Fugaku's Fatherly Love is Like a Mountain and Ino-Shika-Cho

Danzo glanced at the clan heads, scoffing almost imperceptibly through his nostrils, feeling smug. These clan heads, he thought, merely held their positions. Shikaku Nara was called the strategist, but he was nothing special. To "turn the tide," it had to be Danzo.

He was confident that his analysis would convince them all, and once his plan proved effective, he would be the one calling the shots on the eastern front.

At this moment, Danzo shared the same thought as Hiruzen Sarutobi, Utatane Koharu, and Mitokado Homura – Uchiha Kin absolutely could not be transferred to the eastern front. However, Danzo had a further plan: while Uchiha Kin's people couldn't come, his "brain" should be brought over when the time was right.

Danzo nodded. "This matter, I shall handle it!" He had already savored the exhilarating feeling of orchestrating events on a grand scale, making enemies dance to his tune. He eagerly anticipated the sensation of independently managing this situation, making the ninja world's affairs revolve around his will.

A true man... should be like this!

This feeling of "effortlessly controlling everything" was like a drug, addicting Danzo, who already practiced self-denial and austerity.

After speaking, Danzo left with his subordinates. Shikaku Nara took out a cigarette and a lighter, flicking it on. Feeling it might not be appropriate to smoke in the command post, he walked outside.

Inoichi Yamanaka also followed him out of the tent.

Choza Akimichi looked around in a daze and said, "Wait for me," before also running out.

Fugaku, Hiashi, and the others chuckled. The Ino-Shika-Cho clans had always been like this; they were all accustomed to it. They had seen this scene countless times – Inoichi Yamanaka, Shikaku Nara, and Choza Akimichi, who even went to the restroom together.

With a little free time, Fugaku turned around and looked down at a small child. The child wasn't even as tall as the table; the discussion earlier had completely obscured him.

This small child was his son, Itachi Uchiha.

He had high hopes for his son, bringing him to the battlefield last year when Itachi was only four years old.

Fugaku's public explanation was "to let Itachi witness the cruelty of war," but in reality, it was a helpless measure. He was on the battlefield, and his wife was also on the battlefield. The fierce fighting had sent everyone capable of fighting, including children, to the front lines.

Fugaku had only two options for Itachi: first, have clan members look after him... but in a situation like Kikyo Castle, it was like a thin membrane, ready to break at any moment.

And within Konoha, besides the Hokage and the two advisors, there were no remaining ninja who could fight. The Uchiha Clan was the same; anyone capable of fighting, even those just learning to throw kunai at the academy, had been sent to the battlefield.

Therefore, Fugaku and Mikoto had no choice but to choose the "second" option...

Mikoto brought their four-year-old child to the battlefield, letting him stay by his father's side. After all, as the "commander" of the eastern front, Fugaku spent most of his time directing battles, making it relatively safe. Mikoto, on the other hand, had to engage in combat.

Ultimately, it was about placing their child in the safest possible environment.

Looking back from a "later generation" perspective, this might seem overly cautious, as Konoha remained peaceful, Kikyo Castle didn't fall, and the Sand Ninja didn't invade. But at that moment, no one could predict such a future.

However, Fugaku couldn't voice such selfish thoughts – which family didn't have children?

So, he could only say it was to witness the cruelty of war.

Fugaku kept Itachi by his side, explaining everything to him in meticulous detail, wishing he could impart all his knowledge.

Just like now, with the meeting over and some free time, he began to educate Itachi, asking him how much of the meeting he understood, what parts were unclear, and what his thoughts were. After Itachi spoke, Fugaku would supplement, analyze, and explain it to his child in simple terms. It was hard to say he was an unqualified father, as he was very qualified at this moment.

Hiashi watched silently, as he had little to say to the Uchiha. However, he highly approved of Fugaku's educational methods.

Teaching by example, leading by doing, and discussing with his son without the clear hierarchy or the imposing authority of a father.

He thought: I must learn this method well. When I have children in the future...

The Ino-Shika-Cho trio found a relatively secluded spot and sat down casually. Shikaku Nara said, "Inoichi, why didn't you let me speak earlier? Danzo... what nonsense was he analyzing? Was it even correct?"

"But what good would it do if you spoke? If he succeeds, you'll seem petty. If he fails, he'll resent you.

"Shikaku, I understand Danzo better than you do!" Inoichi Yamanaka exhaled a smoke ring, appearing extremely languid.

Shikaku Nara blinked and took a deep drag of his cigarette... Inoichi Yamanaka's words were indeed irrefutable, because they were the truth.

Ever since Danzo took over the ANBU training base and, through his stinginess, built up the Root organization, the Yamanaka and Aburame clans had placed their bets. Root was essentially founded by Danzo, a lone wolf, and the Yamanaka and Aburame clans.

In a few more years, when Danzo grew old and infirm, Root would naturally become the private domain of the Yamanaka and Aburame clans.

Choza Akimichi pulled out a wild boar leg from his person, gnawing on it and mumbling, "What's that old geezer Danzo after?

"His clan? They all died in the Second Shinobi World War. He never married, has no descendants, just a lonely old man, and yet he stirs up so much trouble..."

Inoichi Yamanaka said, "Hmph, doesn't he still have ideals and obsessions?" He thought to himself, If he didn't stir things up and wasn't after something, how would our clans benefit?

As for how Danzo's initial bit of unwillingness transformed into an obsession, driving him to work so hard now... Inoichi Yamanaka didn't elaborate.

When it came to psychological and behavioral matters, the Yamanaka clan was undeniably the pinnacle of the ninja world.

Shikaku Nara smiled, not exposing his old friend's secrets. They had that level of unspoken understanding.

In the sprawling forest, a tall, sturdy figure ran swiftly, then suddenly stopped. A person stood on a large tree ahead; more accurately, a youth. The youth's hair was tied up like a pineapple, he had single eyelids, and he was holding onto the tree trunk with one hand, watching the figure.

"Suikazan Fuguki?" he uttered the name of the burly man, as the man's features were too distinctive.

A height of nearly two and a half meters, coupled with the Mist Ninja headband, orange hair, and the great sword named Samehada on his back.

It was impossible to mistake him!

And this youth was none other than the "brain's" clone that Danzo had been longing for – Nara Tama. He had truly arrived, just in a way Danzo could never have imagined!