A Father-Son Talk at Night

If the Uchiha Clan were to engage in internal strife with Konoha, it would be difficult to predict the ultimate outcome for either side.

But one thing is absolutely certain: if such a dire situation were to occur, neither the Uchiha Clan nor Konoha would be able to escape unscathed.

Both sides will most likely suffer heavy losses; the worst-case scenario would be the complete annihilation of the Uchiha Clan.

As a member of Konoha's ANBU and an elite ninja, Itachi knew very well that Konoha Village possessed the strength to achieve this.

So when Itachi heard Shisui's analysis in the same way, he fell silent.

Shisui didn't say anything more.

The two sat facing each other in silence.

After a while, Itachi finally spoke, "Brother Shisui, I also don't want the village and the Uchiha Clan to suffer heavy losses."

"That would only give external enemies an opportunity to exploit."

"I'm glad you understand this, Itachi."

"But the problem we face now is how to help Lord Fugaku resolve this crisis."

Shisui responded.

"So, Brother Shisui, you're here just to ponder this question?"

Itachi immediately realized why he had seen Shisui standing alone on the rooftop, staring blankly at the moon.

It turned out that he was also extremely troubled by what happened that afternoon.

I, too, was tormented by these same worries, suffering from insomnia and unable to sleep.

"Although I've saved some money over the years, it's probably far from enough..."

Shisui's words, almost as if he were talking to himself, could also be considered a response to Itachi's question.

Hearing this, Itachi frowned slightly. "Brother Shisui, are you planning to handle this alone?"

"If that's the case, I'll come and help too."

"I've saved up quite a bit of money over the years while carrying out missions."

Itachi immediately said.

Neither he nor Shisui were members of the Konoha Police Force, so they did not receive a fixed salary.

He started carrying out missions after graduating from the Ninja Academy at the age of seven, and over the years he has indeed saved up a considerable amount of money.

For Itachi at this point, he is still very young.

Having such a large sum of money on hand doesn't seem to have much use for the time being.

Shisui's heart stirred slightly. He didn't refuse Itachi, but said, "In that case, let's go talk to Fugaku as soon as it's light."

"Perhaps I can borrow a little more money."

"Let's all work together to help the Uchiha Clan overcome their current difficulties."

Shisui said very seriously.

"Okay!"

Itachi immediately nodded in agreement.

"Then, Brother Shisui, you should go back and rest now; it's already very late."

Then he added a reminder.

"Yes, you should get some rest too."

Because it wasn't in the same direction as Itachi's place, Shisui finished speaking and leaped towards the other side of the clan's territory.

When Itachi turned around, his expression was once again one of worry and dejection.

He sighed silently to himself, then leaped back into his own yard.

But after landing, Itachi found his father Fugaku Uchiha, standing under the eaves, silently with his arms crossed, seemingly waiting for him to return.

"Father..."

Itachi looked at Fugaku in surprise, hesitating to speak.

I never imagined that they would find out I hadn't fallen asleep.

"Where did you go so late?"

Fugaku's expression was slightly serious, unlike anything he had ever done before.

Although his tone wasn't particularly harsh at this moment, Itachi could still sense his displeasure.

"Nothing..."

Itachi had originally intended to explain things properly.

But then she thought of the pressure her father usually put on her, and she immediately changed her mind.

I felt that pressure starting to surge up again, and my inner instinct was to resist speaking.

Lately, I don't know why, but I have this feeling every time I face my father.

I don't want to talk, I just want to escape.

Get as far away as possible.

"You heard my conversation with the tribespeople yesterday afternoon, didn't you?"

"I saw you there too, Itachi."

Seeing that his son was unwilling to say more about where he had gone, Fugaku did not press the matter further, but instead asked about what had happened the previous afternoon.

Hearing him ask that, Itachi's heart sank again.

"I heard you, Father."

The weasel answered.

The father and son fell silent at this point in their conversation.

Fugaku's expression softened somewhat, and he stepped down the stairs, walking towards Itachi.

"Finding a balance between the demands of the village and the clan, satisfying both sides and reconciling the conflict, is not an easy task, Itachi."

Upon arriving before Itachi, Fugaku suddenly began to explain earnestly.

"Father, what do you plan to do?"

"If it is decided to compensate the villagers for their losses, I still have approximately nine million taels here."

"It's what I saved up over the past four years of missions."

Itachi looked up at his father and told him about the solution he and Shisui had agreed on.

"Brother Shisui will also try his best to find a solution."

"Although our combined funds certainly aren't enough, as long as we all work together, we're sure we can overcome this difficulty..."

As they were talking, Itachi suddenly noticed that his father's expression seemed a little off.

He stopped and watched Fugaku waiting for the other to respond.

Fugaku then took two more steps forward, stood in front of Itachi, and gently placed his hand on Itachi's shoulder.

"You've actually saved up this much money all by yourself over the past few years?"

"Truly my good son, Itachi."

Fugaku appeared to be praising Itachi, but in reality, he was somewhat evading the question.

Itachi's heart sank slightly upon hearing his father's words.

Sure enough, Fugaku then said, "Itachi, I can feel the feelings between you and Shisui."

"It's truly gratifying that you're willing to sacrifice your own interests for the sake of the Uchiha Clan."

"Well..."

As he spoke, Fugaku sighed deeply, frowning in distress, and said, "It's a pity that if all the other members of the Uchiha Clan were as understanding and righteous as you are."

"Father, what... does this mean?"

Itachi looked at Fugaku with suspicion and uncertainty, already sensing that something was wrong.

Yesterday afternoon, he only saw his clansmen venting their emotions and criticizing the Konoha Village leadership and Fugaku himself.

But what happened next is still unknown to Itachi because he left early.

At this moment, seeing his father's expression, he vaguely felt that his father might have already compromised with the other members of the tribe.

If that's the case, then... things are likely to quickly take a turn for the worse.