Morning sunlight filtered through the high windows of the Uchiha clan library, casting long rectangles of light across the dusty floor.
Indra and Sasuke sat cross-legged amidst stacks of scrolls and leather-bound ledgers, it was their day off from missions.
An ANBU operative had arrived at dawn, delivering a sealed packet of documents to the compound.
The messenger, wearing a bird mask with red markings, had said nothing beyond, "By order of the Hokage. For Uchiha eyes only," before disappearing in a swirl of leaves.
Now, three hours later, the contents of those documents were spread before them - a partial reconstruction of Indra's family history, compiled from orphanage records, hospital archives, and civil registries.
"Your mother was Uchiha Mizuki," Sasuke noted, tracing a finger down one of the official papers. "Died during a border skirmish with Iwa when you were two. Father unknown, at least according to these records."
Indra nodded, absorbing the information with outward calm despite the strange sensation of learning about parents he couldn't remember. "And my grandmother was Uchiha Kaede, who died before I was born. Her husband was listed as... Takeda Hiroshi?"
"Non-Uchiha," Sasuke confirmed. "Which explains why your mother kept the Uchiha name. According to this, your great-grandmother was Uchiha Emiko, who married another Uchiha - Uchiha Takashi."
Indra carefully set the official documents aside. "These records only confirm what we already suspected - I have Uchiha blood.
But they don't explain why I was registered as clanless rather than being taken in by the clan after my mother's death."
Sasuke's expression darkened. "The timing would have been just before the... incident. The clan was already isolated by then, relations with the village strained.
If your mother was killed on a mission and you were already in the village orphanage system..."
He left the implication hanging. The politics surrounding the Uchiha clan in those final years before the massacre would have made reclaiming a half-Uchiha orphan complicated, especially if the clan elders hadn't known of his existence.
"We need the clan records," Sasuke decided, standing up. "These village documents only tell part of the story. The Uchiha kept their own genealogies, more detailed than anything the village administration would have."
What the true reason beyond Indra's own curiousity of towards his bloodline was seeing whether Indra had an inheritance from his relatives, something that was meant for him, and to know that they needed to know who he descended from.
Though, the way Sasuke said it, he made it sound like it was more a formality.
In Sasuke's own words, he said when the documents first arrived, "I already have more than I know what to do with."
Indra rose as well, following Sasuke deeper into the library. "Would those records have survived the... incident?"
"Yes," Sasuke replied shortly. "This building was sealed afterward. No one entered until I was old enough to claim my inheritance as clan head."
They moved to a section of tall shelves filled with identical black ledgers, each bearing the Uchiha crest embossed in red on its spine. Sasuke ran his fingers along them, searching for specific years.
"The clan was meticulous about bloodlines," he explained as he pulled several volumes down. "Every Uchiha was documented from birth to death, including marriages, children, and... other associations."
"Other associations?" Indra raised an eyebrow.
Sasuke's expression remained neutral, but a hint of discomfort crossed his face. "Clan law required all Uchiha to report any... intimate relations with non-clan members. To track potential offspring who might inherit the Sharingan."
"You mean they had to report who they slept with?" Indra clarified, a hint of amusement creeping into his voice.
"Yes," Sasuke confirmed stiffly. "Particularly the men, as they could father children outside the clan without the elders' knowledge. Women were generally expected to only have relations after marriage, but they were documented as well."
Indra fought back a smirk. "So somewhere in these books is a comprehensive record of Uchiha... conquests?"
Sasuke gave him a flat look. "It was a matter of bloodline security, not gossip. The Sharingan is too valuable to risk it appearing in children the clan couldn't protect or train."
"Of course," Indra agreed, though his tone remained dry. "Purely for security purposes."
They spread the ledgers on a large table and began their search, starting with the most recent volumes and working backward.
The records were organized by year, with clan members listed alphabetically, their significant life events documented in precise handwriting.
After an hour of silent research, Indra found the first entry for his mother.
