Fugaku: Sometimes, You Have to Become Dumber!

"A descendant of Kagami Uchiha?"

Jiraiya was taken aback.

Kagami Uchiha.

They had mentioned this name before, and he had thought to himself with a touch of nostalgia—

If Kagami Uchiha were still alive, perhaps the relationship between the Uchiha and Konoha wouldn't be so strained now.

Unexpected.

This elder even has a grandson still alive.

He was somewhat surprised, then sighed, "Grandson... a new generation replaces the old, and before we know it, another era has changed!"

"Idiot."

Orochimaru chuckled.

Jiraiya flew into a rage. "What are you stupid about? I've been putting up with you for too long!"

"Shouldn't you have known sooner that times have changed? In the past, everyone called them the Sannin; now, everyone fears Kyohiko and Minato."

Orochimaru sneered, "You still think you're young?"

Jiraiya opened his mouth, but immediately fell silent.

Yes!

He is no longer young.

The Teacher is getting old.

An era has long since changed without our realizing it.

He remained silent, then sighed and silently took a sip of wine.

Orochimaru's lips curled into a slight smile.

"So, join my plan. Although you're a complete idiot, you're good at making me happy. If I could live forever with you, I wouldn't be lonely."

"Immortality? Hahaha, I, Jiraiya the Toad Sage, have never pursued anything like immortality!"

Jiraiya laughed loudly, "Spirit! What I pursue is the continuation of spirit, the inheritance of will. Alas, someone like you will never understand!"

Laughter echoed through the silent, chilly woods.

Until late at night.

"You guys went drinking without me? I had to find the Anbu!"

"You're busy."

"Then why don't you come over and help me with the paperwork?"

A series of noises broke out.

At that moment, Orochimaru looked dazed.

He felt...

For a fleeting moment, it felt like we were back in the days when we were all studying under Hiruzen Sarutobi, a time when we had fewer ambitions and worries, and all we wanted was to become stronger.

"Ouch!"

Didn't you have a great time drinking last night?

Inside the house, a Shizune, dissatisfied voice could be heard.

Tsunade chuckled, "Shizune, we've finally managed to have a good time, so of course we should drink to our hearts' content! Ah, it's been so long since we've all gotten together, it's really great to have this get-together!"

Shizune came out carrying some things, and when she saw Kyohiko, she immediately made a "shh" gesture.

Come closer.

She then said, "Lady Tsunade isn't fully awake yet, let her sleep a little longer."

"Haha, Shizune, thanks to you, otherwise Tsunade wouldn't be able to work and slack off so peacefully."

Kyohiko said with a smile.

Shizune sighed, glanced back, and said, "Since we didn't go back to Konoha, Lady Tsunade has been traveling around, but she wasn't happy at all. She seemed more energetic after returning to Konoha, but she's very tired and busy... I really don't know what to say."

"That's the trouble of big shots."

Kyohiko smiled and touched her hair.

Shizune shrugged and dodged to the side.

She pursed her lips.

"We're the same age, but you talk as if you're much older than me."

"Of course, I'm the Anbu Captain, a big shot for a reason."

Kyohiko smiled.

He was about to speak again when Tsunade's voice came from inside.

"Stop Shizune, or I'll make things difficult for you if you push me too far."

Tsunade, with her upright posture and wearing simple pajamas, walked out of the house and headed straight for the washroom.

"Lady Tsunade, how... how could you come out so casually and without any manners!"

"What does it matter? We're all on the same side. By the way, Kyohiko, let's talk about yesterday's matter later. Also, shouldn't we put the matter with Kumogakure on the agenda?"

"No rush yet."

Kyohiko smiled.

The more anxious they are, the more the Kumogakure will feel they need their help, and then they will slowly raise their price.

This has always been the case in Kumogakure.

so.

"Not only should we not rush things, but we also need to let them cool off for a while, allowing our Land of Fire merchants to reduce their trips there, and then let them experience the inconvenience caused by the decline in trade."

"Hmm, you can see for yourself."

Tsunade's mouth was full of Utakata, followed by the "hoarse" sound of rinsing her mouth.

The Third Raikage was indeed waiting for Konoha to come knocking on his door.

but.

Instead of Konoha coming to his door, he was met by people from Konoha who were there to hand over the Konoha, sign compensation and apology agreements.

Jiraiya?

The Third Raikage was somewhat surprised and said, "I didn't expect it to be you. I remember you were guarding against Ōnoki in the north, right?"

