Itachi fell silent.
Only after Kai's words did he finally understand just how perilous the Uchiha's situation truly was.
Don't be fooled by the past few days, when Uchiha Kai's maneuvers had left the village leadership scrambling.
In reality—none of it shook the foundation.
The village's core power remained solid. The Uchiha still had a long way to go.
And this was during wartime!
Most of the high council's real forces weren't even in the village right now.
Yet even so—even with Kai holding the moral high ground—what happened last night?
The clan had nearly been wiped out.
If not for his teacher's willingness to gamble on mutual destruction, the outcome would have been disastrous.
What about when the war ends, and the Hokage's full power returns to the village?
The thought left Itachi drenched in cold sweat.
He knew better than anyone—being the clan head's son—that only after Kai's rise did the Uchiha gain their current standing.
Before Kai, just Danzo's Root alone had left the clan battered and helpless.
Now he understood.
No wonder, despite Kai's bitter feud with Uchiha Setsuna, the elder was still alive.
At most, his father Fugaku had placed Setsuna under strict control—but that was it.
The truth was simple:
The Uchiha might be called Konoha's great clan, but compared to the village leadership… their power was far too small.
Their position was already precarious.
If civil strife erupted on top of it, the high council would laugh in their sleep.
Yes—Kai could kill Uchiha Setsuna.
But he couldn't possibly wipe out all the radicals.
Itachi could already picture it: one moment Setsuna was dead, and the very next, the leadership would launch an "investigation."
Once hints and rumors spread, would the radical faction simply let it go?
The Uchiha already had few forces to pit against the Hokage's camp.
If those forces turned inward as enemies instead…
The clan might collapse before the leadership even lifted a finger.
Having reached this realization, Itachi spoke gravely:
"Teacher, I understand now."
"Your thinking is correct. I was shallow before."
Kai nodded slowly.
After a moment's thought, he continued:
"You should have Shisui's messenger crows, right?"
"In the future, if you face a problem you can't untangle, use them to contact me. Don't overthink on your own."
"This is what worries me most about you."
"You are a genius, yes—but you fall into dead ends too easily."
"I truly fear you'll trap yourself in a corner you can't escape."
"Your ninjutsu training doesn't worry me. Your thoughts—that's what I worry about."
"When something troubles you, don't overthink. Contact your teacher directly!"
Kai didn't mince words.
His bond with Itachi had grown close enough that he no longer needed to tread carefully.
Better to lay it bare.
Itachi's lips twitched.
He hadn't expected his teacher to see him this way.
But thinking it over—wasn't it true?
Before meeting Kai, he had always kept everything bottled up, relying only on his own interpretations.
His father Fugaku was of no help.
Even if he asked Shisui, his brother-like friend was often just as clueless—offering only vague encouragement and shallow platitudes.
He was lucky.
Lucky to have met such a reliable teacher.
Whatever question he posed, Kai always gave a grounded answer, one he could not refute.
And later, when he tested it through his own deductions, the conclusions always proved Kai right.
More than that—
The more questions he asked, the more he realized how superficial his past understanding truly was.
With that thought, he nodded.
"Yes. I have Shisui's messenger crow."
"In the future, if something troubles me, I'll contact you, Teacher."
Itachi inclined his head.
With his doubts finally resolved, he withdrew to train.
Meanwhile, Uchiha Kai, after a moment's thought, went straight to Fugaku's home.
"Kai?"
"You're a rare guest. What brings you here today?"
"Mikoto, pour some tea!"
Busy with clan affairs, Fugaku brightened at the sight of Kai.
Mikoto greeted him warmly as well before going to brew the tea.
Kai didn't waste words.
Sitting down at the low table, he spoke directly:
"Clan Leader Fugaku."
"Not long after you left, Hiruzen came."
"I've struck a deal with him. Soon, I'll be leaving the village for the front lines."
"Before I go, there are things I need to explain to you."
But before he could finish, Fugaku exploded.
What kind of joke was this?!
Within the Uchiha, Kai was the soul of the clan.
The Uchiha could do without Fugaku—but never without Kai.
Everyone knew it.
The clan's current standing was thanks to Kai alone.
Fugaku himself had nowhere near the ability.
If Kai died on the battlefield… Fugaku couldn't even imagine what would become of them.
So before Kai could say more, Fugaku cut him off on the spot:
"Kai, are you out of your mind?!"
"The high council's intent is plain as day—even I can see it!"
"They fear you. That's why they want to send you to die at the front!"
"There's no doubt they've already made arrangements. If you go, it's certain death!"
"No—I won't allow it!"
"I'll go to Hiruzen right away. No matter what, I'll make him withdraw this order."
"If it comes to it, I'll take your place!"
"Our clan is in utter turmoil. Without you, I truly can't hold it together."
"Anyone else in the Uchiha could die—but not you, Kai!"
"Promise me you won't go!"
Fugaku's panic was plain to see.
He was so desperate he even offered to substitute himself.
Kai couldn't help but laugh.
Shaking his head helplessly, he cut through Fugaku's frantic words.
He didn't bother to hide the truth—he simply repeated, in condensed form, what he had just told Itachi.
Finally, he said slowly:
"So—do you understand now?"
"Clan Leader, there's no need to worry so much for me. If you can foresee this, how could I not?"
"You can guard against thieves for a thousand days—but how can you guard against them every day?"
"I already have a full plan in place. The village's scheme cannot succeed."
"I will never sit on passive defense. Taking the initiative—that is my way."
"And besides—this time, I've secured something valuable."
"That is what I truly came here to discuss with you!"
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