The Uchiha Clan's Blind Swordsman

The Uchiha clan held its annual clan festival.

On the day when the cherry blossoms bloomed most beautifully, they paid tribute to their departed loved ones while also bestowing high hopes upon the children who had been born.

Perhaps due to the distance, the front line against Kirigakure was far less tense than those against Iwagakure and Kumogakure.

The mission to hold the front against Kirigakure naturally fell upon the shoulders of the Uchiha clan.

This was not because Sarutobi Hiruzen was being merciful by handing the easiest front to the Uchiha.

It was simply because he did not want the Uchiha clan to earn too much credit.

Because Chiba knew—

The election for the Fourth Hokage was about to begin.

In this era, where the relationship between the Uchiha and Konoha had not yet deteriorated to that extent, there were still voices within the village supporting Uchiha Fugaku to become the Fourth Hokage.

Based on this.

It was even more impossible for Sarutobi Hiruzen to entrust important missions to the Uchiha clan.

As long as Sarutobi Hiruzen was still alive, the position of Fourth Hokage would certainly not fall to the Uchiha.

Inside the Uchiha clan cemetery.

Chiba brought Koizumi to offer incense and pay respects to his parents, mourning the past.

Perhaps reminded of the scene from her childhood when Chiba's father had held her, she began to sob softly.

Wiping the tears from the corners of her eyes, Chiba tried his best to comfort the young girl.

How much longer could these peaceful days last?

At least, before the Nine-Tails attacked the village, they could enjoy a brief moment of tranquility.

And then—

Itachi Uchiha sought him out.

"Chiba-kun."

"Hm?"

"My father said that if there is an opportunity, he hopes you can come to our home as a guest."

"The cherry blossoms have already bloomed."

"Would you be willing... to come and view the flowers?"

Before Chiba could answer.

Koizumi, standing beside him, jumped up in excitement.

"Cherry blossoms? That's wonderful!"

Who in the Uchiha clan didn't know that the cherry blossoms at the clan leader's house were the most beautiful?

Watching the jubilant Koizumi, Chiba smiled.

"Alright!"

After the decline of the Senju, the Uchiha were the largest clan in Konoha; even a prestigious family like the Hyuga Clan could not compare to the scale of the Uchiha.

And as the leader of the Uchiha clan, his household was worthy of the scale of the number one clan.

The garden full of blooming cherry blossoms was enough to make one feel relaxed and happy, even from a distance.

If the surrounding neighbors wanted to view the flowers, Uchiha Fugaku, as the leader of the Uchiha clan, would not act too sternly.

In the eyes of the Uchiha clansmen, Fugaku was a kind leader.

Having accepted Itachi's invitation, Chiba and Koizumi arrived at this courtyard filled with cherry blossoms.

Koizumi trotted along, bathing in the cherry blossoms, looking very happy.

"Does the clan leader... have something to ask of me?"

Itachi had always been a man of few words.

To actually use such a clumsy excuse as "viewing the flowers."

Knowing full well that he could not see, how was he supposed to view the flowers?

Perhaps he was slightly nervous because his father wanted to meet his friend.

After all, Uchiha Fugaku was not only Itachi's father but also the leader of the Uchiha clan.

Itachi shook his head, indicating he did not know.

When Itachi led Chiba to push open the door and enter the meeting hall.

In the very center, a man sat in calm repose.

His eyes were tightly shut, as if he were resting his mind, and before him sat a low table.

Chiba knew that this person was Itachi Uchiha's father, the head of the Uchiha clan, Uchiha Fugaku.

Fugaku did not open his eyes; seemingly having sensed Chiba's arrival, he simply spoke softly.

"Sit."

A cushion had already been prepared in front of the low table.

Chiba set his cane aside and sat cross-legged.

The door slid open, and a gentle, virtuous woman walked in carrying two steaming cups of tea.

Even though she knew Chiba could not see, she still offered him a smile.

