Another day of doing absolutely nothing at the Ninja Academy came to an end!
After school, Naruto still hadn't had enough and was thinking about stirring up more trouble that night.
But the septic tank incident had only just happened, and they were still in the spotlight. Making trouble now would be too risky... Yu decided to lie low for a while!
Besides, he'd stayed out all night yesterday, and little Hanabi had been furious. He wasn't sure whether she'd cooled down yet.
At the fork where they parted ways.
Naruto said, "Hey, Yu, you're competing against Sasuke in Shurikenjutsu tomorrow, right?"
Yu said, "Yep."
Naruto sounded worried. "Are you sure you can win? I can't speak for anything else, but that guy's pretty good at Shurikenjutsu!"
Yu said, "Hehe, maybe!"
Naruto said, "I'm so worried! Didn't you agree that the winner could order the loser to do one thing? What if Sasuke wins and makes you eat shit?"
Good grief. After just one rehearsal, he was already showing potential as a director!
Yu grinned. "Then I'll eat it."
"You!" After his initial shock, Naruto declared with unwavering loyalty, "How about this? If it comes to that, I'll... I'll eat it for you! So you have to win! Don't make me eat shit, believe it!"
That night, Itachi returned to the clan with a heavy heart, bringing news of Shisui's defection!
The clanspeople who heard the news gathered outside Fugaku's home, agitated and cursing up a storm.
"Damn it! At a time like this, too! What the hell is Shisui thinking?!"
"They called him the clan's greatest genius, but he backed down the moment things got tough!"
"He just didn't want to stand with us! He's a coward afraid of dying!"
"That coward! I used to respect him so much. I must have been blind!"
"Good riddance! A coward like him would only get in our way if he stayed!"
In the dim Japanese-style room, Itachi sat across from Fugaku and presented Shisui's handwritten letter, which explained everything that had happened!
It included how he had witnessed a comrade's death during a mission, awakened his Mangekyo Sharingan, and gained the Dōjutsu Kotoamatsukami.
It even revealed his plan to use Kotoamatsukami on Fugaku as a last resort to stop the coup.
He had also written about Danzo dabbling in the Sharingan and hashirama cells, and coveting Shisui's eyes!
He had even explicitly mentioned the existence of that master!
His words were sincere and candid, with only one purpose: he hoped that, with a way out available, Fugaku would consider the bigger picture and soothe the clanspeople's eagerness for war!
Because Shisui knew Fugaku was not an unreasonable man.
After reading the letter, Fugaku burned it in the candle flame and sank into thought.
The flickering candlelight illuminated Fugaku's sharply defined face.
After a long silence, Fugaku spoke. "A master, huh? I've been in Konoha for decades, yet I never noticed someone like that among us. He's hidden himself well..."
"But Itachi, have you considered this? Relying on someone also means being at their mercy."
Itachi said, "I understand. But right now, we have no better way out. However strong the Uchiha may be, we can hardly stand against Konoha. The only outcome would be the Uchiha's annihilation and devastating losses for Konoha. Then the other villages would take advantage of our weakness, and it would escalate into a war across the shinobi world!"
"In other words, we'd be venting our long-held hatred at the cost of our entire clan. I think... the price is too high!"
As a man with experience, how could Fugaku not know that?
It was a future whose ending was plain to see.
But under the present circumstances, disaster awaited the Uchiha even if they didn't rebel!
Fugaku asked, "Has Danzo approached you?"
Itachi answered honestly, "He has. He threatened Sasuke's life, hoping I would work with him from within to wipe out the Uchiha!"
Fugaku studied Itachi. "Then what would you choose?"
After an internal struggle, Itachi knelt on the tatami, anguish written across his face. "If Shisui hadn't given us another way out, I think... I would give in!"
What giving in meant... needed no explanation!
The candle flame... flickered violently!
"Ah."
Fugaku heaved a deep sigh, rose, went to the table, and took up his brush and ink to write a letter.
He set down the brush and returned to his place, his gaze calm again as he looked at Itachi.
