c10: Class 7
The front lines had already set up designated campsites for the Konoha reinforcements, grouped by unit for easier coordination.
Unlike standard military troops, shinobi operated individually or in small squads. They required space, not only for rest but also to maintain vigilance and privacy. Tents couldn't be packed too closely spacing was essential for reaction time, seals, and escape routes.
Since Uchiha Gen wasn't in a rush, and intentionally trailed lazily at the rear, he ended up among the final group to be assigned tents.
"You two, hold on a moment."
Kakashi and Rin stopped mid-step, turning back toward the voice with faint confusion.
"Yes?" Kakashi asked flatly, his tone neutral but slightly guarded.
Because Gen had been walking behind the group the entire time, neither had noticed the emblem stitched boldly onto his flak jacket. With a half-turn, Gen subtly revealed the Uchiha clan fan sigil on his back.
"…You're Uchiha?"
"Hello," Gen greeted, expression unreadable.
"Hello," Rin replied kindly.
Kakashi, recognizing the clan emblem and connecting it to Obito, nodded slightly. Despite the complicated legacy of the Uchiha, both Kakashi and Rin held a measure of fondness toward the clan due entirely to their fallen comrade, Uchiha Obito.
Due to that emotional bond, both greeted Gen with warmer-than-usual smiles.
"Hello," Gen responded again, polite but measured. His gaze lingered briefly on Nohara Rin, then shifted to Kakashi.
What a tragic girl, he mused.
From the moment Rin became entangled with Obito, her fate was sealed. Gen had tried to interfere with the timeline, but changing destiny wasn't simple. Rin's death, used by Uchiha Madara to catalyze Obito's descent, was a fixed point.
Eliminating her early could break the chain, yes but it carried massive risks. It wasn't just about the act it was the ripple effect.
Kakashi, Minato, and Obito would never rest until they uncovered the truth. Uchiha Madara wouldn't forgive anyone who tampered with his "Eye of the Moon" plan, especially not someone like Gen even if he was descended from Uchiha Izuna's line.
But bloodline meant nothing against Madara's ambition. If Madara could sacrifice his own descendants for the plan, why would he spare a distant relative?
Obito himself, Gen suspected, was of Madara's lineage. A tragic irony used and discarded by a man who shared his blood.
The Madara line had declined sharply following his betrayal and attack on Konoha. Clan elders distanced themselves from that cursed branch. Gen, a half-month older than Obito, was technically his distant cousin but that distinction meant little in this twisted world.
Madara's vengeance would be thorough.
And in the shinobi world, jutsu were boundless in their horror. Who knew what tricks Madara or Black Zetsu had woven into this web? Gen doubted even the most meticulous cover-up burning bodies, removing chakra traces would hide the deed.
The only foolproof way to erase Rin's presence was total destruction: body, soul, everything. But devouring her soul? That was monstrous. If he took that route, Rin would never pass into the Pure Land. She would be denied reincarnation, revival everything.
He couldn't do that. Not yet.
Still, if doing so meant avoiding the Nine-Tails Rebellion, then cruelty might be the lesser evil.
The problem was access. He had no opportunity. Rin was under Kakashi's watch, and possibly even under Minato's indirect protection. And even if no one saw, White Zetsu was surely present. Gen was certain there were several in the camp Madara never took chances with Obito's timeline.
And Gen lacked the strength to expose or eliminate them.
Without certainty, he couldn't act.
Martyrdom? Sacrifice for the greater good?
That wasn't him.
He was pragmatic. He protected himself first. Ideals came after survival.
"…Why are you staring at me like that?"
Kakashi's voice cut in sharply, uncomfortable under Gen's gaze. His visible eye narrowed.
Gen had been lost in thought, but now he straightened and spoke with deliberate calm. "That left eye… is it a Sharingan?"
Kakashi instinctively touched his covered eye, nodding. "It is."
Gen tilted his head slightly. "Do you know the rules of a kekkei genkai clan?"
Both Kakashi and Rin visibly tensed.
"Are you… asking us to return the Sharingan on behalf of the Uchiha clan?" Rin asked nervously, fists clenching at her sides.
Kakashi's posture stiffened. His eye sharpened. "That eye was Obito's dying gift. I won't give it up."
Gen smiled faintly. "You misunderstand. I have no intention of taking it."
"…Then what?" Kakashi asked, confusion overtaking suspicion.
"I'm warning you," Gen said. "If you want to keep that eye plan ahead."