"Here - Uchiha Mizuki, born to Uchiha Kaede and Takeda Hiroshi. Sharingan awakened at age ten during a training accident. Graduated Academy at twelve, achieved chunin rank at fifteen..." He skimmed forward.
"Died at twenty-four during an ambush near the Earth Country border. Survived by one son, currently in Konoha orphanage care."
Sasuke glanced over. "No mention of your father?"
"None," Indra confirmed. "Though there's a reference to a separate entry in the... personal relations registry."
Sasuke reached for another ledger, this one slimmer and bound in dark blue leather. "This would be it. The clan kept these records separate from the main genealogies."
As they opened the book, Indra immediately understood why. The entries were surprisingly detailed accounts of Uchiha clan members' various romantic and sexual encounters with non-clan individuals, complete with dates, names, and often circumstances.
"This is..." Indra began.
"Excessive," Sasuke finished, looking uncomfortable. "The elders were thorough."
They found Mizuki's entry quickly enough - a brief notation about a relationship with a civilian merchant named Takahiro, lasting several months before ending abruptly when he left the village.
The timing aligned with Indra's birth, but there was no explicit confirmation of paternity.
As they continued searching through older records for information on Indra's grandmother and great-grandmother, the nature of some entries became increasingly awkward to read aloud.
"Listen to this one," Indra said after a period of silence, his voice taking on a deliberately formal tone. "'Uchiha Kentaro reports that while on a diplomatic mission to Tanzaku Town, he encountered a woman of exceptional beauty who was immediately captivated by his Konoha forehead protector.
After explaining the noble history of the Uchiha clan over seven bottles of sake, she insisted on demonstrating her flexibility techniques, which he felt obligated to observe as a matter of cultural exchange.'"
Sasuke's expression remained stoic, but Indra noticed the slight twitch at the corner of his mouth.
"Cultural exchange," Indra repeated dryly. "Very diplomatic of him."
"Focus on the relevant records," Sasuke muttered, though his voice lacked its usual edge.
Indra turned another page. "Here's another gem: 'Uchiha Masaki wishes to document that during his extended reconnaissance mission in the Land of Tea, he was forced to maintain his cover by accepting the advances of a local innkeeper's daughter.
He performed this duty with appropriate dedication on sixteen separate occasions.'"
This time, Sasuke couldn't quite suppress a snort. "Dedication to the mission."
"Above and beyond," Indra agreed solemnly. "A true shinobi sacrifice."
As they continued through the records, the initial awkwardness between them began to fade, replaced by a cautious camaraderie built on shared disbelief at their ancestors' documented exploits.
"I've found one that might actually win a literary award," Indra announced after skimming a particularly florid entry. "'While recovering from chakra exhaustion at a hot spring resort, I encountered a vision of loveliness with hair like midnight and eyes like stars.
When she discovered I was an Uchiha, she confessed a lifelong fascination with our legendary prowess and begged for a practical demonstration. Honor demanded I oblige.'"
Sasuke actually rolled his eyes. "Honor."
"The burden of the Uchiha reputation is clearly heavy," Indra commented, flipping to the next page. "One must wonder how they found time for actual missions between all these... obligations."
Sasuke's expression softened marginally. "My father would have been horrified to hear us discussing these records."
"Was he particularly strict?" Indra asked, recognizing the rare opening to learn more about Sasuke's family from him beyond what he himself watched in his past life.
"Very," Sasuke confirmed, his voice quieter now. "He believed in absolute propriety and clan dignity.
These records were sealed for a reason - not just for security, but because the elders understood that some things were better left undiscussed in polite company."
Indra nodded, sensing the shift in mood. "We should keep looking for my great-grandmother's records."
They worked in companionable silence for another hour, methodically tracking Indra's maternal line through the generations.
The further back they went, the sparser the personal details became, until they were left with little more than names and dates.
"Uchiha Emiko," Sasuke read from an older ledger. "Born forty-eight years before the founding of Konoha. Married Uchiha Takashi at seventeen. One daughter, Kaede, born during the early years of the village's establishment."
