Chapter 17

Uchiha Inabi revealed everything without any concealment.

He laid out the entire situation plainly, even casually admitting his secret plan to strike against the hardliners.

This—this is the Uchiha!

They disdain hiding their emotions; whatever they feel, they say outright.

Since Jin’s actions won his approval, he would offer his complete loyalty, utterly unconcerned with offending Uchiha Jin—even if it cost him his life.

Itachi may call the Uchiha extreme, arrogant, and haughty, but if Itachi truly have the means to make them submit, they will follow Itachi faithfully for life.

“So that’s how it is!”

“Then I congratulate Itachi on making the right choice, for Fugaku truly lacks the ability to handle the village’s complex situation.”

“I will show Itachi how, under my leadership, the Uchiha will reverse their current decline.”

Uchiha Jin narrowed his eyes.

Looking at Uchiha Inabi before him, he grew even more convinced of the correctness of his plan.

According to his original estimate, a large number of Uchiha would have to die before the rest could awaken—but he never expected that after only a few Uchiha perished, the overwhelming majority would flock to him, even turning traitors like Inabi, Fugaku’s closest confidant.

Indeed!

The Uchiha are all a bunch of hardheads, stubborn fools who won’t turn back until they hit a wall.

Only when they truly see blood and feel pain will they finally listen to Itachi.

Judging by today’s results, the harvest has been abundant!

At the very least.

Now, within the entire Uchiha clan, save for a few elder leaders of the ruling factions and their personal followers, nearly everyone has defected to him.

As for whether these people are moles? Uchiha Jin didn’t care at all.

The Uchiha don’t have the brains for it!

Even in the original timeline, Shisui and Itachi—geniuses among the Uchiha—couldn’t even hide their emotions in daily life, could they?

The Uchiha clan members in the original timeline all knew those two sided with the Hokage.

Their so-called infiltration was a joke.

This is actually an advantage of being born Uchiha: within the clan, there’s little need to worry about moles, because the Uchiha’s nature makes them utterly incapable of such work.

Even if someone truly wanted to be a mole, they’d probably carve “Mole” right on their forehead!

“Elder Jin, the Anbu are here!”

An Uchiha entered, kneeling respectfully on one knee.

His eyes brimmed with admiration and fervor, never once considering hiding his emotions.

Seeing this, Uchiha Jin smiled and said, “Ryuan, rise.”

“We were teammates once, so no need for excessive formality—Itachi know I don’t believe in all these rigid rules. Don’t kneel to me anymore.”

“I know Itachi mean it as respect, but to me, respect is kept in the heart.”

“These formalities? Save them for official occasions—don’t bother with them in daily life!”

Hearing this, Uchiha Ryuan admired Jin even more.

After all…

A leader with such strength, skill, and character, yet still so gentle toward subordinates—this kind of leader far surpasses Fugaku.

He wasn’t the only one who thought so; even Uchiha Inabi was stunned.

There was no help for it!

His impression of Uchiha Jin had been fixed on his authoritarian demeanor at the clan meeting—this was the first time he’d seen the man’s private side.

“Elder Jin, be careful.”

“Our members in the village have seen that Fugaku is now in the Hokage Tower. I fear this visit is hostile!”

Uchiha Ryuan spoke in a low tone.

Due to Uchiha Jin’s rise to power, the hardliners were now vastly different from their original timeline: their base was heavily guarded, and spies had been scattered throughout the village.

Whether it was the Hokage Tower, the Root, or other major clans, any unusual activity was immediately reported to Uchiha Jin.

That’s why, the moment the Anbu arrived, Uchiha Ryuan had no trouble obtaining intelligence from the Hokage Tower.

And yet.

Uchiha Jin merely smiled, dismissing it entirely.

“Don’t worry—it’s just a minor matter.”

“I know roughly what Hiruzen Sarutobi is planning. Ryuan, Itachi needn’t fear for my safety.”

“While I’m away from the base, make sure its protection is flawless!”

At this moment, Uchiha Jin’s expression remained as calm as ever.

Hiruzen Sarutobi’s scheming was too crude. The village-system had only been established for a few decades, so while Hiruzen’s tactics seemed clever, to Uchiha Jin—who came from a world where statecraft was ancient and refined—Hiruzen’s every move was as transparent as a naked man farting.

…

Fifteen minutes later, the Hokage’s office.

Uchiha Jin knocked, and upon receiving permission, entered.

His face wore a warm smile; when he saw Hiruzen Sarutobi, he narrowed his eyes slightly, yet spoke with perfect politeness: “Hokage-sama, what do Itachi require of me?”

His words were humble indeed.

But.

His posture was brazenly disrespectful—he didn’t even kneel, and his eyes showed not a trace of reverence.

This was normal.

They had already torn the mask off last time; had either side possessed the strength to eliminate the other without cost, they would have already torn the village apart in civil war.

So as long as appearances were barely maintained, that was enough—don’t expect Uchiha Jin to show any real respect.

Fugaku’s face darkened.

Watching the utterly disrespectful Uchiha Jin, he longed to slap him dead—but considering Jin’s terrifying power, he could only sigh helplessly and pretend he saw nothing.

There was no help for it!

He was a clan leader with no real authority—he truly had no way to challenge Uchiha Jin.

Though he too had awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan, his indecisive nature kept him from revealing it, fearing greater suspicion from Konoha’s high command; he had already lost control within his own clan, and had even less chance of confronting Uchiha Jin.

So.

He chose—to endure.

He had endured so long already; one more instance wouldn’t matter.

Hiruzen Sarutobi’s lips twitched.

He too disliked Uchiha Jin, and seeing Fugaku’s fury, his eyes lit up—could this fool finally muster some courage?

That would be a good thing!

Uchiha Jin deserved a good beating.

Even if Fugaku couldn’t defeat him, making Uchiha Jin lose face would be satisfying.

But unfortunately.

Hiruzen had settled in to watch the show—and how could Fugaku suddenly back down again?

Damn it, Itachi useless waste!

What the hell can I possibly expect from Itachi? After all this, I still have to handle it myself!