"Mr. Fugaku, you're too kind. As Itachi's teacher, there are still things I haven't done well enough. I hope you can forgive me."
Although an uneasy feeling had risen in his heart, Chiba spoke without hesitation.
The moment he opened his mouth, he first asked for forgiveness.
After all, over the past few days, he had barely spent any time with Itachi. He had either left him with Yukina or Hirohiko, without fulfilling even the slightest responsibility as a teacher.
Though Uchiha Fugaku had spoken politely, there was no guarantee he had not come to hold him accountable.
Chiba was not naive enough to think he could hide such a matter from the head of a great clan.
Nor was he naive enough to let Uchiha Fugaku catch him by the tongue from the very beginning. Although Uchiha Fugaku and the Fourth Hokage had reached some sort of tacit understanding, that did not mean Uchiha Fugaku would let everything slide.
Moreover, taking Itachi as his disciple had originally been a condition put forward by Uchiha Fugaku's side in that tacit agreement. If Uchiha Fugaku learned of this, he would have every reason and possibility to come and demand an explanation.
Since he had stepped into the political sphere, Chiba had to proceed carefully.
Even if Uchiha Fugaku had no such intentions, he still had to be on guard.
One must not harbor the heart to harm others, but neither could one be without the heart to guard against them!
"No, regarding the past few days, Deputy Chiba, please do not blame yourself. We, as well as Itachi, understand how hard you have been working and how busy you are. We have no objections whatsoever. On the contrary, we are deeply grateful that you have done this. Your sense of responsibility