Because of Akira’s warnings, Fugaku had begun doubting Itachi much earlier than he originally would have.
Meanwhile, the conflict between the Uchiha clan and Konoha’s leadership continued to deteriorate.
Fugaku had already prepared himself for the possibility of openly breaking with Konoha’s leadership—or even fighting them.
The Uchiha clan was already weaker than Konoha’s entire leadership faction.
If their relationship truly collapsed, Fugaku had little confidence in the clan’s chances of victory.
A genius like Itachi should have been an invaluable asset capable of greatly strengthening the Uchiha.
Unfortunately, Itachi favored the village over his clan.
That only made the Uchiha’s already unfavorable situation even worse.
Furthermore, Itachi was Fugaku’s biological son.
If the Uchiha clan truly broke with Konoha’s leadership and Itachi sided with the village, Fugaku didn’t know how he would face him.
He couldn’t guarantee that he would truly be capable of attacking his own son.
“Is the village really that much more important to Itachi than his family?”
A sudden thought appeared in Fugaku’s mind.
Perhaps Itachi’s birth had been a mistake.
By comparison, Akira might have possessed a somewhat troublesome personality and frequently said ridiculous things, but Fugaku could clearly sense that Akira valued his family far more than the village.
Akira’s talent also surpassed Itachi’s.
Fugaku believed the Uchiha clan’s present circumstances would have been much better if Akira had been his eldest son and Itachi his second.
Not only would the clan be stronger, but Fugaku wouldn’t need to confront the possibility of father and son killing one another.
Unfortunately, there were no second chances in this world.
“Akira is still far too young.”
Akira closed his doors and windows.
He had once again attempted to make Fugaku view him as an equal, but he had failed.
Fugaku still treated him as a child.
“In that case, directly participating in Father’s plans and influencing the entire Uchiha clan through him won’t work.”
The next day, Fugaku and Akira arrived at the training ground.
Fugaku surveyed their surroundings and confirmed that no one else was present before lowering his voice.
“Akira, now that you’ve awakened the two-tomoe Sharingan, your chakra has reached the required standard.”
“I’ll teach you all the ninjutsu I prepared earlier.”
“All right.”
Fugaku nodded.
“Most Uchiha primarily use Fire Release because our bodies can bring out its power more effectively.”
“You previously learned the Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique.
Although it is a fundamental ninjutsu, it possesses considerable potential for growth.”
“The more chakra you supply, the more powerful it becomes.”
“I’ll now teach you a second Fire Release technique.”
“Fire Release: Phoenix Sage Fire Technique!”
“Compared with the Great Fireball Technique, this ninjutsu has a wider attack range and can strike multiple targets simultaneously.”
“Watch carefully.”
As soon as Fugaku finished speaking, he formed the hand seals.
The next moment, dozens of small fireballs flew through the air and struck separate targets ahead.
Akira recalled what he had just seen before bringing his hands together.
“Fire Release: Phoenix Sage Fire Technique.”
Fugaku stared at Akira’s movements in a daze.
He already knew that Akira possessed extraordinary talent and could master these techniques after seeing them once.
He also knew that Akira could perform ninjutsu without hand seals.
Yet witnessing it again was still shocking.
The more Fugaku saw, the more regretful he became.
“Time… If only we had more time.”
Fugaku could imagine how powerful Akira would become once he fully matured and brought out his talent’s complete potential.
No one in Konoha would be stronger than him.
Unfortunately, time was precisely what the Uchiha clan lacked.
Fugaku didn’t know when war would erupt between the Uchiha and Konoha’s leadership.
“No matter what happens to the Uchiha clan, Akira must survive.”
“And Sasuke as well.”
“No matter the cost.”
Fugaku silently made his decision.
“Father, teach me the next one.”
“All right.”
Fugaku returned to his senses and smiled.
“Fire Release: Dragon Flame Technique!”
…
The two didn’t return home until evening.
However, Akira had finished learning all the ninjutsu that morning.
Fugaku had taught him four techniques in total:
Fire Release: Phoenix Sage Fire Technique.
Fire Release: Dragon Flame Technique.
Fire Release: Phoenix Sage Flower Nail Crimson.
Fire Release: Great Dragon Fire Technique.
Two were C-rank techniques, while the other two were B-rank.
Akira spent most of the afternoon familiarizing himself with them.
Fugaku remained nearby to ensure that no one saw Akira training.
He didn’t want anyone else to learn about Akira’s abilities.
After what had happened with Itachi, Fugaku no longer completely trusted even the other members of the Uchiha clan.
On his way to the Academy, Akira suddenly sensed numerous gazes outside the Uchiha compound.
They were watching the clan from the shadows.