Chapter 82: Reverse-Tian Operation, a Massive Flaw! And Kushina

Yet Uchiha Fugaku, as if deliberately provoking the Third and Fourth Hokage, acted as though the retired Third still held authority.

In front of Minato Namikaze, who had already become the Fourth Hokage, he openly deferred to the now-deposed Third, Hiruzen Sarutobi.

This move effectively placed both the Third and Minato Namikaze in an awkward position.

At this moment, Uchiha Fugaku once again demonstrated his signature talent: applying correct logic in the most inappropriate situations.

“Alright, I’ll leave it to Itachi,” Uchiha Fugaku agreed instantly, never once considering he might be wearing a hat he didn’t ask for.

Turning to Uchiha Miki, Fugaku looked as if he wanted to adopt Luo Fu as his own younger brother, saying: “Miki, Luo Fu is a rising star of our Uchiha clan. Though he truly came into his own during this war, I’ve always had high hopes for him since he was a child. Having her accompany Itachi to the hospital will ease my mind—your sister-in-law, Itachi must take good care of him!”

Luo Fu clearly sensed the disbelief, even near-shock, in Uchiha Miki’s expression as Fugaku spoke those words.

“Fu…Fugaku,” Uchiha Miki forced a smile. “If Luo Fu is so capable, maybe I shouldn’t trouble him? I’m just slightly unwell—I think rest will be enough.”

“How could that be?” Luo Fu adopted an expression of deep concern for his sister-in-law. “Sister-in-law, Itachi’re carrying a child now. This child may very well become our next Uchiha genius, like Itachi.”

In Uchiha Fugaku’s heart, Uchiha Itachi was indeed his pride—even his habit of muttering, “Of course he’s my son,” reflected his true feelings.

Now, seeing Luo Fu compare Miki’s unborn child to a second Uchiha Itachi, Fugaku felt even more touched by Luo Fu’s thoughtfulness.

He genuinely began to entertain the idea of drawing Luo Fu even closer.

“Miki, Luo Fu is right—listen to him this time,” Uchiha Fugaku said with finality. “Luo Fu is my clan brother, like a younger sibling. Itachi can trust him to accompany Itachi to the hospital. Now, since Itachi’re unwell, rest for now—I have some matters to discuss with Luo Fu.”

“Then…alright,” Uchiha Miki, burdened by her emotions, reluctantly left the room.

When the room was left with only himself and Luo Fu.

After a moment’s silence, Uchiha Fugaku said: “Luo Fu, Itachi were far too impulsive in the Hokage’s office today. I remember telling Itachi before, in Kirigakure, that our Uchiha clan is not trusted in the village, and our position is precarious.”

“Yes,” Luo Fu nodded, assuming an attitude of humble submission.

“Though the Third has stepped down, the Fourth’s roots in the village are too shallow. The four Hokage advisors and the Elders prevent him from exercising true Hokage authority,” Fugaku said solemnly. “We must wait. We must be patient. Gaining the village’s acceptance of the Uchiha is not a matter of days or weeks—it requires a process. The Fourth Hokage is our opportunity. Do Itachi understand?”

Internally, Luo Fu found Fugaku’s cautiousness somewhat pathetic, and he glanced at him.

In Luo Fu’s view, Fugaku’s reasoning was theoretically sound—even the best possible strategy for the Uchiha clan.

But unfortunately, Fugaku’s actual execution was utterly absurd.

After witnessing Fugaku’s mind-boggling antics in the Hokage’s office earlier, hearing him say this now made Luo Fu want to crack open Fugaku’s skull and see what was inside.

Itachi understand the logic perfectly—so why do your actions produce operations that defy all reason?

Seeing Luo Fu’s stunned expression, Uchiha Fugaku felt an instant surge of intellectual superiority.

He calmly picked up the tea cup Uchiha Miki had brought, took a sip, then spoke leisurely: “I am the head of the Uchiha clan. I bear responsibility for our people. I hope Itachi can stand beside me on the same side.”

He paused slightly, then added: “I only wanted to warn Itachi: the Fourth is our hope. Before he truly seizes power, if Itachi face harassment from the Elders, prioritize the clan’s greater good.”

At that moment, Luo Fu wanted to say, “I am the greater good.” But compared to the petty satisfaction of saying it, he was far more curious: what compensation would Fugaku offer after forcing him to surrender four ninken?

