A Heart-to-Heart with Fugaku, Preventing Tragedy

Early the next morning, the sky had only just begun to brighten.

The window on the second floor of the izakaya, facing the alley, opened.

A head poked out from inside, and a scarlet gleam flashed past.

Then he jumped from the window and landed steadily on the ground.

"Why call her Tsunade? Just call her a juicer instead. My poor back..."

The one who jumped down was none other than Chiyo Uchiha.

He walked while straightening his clothes.

Before long, he saw someone approaching from the other direction.

"Chi... Clan Leader?"

Hearing the familiar voice, Chiyo looked up.

The newcomer was his cousin, Fugaku Uchiha.

Dressed in a neat outfit, he was clearly on patrol duty.

At the moment, he was staring at Chiyo with a surprised expression.

"Why call me Clan Leader? Cousin, you're my beloved family!"

A gentle smile appeared on Chiyo's face as he walked over and slung an arm around Fugaku's shoulders.

"Cousin, what do you think of the recent Uchiha reforms?"

Fugaku was startled by the question, and his expression grew more serious.

"I think they're quite good. They've made the proud Uchiha seem somewhat more approachable."

Chiyo looked at Fugaku's profile and could tell that he was not lying.

It seemed the reforms were having an effect!

"Chiyo, what were you doing last night?"

Fugaku turned toward him, confusion appearing on his serious face.

"I was striving for the stable development of the Uchiha and Senju Clans."

"?"

Fugaku's expression froze. What did that mean?

Before he could ask again, Chiyo spoke first.

"Cousin, within our clan.

There are still some clan members who hold prejudice toward the Senju Clan. That's an objective fact, and you can't deny it, right?"

Fugaku nodded at that.

"Yes, there are indeed people like that."

"This is no longer the era of ninja clans. This is the era of villages, an era of alliances among many clans. Am I right?"

Fugaku sighed, looking both moved and impressed.

"Of course! Just as you said, Chiyo, even the once-powerful Uzumaki Clan was ultimately destroyed.

If we Uchiha were to leave Konoha, the major villages would surely covet our Kekkei Genkai.

Our clan's strength is not far behind that of the Uzumaki Clan. If the Uzumaki Clan was destroyed, then we Uchiha would not escape the same fate."

"The times truly have changed."

Chiyo released the arm around Fugaku's shoulders and patted him on the shoulder.

"That's why, cousin!

What we Uchiha need to do is firmly unite beneath the great tree that is Konoha. Konoha was created through the support of all the major clans, and naturally, we are no exception."

Fugaku lowered his gaze, a trace of worry appearing in his eyes.

"But..."

"Cousin, we're brothers. Just say it!"

Fugaku gave Chiyo a complicated look.

"I'm afraid that some people in Konoha will reject us... that they'll make trouble for us behind the scenes!"

Chiyo smiled.

"You're right, cousin. It won't be easy for the Uchiha to enter Konoha's core.

And it isn't just the Uchiha. Even those already at Konoha's core will scrutinize us. But in the end, those are only minor problems.

Conflict exists everywhere."

"Conflict?"

Fugaku was taken aback.

"Uh, simply put, it means struggle!"

Understanding flashed through Fugaku's eyes.

"As long as they act according to the rules, we can act according to the rules as well.

Of course, aside from the rules, there are also principles and bottom lines recognized by all sides."

"Chiyo, I don't understand again!"

Fugaku's face was full of wry helplessness.

Whenever he spoke with his cousin, Chiyo always came up with some new term.

Chiyo paused.

"Forget it, cousin! I won't say anything else.

What I mean is that I want to unite the Uchiha. Internally, we must stand together like an iron wall. Externally, we must maintain good relations with the Senju Clan and the other clans. At the very least, we must not be hostile toward one another!"

Fugaku lowered his head in thought.

Thinking of the clan's internal situation, he sighed.

"I'm afraid none of that will be easy."

"It's precisely because it isn't easy that it needs to be done!"

"If you don't do it and I don't do it, are we supposed to leave these problems for future generations of Uchiha to solve?

