Itsuki was furious!
The pressure around him was palpable.
The air grew cold.
He sat there, like a volcano on the verge of erupting.
Even the Third Hokage and the others, who initially wanted to lecture him, held back their words.
This was a hot-tempered person; you had to be careful when talking to him.
It was said that nowadays in Konoha, Uchiha Itsuki had earned a notorious nickname: "The Master Troublemaker!"
The Third and others didn't want to dwell too much on what kind of "troublemaking" that really referred to.
"Ahem!"
The Third Hokage cleared his throat and said, "Itsuki, you've been through war, so you should understand the cruelty of it. Why would you say something like that?"
When he had heard from Mitokado Homura about what happened at the meeting, the Third couldn't help but furrow his brow.
Uchiha Itsuki was causing quite a ruckus.
During the talks, he had openly threatened the envoy from Kumogakure. Just for that alone, he could've been taken out.
But!
Could they really do that?
Definitely not!
Uchiha Itsuki was immensely powerful and had a sensitive status.
The Uchiha clan was already in a precarious position.
At a time like this, could they afford to press down on him?
No, they could only try to calm things down!
For some people, words that should be a death sentence end up leading to appeasement or even compensation.
This world was never fair.
Itsuki had always understood that.
Above fairness is power!
If the Uchiha were to stir up any trouble now, never mind anything else, Kumogakure would immediately attack.
Negotiations?
What negotiations!
A war would bring me even more benefits.
"Hey, old monkey!"
As soon as Itsuki spoke, Fugaku almost spit out his drink.
He widened his eyes.
What did you call him?
Monkey?
Are you trying to provoke him?
Itsuki glanced around. Although the Third Hokage and the others looked visibly upset, they didn't explode in anger.
They had developed some resistance, huh?
With a cold expression, Itsuki said, "Did you hear what those sons of Kumogakure said?"
"They had the audacity to demand we hand over Sister Mikoto from the Uchiha clan!"
"Who do they think they are?!"
"That's like spitting in our clan leader's face!"
The Third Hokage shot a glance at Fugaku, whose face had turned black with rage, not knowing what to say.
Fugaku wasn't even as angry as Itsuki was.
What was going on between the two of them?
The Third Hokage couldn't help but feel a deep curiosity.
Were they really just not involved?
Sorry, I don't believe that for a second.
Fugaku was probably starting to have doubts too.
Besides, a man getting so worked up over another man's wife—it's just weird!
"Lord Third Hokage, don't you dare tell me I shouldn't be mad!"
Itsuki pointed to the others in the room. "If Kumogakure demanded your wives, could you stand for that?"
Those Itsuki pointed at had awkward expressions.
In this situation, what could they say?
All they could do was agree with Itsuki.
Fugaku alone was left with a dark, brooding face.
There's no "if." It's literally my wife!
Fugaku felt miserable.
At this point, he wanted to step forward and argue with the Third and the others on Itsuki's behalf.
But alas!
He knew his own limitations.
If it were him, the Third Hokage and the others would have easily suppressed him.
Only a crazy guy like Itsuki could make the Third Hokage and the others back down.
"On this point, I will make Kumogakure apologize!" the Third Hokage finally declared. "But, Itsuki, you need to understand, I don't want war."
"One billion ryo in compensation!"
"W-what?"
The Third's jaw nearly dropped.
Everyone else's eyes widened as well.
Even if you packaged up Uchiha Mikoto and sold her, she wouldn't be worth one billion ryo!
She's Uchiha Mikoto, not Uchiha Madara!
"What's the matter?"
Itsuki sneered. "Do you think the First Lady of the Uchiha clan isn't worth one billion ryo? Are you trying to publicly disgrace the Uchiha clan?"
"If a billion ryo could buy Sister Mikoto... Fugaku wouldn't even have a role to play anymore!"
Fugaku's veins bulged in anger.
Just wait!
Uchiha Itsuki!
When we get back, we'll settle this!
If I can manage to keep calm after this, I'll call you 'father!'
Itsuki glanced at Fugaku out of the corner of his eye and sighed inwardly.
At a time like this, and you're still thinking about settling scores afterward?
Come on, explode already!
*Sigh!*
The current Konoha, the current Uchiha, doesn't need a rational clan leader.
What it needs is a madman!
Think about the original story—the night of the Uchiha massacre has already passed.
What does that tell you?
It shows that the patience of the Third Hokage and the others with the Uchiha has long reached its limit.
Yet, here you are, still hesitating!
Only madness can offer a slim chance of survival!
The Third Hokage remained silent. After a long pause, he finally spoke slowly.
"I'm glad you know how to use the Flying Thunder God technique, Itsuki, but you must understand, in the entire ninja world, you're the only Flying Thunder God user, and not even the Uchiha, with all their talent, are an exception to that."
Itsuki turned his head and looked at the Third Hokage. "Monkey, are you threatening me?"
"I'm merely hoping you will think of the bigger picture."
The Third Hokage said with a heavy tone, "Once war breaks out, the Uchiha will inevitably have to go to the battlefield. Could you bear seeing them sacrifice…"
"We don't have to go!"
Itsuki interrupted the Third Hokage's words directly.
"If some people can avoid the battlefield, why can't we?"
The Third Hokage's gaze sharpened in an instant.
"Itsuki, do you know what you're saying?"
"I'm very clear about it."
The Third Hokage stared deeply at him and then suddenly smiled. "Alright, one hundred million ryo, I've given it."
"A real bargain!"
Itsuki turned and left the room.
Fugaku followed behind him.
Koharu could no longer hold back and stood up. "Hiruzen, are you really going to give the Uchiha… mm!"
She swallowed her words because of the expression on the Third Hokage's face.
It was savage and terrifying!
The Uchiha… must die!
…
On the way back, neither Fugaku, Itsuki, nor Itachi spoke a word.
As they entered the clan's territory, stepping inside the protective barrier's range...
"Follow me!"
Itsuki's face darkened, and his voice carried a murderous tone.
That killing intent was freezing cold.
Fugaku, who was just about to lose his temper, swallowed his words.
Shisui and Itachi, who had just arrived and were about to ask what was going on, also shut their mouths.
Shisui and Itachi even instinctively shrank back.
What a powerful aura!
What's going on here?
Is Itsuki angry?
This has to be a mistake, right?
Isn't Fugaku the one who should be angry right now?
After all, he was humiliated by the Hidden Cloud village, while Itsuki got all the spotlight with his strong counterattack. Surely, the Uchiha clan head should be the one upset!
The group followed Itsuki in silence, heading straight to the inner lake.
Itsuki walked right to the middle of the lake, stood on the water, and stared at Fugaku. Calmly, he said, "I'm in a bad mood today and feel like beating someone up. All of you, come at me."
"What?"
Everyone present was dumbfounded.
Are you out of your mind?
Uchiha Fugaku, the clan head of the Uchiha, is without a doubt one of the strongest.
Uchiha Shisui and Uchiha Itachi, two geniuses of the Uchiha clan, are even more famous than you, Itsuki.
Zongyi and Setsuna, two elders from Uchiha Madara's time, may be old now, but anyone who survived that era and became an elder of the Uchiha has definitely got some serious skills.
And you want to fight all of them?
After a moment of hesitation, Setsuna said something that made Fugaku and Itachi's faces darken.
"Itsuki, Mikoto isn't here. Don't get so worked up."
(End of Chapter)