Revitalizing the Uchiha clan starts with becoming a Kage.

"Yes, I understand, Father, please rest assured!"

Itachi always loved and respected his mother, and he also had a younger brother, Sasuke, who was just learning to walk and talk, to take care of.

Regardless of the purpose.

The effort Itachi put into this during this period was no less than that of any other member of the clan.

137. Father and Son

"Ok!"

Looking at such a reliable son.

Fugaku felt very gratified. It was because of these continuously growing young generations that the Uchiha clan was able to stand at the top of the ninja world. Itachi was his eldest son and a genius of the clan that he recognized.

He believed that one day, Itachi would be able to grow to the same level as Shoji and Shisui.

"It will only be a few days. Once we receive news from the General's Office, even if there are still many problems, our clan can at least settle down temporarily and no longer need to be so tense and tired."

However, his son was still young, only 7 years old, and Fugaku did not want him to bear too much pressure that was not appropriate for his age.

Basic training is necessary, but forcing growth is a foolish thing to do.

"Will Iwagakure accept us? Father? Is Iwagakure the only option for us?"

As Fugaku finished speaking, Itachi raised his little head, looked at his father, and asked softly about the clan's current situation and future choices, which could be said to have been decided after the plan was abandoned.

The goal is to gradually reveal the subsequent arrangements and intentions to the clan. You cannot and will not keep it from these clansmen. They have the right and the need to know these things. Although it may cause some internal turmoil, not telling them will only make it easier to cause chaos within the clan, making the clansmen feel confused and uneasy about their future.

Especially when leading his people to the Land of Grass.

As Shoji, Yashiro, and Koga set off for the Land of Earth.

Almost everyone in the clan knew that their Uchiha clan's next goal was nothing more than two things: one was to go north into the Land of Earth and join the Hidden Stone Village; the other was to bypass the Land of Rivers and go south to smaller countries like the Land of Spring and the Land of Tea to rebuild their clan's homeland.

It can be said that among these two options, some people agree with the first one, some agree with the second one, and some do not want to choose either one. Of course, the last few are usually the earliest and most stubborn clansmen who wanted to start a coup. Even now, they still think that leaving Konoha is a cowardly act and a disgrace to the clan.

Such disagreements would arise in any ninja clan when faced with a similar situation. The only difference is that the Uchiha clan is more stubborn. If it weren't for the joint determination of Fugaku, Shoji, and the previous eight elders, you wouldn't believe it, but the proportion of clan members who want to start a coup is as high as one-third in the clan!

In other words, the clan's high-ranking members reached a common decision, which was how they managed to suppress this anger. Some clan members might lose their minds because of their anger, but not Shoji, Fugaku, and others. It's not that the coup was 100% impossible, but the probability was too low, and the price they would have to pay was the annihilation of the clan, which was a result that Shoji, Fugaku, and others could never accept.

Not to mention the unstable factor of Shisui. If the clan were to break away from Konoha, Shisui would have a high chance of getting Shisui on his side. If you were to say that they were to launch a coup, the clan could directly confront Konoha.

What choice will Zhishui ultimately make?

But that's really hard to say.

This depends on the reference point.

These differing opinions and chaotic emotions have created the complex internal atmosphere of the Uchiha clan. Itachi is no exception. As a prodigy in the clan, Itachi, who has been able to think independently since childhood, also has his own views and understanding of the clan's current situation.

However, it is also limited by experience and cognitive level.

He also had his own confusion.

"Although it's not 100% certain, it's still a high-probability event. As for our clan's choice, Itachi, this is the best way out we can find at this stage. Ignoring everything else, just from the perspective of protecting ordinary clan members, we must choose one of the five great ninja villages. The reason lies in our eyes!"

Fugaku activated his Sharingan directly. The three slowly rotating black tomoe entered Itachi's eyes, and as those profound words fell, Itachi's pupils contracted slightly.

A wise person doesn't need to say much; a single sentence can reveal the core of the problem.

It happened almost in an instant.

Itachi then understood the true meaning behind his father's words.

It's not that I don't want to choose, it's that I have no choice.

The Uchiha clan must prioritize what is most important. Otherwise, why would so many members of the clan, who were angry and wanted to stage a coup to take revenge on Konoha, Hiruzen Sarutobi, Danzo Shimura, and others, ultimately choose to agree with Shoji's ideals and plans and break away from Konoha?

It's because no matter how stubborn or easily angered the Uchiha clan may be, they are still human after all. As long as they are human, they cannot avoid the seven emotions and six desires. Anger is only one of them. Many times, the power and will that humans unleash to protect their most precious existence is the most steadfast!

This is why even the most fanatical members of the tribe would bite their lips and forcibly suppress their anger.

It was all because of Shoji's words, "This is the best choice to protect our loved ones and continue the existence of our clan!"

