Chapter 54 Uchiha Fugaku
Chapter 54: Uchiha Fugaku
Uchiha Fugaku is back?
Following Uchiha Jun towards Uchiha Fugaku's residence, Uchiha启 couldn't help but think to himself, if he remembered correctly, this 'Perennial Crouching Demon' had gone to the front lines, and he had taken his son with him.
His return now indirectly indicated one thing: the Stone Ninja's offensive was no longer viable, and negotiations would likely conclude within the next few months, or even just a few weeks.
After all, hundreds, if not thousands, of Stone Ninja had become wandering spirits this time, possibly including the Third Tsuchikage's son, Kitsuchi — though Uchiha启 believed that fellow should have already retreated.
But it didn't matter, the Five-Tails Jinchuriki was still in Minato Namikaze's hands. With the Five-Tails Jinchuriki as a bargaining chip, Konoha had nothing to fear. The Third Tsuchikage would absolutely not give up such a strategic weapon.
It could be said that this was Minato Namikaze's shining moment, and a good opportunity for him to accumulate political capital. In the half-month Uchiha启 had been in Konoha, he could already faintly hear some whispers.
No matter how focused Uchiha启 was, no matter how well Konoha concealed things, public opinion needed guidance, not just blind suppression.
No one would likely believe the story about Orochimaru. Setting aside whether it was true or not, Konoha's foolish actions this time showed that they were indeed anxious.
Perhaps it was the difference in thinking that led to different approaches. Uchiha启, coming from a technologically advanced world, saw things more clearly.
If all went as expected, Uchiha启's investment would bear fruit, but the true returns still required patient waiting, as Minato Namikaze was currently only the leader of the Jonin class, not the Hokage.
The Hokage was a special position; even a Hokage with little say, his image and symbolism were absolutely far greater than that of a Jonin class leader.
Thinking about these things, Uchiha启 also turned to look at Uchiha Jun, and he suddenly noticed something very interesting.
Because Uchiha启 had initially thought this woman was a subordinate of one of the Clan elders, but now it seemed the situation was different, as her loyalty appeared to be to Uchiha Fugaku.
Uchiha启 couldn't help but inwardly sneer. The small Konoha Village was already interesting enough, but he hadn't expected the even smaller Uchiha Clan to be so interesting internally.
The Clan elders and the Clan leader were not of one mind to a certain extent, coupled with the opposition between the Dove Faction and the Hawk Faction, and the top internal members being brainwashed—no wonder such a Clan would be annihilated.
"We've arrived, Qi-kun." Before long, the two of them reached Uchiha Fugaku's residence. Uchiha Jun said with a slight smile, "Then I'll take my leave. The Clan Leader wishes to meet with Qi-kun alone."
"Thank you for your trouble." Uchiha启 nodded calmly and politely, then walked alone into Uchiha Fugaku's room.
Uchiha Fugaku's house was very large, arguably the largest residence in the Uchiha Clan, but considering his status as the Clan Leader, all of this was reasonable.
As the face of the Uchiha, he could not allow the Uchiha name to be disgraced in any aspect.
Following a servant employed by the Clan, Uchiha启 walked through the corridor to a small pond. The water in the pond was clear, and many fish could be seen swimming within it.
A small bamboo pipe made of green bamboo was continuously adding water, and the peaceful sound of flowing water and the crisp sound of bamboo tapping against stones when full were very pleasant to the ear.
Such a serene atmosphere made one's heart feel calm, and in the pavilion next to this small pond, a middle-aged man sat alone, drinking tea—that was Uchiha Fugaku.
Uchiha Fugaku looked up, saw Uchiha启, and then waved him over. Uchiha启 didn't stand on ceremony and walked straight over.
Since they were to meet, they might as well meet properly, and Uchiha启 also found the environment here quite nice; it made him feel very comfortable.
"Clan Leader." After walking up to Uchiha Fugaku, Uchiha启 bowed slightly to him very honestly. Uchiha启 might not care about this man's identity, but he dared not underestimate his eyes.
"Qi-kun, please sit, no need to be so formal." Uchiha Fugaku nodded, then gestured for Uchiha启 to sit down. "This is our first meeting, isn't it? My first time seeing you."
"Yes, Clan Leader." Uchiha启 nodded respectfully. Although Uchiha Fugaku told him not to be formal, Uchiha启 would not do so.
"I heard about your performance on the battlefield, and after returning, I heard about you from Jun." Uchiha Fugaku took a sip of tea, then slowly said, "I must say, you truly astonished me, and your appearance has also stirred up quite a few people within the Clan."
Uchiha启 didn't speak, but listened quietly to Uchiha Fugaku's narration. In fact, how could Uchiha启 not know these things?
The people he had stirred up were not just the Uchiha Clan, but also the high-ranking officials of Konoha!
However, Uchiha Fugaku didn't elaborate, and Uchiha启 naturally wouldn't appear so 'clever'.
In terms of forbearance, Uchiha Fugaku was absolutely number one; in terms of indecisiveness, Uchiha Fugaku was also absolutely number one; in terms of being a lunatic, this guy would probably also be number one, right?
"A Three-Tomoe Sharingan, interesting, incredible." Uchiha Fugaku put down his teacup, and listening to the crisp sound of the bamboo pipe tapping against the stone, he suddenly spoke, "You actually activated your Sharingan long ago, didn't you?"
Uchiha启 frowned, but he didn't answer the question. He remained silent and looked at Uchiha Fugaku with a puzzled expression.
At the same time, he was also pondering where he had made a mistake. After much thought, Uchiha启 seemed to realize that he hadn't revealed any flaws. Everyone who had seen his Sharingan before had died, whether enemies or his teammates.
Those who were still alive were because Uchiha启 no longer wanted to conceal it after activating his Mangekyo, or rather, he couldn't hide it anymore.
"Activating with a Three-Tomoe, such a thing has not appeared in the Clan's records." Uchiha Fugaku didn't mind Uchiha启's silence. He continued, "And after you activated your Sharingan, you seemed to master it very quickly, skillfully unlike someone using the Sharingan for the first time. You even eliminated the Iwashimizu Shū Team; it's truly too interesting."
So that's how it is!
Uchiha启 roughly understood the situation. Perhaps outsiders weren't clear about the Sharingan and thus couldn't discern anything, but as the Clan Leader of the Uchiha Clan, and one who possessed the Mangekyo Sharingan, Uchiha Fugaku naturally knew.
To perfectly use the Sharingan required long-term control and study, yet Uchiha启 activated his with a Three-Tomoe and, relying on these eyes, completely annihilated a Ninja squad with a considerable reputation. No matter how one looked at it, it seemed somewhat incredible!
"They were careless, Clan Leader." However, Uchiha启 didn't care. He still said calmly, "Besides, if I had the Sharingan earlier, why wouldn't I have used it directly?"
"Yes, perhaps they were careless, and you indeed have no reason to refuse such an honor." Uchiha Fugaku smiled, going along with Uchiha启's words, "Whatever the reason, you will be one of those recorded in history."
Recorded in history?
Uchiha启 sneered inwardly. This was probably a death list, wasn't it?