Chapter 43: Fugaku, Oh Fugaku [Call for Chapter Titles — Names Are So Hard!]

As evening approached, Fugaku finally left the Hokage building. His expression was calm, but his heart was unusually complicated as he looked at the several people waiting for him downstairs.

"Clan Leader, what did the Hokage say? This shouldn't fall on our heads, right? That old villain Danzo and his lot are going too far!"

"Inabi, nonsense! Clan Leader, let's head back first."

Uchiha Inabi, Uchiha Tie Huo, and Uchiha Yōsuke, the other three captains of the Security Force, were all here. Today had been an absolutely busy day for them.

They had barely managed to find time to come here, only to personally witness several advisors entering the Hokage's office one after another, with some noise coming from inside midway—almost all of it Danzo's accusations.

"It's fine. The Third already knows the full story and didn't question us. He just told the Security Force to go back and appease those family members."

"Then that old... those advisors didn't take the chance to make things difficult, did they?"

The group didn't quite believe it, since Fugaku had spent almost the entire day in the Hokage building, and the arguments coming from upstairs hardly seemed like nothing was wrong.

Fugaku shook his head. His expression remained calm throughout, but only he knew what was going on in his mind.

"Clan Leader, Yashiro and the others are still at the Security Force watching over the families of those men, and the Anbu are there too. How should we reply to them?"

Uchiha Tie Huo asked quietly. Although he felt this matter was unjust, he really didn't want to stir up more trouble given the current situation.

Inabi frowned but didn't say a word.

However, Uchiha Yōsuke beside him didn't stay silent. Instead, she asked, "Leaving the families aside for now, may I ask the Clan Leader, what about the two prisoners Yashiro captured today?"

Fugaku glanced sideways at Uchiha Yōsuke. As the only woman among the four squads of the Security Force, Yōsuke's personality perfectly embodied the pride that came with being an Uchiha, and that was precisely what gave him a headache.

"The Third has already had them taken into custody. They will be locked up in Konoha's prison."

"They shouldn't be there. They should be in the Uchiha's prison!"

Yōsuke clenched her fists. She looked up at the Hokage building with a rather dissatisfied expression.

"And without them, how do we explain things to the victims' families? How do we make the villagers know—"

"Enough, Yōsuke. The Clan Leader has had a long day. Let's talk about this back at the clan compound."

Tie Huo's expression suddenly turned serious, cutting off Yōsuke's questioning.

Yōsuke fell silent, suddenly sensing something. She glanced at the building, then at the silent Fugaku, before letting out a cold snort and turning to leave.

"Clan Leader, Yōsuke, she..."

Fugaku shook his head, unconcerned. After Yōsuke left, he also set off.

Tie Huo and the other man quickly followed.

After they left, Danzo slowly emerged from the Hokage building, leaning on his cane. He watched Fugaku's retreating back with a cold sneer, and his figure soon melted into the darkness.

Back at the clan compound, Fugaku quietly instructed the two men, "Leave the Security Force matters to you. Don't let them blow things up, or it'll become a handle for the Village to attack the clan. If they're willing to let it go, give them some benefits."

Tie Huo was speechless. After a moment's hesitation, he reminded him, "The Great Elder probably won't let this go easily."

Both Uchiha Yashiro and Uchiha Yōsuke leaned toward the Great Elder's ideology. If even they were dissatisfied with the outcome, one could imagine how the Great Elder would react.

Inabi furrowed his brow even tighter, feeling nothing but frustration and unwilling to speak.

"I'll explain it to the Great Elder myself. You two go ahead and do as I said."

"Yes."

After the two left, Fugaku stood alone outside the courtyard gate and sighed. Only after a long while did he push open the gate and head inside.

"Clan Leader."

"Father." As soon as he entered, Fugaku saw Shisui and Itachi sitting in the room, seemingly chatting about something. Both stood up when they saw him come in.

Mikoto came over from the side, gently helped him change his coat, then poured him hot tea. After that, she took Itachi and Sasuke away.

Soon, only the two of them remained in the spacious room.

Fugaku nodded lightly. After taking a sip of hot tea, he asked, "Shisui, is your work in Anbu going smoothly?"

"Thanks to the Clan Leader's concern, everything is going smoothly with the Hokage's care." Shisui replied with a smile, his manner respectful.

"Good. Have you heard any news in Anbu lately?"

Fugaku asked casually, since Shisui was the spy the Uchiha had selected to enter Anbu.

"The Third approved of the annual gathering. Also... those two ninja who caused trouble today were probably taken away by Root."

"Oh? The Third actually approved of the Great Elder holding the annual gathering?"

Fugaku completely ignored Shisui's second piece of information, his expression somewhat surprised.

"Yes. I was worried the Third might be displeased with the gathering, so I tested him with the Great Elder's letter."

"The Great Elder, huh? Hoo—"

Fugaku let out a sigh of relief upon hearing this, seeming to relax a little. "It looks like the Third really does want to ease relations this time."

Shisui's eyes flickered. He didn't understand, but after glancing to the side, he chose not to ask directly and continued his report instead. "The Third also promised to select ninja from the Uchiha clan to supplement Anbu."

Having said that, Shisui looked at Fugaku, expecting him to be pleased. To his surprise, Fugaku's expression didn't change. He only nodded lightly. "I already know about this. The Third discussed it with me personally today. It's indeed a good opportunity for us."

"Something happened today, and I failed to inform you in time. My apologies." Shisui immediately lowered his head upon hearing this.

"Hahaha, it's fine. I hear Itachi has been training with you often lately. I appreciate your efforts."

Lately? Shisui was taken aback, the corners of his mouth twitching slightly. He could only force a dry laugh and reply, "No, Itachi is a genius. His talent is no less than mine. Training with him also lets me learn a lot."

Mentioning Itachi, a rare hint of pride appeared on Fugaku's face. He nodded slowly and praised, "He is worthy of being my son."

"But I heard the Clan Leader plans to have Itachi graduate early?"

"That's right. The war is over. With Itachi's ability, he's more than qualified to graduate early."

"But Itachi is only six years old. Won't this affect him?"

"What of it? That Kakashi graduated at five back in the day. As my child, Itachi absolutely cannot graduate in the ordinary way."

Speaking of early graduation, Fugaku seemed to think of something, and a trace of annoyance flashed in his eyes.

"Then after Itachi graduates, who does the Clan Leader plan to have as his teacher?"

Itachi's status was different from that of an ordinary Uchiha. As the son of the clan leader, taking a master was an extremely important investment. Using it within the clan would undoubtedly be a waste.

Fugaku had naturally considered this as well. "The Fourth is gone. I originally wanted to ask Lord Jiraiya, but unfortunately, he's rarely in Konoha and his whereabouts are uncertain. Lady Tsunade has also left Konoha. As things stand now, only Lord Orochimaru is the most suitable."

"Lord Orochimaru?"

Orochimaru, also a third‑generation disciple, one of the Legendary Sannin, and the only one of the three still remaining in Konoha, but he has rarely shown up since the Fourth Hokage's ascension.

But if others don't know where Orochimaru is, can Fugaku and Shisui still be unaware?

"Impossible!"

(End of chapter)