Chapter 77 'Fine Traditions' (New book, please collect and recommend~)
Being a teacher to a fledgling?
Even if Uchiha启's memory was terrible, he couldn't forget how he had just described Uchiha Itachi!
Although being a teacher to Uchiha Itachi would further strengthen his relationship with Uchiha Fugaku, Uchiha启 found it hard to have much affection for Itachi when he thought about Itachi's future actions.
As a spectator, Uchiha启 might subconsciously overlook Itachi's deeds, only remembering that he deeply loved his brother and sacrificed everything for him, even calling him 'Itachi-god'!
But after he became an Uchiha, it would be considered humane if he didn't knock out Kakashi, throw a few Kunai, and then jump down to strangle the boy after he fell off the cliff.
Although the boy was still young and might have room for change, Uchiha启 wasn't interested in doing such a thing, just as he hadn't bothered with Uchiha Shisui's situation.
He admitted that he couldn't compare to other transmigrators, who were Jonin at five, Mangekyo users at ten reaching Kage-level, and could beat Madara at twelve or thirteen.
He was already thirteen, almost fourteen; he knew his own talents, so Uchiha启 didn't need to do such things.
"Besides, if my plan succeeds, it might count as reforming him," Uchiha启 thought silently. "Even if he still falls into the Third Hokage's embrace, with the plan successful, he'd be an excellent chess piece."
Of course, besides this anticipated reason, Uchiha启's unwillingness to act personally also had a deeper reason.
That was a chilling pattern in the world of Naruto: students would kill their teachers!
Think about those well-known figures: Orochimaru killed his teacher, the Third Hokage; Uchiha Obito killed his teacher, Minato Namikaze; Nagato even killed his teacher, Jiraiya.
Even Kakashi was almost killed by Sasuke, which shows how dangerous it is to be a teacher, especially when combined with some of the things Uchiha启 would do in the future.
Although Uchiha启 believed that he would at least not be worse than Uchiha Itachi in the future, Ninja feared sneak attacks the most, and Uchiha启 was best at sneak attacks!
Therefore, Uchiha启 didn't want such a depressing thing to happen to him; guarding against a powerful Ninja's sneak attack was very tiring and prone to failure.
Uchiha启 directly rejected Uchiha Fugaku's proposal, this time not even using ambiguous wording!
One could imagine Uchiha Fugaku's expression upon hearing Uchiha启's reply; he never expected Uchiha启 to give such an answer, which made Uchiha Fugaku frown.
He now suspected whether there really was someone guiding Uchiha启 from behind, otherwise, why would he make such a foolish choice?
"Qi-kun, I need an answer," Uchiha Fugaku's expression became serious, and Uchiha Itachi also looked at the older brother in front of him with curiosity.
"The young Clan Head's teacher should not be me," Uchiha启 said firmly. "First, I myself need to improve; my foundation is very poor, which the Clan Head should know. Second, I think the young Clan Head's teacher should have a more specific political leaning. There are many candidates, and they don't necessarily have to be within the Clan."
Uchiha启 knew how to deflect trouble; he absolutely, absolutely would not be Uchiha Itachi's teacher!
No matter who took over Uchiha Itachi, whether he became a 'great filial son' or a good disciple in the future had nothing to do with Uchiha启.
Besides, Uchiha启 was right; Uchiha Fugaku's son was the young Clan Head of the Uchiha Clan, and the teacher he chose should have a political leaning. This would also express Uchiha Fugaku's political stance.
Whatever Uchiha Fugaku's true thoughts were, Uchiha Itachi's apprenticeship would be a friendly signal.
Although Uchiha启 was now seen by many as a 'Dove Faction' member, in reality, both the 'Dove Faction' and the 'Hawk Faction' knew that he hadn't actually aligned with either side.
Uchiha Fugaku, as the Clan Head, also knew this, so Uchiha启's words were very reasonable—you need to find a teacher, find one with a political stance, don't look for me. There are people inside and outside the Clan, just pick one.
"It seems Qi-kun still has some concerns, I understand," Uchiha Fugaku thought for a moment and quickly understood what Uchiha启 wanted to express. He nodded and said, "In that case, let's put Itachi's matter aside for now. He's still young, only four years old."
Hearing this, Uchiha启 breathed a sigh of relief. Had he finally gotten rid of the big trouble that was Uchiha Itachi?
Just as Uchiha启 hadn't had time to continue thinking, Uchiha Fugaku spoke again: "However, if you have time, I still hope you can guide this child, at least to broaden his horizons and help him discern right from wrong."
Uchiha启's face stiffened again. He glanced at the somewhat uneasy Uchiha Itachi, pondered for a moment, and finally nodded: "I understand, Clan Head."
With the conversation at this point, Uchiha启 couldn't really refuse. However, he still noticed Uchiha Fugaku's words—'if you have time'.
Time was difficult to define and offered a lot of room for maneuver. Uchiha启 could completely make himself have no time.
If he really couldn't get rid of it, then he would just throw Uchiha Itachi to Kakashi!
Anyway, Kakashi would be Uchiha Itachi's superior in the future, so let them get acquainted early. Kakashi probably wouldn't be able to refuse a child from the Uchiha Clan.
After these miscellaneous matters were discussed, Uchiha Fugaku no longer brought up any family or Village affairs but began to inquire about Uchiha启's recent situation.
This question-and-answer session was like an elder caring for a junior. Uchiha Fugaku even meticulously asked about the ninja blade at Uchiha启's waist.
After learning the situation, he unhappily asked Uchiha启 why he didn't seek help from the Clan. If it were anyone else, they would probably be overwhelmed with gratitude, but Uchiha启 had no such thoughts.
A seemingly 'harmonious' gathering ended in about an hour because Uchiha启 needed to return, and Uchiha Fugaku's wife also came out to call them.
Maintaining a smile, Uchiha启 left Uchiha Fugaku's house. This time, his smile didn't fade as quickly as last time, because he was indeed quite happy this time.
This meeting was very successful, and Uchiha启 was sure that it had also successfully piqued Uchiha Fugaku's greater interest, which was an important step in Uchiha启's plan.
"Next is to wait patiently and find opportunities to throw out other 'trigger points."
PS: Orochimaru said the Fourth Hokage was the Third Hokage's puppet. If I remember correctly, it was a scene in Kakashi's life story. I can't recall the specific episode, but you can find the video if you search on Baidu.
Thanks to Liu Yingshui and tai12a for their rewards, thank you, thank you~!