Yu's Education of His Younger Brother

The three of them sat facing each other. Fugaku Uchiha looked at Yu with a heavy expression. "Yu, what do you think the Third Hokage's true objective is this time? Clearly, the compensation he offered far exceeds our expectations."

Yu offered a nonchalant smile. "Father, surely you don't still hold expectations for the Third Hokage and his cohorts?"

"It is obvious that the Third Hokage has no good intentions. One man's meat is another man's poison; I refuse to believe those shops he handed over are without hidden problems."

"Through this incident, I believe you have also sensed the attitude the Third Hokage and the upper echelons hold toward us."

Fugaku nodded. "I just didn't expect the Third Hokage to be so ruthless, leaving the Uchiha no room to maneuver at all."

"Father! To hope for mercy from an enemy is to be cruel to ourselves. Since the Third Hokage has already made his move, we shall simply receive it. At most, we might offend a few more people, but the Uchiha clan is already so deep in debt that a few more won't make a difference," Yu replied calmly.

Watching Yu's composed and indifferent demeanor, Fugaku suddenly felt that keeping such an outstanding son in the Ninja Academy was a waste of talent. After a moment of hesitation, Fugaku spoke to Yu with a solemn expression.

"Yu, why not come to the Military Police Force and help your father? With your current strength, remaining at the academy is merely a waste of time."

Yu pondered for a moment before nodding. After all, compared to the school, the Military Police Force would undoubtedly make it easier to harvest Gratitude Points and Malice Points.

"I agree to join the Military Police Force, Father, but what position will you give me? And you cannot make me drop out of school." Even a mosquito is meat, not to mention that his "treasure girl" was still at school.

"Why is that!" Fugaku was puzzled. He knew Yu possessed shadow clones, so he didn't ask how Yu would manage both the academy and the police force.

Yu just smiled and said nothing.

Fugaku froze for a moment, then seemed to realize something. He glared at Yu with feigned anger. "You're just a child, yet you have no sense of propriety."

Yu was stunned. Did I say something? Why is it improper? Yu felt speechless in his heart.

Then, Yu realized what Fugaku was referring to.

"That girl is indeed quite good. Do not let her down in the future."

Yu was instantly shocked. I'm only six! I'm only six! Why do they think so far ahead? Is my intent really that obvious? Yu railed against the thought in his heart.

Then, he saw Fugaku stand up silently. "Report to the Military Police Force on time tomorrow. Your position is provisionally set as my assistant!"

Having said that, Fugaku ignored Yu's stunned expression and left leisurely.

Once Fugaku had completely departed, Itachi spoke calmly. "Brother, why do you harbor such deep prejudice against the village? I remember you once said that a person's prejudice is like a great mountain. If you understand this principle, why can you not cast aside the mountain in your heart?"

Looking at the indifferent Itachi, Yu's expression turned slightly serious. "Itachi, why do you assume your brother's prejudice comes from within? Why not consider that it is based on facts?"

Itachi did not speak. Instead, he pulled a book from his pouch. On the cover, the words "Will of Fire" were written in bold characters.

"I think you should read this book more, Brother. That way, you wouldn't hold such prejudices against the village."

Yu silently took the book Itachi handed him and flipped through a few pages casually. His lack of care caused Itachi to frown slightly.

Yu glanced sideways at his younger brother. "Itachi, this must be the textbook issued on the very first day of school, right?"

Itachi nodded.

"I have one too, but after reading it once, I let it gather dust under the coffee table in my bedroom. My table was wobbly, and using it as a shim was just right. That is the only value it holds."

"Brother, why do you disparage the Will of Fire so? Could it be that you have some new understanding of it?" There was a trace of anger in Itachi's tone.

Yu gently tapped Itachi's head with the book. "My foolish little brother! How must I educate you to pull back your heart, which has already strayed a hundred thousand miles off course? You have read this book countless times, so tell me, what does it actually say?"

Itachi felt the sting of the blow and rubbed his head, saying indignantly, "The Will of Fire tells us to achieve the greater good through the lesser self. Only by sacrificing oneself like a fallen leaf to ignite a flame can we illuminate the entire village."

"Only then can new buds grow in a peaceful and stable environment, mature, and bring prosperity to the village."

"The current relationship between our clan and the village is that of the greater good versus the lesser self. To maintain the prosperity and stability of the village, why must you go to such lengths over the sacrifice of a few minor interests?"

