Fugaku: No One Understands Itachi's Talent Better Than I Do!

Although a very, very long time had passed in Kaze's Genjutsu World, less than half a minute had passed in reality since Itachi Uchiha challenged Kaze!

In less than half a minute, Itachi Uchiha was exhausted and dropped to one knee.

This genuinely shocked quite a few people.

And aside from Itachi Uchiha's defeat, the Sharingan Kaze had activated had also stunned many people!

Especially the number of tomoe in his pupils.

He was clearly no novice who had only just awakened the Sharingan.

The way he had crushed Itachi Uchiha's fighting spirit only proved it.

Not only had Kaze awakened his Sharingan long ago, his Genjutsu was among the very best!

"Hey, hey, no way. Itachi is one of the best Genjutsu users of our generation."

"Wait, when did Kaze awaken his Sharingan?"

"Who knows? This is my first time seeing his Sharingan too."

"So Kaze had been hiding his strength all along? But why would he do that?"

For a time, the Uchiha clansmen gathered at Naka Shrine could not help discussing it among themselves.

Even the Elders who had initially targeted Kaze changed their attitudes.

"Since Kaze has awakened the Sharingan, and it is even a Three-Tomoe Sharingan."

"That is enough to prove that he is a genius."

"That qualifies him to take part in this Clan Meeting."

An Uchiha Elder slowly spoke.

He had sent Uchiha Kiyoshi flying with one hand.

Then suppressed Itachi Uchiha with Genjutsu.

If even an Uchiha prodigy like this was unqualified to attend the Clan Meeting, then aside from Shisui, every other member of the younger generation present could get lost!

However, this Elder merely acknowledged Kaze's qualifications to attend the Clan Meeting.

As for promoting him to Vice-Captain of the Security Force, the Elder still did not state his position.

For one thing, Kaze was only a genius within the clan; he was not yet part of the Hawk Faction.

As the Hawk Faction's leader, he naturally had no desire to endorse Kaze.

For another, after witnessing Kaze's Taijutsu and Genjutsu, there would no longer be any voices questioning him at this Clan Meeting.

All he needed to do was wait and see.

Kaze silently took in the Uchiha Elder's attitude.

He did not respond.

His eyes, sharp as Hawk Eyes, swept across the clan's younger members.

Just as Kaze had expected, after such an impressive record—

Most of the other clansmen had lost their nerve.

A few even deliberately looked away, avoiding eye contact with Kaze.

"Itachi..."

At that moment, Shisui rose from his round mat.

But he was not about to challenge Kaze.

Instead, in front of everyone, he walked straight toward Itachi, gently rubbing his back and checking on his condition.

At the same time, Shisui could not help wondering to himself.

Earlier that evening at the training ground, he had exchanged blows with Kaze.

In the first stage, he had used shuriken to test Kaze's Taijutsu.

The second stage had been a contest of Genjutsu.

Without using Kotoamatsukami, he and Kaze had been roughly evenly matched.

Both had broken the other's Genjutsu immediately.

And Itachi's Genjutsu had been cultivated by Shisui himself.

Whenever they had the chance, they would spar with each other.

In his view, Kaze's Genjutsu should have been on par with Itachi's.

"I'm fine, Brother Shisui..."

Itachi panted heavily and shook his head slightly. With Shisui supporting him, he slumped straight down onto the ground.

"Kaze's Genjutsu is indeed powerful."

Itachi gave his assessment before everyone.

"Mm."

Shisui nodded, fully agreeing with Itachi's opinion.

It seems the position of Vice-Captain of the Security Force can only go to Kaze...

Shisui crouched beside Itachi, but his gaze was fixed on Kaze.

When Itachi had stood up to challenge Kaze just now, Shisui had actually hoped Itachi would defeat him.

And stop Kaze's ambitions.

Because when Fugaku had announced the news, Kaze's expression had remained calm without the slightest ripple.

He had clearly known Fugaku's arrangement beforehand.

And after crossing hands with Kaze, the last thing Shisui wanted to see was Kaze joining forces with the Uchiha Hawk Faction.

If Itachi could stop Kaze, that would undoubtedly be the best outcome.

But instead...

Not only had Itachi failed to stop Kaze, he had become a stepping stone for him.

Allowing Kaze to prove his strength before everyone!

Coupled with the Uchiha Clan's nature, where most believed strength was supreme—

Quite a few people had probably already acknowledged Kaze in their hearts.

Eyes narrowed, Shisui fell silent.

Still, Shisui had no intention of challenging Kaze.

Without using Kotoamatsukami or Susanoo, defeating Kaze was basically a fool's dream.

But if he revealed Kotoamatsukami and Susanoo before the clansmen—

It would only make their desire for a coup even firmer!

Based on various reasons, he had become someone who absolutely could not make a move.

This Clan Meeting had already allowed Kaze to seize the initiative without anyone noticing!

"It seems..."

"Everyone has no objections to me becoming Vice-Captain of the Security Force."

Only after the crowd's voices gradually died down did Kaze speak leisurely.

He settled the matter of his promotion once and for all.

Everything was proceeding in the direction he had expected.

"Kaze..."

At the same time, Fugaku, who stood not far from Kaze, scrutinized him with his arms crossed.

It was not as though he did not know Kaze was powerful.

After all, Kaze had instantly defeated Aburame Ryoma.

But Fugaku had never dreamed that Kaze would be this powerful!

If someone had told him three minutes ago that Kaze's Genjutsu could defeat Itachi—

He would never have believed it.

Because as Itachi's father, throughout the entire Uchiha Compound...

No!

To be precise, throughout all of Konoha, throughout the entire Shinobi World—

No one understood Itachi's talent better than he did.

Even if Shisui was currently famous far and wide.

So long as Itachi was given enough time, he would definitely surpass Shisui.

Perhaps even...

Surpass Madara Uchiha!

Itachi awakening the Mangekyō Sharingan is only a matter of time.

In the future, he will take over the Uchiha Clan from me and become the new Clan Head.

He will restore the Uchiha Clan's prestige.

Fugaku's emotions churned like Stormy Waves.

He simply could not accept that Kaze's talent might be greater than Itachi's.

"No..."

Very soon, Fugaku seemed to realize something.

"I understand."

"It isn't that Kaze's Genjutsu is stronger than Itachi's."

"Rather, battles between ninja are often contests of intelligence."

"Neither Itachi nor I knew beforehand that Kaze had awakened the Sharingan."

"Nor did we know that he was proficient in Genjutsu."

"That was why Kaze found an opening."

"He pulled Itachi into the Genjutsu World he had created one step ahead of him."

Fugaku's mind raced wildly.

He analyzed the reason for Itachi Uchiha's defeat.

"That must be it."

"If Itachi had known beforehand that Kaze was proficient in Genjutsu."

"He definitely would not have ended up so badly."

If Itachi fought Kaze again...

The winner might not be Kaze!