Trust in the wisdom of our descendants? Forget it!

Once the problems pile up, it'll be too late to turn things around. In the end, the Uchiha will probably be destroyed!"

Chiyo spread his hands and turned to walk ahead.

"Cousin, have you eaten? Want to get some breakfast?"

Without realizing it, Chiyo and Fugaku had arrived at a food street.

The scents of rice, grilled fish, and other foods filled the entire street.

"I'm still on duty... You go ahead and eat!"

Fugaku shook his head firmly, as rigid and proper as ever.

Chiyo did not insist.

His cousin had always been so "upright" since childhood.

"Cousin, I'll be going then!"

After saying that, Chiyo used the Body Flicker Technique and headed straight for a restaurant.

Fugaku watched Chiyo's retreating figure, his feelings extremely complicated.

How did his cousin have so many twists and turns in his mind?

Even the clan's older elders could not compare to his political wisdom and insight.

That cautious cousin from back then had now been chosen by the clan as the new Uchiha Clan Head!

Perhaps that was what it meant to have everyone's support.

For a moment, Fugaku felt that

Chiyo Uchiha was someone who could truly lead the Uchiha out of their predicament and restore their former glory!

Fugaku took a deep breath, then turned and left with determination.

"Boss, one serving of rice, a bowl of miso soup, and a grilled fish!"

Chiyo Uchiha entered a restaurant.

He found a seat by the window, sat down, and called inside while looking over the menu on the table.

Before long, steaming miso soup, grilled fish, a bowl of rice, and soy sauce were brought over.

He leisurely picked up a piece of fish, dipped it in soy sauce, and put it into his mouth, enjoying this rare moment of leisure.

Just then.

"Boss, the usual."

"Yes, sir! It'll be ready right away!"

Then a silver white figure appeared across from Chiyo.

"Do you mind if I sit here?"

Chiyo looked up and saw Hatake Sakumo's gentle, smiling face.

He wore the standard Konoha jonin vest. His short silver white hair faintly gleamed in the morning light, and there was a hint of appreciation and curiosity in his eyes.

"Of course not."

Chiyo smiled faintly.

"You're out early, Senior?"

"I'm used to it."

Sakumo accepted the hot tea handed over by the owner and took a light sip.

"The war has just ended, and the village's mission deployment hasn't fully recovered yet. It's rare to have some free time, so I came out for breakfast."

Chiyo nodded and continued eating.

The two ate quietly for a while before Sakumo suddenly spoke.

"I heard about the Uchiha matters recently. Does the village need me to help with anything?"

The Uchiha matters?

Help?

Chiyo was startled and looked up at Hatake Sakumo.

"Are you referring to Elder Uchiha Sanma?"

Sakumo habitually looked around warily before nodding.

"I appreciate your kindness, Senior, but what I want in this matter is fairness, impartiality, and openness!

It might not look good on the surface, but it can serve as a warning to certain people in the clan!"

"Like they say, only when the alarm bell keeps ringing can people remain vigilant!"

"An alarm bell that keeps ringing?"

Upon hearing the phrase, Sakumo quickly understood what Chiyo meant.

A trace of approval flashed through his eyes.

"You've got guts, kid! But this won't be an easy road."

"I know."

Chiyo smiled.

"But someone has to take the first step."

Sakumo fell silent for a moment, then suddenly extended his hand.

"If you need help, you can come find me."

Chiyo was briefly stunned, then a smile appeared on his face.

He reached out and shook Sakumo's hand.

"Then thank you in advance, Senior."

Chiyo looked at Hatake Sakumo. He really was a good man!

Who would have thought

that such a tall, resolute ninja would be blamed by the people of the village for abandoning a mission to save his companions?

In the end, even the companions he had saved turned around and condemned him. Unable to endure everyone's ostracism, he ultimately committed suicide.

Life was truly unpredictable!

But since Chiyo was here,

stopping a suicide would be easy, wouldn't it?

[Mission Triggered: Prevent Hatake Sakumo's suicide. Reward: High-Speed Body Flicker Technique and Master Swordsmanship. (Exclusive to Hatake Sakumo)]