As expected, after seeing Luo Fu nod in acknowledgment, Fugaku said: “Itachi’ve sacrificed greatly for the clan. The Seven Swordsmen of Kirigakure carry high bounties across the ninja world. Forcing Itachi to surrender four swords has indeed cost Itachi dearly. But I currently have no suitable compensation to offer. How about this—I appoint Itachi as an Elder of our clan?”

An Elder of the Uchiha clan? Was this compensation? This was outright revenge!

The moment this thought arose, Luo Fu recalled the Uchiha members who had followed him since Kirigakure.

Among them, more than half were beneath his contempt—not for their strength, but for their minds, equally corrupted by the ninja world and Uchiha dogma.

After prolonged contact, Luo Fu even began to suspect that the true horror of the ninja world wasn’t chakra, nor the Six Paths Sage hidden in the Pure Land scheming for dominion—but the inexplicable spiritual corruption that seemed to seep into every mind.

This influence was, in some ways, comparable to Cthulhu’s mental contamination.

It seemed every ninja who achieved mastery within the chakra system carried a profound flaw in their psyche.

The Uchiha’s mental instability was well known—but others weren’t much better.

Danzo Shimura's treachery and cruelty, self-destructive and harmful to everyone; Might Guy's passion and obsession... these were merely the most obvious examples. Ninja, it seemed, were prone to extremism.

At least among the Uchiha who had pledged loyalty to him, Luo Fu had detected obvious psychological flaws in over half. Even the rest merely concealed their issues less conspicuously.

Though the Uchiha were deeply flawed, Luo Fu’s overwhelming strength had genuinely won over many of them.

A good man needs three helpers—even if he cared little for the Uchiha, his origin in this world could not be erased.

Seeing Luo Fu lost in thought, Uchiha Fugaku said nothing, waiting quietly.

He considered himself generous: he had only asked for four Kirigakure swords, yet offered him the position of Elder in the first noble clan of the ninja world—surely this compensated Luo Fu’s loss.

Once, only the Senju clan could rival the Uchiha. Now, the Senju had been absorbed into the general populace, their bloodline diluted among common ninja. Wasn’t the Uchiha now the foremost noble house of Konoha—and indeed, of the entire ninja world?

After careful consideration, Luo Fu ultimately decided to accept the Elder position.

The Uchiha clan was indeed a pile of shit—but even a pile of shit contained valuable nutrients.

A pile of shit could even be used as fertilizer!

If he could use the Elder title to gather a group of loyal followers,

then after the Clan Purge, he could protect those under him and raise the Uchiha banner anew in the ninja world.

Never forget: the Uchiha were the closest descendants of Kaguya Otsutsuki, direct heirs of the Sage of Six Paths.

If he could bring Uchiha members into his own system, he would, in a sense, be stealing from the Sage of Six Paths himself.

“Clan Head, I accept the Elder position,” Luo Fu said solemnly.

“Excellent!” Uchiha Fugaku’s heart swelled with joy. With a powerful warrior who had awakened the legendary Sharingan by his side, his influence at the next Uchiha assembly would grow significantly.

Unfortunately, for now, Luo Fu’s awakening of the Mangekyo Sharingan must remain secret—even from the clan—to avoid drawing attention from the higher-ups. Fortunately, Luo Fu already possessed a sword technique rivaling Kage-level strength; even without revealing his Mangekyo, Fugaku remained confident he could elevate Luo Fu to Elder.

After finalizing the matter, Fugaku changed the subject: “I have some clan affairs to attend to. Miki isn’t feeling well—I’ll go check on her. Afterwards, I’ll rely on Itachi to personally escort her to the hospital.”

The moment he finished speaking, Uchiha Fugaku left the living room.

Inside the room.

Seeing Fugaku appear, Uchiha Miki’s face darkened. “Fugaku, what exactly is going on with this Luo Fu? I don’t recall Itachi ever being this close to him.”

“He’s different,” Uchiha Fugaku involuntarily recalled the strange Mangekyo Sharingan he had seen in Kirigakure.

Regaining his composure, he said: “I don’t know why Itachi dislike him, but I can tell Itachi this: his strength is immense. He sacrificed greatly for the Uchiha. As my wife, I expect Itachi to prioritize the clan’s greater good. For the sake of Uchiha honor, Itachi must win him over. Since he calls Itachi sister-in-law, treat him as my own younger brother.”

