the Military Police to patrol efficiently and maintain public order. Yet every shinobi who survived that bloody night remembered the crimson Sharingan spinning in the Nine-Tails' eyes. That sight stood as silent, undeniable proof linking the Uchiha to the disaster.

Facing this open exile, Uchiha Fugaku, the clan head, could only swallow his burning anger and humiliation in silence.... A small figure waited at the entrance to the Uchiha compound. Uchiha Itachi wore deep blue clan robes bearing the iconic fan crest on his back, his calm black eyes watching Shuji approach.

"Shuji-senpai," Itachi said, bowing slightly.

"Father instructed me to wait here and lead you inside."

"Thank you, Itachi," Shuji replied, looking at the boy. He could feel that Itachi was even more restrained and quiet than usual today. With his Special Jonin rank confirmed, Shuji was stepping into his duties as squad leader. Itachi joining his team was settled. Leading an eight-year-old child into B-rank danger meant a formal meeting with the boy's parent, who happened to be the head of the Uchiha clan. Shuji himself had been bleeding on the borders at eleven...

but in the accepted norm of the shinobi world, eight and eleven marked the boundary between childhood and active duty. An eight-year-old belonged in the Academy, while an eleven-year-old was already expected to fight in war.

"Senpai, is this your first time visiting our compound?" Itachi asked as he led the way.

"Yes. I spent most of my time fighting on the borders, so I rarely had a chance to return to the village." The Uchiha compound felt enclosed by an invisible wall. Passing through the quiet entryway revealed a completely self-contained world. The streets were clean and orderly, lined with traditional houses.

Unlike the noisy commercial district in central Konoha, the shops here were smaller, though fully stocked: general stores selling ninja tools and daily supplies, izakayas filled with the aroma of food, and an elegant sweets shop displaying delicate dango and sushi in its front window. Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more. Few Pedestrians, mostly Uchiha dressed in deep blue robes who greeted one another with subtle nods and low voices.

It was a tight, self-sufficient ecosystem. An unmistakable sense of isolation hung in the air, making the compound feel like a mini-village detached from Konoha itself. Shuji noticed the occasional glances thrown his way. They were filled with curiosity, cautious evaluation, and a quiet indifference. Civilian women and children watched him with hesitant curiosity, while passing Uchiha shinobi gave him sharp, cold looks, making no attempt to hide their vigilance toward an outsider.

The moment he stepped past the main gate, Shuji's footing had paused for a fraction of a second. It was not because of the eyes inside the compound, but rather a distant, hidden surveillance locked firmly onto the Uchiha gate from afar.

"Big brother! Big brother!" A bright, youthful voice called out from a side alley. A small one-year-old figure in a mini blue clan outfit burst out like a cannonball, charging straight toward Itachi. It was Uchiha Sasuke. Completely ignoring the stranger beside his brother, the toddler threw his arms around Itachi's legs, hugging him tight. He looked up with big, dark eyes sparkling with pure affection.

"Big brother! Dango!" The icy, premature composure on Itachi's face melted instantly. Extreme warmth filled his eyes as he leaned down and stroked Sasuke's soft black hair.

"Sasuke, I need to take Senpai to see Father. I will buy you dango later, alright?" Sasuke pouted immediately, his face full of disappointment and tears brimming in his big eyes. Still, he nodded obediently, letting go reluctantly. After looking at Shuji with a curious glance, he turned and ran back down to his mother, looking back with every step.... Fugaku stood near the entryway of the main residence, watching the scene in silence.

His face remained emotionless, but as Sasuke ran off, his deep gaze settled on Shuji with an unreadable weight. Itachi straightened up, his face returning to its quiet composure, and signaled Shuji forward. They reached the grand mansion. Itachi stopped near the entryway and bowed politely.

"Senpai, Father is waiting inside." Fugaku stood inside the inner hall. He stood perfectly straight, his face calm as still water. In dark clan robes, his quiet gaze looked down at Shuji with steady scrutiny.

"Special Jonin Shuji," Fugaku spoke in a low, even voice.

"I have heard of your distinguished achievements on the border, as well as your recent promotion. You are remarkable for your age."

"You are giving me too much credit. I was merely fulfilling my duties." Shuji bowed slightly, maintaining flawless etiquette with a tone that was neither humble nor arrogant. Fugaku gestured for him to enter. They sat opposite each other on tatami mats inside the guest room. Itachi's mother, Uchiha Mikoto, served tea before quietly stepping away, leaving behind the aroma of tea and a tense atmosphere. Fugaku did not immediately discuss the risks of Itachi's missions or offer parental instructions.

He picked up his cup and opened the conversation casually.

"I hear you live in the old estate on the western outskirts of the village... raised and tutored by Lady Touka herself?"

"Yes, Grandmother has always taken care of me," Shuji replied, taking a sip from his tea. Fugaku set down his cup, the base clicking softly against the low table.

"I hear you are exceptionally skilled in ninjutsu, mastering all five elemental natures. The borderlands truly forge a shinobi."

"Forced by circumstances, I had no choice but to practice." Fugaku nodded slightly, pursuing the topic no further. He shifted his gaze toward the courtyard beyond the sliding doors.

"Walking in with Itachi just now, what are your impressions of our clan compound?" Shuji considered his words carefully.

"It is quiet and peaceful. The clan members live comfortably with everything they need. It is clear... the clan keeps to itself."

"Keeps to itself..." Fugaku repeated, a faint, subtle curve touching his lips. His eyes remained fixed on the courtyard as his voice dropped slightly.

"Indeed. Self-contained and quiet. Only... being far from the village center means less noise, but inevitably less connection." He paused as if making a passing observation, then brought his gaze back to Shuji, his tone returning to the tone of a clan leader.

"When Itachi goes on missions in the future, I will trouble you to look after him. His talent is adequate, but his experience is thin. He will need your guidance."

"That is my responsibility. You may rest assured, Clan Head Fugaku." Fugaku looked deeply at Shuji, a quiet calculation flashing through his eyes before fading. He stood up.

"Itachi, see Shuji-kun out." Shuji stood up and turned to leave. Fugaku stopped at the entryway. Stepping out of the Uchiha estate, the afternoon sun felt slightly glaring. Itachi waited quietly under the eaves, turning to lead the way down the street. Shuji could clearly feel Fugaku's gaze resting on his back like a physical weight until they turned the corner. The air inside the compound retained its quiet self-sufficiency and detachment, carrying the faint scent of dango from the sweets shop.

Itachi kept a steady pace, though Shuji could pick up the faint trace of confusion surrounding the boy. Senpai carries an identity that Father pays special attention to. Itachi kept his eyes on the road ahead and remained silent.