The Eye That Peered into Samsara

In the past, he would have told Itachi that everything was for the village and the clan.

He would have told Itachi that the Hokage's decisions had their own reasons.

He would also have told Itachi that the Uchiha had to consider Konoha's greater good.

But Lie Yang's earlier warning suddenly surfaced in his mind.

What would happen if a child accepted the Will of Fire too early?

He would place the village above his clan.

He would regard the Hokage's orders as absolutely correct.

He might even willingly stand against his own clansmen for the so-called greater good.

Such an Uchiha might appear to possess a broader perspective.

But in truth, he would have lost his clan's standpoint.

If he was unwilling even to understand why his own family was angry, how could he truly understand the village?

Fugaku lowered his head and looked at Itachi.

How old was Itachi?

Yet when he spoke just now, the first thing he questioned was not why Lie Yang could enter the clan compound.

Instead, he emphasized that Lie Yang had killed Konoha ninja.

"Itachi."

Fugaku's voice lowered.

"Do you think the Uchiha should obey Konoha forever?"

Itachi was visibly taken aback.

"The Uchiha are part of Konoha."

"That isn't an answer."

Fugaku looked at him.

"If Konoha's decisions harmed the Uchiha, what should the clan do?"

Itachi fell silent for a moment.

"We should consider the bigger picture first."

The answer came far too smoothly.

It was as if the Ninja Academy teachers had already taught it to him countless times.

But Fugaku's heart suddenly sank.

Lie Yang had not been wrong.

To an adult, the Will of Fire could be a belief.

But to a child unable to distinguish interests from allegiances, it could become a blade that severed blood