The Uchiha clan members left, filled with excitement.
They felt that this kid, Itsuki, was really something special!
He was more inspiring than Fugaku as a leader!
And he was strong too!
Hmm!
In a few years, maybe they could consider making him the clan leader!
After all, who else would dare publicly beat down Danzo?
Following Itsuki, things were bound to be more exciting; at least, Fugaku had never given them such a passionate speech.
With Itsuki, there was always this feeling that sooner or later, they'd be going after the Third Hokage.
Fugaku stood there, glaring at Itsuki with a dark expression.
In the clearing, there were only four people left.
Fugaku, Itsuki, Haima, and Pakura!
Fugaku turned his head toward Pakura and frowned, "Pakura?"
Pakura was about to respond when she suddenly realized something was off.
Fugaku was likely referring not to her, but to the mask on her face.
Although, she was the mask.
She couldn't help but roll her eyes.
Uchiha Itsuki, the mask you gave me is really something, huh?
Why do I feel like I'm in some kind of nested doll situation?
"Yes, this is Pakura! My very own Pakura!" Itsuki said with a playful grin, pulling Pakura into his arms. "Clan Leader Fugaku, you should know how much I like this Pakura."
Fugaku snorted coldly. "Putting that mask on her—you're really not afraid of causing trouble, are you?"
Pakura was a hero in Sunagakure.
Even though she was dead, her influence in the village was still significant.
For Itsuki to have a woman wearing her likeness as a mask—Sunagakure wouldn't remain silent, would they?
They'd surely express their dissatisfaction.
The Third Hokage and his supporters would undoubtedly use this as an excuse to attack the Uchiha.
"That's none of your concern," Itsuki waved dismissively. "Don't worry. They're too busy to care about this. But you—what do you think of my two proposals just now?"
"Nothing much!" Fugaku replied coldly. "Uchiha Itsuki, I don't know what you're planning, but to me, you're simply insane."
"You should understand that the Uchiha attempting to reclaim our former territory would be extraordinarily difficult. As for turning our current land into the most prosperous part of Konoha—that's impossible as well."
The old territory had long been divided up among various ninja clans in Konoha.
If you try to take it back, where would those clans go?
This is practically no different from staging a coup!
And as for boosting the economy, making the current land the wealthiest area—well, good luck getting the Third Hokage to agree to that.
The Uchiha already possess power that makes the Third Hokage wary. If they also become economically powerful, they'd become unstoppable!
There'd be no need for the Uchiha to stage a coup; the other clans would overthrow them first!
Itsuki eyed Fugaku disdainfully. "Fugaku, as clan leader, if all you ever say is 'this won't work' or 'that won't work,' then what good are you?"
"You—"
Fugaku nearly choked on his anger, almost spitting blood.
If it weren't for the fact that Uchiha Itsuki was stronger than him, he would have surely gone up and smacked the brat.
How could he say such things?
I'm the clan leader! Could you show a little respect?
The way you talk, it's like you're scolding your grandson—what the hell!
If Itsuki had heard Fugaku's thoughts, he would have laughed out loud.
Respect?
How much does that cost per pound?
Thinking back to the original story, if it weren't for Fugaku's inaction, how could Itachi have possibly wiped out the entire clan on his own?
At that critical moment, why didn't you think of yourself as the clan leader?
Your non-resistance led the rest of the clan to their deaths!
If not for you, they wouldn't have died such miserable deaths!
Just for that, no amount of scolding would be too much!
"Fugaku, why are you so worked up?" Itsuki drawled lazily. "Aren't these two things your responsibility as clan leader?"
"Don't forget, the reason the Uchiha were moved here in the first place was because of your father's doing. As his son, shouldn't you be doing everything you can to make up for it? You, the filial son!" Itsuki snorted. "By the way, you didn't actually take those excuses I made for your father seriously, did you?"
Fugaku's face turned even darker, and he didn't respond.
Itsuki's earlier words had indeed sugar-coated the actions of his father.
The truth was, the old clan leader wasn't forced to relocate the clan or cleverly secured the Konoha Police Force.
He was merely arrogant and was played like a puppet by Tobirama Senju.
The offer of the Konoha Police Force was just a ploy to manipulate the Uchiha, and the old clan leader foolishly surrendered their prime land in the heart of the village.
Now, Fugaku realized that the Konoha Police Force was more of a curse than a blessing.
The position brought immense power but also made the Uchiha a constant target.
Unfortunately, the clan was already too deeply entrenched in it.
"Unless…"
Fugaku sighed deeply.
His father's mistakes were his to correct, but the two tasks Itsuki mentioned—reclaiming the old land and turning the current territory into Konoha's most prosperous area—were impossible without a coup.
"Can't you think of another way? You're a man, aren't you?" Itsuki sneered.
Fugaku was speechless.
Itsuki tilted his head and smirked. "If you can't, maybe we should let Itachi have a try. The Uchiha need change, and maybe the young have fresh ideas."
"You..." Fugaku was stunned.
Was all this talk from Itsuki just a setup to pave the way for Itachi?
Did he really think so highly of Itachi?
Sensing Fugaku's thoughts, Itsuki was a bit exasperated.
Admire Itachi? Not a chance!
I just want him to stir up some trouble.
The speech I just gave—that was all to create chaos!
Without stirring things up, how could he implement his plans?
With everyone watching him, he couldn't get anything done.
Chaos would divert attention!
"Oh, by the way!" Itsuki suddenly remembered something. "I'll be leaving the village for a while. It could be as long as a month, or as short as seven days."
"You're leaving? At a time like this?" Fugaku's face showed his displeasure.
The Uchiha were in such a delicate position, and you still want to go out?
Are you trying not to draw attention or what?
Itsuki rolled his eyes. "I'm going to get some explosive tags. Do you want them or not? If not, I won't bother going."
"Yes!" Fugaku said excitedly. "Go ahead, leave whenever you need to. If the Third Hokage asks, I'll handle it. Don't worry, I'd rather fight him than let anything delay you."
As he spoke, the usually stern Fugaku even managed a friendly smile.
What the—!
Haima, standing nearby, was completely dumbfounded.
This is Fugaku?
So gross!
"That's more like it!" Itsuki, still holding Pakura, turned to leave. Halfway, he looked back and added, "Remember, don't be like your father. Think things through before you act."
"Ugh!"
Fugaku exhaled a long breath and forced a smile. "I can't beat him, and I need his explosive tags. I can't lose my temper—definitely can't!"
"If I rush at him now, I'll just get beaten!"
Itsuki added, "Itachi would do just fine! He's been thinking like a Hokage since he was seven. How great is that?"
Fugaku turned and walked away.
He couldn't listen anymore.
First, he insulted his father, now he's mocking his son!
No wonder Danzo is so eager to get rid of you.
You deserve it!
If I were the dark side of the village, I'd have taken action long ago!
*(End of Chapter)*