r18novel Chapter 168 Uchiha Fugaku's Choice
Chapter 168 Uchiha Fugaku's Choice
Chapter 168 Uchiha Fugaku's Choice
Minato Namikaze watched that tall, upright figure leave, a clear trust emanating from his gaze.
He stood alone in the center of the empty office, a trace of weariness creeping onto his brow.
He knew he might be the "busiest" Hokage in Konoha's history. The First Hokage had the Second Hokage to strategize and plan, and the Second Hokage also had capable confidants to assist him. The Third Hokage had the strong support of advisors such as Danzo, Koharu, and Enma.
As for him, Minato Namikaze, he should have inherited the role of the Third Hokage's assistant, but unfortunately, after that incident, the Third Hokage had completely retired, and Kakashi Hatake's wings were not yet strong enough to stand on his own.
This heavy burden can almost only be shouldered by him alone.
Fortunately! In this difficult situation, there is still the reliable senior, Yuan Tuoye, who has always stood firmly by his side, sharing the heavy political affairs and hidden worries, like a pillar in the middle of the stream.
However, after a brief moment of comfort, his thoughts were once again consumed by a mountain of problems.
Minato Namikaze frowned again, a hint of worry appearing on his face.
The problems of the Uchiha clan cannot be resolved simply by forceful suppression.
We must find a solution that can truly resolve the conflict and address the root cause!
Some time after Gen Takuya left, another figure arrived at the place; it was none other than Uchiha Fugaku.
He wasn't immediately summoned to the Anbu by Minato Namikaze. Instead, he stayed for a while before leaving the Hokage's office and following the Anbu towards the Anbu Captain-Commander's office.
Of course, this refers to an open office, not an office in a clandestine base.
"Captain-Commander, I apologize for disturbing you." Fugaku Uchiha's voice was deep and steady, displaying the demeanor of the Uchiha clan head.
Yuan Tuoye raised his eyes. He had only met this Uchiha clan leader a few times at formal Hokage meetings and did not have much of a personal relationship with him.
"Chief Fugaku, there's no need for formalities. Let's get straight to the point."
"Okay." Fugaku Uchiha didn't say anything extra, and simply took out a sealing scroll from his pocket and handed it over.
"This is a list of those Uchiha clan members who are emotionally unstable and could potentially cause trouble, along with their specific posts. I would appreciate it if the Captain-Commander could send more people to monitor their movements."
Yuan Tuoye silently unrolled the scroll, his eyes quickly scanning the densely packed characters on it.
The record was far more detailed than he had expected, listing job titles, names, and possible inclinations.
He closed the scroll, looked directly at Fugaku Uchiha, and posed a crucial question: "The list is quite comprehensive. However, those restless individuals without fixed positions who wander around aimlessly," are they also on your radar?
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"Of course." Fugaku's tone carried an undeniable air of control. "I will personally keep these people confined within the clan's territory, ensuring they don't leave. Furthermore, I have already informed the Hokage that I will specifically assign them some tasks to keep them 'busy,' preventing them from having time for anything else."
"Yes, that's a proper solution." Gen Takuno nodded, placed the first scroll on the table, but his gaze remained fixed on Uchiha Fugaku with a meaningful look.
The atmosphere quieted down again. Was it all just to submit a job list?
This trivial matter is far from enough to warrant the highest authority of the Uchiha clan coming here in person.
Fugaku Uchiha felt the pressure of the silent questioning. His gaze unconsciously swept across the four corners of the secret room, carrying a hint of barely perceptible vigilance.
"Don't worry," Yuan Tuoye's deep voice echoed in the quiet space, "This place is absolutely secluded, isolated from the outside world."
There are no third pairs of ears besides you and me.
Fugaku Uchiha's taut shoulder line seemed to relax almost imperceptibly for a moment.
He took a deep breath, as if gathering some kind of strength. A trace of struggle flashed in the depths of his eyes for a moment, but that hesitation was instantly replaced by a kind of resolute determination.
He reached into his robes again, this time with a heavier touch than before.
"Captain-Commander," Fugaku Uchiha's voice was even lower, carrying a sense of desperation, "besides that—there are several elders in the clan whose movements—may also require extra attention."
"Hmm?" Yuan Tuoye's eyebrows suddenly twitched, and his true surprise finally showed. It was a shock that came from the fact that the traditional understanding of the Uchiha clan had been broken.
"You mean, we need the Anbu's assistance—to monitor the Uchiha elders?"
