Chapter 64 Funeral (Part 2)
Uchiha启 had always been wondering what Uchiha Fugaku's 'trigger point' really was.
Understanding Uchiha Fugaku's personality, he had been pondering when this 'trigger point' would appear, or when he should throw out a 'trigger point' to hook Uchiha Fugaku.
However, what Uchiha启 didn't expect was that this 'trigger point' came so quickly!
Who is Kakashi?
This guy is the future Fourth Hokage's disciple, and Uchiha启 had, to some extent, expressed goodwill towards Kakashi, which served as a reasonable entry point.
How to make Uchiha Fugaku receive this 'trigger point' depended on Uchiha启's performance. It was clear that Uchiha启's stance and actions had already caught Uchiha Fugaku's attention, which was a good start.
Uchiha启 had previously shown Uchiha Fugaku an attitude of 'not valuing the Clan'—of course, this was a fact.
But even though Uchiha启 later expressed a new stance, Uchiha Fugaku didn't believe Uchiha启 would be so honest. Sure enough, this kid was still a bit different.
This Uchiha member didn't expect Uchiha启 to suddenly adopt such a posture, especially when he saw those crimson Three-Tomoe eyes, he was momentarily flustered.
"What about me?" Uchiha启's attitude was very firm: "Discussing such matters at a time like this, you must have forgotten the relationship between Kakashi and Minato Namikaze, and also forgotten who stands behind Minato Namikaze, haven't you? The Village has just settled down, and you want to break this peace? Have you ever been to the battlefield?"
"Uchiha启! You are insulting the honor of the Uchiha Clan!" This guy was clearly intimidated by Uchiha启; he had indeed never been to a battlefield.
"A guy who hasn't even been to the battlefield dares to talk about honor with me?"
A cold sneer appeared on Uchiha启's face: "My honor is something I earned myself, and you neither have it nor are you qualified to enjoy it. Kakashi's eye was given to him by Obito. You don't even respect the will of a war hero. Are you fit to speak of the Uchiha's honor?"
Uchiha启's words were both venomous and sufficiently disgusting, leaving the middle-aged man standing beside Uchiha启 truly speechless.
And most importantly, Uchiha启 had no intention of lowering his voice; the Hyuga Clan not far from them could basically hear what they were saying.
It was even easy to imagine that it wouldn't be long before the Third Hokage and other Konoha Ninja attending this funeral would know about this matter, which was also Uchiha启's goal.
It seemed like he was reminding this guy, but in reality, he was saying good things for the Third Hokage or these ordinary Konoha Ninja to hear.
Since Uchiha启 was going to throw out a 'trigger point' for Uchiha Fugaku to catch, the value displayed by this 'trigger point' itself couldn't be low, otherwise Uchiha启 would be seen as an imbecile or a fool.
As Uchiha启 spoke these words, he also observed Uchiha Fugaku's state. Sure enough, Uchiha Fugaku's expression indeed underwent some subtle changes.
It was an expression mixed with anger, confusion, and deep thought, very complex yet very satisfying to Uchiha启. If his disgusting behavior couldn't move Uchiha Fugaku, then it would mean Uchiha启 had failed.
Uchiha Fugaku was still Uchiha Fugaku. Without the Nine-Tailed Fox Incident, he really couldn't make up his mind, or perhaps deep down, he was also on Konoha's side.
It was just that the Konoha he stood for was this Village, not the Third Hokage and his faction.
"Enough, both of you, that's enough!" Uchiha Fugaku quickly expressed his stance: "This is a time to mourn heroes, don't embarrass yourselves anymore. Kakashi's Sharingan was given to him by Obito. Respect the will of the deceased."
"But..." That Uchiha Clan member still wanted to say something, but was interrupted by Uchiha启.
"Isn't what the Clan Head said clear enough?" Uchiha启's eyes had returned to their original state: "Do you understand what 'respecting the will of the deceased' means?"
"You stop talking too, Ke." Uchiha Fugaku timely interrupted their conversation: "Hiroki is of the same generation as your father; he is your elder."
Elder?
Uchiha启 didn't speak again, but his face was filled with an undisguised sneer, as if saying, 'Can such a useless person be my elder?'
This attitude made Uchiha Hiroki furious, but he also knew he couldn't flare up again, because Uchiha Fugaku's attitude was already very clear.
Even if he was still annoyed with Uchiha启, that damned brat, he couldn't say anything more. He wouldn't dare openly defy the Clan Head's wishes.
The conflict between Uchiha启 and Uchiha Hiroki didn't cause any ripples; this 'Hero Memorial Service' proceeded normally and ended normally.
However, when everything was over, Uchiha启 noticed that Uchiha Hiroki's gaze towards him was very unfriendly. Uchiha启 could only sigh at this.
However, Uchiha启 didn't take it too much to heart. Since he decided to try his plan, the necessary 'costs' always had to be paid.
Uchiha启 remembered a saying, 'How can there be a perfect solution in the world, to not fail the Buddha and not fail you?' Indeed, everyone hopes for a perfect ending, but how can such a thing exist?
Even if it exists, one must put in enough effort and pay an unknown price!
Uchiha启 was very realistic. He wasn't sure if his plan would be effective, but for his own life and some future safety choices, Uchiha启 was willing to 'take a risk'.
However, Uchiha启 also kept an eye out. His approach was to befriend both sides. This was Uchiha启's biggest compromise; one always has to consider different fallback options, right?
"Qi-kun, please wait a moment." Just as Uchiha启 was about to leave, a voice suddenly called out to Uchiha启 from behind. It was Minato Namikaze's voice.
"Captain Minato, is something wrong?" Uchiha启 turned around and asked very politely.
"I heard about what happened just now." Minato Namikaze was not at all pretentious. He then bowed directly to Uchiha启: "Thank you for helping Kakashi out of that situation. I am very grateful to you."
"Captain Minato, there's no need for this." Uchiha启 hadn't expected Minato Namikaze to do this; he immediately stopped Minato Namikaze: "I told Kakashi that if anyone from the Uchiha Clan bothers him, he should come to me. This is just me fulfilling my promise; there's no need for such formality."
Actually, I'm just using your future status to make a point!
Uchiha启 sighed inwardly. Minato Namikaze's straightforwardness indeed made him feel good, but thinking of his straightforwardness and the Third Hokage's cunning, Uchiha启 couldn't help but shake his head.
No wonder Orochimaru would say that Minato Namikaze was merely the Third Hokage's puppet.