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Learning how Shisui died, Fugaku Uchiha’s expression turned grim. If possible, he truly didn’t want to completely break ties with Konoha.
But now, Danzō had dared to attack Shisui so brazenly. Fugaku, unless he was a complete fool, understood what that signified.
“Shisui, who used Edo Tensei to revive you?” Fugaku stared intently at Shisui. This question was crucial. If Shisui didn’t answer, Fugaku couldn’t rest easy.
“It was Shin Uzumaki.”
Shisui answered directly, without hesitation. Shin hadn’t forbidden him from revealing this.
“Shin Uzumaki revived you using Edo Tensei… What is his goal?” Fugaku frowned, carefully analyzing Shin’s possible motives.
Fugaku didn’t doubt Shisui’s words. He felt only Shin Uzumaki would be capable of such a thing. He couldn’t think of anyone else.
“Shin Uzumaki’s motives aren’t important right now. What matters is how the Uchiha Clan will survive the coming disaster,”
Shisui said to Fugaku.
Fugaku nodded. Speculating was useless. Even if they guessed Shin’s intentions, what could they do? He knew his limits.
Shin Uzumaki possessed power that made any Hidden Village wary. The Uchiha Clan couldn’t compare. Even their entire clan combined couldn’t match Shin Uzumaki alone.
“Shisui, what are your thoughts now?” Fugaku asked Shisui.
Fugaku knew Shisui well, knew his deep love for the village. If forced to choose between the clan and the village, Shisui would undoubtedly choose the village.
This was Fugaku’s greatest dilemma—Shisui was the Uchiha’s top fighter, but his loyalty wasn’t solely to the clan.
What leverage did Fugaku have against Konoha?
“To protect the honor of the Uchiha Clan. To fight for the Uchiha Clan.” Shisui responded without hesitation, his gaze firm and unwavering.
Looking at Shisui now, Fugaku almost thought he was looking at a different person.
“Perhaps this is related to Shin Uzumaki,” Fugaku speculated inwardly. He had to admit, his guess was likely correct.
“Originally, the plan between myself and the Third Hokage was to use Kotoamatsukami to control you, make you loyal to Konoha, and resolve the conflict,” Shisui suddenly revealed his original purpose, causing Fugaku’s face to darken.
“Now, I only wish to protect the honor of the Uchiha Clan, to fight for the Uchiha Clan. I hope the Clan Head can trust me.”
Looking into Shisui’s incredibly earnest eyes, Fugaku nodded. He chose to trust Shisui. If Shisui weren’t sincere, he wouldn’t have revealed such a thing.
“It probably won’t be long before the Third Hokage makes a move against the Uchiha Clan. The Clan Head needs to prepare. And be wary of those who need warying.”
Hearing Shisui’s words, Fugaku frowned.
“Shisui, what do you mean?”
“Itachi Uchiha… He is an obstacle,”
Shisui told Fugaku. To the current Shisui, Itachi was no longer his friend. Anyone who threatened the Uchiha Clan was his enemy.
“Are you saying—Itachi would betray the Uchiha Clan?” Fugaku asked Shisui, his heart heavy with complex emotions.
“Clan Head, you should know his personality.”
“No… when it comes to understanding him, perhaps you know Itachi better than I do.” Fugaku shook his head. Due to his busy clan affairs, Fugaku didn’t know Itachi as well as he should.
“Perhaps letting him join the Anbu back then was a mistake.” Fugaku sighed. He shouldn’t have let Itachi become a spy.
Fugaku had sent Itachi into the Anbu to act as a spy, relaying information about Konoha’s leadership. Joining the Anbu meant frequent contact with Hiruzen Sarutobi.
But Fugaku hadn’t expected Itachi to become a double agent, feeding the Uchiha useless intel while helping Hiruzen monitor the clan. Before joining the Akatsuki, Itachi Uchiha was a double agent…
“I will talk to Itachi. When do you think Hiruzen Sarutobi will move against the Uchiha Clan?” Fugaku asked Shisui.
“I don’t know. Since the original plan failed, probably not long. Likely within these two days.”
With the plan to use Kotoamatsukami on Fugaku thwarted, Hiruzen would surely resort to other means.
“I understand. Shisui—stay here for now.” As Clan Head, Fugaku had his own considerations.
———
Fugaku then left to find his son, Itachi.
Itachi—ever since he started training, had been Fugaku’s pride and joy. But now, Fugaku couldn’t help but wear a bitter smile.
The bitter smile vanished quickly, replaced by his usual impassive expression as he walked towards Itachi’s room.
Arriving at Itachi’s door, Fugaku pushed it open without knocking. He knew Itachi was home.
Itachi sat inside, dazed, still reeling from the shock of Shisui’s death.
“Father?” Itachi looked up, his eyes somewhat vacant, as Fugaku entered.
“Itachi, I’ve made my decision. We launch the coup d’état tonight. Has there been any movement from Hiruzen Sarutobi’s side?” Fugaku sat down and asked Itachi.
Instantly, Itachi’s brow furrowed.
“Father, why must you launch the coup? Don’t you know the consequences?” Itachi asked angrily.
Once Konoha and the Uchiha Clan went to war, even if it ended in mutual destruction, other villages would surely seize the opportunity to attack the weakened Konoha. It could trigger another Shinobi World War.
“Consequences? The Uchiha Clan is no longer in a position to consider consequences—” Fugaku said calmly.
Itachi was young and intelligent, possessing a grasp of the bigger picture. Did Fugaku not understand the potential fallout?
If he wasn’t pushed to the brink, would he—and the entire Uchiha Clan, even consider such a path?
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