Yu was silent for a long time. He stared blankly at this brother who suddenly felt like a stranger.

"Itachi! When you say these words, do you not feel ashamed? Do you have any respect for the parents who raised you? Do you have any respect for the clansmen who trust you?"

"You are quite right—the lesser self achieving the greater good is a noble concept. But this sacrifice is supposed to be mutual! For the sake of the village's peace, Uchiha clansmen die on the front lines. Should the village, as the 'greater good,' not take care of the families and friends of these fallen warriors?"

"And what do I see now? The village not only wants the warriors on the front lines to sacrifice themselves, but it also wants their families to sacrifice as well. This practice of eating the meat, gnawing the bones, and sucking the marrow—you dare tell me this is the Will of Fire? Where in this world does such logic exist!"

Itachi was stunned by his brother's sudden, fierce rebuke.

"Itachi! Tell me, is this prejudice? If one day the village elders send your brother to the front lines and I die, and the village decides that isn't enough and wants you to sacrifice yourself, and then they decide that still isn't enough and want Sasuke to sacrifice himself—how would you conduct yourself in such a village?"

"Do you think this is prejudice? Then let me tell you: during the Third Great Ninja War, Konoha ninjas saw their parents die and their sons perish, yet those old men who kept shouting about the 'Will of Fire' for Konoha are still living well. Not only are they living well, but their clansmen and their descendants are also living well."

"They promised to protect the young sprouts, yet it is always the younger generation that ends up sacrificed!"

"I want to ask: why aren't they the ones sacrificing? Why aren't their clansmen, their sons, or their mothers the ones dying? Does such a village even possess something like the Will of Fire?"

"Go out and see more of the world. Don't think that just because you've read a few books, you can stand on the suffering of others and question them, asking why they haven't sacrificed yet, why they haven't died for Konoha!"

"Itachi! I am incredibly disappointed in you. Such words should never have come from your mouth. When you say such things, I only feel that I have failed in my duty—that I haven't taught you well enough, to the point where you don't even know who is feeding you, and that you sit here in the Uchiha Clan Head's mansion, yet your heart leans toward those who have nothing to do with you."

Yu's loud questioning echoed through the house. Mikoto, who had been resting, hurried down and saw Yu scolding Itachi until tears were welling up in his eyes.

For the first time, Itachi felt how painful his brother's anger was, yet he could not refute a single word Yu had said.

When Mikoto came down, Itachi looked at his mother's worried gaze, and for the first time, he felt a strong urge to throw himself into her arms and cry.

Yu naturally saw his mother descend. The anger in his heart gradually faded, and looking at the aggrieved Itachi, his heart softened once more.

He truly loved this incredibly obedient younger brother; otherwise, he wouldn't have been so furious.

"Itachi! Go back and think carefully about what your brother said today. As for this book, I'm taking it; it's not suitable for you!" After saying this, Yu turned to his mother and offered a calm smile.

Itachi pursed his lips, glancing at the book in his brother's hand before looking back at his brother's face, which had returned to a calm expression after smiling at their mother. He knew that Yu's anger had not yet subsided.

Daring not to say another word, Itachi replied with a choked voice, "Yes, Brother!"

He then walked toward his mother, glancing back with every step. Seeing this, Mikoto breathed a slight sigh of relief. This was the first time she had ever seen Yu so furious. She gently took Itachi's hand and looked at Yu, whose gaze was calm and unfocused.

"Yu, if Itachi did something wrong, just talk to him. As his older brother, you mustn't hold a grudge against your younger brother!"

"I understand, Mother!" Yu withdrew his gaze and looked at Itachi, who was hanging his head beside Mikoto. He suddenly laughed. "Mother, please comfort Itachi. I'm fine; I just don't want my brother to walk down a path of no return."

Seeing this, Mikoto felt a great sense of relief. She knew that if her eldest son were truly angry, he would never show a smile like this; instead, he would be cold—chillingly cold to the bone.

She had only seen that expression once before: when she had taken Yu to buy groceries and a drunken man had tried to harass her.

At that time, Yu was only four years old, yet the coldness radiating from his entire body had left that man drenched in a cold sweat, sobering him up in an instant.

In the end, the man hadn't dared to say a word as he watched the mother and son walk away.