He deliberately emphasized the words "Anbu" and "Uchiha elders," which was almost equivalent to asking Konoha's most elite secret forces to extend their reach to the Uchiha clan. In the past, at least openly, this would not have been allowed!
"Yes." Fugaku Uchiha answered without any hesitation, with an almost heavy resolve.
He handed out the second reel slowly and firmly.
Gen Takuno took it, unfolded it, and found that the contents of the scroll were a hundred times clearer than the vague records in the Konoha Archives.
The names, authority, responsibilities, scope of daily activities, and even some hidden networks of relationships of the elders are subtly revealed.
The information was so detailed that it would have been impossible to obtain it without the help of the clan chief.
Yuan Tuoye's gaze lingered between the two open scrolls on the table.
If the first scroll was done in an official capacity, representing the Uchiha clan chief fulfilling his responsibility to maintain order;
Then this second scroll and the other party's invitation were like a poisoned kunai, piercing straight into the heart of the clan.
This is no simple surveillance request. It's as if the Uchiha clan head himself opened the gates of the clan's territory, inviting the shadows of the Anbu to step into their clan's land!
Is this tantamount to betrayal?
Yuan Tuoye could almost imagine the furious looks the Uchiha clan members, who valued honor above all else, would give their clan leader if this matter were leaked.
On a deeper level, Yuan Tuoye understood that monitoring these high-ranking elders had a symbolic significance that far outweighed its practical effect.
This means that from this moment on, the core area of the Uchiha clan, which was once openly isolated from the surveillance of the Anbu, will also be brought under the watchful eye of Konoha's highest secret power.
This marks a major turning point in the relationship between the Uchiha clan and the village, a signal with significant political implications.
Uchiha Fugaku—has he made his final choice? Has he sided with the village?
Gen Takuno's fingers tapped lightly on the hard tabletop unconsciously, producing a dull sound.
This choice carries immense weight.
He then shook his head, as if trying to shake off this heavy thought.
Ultimately, the power of decision-making must be handed over to Hokage Minato Namikaze. As the captain of the Anbu, his primary responsibility is execution and implementation.
But when it came to implementation, new challenges immediately arose.
The current tense relationship between Konoha and the Uchiha clan is like a taut bowstring. At such a moment, is it appropriate to send the Anbu deep into the Uchiha clan's territory to carry out a mission that is almost like "espionage"?
This is tantamount to sending elite subordinates into a den of wolves, after all, monitoring the Uchiha clan who possess the Sharingan is no easy task.
A name, a figure who, though not yet a member of the Anbu, was perfectly suited for this mission, involuntarily surfaced in Gen Takuno's mind: Uchiha Itachi.
That young genius possessed astonishing insight, and his identity naturally provided cover—unfortunately, he was not yet serving the Dark Division.
A barely perceptible sense of regret swept through Yuan Tuoye's heart. If he were here, this matter might have been much easier.
Yuan Tuoye's evaluation of Uchiha Itachi was merciless, characterizing him with just three words: "ungrateful wretch."
However, even Takuno Minamoto could not deny Itachi's almost outrageous combat intelligence and talent; his strength was beyond doubt.
However, at this point in time, Uchiha Ryu's strength is far from reaching the peak described in the original work.
The key missing element is precisely those iconic Mangekyou Sharingan eyes.
The catalyst for Itachi Uchiha awakening the Mangekyou Sharingan should have been the tragic death of Shisui Uchiha.
However, in this life, thanks to the intervention of Minamoto no Takuya, Shimura Danzo's scheming hands failed to reach Uchiha Shisui.
Uchiha Shisui lived a safe and sound life, so the "mysterious death" that catalyzed Uchiha Itachi's awakening of his Sharingan could not have happened.
Having lost this most cruel key, Itachi Uchiha's path to the Mangekyou Sharingan will be delayed for at least some time.
Even if Itachi Uchiha had miraculously awakened the Mangekyou Sharingan, his strength at the time would not have been sufficient to single-handedly wipe out the entire Uchiha clan.
Without Obito Uchiha's covert assistance, it would have been impossible for him to wipe out the entire Uchiha clan on his own, even assuming that the clan leader, Fugaku Uchiha, would not resist at all.
Itachi Uchiha's strength was largely forged after joining the Akatsuki organization, through countless brutal trials and life-or-death battles, eventually reaching its peak. However, this power ultimately led to his body becoming sickly due to overuse of the Mangekyou Sharingan.
Thinking about Itachi Uchiha's experiences, a sense of absurdity even crossed Minamoto Takuno's mind.
