Pfft!
Hanazuki coughed a few times and hurriedly set down his teacup, then asked with feigned confusion,
"Mangekyō Sharingan? What's that? Another kind of Sharingan?"
Fugaku's eyes narrowed slightly. He introduced it to Hanazuki without prompting.
"The Mangekyō Sharingan surpasses the Three-Tomoe Sharingan. Its ocular power is far greater than that of an ordinary Sharingan."
"Throughout the history of the Uchiha Clan, only a handful of people have ever awakened it. In the distant Warring States period, the Uchiha Clan lost a great deal of its records amid the chaos of war, and only scant records of the Mangekyō Sharingan remain."
After speaking, Fugaku openly studied Hanazuki's expression. Seeing no useful clues in his demeanor, he continued,
"What do you think of the Uchiha Clan as it is now? I want to hear your most honest opinion, whether objective or subjective."
"The Uchiha Clan? Subjectively, they're arrogant and restless. Objectively, they wield power and look down on others. After all, they're the Military Police Force."
Hearing Uchiha Hanazuki's assessment, Fugaku didn't get angry, but neither did he nod in agreement.
"That's what the Military Police Force is like. Since we're responsible for the village's security, it's inevitable that we'll sometimes take actions that damage our reputation. I've heard some of the villagers' complaints about the Military Police Force, too."
Hanazuki smiled without saying anything. If anyone in the Uchiha Clan was clear-eyed, it was probably the man before him, the captain of the Military Police Force, who was doing his utmost to maintain the clan's relationship with the village.
But the dark seeds planted by the wicked Old Senju White-Hair went deeper than that. The current Konoha F4 had inherited in full his fear and attitude toward the Uchiha Clan—or rather, Senju Tobirama's fear and attitude toward Uchiha Madara.
"Then what do you think the Uchiha Clan needs to do to change its current circumstances?"
At the question, Hanazuki froze. He was no less shocked than when Fugaku had mentioned the Mangekyō Sharingan.
Was there any way to change the Uchiha Clan's circumstances other than overthrowing the village?
The Konoha Military Police Force was nothing like the police Hanazuki knew from his past life. Though both were law enforcement agencies, the Military Police Force controlled by the Uchiha Clan didn't use the methods he was most familiar with.
First, cultivate a positive image. Second, give both sides a slap on the wrist—in other words, play peacemaker.
The Military Police Force had no positive public image to speak of. Among Konoha's ordinary villagers, those who didn't belong to one of the great clans, it was certainly not well regarded.
Moreover, in the eyes of the Third Hokage, who had always sought to integrate the village and put aside clan divisions, the Uchiha Clan's close-knit unity was an especially thorny problem.
When suspicion had built to its limit, and an unexpected incident ignited the surging undercurrents, covert exclusion gave way to open hostility.
The clan had been collectively driven out of the village's power center and targeted, openly or in secret. The Uchiha had failed to recognize the limits of their own influence...
And then there were Uchiha Shisui and Uchiha Itachi, the clan's only two geniuses with Kage Level strength. Danzo had tricked one into losing an eye and then taking his own life, while the other had gone straight down the path of a dutiful son.
By comparison, the Uchiha Clan's leader before him, the captain of the Konoha Military Police Force, had to be considered a complete failure, both in politics and in raising his son.
"Change? I'm afraid I'm powerless to help. I don't know the answer, either. Perhaps the Uchiha's circumstances will improve once a new Hokage takes office."
Hanazuki answered perfunctorily with a warm smile, as if that were truly what he thought.
"A new Hokage, you say? Which outstanding jōnin do you think will become the Fourth Hokage this time?"
"Orochimaru-sensei or Namikaze Minato. It'll probably be one of those two. Are you interested in competing for the Fourth Hokage's position, too?"
Fugaku slowly shook his head. He couldn't compete with either of them, not in accomplishments nor in the support of the village's jōnin.
Most importantly, the Konoha High Command would never support someone from the Uchiha Clan becoming Hokage. That was how Konoha viewed the Uchiha Clan now.
"Also, could you let the child outside come in? He's been standing there for quite a while. He doesn't seem as lively as most children. I expect he'll become a fine shinobi one day."
Fugaku's heart skipped a beat. Then, as if he'd realized something, he hurriedly called toward the door.
"Itachi, don't eavesdrop on your father and his guest!"
The door creaked open. Young Uchiha Itachi was quiet and reserved, and he eyed Hanazuki with curiosity.
"That's all right. Is this your son, Lord Fugaku? Uchiha Itachi has great potential. He may become an outstanding Konoha shinobi one day."
Hanazuki smiled kindly, his expression warm. Mikoto hurried out of the kitchen and quickly apologized when she saw them.
"I'm sorry for interrupting. Itachi, don't disturb your father while he's talking to his guest!"
"It's nothing. We were just chatting."
He smiled at Mikoto. A faint, pleasant fragrance made her take an instant liking to the boy, who was only six or seven years older than Itachi.
"Your name is Hanazuki, right? What a sweet boy. Don't be shy later—eat well so you can grow up healthy."
The rich aroma wafted from the kitchen into the living room. Mikoto suddenly remembered something and rushed back out.
"Oh dear, the stew!"
Watching her hasty retreat and Itachi's curious expression, Fugaku sighed helplessly, putting an end to their tense conversation.
"Let's put those troublesome matters aside and enjoy Mikoto's cooking."
The aroma grew richer. The carefully prepared stew and various dishes made their mouths water, and Fugaku and Hanazuki tacitly let their earlier conversation fade away.
When Hanazuki left, Fugaku watched his figure gradually disappear, his expression solemn.
"That child seems very polite. Uchiha Hanazuki... I feel like I've heard that name somewhere."
Mikoto murmured thoughtfully. After a brief silence, Fugaku explained to his wife, who had chosen family over a shinobi career.
"Don't underestimate him. He's a true genius. He's only a few years older than Itachi, yet his mastery of the Body Flicker Technique is on par with Namikaze Minato's."
"He outperformed the AB Combo—the Kazekage's advisor Chiyo, the Fourth Raikage, and the eight Jinchūriki—in their battles. He also single-handedly killed the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist 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 quite astonished by Fugaku's assessment. After thinking it over, she replied with a smile,
"But no matter how talented he is, isn't he still just a child?"
"A child? I hope so."
Suddenly, Fugaku looked up. A Communication Hawk bearing an urgent message flew from the distance toward the Hokage Office Building. His previously calm expression grew oddly grave.
An urgent military report. What happened at the front?
Before you continue