As the emotions of Konoha’s citizens rose and fell throughout the day, so too did the mood of the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi.
In the end, he simply couldn’t muster the courage to step in and clean up the mess.
As Hokage, there were far too many things he had to consider.
Unlike Danzō Shimura, who pursued his objectives without regard for the consequences, Hiruzen’s foremost responsibility was ensuring that the worst possible outcome never came to pass.
Leave the younger generation’s affairs to the younger generation.
Whatever happened would still be within an acceptable range.
But if he, the Hokage himself, became personally involved and things failed to go as planned…
There would be no easy way to salvage the situation.
From the moment Uchiha Kei appeared, Hiruzen had felt increasingly uneasy.
When Kei raised his arm and rallied the crowd, Hiruzen completely gave up on monitoring the day’s events.
Whatever happens, happens.
The Uchiha can’t possibly turn the village upside down.
Or so he had thought.
That evening, however, after receiving the ANBU report, Hiruzen was left with a splitting headache.
“Damn that brat!” To avoid going to war, the boy had directly undermined the very legitimacy of the war Hiruzen had worked so hard to promote.
Is he trying to start a rebellion?
Compared with the indecisive Uchiha Fugaku, Hiruzen’s judgment was far sharper.
Unlike Itachi Uchiha, whose conclusions stemmed from the keen instincts of a gifted child, Hiruzen relied on decades of political experience.
Those who lied for a living understood one thing better than anyone: The bigger the lie…
The more magnificent the wrapping had to be.
Kei’s impassioned speech was nothing more than a performance to conceal one simple truth: He had no intention of fighting for Konoha.
Ordinarily, Hiruzen wouldn’t even have minded.
If the Uchiha appeared cowardly, all the better.
Branding them as weak would only make it easier to strip away more of their political influence.
But Kei hadn’t simply admitted he didn’t want to fight.
He had cloaked his refusal in righteousness.
He had proclaimed that the Uchiha were masters of Konoha alongside everyone else—that Konoha should fight for its own survival, not for the daimyō.
Did he think I didn’t understand that?
Of course Hiruzen understood.
The problem was that the people could never be allowed to understand.
Because once they did…
They would begin demanding more from Konoha.
The funds provided by the daimyō were already insufficient.
Konoha had countless personnel operating in the shadows.
There were public facilities to build.
Infrastructure to maintain.
Every one of those projects required money.
If every resource went toward satisfying the people, there would be nothing left to develop the village.
And if Konoha was to continue growing…
It needed money.
Lots of it.
So how did one persuade the daimyō to keep funding Konoha?
Simple.
Make sure they always felt threatened by the possibility of war.
How, then, could a war fought for that purpose possibly be called unjust?
I merely kept a portion of the funding for other necessities.
Yet Uchiha Kei had pushed him into the territory of an unjust war, causing ordinary villagers to question whether the conflict itself had been righteous.
That…
Was unforgivable.
Hiruzen took a long drag from his pipe.
It was time to act against these mysterious newcomers within the Uchiha Clan.
Sometimes…
Perhaps Danzō wasn’t entirely wrong.
The Uchiha really are all dangerous.
While Hiruzen wrestled with his troubles alone in the Hokage Residence, another discussion was taking place within the Uchiha Clan compound.
Inside the clan head’s home, father and son were reviewing everything that had happened that day.
Unlike Uchiha Kei, who had been dissatisfied with Itachi’s behavior, Uchiha Fugaku wasn’t particularly bothered.
Perhaps that was simply the difference between someone standing in another person’s shoes.
Fugaku possessed one admirable quality: He knew his own limitations.
Time and again, his son’s judgments had later been proven correct by reality itself.
Because of that, Fugaku trusted Itachi’s instincts.
Although the boy was only five years old, he possessed what many called the mindset of a Hokage.
Even the Hokage himself had acknowledged that talent.
But making the correct judgment…
Didn’t necessarily mean winning the contest.
If Itachi said Kei had no intention of fighting for Konoha, then Fugaku believed that was undoubtedly true.
What he couldn’t understand…
Was why.
Fear of death never even crossed Fugaku’s mind.
If the Konoha Military Police Force, controlled by the Uchiha, functioned as the village’s law enforcement…
Then the ANBU were its special operations force…
And Root was its secret police.
A man who could kill one of Root’s agents…
Then calmly bury the body beneath a tree without the slightest attempt to hide it…
Was not someone who feared war.
Someone bold enough to provoke conflict could hardly be afraid of fighting.
Whether one dared to fight…
And whether one could actually win…
Were entirely different matters.
