Who are you calling a stable boy?!

He asked.

"Old Lan and I came from Qitian Prefecture. Little Duzi, like your weasel, ran right into my hands, Old Zheng."

Fugaku glanced at "Little Miyako".

He felt that this person looked somewhat familiar.

But now, Kakuzu has shed the black background and red clouds of Akatsuki, and the headband that represents his status as a rogue ninja of Takigakure has also been put away. At first glance, even if it were Fugaku, no one would recognize him as a notorious bounty hunter.

Moreover, compared to "Xiaoduzi", Fugaku was more concerned about Qitianfu, which Zheng Jing mentioned.

Before he succeeded to the position of clan leader, he was already a man who had traveled all over the country and could say that he was well-informed and knowledgeable.

However, after pondering for a moment, Fugaku couldn't recall any information related to Qitian Prefecture.

However, Fugaku did not believe that the other party had simply made up a name out of thin air.

After all, Fugaku had already received a notification from his clansmen before his son brought these people to visit.

The report said that someone had broken into the village from the entrance.

Almost all the ninjas of the Uchiha clan served in the Konoha Police Force, and naturally, Fugaku had planted spies to patrol and guard the gates.

Although none of the clansmen present at the time were able to witness the "sparring" between the third generation and Zheng Jing, the fact that Zheng Jing could now sit so openly in front of them made the outcome obvious.

With his formidable strength and the initial recognition he had received from the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, Fugaku didn't think it necessary for him to fabricate a nameless background for himself.

Qitian Prefecture...

What kind of organization is it?

Fugaku was puzzled, but he didn't ask aloud. Instead, he asked another question.

"It seems you wish to take Itachi as your disciple?"

"Huh? No, no, no! Brother Fugaku, why are you acting like the Third Generation Elder and Master Mon? You've misunderstood!"

Zheng Jing waved his hand.

"Didn't I say? Just give him a hand, that's all."

"...May I ask, what does 'give a hand to Itachi' mean?"

"Brother Fugaku, do you know you're keeping a ghost in your house?"

"ghost?"

"Hehe, you two might not trust me, Old Zheng, to say this, so we'll have to hear from him."

Zheng Jing smiled and pointed at the weasel.

"Chashu Itachi, let me ask you this: Did Shimura Danzo come looking for you?"

When he questioned Chashu Itachi, he observed carefully and knew that although Chashu Itachi had not yet taken action against the clan, he probably already had some plans in mind.

This suggests that the kid has most likely already had contact with the Ninja World's Pot.

However, after meeting the gatekeeper at the village entrance, Zheng Jing was still unsure about the details. After thinking it over, he decided it would be better to ask Chashu Itachi to explain it clearly in front of Fugaku and his wife.

"..."

Itachi remained silent, only nodding.

Upon seeing this, Fugaku's expression finally changed noticeably.

He didn't have time to question Zheng Jing's strange way of addressing his son.

"Itachi, can you tell me what happened?"

Even at this point, Fugaku was still questioning Itachi as a father.

After a brief period of chaotic thoughts, the clenched fists and clenched teeth quietly relaxed.

At this point, Itachi believed that even if he insisted on not speaking, Zheng Jing would find a way to get him to talk.

"That day, I only received orders to go to the Hokage Building's conference room, who would have thought that..."

After a moment of silence, Itachi told his parents everything that happened that night for the first time.

Whether it was everything he saw and heard at the meeting, or... the conversation Danzo had with him after the meeting.

Danzo told him that his father, as the head of the Uchiha clan, seemed to be balancing the radicals and the moderates, but in reality, he was hedging his bets on both sides and had never really taken drastic measures against the radicals.

Danzo was convinced that if things continued this way, the conflict between the Uchiha and the village would eventually erupt into a life-or-death struggle.

If Itachi Uchiha wanted to avoid this outcome, there was only one path he could take.

kill!

Not only should the radicals within the clan be wiped out, but his opportunistic father should also be killed, and it would be best if he, Uchiha Itachi, could take his place.

If you want to get away with this cleanly, you shouldn't even spare his mother, Uchiha Mikoto!

In this way, with him as the clan leader who truly embodies the Will of Fire, the long-standing conflict between the Uchiha clan and the village will surely be resolved.

Danzo said he would do his best to support Itachi to become the next head of the Uchiha clan, provided Itachi was willing to carry out the plan.

Itachi naturally did not agree to this terrible plan at the time.

Not to mention that there are already more radicals than moderates among the clansmen, if it were really going to be killed, who knows how many clansmen would be killed? Just the fact that he was accused of patricide and matricide is truly shocking!

However, Itachi did not refuse Danzo on the spot.

Danzo wasn't in a hurry. He simply told Itachi to go back and observe his father and the movements of the radical faction within the clan, and to think things through carefully.

That night, Danzo Shimura's words were like sweet poison, sticking to Itachi's heart.

He admitted that he had indeed considered the feasibility of the plan.

