Fugaku's face was expressionless as he said, "What's wrong with Itachi?"
Itsuki's expression was complicated as he sighed, "That Itachi... sigh!" He sighed again, "That Itachi... sigh!"
Fugaku silently activated his three-tomoe Sharingan.
"If I don't kill you, I'm not Fugaku—just call me Fuko!"
Itsuki finally spoke bluntly, "I'm here to ask for a position, for the sake of Itachi."
"He wants to become Uchiha's..."
"Vice Clan Leader!"
As soon as the words fell!
The veins on Fugaku's forehead bulged.
Setsuna seemed to smirk.
Fugaku almost growled, "Uchiha Itsuki, what nonsense are you spouting?"
"What do you mean, nonsense?" Itsuki was not having it. He slammed the table and shouted, "The kid wants to do something, so why wouldn't his parents support him?"
"You, you..."
Fugaku was so angry that his whole body trembled.
Setsuna slowly asked, "Itsuki, how could Itachi have such an idea? Did you say something to him again?"
Though it was a question, the tone was exceptionally certain.
No doubt.
No hesitation.
It was him!
It was him!
It was definitely Itsuki!
There's no need to look for anyone else.
Itsuki said with a grievance, "You're being unreasonable. Whenever something bad happens, you throw it on me. Am I Uchiha's shadowy figure? Uchiha Itsuki the Danzo?"
The two of them said nothing, just stared straight at him.
Itsuki sighed helplessly, "Alright, maybe... I had a little bit to do with it."
The two still remained expressionless.
A little bit?
Be more confident!
It's 100% you, from start to finish!
If it weren't for you, I'd cut my head off and use it as a football.
At this moment, Setsuna and Fugaku's thoughts were surprisingly aligned!
"Sigh, the relationship between the village and the Uchiha, I think you both know it well!"
Hearing this topic, Fugaku's expression turned serious, while Setsuna sneered.
Fugaku was solemn!
Setsuna was sarcastic!
Itsuki looked at the two of them, slammed the table again, and shouted, "If you don't know, let me explain it to you. But, it has to start from a long, long time ago..."
"Alright, stop the nonsense. We already know it very well, so say something else!"
Fugaku sighed.
Itsuki was surprised, "Oh! You already know? You're really knowledgeable!"
"..."
"Then I'll continue!" Itsuki thought for a moment and said, "Itachi is very troubled. He desperately wants to change the relationship between the Uchiha and the village, really, really badly."
"So, you encouraged him to become the so-called Uchiha Vice Clan Leader?"
Setsuna laughed.
Uchiha Vice Clan Leader?
That's bold!
Even if the position existed, it would never be given to Itachi.
A thirteen-year-old child!
And still Fugaku's child!
What?
Is your family planning to turn the Uchiha into your private domain?
If Fugaku dared to do this, who knows how many people would think the same.
Even the Third Hokage might openly oppose it.
"No!" Itsuki said with a completely serious expression, "What I first advised him to do was to kill Uchiha Fugaku."
Fugaku's face twitched.
Alright!
Really!
Itsuki, I still underestimated you.
Setsuna forced a smile, "Go on."
Itsuki shouted, "What's so special about Itachi? Just because he's called a genius, what does that even mean? Look at me—I was openly assassinated even with that title. I advised him: if he wants to change the village and the Uchiha clan, he needs to have some status. Being a mere genius means nothing. Don't you agree with me?"
Fugaku and Satsuna remained silent.
"Say something!" Itsuki urged, "We have to be honest in what we do and how we treat people. So tell me, don't I make sense?"
"Yes!" Satsuna replied calmly, "To change the current situation, status is indeed necessary. But why didn't you suggest he run for Hokage?"
Fugaku glared coldly.
You old ghost, are you trying to get my son killed?
Itsuki responded helplessly, "I did suggest that. My first thought was Hokage. After all, the Third Hokage himself said that Itachi was capable of thinking like a Hokage at seven years old. So wouldn't it be normal for him to take over as Hokage at seventeen?"
Normal, my foot!
Probably only you think that's normal.
At that moment, Sharingan nearly turned into Byakugan.
"Itachi, however, felt that directly becoming Hokage would be too difficult, so he chose to become the Uchiha clan leader first."
Itsuki looked regretful, "It's a good idea, but the problem is that his father only recently became the clan leader, and he's only forty this year—he's going to live a long time. How long would Itachi have to wait to take over?"
Fugaku coldly sneered, "I'll live a long time? Sorry about that."
"It's fine!" Itsuki waved it off generously, "So, I suggested that he should just get rid of his father…"
He made a chopping motion with his hand, as if he'd already decapitated Fugaku.
Satsuna couldn't help but glance at Fugaku.
Stay calm.
At least let Itsuki finish before you make a move.
Don't worry, I won't stop you.
"If his father dies, there'd be a lot more room to maneuver. But the kid wasn't willing."
"So I thought, let's just make him a manager in the Uchiha clan first, let him get involved in clan affairs. As for getting rid of his dad, we can talk about that later—there will be plenty of opportunities."
"That's how it is."
Itsuki smiled, "Shisui also supports this. The kid approached me, so I, representing a few of my subordinates, agreed. I'm curious to see how much ability someone the Third Hokage believes thinks like a Hokage at seven really has."
Despite Itsuki's repeated mentions of killing him, Fugaku's face remained unchanged.
He's used to it!
He noticed something else instead.
"A few subordinates?"
"Yes, Mokujin, Nanto, Tetsuka, Inoka, Yatsushiro, and the lovely Lady Chiba—they all think I'm great. They see a bright future following me."
Itsuki openly revealed all his subordinates to Fugaku and Satsuna.
After all, if they wanted to investigate, they'd find out sooner or later. Better to lay it all out now and maximize his leverage.
This time, Satsuna's expression also changed.
"Yatsushiro?"
"Uchiha Yatsushiro?"
"Yes!" Itsuki nodded, surprised, "Does Uchiha have another person named Yatsushiro?"
Fugaku's face turned grim.
Uchiha Yatsushiro is no ordinary Uchiha.
He is one of the four squad captains of the Konoha Military Police Force.
He holds a senior position in the police force, second only to Fugaku.
Even within the Uchiha clan, he's considered upper echelon.
Moreover, he has an extremely precise analytical and commanding ability, earning Fugaku's respect and regard.
And he chose to follow Itsuki!
Why?
What makes this troublemaker Uchiha so appealing?
Fugaku and Satsuna stared intently at Itsuki.
They understood.
Itsuki came today to convey two things.
One: Itachi's intentions, which he supports.
Two: Itsuki wanted to make it clear that he is not isolated within the Uchiha clan.
He has six Jonin-level subordinates, including those with real power.
So, how many ordinary Uchiha members do you think support him?
Fugaku and Satsuna exchanged glances and slowly said, "Itsuki, we understand your point. We will consider letting Itachi..."
"No, not consider—make it certain!" Itsuki looked at Fugaku in confusion, "Are you really Itachi's father? Don't you support your own child, or..."
Fugaku's eyes narrowed dangerously.
"Or did you switch babies at the hospital?"
"Hmph!" Fugaku snorted coldly, refusing to say another word.
"Alright, listen up!" Itsuki suddenly said, "I have something very serious to tell you!"
Oh, dear!
Satsuna and Fugaku's breathing quickened.
Seeing Itsuki's expression, they couldn't help but feel a tightening in their guts.
Whenever Itsuki had this look, it meant something terrifying was about to happen.
(End of Chapter)