A Conversation / Uchiha Fugaku's Decision

"It's not that easy..." Nara Shikaku only sigh.

Chapter Three Conversations

Sighing is one thing, but going to work is another.

After Namikaze Minato became Hokage, Nara Shikaku witnessed a series of changes in the village. There were many good things, but also many risks.

Regardless of the Third's governing philosophy, he certainly put a lot of effort into maintaining stability.

According to Nara Shikaku, stability is the most important thing.

The Nara Clan didn't need to take sides in Leaf Village. As long as things remained stable, the Nara Clan could live comfortably by relying on their clan's secret techniques and the pharmaceutical business.

If it's unstable, then it's hard to say.

In contrast, Uchiha Shingen, standing before him, was a beneficiary of this "instability."

It is also one of the driving forces behind this instability.

Nara Shikaku was actually trying to indirectly tell the young man – could you perhaps use a little less force?

However, judging from Uchiha Shingen's response, he either didn't understand what he meant or deliberately pretended not to hear.

Regardless of the type, it's very Uchiha Clan.

As for Uchiha Shingen's claim of not knowing, Nara Shikaku naturally wouldn't believe a word of it.

All decisions of the ninja clan are made at clan meetings and require a collective vote by the Jonin to take effect; this procedure applies to all ninja clans.

The decision-making mechanism of Hidden Leaf Village also gradually developed based on this procedure.

Even if Jonin Uchiha Shingen's caliber leaves the village, he still has the right to know the full story.

"Shingen, would you like to come with me to the school?" Nara Shikaku invited Uchiha Shingen.

Perhaps we should communicate in places where it's easier to bridge the gap.

"Okay." Uchiha Shingen nodded.

The two left the Jonin Council office and headed to the Ninja Academy campus.

In December, Hidden Leaf Village was in the peak of a cold snap, and it had even snowed a few days ago, but this did not affect the school's classes.

Villagers might be afraid of the cold and stay at home, but they can't just endure it.

What ninjas cannot do, students at the Ninja Academy cannot do either.

When Nara Shikaku and Uchiha Shingen reached the edge of the playground, the students were conducting a small-team simulation battle under the guidance of their teacher.

They all saw their own family's children.

The children fully reflected their parents' roles within the Konoha Ninja Army.

The Uchiha Clan children always rush to the front, while the Nara Clan children prefer to walk on the side.

Just like the adults of both races on the battlefield.

"Shingen, speaking of which, your student has already graduated." Nara Shikaku looked at his own child, whose teammates were Yamanaka Clan and Akimichi Clan, just like the tradition of the three clans.

"Itachi wasn't my student; I only worked as his tutor for a short period," Uchiha Shingen said.

To be honest, he never actually taught Uchiha Itachi Ninjutsu.

I simply don't have time.

The one who truly taught Uchiha Itachi was Uchiha Shisui.

"That's a genius! He graduated in just one year."

"This is the procedure."

Nara Shikaku was speechless for a moment after hearing that.

But he also knew that Uchiha Shingen was telling the truth.

Every ninja clan has people like this; attending Ninja Academy is really just going through the motions.

Take Uchiha Itachi as an example. He definitely didn't need to learn the Three Body Techniques. He could just take the elective courses according to the development path he wanted.

For children of the ninja clan, the significance of the Ninja Academy lies more in making friends.

But graduating in just one year, even considering the formalities, is considered a very fast process.

"Class monitor, have the children of your three clans always been in groups since they were little? You coordinate very well." Uchiha Shingen was observing the Ino-Shika-Cho trio.

The Sarutobi Clan, Nara Clan, Yamanaka Clan, and Akimichi Clan clans are famous for their close cooperation in Hidden Leaf Village, which easily gives the impression that the Ino-Shika-Cho are staunch vassals of the Sarutobi Clan.

But in reality, Nara Clan and Yamanaka Clan were forced into this situation.

Because these two clans originally had no relationship with the Sarutobi Clan. The Akimichi Clan's group of fat men were Sarutobi Clan's allies, and very close ones at that. The two clans had made an oath, and the Akimichi Clan took the oath very seriously, so they always stood with the Sarutobi Clan and thin.

In this way, Nara Clan and Yamanaka Clan would have no choice but to the Sarutobi Clan. They and Akimichi Clan would no longer be allies, but practically brothers. Akimichi Clan, they would go up too.

Moreover, Sarutobi Hiruzen originally favored the Nara Clan and Yamanaka Clan out of affection for them, and the two clans gradually got used to it.

But it's just a habit.

When Shimura Danzō Danzo, Sarutobi Hiruzen's Akimichi Clan and didn't take any action, but the two clans showed no mercy whatsoever.

They had long disliked Shimura Danzō.

"Yes, our three clans have been working together since the Warring States period, and it hasn't been easy for us to get to where we are today," Nara Shikaku sighed.

He glanced at Uchiha Shingen, who was watching with great interest and had already shifted his gaze to the Uchiha Clan children.

Nara Shikaku decided to be more direct.

Uchiha Shingen was young, which was why he could not be underestimated.

In the eyes of all ninja clans, the most prominent characteristics of the Uchiha Clan are their radicalism and unruliness.

"Shingen, the village's current situation hasn't come easily," Nara Shikaku said. "Could you advise Fugaku not to rush into running for Hokage's assistant? You know, many people still have reservations about the Uchiha Clan, and this great situation could easily be ruined."

"A great situation?" Uchiha Shingen withdrew his gaze. "Class monitor, were you fooled? This shouldn't be happening."

He advised Uchiha Fugaku to relinquish his position in the Police Force, not to be a pushover.

In ninja battles, there is no retreat, only advance.

