At this moment, Uchiha Fugaku brought out the imposing aura he had cultivated over many years as the young clan head.
Combined with his naturally fierce-looking face, his sense of authority was instantly maxed out. Even Uchiha Qi, who knew that Fugaku was actually a compromiser at heart, had to admit that based on appearance and bearing alone, Uchiha Fugaku was truly intimidating. He looked like the hardest of hardliners, the Uchiha among the Uchiha, the ruler of the Uchiha, someone born with an innate rebellious constitution against Konoha.
No wonder the hardliners within the Uchiha Clan had all been bluffed by him, faithfully following behind him until he led them straight into a ditch.
If they had known that beneath that naturally rebellious exterior lay a soft, pliable core that anyone could manipulate, then both the hawks and doves in the clan would probably have kicked him out of the Clan Head's seat in frustration and anger—after all, even the doves did not intend to lie down and wait for death.
Yet this very imposing Uchiha Fugaku spoke in a low voice at that moment. "Is what you said true? Qi-kun, as a member of the Uchiha Clan, you should understand what those words mean to the Uchiha."
Uchiha Qi shook his head. "I cannot fully confirm that what I said can be achieved. After all, I only had Minato help me conduct some tests. While Minato's feedback suggests that those things can indeed be achieved in theory, Minato is not an Uchiha, so I cannot be sure whether it will work on the Uchiha."
Uchiha Fugaku narrowed his eyes. "So you came to me because you hoped I could help you test the special genjutsu you developed on an Uchiha?"
Uchiha Qi nodded. "After all, the activation condition of the Genjutsu Game is that the target offers no resistance. There are not many people in this world who can calmly accept Sharingan genjutsu, and that includes the Uchiha themselves."
"Actually, before coming to you, Young Clan Head, I had already approached Uchiha from the Konoha Military Police Force who possessed the three-tomoe Sharingan."
Uchiha Fugaku nodded in realization. "But they all refused, didn't they?"
Uchiha Qi spread his hands. "Who would believe a failure who refused to follow the bright path arranged by the clan when he was young, insisted on cultivating according to his own will to become a great ninja, yet ended up being mocked and scorned as the Disgrace of the Uchiha?"
Hearing that, Uchiha Fugaku's expression changed slightly before he said solemnly, "Qi-kun, I know that the unfair treatment within the clan has left you with grievances. That is because those people could not understand your talent. In my eyes, you are a genius second to none."
"As the Uchiha Clan's next Clan Head, I can promise you in the name of the future Clan Head that you will be compensated in the future, and that all the honor you deserve will be returned to you."
After saying that, Uchiha Fugaku actually bowed slightly, expressing his deep apology to Uchiha Qi.
For the young Clan Head of a major ninja clan to bow and apologize to an ordinary Uchiha who was not well regarded within the clan was an utterly shocking sight in the rigidly hierarchical ninja world. It was enough to show that Fugaku sincerely represented the entire Uchiha Clan in apologizing to Uchiha Qi, hoping to gain his forgiveness and prevent him from holding a grudge against the Uchiha Clan.
However...
"Huh?" Uchiha Qi was dumbfounded. He blinked, looking as though he had no idea what to say.
It seemed Uchiha Fugaku had misunderstood him quite deeply.
He had only said those words to guide the conversation along with the atmosphere, so he could continue into the next topic and get Uchiha Fugaku to help him persuade the other powerful Uchiha, turning them into providers of emotional value as well.
In the end, Uchiha Fugaku had taken it as a complaint and sarcastic jab.
Of course, that was not much of a problem. Still, who would have thought that Uchiha Qi held such a high position in Uchiha Fugaku's heart that the future Clan Head would directly apologize and make promises to him in the name of the Clan Head? That was truly unexpected.
After all, in the ninja world, where people devoured one another and the culture had been inherited from the little island nation, differences in status could genuinely crush people to death.
Just look at how powerful ninja had to obey the orders of a bunch of pig-like Daimyo without being able to resist. And among Konoha's great clans, the atmosphere in the neighboring Hyūga Clan was even more extreme.
So, Fugaku's conduct was indeed somewhat "heretical."
However, when one carefully considered Uchiha Fugaku's life, it became clear that he really was that kind of person.
After thinking it over, Uchiha Qi did not correct Uchiha Fugaku's misunderstanding. There was no harm in receiving the other man's goodwill, and if his Genjutsu Game could truly strengthen the Sharingan, it would indeed offer enormous help to the Uchiha Clan. Fugaku's promise and apology were things he rightfully deserved.
From this perspective, Uchiha Fugaku was actually quite clever and a qualified future Clan Head—when facing a special talent who might bring tremendous benefits to the Uchiha Clan but had suffered injustice, offering help in the snow was always better than adding flowers to brocade.
After realizing this, Uchiha Qi smiled and said, "You are too polite, Young Clan Head. I am Uchiha, and only Uchiha."
That was both a promise and Uchiha Qi's stance.
Although the system was somewhat of a scam, it could indeed bring benefits and improvement. As long as the positive cycle continued, Uchiha Qi's strength would sooner or later reach an extremely high level.
By then, his urge to run away would naturally turn into, "Protect my Konoha and my Uchiha.jpg."
Or rather, he would return to the original aspiration he had held back at the Ninja Academy!
After hearing Uchiha Qi's response, a trace of gentleness appeared on Fugaku's stern face. He was clearly delighted by Uchiha Qi's answer.
After all, in the eyes of this young Clan Head, Uchiha Qi was truly different. Though he was merely a Chunin, whether in terms of knowledge or talent for creating new techniques, he far surpassed the geniuses within the Uchiha Clan.
How could those arrogant Uchiha possibly understand Uchiha Qi's value?
Still, that was only natural. Those Uchiha had never received the relevant training of those in high positions, and combined with their inherited pride, they naturally lacked such long-term vision.
Moreover, Uchiha Qi was not only talented himself, but also close friends with Minato Namikaze, the foremost figure among Konoha's younger generation. Their relationship was a genuine friendship, comparable to that between the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, and his friend, Konoha's Shadow of the Pot, Shimura Danzō.
And with the talent and ability Minato Namikaze had displayed, along with his connections and ability to get along well with most people, plus his background as one of Jiraiya's disciples, he had an enormous chance of becoming Hokage in the future.
From the current situation, becoming the Fourth Hokage was unlikely, but he had a strong chance at becoming the Fifth.
Once Minato Namikaze became Hokage, Uchiha Qi, who had such an excellent relationship with him, would inevitably rise along with him. That would be the Uchiha Clan's chance to enter Konoha's upper ranks and secure a place among them.
With talent, vision, and prospects all laid out before him, Uchiha Fugaku was not blind like those fools. Naturally, he had to maintain his relationship with Uchiha Qi properly.
Of course, Uchiha Qi understood all of this as well, and he felt that dealing with a young Clan Head like Uchiha Fugaku, who always had calculations in his heart, was nowhere near as relaxed and pleasant as getting along with Minato Namikaze.
But Uchiha Qi did not care. In the adult world, where could there be so many sincere feelings? Interests were what truly mattered.
Now, Uchiha Qi and Uchiha Fugaku each got what they needed, so their relationship was unquestionably ironclad. They were willing to help one another and improve together.
Second update—please continue reading.
Thanks to "Rain Cold Rain Pavilion" for the 100 Qidian Coins reward.
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