That cryptic remark didn't ease their tension, only shifted it. While temporarily relieved, the unease lingered in their eyes.
"Why warn me?" Kakashi pressed. "Most Uchiha would demand the eye, not protect it. Are you… like Obito?"
Of course, Gen thought. Because I have a plan.
"Because Obito is my distant cousin and a hero of Konoha. His final wish deserves to be respected."
"Thank you. Is there anything you can do?" Nohara Rin bent forward and bowed deeply, her voice earnest and full of gratitude.
Kakashi glanced at Uchiha Gen, his visible eye serious and searching for sincerity.
"The Third Hokage personally promised, at the Hokage Building, to select the next Fourth Hokage."
"After the success of the Kannabi Bridge operation, and with his impressive service record including repelling the Iwagakure forces and eliminating enemy supply routes Minato-sensei is fully qualified to be nominated."
"Even if he fails to secure the title officially, his influence in Konoha's upper echelons is already undeniable."
"If Minato-sensei negotiates directly with the Uchiha clan, he only needs to offer some concessions to settle the issue."
"For instance, appointing a suitable child from the Uchiha clan to join Class 7."
At the mention of someone replacing Obito, both Kakashi and Rin instinctively stiffened. But reason quickly overtook resistance: this would solve the political issue surrounding the Sharingan and possibly win the Uchiha clan's support for Minato's Hokage candidacy.
They couldn't ignore how much that mattered.
Kakashi and Rin were well aware of Minato Namikaze's dream to become Hokage and how close he was to achieving it.
"You want to join Class 7?" Kakashi asked, his tone sharper than before, eyes narrowing.
He wasn't so easily fooled and he sensed something more behind Gen's calm words.
"I'd like to but it doesn't have to be me."
"Uchiha Itachi, the young heir of the clan leader, is already showing prodigious talent. Then there's Uchiha Shisui, who gained fame during the Kirigakure campaign. Either of them would be more impressive than me."
"But that's not the point. As long as it's a member of the Uchiha clan, the symbolism remains."
Gen wasn't lying though his ambitions were buried beneath layers of tact.
Shinobi needed teams. With his current strength and lack of Jonin endorsement, he had no choice but to attach himself to someone. And if the team leader wasn't from the Uchiha clan, he wouldn't enjoy any special treatment.
So if he had to join a squad, it made perfect sense to aim for Minato's. The potential gains were immense.
Still, if that failed, there were other fallback plans. He had contingencies. Always.
"What's your name?" Kakashi asked, still watching him closely.
"Uchiha Gen."
"Thanks for the warning and your help," Kakashi said curtly. "We've got other matters to attend to, so we'll be going."
"Of course," Gen replied, stepping aside with a nod.
After the two left, Gen ducked into his tent. Drawing the flap closed behind him, he summoned Zhurong, the inner fire spirit that had begun awakening alongside his chakra.
He silently continued refining his affinity with fire release. For Gen whose chakra control was exquisitely precise and whose mental strength rivaled even elite Jonin the challenge lay not in basic transformation, but in advancing to unique and personalized fire-style techniques.
Meanwhile, Kakashi and Rin returned to the command tent, where Minato Namikaze was finishing a discussion with a few senior shinobi.
Once the briefings concluded and the others left, Kakashi and Rin stepped inside and relayed their encounter with Gen.
Minato listened, his expression calm and thoughtful. After a moment's silence, he finally spoke:
"It does sound like a good compromise."
"The question is… can the two of you accept a new teammate to replace Obito?"
"If you can, then I'll place Uchiha Gen in Class 7 on a trial basis."
"If not, then I'll ensure Obito's legacy is protected in another way."
Kakashi paused, hesitant. He glanced sideways at Rin. "What do you think, Rin?"
I can't decide this alone. Obito meant something special to her.
Rin thought of Gen's earlier kindness. While his presence didn't erase Obito's memory, she couldn't deny that he was composed, respectful and bore a slight resemblance to Obito, not in appearance, but in aura. Their team was, undeniably, missing a crucial piece.
"Obito will never be replaced in our hearts," she said, voice soft but clear. "But having one more person on the team could help us complete missions safely."
And maybe protect each other better.
Kakashi nodded, absorbing her words. Yes… we need to be stronger for her.
"If a new teammate means we can keep Rin safer, it's worth it."
"Sensei, let's give him a try."
Minato smiled gentle, yet full of conviction. "Then I'll temporarily assign Uchiha Gen to Class 7."
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