(1) 24: Chapter 24: Itachi’s Revelation: I Want to Be Clan Leader!
(1) “Think about it!” “Really think about it!” At the Yuhi household, Kazuki sat in a chair, slamming his hand repeatedly against the table as he shouted with animated fervor, “Just tell me, Itachi kid, does what I said make sense or not?” Itachi remained silent.
Beside them, Kurenai Yuhi looked at Kazuki expressionlessly.
*The guy is damn near blind, yet he’s still this energetic—it’s truly something.* *Are you and Shisui really blood brothers?* “If you become Hokage, will the conflict between the village and the Uchiha still exist?” Kazuki waved his hand grandly, full of heroic enthusiasm.
“Don’t just stay silent!
Speak up!
Just say whether my words make sense or not!” “The Uchiha have plenty of flaws—arrogance, looking down on everyone…
but can’t those be changed?” “If you say the Uchiha are inherently evil, I’ll just have to drag Shisui—no, your father—drag your dad over here.” Itachi: “…” “If you become Hokage, I believe not only Clan Leader Fugaku, but also Elder Muneyoshi will support you.
As for old man Setsuna, you don’t need to worry about him.
I’ll keep an eye on him for you and make sure he stays in line.
You should believe I have the ability to do that, right?” Itachi nodded instinctively.
He already knew Kazuki had Jonin subordinates under his command, which, combined with his own strength, made keeping tabs on Setsuna no difficult task.
Setsuna Uchiha had a dark, rebellious nature and frequently did extreme things.
For instance, during the reign of the Second Hokage, he rebelled.
He got thrashed by the Second.
And behaved himself!
Then, shortly after the Third took office when Konoha was unstable, he stirred up trouble again.
And got beaten up again!
Both generations of Hokage had chosen to spare him.
The Uchiha clan also needed someone like him around; otherwise, if the Uchiha were too quiet, that wouldn’t be ideal either.
Given the chance, the Hokage could easily use Setsuna as an excuse to eradicate the Uchiha root and branch.
Yet…
Itachi gave Kazuki a peculiar look.
If Kazuki was tasked with dealing with Setsuna, he believed Setsuna would definitely toe the line.
Kazuki simply possessed that kind of capability.
Radiating charm!
What a glorious picture!
“Oh right, there’s also Shisui!
I almost forgot about that guy!” Kazuki slapped the table hard.
“Tell me, would he help you?” “He would!” On this point, Itachi didn’t hesitate for a second.
Compared to Kazuki, he trusted Shisui far more.
“See!” Kazuki counted on his fingers.
“Let me break it down for you.” “Among the four most powerful people in the Uchiha—Fugaku Uchiha, Muneyoshi Uchiha, Setsuna Uchiha, and me, Kazuki Uchiha—three of us are on your side.” Itachi’s face turned strange.
*Holy cow, now you’re one of the most powerful people in the Uchiha?* However, it really was hard to refute.
“Among the younger generation, there are three geniuses.
Aside from you, there’s me and Shisui, and both of us are willing to support you.” “Itachi, what are you still hesitating for?” Kazuki excitedly grabbed Itachi’s hand and shook it frantically.
“The relationship between the village and the Uchiha, which has been driving you crazy, is actually very easy to resolve.” “As long as you become Hokage!” “It’s that simple!” Kazuki slammed his hand on the table once more.
As if trying to force Itachi to make up his mind.
Itachi sat silently on the side.
*My head is spinning!* *Let me catch my breath!* *Me becoming Hokage…
Wait, how did I end up becoming Hokage?* *If!* *If I become Hokage, I can change the Uchiha and fully integrate them into the village.* *That part wouldn’t be hard.* *Just as Kazuki said, the Uchiha leadership would support me, and the younger generation would support me too.* *As for the village…* Itachi whispered, “Brother Kazuki, becoming Hokage isn’t that simple.” To become Hokage, it wasn’t just a matter of the Uchiha agreeing and the Hokage agreeing for Itachi to succeed the position.
There were so many ninja clans, large and small, in the village; how many of them would want an Uchiha to become Hokage?
