Chapter 76: Fledglings (Part 2)
"My apologies, I was out of line."
Uchiha Fugaku looked at the teacup overturned on the table, remained silent for a while, then forced a smile and said to Uchiha启, though such a lapse in composure was indeed inappropriate.
Uchiha Itachi was also somewhat surprised; he hadn't expected his father, who always seemed incredibly composed, to show such a loss of control.
The intelligent Uchiha Itachi didn't speak, but he firmly remembered a name—Uchiha Madara, the person who caused his father's composure to falter.
"Qi-kun, don't mention that name again in the future." Uchiha Fugaku stabilized his emotions: "Although I don't know where you heard that name, please don't bring it up again."
"I understand, Clan Head." Uchiha启 nodded calmly on the surface, but inwardly, he couldn't help but sigh with emotion.
The deterrent power of Uchiha Madara was truly terrifying!
Even though he was already a dead man in the minds of these people, no one dared to deny the power of Uchiha Madara.
After Uchiha Madara was revived in the future through Edo Tensei, he proved with his actions just how terrifying he was, and how correct the fear of those who remembered him was.
Uchiha启 held reverence for Uchiha Madara, but now he wasn't so afraid; perhaps that guy was already on his last breath.
As for the future, Uchiha启 temporarily didn't want to think too much; becoming stronger required time.
He wasn't Uchiha Sasuke or Uzumaki Naruto, who leveled up almost without any obstacles as if they had cheats.
Uchiha启 knew very well that he couldn't compare to those two, but Uchiha启 wasn't without his own advantages; he felt that even at his worst, he should be able to reach the level of Uchiha Itachi.
"Continue, Qi-kun." Only when Uchiha Itachi had re-brewed the tea did Uchiha Fugaku sigh and continue to speak.
"Alright, Clan Head." Uchiha启 nodded, then continued: "Ever since... that Ninja left, the root of the trouble was already laid, wasn't it? Some of the Second Hokage's policies seemed to target all Ninja Clans, but in reality, his goal was probably only Uchiha."
"Why do you say that?" Uchiha Fugaku asked calmly, taking a sip of tea.
"The Konoha Military Police Force." Uchiha启 smiled slightly: "The Konoha Military Police Department established by the Second Hokage is the root of everything. Nominally, this important department was given to the Uchiha, but in reality, it made the Uchiha Clan responsible for punishing evil and, under the guise of monitoring criminals, built the Police Department and the prison together. This openly drove the Uchiha Clan into a corner of Konoha Ninja Village."
At this point, Uchiha启 paused and began to observe Uchiha Fugaku's expression.
It didn't come as a surprise to Uchiha启; Uchiha Fugaku still seemed calm. Although he couldn't guess his thoughts, this made Uchiha启 nod.
This was in line with the demeanor a Clan Head should have, and Uchiha Fugaku's silence clearly told Uchiha启 to continue. However, Uchiha启 also noticed that Uchiha Itachi, standing by, seemed to be lost in thought.
Is this what it means to have a Hokage's mindset at such a young age?
Uchiha启 shook his head; he seemed mature but was actually extremely naive. A guy who didn't even understand the principle of not bringing disaster upon one's family. Uchiha启 really didn't like this kid.
After careful consideration, Uchiha启 organized what he was going to say next. After thinking it over, Uchiha启 felt it was better to keep some things to himself.
Some ideas are most captivating when gradually revealed.
"The purpose of doing this, I'm sure the Clan Head can guess, right? In fact, at the last Clan meeting, I already felt it, and I'm afraid some clansmen also felt it." Uchiha启, having thought it through, spoke directly: "I suspect that the Second Hokage's purpose was to monitor the Uchiha, to prevent the appearance of another 'that Ninja' and to be able to respond immediately. In his view, this was to better protect Konoha. After all..."
"I understand, Qi-kun." Uchiha Fugaku interrupted Uchiha启. He sighed and said, "Don't say anymore, I understand."
Uchiha Fugaku naturally understood Uchiha启's words, and he also understood why Senju Tobirama would do this.
After all, Senju Tobirama had fought the Uchiha Clan for many years and understood them very well. Furthermore, Senju Tobirama personally experienced Uchiha Madara's attack on Konoha Ninja Village.
Although Senju Hashirama ultimately used all his strength to defeat him in the great battle at the Valley of the End, the price paid was the First Hokage's life.
Therefore, Senju Tobirama feared that another Uchiha Madara would emerge from the Uchiha Clan and endanger Konoha Ninja Village, and he had to be constantly vigilant.
After all, Uchiha Madara's strength was too great.
And Uchiha Fugaku could also guess that in the Second Hokage's eyes, the Uchiha Clan was an inherently evil Clan. He had heard such words from some Clan elders many times, because there were still many followers of Uchiha Madara within the Uchiha Clan.
"Qi-kun, don't let what was said today get out." Uchiha Fugaku pondered for a moment, then seriously said to Uchiha启.
"I understand, Clan Head. These are just some of my personal conjectures." Uchiha启 nodded.
Are you kidding me? Saying such things would be suicidal!
He was only saying it here, which was why he initially wanted Uchiha Itachi to leave.
Of course, Uchiha启 later considered that Uchiha Itachi was still young, so leaving some seeds in his heart wasn't a bad idea.
Whether they took root and sprouted, Uchiha启 didn't care; he just wanted to purely annoy Uchiha Itachi.
If Uchiha Itachi gained strength in the future and came into contact with the Third Hokage, it would be interesting if he proactively asked these questions.
"If the Third Hokage gets anxious and kills him, that would be interesting. Would he fight back or not?" Uchiha启 thought to himself: "Of course, it's also possible that the Third Hokage would feign calmness and then ask who told him, then the Third Hokage would brainwash him and he'd come back to me, right?"
Regardless of good or bad, Uchiha启 thought through everything he could. If his plan succeeded, the Third Hokage might only be digging his own grave!
Of course, Uchiha启 wouldn't care if the plan failed, because if it truly failed, Uchiha启 would either pledge allegiance or run away. No matter what, he wouldn't bring trouble upon himself.
Looking at Uchiha Fugaku's attitude, Uchiha启 felt that he might be one step closer to his plan, after all, the political acumen Uchiha启 displayed this time was even more impressive than last time.
"Qi-kun." Just as Uchiha启 was secretly pleased, Uchiha Fugaku suddenly awoke from his contemplation and looked at him with burning eyes.
"Yes, Clan Head." Uchiha启 immediately lowered his head, feigning an honest and respectful appearance.
"You don't need to use that expression anymore. Perhaps in your eyes, I'm just a failure, aren't I?" Uchiha Fugaku sighed.
Uchiha启 really wanted to say, 'Yes, and you're also a cold-blooded psychopath.'
However, Uchiha启 hadn't become that arrogant yet. He immediately shook his head: "No, Clan Head, these are just my conjectures. Please don't take them seriously."
"Qi-kun is truly cautious." Uchiha Fugaku smiled indifferently, then his expression suddenly became a bit more serious: "I wonder if Qi-kun has any thoughts about becoming a teacher? A teacher for a fledgling?"
"..."