Uchiha Fugaku's Excitement and Distress

Just how strong is Orochimaru?

He fought through the entirety of two Great Ninja Wars.

He commanded the Konoha shinobi forces in grueling battles against the four other Great Ninja Villages, and he has clashed with powerhouses like the Kazekage, Tsuchikage, Raikage, Mizukage, and Hanzō.

Eighty percent of Konoha's jōnin served under Orochimaru at some point, winning wars under his command and earning the merits required for their promotion.

His former subordinates are scattered throughout every department in Konoha, effectively holding the real power within the village.

Yamanaka Chujiu laughed, "It's decided. I'll become Orochimaru-sensei's student, and then I'll convince him to become the Fifth Hokage!"

"Once that step is finished, I won't have to do anything else."

"Haha, I'm such a genius!"

Uchiha Shisui carried Itachi back to the clan compound and informed Uchiha Mikoto that Itachi was suffering from a mental illness.

Upon hearing this, Uchiha Mikoto was shocked, her mind immediately flashing back to his deployment to the battlefield last year.

She suppressed her fury to settle her eldest son into bed, then marched off in a rage to settle the score with her husband.

"Fugaku, did you know that Itachi's mental state has deteriorated?"

Uchiha Fugaku's mind had been entirely occupied by the forced relocation, but he was startled by his wife's words, followed by an indignant demand: "Who is cursing my son?"

Mikoto replied, "Shisui told me, and the diagnosis came from a ninja of the Yamanaka Clan!"

"I told you Itachi was too young for the battlefield, but you refused to listen!"

"Now look at this—my son's mind is broken. What is to become of his future?"

Hearing that the diagnosis came from a Yamanaka Clan ninja, Uchiha Fugaku's anger flickered out.

With a livid expression, he questioned Shisui about which ninja had made the diagnosis and what the specific situation was.

Aside from the name Yamanaka Chujiu, Uchiha Shisui held nothing back, pouring out all the information regarding the Execution Line.

From Shisui's retelling, Uchiha Fugaku gleaned even deeper insights.

For instance, upon hearing that "Hiruzen Sarutobi and the Sarutobi Clan are not the same thing," Fugaku felt as if he had been struck by lightning; many problems that had seemed unsolvable suddenly revealed new paths for resolution.

Hearing that "the Third Hokage is not Shimura Danzō" and "Root never represents the Hokage" hit him like a thunderclap.

From these two statements, he grasped the principle that "the Third Hokage cannot fully represent Konoha," and he was deeply shaken.

It was as if a nearsighted person had put on glasses for the first time—the entire world suddenly became clear.

It turned out that the wrong choices he had been forced to make in the past weren't truly his only options; he simply hadn't found the right way to solve them.

Fugaku vaguely sensed that as long as he understood the logic behind these words, a solution to the Uchiha Clan's crisis could surely be found.

The more he thought about it, the more reliable it seemed, and the more excited he became. He completely forgot about his son's illness, standing up and pacing around the room.

Suddenly, Uchiha Fugaku stopped and stared at Shisui, asking, "Who is the person who told you these things?"

"I must visit him personally and ask for his guidance on how to save the Uchiha..."

Seeing the clan head's urgency, Uchiha Shisui opened his mouth to say the name Yamanaka Chujiu, but found he couldn't get the words out.

Yamanaka Chujiu was not a rigid man.

He restricted himself from harming kind people and refused to recklessly alter the perceptions of good men, but he had set exceptions for himself.

That is, if his own safety were ever threatened, all previous self-imposed restrictions would be voided; after all, the original purpose of those restrictions was to protect himself.

To risk his own life for the sake of some self-imposed rule would be putting the cart before the horse!

Therefore, Yamanaka Chujiu had indeed acted against Uchiha Shisui, placing two very restrained locks on his desire to speak.

Whenever the conversation touched upon Yamanaka Chujiu, it would forcibly interrupt Shisui's train of thought, compelling him to reconsider before speaking, rather than blurting everything out in a fit of excitement.

Saving the Uchiha did not mean sacrificing himself!

Due to the constraints of the mental lock, Uchiha Shisui did not blurt out Yamanaka Chujiu's name, but instead relayed Chujiu's promise to Uchiha Fugaku.

Uchiha Fugaku understood immediately: the man truly wanted to help the Uchiha, but did not want to take risks for it, which was why he was relaying information indirectly through Shisui.

Uchiha Fugaku agreed without hesitation and promised that he would accept further indirect communication through Shisui and Itachi in the future.

Only after the important matters were settled did Fugaku carefully ask about Itachi's condition, soon regretting his actions: "I am truly an incompetent father."

Shisui comforted him, "Clan Head, do not worry. If Senior Yamanaka Chujiu could diagnose it, he must be able to treat it as well."

Fugaku's eyes lit up: "You're right, Shisui! The Yamanaka Clan must be able to cure him!"

Uchiha Mikoto was overjoyed: "That's wonderful! I will go visit Yamanaka Inoichi tomorrow and beg Yamanaka Chujiu to treat Itachi."

Uchiha Fugaku, in his excitement, blurted out: "I will go with you. We must show sincerity when asking for help."

Uchiha Itachi was the eldest son in whom he had placed his highest hopes, his proudest child.

It was his own foolishness that had brought the boy to the battlefield and caused this grave illness; naturally, he had to do his utmost to make amends.

Uchiha Shisui advised against it: "Clan Head Fugaku, I think it would be better if you did not go."

Fugaku understood Shisui's meaning in an instant, realizing he had let his excitement get the better of him.

Currently, the Uchiha Clan is carrying the blame, the suspicion of controlling the Nine-Tails is difficult to wash away, and they are being forced by Hiruzen Sarutobi to relocate; it is truly not suitable to visit the Yamanaka Clan in person.

Furthermore, he had just promised to communicate with Yamanaka Chujiu indirectly; if he were to show up at their doorstep himself, wouldn't that be going back on his word?

Having Uchiha Mikoto take Uchiha Itachi to seek medical treatment is the most appropriate choice.

Not only can it demonstrate how much they, as parents, value their child, but Yamanaka Inoichi and Yamanaka Chujiu will not refuse to meet them because of it.

Uchiha Fugaku let out a deep sigh: "In that case, I will not go."

"Shisui, I entrust you to accompany Mikoto, and please bring my gifts along."

"Please rest assured, Clan Head Fugaku, I will protect Aunt Mikoto and little brother Itachi well!"

In the blink of an eye, Uchiha Fugaku became excited again and shouted toward the door: "Someone come here!"

Uchiha Tekka appeared before the door: "Clan Head!"

Fugaku took out his formal attire to put on, while instructing: "Notify the four elders to gather in the conference room; I have matters to discuss with them."

"Yes, Clan Head."

After receiving the order, Tekka vanished in an instant.

Uchiha Mikoto frowned and said: "It is already dark, and you still have to go to a meeting?"

Fugaku replied excitedly: "The words Shisui relayed to me have given me a brand new perspective on the situation; there is hope for resolving the Uchiha's predicament."

"I must seize the moment while the inspiration is still fresh and hurry to discuss a concrete plan with the elders. We must come up with a specific strategy tonight to thoroughly resolve our Uchiha troubles."

Having said that, he hurried out of the house.