Fugaku's Attempt to Change

Pfft!

Hanazuki coughed a few times, hurriedly set down his teacup, and feigned confusion. "Mangekyo Sharingan? What is that? Is it another type of Sharingan?"

Seeing this, Fugaku narrowed his eyes slightly and began to explain on his own accord. "The Mangekyo Sharingan is a level above the Three-Tomoe Sharingan, possessing ocular power that far exceeds that of a standard Sharingan."

"In the history of the Uchiha Clan, it is an eye that only a handful of people have ever awakened. During the distant Warring States period, due to the chaos of war, a vast amount of the Uchiha Clan's records were lost, and documentation regarding the Mangekyo Sharingan is scarce."

Having said that, he observed Hanazuki's expression without restraint. Seeing that he could glean no useful information from the boy's demeanor, Fugaku continued. "What is your take on the current Uchiha Clan? I want to hear your most honest opinion, whether objective or subjective."

"The Uchiha Clan? Subjectively speaking, they are arrogant and restless. Objectively, they hold power and look down on others—after all, they are the Konoha Military Police Force."

Hearing Uchiha Hanazuki's assessment, Fugaku did not flare up, nor did he nod in agreement.

"The so-called Military Police Force is just like that. Because we are responsible for the village's security, it is inevitable that we take actions that damage our image. I have even heard whispers of the villagers' complaints against the force."

Hanazuki smiled but remained silent. If there was anyone left in the current Uchiha Clan who was clear-headed, it was likely this captain of the Military Police Force, who was struggling to maintain the relationship between the clan and the village.

However, the hidden mines planted by the wicked Old Senju White-Hair did not end there. His attitude—no, the fear and attitude Senju Tobirama held toward Uchiha Madara—had been inherited in full by the current Konoha F4.

"Then, what do you think the Uchiha Clan needs to change its current situation?"

Hearing this question, Hanazuki was truly stunned, his shock no less than when Fugaku had mentioned the Mangekyo Sharingan.

To change the Uchiha Clan's situation—was there any path other than overthrowing the village?

The Konoha Military Police Force was not like the police Hanazuki knew in his past life. While both were law enforcement agencies, the force controlled by the Uchiha Clan lacked the methods he was most familiar with.

The first was to build a positive image; the second was to punish both sides equally—what was commonly known as "smoothing things over."

Without a positive image, the average villagers in Konoha, those who were not part of the great clans, certainly did not have a high opinion of the Konoha Military Police Force.

Furthermore, the unity of the Uchiha Clan was seen as a thorny problem by the Third Hokage, who had always intended to integrate the village and abandon sectarian biases.

When suspicion accumulated to the extreme, and the surging undercurrents were ignited by a sudden accident, the situation would shift from secret exclusion to open confrontation.

Driven out of the center of power by the village, targeted both openly and covertly, the Uchiha clansmen who failed to see their own limitations...

Beyond that, Uchiha Shisui and Uchiha Itachi, the only two geniuses with Kage-level combat potential—one was tricked by Danzo into committing suicide after losing an eye, and the other embarked on a life of filial piety.

By comparison, the clan head before him, the captain of the Konoha Military Police Force, was truly quite a failure in both political maneuvering and child-rearing.

"Change? I'm afraid I'm powerless to help. Regarding that, I don't know either. Perhaps when the new Hokage takes office, the situation for the Uchiha will improve."

With a gentle smile, Hanazuki gave a perfunctory answer, as if this were his true opinion.

"A new Hokage taking office? Who do you think will be the outstanding jonin to become the Fourth Hokage this time?"

"Teacher Orochimaru or Namikaze Minato; it will likely be between these two. Are you interested in competing for the position of Fourth Hokage yourself?"

Fugaku shook his head slowly. He was not yet capable of competing with those two, whether in terms of achievements or the support of the jonin within the village.

Most crucially, the Konoha high command would never support an Uchiha for the position of Hokage. That was the current attitude of Konoha toward the Uchiha Clan.

"Also, may the child outside the door come in? Standing out there for so long, he doesn't seem as lively as a typical child. It seems he will become a fine ninja in the future."

Fugaku was startled, then remembered something and hurriedly called out toward the door.

"Itachi, stop eavesdropping on your father and his guest!"

Creak. The door slid open slowly. Young Uchiha Itachi was taciturn, his eyes filled with curiosity as he looked at Hanazuki.

"It's no trouble. Is this Fugaku-sama's child? Uchiha Itachi—this child possesses talent. He may become an excellent Konoha ninja one day."

With a kind smile and a gentle expression, Hanazuki watched as Mikoto hurried out of the kitchen and apologized upon seeing the scene.

"I'm sorry to disturb you both. Itachi, don't interrupt your father while he's talking to his guest!"

"It's nothing, just some idle chatter."

He smiled at Mikoto, and a mysterious, pleasant scent made her feel an inexplicable fondness for this child, who was only six or seven years older than Itachi.

"Hanazuki, is it? What a lovely child. Don't be shy later; you must eat well to grow up healthy."

A rich aroma drifted from the kitchen to the living room. Mikoto suddenly remembered something and ran off in a panic.

"Oh my, the stew in the kitchen!"

Seeing her hurried back and Itachi's curious face, Fugaku sighed helplessly and brought the previous tense topic to an end.

"Let's put those troublesome matters aside and properly enjoy Mikoto's cooking."

The fragrance grew richer. The meticulously prepared stew and various dishes were appetizing, and Fugaku and Hanazuki tacitly let their earlier conversation fade away.

When Hanazuki finally left, Fugaku watched his retreating figure with a solemn expression.

"That child seemed very polite. Uchiha Hanazuki... I feel like I've heard that name somewhere."

Mikoto murmured to herself, lost in thought. Fugaku remained silent for a moment before introducing him to his wife, who had chosen family over a life as a ninja.

"Do not underestimate him. He is a true genius. He is only a few years older than Itachi, yet his mastery of the Body Flicker Technique is not inferior to Namikaze Minato's."

"He has held his own against the Kazekage's advisor Chiyo and the AB Combo—composed of the Fourth Raikage and the Eight-Tails jinchuriki—and even managed to kill the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist and hold off the Third Tsuchikage."

"He is a true genius. Whether or not he has awakened the Sharingan is something even those within the clan do not know."

Hearing Fugaku's assessment, Mikoto was quite shocked. After a moment of thought, she smiled and replied, "But no matter how much of a genius he may be, isn't he still just a child right now?"

"A child, you say? I hope so."

Suddenly, Fugaku looked up. A Communication Hawk, signaling an emergency, was flying toward the Hokage Office Building. His previously calm expression turned inexplicably grave.

Urgent military intelligence. Has something happened on the front lines?