In other words, he had genuinely considered committing the heinous act of patricide, matricide, and the cruelty of harming the elderly and children—an act that was practically genocide and estrangement from his entire clan.

That's it...

As he uttered the last word, Itachi realized that the dread he had anticipated had not come to pass.

He actually felt a sense of relief and liberation...

No.

This is simply a case of giving up entirely.

Itachi closed his eyes, unable to bear looking at his father and mother's faces.

That would surely become a scene that haunts his nightmares every night from now on—

As he was thinking this, he suddenly felt himself being embraced in a soft and warm hug.

Subconsciously, Itachi opened his eyes.

"Itachi, Itachi."

Holding her son, who was already much taller than herself, tightly in her arms, gently stroking Itachi's hair, and pressing her cheek against Itachi's forehead, Mrs. Mikoto shed two lines of clear tears.

"You must be very tired. I'm sorry, even though I could tell you were troubled, I kept thinking you were all grown up... I'm so sorry..."

At some point, Fugaku, who had come to Itachi's side with his wife, raised his hand.

Ever since Itachi became an Anbu member, his father would pat him on the shoulder to encourage him.

But today, his father gently patted his head.

Just like when he was a child—like before he went to the battlefield.

"I'm sorry to have made you work so hard, Itachi."

"..."

The weasel's mind went blank for a moment.

And what emerged from the emptiness was tears.

It was a tear that couldn't be held back no matter how hard you clench your teeth or fists.

Chapter 188: Why are you being so gossipy?

"You have such good parents, you should cherish them. There are ways to be both loyal to the country and filial to the people, why go to such extremes?"

Zheng Jing shook his head.

“Brother Fugaku, why don’t you have Mrs. Mikoto take this boy to the kitchen to eat something he likes, and then we can continue with our business?”

"—No, that's not necessary!"

His voice was still a little choked up, but Itachi spoke up firmly before Fugaku could answer.

He looked at Zheng Jing, but suddenly didn't know how to address him properly.

He opened his mouth, and a trembling sound escaped his throat: "Master..."

Zheng Jing scratched his cheek, thinking that Kirei called him "Venerable One," while Chashao Itachi called him "Master." Oh well, let them be.

"Master, Father, please allow me to be present for the following conversation!"

Seeing that Zheng Jing seemed to have no objections, Itachi felt reassured and earnestly pleaded.

Fugaku glanced at Zheng Jing, then at Itachi, and nodded slightly.

"Thank you, Master, for guiding my son. I hope you will continue to take care of him in the future regarding his cultivation."

As he spoke, Fugaku and Mrs. Mikoto were about to bow to Zheng Jing.

But as soon as they finished speaking, Zheng Jing reached out and stopped them.

"Hey! Brother Fugaku, don't be in such a hurry. As the old saying goes, if you're going to help someone, help them all the way to the west. It's good that you two know what's going on with your training. But if you don't resolve the trouble between the Uchiha and Konoha, even if I really tie this kid up and take him away, he won't be in the mood to train."

"What does the master mean?"

Zheng Jing grinned and reached out to pull Aizen into his arms.

"Hehe, I, Old Zheng, will see this through to the end. I'll join forces with Old Lan to give you guys a hand!"

-

A conversation that would change the future of the Uchiha clan took place in the Fugaku family's reception room, lasting from sunset to sunrise.

"Master Zheng, Mr. Aizen!"

After firmly grasping Zheng Jing and Aizen's hands, Fugaku, who hadn't slept all night, showed no signs of fatigue on his face; on the contrary, he seemed quite spirited.

"I'll make the arrangements right away, and I hope you two will grace us with your presence!"

"sure!"

"it is good."

"My humble abode has prepared rooms for the three of you. If you need anything, please feel free to ask Itachi!"

After chatting for a few more minutes, Fugaku set off from home.

Would the three of you like to have breakfast now?

Itachi sat down in front of Zheng Jing and the others: "Should we go back to our rooms and rest first?"

Mrs. Mikoto, the only one who didn't stay up until dawn last night, is still asleep.

The Fugaku family did not have the habit of hiring servants. Although the house was not small, Mrs. Mikoto did all the housework herself, except when she was pregnant with Itachi.

"It's just chatting all night, what's so tiring about it? But I still need to have a couple of bites of breakfast."

As he spoke, Zheng Jing rolled up his sleeves and jumped up.

Where is your kitchen located?

Seeing Zheng Jing's posture, Itachi was taken aback.

"Master, what are you going to do?"

"Cooking? Do you expect me to bother Mrs. Mikoto? Your mother was already exhausted enough making room for the three of us yesterday."

Of course, Itachi knew that Mrs. Mikoto was very tired both physically and mentally yesterday.

"How could I trouble you with breakfast, Master? I'll take care of it!"

"Oh?"

Upon hearing this, Zheng Jing looked Itachi up and down.

"You can cook? Don't think you can cook just because you can boil water and boil anything."