Fugaku's house.
Uchiha Fugaku had just sent Setsuna away and brewed another cup of tea, taking a comfortable sip.
Talking to that old fox Setsuna was no easy task.
This old man who had followed Uchiha Madara and survived Senju Tobirama was a deep thinker.
Fugaku had to be cautious; one misstep could lead to being buried by him.
Now that Setsuna was gone, Fugaku breathed a sigh of relief.
But then,
A howl came, and Fugaku's eyes widened.
Immediately after, hearing Itsuki's words, he couldn't hold back anymore.
He spat out his tea, stood up angrily, and strode out.
As the clan head, Uchiha Fugaku's residence might not be the best in the Uchiha compound, but it definitely had the best environment.
It was extremely serene.
Usually, people passing by would subconsciously lower their voices.
Uchiha Mikoto was also a quiet person.
The servants followed suit.
Therefore, Itsuki's howl was particularly jarring.
So much so that Fugaku couldn't even process it.
As for the meaning behind Itsuki's words... Itachi wanted to kill him.
Haha!
If I believed that, I'd be a fool.
That's my son!
"Itsuki, can't you just settle down for a few days!"
Fugaku opened the door and shouted angrily at Itsuki, "Can't you just take pity on us, please?"
Setsuna remained expressionless.
Good heavens!
Those words seem angry, but why does it feel like he's showing weakness?
If you have the ability, why don't you say you'll discipline him?
Moreover...
Setsuna stared at Itsuki.
This little guy with bandages on his face had just attacked him directly, restrained him, and brought him here.
Although he was old and his strength was declining, he was still among the top in the Uchiha clan.
Yet, he was easily subdued by Itsuki.
Just how strong was he?
"Clan leader, the information I got is absolutely true!" Itsuki patted his chest, assuring him, "Itachi really has ill intentions towards you."
Fugaku sneered, "Where did you get such 'accurate' information? Haha, my son wants to kill me?"
"Don't you dare not believe it!" Itsuki said urgently, "Clan leader, you have no idea how much effort I put in to persuade Itachi to nod and personally take action against you."
"If we don't hurry, I'm worried Itachi will change his mind."
Fugaku: "..."
Setsuna: "..."
"Phew!"
Fugaku took a deep breath and gritted his teeth, "Itsuki, come with me!"
Damn it, I can't take it anymore!
"What for?" Itsuki asked in surprise, "Clan leader, I came here to tell you such a big secret, hoping to make a deal with you. My time is precious, you know, my shop is booming, and there are quite a few customers."
What booming shop!
Does anyone in the entire Konoha wish for your shop to prosper?
Well, the other four ninja villages outside Konoha probably do.
Fugaku said coldly, "Let's have a spar at the inner lake. If you can beat me, I'll agree to all your requests. If you can't, hehe!"
I'll beat you up so badly, I won't feel any better otherwise.
As for the requests... Will I lose?
Even if there's a slight chance, there's no proof in words.
"Really? That simple?" Itsuki was astonished. "Just beat you? That's as easy as writing the number 'one'."
Fugaku felt his fists hardening.
He snorted and turned to leave.
Only a cold sentence lingered in the air.
"Itsuki, I am the clan leader!"
"Hmph, Fugaku, you'll regret this."
Agreeing so readily, he's too confident in himself.
Being the clan leader doesn't mean being the strongest!
Itsuki turned his head, looked at Setsuna, and said with a smile, "Elder, how about being a witness?"
"Sure!"
Setsuna readily agreed.
Fugaku versus Itsuki!
He really wanted to see the strength of these two.
Together, they walked towards the inner lake.
On the way.
"Itsuki, how are your eyes?"
Setsuna inquired.
"Very good! They suit me perfectly." Itsuki replied with a grin. "Elder Setsuna, you can keep the pair of eyes you have. It's best if you use them yourself. I think you're the most suitable candidate."
"Me?" Setsuna became interested. "You want me to use these eyes? Aren't you worried? Uchiha Setsuna is a dangerous figure, that's common knowledge in Konoha."
"Exactly!"
Itsuki smiled. "Elder Setsuna, don't you think the more the Third Hokage and the others oppose something, the more we should support it?"
Setsuna was taken aback for a moment, then burst into laughter.
Those words made perfect sense.
Uchiha Itsuki, this guy was truly different from other Uchiha.
It was worth all the preparations he had made to win him over.
The inner lake!
It was a large lake within the Uchiha clan's compound.
Many Uchiha Jonin would choose to train powerful ninjutsu or spar with each other here.
Fugaku, with a gloomy expression, walked step by step into the inner lake, standing on the water's surface.
Itsuki followed closely behind him with a smile.
When Fugaku turned around, he saw Itsuki less than a meter away from him.
"...What are you doing so close?"
"...What are you doing so close?"
They spoke simultaneously.
The anger in Fugaku's eyes intensified.
Good heavens!
Using the Sharingan's copying and prediction abilities here?
You haven't fully adapted to those transplanted eyes yet, have you?
"Snap!"
Fugaku quickly formed hand seals: "Fire Style: Grand Fireball Technique!"
At the same time, Itsuki made the same movements.
Apart from their height and physique, their actions were strikingly similar.
Like a person facing a mirror.
"Boom!"
Two Grand Fireballs were unleashed, colliding with each other.
At this moment, the difference became apparent.
Fugaku had never underestimated Itsuki, so he used his full power from the start.
Judging by Itsuki's recent feat of defeating over ten Root ninjas, even with his full strength, Fugaku might not win. Naturally, there was no room for holding back in this fight.
But!
He still underestimated Itsuki!
The fireball he released had a diameter of over twenty meters.
However!
The fireball Itsuki released had a diameter of nearly fifty meters.
The size difference was more than double!
As a result, Fugaku's fireball was directly shattered.
"How is this possible?"
Fugaku's expression turned grave as his figure was engulfed by Itsuki's fireball.
"Bang!"
White smoke rose, leaving only a wooden block in its place.
Substitution Jutsu!
Reappearing behind Itsuki, Fugaku had already moved.
Three kunai flew from his hand.
"Thud! Thud! Thud!"
The kunai accurately pierced Itsuki's back.
The next moment!
"Splash!"
Itsuki's body turned into water.
"Water Clone Jutsu?"
Fugaku was stunned.
"Where is he?"
He looked around, but Itsuki was nowhere to be found.
Setsuna, who had been watching from the shore, couldn't hold back anymore and shouted, "Fugaku, after so long without fighting, have you become so slow? He's not on the surface, he's underwater!"
As he finished speaking, a hand emerged from the water, reaching for Fugaku.
(End of this chapter)