“But…” Uchiha Miki recalled the sensation of being scrutinized like an object in the living room.

Before she could speak, she felt the absolute finality in her husband’s tone.

Married to Uchiha Fugaku for so long—with their second child on the way—she knew him well. He was stubborn to the core.

Whether as Clan Head or as husband, his decisions were beyond her power to change.

Helplessly, Uchiha Miki suppressed her distaste for Luo Fu.

With a blank expression, she nodded: “I’ll do my best to win him over.”

“No need to go to such lengths,” Uchiha Fugaku smiled faintly. “Just act like a caring sister-in-law who dotes on her younger brother.”

“By the way,” he added, “aren’t Itachi unwell? Let him accompany Itachi to the hospital.”

Uchiha Miki’s scalp prickled.

……………………

Konoha’s hospital was built early—almost simultaneously with the village’s founding.

Within the hospital, departments served both civilians and ninja alike, with obstetrics and gynecology being among the most critical.

After all, in a world where average lifespan was horrifyingly low and war erupted constantly, every major clan and village leadership knew: population was the key to everything.

When Luo Fu accompanied Uchiha Miki to Konoha Hospital, he was astonished to find its security surpassed even that of the Uchiha compound—and rivaled the Hokage Tower. Especially in obstetrics, chakra scans constantly swept the area, hidden yet ever-present.

Naturally, due to the department’s sensitivity, every ward was sealed with wards and seals designed to prevent spying.

A place teeming with people, yet its cost far exceeded that of the Hokage Tower or even the Uchiha ancestral grounds.

While waiting for her appointment, Luo Fu observed the visibly nervous Uchiha Miki and said: “Sister-in-law, Itachi seem quite wary of me?”

“H-How could that be?” Uchiha Miki forced a smile. “I’m just not feeling well right now.”

“Is that so? But I feel your discomfort is more psychological,” Luo Fu grew increasingly intrigued.

Luo Fu held no real malice toward Uchiha Miki—but Itachi, that shocking filial son, was her biological child.

Luo Fu had no intention of preventing the Clan Purge. He merely wished to select a portion of the Uchiha to integrate into his chakra system. To avoid drawing premature attention from the Sage of Six Paths, even if the Purge deviated slightly, he would actively facilitate it.

Though his own moral compass couldn’t actively trigger the Purge, Luo Fu believed the Konoha Four—or even the hidden Sage of Six Paths—would minimize the impact of his interference.

Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha were the core of the Sage of Six Paths’ entire plan.

As long as these two remained within the known narrative arc, minor deviations were insignificant.

Once the Clan Purge occurred, Uchiha Itachi—the boy so young he was sent to war, even praised by Hiruzen Sarutobi as possessing Hokage-level thinking at age seven—would inevitably become the perfect blade.

The guilt of the Uchiha Purge could never be escaped by his parents, Uchiha Fugaku and Uchiha Miki.

At first glance, Luo Fu’s thoughts seemed hypocritical. But after awakening his past memories and entering the Shared Space,

Luo Fu could no longer see himself as a true native.

Orphaned since childhood, raised within the Uchiha clan, he felt no real attachment to the clan itself.

Fugaku’s absurd antics had cemented Luo Fu’s decision to remain a detached observer.

If Luo Fu’s presence somehow prevented the Purge, he wouldn’t actively push for it—he’d merely reduce his own visibility and threat level, leaving the rest to Konoha’s leadership and the Uchiha themselves.

If the Purge still occurred under these conditions, it would be none of his concern.

But Luo Fu believed that unless he desperately altered the Purge’s inevitability, the Uchiha’s end was sealed.

Hostility from village leadership, isolation from the village, Uchiha Madara’s complete manipulation, the brainwashed Uchiha Obito, and the agonized Uchiha Itachi caught between them.

Most crucially, the Uchiha’s ultimate illusion—the technique capable of altering reality—had been exposed.

Within the village, Danzo Shimura needed Sharingan eyes to balance the Senju cells. Outside, to fulfill his dream of Infinite Tsukuyomi, each use of Izanagi consumed at least a three-tomoe Sharingan, turning the three-tomoe Sharingan into an unprecedented strategic resource.

Internally, traitors; externally, predators circling. And with Luo Fu resolved to stand aside—how could the Uchiha possibly avoid annihilation?

