After the Uchiha ninja disappeared from Kōki's sight, Kōki also headed towards the location where the Uchiha Clan was stationed.
Meanwhile, Uchiha Fugaku was waiting for Kōki's arrival at the Uchiha Clan's base.
"Clan leader, Kōki Itō is just a child. Even if he's quite strong, there's no need to be so formal, is there?" Uchiha Homura said with some dissatisfaction, looking at the upright-sitting Uchiha Fugaku.
They are senior ninjas of Konoha; there's absolutely no need to treat a child like this.
Moreover, he felt that as a high-ranking member of the Uchiha Clan, and Fugaku as the Uchiha Clan head, it made him feel inferior to Senju for treating a ninja who had awakened Wood Release with such seriousness.
Although Kōki is not a member of the Senju Clan, the awakening of Wood Release is inextricably linked to the Senju. If one were to be precise, no one would object to the idea that Kōki is a member of the Senju Clan.
Therefore, he felt inexplicably uncomfortable being treated with such courtesy by his former arch-enemy clan, as a member of the Uchiha.
Uchiha Fugaku was more open-minded than those around him and understood what his clansmen were thinking.
He said calmly, "I understand what you mean. You think it's Kōki for us Uchiha to bow down to Senju. But you must understand that the Senju Clan has long since disappeared from Konoha, and even the only Senju princess has left Konoha."
The Senju Clan is a thing of the past. So what if Kōki has a connection to the Senju Clan? We are the recognized number one clan in Konoha. We should have the magnanimity to tolerate others. How can we keep dwelling on the feud between the Senju and Uchiha?
Furthermore, since you think Kōki is just a child, then show some respect as a senior.
Moreover, you should understand that with Kōki's strength, it's extremely difficult for our Uchiha Clan to invite him. Since it's so rare, we should show him the proper courtesy so that he won't look down on us.
Although Uchiha Fugaku said this, he had other thoughts in his heart.
Uchiha Fugaku was giving Kōki face because he had already decided to take sides.
Now that the situation on the Kirigakure battlefield is becoming clearer, returning to Konoha in victory is inevitable.
The person who deserves the most credit for the Third Shinobi World War is Kōki.
He first defeated Sunagakure, making his name known throughout the Shinobi World with four Kage Level ninjas from Sunagakure; then he thwarted Iwagakure, establishing his authority with two Tailed Beast from Iwagakure; and finally, he forced Kumogakure to retreat with the result of killing over a thousand people from Kumogakure.
With such merit, if Kōki weren't still so young, he could have easily become Hokage Position after the war ended. But even though Kōki is still young, he is an indispensable and powerful asset in the Hokage Position.
Whoever gains Kōki's support will have a huge advantage in the race for Hokage Position. How could someone like him, who aspires to the Hokage Position, not try to befriend such a person?
Furthermore, even if he fails to win the Hokage Position, there is no loss in befriending Kōki.
Given the current predicament of the Uchiha Clan, if Kōki were to help, his Kōki could significantly ease tensions between the Uchiha Clan and Konoha. This would be a tremendous benefit for the Uchiha Clan.
Therefore, for Fugaku, giving Kōki face was a win-win situation.
However, he couldn't tell Uchiha Homura the reason yet, because he was worried that revealing his thoughts would cause unnecessary turmoil for the Uchiha Clan.
If he were to announce his desire to compete for the Hokage Position, regardless of Konoha's reaction, his clansmen would cause a huge uproar, and some radical clansmen might do things he doesn't want to see because of his candidacy.
Furthermore, if he fails to become Hokage Position, his clansmen might believe that Konoha is not allowing the Uchiha Clan to become Hokage, which could further increase their dissatisfaction with Konoha High Command and exacerbate the conflict between the Uchiha Clan and Konoha.
Therefore, he would not reveal any of his true intentions before he had clearly gained Kōki's support, so as not to cause any unnecessary trouble.
Uchiha Homura, however, could not understand Fugaku's meaning. Even though Fugaku's explanation was very reasonable, the thought of bowing down to his former nemesis made him feel uncomfortable all over.
However, he knew that Fugaku was also thinking of the Uchiha Clan's interests. Although he didn't like it, he couldn't hold Fugaku back, so he said in a low voice, "Clan head, I understand that you are doing this for the good of the Uchiha Clan, but I really can't stand bowing down to someone who knows Wood Release, so I'll leave first."
After saying that, he turned and left.