Indra leaned closer to examine the entry. "There's a reference here to her mother - my great-great-grandmother. Uchiha Haruka."
Sasuke flipped back further in the genealogy. "Here she is. Uchiha Haruka, no father listed for her child Emiko."
"Another reference to the personal registry," Indra noted, pointing to a small notation in the margin.
Sasuke reached for an older blue ledger, this one showing significant wear around its edges. "This would cover that period - during the founding of Konoha and just before."
They opened the book carefully, its binding crackling with age. The entries here were briefer, more formal in tone than the later records they'd been reading.
Sasuke ran his finger down the list of names, stopping suddenly. His body went rigid, eyes widening slightly.
"What is it?" Indra asked, leaning to see what had caused such a reaction.
Sasuke's voice was barely above a whisper when he spoke. "Madara."
"What?" Indra felt a chill run down his spine, though he'd half-expected this possibility - thinking about that monster to ever have been with someone was... Bizarre.
"Uchiha Madara," Sasuke repeated, pointing to an entry that stood apart from the others, written in a bold, slashing hand that differed from the meticulous script of the clan record-keepers. "He made his own entry."
They stared at the name for a long moment.
Madara Uchiha - co-founder of Konoha, once leader of the Uchiha clan, and eventually its greatest traitor. A figure who had passed into legend and nightmare.
"Read it," Indra said finally.
Sasuke began reading aloud, his voice low as if concerned about being overheard despite the empty compound around them.
"'I, Madara Uchiha, record for clan knowledge that following an injury sustained during border patrol in the eastern forests, I was treated by a medic-nin named Haruka.
She is of our clan, though from a branch family with no notable achievements. During my recovery, we engaged in relations on two occasions.
I make this record as required by clan law, though I consider the matter trivial and unworthy of further attention.
The woman possesses no remarkable qualities beyond basic medical competence and an agreeable appearance.'"
The entry ended there, characteristically brusque and dismissive. Yet its implications were enormous.
"Haruka," Indra repeated after a moment of silence. "My great-great-grandmother."
Sasuke was already on his feet, moving with uncharacteristic haste. "Come with me."
Indra followed as Sasuke strode through the library, past shelves and reading tables, to a section of wall that appeared identical to all others.
Without explanation, Sasuke pressed his palm against a specific panel and channeled chakra into it. The wall shimmered briefly before a seam appeared, revealing a hidden door.
"What is this place?" Indra asked as they descended a narrow staircase into darkness. Though internally his mind was racing. His great-great-grand mother and... Madara did it. Is it possible... No, that's absurd.
That would be fucking insane.
"A secure vault," Sasuke replied, lighting wall-mounted lamps with quick fire jutsu as they proceeded. "For clan secrets that couldn't risk falling into outside hands."
The chamber they entered was small but well-organized, with sealed containers lining the walls and a stone table in the center.
Sasuke moved directly to a cabinet marked with symbols Indra recognized as Uzumaki sealing script from some of the other books he read in the library after coming to the Compound.
"During the alliance formation between Konoha and Uzushiogakure, when Hashirama married Mito Uzumaki, the clans exchanged various gifts and technologies," Sasuke explained, carefully removing a scroll case.
"The Uchiha traded for specialized sealing techniques, including these."
He placed a scroll on the table and unrolled it carefully. The paper was a deep red color, covered in intricate sealing formulas that spiraled toward a blank circle in the center.
"Blood verification scrolls," Sasuke continued. "The Uzumaki developed them based on principles similar to summoning contracts. They can determine blood relationships between individuals with remarkable accuracy."
Indra studied the scroll with genuine interest. "How does it work?"
"A blood sample from a verified clan member is sealed into the scroll," Sasuke explained. "When another person adds their blood, the seal analyzes the relationship between them, showing the degree of relation."
He selected another scroll case, this one bearing the personal seal of Madara Uchiha. "Each clan head and significant member had their blood sealed in individual scrolls. This is Madara's."