Having mentally absolved himself of responsibility, Luo Fu could now stand morally upright and point fingers at the Uchiha Miki family.

After all, regardless of Itachi’s reasons, personally exterminating his entire clan—including his own parents—was a profound violation of Luo Fu’s moral code.

“No, Luo Fu, Itachi personally accompanying your sister-in-law to the hospital—how could I possibly feel unwell?” Uchiha Miki’s smile grew increasingly strained.

But then, her eyes suddenly brightened. She stood abruptly and waved toward the distance: “Kushina! Over here!”

“Miki?” A red-haired woman, heavily pregnant, hurried over. “What a coincidence—Itachi’re here too?”

“Yes… yes.” Uchiha Mikoto, her heart instantly relieved, affectionately linked arms with Kushina Uzumaki. “I never expected it to be this coincidental.”

“Huh!” Kushina glanced around, puzzled. “Why are Itachi alone? Didn’t Fugaku come with Itachi? What kind of husband is he? Minato’s already Hokage, yet he still personally accompanies me to the hospital. How could Fugaku let Itachi come alone?”

“No, it’s not like that!” Uchiha Mikoto’s face flushed with embarrassment. “Cousin? What cousin? Do Itachi know who I mean?”

As she spoke, Kushina Uzumaki’s gaze finally noticed Uchiha Luofu beside them.

In an instant, the atmosphere among the three turned awkward.

“It’s… Itachi.” Kushina’s eyes darted away.

Uchiha Mikoto suddenly seemed to realize something, her eyes flickering with odd suspicion as she glanced between Uchiha Luofu and Kushina Uzumaki.

The next moment, as if struck by revelation, she understood everything.

Yet her gaze toward Luofu and Kushina grew even more peculiar.

“Kushina, Itachi’re moving too fast—don’t forget Itachi’re pregnant!” A golden-haired man with a radiant smile, like a living sun, arrived at last: Minato Namikaze.

“Minato!” Kushina seized him like a savior, pulling Mikoto close. “I need to talk to Mikoto about girl secrets. Itachi stay here and wait with… Mikoto’s cousin.”

The moment she finished speaking, Kushina hurriedly dragged Mikoto away.

“Luofu?!” Minato, watching Kushina disappear, finally noticed Luofu beside him. “So Itachi were the one accompanying Mikoto.”

His eyes held a new, meaningful depth. “It seems Fugaku has great trust in Itachi—otherwise he wouldn’t have sent Itachi with Mikoto to the hospital.”

“Fourth Hokage.” Even for appearances’ sake, Luofu owed Minato some respect—he was Hokage now.

“No need for formality,” Minato laughed warmly. “I remember we were friends once, weren’t we? Just call me Minato, like before.”

“I dare not.” Luofu’s tone was sincere, revealing no hint of hidden meaning.

“Sit down!” Minato took a seat on the corridor bench first, gesturing for Luofu to sit one seat away. “Only now do I realize being Hokage isn’t as simple as I thought. And yet—Itachi’re no ordinary man either. The Starfang Fang is far more feared than my Golden Flash. Even in some small villages, there’s now a rule: if Itachi encounter Itachi on a mission, abandoning it isn’t considered a failure. Only the White Fang before Itachi ever earned such honor.”

Luofu said nothing.

Minato hesitated, then asked: “I’ve always wondered—why, back in ninja academy, did Itachi suddenly choose to graduate early? Why did Itachi rush into the Second Shinobi World War?”

Yes, Uchiha Luofu and Minato Namikaze had once been close friends in ninja academy.

But inexplicably, Luofu had abruptly graduated early—and rushed into the Second Shinobi World War, barely catching its final stages.

For years, Minato had never understood why.

In academy, Luofu had only ever had one true friend: Minato Namikaze.

Yet Minato had learned of Luofu’s early graduation only from their teacher. By the time he tried to find him, Luofu had already boarded the battlefield of the Second Shinobi World War.

Afterward, Minato fell in love with Kushina Uzumaki, became Jiraiya’s disciple, and immersed himself in cultivation—gradually drifting apart from Luofu.

That Minato still remembered Luofu from their childhood days was already remarkable.

In truth, Minato had recognized Luofu at the Hokage Tower—but the friendship of academy days had long since faded.

He asked about the past only because they had nothing else to say.