"Konoha and Iwagakure have always been on good terms, so there's no need to be on guard. I'm just in the north gathering material and writing a book."

Jiraiya chuckled.

Ai paused for a second, then couldn't help but ask, "Write a book? You?"

"What? Doesn't it look like it?"

Jiraiya looked smug.

Ai's expression was strange as she said, "It's not the kind of movie only adults can watch, is it?"

"That's art! What do you know, kid?"

Jiraiya glanced around, then walked towards the Third Raikage. "Alright, sign what needs to be signed, write what needs to be written. The compensation has already been paid. Lord Raikage, we'll still be friends and allies from now on."

"Yes, still allies."

The Third Raikage smiled.

Send Jiraiya over...

Really!

Konoha hopes to increase trade with the Land of Lightning and gain more benefits from Land of Lightning. They are unlikely to fall out with the Kumogakure; it's just a minor friction.

We endured the Tailed Beast of yesteryear, so what's this one?

The Third Raikage was relieved.

After completing the process, he said with a smile, "You mentioned business dealings earlier, and we've thought about it for a long time, but we don't really understand this stuff either. Perhaps you could send someone to give us some guidance?"

"What business dealings? I don't know. All I know is that after we sign the agreement, we can send you out of the country. After all, your lingering in Konoha for too long has a negative impact on the Konoha."

Jiraiya ignored him.

The Third Raikage was dumbfounded.

He looked at his assistant and Ai beside him, both of them completely confused.

"No..."

Ai stepped forward, but for a moment didn't know what to say.

Konoha...

There wasn't any explicit instruction, just that they should repair the roads and improve the country's infrastructure, as it was very inconvenient for them to trade with the Land of Lightning.

It's like a grumble.

only--

Normally, such a question shouldn't be raised by Konoha during such an important meeting; it should be brought up by a few businessmen or family representatives.

Or is it...?

Konoha places great importance on the Nara Clan and Yamanaka Clan; is this a way of indirectly winning them over?

Until they were deported.

The group fell silent, completely baffled as to what Konoha's purpose was.

The Third Raikage took a deep breath. "Don't follow their lead."

"Lord Raikage, what do you mean?"

"Once we get back, we should just do what we're supposed to do. Don't let Konoha's little tricks affect us. They probably want us to overthink things and then throw ourselves into chaos."

The Third Raikage said in a deep voice, "We only need to understand one thing."

"In a battle of wits, we're no match for Konoha, especially now that they have Konoha world's number one Genin behind them, an existence even more terrifying than Senju Tobirama back then..."

"Don't try to outsmart them!"

The Third Raikage reiterated this point.

Everyone nodded in agreement.

Over the years of dealing with Ōnoki and Konoha, their consistent strategy has been to remain unchanged in the face of all changes.

No matter what tricks or schemes the other side may employ, we'll pave a way with our fists.

Simply put...

Reckless!

In this way, the enemy will not have any contingency plans.

For example, isn't that how Senju Tobirama died?

"Let's go, it's really time to go back!"

Konoha, the Police Force.

Following the Military Police Force, Fugaku Uchiha walked towards the lake, his gaze sweeping over the land.

It's a beautiful place.

but--

Looking towards Konoha from here, everything seems so far away.

If the Uchiha Clan were to relocate from their current location to this place, it would essentially mean completely moving away from the Konoha Uchiha Clan.

Fortunately--

Danzo is dead.

While Tsunade and Kyohiko are currently wary of the Uchiha Clan, their attitudes are somewhat similar to those of Senju Tobirama back then.

It can be used for defense, but also for defense.

"It's much better than being oppressed and never seeing hope for the rest of my life. Besides, who knows what the situation will be like once we leave the village?"

As Fugaku Uchiha gazed at the lake before him, he muttered to himself and couldn't help but sigh softly.

Being the head of the household...

It's tough!

If it weren't for the sake of his clan, he could have easily remained a regular Jonin; there was no need for him to step forward and become the head of the family.

Fortunately--

He has a good son, and his family also has outstanding descendants like Shisui Uchiha.

certainly.

There are also characters like Obito Uchiha...

An anomaly!

Fugaku has become depressed again.

If it weren't for Obito Uchiha, he wouldn't have had to face so many problems. He could have just quietly waited for the next generation of Konoha to completely seize power and slowly change their policy towards the Uchiha.

Unlike now.

Everything was stirred up by a "spot" that was difficult to distinguish as real or fake, causing the situation to suddenly become chaotic.

