The Uchiha Clan's Blind Swordsman

The Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama, passed away suddenly, designating Sarutobi Hiruzen as the Hokage.

At that time, who would have agreed to it?

The Senju were displeased, and none of the other clans would submit.

What kind of thing is your Sarutobi Clan? How could you possibly become the Hokage?

What kind of thing is your Sarutobi Clan? How could you possibly become the Hokage?

The phrasing was crude, but the logic held true.

Back then, when Senju Tobirama served as Hokage, he had indeed intended to bring the Senju Clan closer to the commoners to appear more approachable.

However, as a great clan, they all possessed their own pride.

Even the Senju were no exception.

If Senju Tobirama had stepped down normally and allowed Sarutobi Hiruzen to become Hokage, there would have been nothing to say.

But at that time, Senju Tobirama was already dead.

Therefore, the process of Sarutobi Hiruzen ascending to the position of Hokage and consolidating his political power must have been incredibly difficult and undoubtedly exceptionally bloody.

"Clan Leader, then do you know when the conflict between Konoha and the Uchiha began?"

"Of course!"

Uchiha Fugaku nodded.

"It must have been during the era of the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama."

Senju Tobirama had always been wary of the Uchiha.

In his eyes, the Uchiha were dangerous elements that could erupt at any moment.

Of course, although he did not purely harbor hostility toward the Uchiha—after all, he still appreciated people like Uchiha Kagami—regardless of whether one admitted it or not, the conflict between the Uchiha and Konoha originated with Senju Tobirama.

"And the Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, perfectly inherited this will of Senju Tobirama."

It was even twisted by him.

Hearing this, Fugaku frowned.

"Chiba, do you have any basis for saying this...?"

Chiba shook his head.

He truly had no basis.

This was merely a conclusion he had reached as a transmigrator.

It was precisely because he was familiar with the plot that he could truly understand Sarutobi Hiruzen and his contradictory life.

"The Konoha high command and the Uchiha—only one of the two can survive!"

It was hard to imagine that these words could come from a five-year-old child.

Fugaku did not know what Chiba had experienced to reach such a conclusion.

However—

"Your idea has already been proven wrong by the hand of Uchiha Madara."

At the Valley of the End, Uchiha Madara was defeated by Senju Hashirama.

"No!"

Chiba shook his head.

"He was merely defeated in battle; if Madara had won back then, perhaps it would have been a different scene entirely!"

"Therefore, the ultimate deciding power still lies in [strength]!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen understood this point deeply.

That was why he constantly recruited geniuses, especially geniuses from the Uchiha.

Fugaku, in the end, was thinking too optimistically.

Of course, Chiba had no right to judge Fugaku.

After all, he had reached his conclusion knowing that the Uchiha would be exterminated in the future.

"So, are you going to restrict my interactions with Itachi?"

Chiba looked up, facing the Uchiha Clan Leader directly.

Hearing this, Fugaku merely smiled.

"Why?"

"You are, after all, the future of the Uchiha clan; I have no right to bind you!"

"I believe in my own child, I believe in Itachi, and I believe in you as a member of the Uchiha clan!"

"In the future, no matter what decision Itachi makes, I think I will accept it gladly!"

That's right.

You did it.

Chiba knew that these words from Uchiha Fugaku were absolutely not a joke.

On the night of the clan's annihilation, he accepted Itachi's choice, not even putting up a fight.

"Regarding the village, regarding the clan, Itachi will have his own considerations."

"Whether it is you or anyone else, you are all just a part of Itachi's life!"

"Uchiha Chiba, I have remembered you!"

"You are very outstanding!"

"Itachi having a friend like you... is very good!"

"Excuse me, Clan Leader--"

Chiba stood up, leaning on his cane, and left silently.

Inside the courtyard.

Accompanied by the quietly falling cherry blossoms, Koizumi and her female companions from the clan were laying out a mat on the grass, eating bento, and enjoying the flowers.

"Chiba-kun, what did Father say to you?"

Itachi came to Chiba's side.

He felt a bit apologetic.

After all, looking back on it, the reason he gave for having Chiba come to his home was so careless.

Flower viewing?

This might touch upon Chiba's pain.

However, Chiba would never mind in the end.

"He said that you being able to be my friend is your honor!"

"Pfft--"

Itachi couldn't help but let out a laugh.

Chiba's words were always so unexpected.

Leaning on his cane, Chiba walked to the cherry blossom tree, lay down beside Koizumi, and ate the bento she handed him, feeling very content.

"The cherry blossoms at this time of year are beautiful!"

Itachi deliberately lowered his voice so Chiba wouldn't hear him.

It was already foolish enough to have called Chiba over with the excuse of "flower viewing."

He naturally wouldn't shout out such sentiments.

The joy of viewing flowers was enough to keep in one's heart.

"Yes... they really are beautiful!"

Suddenly, another untimely voice reached his ears.

It did not belong to Itachi, nor did it belong to Koizumi.

It belonged to someone Chiba knew of, but had never met.

He had a "dango nose," which was very rare for the Uchiha clan. He wore a dark, high-collared, short-sleeved top with triangular armor on his upper body, and matching pants with leg wraps on his lower body.

The Uchiha clan crest was on the back of his clothes, and he carried a small katana on his back.

That was the man who legend says "greened" Asuma Sarutobi.

--Uchiha Shisui

Possessing the strongest genjutsu, Kotoamatsukami, he originally had the ability to change the fate of the Uchiha clan.

Unfortunately, he was just like the current Uchiha Fugaku.

He held fantasies about the high-level officials of Konoha.

In the end, one of his Kotoamatsukami eyes was stolen by Danzo.

A wolf with fangs is very intimidating.

However, if you pull out its fangs, there is no difference between a wolf and a dog.

Neither Fugaku nor Shisui truly understood the real meaning behind "political power grows out of the barrel of a gun."

The barrel of a gun is meant for combat.

Three pairs of Mangekyou are enough to accomplish far too much.

Seeing Shisui, Itachi was quite surprised.

"Brother Shisui, you... have you returned from the battlefield?"

"Mm, just arrived at the village."

Uchiha Shisui was not only a celebrity within the Uchiha clan, but he was also remembered by the entire village.

After all, earning the title of "Body Flicker Shisui" in the Hidden Mist Village was, in the end, a glorious achievement.

Returning this time, Shisui's purpose was simple.

Chiba's Observation Haki had already captured his presence long ago.

And Shisui, for his part, did not beat around the bush.

He walked up to Chiba and flashed a bright, hearty smile.

"Uchiha Chiba?"

"I've heard Itachi mention you many times!"

"Interested in a spar?"