"I see. That does sound like you. Thank you for telling me everything honestly."
He pushed the letter, marked "For Lord Hokage's eyes only," in front of Itachi!
Itachi looked startled. "This is..."
Fugaku said, "A letter proposing negotiations with Konoha, with me representing the Uchiha. I've set the date for three days from now. With this, whatever Danzo does, the Hokage will at least think twice..."
Itachi's voice trembled. "Father..."
Fugaku said, "In the meantime, I'll do my best to calm the clan and buy you time. Go ahead and do what you must, Itachi. Whatever the outcome, I'll accept it!"
Itachi clenched both fists tightly and forced trembling words through his teeth. "Thank you... so much!"
Fugaku went outside, persuaded the gathered clanspeople to stand down, and sent them home.
Itachi put away Fugaku's letter and changed his shoes in the entryway, preparing to go out.
Little Sasuke came over. "Hey, big brother... can you help me practice Shurikenjutsu tonight?"
Itachi straightened up and reached out a hand.
"Hehe..."
Little Sasuke ran over happily.
Tap!
Itachi poked Sasuke's forehead with two fingers!
Tap! Tap! Sasuke took two steps back and pouted.
Itachi smiled. "Sorry, Sasuke. I have a mission to take care of. Maybe next time..."
Sasuke looked troubled. "But tomorrow, I have a really important shuriken contest at school. I'm competing against a kid from the Hyuga Clan!"
Itachi asked, "A Hyuga... is it that boy named Neji?"
Sasuke said, "Not Neji. It's Neji's younger brother, a guy named Yu!"
"Yu... Hyuga." Itachi fell into thought.
Sasuke chattered on. "Lots of people in the village are comparing the Uchiha and the Hyuga now. They all say the Hyuga are a prestigious clan and the Uchiha aren't as good. So... I want to prove the Uchiha are the best!"
Itachi said, "I've heard about that boy, too. He just enrolled, didn't he?"
Sasuke said, "Yeah, he just enrolled, but he's already shown incredible talent. Hey, did you know? Just like you, he learned the Substitution Technique, Clone Technique, and Transformation Technique on his very first try. He even... knows the Shadow Clone technique!"
"Hmm?"
At that, a hint of surprise finally appeared on Itachi's face. "Did you say... Shadow Clone?"
Sasuke said, "Yeah! He hasn't used it in front of everyone, but I know he's definitely learned it!"
Itachi thought for a moment longer. "How about this? If you're still awake when I get back, I'll help you practice."
Sasuke beamed. "Hehe, I won't go to sleep! I'll keep waiting until you come home!"
Itachi took Fugaku's handwritten letter and delivered it to the Hokage, Hiruzen!
Hiruzen immediately convened a meeting of the senior advisers!
Utatane Koharu said, "The Uchiha want to negotiate with us?"
Mitokado Homura said, "It seems Shisui Uchiha's defection has made those warmongers face reality!"
Shimura Danzō said, "I'm afraid these so-called negotiations are merely a pretext to buy time. In my opinion, we should seize this chance to wipe them all out. Only then can we eliminate the threat for good!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi said, "Even so, we cannot give up hope. The Uchiha are our comrades. As long as there is even the slightest room for mediation, we must strive for a peaceful solution!"
Shimura Danzō said, "You're always so naive. If anything goes wrong..."
Hiruzen Sarutobi said, "I'll take full responsibility for the consequences!"
With that, Danzo had nothing more to say. He rose with his cane. "Very well. We'll give them another three days..."
He thought to himself, Damn that Shisui Uchiha! He actually chose to defect from the village! He must have met Itachi before leaving and told him something. Otherwise, given Itachi's personality, threatening his younger brother would certainly have brought him into line, rather than making him put off giving me an answer!
And then there's this completely uncharacteristic letter proposing negotiations!
What exactly is Uchiha Fugaku plotting?
Hmph, just your death throes! Three days, then. Let's see what tricks you can pull!
Before you continue