The Blind Swordsman of the Uchiha Clan

Kushina Uzumaki's eyes flickered.

"Rest assured, there are no Anbu ninjas nearby."

"You don't need to say such cover-up lines so loudly; no one is eavesdropping."

"You brat—"

Smack.

Kushina slapped Chiba directly on the back of his head, nearly sending him flying.

"That wasn't a cover-up; I really have been annoyed with them for a long time."

"They've always been so timid."

"Even though there's news of jinchuriki activity on the Kumogakure front lines, they still conservatively keep me locked up in Konoha."

"Because of this, who knows how many people have died on the front lines."

"And another thing, didn't I tell you... I think highly of you."

"I also genuinely want to resolve the issues between Konoha and the Uchiha Clan."

Kushina Uzumaki really wasn't just saying it.

She was indeed emulating Minato, wanting to resolve the Uchiha Clan's issues in her own way.

Although, from Chiba's perspective, her methods were a bit radical.

But that was just her style.

After all, the title of "Bloody Habanero" wasn't earned for nothing.

She wanted to help her husband fulfill his duties as Hokage in the truest sense as his wife.

She never doubted the choice for the Fourth Hokage.

The fact that she, the Nine-Tails jinchuriki, could marry Namikaze Minato was the best proof of that.

She didn't need to worry that her actions would affect Minato's ascension to the Fourth Hokage; given the current situation, unless Minato died, it couldn't be anyone else.

"Clan Leader Fugaku, regardless of anything else... I want the relationship between Konoha and the Uchiha to be resolved during my husband's generation."

Kushina didn't shy away from the topic.

She often visited the Uchiha Clan, and she went to her best friend's house most of all.

Naturally, Kushina knew her best friend's husband quite well.

As for the Uchiha Clan, she knew them too.

They were definitely not the "keep away" types that the other clans in the village made them out to be.

The Uchiha were much more amiable and approachable than one would imagine.

In fact, Kushina hadn't been very clear about the issues between Konoha and the Uchiha before this.

After all, Sarutobi Hiruzen had intended to support Minato's rise while simultaneously agreeing to let him take an Uchiha as a disciple.

It was only after her last meeting with Chiba and the conflict between Chiba and Sarutobi Hiruzen at the memorial service that Kushina realized the truth.

The relationship between Konoha and the Uchiha was not as simple as she had imagined.

However, Fugaku merely shook his head.

"I'm afraid it won't be that simple!"

"I think so too!"

Chiba chimed in as well.

Kushina looked helpless.

"Do you two really have so little faith in my Minato?"

"It's not a question of having faith or not—"

Chiba didn't know how to start.

The problems between Konoha and the Uchiha had been left over since the village was founded.

They had spanned the terms of three Hokage over forty-plus years of history.

Time is a terrifying thing.

The high-level officials' targeting of the Uchiha had already become second nature to the other clans.

Under the accumulation of time, the other clans had even formed that specific impression of the Uchiha.

And such an impression could not be changed in a short period.

More importantly.

Even if Namikaze Minato became Hokage, how much real authority would he actually have?

When the time comes, even if he has the heart, he may lack the strength.

The battlefield of politics is even more brutal than the battlefield of blood and steel.

Just then, Itachi, standing beside Fugaku, suddenly tugged on his father's sleeve.

"What is it, Itachi?"

"Has the relationship between Konoha and the Uchiha Clan truly reached that point?"

Hearing this, Fugaku offered a faint smile.

"Itachi, at the very least, it has not yet reached the worst-case scenario."

"The Uchiha of today is still the Uchiha of Konoha—"

"Itachi, I want to ask you a question."

At this moment, Chiba pondered for a moment; as a friend, he decided to speak up.

"What question, Chiba?"

"One day, if one day... the Uchiha Clan stands on the opposite side of the village, against whom will you swing the blade in your hand?"

Itachi froze at these words.

Chiba had suddenly thrown a choice at him.

Choose the village, or choose the Uchiha Clan?

This was the choice that would be placed before him in the future, yet here it was, brought up by Chiba years ahead of time.

So, what choice would the young Itachi make?

However, before Itachi could answer.

Smack! Kushina slapped the back of Chiba's head.

"You brat, why are you asking my nephew such an inexplicable question?"

Kushina shot Chiba a glare.

Chiba did not respond, but spoke quietly instead.

"You don't understand, Kushina. If your friend were sinking deep into an abyss of darkness, would you choose to pull them out?"

"Of course I would."

"Then, what is your answer—!?"

Chiba looked directly at Itachi.

Seeing the seriousness on Chiba's face, Itachi fell silent.

Although Chiba often liked to spout profound words that left him pondering for a long time, this time felt different.

He took a deep breath and slowly exhaled.

"Chiba, are you willing to trust me?"

"As a friend, no matter what happens, I will stand by your side."

Hearing this response, Chiba was taken aback.

"Is that so... I understand."

"So, Aunt Kushina."

Itachi suddenly looked toward Kushina Uzumaki.

"May I become your student?"

"Oh? You want to learn Sealing Jutsu too?"

"I want to go to the battlefield and see for myself with Chiba—"

Hearing this, Kushina cast a strange look at Chiba, then back at Itachi.

That gaze was quite peculiar.

"You two... something is off."

"But, if you want to come along, I don't mind... the village has always been lenient with my assignments. If it's the two of you, I suppose you could form a very capable team!"

Itachi smiled, a truly happy smile.

It had been a long time since he had shown such an expression.

"I can team up with Chiba again."

Just then, Chiba quietly moved to Itachi's side, his voice dropping to a whisper.

"Itachi, do you know... what the abyss I spoke of—truly is?"

"I told you, your shortcoming is that you think too much."

"When you gaze into the abyss, the abyss gazes back at you. You may look, but do not look for too long—"

Another cryptic remark.

Yet, this time, Itachi seemed to understand.

It was Chiba's response to Itachi's clumsy answer just moments ago.

Itachi, in the end, had failed to make a choice between the village and the Uchiha.

Instead, he had ultimately placed the power of that choice into Chiba's hands.

And yet, Itachi smiled.

"It's alright—"

"Because, when that time comes, Chiba-kun... you will pull me back."

The current Itachi was unexpectedly pure.

"Do you have confidence in the graduation exam three days from now?"

Uchiha Fugaku and Itachi were the first to leave.

Even though Kushina should have taken Chiba as her student first, Itachi had ended up one step ahead, becoming Kushina's apprentice instead.