Itachi recognized the assistant's voice immediately; it was the voice of his father Fugaku Uchiha.
Itachi looked at his assistant with disbelief, his Sharingan already activated.
Unlike a few years ago, Itachi hasn't completely stagnated; at least he's no longer the type who had to rely on Fugaku's connections to participate in clan gatherings.
Itachi already has the Three-Tomoe Sharingan.
Of course, this was of no use. After Ren became the clan head, the Uchiha Clan never held another clan meeting.
Using his Sharingan to carefully observe the person behind Xuanyue, Itachi failed to detect any trace of the transformation technique.
Itachi didn't ask such a stupid question as "Who are you?"
It's no secret that Ren and Shisui Mangekyō Sharingan. There's only one possibility that their Sharingan can't detect any flaws.
That was his own father, Fugaku Uchiha, who also possessed the Mangekyō Sharingan.
After the initial shock subsided, Itachi regained his composure once his Sharingan confirmed it, his eyes filled with understanding, and he looked at the person beside Xuanyue with respect.
Fugaku stopped pretending and his entire body shattered like a mirror, revealing his true appearance.
The Mangekyō Sharingan in his eyes flickered slightly before disappearing.
Fugaku's Mangekyo Sharingan eyes had seen everything Itachi had just done, and Fugaku looked at his son, who was somewhat unfamiliar to him, with a very complicated expression.
"I was unqualified as both the clan leader and a father, but Itachi, you are the one I am most proud of."
"Your extraordinary talent and exceptionally mature thinking were what made me feel most at ease."
After expressing his feelings, Fugaku's tone became somewhat cold.
"It turns out you really are exceptional, beyond my expectations. I was fooled by you for so long, and as your father, I couldn't even tell!"
"I never taught you to wear a mask and deceive even your own family!"
Fugaku simply couldn't believe that his son, with whom he had spent so many years, had been acting all along!
At this moment, Fugaku couldn't help but recall the day a few years ago when he and Ren went to the Hokage's Office.
That was a day that opened Fugaku's eyes to a whole new world. The verbal sparring between Hiruzen Sarutobi and Ren, each with their own ulterior motives, still leaves Fugaku with much to ponder.
But that's not it.
Fugaku then recalled his confident promise that as long as he focused on his family, he could win Itachi back and get him back on the right track.
When Ren heard Fugaku's promise, he gave Fugaku a cryptic smile.
At that moment, Fugaku finally understood the meaning behind Ren's smile.
You probably already knew this outcome, Ren- kun.
After giving Itachi a look of utter disappointment, Fugaku spoke to Xuanyue.
"Xuanyue Yue, please convey to the clan leader that I have no objections!"
Upon hearing this, Xuan Xuanyue nodded to Fugaku, then looked at Itachi and spoke.
"Itachi Uchiha, keep up, you have a new mission."
Itachi remained silent, not even glancing at Fugaku again, and followed Xuanyue away.
Observing Asuma's actions tonight made Itachi fully understand his own heart. He knew that his blood was cold and that if necessary, he could even turn his sword against Fugaku and Mikoto Uchiha.
Understanding who you really are is always the hardest thing; very few people can do it.
Ren was unaware of Itachi's inner thoughts; otherwise, he would have been overjoyed, for finally, besides himself, another Uchiha Clan could understand his inner thoughts.
Ren has always had a very clear understanding of himself; he is a gentleman with a pure heart, full of light.
After Itachi and Xuanyue left, a door beside Fugaku was opened, and Mikoto Uchiha rushed towards Fugaku with tears streaming down her face, repeatedly hitting Fugaku to vent her emotions.
For no particular reason, Mikoto Uchiha just felt that Itachi's departure this time meant it would be difficult to see him again.
Being weak and powerless, she had no right to resist and hadn't even dared to show her face just now.
Without saying a word, Fugaku hugged Mikoto Uchiha tightly, refusing to let go no matter how much she struggled. However, he once again recalled what Ren had once told him.
"Fugaku- senpai, you should devote more effort to Sasuke Uchiha. He is a genius who surpasses Itachi, and even Shisui and me."
Fugaku, who had always been skeptical about this, had been paying close attention to Sasuke Uchiha over the past few years.
However Fugaku viewed it, he felt that Sasuke Uchiha was completely incomparable to Itachi, let alone surpassing Shisui and Ren.
After what happened with Itachi, Fugaku felt that maybe he should really give it a try; Ren seemed to have never misjudged anyone.
On the other side, Itachi followed silently behind Xuanyue, who was also silent in front of him.
Even the sound of their footsteps as they jumped was very faint, in this eerie silence.
Xuanyue led Itachi to the back mountain of the Ninja Academy.
Then came Ren's voice, appearing right next to Itachi's ear, as if Ren were nearby.
"Itachi, come up the mountain."