In the crowd, Itachi seemed to hear a few words through the din.
"Itachi, do you know?"
"When someone is wary of or disgusted by something, they can't hide it in their words or actions!"
"The Uchiha have never been anything special... That's complete bullshit!"
"Because the Sharingan exists, the Uchiha's special status is impossible to avoid."
"He wants to deny that the Uchiha are special, but he accepts this so-called unequal treatment!"
"In the end, it'll only make the divide grow wider!"
"It's dirty, and utterly despicable."
America preached freedom and equality every day, yet racial discrimination had never gone away.
Empty talk couldn't solve anything.
Besides, Sarutobi Hiruzen had no intention of solving the problem.
All he wanted was to hold on to his position. Nothing more.
Leaving that aside.
Root.
When it came to two exceptional Uchiha, Danzo couldn't just sit idle.
Uchiha Shisui, who had impressed him so much last time, had still ended up in the Anbu. So this time, Danzo was determined to get at least one of them.
His Root needed a pair of Sharingan.
Whether for himself or for the person standing before him.
"Aren't you interested in the Sharingan? I have some information for you!"
A glimmer of anticipation appeared in those cold eyes.
Orochimaru emerged from the darkness.
"Lord Danzo, you really can't stop thinking about the Sharingan!"
"No one would turn down that kind of power, would they?"
That was right.
No one would refuse it, and no one didn't long for it.
Both of them coveted the Uchiha's power.
"You're right. But... the only one worth keeping an eye on this time is Itachi Uchiha, isn't he?"
"He's the son of the Uchiha Clan's head. I don't think we can just make a move against him."
"And even if we approached him openly, he'd either join the Konoha Military Police Force or end up in the Anbu—"
What he meant was clear: Root didn't stand a chance.
Danzo only smiled.
"I'm not talking about Itachi Uchiha! I mean another Uchiha. His name is Chiba!"
Orochimaru paused, looking surprised.
"That child... can't he see?"
"That's precisely why he's worth studying."
Uchiha Chiba had become the talk of the Ninja Academy.
An Uchiha who couldn't see was already remarkable enough.
And the Hokage's show of goodwill had only pushed him further into the spotlight.
Itachi silently watched the looks around him.
Just as Chiba had said.
Could Konoha and the Uchiha never become one?
Was Konoha destined to be Konoha, and the Uchiha only the Uchiha?
Itachi didn't understand.
The Hokage's actions seemed well-intentioned, but the results were even worse.
He opened the textbook distributed by the Ninja Academy.
Then Itachi remembered that Chiba couldn't see. He sat down beside him and said,
"Chiba, let me read it to you..."
"No need!"
"I know what it says."
The first class.
It was called History of Konoha!
And the first book was called Konoha Chronicles!
The opening chapter:
Konoha's strongest Hokage, the Third, Sarutobi Hiruzen.
This chapter recorded all of Sarutobi Hiruzen's great achievements.
Just as Kurenai Yuhi had said.
The second chapter was called—
The Founding of Konoha!
Everything about the Uchiha was brushed aside in a few words.
That was Sarutobi Hiruzen. That was a politician.
He had erased the Uchiha from history.
PS: The likes barely moved all afternoon. Damn, is this story dead...? I still hope everyone will send some support!!!
Chapter 10
Kurenai Yuhi was puzzled.
A day had passed, but there was still no news about the Hokage's son getting beaten up.
He was the Hokage's son, after all.
Someone had held a knife to his throat and even cut his skin, drawing blood.
And yet there had been no follow-up, not even a whisper.
Even Asuma Sarutobi, the person involved, hadn't done anything.
It was unbelievable.
Kurenai knew her classmate and admirer well.
He was headstrong and rebellious.
Uchiha Chiba had humiliated him. There was no way he would just swallow his anger.
In Kurenai's eyes, the most natural thing would have been for him to retaliate that very day.
But everything was so quiet.
Girls tended to mature earlier than boys.
She recalled what Chiba had told her.
—The more perfect something is, the less he can tolerate a blemish, no matter how small!
Could that really be it?
As she pondered, Kurenai spotted her admirer, who was hovering around her again.
Asuma Sarutobi.
"Kurenai, want some dumplings today? My treat."
Kurenai didn't answer. She just looked at Asuma, puzzled.
It was as if nothing had happened yesterday.
Or had he already gone to see Uchiha Chiba in private?
"Did you do something to that Uchiha boy who can't see?"
At her question, Asuma's expression stiffened.
He looked like he'd just eaten something foul.
Why? Why? Why was Kurenai bringing up that damn blind Uchiha?
It was obviously because he'd embarrassed himself too badly.
He'd even said, "Just you wait," but then hadn't done anything.
Would Kurenai start to dislike him because of that?
Damn old man. It was just a blind Uchiha. Why wouldn't he let Asuma go after him?
He wasn't going to use any underhanded tricks.
What had happened at the Dumpling Shop last time was just because he'd let his guard down.
If he actually got serious, how could a blind Uchiha like that possibly be a match for him?
It was infuriating.
The more he thought about it, the angrier he got.
And now Kurenai had brought it up right in front of him. That made him even angrier.
Kurenai was puzzled.
She was stunned by Asuma's constipated expression.
I only asked a casual question. You just had to say yes or no.
Why make that face?
"So did you do it or not?"
Kurenai hurriedly pressed him, wanting a clear answer.
That question.
It felt like a knife stabbing into Asuma's heart.
No. He had to get even.
The old man's warning?
To hell with it.
He was going to teach that Uchiha brat a lesson.
Swallowing his anger had never been his style.
"Wait here, Kurenai! I'll be right back!"
Asuma spoke to Kurenai with great seriousness. He was so worked up that his dark face had turned red, like he'd been pumped full of adrenaline.
Before Kurenai could ask anything, Asuma took off running, leaving her standing there, bewildered.
So, was Asuma going to get revenge?