The power struggles within the ninja clans also involved each side getting what they needed.

The ninja clan would never sacrifice their interests for a hollow friendship; those who tried to do so in the past are all dead.

"Shingen, if you keep doing this, the village will descend into chaos..."

"Squad leader, look over there." Uchiha Shingen pointed to the playground.

Nara Shikaku looked in the direction he was pointing.

That was a child from the Uchiha Clan. His teammates were two civilian ninjas. He served as the spearhead of his squad, full of energy, yelling and charging head-on.

However, his team's coordination was far inferior to that of the opposing Ino-Shika-Cho. As a result, the Uchiha Clan children suppressed the Akimichi Clan children, but his teammates were completely outmaneuvered by the Nara Clan and Yamanaka Clan children.

It was only because his solo performance was truly impressive that his team lost.

No, we lost.

The teacher next to me has already started scoring. This is a team competition, and the scores are based on the overall performance.

"Squad leader, our family is different from your three families. We don't have any brother families to help us." Uchiha Shingen seemed to know this. "We have to shoulder everything ourselves, and we have to earn our own reputation. This 'great situation' we have now wasn't given to us by anyone."

"Shingen, that's going too far," Nara Shikaku said, a look of worry on his face.

Uchiha Shingen confessed to him, but the attitude he displayed after the confession was more troublesome than he had anticipated.

"Before Sarutobi Clan even entered the village, the Uchiha Clan and Senju Clan had been protecting it together until now. Let's not talk about those old troubles. What's the point of having you tell me all this now?" Uchiha Shingen asked.

"Shingen, don't overthink it, this is just my personal opinion," Nara Shikaku said.

"Squad leader, I'm not stupid, and you're not Danzo, why should you take the blame for others?" Uchiha Shingen sighed and stopped talking.

He decided to go back and cause trouble for Uchiha Fugaku, stirring up public opinion within the clan to get that old codger to run for Hokage.

I almost forgot about it, but luckily someone reminded me.

Chapter Four: Uchiha Fugaku's Decision

Uchiha Fugaku, as the head of the Uchiha Clan, didn't actually have many hobbies in life.

First of all, he has little interest in power; he is interested in gaining fame.

His appointment as the head of the Uchiha Clan was a result of his own interests.

After all, this position doesn't represent power, but rather prestige.

Even if the Uchiha Clan head wanted to build another toilet on the clan grounds, he would have to go to the clan meeting and have everyone vote.

Then the clan chief is still the one primarily responsible; if anything is wrong with the repair of that toilet, he has to take the blame.

Uchiha Fugaku ran for clan head purely because he wanted to do something for the clan and enjoy the admiring gaze of the clan members. At that time, the clan was in a really bad situation, and the actions of the previous clan head had spurred him to his senses.

But after becoming the clan leader, he realized that the title of the Uchiha Clan leader was truly hard to earn.

So he regretted it long ago.

Unfortunately, those bastards are all cunning. Every time he lets slip a hint, a whole bunch of people jump out and shout that the Fugaku clan cannot be without its Uchiha Clan.

That's such a jerk!

But they weren't the worst of the worst. The worst one was the one who took away his greatest passion in life.

My handwriting is terrible, just say so! Why are you saying it outside?!

And are you really that afraid I'll play with calligraphy again? You've only been back a few days!? Now everyone in Leaf Village knows that the Uchiha Clan leader is both incompetent and loves to play!

God knows what price he paid to fight this "rumor"!

On this day, Uchiha Fugaku felt the time was ripe, because that little rascal had been diligently training and attending the Jonin Council training sessions for several days now, and his behavior had been very stable. Based on his careful observation over these days, he was certain that the little rascal wouldn't suddenly show up at his house.

Uchiha Mikoto also went out, carrying Sasuke to meet up with her best friend.

He decided to secretly start writing; his fingers had been itching to do it for a long time.

The only remaining uncertainty is the eldest son, who took a vacation on his own.

I'm sorry, Itachi, but Daddy loves you!

After scolding a bewildered Uchiha Itachi out of the house, Uchiha Fugaku strode into the study.

After entering this place, Uchiha Fugaku looked at the table, which was covered in dust, with deep affection. He first fetched a basin of water and wiped the table clean.

Then he took out his writing implements.

He couldn't hold back any longer and sighed.

"I'm sorry to have kept you waiting!"

Having set out the brush, ink, paper, and inkstone, Uchiha Fugaku felt his eye power stirring within him.

He slowly reached out, grasped the brush, and took a deep breath.

Ah! The rich smell of ink!

Yes! That's the taste!

"Hey? Chieftain, are you practicing calligraphy today?"

Uchiha Fugaku stopped writing.

A drop of ink fell onto the rice paper, and a blot of ink spread rapidly across the white paper, a shocking sight.

Uchiha Fugaku stared at the blob of ink.

Indeed, the abyss can be explored, but the human heart is immeasurable.

Why are you here? Why didn't you knock?

"I knocked on the door, clan leader, but no one answered. However, I sensed your Chakra here." Uchiha Shingen looked at the expressionless clan leader, who remained motionless, with a puzzled expression. "What are you doing, clan leader? Why aren't you writing? The ink is already dripping on it..."

"What are you writing?" Uchiha Fugaku calmly put down the brush. "I stopped practicing calligraphy a long time ago. I'm just checking if this paper is still usable; it's such a waste to leave it sitting there."

Seeing Uchiha Shingen's "So that's how it is" expression, Uchiha Fugaku suddenly felt an intense urge to use his hands!

Would it be inappropriate to use Susanoo at home? Perhaps it's best to hold off, otherwise renovating the house would require another clan meeting, as construction would take up land.