Naruto: The Clanless Prince

Uchiha Masaki and Uchiha Fugaku returned to the mansion.

The father and son did not sleep but sat facing each other in silence within the room.

After a long pause, Uchiha Masaki finally broke the silence. "What do you think about this Sora, Fugaku?"

Uchiha Fugaku raised his head to meet his father's gaze. "Father, are you asking about Sora's strength as a shinobi, his character, or something else entirely?"

"Then tell me everything," Uchiha Masaki replied calmly.

Uchiha Fugaku spoke solemnly. "To be honest, I personally don't know much about Sora. When he entered the Ninja Academy, I was already two years ahead of him. However, I've heard bits and pieces over the years. After all, he became somewhat of a 'celebrity' at the academy."

"Celebrity?" Uchiha Masaki frowned.

"Yes," Fugaku nodded. "Since he wasn't officially recognized as a member of our Uchiha clan, many used him as a scapegoat to vent their grievances against us. When he started at the academy, he was frequently bullied. However, by his second year, that changed. There was a boy in his class—a prodigy named Namikaze Minato. Yes, the same Namikaze Minato who later became a disciple of Jiraiya-sama, one of the Sannin."

Fugaku's expression darkened slightly. "In terms of talent, Sora was second only to Minato in their year. Despite that, there were others who couldn't accept his presence. One girl, in particular, would resort to insults when she couldn't beat him."

"What did Sora do?" Masaki asked, intrigued.

"No matter how harsh their words were, Sora never retaliated. He tolerated it all in silence. He refused to engage, no matter how provoked."

Uchiha Masaki frowned deeper. "He had the strength to fight back, yet he chose to endure? This Sora must have incredible patience."

Fugaku's tone grew heavier. "But there was one exception—an incident that caused quite a stir. Three years after he joined the academy, a transfer student joined his class. She had striking red hair and quickly became a target for bullying. However, she was strong—strong enough to defeat anyone who challenged her."

Masaki's frown remained, but his eyes narrowed with interest. "Go on."

"One day, one of Sora's classmates, out for revenge against the transfer student, involved his older brother, a genin. Sora intervened and nearly severed the genin's limbs. The situation escalated rapidly, but it seems Jiraiya-sama and Tsunade-sama happened to be in the village that day. They arrived just in time to stop him."

Masaki's expression hardened as he absorbed the story. After confirming the timeline with Fugaku, he connected the events. Just a few days after this incident, Sora submitted the Thunder Breathing Technique to Sarutobi Hiruzen, likely as a means to appease the village.

"Fugaku, is there more?" Masaki asked.

Fugaku nodded. "Yes. I also heard that Namikaze Minato was present during that incident. Supposedly, Sora defeated him that day."

Not long after, Namikaze Minato became an apprentice to Master Jiraiya.

At the same time, Minato began initiating conversations with Sora whenever they crossed paths at the Academy. They sparred on a few occasions but since then…

"Namikaze Minato has never defeated Sora," Uchiha Fugaku concluded.

Uchiha Masaki's eyes widened in shock. "Are you saying that even after training under Jiraiya, one of the Sannin, Namikaze Minato has never once beaten Sora?"

Uchiha Fugaku nodded firmly. "That's correct. Their battles only took place that year. Afterwards, Namikaze Minato graduated early and left the village to train with Jiraiya-sama. Even in their final match before Minato's graduation, Sora was victorious."

Uchiha Masaki was visibly stunned by this revelation.

Adding to his shock, he recalled that Orochimaru had taken Sora as his apprentice just a month ago. In other words, even without training from a legendary Sannin at the time, Sora had relied solely on his innate talent and strength to surpass Minato—a prodigy in his own right.

"Without even using the Sharingan, Sora has shown exceptional talent," Uchiha Masaki muttered as if trying to rationalize the situation.

Masaki then asked, "By the way, Fugaku, who was the transfer student you mentioned earlier?"

Fugaku thought for a moment. "I believe her name was Uzumaki Kushina."

Uchiha Masaki's expression froze, his demeanour changing noticeably.

Noticing his father's reaction, Fugaku asked curiously, "Father, is this Uzumaki Kushina special?"

Uchiha Masaki's expression turned serious. After a moment of silence, he said, "Fugaku, as my successor and future head of the Uchiha clan, it's time you learned some secrets.

Yes, Uzumaki Kushina is very special. She holds significant importance to Konoha. You're aware, of course, that Uzumaki Mito, wife of the First Hokage, is the current Nine-Tails Jinchūriki."

Fugaku nodded solemnly. "Yes, Father. You once explained that Jinchūriki is those who are tailed beasts and are often regarded as the military power of a nation."

Masaki continued, "That's correct. Uzumaki Mito, whose full name is Uzumaki Mito, also has red hair, just like Kushina. You've likely already guessed what I'm about to say."

Fugaku's eyes widened as he connected the dots. "Is Uzumaki Kushina… a Jinchūriki?"

Masaki shook his head. "Not yet, but she will be. Uzumaki Kushina has been chosen as the next Nine-Tails Jinchūriki. This is a closely guarded secret within Konoha, known only to a few at the highest levels."

He sighed heavily before continuing. "Lady Mito is nearing the end of her life, and Konoha must prepare for the transition. As a fellow member of the Uzumaki clan, Kushina has been selected to inherit the role."

Masaki's tone sharpened as he asked, "Fugaku, does Sora have a close relationship with Kushina?"

Fugaku answered without hesitation. "Yes, their relationship is very close."

Masaki sighed deeply. "Then there's no chance."

Fugaku tilted his head, confused. "No chance for what, Father?"

Masaki explained, "Fugaku, the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki, is not just a container—it is a weapon of Konoha. Such a person will always remain under the Hokage's protection. No clan, not even ours, can lay any claim to them.

For Sora to have such a strong bond with Kushina and for the Hokage to allow it without interference, coupled with Orochimaru taking him as a disciple—this is a clear sign. Sora will never return to the Uchiha clan. Even if we welcome him back, it's impossible for him to reintegrate."

Masaki's frustration was palpable. Losing a clansman of such talent, someone who had awakened the Sharingan, was a bitter pill to swallow.

Fugaku, however, saw the situation more clearly than his father.

"In my opinion, Father, even if the clan were to welcome Sora back, he would never agree. Otherwise, he wouldn't have acted as he did—disabling Uchiha Yuu and Uchiha Kazuma."

Masaki frowned but didn't interrupt.

Fugaku continued, "The fact that Sora revealed his Sharingan during that incident shows that he's no longer concerned with the Uchiha clan or its opinion of him. He's moved on. I believe reconciliation between Sora and the Uchiha clan is no longer possible."

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