No amount of anger can compare to the importance of the safety of loved ones and the continuation of the family line.

Moreover, this does not mean abandoning hatred; it simply means prioritizing the protection of those who are still alive, and that hatred can be temporarily set aside for later.

This is also why they ultimately chose Iwagakure.

They have the confidence and strength to protect the safety of ordinary clan members, and also the potential to enable the Uchiha clan to carry out a revenge plan in the future!

It was precisely because of these two points that the Uchiha clan, despite having experienced decades of trouble in Konoha, did not choose the more free path of independence, but instead joined Iwagakure!

The weasel is a smart one.

Fugaku doesn't need much more to say.

Once you point out the most crucial sentence, he can connect the dots on his own.

He nodded silently at that moment.

"Um.."

He responded in a low voice.

Ultimately, Itachi during this period was still influenced by the so-called 'Will of Fire'.

Of course, it wasn't as twisted or insane as depicted in the original work.

However, it can be compared to the current Zhishui (止水) system to some extent.

As intelligent as he was, he could naturally foresee certain predetermined scenarios in the future. However, this was also an inevitable outcome. When Shimura Danzo once again acted ruthlessly, not giving the Uchiha clan a chance to leave peacefully, more than two hundred clansmen died on the way to their evacuation.

The last remaining, theoretical path to reconciliation between the Uchiha clan and Konoha has been completely blocked.

This is a blood feud between our clans!

It's something no one can resolve!

138. Meeting (Third Update)

The still very young Itachi could see some of the 'essence' and foresee some of the future developments, but with no experience or knowledge, he was now in a deeper state of confusion, wondering about his clan, family, village, companions, and the Will of Fire that had carried him for seven short years yet was extremely 'heavy'.

He didn't know what was right, but he did know that some choices were unavoidable, or even unavoidable.

"Itachi, you're still young. There are some things you don't need to figure out in a hurry. As your horizons and experience grow, you'll see the true nature of things. For now, just do what you should do and stay by your mother's and your brother's side!"

Fugaku said this with a gentle expression.

This is the proper way a father should guide and teach.

However, Fugaku himself did not notice a certain word mentioned in the sentence about 'normal,' which made Itachi's whole body tremble.

"Yes, the future is unpredictable, and things we can't figure out should be put aside for now. Right now, my most important thing is to protect Mom and Sasuke!"

There is no reason, and it is difficult to analyze or judge.

Anyway, this is just an innate, slightly 'pathological' 'brother complex' mindset!

Although Itachi in this life did not undergo the profound brainwashing of the Will of Fire, his 'brother complex' was still deeply ingrained in his bones, especially when his father mentioned his one-and-a-half-year-old brother, Uchiha Sasuke.

The expression on Itachi's face softened considerably.

You can't explain this.

But this is currently the best possible development.

At least we don't need to worry about Itachi's 'uncontrollable' development in the future!

"Yes, Father, I understand!"

Itachi lowered his head slightly and answered in a very serious tone.

"Ok!"

Fugaku nodded in satisfaction.

It was just as the father and son finished their conversation and were preparing to leave for the next defensive area to patrol.

"whoosh"

Not far away.

A figure flashed over.

"A martyr!"

He is one of the few Jonin in the Uchiha clan who is older than Fugaku and is still very active – Uchiha Retsuto.

"Clan leader, Shoji and the others are back! And they're followed by two or three hundred Iwa ninja, led by the son of the Third Tsuchikage—the Yellow Earth Jonin!"

Fugaku, who had initially thought there was a problem with the other side of the defense, was overjoyed upon hearing Retsuto's words.

No further words are needed.

Just from the fact that Shoji returned and was followed by the Iwa ninja forces, Fugaku could tell that Shoji's negotiations with the Third Tsuchikage had been successfully completed. In this way, their clan could truly find a peaceful place to live again.

A hint of relief appeared on Itachi's face as he sat to one side, though he still felt somewhat lost and worried about the future.

But right now, the most important thing is the safety of my family members, especially my mother and brother.

May we find a safe place to rest as soon as possible.

This is the most important thing for the clan.

"Lie Ren, then you'll be in charge of patrolling both sides of this area for now!"

"Yes, Chieftain, don't worry!"

Uchiha Retsuto nodded solemnly and said.

"Ok!"

Immediately afterwards.

"Let's go, Itachi!"

Fugaku then leaped forward, carrying Itachi, and sped back towards the interior of the clan's temporary encampment.

When Fugaku brought Itachi back to the area where the ordinary clansmen had set up tents, there were already hundreds of Iwagakure ninjas dressed in Iwagakure uniforms with white coats on the outside, moving back and forth in the camp.

These people were the first medical team from Iwagakure Village to arrive with Huang Tu.