Chapter 77: Uchiha Izumi
"The Uchiha... have been under their control from the very beginning?"
Thinking this, Uchiha Itachi couldn't help but shake his head, a bitter smile appearing.
Indeed, a coup is absolutely hopeless.
The radicals within the clan think they are plotting in secret, little knowing their every action is right under the enemy's nose.
Fortunately, I never once harbored wishful thinking of joining those guys in a coup.
"Remember, no matter which ninja clan you come from, you are now only an ANBU of Konoha."
Tenzō sighed inwardly, patting Itachi's shoulder: "Once you put on the mask, you must discard everything and consider all matters from the village's standpoint."
Although he didn't understand why Lord Hokage wanted Itachi to carry out surveillance on the Uchiha, such matters weren't for him to ponder.
Other problems... better leave them to that guy Kakashi.
"Yes, I understand."
Itachi nodded, his expression beneath the mask resolute.
If those radicals in the clan knew they were under ANBU surveillance the entire time, it would definitely provoke their already sensitive and irritable nerves.
The Uchiha, having lost Big Brother Shisui, no longer have hope.
The only thing he could do now was to try his best to delay the Uchiha clan's overconfident rebellious actions.
And before that, find the best solution.
"I now bear Big Brother Shisui's will."
Uchiha Itachi's eyes hardened, the three tomoe spinning rapidly, faintly connecting.
In fact, he was constantly suppressing his anger at every moment.
Even without personally seeing Big Brother Shisui killed by Root members, there was simply no other possibility.
Although he desperately wanted to avenge Big Brother Shisui, indulging in pointless hatred would only take him further from his ideals.
He still carried Shisui's will; finding a way to stop the meaningless conflict between the village and the Uchiha was what he ought to do.
"Don't think too much. Lord Hokage still trusts you greatly."
Tenzō shook his head, then assigned Itachi before several screens.
Images from within the Uchiha clan grounds reflected in Itachi's cold pupils.
Only when he saw a familiar figure appear at his own front door did his pupils tremble slightly, a strange light flashing through them.
"Izumi..."
...
Meanwhile, inside the Uchiha clan head's residence.
Uchiha Fugaku sat cross-legged in the room, expression heavy. On the table before him lay a letter.
"I don't want to go on missions anymore. If this continues, the Uchiha clan has no future to speak of, and neither do I... I can no longer deviate from my own path."
This was Uchiha Shisui's last letter.
But Fugaku couldn't understand Shisui's purpose in leaving this "last letter".
Although the culprit was unknown, Shisui was definitely murdered.
Then why would he leave such a letter filled with the intention to die?
And what was the so-called path mentioned in the letter? What path had Shisui deviated from?
"Sigh."
Fugaku sighed deeply.
His shadow behind him swayed with the candlelight in front, making him appear even more illusory and bewildered.
Shisui, as a mainstay of the Uchiha clan, his strength was plain for all to see.
Yet he died outside so silently, and even the culprit remained unknown.
With Shisui's death, the conservative faction within the clan lost hope and began to panic, while the radicals became even more unbridled.
They even believed Uchiha Itachi participated in killing Shisui, and that his conflict with Root was merely to gain the trust of the Uchiha masses.
"Fortunately, the elder supporting the radicals passed away not long ago. The radicals are now leaderless and won't make any unusual moves for the time being."
Thinking this, Fugaku's brow couldn't help but relax.
If it weren't for those old geezers, the radicals wouldn't be so unscrupulous, and his situation wouldn't be so passive.
Now that the radical elders are all dead, then he can...
Oh, wait!
There's still one old fellow left called Uchiha Setsuna.
But he was sentenced to life imprisonment during the Second Hokage's administration and locked away in Konoha's prison.
Now he's just dragging out an ignoble existence in prison, unable to stir up any trouble.
Knock knock knock~
Just as Fugaku's thoughts were in turmoil, a knock suddenly came from outside the door.
Fugaku snapped back to reality, took a deep breath to calm himself, then stood up, walked to the door, and opened it.
"Lord Clan Head, excuse me, is Itachi home?"
The visitor wore a purple outer garment, with beautiful long black hair.
The beauty mark tear under the corner of her right eye, paired with the timid expression on her face, added a touch of gentleness to her.
Her name was Uchiha Izumi.
One of Itachi's few friends.
And, a female friend at that.
"Are you Uchiha Izumi?"
Uchiha Fugaku asked, face stern, his words carrying a clan head's condescending air.
"Y-yes."
Seeing him like this, Uchiha Izumi, already somewhat nervous, instantly became even more so.
But little did she know, Fugaku didn't want to be like this either.
Facing his son's few female friends, he also wanted to be more amiable.
After all, for certain special reasons, he had some understanding of this young lady previously.
She awakened the two-tomoe Sharingan even earlier than Itachi.
Although she hadn't awakened the three-tomoe in recent years, she was still a rare genius girl within the clan.
Unfortunately, the authority of being clan head for these years, coupled with recent intense pressure, made it impossible for Fugaku to force a smile at her.
"Sorry, Itachi is currently on an ANBU mission. I'm not sure when he'll be back."
Fugaku said stiffly: "If you want to wait..."
"Ah! Sorry to bother you! Then I'll come back another day."
Uchiha Izumi hastily bowed to Fugaku, then turned and left without looking back.
"..."
Fugaku stood there, a look of vexation appearing on his serious face.
Clearly, his tone and expression had somewhat frightened the young lady.
"Pfft~"
A stifled laugh suddenly came from nearby.
Fugaku turned his head, ill at ease, and saw his wife carrying dishes.
"Fugaku, you really are..."
Uchiha Mikoto covered her mouth and smiled: "Although I know you're under a lot of pressure, you don't have to keep a stern face all the time. Your expression has gone all stiff."
"Look at Sasuke, he doesn't even dare to joke around in front of you anymore. And Itachi..."
Hearing his wife's words, Fugaku also paused, his heart feeling heavy.
Reminded by his wife, he suddenly realized Sasuke and Itachi hadn't smiled in front of him for a long time.
"When did it start to be like this? How could I not have noticed?"
Whether the pressure from the radicals, the responsibility of being clan head, or the awful mess of the Police Force,
All these things accumulated, weighing him down so much he couldn't breathe, even bringing his deep suffering and hatred home.
But...
Besides being the Uchiha Clan Head and the Konoha Police Force Captain,
He was, clearly, also the father of two children.
(End of Chapter)
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