Bang!

He kicked a Kunai that was at his feet away.

It fell into the lake with a splash.

Then...

He then heard a breathing sound.

"Who?"

Fugaku looked in the direction of the breathing, his gaze imposing. "Come out! I already know you're there."

"Master of the family."

Shisui jumped down from the tree, scratched his head, and said, "What you kicked away was the Kunai that landed here."

"Ah?"

Fugaku was stunned for a moment, then seemed somewhat dazed.

Kunai...

Just now?

I wasn't even aware of it.

How distracted I was!

He thought to himself.

"Sorry, Shisui, I'll give you another one."

Fugaku took out a Kunai, thought for a moment, and then looked thoughtfully at the lake.

After a moment's thought, he said, "I remember you also practice swordsmanship?"

"Brother Inabi did teach me some swordsmanship."

Shisui Uchiha answered.

Fugaku smiled and said, "I'm giving you a sword, hoping you'll become Uchiha ninja someday."

As he spoke, he took a scroll from his waist.

After forming a series of Hand Seals...

The items Sealing Scroll emerge through the Unsealing Seal.

A finely crafted short knife.

"This..."

Shisui took the knife, completely bewildered.

He was just jogging past here and stopped by to see if Kyohiko might come over; he never expected to have such a surprise.

"Shisui."

"Yes, Master!"

The Shisui station is now in place.

Fugaku sighed, "Do you still remember your grandfather?"

"Grandfather... of course I remember."

Shisui took the short knife.

He found the knife very useful and was reluctant to return it.

Fugaku said, "Back then, Kagami-senpai was a fellow student of the Third Hokage. Normally, it shouldn't have been difficult for him to enter the upper echelons of Konoha. In that case, the fate of our Uchiha would have been changed."

"..."

Shisui's eyebrows were downcast.

These...

He knew that, of course.

but.

My grandfather has passed away, and it's too late to say anything now.

Fugaku said, "You should have some connection with Konoha, right?"

"Master of the family..."

Shisui looked up, his face filled with astonishment.

Fugaku laughed and said, "Don't be nervous, I'm just guessing. Besides, your thoughts and way of thinking are exactly the same as Kagami-senpai's back then..."

He sighed and said what he hadn't finished.

"What I said earlier was to tell you that if Konoha had someone like Senju Tobirama, then the Uchiha would still have a chance."

"Master, I don't understand what you mean."

Shisui lowered his head, not daring to agree directly.

Even though he knew that his actions had exposed the true situation.

Fugaku nodded slightly. "It's alright, just remember that. Perhaps I'm incompetent and indecisive, but I support Konoha. Without Konoha, the Uchiha are just a piece of meat, anyone can come and take a bite."

Is it that serious?

The Shisui somewhat unexpectedly.

He originally thought that most members of the Uchiha Clan believed themselves to be very strong and would not easily show weakness.

result.

This patriarch...

It seems to be the opposite.

"Was the Uzumaki Clan powerful? They owned a village, completely controlled its resources, and had very deep ties with Konoha. Yet they were wiped out mysteriously, leaving only two female descendants in Konoha."

Fugaku Uchiha answered.

Even the Uzumaki Clan couldn't survive in this chaotic world, and as the head of the clan, he also lacked the confidence to lead everyone out, to become independent, and to grow stronger.

spot...

It might be a direction, but as things stand, it's more likely to be a trap.

The Uzumaki Clan.

Shisui Uchiha recalled the name "Uzushio Village," but he didn't know much about the clan, including just how powerful they were.

"Shisui, you are very smart, but being smart alone is not enough."

Fugaku sighed, "You also need to learn... compromise."

"What are you compromising about?"

"Learning to compromise with fools and make them understand and accept your ideas is actually more difficult than figuring out a solution for such a large family."

As Fugaku finished speaking, he rubbed his temples.

"So far, I still haven't figured out how to effectively persuade them. Many people's thoughts and questions are things you can't understand. At that point, you have to lower your own thinking and try to understand why they think that way..."

at this point...

He still hasn't learned it.

Fugaku never understood why his choices—whether to use his clan's power to fight against the village, or to trust "Madara Uchiha" who resurfaced after many years—were always so foolish...

How did those people manage to do it?

This is such a headache!

Shisui opened his mouth, then closed it and remained silent.

He could hear the pain in Fugaku's voice.

Maybe...

At this moment, all he needs to do is listen.