Torn Between Loyalty and Filial Piety

After leaving the training ground, Itachi went straight to the Hokage's Office and reported what he had seen and heard at the training ground to the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi.

"Six Powers?"

Upon hearing Itachi's report, Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn't help but frown.

He had previously sent his ANBU to investigate the strange man who had recently appeared in the village.

However, the investigation by the ANBU revealed that he was just an ordinary person.

Unexpectedly, they were hiding their true abilities.

"A master of physical combat...?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi muttered to himself in thought.

"Itachi, do you think that man will be a threat to Konoha Village?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi out of his daze and asked.

Itachi hesitated for a moment before replying, "I cannot be certain yet, Third Hokage."

"However, after I got to know him, I obtained some information."

"Um..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi fell into a deep thought once more.

What information is it?

After a moment, he asked.

He said he came from the Land of Sea, a very distant island nation overseas.

"It would take more than a year to reach the destination by boat alone."

"And in their homeland, everyone knows a martial art called ' Six Powers '..."

Itachi recounted all the information he had obtained through his conversation with Lin Yan.

After listening, Hiruzen Sarutobi fell into deep thought once again.

"Third Generation Lord, perhaps we can start our investigation into this man from here and see if the Land of Sea he spoke of truly exists."

"In addition, I will closely monitor his movements."

Itachi explained.

Upon hearing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded.

"I will have someone investigate the matter of the Land of Sea."

"I will also send more people to keep a close watch on Lin Yan 24 hours a day."

"Thank you for your hard work, Itachi."

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at the Uchiha Clan genius before him with an approving gaze.

"Then I shall take my leave, Lord Third Generation."

"Okay, go ahead."

Itachi vanished in a flash.

However, instead of going back to the training ground to pick up his younger brother Sasuke, he first went back to the Uchiha Clan's territory.

After returning to the Uchiha clan's territory, Itachi found his father Fugaku Uchiha.

"Itachi?"

Fugaku Uchiha, who was in close communication with several elite members of the Uchiha Clan, turned around and looked towards the door.

Come in.

Fugaku beckoned to Itachi.

At the same time, a kind and friendly smile appeared on his face.

Itachi took off his shoes and went inside. After exchanging glances with the other elite clansmen, he nodded as a greeting.

He then sat down next to Fugaku.

"Recently, there have been more rumors and gossip about our Uchiha Clan in the village."

"And the villagers' hostility towards us has clearly intensified."

"The work of the Konoha Police Force is extremely difficult, which is not a good thing for the entire Uchiha Clan, or even the entire Konoha village."

"The duties of the Konoha Police Force are not only to maintain order and stability in the village, but also to prevent the invasion of external enemies."

"If our work cannot proceed, it could plunge the entire village into crisis..."

"Itachi, you should understand the pros and cons of this, right?"

One of the elite clansmen then reminded Itachi.

His eyes were incredibly sharp, like an eagle eyeing its prey.

The tone implied more than just a question; it carried another meaning.

Itachi's heart stirred slightly upon hearing these words.

He simply nodded without saying a word.

"Ever since the end of the Third Great Ninja War, our Uchiha Clan has been suspected by the higher-ups because of our great contributions. They have always thought that we are too powerful to threaten the leadership."

"During the Nine-Tails Incident, the Uchiha Clan did not directly participate in the battle because they received orders from the village's higher-ups."

"But they ultimately turned the tables, claiming that our Uchiha Clan controlled the Nine-Tails and attacked the village."

"Now even the villagers believe that we did it."

"If it weren't for the encouragement and tacit approval of higher-ups, how could things have developed so rapidly?"

Another elite Uchiha clansman reminded Itachi.

His words also made Itachi feel uncomfortable, even somewhat distressed.

At this moment, Fugaku asked, "Itachi, what's been happening with the village's higher-ups lately?"

This is what causes Itachi so much inner pain.

Other elite members of the race, though they also had their own standards,

However, they often express themselves in a roundabout way.

Or they might complain to themselves about how the villagers have been very unfriendly towards the Uchiha lately.

They either accuse higher-ups of inaction.

This led to an increasingly intense hostility among the villagers of Konoha towards the Uchiha Clan.

Calls to exclude the Konoha Police Force are growing louder.

However, the pressure from the words of these elite clansmen was far less than the pressure from his own father Fugaku, at this very moment.

Fugaku Uchiha, the father, used his position as ANBU member directly under the Hokage to constantly demand that he provide the clan with information about the higher-ups.

Itachi's upbringing instilled in him the importance of absolute loyalty to the village and the Hokage.

No matter what happens in the village, everything must be done in the best interests of Konoha.

But now, his father's demands on him completely contradict all of the above.

This put Itachi under immense mental pressure.

He was actually very resistant to it.

But on one side are his father, his clansmen, and the interests of his family.

On the other end are the village's leaders, the superiors he will always be loyal to and protect, and the interests of the village.

When the two conflict, Itachi becomes confused.

He didn't know which side he should stand on.

It seems that no matter what choice I make, it will hurt the other side.

If you remain neutral, you still won't be able to solve the problem.

Itachi was in extreme pain.

For a moment, he didn't know how to respond to his father.

Seeing that his son remained silent for a long time, Fugaku, instead of asking why, urged, "Itachi? Did you hear what I just said?"

Itachi snapped out of his daze as if he'd been electrocuted.

He calmly replied, "Not at the moment..."

"There won't be any major actions from the village in the near future. The three generations of elders and the other high-ranking officials are all very patient."

"They neither ordered any action against the Uchiha Clan, nor did they exhibit any other unusual behavior..."

Itachi explained further.

This made Fugaku somewhat skeptical.

The other elite clansmen also stared at Itachi with eyes as sharp as knives.

"During this time, I'll need you to keep a close watch on the higher-ups, Itachi."

Fugaku took a deep breath and casually patted Itachi on the shoulder.