After all, Minato was the Fourth Hokage, while Luofu, though a jōnin, was an Uchiha—and thus barred from even attending jōnin council meetings.

The jōnin council was Konoha’s true decision-making body. Formally, Konoha wasn’t ruled by the Hokage’s word alone; if the Hokage committed grave errors, the jōnin council could convene and replace him.

But formality was formality—reality was reality.

In terms of status and position within Konoha, Luofu, a plain Uchiha jōnin, and Minato, the Hokage, had nothing in common.

Hearing Minato ask about the past, Luofu smiled faintly.

“Does the Fourth Hokage truly wish to know?”

Minato’s heart sank.

“Luofu… was your sudden early graduation and rushed enlistment not voluntary?”

Though his tenure as Hokage had been brief, Minato sensed something deeply wrong.

Something utterly opposed to the Will of Fire.

Something darker—the village’s shadow.

“Correct.” Luofu nodded, recalling the moment he awakened his past-life memories.

His situation was rare: though both he and the other Luofu had awakened past memories as children, the other Luofu had lived in a world poor in material wealth but stable and safe.

Uchiha Luofu, however, had been thrust onto the battlefield as a child.

The ones who pushed him there—and triggered his awakening—were the Konoha F4.

That was why, ever since awakening his memories, Luofu had felt nothing for Konoha.

“I’m Hokage now. Though I haven’t fully seized control of the village, if Itachi tell me, I’ll do everything I can to uncover the truth of what happened.”

After a moment’s hesitation, Minato spoke from his heart.

Luofu laughed softly, studying Minato. “Do Itachi really want to know?”

“If Itachi trust me, tell me.” Minato’s tone was firm.

“Do Itachi remember—who, besides Itachi, was closest to me back then?”

Though years had passed, Minato recalled instantly. He stared, stunned. “Itachi… Kushina? Itachi were involved with her?”

Yes.

The reason Luofu had been forced onto the battlefield as a child—why he awakened his past memories—was Kushina Uzumaki, the future Fourth Hokage’s wife.

Even upon awakening, Luofu had thought: this lowly Uchiha Lu, trying to steal the future Hokage’s wife? He was lucky not to have been assassinated outright—being sent to the battlefield and abandoned was mercy.

Before awakening, young Luofu had fallen for Kushina. He’d even stepped forward to defend her before Minato had, when everyone mocked her.

But his actions drew the enmity of the Konoha F4.

After all, Kushina was their chosen vessel for the Nine-Tails. An Uchiha approaching her—showing kindness—was bound to alarm the elders.

As soon as young Luofu showed even a hint of affection toward Kushina, he received a village order: forced graduation, immediate deployment to the Second Shinobi World War.

After awakening his memories, Luofu, lacking any divine advantage, chose silence—he would never dare steal Kushina from Minato.

It was nothing but childish nonsense—a childish love triangle, nearly costing a life.

Don’t think young Luofu was too young to understand love. In Konoha, girls as young as four or five already dreamed of romance.

Hinata, still unborn, had already loved Naruto. Ino and Sakura had been rivals for Sasuke since their first day at academy.

Luofu’s fleeting affection for Kushina had merely preceded Minato’s by a hair’s breadth.

Though Minato had been manipulated by the Konoha F4, he wasn’t foolish—he’d only ever seen Konoha’s noble face. Only now, as Hokage, did he realize the gentle Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, had another side.

At the same time, Minato recalled: Luofu had been the first to stand up for Kushina in academy—even more so than himself. For a time, they grew closer.

Had Luofu not vanished so suddenly, had he not rushed into the war, Minato and Kushina might never have become what they were today.

Minato fell silent. He now realized: Luofu had once been his rival. He himself was the one who stole her.

His earlier promise now felt awkward.

He finally understood why Kushina had so urgently dragged Mikoto away.

Both Luofu and Minato fell silent.

“Itachi… I…” Minato forced himself to speak. “Whatever happened… it’s in the past. If… if Itachi don’t mind, I’d like to invite Itachi to my home.”

To others, this might seem the victor’s pity for the loser. But Luofu knew: Minato’s gesture was born of guilt.

Now, Minato had no excuse not to realize: Luofu had been abruptly removed. How, then, could a child still in academy—Minato himself—have chased after Kushina after her abduction?

What once seemed romantic now reeked of calculation.

(End of Chapter)