Uchiha

Clack.

The water-filled bamboo tube in the courtyard lost its balance, tipped over and poured out its water, then snapped back against the stone, producing a striking sound that seemed to express Zen amid the tranquil courtyard.

Itachi quietly watched the courtyard before him. Not long afterward, Fugaku arrived and silently looked at him.

Itachi always seemed to have something on his mind. As his father, Fugaku had no idea what his eldest son thought about all day. But growing up always came with troubles. His child was so outstanding and mature for his age; it was only natural for him to have thoughts of his own.

Fugaku had always been proud to have such an exceptional son.

"Dad."

Itachi rose to his feet, turned around, and looked at the arriving Fugaku.

"Get ready," Fugaku said almost expressionlessly. "An important guest is coming."

"An important guest?"

"Lord Fifth."

Itachi nodded silently.

His father turned and left.

He went to his room and changed into more formal clothes.

His mind could not help but turn to the matter of the Hokage's succession.

The Fourth Hokage had not held the position for long before dying in the recent Nine-Tails' Rampage, followed by the appointment of the Fifth Hokage.

In this cruel world, even the Hokage could die just like that.

Why did there have to be war? Why did there have to be all this chaos?

Could this world not be at peace?

Itachi soon thought of two years ago, when his father had taken him to the battlefield.

He had stared blankly at the countless corpses, at so much death.

Yes, death.

No one wanted to die. He had once jumped off a cliff, yet fought desperately to save himself at the last moment, confirming that fact.

No one wanted to die, yet war, slaughter, and conflict constantly trampled upon every life that did not wish to die.

That was this world.

Dressed formally, Itachi quietly walked toward the Guest Room where the visitor was being received.

There, he saw his father and mother speaking with someone. He silently sat beside his father. Across from him was another child, somewhat older than he was, who pushed up his glasses and observed him.

Itachi seemed completely unaware, still immersed in his thoughts.

Kabuto frowned.

His first impression of the Uchiha Clan's eldest young master was, honestly, that he found him rather irritating.

That arrogant attitude of looking down on everyone.

Still, irritating as he was, Kabuto did not voice his displeasure. After all, they would be fellow disciples in the future. It was only right to maintain a good relationship.

On the other side, even Fugaku, known for his composure, could not help but brighten with delight.

"You mean it?!"

He truly found it hard to believe and could not help feeling doubtful. But when he considered that Lord Orochimaru was unlike those old stubborn conservatives in the village, perhaps this really was a young and capable new Hokage who had come with goodwill, intent on bringing a different new face to the village!

If it was true, then they had to seize this opportunity. After all...

"Fugaku, I have always believed that the Uchiha Clan is an indispensable part of the village."

Fugaku nodded repeatedly, practically blurting out agreement after agreement.

"After the Night of the Nine-Tails, the village must be stabilized. Are you willing to lead the Uchiha Clan and join hands with me to stabilize Konoha's situation?"

"With such sincerity from Lord Fifth, I and the Uchiha Clan will certainly not disappoint you!" Fugaku was being extraordinarily polite at this moment, his eyes filled with anticipation.

"Since you and the Uchiha Clan under your leadership possess such resolve, I should naturally strengthen the Uchiha Clan's ties with the village. To that end, taking your eldest son as my disciple is only proper."

"Itachi! Hurry and greet your teacher!!!"

Itachi looked at his unusually flustered father in surprise, but he did not hesitate. He swiftly bent in a bow.

"Teacher."

"Itachi, I look forward to your guidance from now on."

"And I look forward to yours as well."

The smile on Fugaku's face was nearly twisting out of control.

After all, becoming the Hokage's disciple...

That was a ticket to becoming Hokage!

It had been the Uchiha Clan's long-held wish ever since they had founded Konoha alongside the Senju.

And with Itachi's excellence, Fugaku felt that no matter how he looked at it, the future Sixth Hokage would inevitably belong to the Uchiha!

However, after being excited for a while, Fugaku eventually calmed down and asked with some concern, "Lord Fifth, what about the Hokage Advisors?"

"My teacher supports it."

Fugaku immediately felt reassured.

Lord Third supported it, and with Lord Orochimaru as the Fifth Hokage, the matter was basically settled.

"I have also persuaded the elders Utatane and Mitokado."

As for Danzo? Orochimaru said nothing.

Nor did Fugaku ask.

Of course, he knew that Danzo had always regarded the Uchiha as a thorn in his side. But Danzo's opinion was no longer so important. With the Third Hokage, the Fifth Hokage, and the two Hokage Advisors all in support, the Uchiha's difficult position could finally come to a stable resolution.

"Oh, right, Fugaku." As though recalling something, Orochimaru mentioned, "The Sharingan pattern in the Nine-Tails' eyes must be explained."

"This..." Fugaku found himself at a loss over how to explain it.

"Do not worry. There were traces of Wood Release that night."

"Wood Release!" The Uchiha were startled.

Just as the Uchiha could not forget the glory of the Mangekyō Sharingan, neither could they forget the glory of Wood Release.

It was a power even stronger than the Uchiha's greatest power—a power capable of suppressing it!

"And Danzo has been researching Wood Release."

"You mean Danzo?"

"No."

Orochimaru shook his head. "The power of Wood Release belongs to someone else. Combined with the power of the Sharingan, among Konoha's hidden enemies, there exists someone with Wood Release and, quite possibly, the power of the Mangekyō Sharingan."

Fugaku grew solemn.

He, too, broke into a cold sweat over the village's situation.

There was actually such an enemy.

"We do not know who these enemies are. But what we do know is that Danzo is researching Wood Release, while also researching your Sharingan."

Fugaku was not surprised by this in the slightest.

"So, after discussing it with my teacher, we decided to release the information that all of this was caused by Danzo. He secretly abducted an Uchiha and used that Uchiha for Wood Release research. As a result, that Uchiha gained Wood Release, awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan as well, and came to hate Konoha because of what he suffered."

"This..."

"Fugaku, what do you think of this 'truth'?"

"...Thank you and Lord Third for your efforts."

Fugaku bowed gratefully.

But then...

"Danzo really does possess the power of Wood Release."

"What?!"

"Of course, that Wood Release power is still young, nowhere near capable of fighting the Fourth Hokage. That Wood Release Ninja had originally fallen into my hands, but in order to persuade Elder Utatane and Elder Mitokado to support all this, I had the Wood Release Ninja become a Konoha ninja."

Fugaku bowed once more.

"We Uchiha will certainly give Lord Fifth our full support!"