The morning after the celebration, Shinichi approached his father, gently waking him from a mild hangover.
"Dad… I want to learn more about our clan. Our origin. And our history… with the Senju."
Fukashi blinked, then sat up slowly.
"Shinichi… is this because of that day?"
Shinichi nodded.
He had a vague understanding of how the village came to be – how the Uchiha and Senju waged war, and how the Uchiha were ultimately defeated and 'convinced' to form an alliance. Many clansmen had their will broken by Hashirama's overwhelming power. Some never recovered. Shinichi's grandparents, though he never met them, had either died in that war or succumbed to their injuries.
The history between the Senju and Uchiha was anything but simple.
"Alright," Fukashi said. "We'll ask the clan head for access to the records. Sosuke will agre."
"Thank you, Dad."
Fukashi ruffled Shinichi's hair with a smile.
"Just don't forget your training."
----
That afternoon, they visited the Clan Head Residence.
"Sosuke-sama! It's good to see you doing well."
"Hahaha, regretting it already? Want to switch roles and be clan head instead?"
"EUkkk – no thank you. Senju Tobirama would be twice as cautious if I took that role. Better you than me."
"Come inside."
They entered the courtyard and moved into the living room.
"Aiko, guests have arrived. Please prepare some tea."
"Of course, Sosuke."
Uchiha Aiko, Sosuke's wife, was an elegant woman with black hair tied into a single bun held by a silver hairpin. She wore a purple-black yukata and moved with quiet grace.
Inside, a young man and woman were chatting.
"Fukashi, Shinichi – this is my son Eisuke and his fiancée Asami."
"Hello, Fukashi-sama. And you too, little one."
"Greetings, Fukashi-sama! Shin-chan, I've heard so much about you from Minaim-sama!"
Eisuke, age 18, had a stern face like his father, but his youthful smile and neatly combed hair gave him a bright presence. Asami, age 16, had dark blue hair with bangs and side locks, her long back hair flowing to her waist. Her enthusiasm was infectious.
"Hahah, we won't diturb your meeting. Asami, let's go."
"Ehhhh… Okay…"
Eisuke bowed politely. Asami waved goodbye with a smile.
"Ah, youth," Fukashi said.
"Indeed," Sosuke replied, smiling.
'Only if Kagami hadn't changed…' Sosuke frowned briefly, thinking of his rebellious second son. But now wasn't the time.
"So, what can I help you with today?"
"Sosuke-sama–"
"Just call me Sosuke. Like old time."
"…Alright. My son Shinichi wants access to the clan records. He wants to learn about our origins – and our history with the Senju."
Sosuke raised an eyebrow. Most clansmen learned history through stories passed down orally. Few ever sought the written records.
"Well, there's no problem. But isn't it better for Shinichi to focus on training?"
"He's progressing quickly. His chakra capacity alone is elite-level. With more jutsu, he'll be among our top shinobi soon."
"Then he's free to read the records. It's not forbidden – just rarely pursued. People assume they need permission, but that's a misconception."
"What?! We can read them freely?"
"Yes. Were there guards blocking the history section? Seals?"
"No…"
"Hahah. Only the jutsu scrolls and war trophies are restricted – only accessible to those who made relevant contribution to the clan. Kinjutsu access requires clan head or elder approval – and their location is… discreet."
"Then our questions are resolved. Shinichi?"
"Yes, Father. Thank you for the effort… even if it wasn't necessary."
"Hahaha. Go on to the library. You know where it is. I have some things to catch up on with Sosuke."
Shinichi gave his father a knowing glance.
"Don't drink too much, Dad. Thank you, Clan Head, for taking care of him."
"HAHAHA! No problem, little Shinichi-kun. I hope you find the answers you seek."
After Shinichi left, Aiko returned with a bottle of sake and two glasses.
"..."
"Ha ha ha… Aiko, you know us too well."
"You fools. If you drink too much, you'll regret it later."
She left with a smirk.
---
Sosuke poured the sake.
"You seem well. Family's thriving. What's wrong, Fukashi?"
"…If not for Shinichi, I don't know where I'd be. I was there… when my sensei died. Shinichi was there too."
"!!!!" Sosuke nearly choked on his drink.
"You–!"
Fukashi's eyes turned crimson. A unique pattern bloomed beyond the three tomoe.
"I awakened these eyes that day. I nearly fought the Hokage. But I saw Shinichi… and I couldn't do it. I have Shinichi, Minami, Kaito and the Uchiha clan to protect."
"..."
"I thought you should know. As clan head. And as my friend."
Sosuke nodded slowly.
"… Thank you, Fukashi. I would never have become clan head if not for our situation. I was being groomed to be an elder. But the world doesn't follow plans. We must adapt – or be left behind like relics."
The two clinked their glasses.
And drank in silence.
***
Shinichi rushed to the clan library, his hear pounding with curiosity. He began with the oldest scrolls – fragile, faded, and fragmented. The ink was smudged, the parchment brittle.
[… year, Uchiha clan was founded by the ancestor In..a's fir…. ...…]
[ ancestor's ..... ….ra founded the Senju Clan. Since then, our clans have become rival and enemies. Fighting for our right as the fi… ... … . ...… .. .]
The earliest texts were damaged, but he message was clear: the Uchiha and Senju had been locked in conflict since their founding.
Shinichi's thoughts raced.
'A thousand years of history.. it seems true. And the Land of Fire's borders only became defined 700~800 years ago. Then rewritten again when Konoha was formed.'
'What are Daimyos, then? How did civilians with no chakra or Kekkei Genkai become rulers of vast lands?'
'The [rights] mentioned… what rights were they fighting for? Against the Senju? Do the Senju even know what they are?'
He kept reading. Most records detailed battles, fallen clansmen, and notable Senju warriors. But then–
'Our ancestor created the concepts of Ninjutsu, hand seals, chakra transformation and manipulation…'
Shinichi froze.
'But the Sage of Six Paths was said to have spread chakra to the world. Before that… it was rare. Could our ancestor be a direct descendant of the Sage?'
'And the Senju too? Two inheritors, waging war for the Sage's legacy?'
'During the chaos, Daimyos will have plenty of opportunity to rise by controlling wealth and seizing power. But how? And what of the samurai and nobles whose lineages predate chakra itself?'
Time passed unnoticed. Scrolls piled beside him. The moon rose and fell.
***