In certain situations, Itachi Uchiha is practically the author's chosen "favorite son".
In order to highlight his wisdom and presence, the plot goes so far as to forcibly bestow upon him the ultimate genjutsu "Izanami" without any prior setup, even after he has died and been summoned by "Edo Tensei".
What's even more perplexing is that, in order to highlight Itachi's abilities, the plot turned Uchiha Sasuke, who had just obtained the Eternal Mangekyou Sharingan and should have been incredibly powerful, into a stepping stone.
This not only greatly diminished the power that Erzhuzi should have possessed, but also plunged him into the awkward position of being the "gatekeeper of the Super Shadows" in terms of public opinion during this period.
According to Takuno Minamoto, this was purely a pretext to make Itachi step down, claiming that Sasuke was not suited to the Eternal Mangekyou Sharingan.
In short, Gen Takuno's evaluation of Uchiha Itachi is fragmented.
He absolutely acknowledged Itachi's extraordinary talent and combat skills; however, regarding Itachi's character and conduct, especially his choice of clan, Minamoto Takuno chose to remain silent and offer no positive evaluation.
However, there is one thing that Yuan Tuono is certain of at this moment: with his friend Uchiha Shisui still alive and exerting a positive influence, Uchiha Itachi's loyalty to the village is beyond doubt.
As for his complex inner world and where he will ultimately go—Yuan Tuoye felt that it was ultimately not his concern.
After a long silence, Yuan Tuoye broke the silence in the room and turned his gaze to the Uchiha clan leader opposite him.
"Clan Chief Fugaku," his voice was steady and clear, "have you considered having your son, Uchiha Itachi—join the Anbu?"
"Join the Anbu?" Fugaku Uchiha's pupils constricted sharply, his sharp gaze instantly focusing on Takuno Minamoto's mask. With shock and a barely perceptible hint of anticipation, he asked, "Is this... really feasible?"
Prior to this, the Konoha Anbu, a secret force almost equivalent to the Hokage's direct confidants, had never had a precedent of recruiting Uchiha clan members.
Even Uchiha Shisui, who in the original work was closest to the image of the Anbu and was almost regarded as the link between the village and the Uchiha clan, was never officially confirmed as an Anbu member.
This proposal itself is a signal of breaking down historical barriers.
"Of course, it requires the Hokage's approval." Gen Takuno's tone was confident. "However, I think—there is a possibility of success. It would be better to leave the Uchiha clan members to be monitored by the Uchiha clan as the main body."
In his view, since Itachi Uchiha in the original work was able to be exceptionally recruited by the Third Hokage, it was understandable that...
Given the current situation where Fugaku Uchiha has taken the initiative to propose that the Anbu intervene in the clan's internal supervision and the relationship between the two sides has eased somewhat, it seems natural and reasonable to let members of the Uchiha clan join the Anbu as a symbol of some kind of exchange and trust.
"Understood!" Uchiha Fugaku nodded solemnly to Minamoto Takuno. "Whether this matter succeeds or fails in the end, I, Uchiha Fugaku, will remember this kindness and will definitely pay a visit to express my gratitude later."
"Clan Chief Fugaku is too kind." Genichiro shook his head slightly, his tone calm yet powerful. "Everything we do has the same starting point: the stability and prosperity of Konoha."
Fugaku Uchiha stared into Takuno Minamoto's eyes, and after a moment, nodded just as firmly, repeating that heavy consensus: "Yes, it's all for—Konoha."
Fugaku Uchiha knew that the choice he made at this moment would affect the fate of the entire clan.
The cooperation reached with the Hokage allows the Anbu to officially intervene in the supervision of the Uchiha clan's territory. If the ultimate goal is simply to continue the bloodline of the clan, this is undoubtedly the most correct path.
However, the heavy reality weighed on his heart. The vast majority of the clan had long regarded the glory belonging to the Uchiha as more important than the survival of the bloodline itself, and were even willing to die for it.
Once the truth of his compromise is revealed, allowing the dark forces, symbolizing the village's will, to step into this sacred ancestral land, he will not be met with understanding, but rather with a tidal wave of questioning and raging anger.
This "humiliation" was seen as an intolerable betrayal by them.
And how could he not want to maintain the glory of the Uchiha clan? But as the clan leader, he had to consider the survival of the Uchiha clan.
Although Uchiha Shisui did awaken the Mangekyou Sharingan and master the legendary power, was he really capable of defeating the village with just the Mangekyou Sharingan?
Fugaku Uchiha was skeptical of this.