Fugaku's Attempt to Change Things

Pfft!

Huayue coughed a few times, hurriedly set down his teacup, and asked with feigned confusion.

"Mangekyō Sharingan? What is that? Another kind of Sharingan?"

Seeing this, Fugaku narrowed his eyes slightly and began explaining to Huayue on his own.

"The Mangekyō Sharingan stands above the Three-Tomoe Sharingan and possesses ocular power far beyond that of an ordinary Sharingan."

"Throughout the Uchiha Clan's history, only a handful of people have been able to awaken it. During the distant Warring States Period, much of the Uchiha Clan's information was lost because of the war, and there are very few records concerning the Mangekyō Sharingan."

After saying that, he openly observed Huayue's expression. When he failed to glean any useful information from his demeanor, Fugaku continued.

"What do you think of the current Uchiha Clan? I want to hear your most honest opinion, whether objective or subjective."

"The Uchiha Clan? Subjectively speaking, they're arrogant and conceited, and their hearts are restless. Objectively speaking, they wield authority and look down on everyone else. After all, they're the Police Force."

Fugaku did not get angry upon hearing Uchiha Huayue's assessment, but neither did he nod in agreement.

"That is simply the nature of the Police Force. Since we are responsible for the village's security, some actions that damage our image are unavoidable. I have also heard some of the villagers' complaints about the Police Force."

Huayue merely smiled without speaking. If there was anyone in the current Uchiha Clan who remained clear-headed, it was likely this police captain before him, who was doing everything he could to maintain the relationship between the clan and the village.

However, the hidden mine planted by that evil Senju White-Haired Old Man went far beyond this. His fear of and attitude toward the Uchiha Clan... no, Senju Tobirama's fear of and attitude toward Uchiha Madara had also been wholly inherited by the current Konoha F4.

"Then what do you think the Uchiha Clan needs in order to change its current situation?"

Hearing that question, Huayue was truly stunned where he stood. His shock was no less than when Fugaku had mentioned the Mangekyō Sharingan.

To change the Uchiha Clan's situation, was there any path other than overthrowing the village?

The Konoha Military Police Force was not like the police Huayue knew from his previous life. Though both were law enforcement organizations, the Police Force controlled by the Uchiha Clan did not use the methods most familiar to them.

First, build a positive image. Second, give both sides an equal share of the blame—commonly known as muddling through.

Without any positive public image, ordinary villagers in Konoha, the commoners who did not belong to the various Famous families, could not possibly have a very good impression of the Konoha Military Police Force.

Moreover, in the eyes of the Third Hokage, who had always intended to integrate the village and cast aside factional barriers, the Uchiha Clan's unity among themselves was an especially troublesome problem.

Once suspicion accumulated to its limit, and the undercurrents surged before being ignited by a sudden accident, the hidden exclusion would officially turn into open targeting.

Driven collectively from the village's center of power, targeted both openly and in secret, the Uchiha clansmen who could not see the limits of their own tolerance...

On top of that, Uchiha Shisui and Uchiha Itachi, the only two geniuses with Kage-level strength, were no help at all. One was fooled by Danzo into losing an eye before immediately committing suicide, while the other directly embarked on the path of filial devotion.

Compared to them, the Uchiha Clan head and captain of the Konoha Military Police Force before him was truly a considerable failure, whether in political maneuvering or raising children.

"Change? I'm afraid I can't help with that. I don't know either. Perhaps once the new Hokage takes office, the Uchiha Clan's situation will improve."

With a gentle smile, Huayue gave a perfunctory answer, as though that truly was his opinion.

"A new Hokage taking office? Who do you think will become the outstanding jonin chosen as the Fourth Hokage this time?"

"Orochimaru-sensei or Namikaze Minato. It will probably be one of those two. Could it be that you are also interested in competing for the position of Fourth Hokage?"

Fugaku slowly shook his head. He could not compete with those two, whether in accomplishments or in the support of the village's jonin.

Most importantly, Konoha's higher-ups would never support an Uchiha Clan member becoming Hokage. That was Konoha's current attitude toward the Uchiha Clan.

"Also, could you let the child outside come in? He has been standing out there for quite some time. He doesn't seem as lively as an ordinary child. It looks like he will become a fine ninja in the future."

Fugaku's heart jolted. He immediately remembered something and hurriedly called toward the door.

"Itachi, don't eavesdrop on your father's conversation with a guest!"

Creak. The door slowly slid open. The young Uchiha Itachi was quiet and reserved, his eyes curious as he looked at Huayue.

"It's fine. Is this Fugaku-sama's child? Uchiha Itachi... this child possesses talent. He may become an outstanding Konoha Ninja in the future."

Huayue smiled kindly, his expression gentle. Mikoto hurried out from the kitchen, and upon seeing this scene, she quickly apologized.

"I'm sorry, did he interrupt you? Itachi, don't disturb your father and his guest while they're talking!"

"It's nothing, just some casual conversation."

Huayue smiled at Mikoto. An inexplicable fragrance made her unable to help developing a favorable impression of the child before her, who was only six or seven years older than Itachi.

"Huayue, right? What a lovely child. Don't be polite later. Eat well so you can grow up healthy."

A rich aroma drifted from the kitchen into the living room. Only then did Mikoto remember something, and she hurriedly ran off.

"Oh no, the stew in the kitchen!"

Watching her hurried retreating figure and Itachi's curious expression, Fugaku sighed helplessly and brought the tense subject to an end.

"Put those troubling matters aside and enjoy Mikoto's cooking."

The fragrance gradually grew richer. The carefully prepared stew and various dishes whetted their appetites, and Fugaku and Huayue tacitly forgot their previous conversation.

When Huayue left, Fugaku watched his gradually vanishing figure with a solemn expression.

"That child seemed very polite. Uchiha Huayue... I feel like I've heard that name somewhere before."

Mikoto murmured thoughtfully. After a moment of silence, Fugaku introduced him to his wife, who had chosen her family and given up her ninja career.

"Don't underestimate him. He is a true genius. Though only a few years older than Itachi, his mastery of the Body Flicker Technique is no worse than Namikaze Minato's."

"The Kazekage Advisor Chiyo, the A-B Combo formed by the Fourth Raikage and the Eight Jinchūriki—he not only gained the upper hand in battles against them, but also killed the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of Kirigakure in one stroke and held back the Third Tsuchikage."

"He is a true genius. Whether he has awakened the Sharingan or not is something no one in the clan knows."

Mikoto was quite shocked by Fugaku's evaluation. After thinking briefly, she replied with a smile.

"But no matter how much of a genius he is, isn't he still just a child?"

"A child? I hope so."

Suddenly, Fugaku looked up. A communications hawk signifying an emergency flew from the distance toward the Hokage Office Building, and his previously peaceful expression turned inexplicably grave.

Emergency military intelligence... did something happen on the front lines?