Pfft!
Hanazuki coughed a few times and hurriedly set down his teacup, then asked in feigned confusion,
"The Mangekyō Sharingan? What's that? Another kind of Sharingan?"
Fugaku's eyes narrowed slightly as he introduced it to Hanazuki without prompting.
"The Mangekyō Sharingan stands above the Three-Tomoe Sharingan. Its visual prowess far surpasses that of an ordinary Sharingan."
"Throughout the Uchiha Clan's history, only a handful of people have ever awakened it. In the distant Sengoku era, so many of the Uchiha Clan's records were lost to war that very little was written about the Mangekyō Sharingan."
After he finished speaking, Fugaku watched Hanazuki's expression without making any effort to hide it. When he couldn't glean anything useful from Hanazuki's expression or demeanor, he continued.
"What do you think of the Uchiha Clan as it is now? I'd like to hear your honest opinion, whether objective or subjective."
"The Uchiha Clan? Subjectively, they're arrogant and impatient. Objectively, they wield power and look down on everyone else. Well, they are the Military Police Force, after all."
Fugaku didn't get angry at Hanazuki's words, but neither did he nod in agreement.
"That's just the way the Military Police Force is. Since we're responsible for the village's security, we inevitably have to take actions that damage our image. I've even heard some of the villagers' complaints about the Military Police Force."
Hanazuki smiled without answering. If anyone in the Uchiha Clan was still clear-eyed, it was probably this very Police Force captain, who was doing his utmost to maintain the clan's relationship with the village.
But that wasn't the only hidden fuse the wicked Old Senju White-Hair had laid. The current Konoha F4 had inherited in full his fear and attitude toward the Uchiha Clan—or rather, Senju Tobirama's fear of Uchiha Madara.
"Then what do you think the Uchiha Clan needs to do to change its current situation?"
At the question, Hanazuki was genuinely stunned. He was no less shocked than when Fugaku had mentioned the Mangekyō Sharingan.
Was there any way to change the Uchiha Clan's situation besides overthrowing the village?
The Konoha Military Police Force was nothing like the police Hanazuki had known in his previous life. Though both were law enforcement agencies, the Uchiha Clan's Military Police Force didn't use the methods he was most familiar with.
First, cultivate a positive image. Second, punish both sides equally—in other words, smooth things over.
With no positive image to speak of, the ordinary villagers of Konoha, the common folk who didn't belong to one of the great clans, certainly didn't think highly of the Konoha Military Police Force.
What's more, the Uchiha Clan's unity was a thorny problem for the Third Hokage, who had always been intent on integrating the clan into the village and doing away with its insular ways.
Once suspicion had built to its breaking point, the undercurrents would surge, then be ignited by some sudden accident. At that point, covert exclusion would give way to open hostility.
The clan had been collectively pushed out of the village's power center and targeted both openly and covertly. Its members couldn't even see how narrow-minded they were...
And then there were Uchiha Shisui and Uchiha Itachi, the clan's only two geniuses and fighters at Kage Level. Danzo had tricked one so thoroughly that, after losing an eye, he went straight to his death. The other had embarked on a life as the perfect filial son.
By comparison, the clan head standing before him—the captain of the Konoha Military Police Force—was a spectacular failure, whether in political maneuvering or raising his son.
"Change things? I'm afraid I can't help with that. I don't know the answer either. Perhaps the Uchiha situation will improve once a new Hokage takes office."
Hanazuki answered evasively with a gentle smile, as if that were truly what he thought.
"A new Hokage, you say? Who do you think will become the Fourth Hokage this time? Which outstanding jonin?"
"Teacher Orochimaru or Namikaze Minato. It'll probably come down to those two. Are you interested in competing for the Fourth Hokage position too?"
Fugaku slowly shook his head. He couldn't compete with either of them, not in terms of achievements or the support they had among the village's jonin.
Most importantly, the Konoha High Command would never support someone from the Uchiha Clan becoming Hokage. That was where Konoha stood on the clan now.
"Also, could you let the child outside come in? He's been standing out there for quite a while. He doesn't seem as lively as an ordinary child. He looks like he'll make a fine ninja someday."
Fugaku's heart skipped a beat. Then he remembered something and hurriedly called toward the door.
"Itachi, don't eavesdrop on your father and his guest!"
The door creaked open. The young Uchiha Itachi was quiet and reserved, and he looked at Hanazuki with curiosity.
"It's all right. Is this your child, Lord Fugaku? Uchiha Itachi has a lot of talent. He might become an excellent Konoha Ninja someday."
Hanazuki smiled kindly, his expression warm. Mikoto hurried out of the kitchen and quickly apologized when she saw them.
"I'm sorry to interrupt you. Itachi, don't disturb your father while he's talking with his guest!"
"It's nothing. We were just chatting."
He smiled at Mikoto. An inexplicable fragrance made her feel kindly toward the child before her, who was only six or seven years older than Itachi.
"You're Hanazuki, right? What a sweet child. Don't be shy later—make sure you eat well so you can grow up healthy."
The rich aroma drifted from the kitchen into the living room. Mikoto suddenly remembered something and hurried back out.
"Oh dear, the stew!"
Watching her hurry away and seeing Itachi's curious expression, Fugaku sighed helplessly, bringing their tense conversation to an end.
"Let's set those troublesome matters aside and enjoy Mikoto's cooking."
The aroma grew richer. The carefully prepared stew and assortment of dishes whetted their appetites, and Fugaku and Hanazuki tacitly forgot their earlier conversation.
When Hanazuki left, Fugaku watched his figure disappear into the distance, his expression solemn.
"That child seems so polite. Uchiha Hanazuki... I feel like I've heard the name somewhere."
Mikoto murmured thoughtfully. After a moment of silence, Fugaku explained to his wife, who had chosen family life over a career as a ninja.
"Don't underestimate him. He's a true genius. Though he's only a few years older than Itachi, his mastery of the Body Flicker Technique is on par with Namikaze Minato's."
"He's faced the Kazekage's advisor, Chiyo, the Fourth Raikage and the AB Duo—made up of him and eight Jinchuriki—and not only gained the upper hand, but also killed the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist in one stroke and held off the Third Tsuchikage."
"He's a true genius. No one in the clan even knows whether he's awakened the Sharingan."
Mikoto was also quite shocked by Fugaku's assessment. After thinking it over, she smiled and replied,
"But no matter how talented he is, isn't he still just a child?"
"A child? I hope so."
Suddenly, Fugaku looked up. An emergency messenger hawk was flying toward the Hokage's office building from afar. His once-peaceful expression grew strangely grave.
Emergency military report. What's happened at the front?