One thing, however, was certain.
Uchiha Kei had never feared war.
I truly can’t understand him…
Fugaku lifted his teacup and drank from it as though it were sake.
Ever since their son had been born, Mikoto Uchiha had forbidden him from drinking alcohol.
These days, tea was the closest substitute he had.
After setting the cup down, he looked toward his son.
“Itachi…
you shouldn’t have publicly accused Kei of being afraid of war today.” Across from him sat Itachi.
Despite his adorable face, the boy always wore the solemn expression of an adult.
Sensitive children tended to mature early.
From a young age, they instinctively understood what their parents expected of them.
And as the heavily burdened head of the Uchiha Clan…
Fugaku desperately needed a dependable son to help shoulder that burden.
“Why not, Father?” Itachi asked.
“It was a perfect opportunity for the Uchiha Clan to truly integrate into Konoha.
If we let it pass, we’ll regret it.” Fugaku slowly shook his head.
“Itachi…
an opportunity you can’t control is only ever an opportunity.” “And besides…” “The one standing before you was Kei.” Itachi nodded politely to show he understood.
Yet inwardly, he couldn’t accept the high regard his father had for Kei.
“But Father, Brother Kei has no reverence for Konoha at all.” “He’ll drag the village into ruin.” Fugaku’s expression became serious.
“That’s exactly why you shouldn’t have contradicted him in public.” “A man who has no reverence for Konoha isn’t someone who fears war.” “Your accusation made no sense.” “He simply doesn’t want to fight for Konoha.” “But he has never been afraid of war.” Young as he was, Itachi’s experience still had its limits.
“But if this continues,” Itachi argued, “the Uchiha who refuse to fight for Konoha will drift further and further away from the village.” “When that day comes, there won’t be any place left for the Uchiha in Konoha.” “And besides…” “You were the first one today to support joining the war.” A faint flush appeared on Fugaku’s face.
Everything Itachi had done that day had ultimately been done in support of his father.
The boy simply hadn’t adapted when the situation changed.
Realizing that eased much of Fugaku’s disappointment.
“Itachi.” “I supported the Uchiha joining Konoha’s war because I wanted our clan to secure a place within the village.” “But by denouncing the war today…” “Kei also won the Uchiha a place in Konoha.” “Our goals weren’t actually different.” “The only difference is that he’s young and acts boldly.” “Whereas I hoped to solve the problem through peaceful means.” “In the end…” “Everything we do is for the sake of the Uchiha.” By the time they returned home, both father and son had reached that conclusion.
Itachi still felt somewhat unwilling to accept it…
But he understood.
“Even so,” Itachi said softly, “this will only make the conflict between the Uchiha and Konoha even sharper.” “Father…” “Those Uchiha outside your control are like explosive tags waiting to detonate.” “We can’t simply leave them unchecked.” Fugaku sighed.
“But Itachi…” “Their arrival has given the Uchiha precious breathing room.” “Right now…” “That’s more important than anything else.” Itachi fell silent.
He wanted to continue.
He wanted to repeat everything Shisui Uchiha had taught him.
But in the end…
He said nothing.
“I understand, Father.” “Good.” “Then get some rest.” “Yes.” Their conversation ended quickly.
Unfortunately…
Neither father nor son slept well that night.
Fugaku lay awake, replaying Kei’s speech in his mind.
“So the Uchiha are among Konoha’s rightful masters…” “Itachi disappointed me a little today.” “Perhaps only by having a younger sibling will he truly learn the meaning of supporting one another.” Maybe…
It’s time for a second child.
Because Kei had restored the Uchiha’s dignity and reminded Konoha of their importance, Fugaku found himself unusually energized that night.
As a husband…
He became remarkably enthusiastic.
Itachi, meanwhile, tossed and turned in bed.
“How could you deceive everyone so easily?” He knew perfectly well that no matter how noble Kei’s speech had sounded…
At its core…
It was nothing more than an excuse to avoid war.
Yet somehow…
Everyone had accepted it.
Even people outside the Uchiha Clan had begun treating Kei as someone worthy of following.
“This can’t continue.” “Uchiha Kei must be restrained by the clan.” Perhaps…
Once Shisui returned…
He could expose this fraud.
In Itachi’s mind, that powerless elder would crumble before Shisui’s overwhelming strength.
After humiliating himself before the clan…
Kei would no longer deserve to occupy the position of elder.
Then they could place Kei’s followers under Shisui’s command.
After all…
The Uchiha respected strength above all else.
Surely they would choose to follow the stronger Uchiha.
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