Indra felt a strange sensation in his chest as Sasuke carefully unrolled the scroll.
The idea that he might be directly descended from one of the most powerful - and notorious - shinobi in history was simultaneously thrilling and terrifying.
As well as fucked up, since he'll have to keep him from coming back, or kill him if he does.
"Put a drop of your blood here," Sasuke instructed, pointing to the center circle.
Indra bit his thumb without hesitation, allowing a single drop to fall onto the indicated spot. For a moment, nothing happened.
Then the blood began to spread, forming thin lines that connected with the sealing formula. The entire scroll glowed with a soft blue light that gradually intensified.
Both boys watched in silence as patterns emerged within the glow - lines connecting outward from the center in a complex genealogical map.
When the light finally faded, the result was unmistakable.
A direct line connected Indra's blood sample to the original seal containing Madara's.
"Fourth generation descendant," Sasuke read from the symbols that had appeared. "Direct patrilineal line."
The silence was heavy in the air between them.
Indra was Madara Uchiha's great-great-grandson.
Sasuke suddenly seized Indra by the shoulders, his grip tight enough to be painful. His normally composed face was transformed by an intensity Indra had never seen before.
"No one can know about this," he said, voice low and urgent. "No one. Do you understand?"
Indra was genuinely surprised by the reaction. He had expected shock, perhaps even some jealousy, but not this raw fear. "Sasuke-"
"Madara is the Ghost of the Uchiha," Sasuke continued, his grip not loosening. "He's both one of Konoha's founding fathers and its greatest traitor.
The other villages still have standing kill-on-sight orders for anyone even suspected of being his descendant."
Indra looked deeper into Sasuke's eyes and suddenly understood what lay behind his reaction.
It wasn't just concern for a clan member or even for the Uchiha name. It was fear - fear of being left alone again.
Sasuke had just found another living Uchiha, a connection to his lost clan, and now he came face to face with the fact that if this knowledge became known he would very likely lose that... He found it absolutely unacceptable.
"I understand," Indra said quietly, placing a hand on Sasuke's arm. "No one will know."
Sasuke's grip relaxed slightly, but the intensity in his eyes remained. "We need to hide these records. The scroll, the ledger entry, everything."
They worked quickly, returning the blood verification scroll to its case and sealing it away in the most secure section of the vault.
The ledger with Madara's entry was more problematic - removing pages would be noticeable, and destroying it risked activating protective seals neither of them fully understood.
"We'll place it in the restricted section," Sasuke decided. "Behind additional seals. No one accesses these records anyway - the only person that can is me."
As they carefully restored the library to its previous state, Indra's mind raced with the what this all could mean. Forming thoughts he had never thought of before.
And coming with them, was fear.
Had Black Zetsu been watching him? Did the creature know of Madara's descendants? Or did it not care for anyone but the reincarnations of Indra and Ashura directly?
Could this lineage be why his soul had been reincarnated into this particular body, with its capacity to hold his him?
"Indra." Sasuke's voice broke through his thoughts. They had finished securing the records and now stood at the entrance to the library. "This changes nothing about your position in the clan. You're still Uchiha Indra, my clansman."
The tone it was stated in, was the same tone Sasuke used for everything, but it was clear what he meant.
It doesn't matter that his ancestor was the greatest traitor in history, he still was family.
"Thank you," Indra replied simply.
They left the library in silence, each lost in their own thoughts.
Internally Indra decided that this changed nothing. It was just another secret to keep. Only this time, it wasn't a beneficial one.
Being connected to him wasn't a blessing but a curse.
He doubted the old man would even care if he knew he existed, he simply didn't strike him the type to. Anyway, he still had to prepare for two days from now.
His first C-rank mission was on that day.
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(Author note: Hello everyone! I hope you all enjoyed the chapter!
So, Indra knows that he is Madara's great-great-grandson.
Do tell me, do you think he's right? Would Madara care if he found out? Or would it not matter to him?
Well, I hope to see you all later,
Bye!)