Uchiha Itachi's Future

Upon hearing the voice of Uchiha Fugaku, the hesitation in Uchiha Yatsuhashi's heart instantly solidified into a decision.

However, the very next second, just as he prepared to make a tactical retreat, Uchiha Fugaku's voice rang out once more.

"How are you coming along with the ocular jutsu scroll I gave you previously? Did you bring it this time?"

Hearing that he was only being asked for the Uchiha Clan ocular jutsu scroll provided earlier, Uchiha Yatsuhashi finally let out a sigh of relief.

That scroll merely recorded the training process for the Sharingan, from the single tomoe to the double, and finally to the Three Tomoe, alongside some conventional techniques for insight, copying, and genjutsu.

While this had compensated for the experience Uchiha Yatsuhashi previously lacked, it contained nothing regarding the more profound ocular jutsu accessible after awakening the Mangekyo Sharingan.

It didn't even contain the Susanoo, which had left Uchiha Yatsuhashi feeling like he'd celebrated for nothing back then.

Although he was not yet proficient, Uchiha Yatsuhashi could now barely manage the basic insight, copying, and genjutsu of the Sharingan.

Consequently, Uchiha Yatsuhashi took out the scroll he carried with him and placed it beside the gate.

"I've left the scroll here. If there's nothing else, I'll be heading back now."

After saying this, Uchiha Yatsuhashi turned and walked away.

"Hahahaha..."

A low, rumbling laugh from Uchiha Fugaku suddenly drifted out from within the gate.

"You brat, you really are as stubborn as a mule!"

With a creak, the heavy gate slowly swung open.

Uchiha Fugaku walked to the entrance barefoot, and sensing that Uchiha Yatsuhashi had already retreated a significant distance, he couldn't help but ask with curiosity, "Are you really that afraid of me?"

Only then did Uchiha Yatsuhashi get a clear look at Uchiha Fugaku.

For some reason, his eyes were wrapped in a thick layer of white cloth.

Seemingly sensing Uchiha Yatsuhashi's confusion, Uchiha Fugaku sat down barefoot on the cold threshold of the gate.

"This is the side effect of the Mangekyo Sharingan."

Uchiha Fugaku gave a self-deprecating laugh. "Heh, how is your eyesight holding up these days?"

Regarding this point, Uchiha Yatsuhashi was naturally crystal clear.

Ever since he awakened his Mangekyo Sharingan, he had cherished his eyes dearly.

Even when busy, he would always set aside a short period at noon to perform eye exercises.

The only time he had ever overused his eyes was during his battle against Karatachi Yagura in the Land of Water.

For the rest of the time, Uchiha Yatsuhashi would activate and deactivate his eyes in an instant, never wasting a single second of usage.

This had prevented his eyes from ever bleeding again, and it even made Uchiha Yatsuhashi feel as though he were the only true, proper user of the Mangekyo Sharingan.

"It's fine."

Uchiha Yatsuhashi tactically retreated another long distance.

He had suddenly thought of something.

One had to remember that the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan required the fusion of another pair of Mangekyo Sharingan to be achieved.

Although successful cases were all among direct blood relatives—specifically one's own brothers—who was to say that the Uchiha Fugaku before him didn't want to try using his eyes?

"Oh?"

Uchiha Fugaku tilted his head at the gate. "You actually know about that too?"

"This is something only the successive heads of the Uchiha Clan are qualified to know. Yatsuhashi, you truly have many secrets!"

Hearing this, Yatsuhashi's heart gave a violent jolt.

To think Uchiha Fugaku could actually perceive his inner thoughts.

Was that his dōjutsu?

The head of the Uchiha Clan was truly terrifying!

"Hey! If you back away any further, I won't be able to sense you anymore."

Uchiha Fugaku called out to Yatsuhashi, who was already about to disappear at the end of the path.

His tone suddenly turned serious, "I called you here because I want to make a deal with you."

Fearing that Yatsuhashi might vanish the next second, Uchiha Fugaku took out a scroll directly.

"This is Susanoo. Do you want it?"

Upon hearing the words Susanoo, Yatsuhashi's breathing became rapid.

That was the ultimate power of the Uchiha Clan!

He asked tentatively, "And what is the price?"

Uchiha Fugaku spoke slowly, "Let Uchiha Itachi join the Anbu."

"Hm?"

Yatsuhashi was stunned, "Isn't Uchiha Itachi going to join the Anbu sooner or later anyway?"

As a genius of the Uchiha Clan, Uchiha Itachi had already gained quite a reputation in the village, even though he had just graduated from the academy.

Back then, he had curiously asked Kakashi why he hadn't seen Uchiha Itachi in the Anbu.

After all, even he had been invited by the Hokage to join the Anbu; it made no sense not to invite Uchiha Itachi.

Kakashi had indicated that Uchiha Itachi was still young, but the Hokage did indeed have the intention of inviting Uchiha Itachi to join the Anbu.

It was only a matter of time.

"No, I want him to enter the Anbu Team 6 that you are in."

Uchiha Fugaku continued, "Let Itachi follow Kakashi and follow you. Instead of following Uchiha Shisui to monitor our Uchiha Clan together."

Listening to Uchiha Fugaku's words, Yatsuhashi furrowed his brows and began to ponder.

He did not yet know what hidden traps might lie within this.

But keeping Uchiha Itachi away from Uchiha Shisui was indeed a good thing.

After hesitating for a moment, Yatsuhashi asked tentatively, "Must he join the Anbu? I feel that our clan's Military Police Force is quite good."

"No, he must enter the Anbu."

Unexpectedly, Uchiha Fugaku's attitude was exceptionally firm.

"Why?"

Yatsuhashi asked curiously.

Sitting on the threshold, Uchiha Fugaku explained slowly, "Because only in this way can Itachi live a little longer..."

"?!"

Yatsuhashi was confused, "What do you mean by living a little longer?"

Uchiha Fugaku's voice deepened, and the white cloth wrapped around him began to faintly seep with a trace of blood.

"My eyes allow me to see the predicted future."

"Among countless futures, only the Itachi who joins the Anbu lives the longest..."

"But as for the specific reason, I am not entirely sure."

Yatsuhashi was deeply shocked, "Live longer..."

He quickly associated this with the yet-to-be-born Sasuke, and also thought of the catastrophic disaster that would lead to the annihilation of the Uchiha Clan.

Placing Uchiha Itachi in the Anbu in the same squad as him meant they would spend more time together.

Yatsuhashi even thought that if, in the end, he could not change the situation where Uchiha Itachi headed toward the extreme.

Perhaps he could find a way during the mission...

Thinking this, Yatsuhashi spoke up, "Deal!"

Uchiha Fugaku forcefully tossed the scroll in his hand toward Yatsuhashi.

After catching it, Yatsuhashi immediately checked the authenticity of the scroll.

Upon discovering it was truly the Susanoo, he tucked it into his robes without a second thought.

Just as Yatsuhashi believed the transaction was complete, and was preparing to take his leave, Uchiha Fugaku, who had been sitting quietly on the threshold, suddenly erupted with a killing intent so thick it was suffocating!

He slowly stood up, "Hey, Yatsuhashi."

"What were you... just thinking about?"