In truth, Uchiha Homura had no problem with Kōki; on the contrary, he greatly admired Kōki's strength. However, due to the pride of the Uchiha Clan, he couldn't back down. It was like the stubbornness of saying, "Although I admire you, I just won't bow my head."
Therefore, he felt that out of sight, out of mind, it was best to avoid contact.
Homura's departure was also a good thing for Fugaku.
After all, with Homura around, there were many things he couldn't easily explain.
Only after Homura leaves can he do his best to win over Kōki.
Not long after Uchiha Homura left, Kōki arrived at the location of Uchiha Fugaku.
Before even entering, they saw Uchiha Fugaku come out to greet them. He then proceeded to praise Kōki's strength, and lauded him as a promising young man and Konoha Kōki. Basically, he showered Kōki with compliments.
Kōki was completely bewildered, even wondering if the person in front of him Uchiha Fugaku, was an imposter rather than the head of the Uchiha Clan.
There was nothing he could do; it was all so unexpected for Kōki. He never imagined that Uchiha Fugaku, the usually mature and Uchiha Clan Head, would be so enthusiastic towards him, leaving him somewhat at a loss.
He repeatedly expressed his humility, saying that Uchiha Fugaku was overpraising him and that he was just an ordinary Konoha Ninja.
In a pleasant atmosphere where host and guest praised each other and showed humility and courtesy, Uchiha Fugaku revealed the main reason for inviting Kōki today.
" Kōki, I invited you here today because of some specific matters concerning Madara Uchiha. I want to know what exactly Madara meant by Genjutsu?"
This is a question that Yuki has been curious about ever since he told Kōki about Orochimaru's existence.
Of course, he brought this up now to lay the groundwork for what would happen later, and also to probe Kōki's attitude towards the Uchiha Clan.
If Kōki harbors hatred towards the Uchiha Clan, then there's no need for him to try and gain Kōki's support.
If Kōki doesn't have any particular animosity towards the Uchiha Clan, then he can subtly probe Kōki's thoughts and gradually gain Kōki's approval.
Upon hearing Uchiha Fugaku's question, Kōki breathed a slight sigh of relief. Uchiha Fugaku's previous flattery had made him very uncomfortable.
He knew that unsolicited kindness was either a sign of ulterior motives or theft.
He wasn't familiar with Uchiha Fugaku. Even if he was powerful, he wasn't worth associating with the Uchiha Clan, which had a long and proud history.
Therefore, for Fugaku to praise him so highly, there must be something he needs from him.
He had been pondering how to refuse Fugaku's request, but Fugaku's question immediately put him at ease.
" Clan Head Fugaku, I've already told you everything I know. As for the Genjutsu Madara mentioned, I'm not clear on that. However, I do know that Genjutsu Madara Uchiha wanted to use is related to a secret technique passed down within the Uchiha Clan. Perhaps after the war ends, Clan Head Fugaku could return to the clan and carefully search through the clan's records; maybe there will be some clues."
Kōki didn't want to tell him about the Infinite Tsukuyomi, because he hadn't mentioned the name of the Genjutsu when reporting to Orochimaru. Telling Uchiha Fugaku now would imply that he was withholding information and needlessly arouse suspicion from the higher-ups.
Furthermore, he believed that the Six Paths Stone Tablet within the Uchiha Clan might contain fragments of information about the Infinite Tsukuyomi Jutsu.
Of course, it's also possible that there's nothing at all.
But none of that matters. He just wants Uchiha Fugaku to search for it himself. When the time is right, he will deliberately leave some clues for Uchiha Fugaku to discover, and then use these clues to make the Uchiha Clan his allies.
As for why he wanted to subdue the Uchiha Clan, it was naturally because he had promised Hiruzen Sarutobi that he would restore Konoha to its former glory.
The prosperity of Konoha naturally depends on internal stability, so he wanted to use Madara's threat to make the Uchiha Clan his vassals.
Once the Uchiha Clan submits to him, many things can proceed smoothly. After all, if even the Uchiha Clan in Konoha, has submitted, other ninja clans certainly won't dare to oppose him.
This would save him a lot of effort in reforming Konoha.
Uchiha Fugaku was completely unaware of Kōki's thoughts. He had no idea that Kōki was already preparing for the future of the Uchiha Clan, and was currently scheming for his own immediate interests.
"Haha, Kōki's alright if you don't know about Madara's Genjutsu, I'm just worried that Madara might have other effects on Konoha."
Since you mentioned that Madara's genjutsu might be hidden within the Uchiha clan's heritage, then when I return to Konoha, I will thoroughly search the clan to ensure that Konoha is adequately prepared for Madara's plans.