Chiba knew this was Itachi Uchiha's mother, Uchiha Mikoto.

Subconsciously, Chiba nodded in return.

Seeing this, Mikoto paused, appearing somewhat surprised.

After all, a smile does not make a sound.

Yet, Chiba seemed to know it was there.

A miraculous child.

No wonder he could be friends with Itachi.

"Clan Head..."

Chiba was the first to break the silence.

Only then did Fugaku open his eyes.

"There is no need to be so formal; just treat this place as your own home."

"I wonder why you summoned me here, Clan Head?"

Hearing this, the usually stern-faced Fugaku suddenly revealed a smile.

"Nothing special. It's just that Itachi keeps saying he has a very impressive friend, and naturally, I wanted to meet him."

To be honest, Fugaku actually felt a sense of guilt toward Chiba.

As the head of the Uchiha clan, he had the responsibility and duty to protect every single clansman.

However, when the village turned public opinion against a newborn child, especially one with congenital defects, the one who suffered most was not the Uchiha clan, but Chiba.

Seemingly sensing the emotion in Fugaku's tone, Chiba spoke with a smile.

"Clan Head, I truly do not care about so-called public opinion."

"I am very grateful for everything the clan has given me to help me reach this point."

The passing of Chiba's parents, the generous pension issued, and the arrangements made for his care.

Aside from the matter of public opinion dictated by the Konoha higher-ups, Fugaku had been very diligent in protecting his clansmen.

He was a qualified clan head.

Unfortunately—

He failed to recognize the true face of the Konoha higher-ups, always holding onto a glimmer of hope regarding them.

This was not a matter of Fugaku's ability, but rather that he lacked the courage to stake everything on one throw.

That was right; behind him stood the entire Uchiha clan.

And within the Uchiha, besides excellent ninjas, there were a vast number of women, children, and the elderly.

If they opposed Konoha, it would ultimately be the Uchiha clan that suffered.

"Is that so? I am truly relieved to hear you think that way."

"It is good that Itachi has a friend like you."

"I once heard Itachi mention your thoughts regarding the Uchiha and Konoha..."

"Ah, yes, that is what I told Itachi."

Chiba spoke calmly.

Fugaku was very surprised. He had spoken quite subtly, yet all of his implications seemed to be within Chiba's expectations.

This blind Uchiha clansman possessed a wisdom he could not have imagined.

No wonder he could influence Itachi to such an extent.

"Then, regarding the relationship between the Uchiha and Konoha... what are your thoughts?"

This was not a question a clan head should ask a five-year-old child.

But since this child had already formed such ideas...

As the clan head, he had an obligation to understand and provide guidance.

"Lord Clan Head, do you... really want to hear it?"

Uchiha Fugaku nodded.

Chiba drew a breath, exhaled slowly, and then spoke calmly.

"I believe that between the Uchiha and Konoha—no, it should be between the Uchiha and the Konoha high command—the conflict is irreconcilable."

"Oh? Why do you say that?"

He was very curious to know what kind of views a precocious five-year-old child held regarding the village and the Uchiha.

To the point that he would say such suggestive and leading things to his own child.

"Before I give my reasons, Lord Clan Head, do you understand the Hokage? Do you understand Sarutobi Hiruzen?"

Hearing this, Uchiha Fugaku rubbed his chin, pondered for a moment, and then spoke.

"The Hokage? If I had to say... I suppose I don't understand him all that well."

"If I were to offer an assessment, my impression of the Hokage is that he is a man of great political acumen."

"Of course, we can say such things within our own clan, but keep it to yourself outside."

"Although I don't know the full details of the situation back then, it is said that after the Second Hokage died, almost all the major clans opposed Sarutobi Hiruzen becoming Hokage."

"Yet, in such an environment, he still managed to secure the position of Hokage and kept everything running in perfect order. That alone makes him quite formidable."

This was a very fair answer.

Chiba could not deny it.

He could imagine it as well.