Aokiji said weakly, "Nothing. Didn't you just say that the people who betray you are often those closest to you?"
Elder Itachi cursed, "Idiot, what benefit would I get from betraying you? What benefit would it bring to the Uchiha Clan?"
Uchiha Madara did not know whether Tsunade and the other two would betray Aokiji, but at an appropriate time, he would quietly leak the secret of Aokiji possessing the Sharingan to Konoha's higher-ups.
When that happened, Konoha's higher-ups would surely become suspicious of Aokiji, and it would affect him emotionally as well.
Aokiji sighed. "I think people should at least have a basic level of trust in one another."
"Optimism is a deadly poison." Elder Itachi lowered his voice, his tone carrying a hint of gloom. "The current Uchiha Clan is like a tightrope walker over a bottomless abyss. One misstep, and we will fall to the bottom and be shattered to pieces.
"Would you rather entrust your life and fortune to others, or keep them firmly in your own hands? Given your personality, I think you should know the answer."
"Is becoming Hokage the only path?"
Aokiji's sigh carried a trace of helplessness.
"The way to solve a problem is to find its source." The eyes on Elder Itachi's aged face flashed with the sharp gaze of a bird of prey. "Since Konoha's higher-ups are prejudiced against us, if we Uchiha replace them, then every issue targeting the Uchiha Clan will naturally be resolved."
"But even so, it doesn't necessarily have to be me." Aokiji said unwillingly, "Fugaku seems pretty interested in becoming Hokage, and his talent is decent too."
"Fugaku is indeed a good candidate to nurture, but compared to you, he falls a little short."
Left with no other choice, Aokiji expressed his agreement with a