Kōki knew about Madara's Genjutsu was not of much concern to Uchiha Fugaku.
After all, that wasn't his main purpose today.
However, Kōki's words reminded him that with the Uchiha's long-standing heritage, he might be able to find Madara's plans in it, and then he could use that to curry favor with Konoha.
However, all of this would happen after the war ended. Besides, rewarding those who had contributed to the war effort would be more important to him afterward. So, he would put aside this trivial matter of searching for ancient books and focus on winning over Kōki.
Thinking of this, Uchiha Fugaku smiled and said again, "Since we've come to the topic of what will happen after we return to Konoha, I'd also like to know, Kōki, what your plans are after the war ends."
"What does Clan Head Fugaku mean?" Kōki replied, puzzled.
After the war ends, he will definitely begin his journey on the Six Paths, but this is something he cannot tell outsiders. As for other matters, Kōki has not thought about them. Therefore Kōki does not know what Uchiha Fugaku meant by saying this.
Seeing Kōki's questioning gaze, Uchiha Fugaku smiled and said, " Kōki, you've accumulated many merits in battle. After the war ends, you'll definitely be richly rewarded by the Lord Hokage and will surely hold a high position. Countless people will envy you."
Although Kōki was young, he could tell that Fugaku's words had a hidden meaning, but Kōki hated this kind of cryptic behavior the most, so he said with a displeased expression.
"Lord Fugaku, please speak frankly. I dislike beating around the bush."
Moreover, he had a vague feeling that Uchiha Fugaku was about to say might be the real reason he had been invited here today.
Kōki's words, tinged with dissatisfaction, made Uchiha Fugaku's smile freeze. He wondered if he had said something wrong, but looking at Kōki's youthful face, he suddenly realized that he had been overlooking something: although Kōki record of battle achievements and seemed exceptionally mature, he was, in the end, just a boy of about ten years old.
At that age, how could he understand overly profound rhetoric and techniques? Speaking his mind directly is what he should do.
He also had his own fault, because after dealing with old foxes like Danzo and Hiruzen Sarutobi for so long, he had gotten used to communicating in such subtle language.
Now that he had realized what was happening, Uchiha Fugaku understood what he needed to do.
Then Uchiha Fugaku put away his smile and said solemnly, "Since you asked, Kōki, I won't beat around the bush anymore."
Kōki should be aware that Konoha harbors considerable prejudice against Konoha Uchiha Clan, and that the Uchiha Clan, due to their pride, has harmed many meritorious individuals within Konoha.
Just like the clansmen I sent to discuss with Kakashi about Sharingan from the Uchiha Clan. My intention was for the clansmen to persuade Kakashi, but I didn't expect them to be so arrogant and conceited, openly harming ninjas who had rendered meritorious service to Konoha in such a setting.
"To be honest, as the head of the Uchiha Clan, I feel quite ashamed. Therefore, after they were reprimanded by you, Kōki, I immediately made them Kōki to you and Kakashi. I hope to gain your understanding." As he spoke, he stood up with an apologetic expression, intending to bow to Kōki.
Indeed, Fugaku's method of communication was simple: he exploited the young man's lack of experience, adopted a sincere attitude to gain Kōki's sympathy, and thus dispel Kōki's dissatisfaction.
Upon seeing Kōki Uchiha Fugaku, as the head of the Uchiha Clan, was making such an unbecoming gesture, Uchiha Fugaku quickly stood up and helped him up.
He hadn't expected Uchiha Fugaku to pull such a stunt, and quickly reassured him, " Clan Head Fugaku, the Uchiha Clan, as one of the founding ninja clans of Konoha, has always been a pillar of the Konoha. Even if there are some misunderstandings with Konoha, they won't affect the relationship between the two sides. As long as you manage the Uchiha Clan well in the future, Clan Head Fugaku, that's all that matters. Besides, those three Uchiha ninjas have already apologized to me and Kakashi; there's no need for you to do anything like that again, Clan Head Fugaku."
Despite Kōki's attempts to stop him, Uchiha Fugaku persisted in his actions.
"Even though they have already apologized, as the head of the Uchiha Clan, I also bear responsibility for failing to discipline my clansmen, so I must apologize to you."
After realizing he couldn't stop Uchiha Fugaku from bowing, Kōki could only let Fugaku do so. It was Uchiha Fugaku's sincere attitude that completely dispelled Kōki's dissatisfaction with the Uchiha Clan.
What Kōki didn't know was that this was exactly what Uchiha Fugaku wanted.