“First!” Kazuki slammed the table yet again and shouted, “The clan will definitely support you, right?” “Right!” The Uchiha were practically driven mad by their desire to produce a Hokage.
In their view, the village owed them a Hokage, which was why they wanted to stage an armed coup to take back everything that belonged to them.
After a successful armed coup, who would become Hokage?
Fugaku!
But if it were changed to Itachi, it wouldn’t necessarily be unacceptable.
Winning the position of Hokage without shedding a drop of blood would be a joyous outcome for everyone.
Many Uchiha didn’t care who the Hokage was, so long as the Hokage bore the surname Uchiha!
“Second!” Kazuki said, “The Third Hokage will definitely support you, right?” “That…” Itachi hesitated.
He wasn’t stupid.
Unlike in the original timeline, after Kazuki’s repeated, relentless badgering, Itachi’s trust in the Third Hokage and his elders was no longer rock-solid.
At the very least, Kazuki had pried open a crack in his trust.
For someone intelligent, even a tiny crack was enough to make him realize many things he had previously overlooked.
“What are you hesitating for?” Kazuki couldn’t help roaring, “The Third Hokage himself said you possess the mindset of a Hokage!
Don’t you know what that represents?” “What does it represent?” Itachi asked instinctively.
“It represents that Lord Hokage originally intended to groom you to become the next Hokage!” Itachi’s expression froze in astonishment.
The corner of Kurenai’s mouth twitched uncontrollably.
Yet Kazuki looked at him like a disappointed parent.
“Tell me, did the Third Hokage ever say those words to anyone else besides you?” “No!” “In all these years, has the Third Hokage groomed a successor?” “No!” “Why didn’t he groom one?
The Third Hokage is long past his prime—in his sixties, well beyond a shinobi’s golden years!
Why has he stubbornly clung to the Hokage seat all this time?” “…Why?” “To groom you!” Kazuki grabbed Itachi’s shoulders with both hands and shook him violently.
“Because you little brat were too young!
He had no choice but to shamelessly keep playing Hokage until you grew up—then he’d step down!” “This…
this…” Itachi was baffled.
“Waiting…
waiting for me?” “Otherwise?” Kazuki countered.
“If he wasn’t waiting for you, was he waiting for his grandson?” Itachi: “…” *Something feels a bit off about that logic.* Kurenai coughed dryly from the side.
“If you’re going to fool him—ahem, if you’re going to talk, talk properly.
Don’t resort to personal attacks.” “Do you two think I’m wrong?” Kazuki said loudly, “Besides this, tell me: why hasn’t the Third Hokage, at over sixty years old, groomed a successor?
Tell me!” “What if he kicks the bucket one day?
What will Konoha do then?” “Don’t say it’s impossible.
With a sixty-something shinobi, you never know when he might pass.” Both Itachi and Kurenai fell silent.
Kazuki asked coldly, “Don’t tell me you don’t believe in Lord Hokage?
Do you think Lord Hokage is merely greedy for power?” Kurenai looked at Kazuki speechlessly: *Screw you!* *You really put that mouth of yours to work!* Itachi was equally speechless.
What was he supposed to say to that?
Although he subtly suspected…
Ahem!
Absolute suspicion was forbidden!
That was the Lord Hokage he respected!
“Let me tell you!” Kazuki wagged his finger at the two of them.
“The best way to solve the issue between the village and the Uchiha is to nurture an Uchiha Hokage who possesses the Will of Fire!” “That is also Lord Hokage’s choice, and Itachi, you are the product of that choice!” “Otherwise!” Kazuki’s tone turned chillingly cold.
“Otherwise, Lord Hokage is intentionally making things difficult for Itachi, intentionally targeting the Uchiha!
Aside from these, tell me, is there a second answer?” Itachi and Kurenai both fell silent.
After a long while, Itachi suddenly spoke up, “Brother Kazuki…
I think what you said actually makes a lot of sense!” “Itachi!” A sharp shout rang out.
Shisui appeared.
He, too, had bandages wrapped around his face, but his expression was extremely severe.
He stared coldly at Itachi and said, “Stop talking nonsense!” *Did you really believe Kazuki’s utter nonsense?!*