Itachi Uchiha's words shook the entire room.
Because he was the first to stand and give his opinion, the meeting instantly took on a different meaning.
Even your own son no longer approves of you.
Even your own son opposes you continuing as clan head.
Do you still have the face to sit in that seat?
After being stabbed in the back like that, Fugaku Uchiha lost even the conservative members who had originally planned to support him.
It could be said that Fugaku lost completely.
From that moment on, his name was almost nailed to the Uchiha Clan's wall of shame.
Hikaru learned about it from saya the next day.
Hashirama had also been following the matter closely, because he truly cared about the Uchiha Clan's situation.
Now, he could finally relax.
At the same time, however, he became deeply curious about Itachi Uchiha.
As the clan head's son, Itachi had actually made that choice.
Even Hashirama found it unbelievable, and in a way, he respected the boy for it.
Back then, when Hashirama had faced the hatred between the Senju and the Uchiha, as well as his special bond with Madara Uchiha, he had ultimately yielded to his father and his clan.
Itachi's situation was not as bloody or desperate as Hashirama's had been.
Even so, he had still chosen the village over his father in a calm, rational way.
For that alone, Hashirama was willing to give him respect.
"Looks like everything went smoothly."
Unlike Hashirama, Hikaru was clearly amused after hearing the news.
He looked at saya with a smile.
"Fugaku Uchiha's mind must have taken a serious hit. After all, his own son betrayed him—and not just any son, but the child he was proudest of. The fact that he didn't strangle Itachi on the spot means he's already very restrained."
"Hokage-sama, that is not very appropriate."
saya agreed with Hikaru to some extent, but she still felt he should restrain himself a little.
As Hokage, Hikaru's words were almost outrageous.
Especially since he had helped push this whole situation forward.
No matter how she looked at it, taking pleasure in Fugaku's misery did not quite suit his position.
"Also, Itachi is here. He wants to see you."
"Oh? The boy came?"
Hashirama's interest immediately rose when he heard that.
However, he knew very well who the Hokage was, so he turned his gaze toward Hikaru.
Hikaru was also a little surprised.
He knew Itachi would come to see him, but he had not expected the boy to arrive the very next day.
Still, since Itachi was here, Hikaru did not mind meeting him.
He also did not mind giving the boy a little guidance.
He knew Itachi was probably extremely lost right now.
Even if Itachi did not regret what he had done, it would still affect him.
Right now, Hikaru was probably the only support Itachi could cling to, and the only person who could truly calm him down.
Besides, Hikaru intended to keep this boy under his command.
Helping him a little was no problem.
"Let him in. I wanted to see him too."
saya nodded gently, then turned and walked out.
At the same time, Hashirama formed a hand seal with one hand and quickly completed his disguise.
Not long after, the office door opened again.
saya led Itachi inside.
The boy's expression looked calm, almost too calm.
Hikaru glanced at him.
He had to admit, the boy's composed face looked convincing.
But if Itachi were truly calm, he would not have come here at all.
Only he knew how confused he really was inside.
"Hokage-sama."
When Itachi saw Hikaru seated behind the desk, he immediately knelt on one knee and lowered his head.
Hashirama stood to the side, quietly observing him.
He was genuinely curious about this boy.
Especially after hearing that Itachi, at only thirteen or fourteen years old, had managed to make such a decision.
That made Hashirama even more interested.
"Stand up. I've heard about what you did."
Hikaru smiled and tapped the desk lightly.
His tone was calm as always—gentle, but without the slightest ripple.
"You did well.
"There is no doubt that you made the correct choice.
"And because of your choice, your clan and some of your clansmen avoided the danger of being purged afterward."
Hikaru did not think there was anything he could not say.
This was simply the truth.
Those who were loyal to the side Hikaru did not support, and who opposed the side he did support, were in a sense opposing Hikaru himself.
Even if Hikaru did not personally act, someone else would.
For example, saya would likely clean those people up herself.
After all, saya had spent years sharpening herself in Anbu.
Back then, one document she had signed on Hikaru's behalf had cost quite a few people their lives.
Her heart had already become strong enough.
A matter like this would not shake her, nor would it make her feel mercy.
Itachi did not speak.
He simply kept his head lowered and listened quietly.
"You don't need to act like this. And you don't need to worry too much about your relationship with your father. You did nothing wrong.
"As a Konoha shinobi, there are times when you must make decisions.
"You should be grateful I did not order you to kill your father, your mother, and those who supported him.
"The village's stability is more important than you can imagine.
"Of course, I would not actually allow such a thing to happen either.
"After all, everyone is part of Konoha."
Hikaru spoke slowly.
For once, he revealed a colder side of himself in front of someone unfamiliar with him.
His words startled Itachi.
Especially when Hikaru mentioned killing his parents.
Itachi lowered his head even further.
Still, he also felt relieved.
That tragedy had not happened.
And it seemed Hikaru had truly accepted the Uchiha as part of Konoha now.
That moved Itachi more than he expected.
He slowly raised his head and opened his mouth.
In the end, he only said one thing.
"Thank you, Hokage-sama."
"There is no need to thank me. If anything, I should thank you.
"At least you prevented me from sending Anbu against our own people, even though sometimes such action is necessary."
Hikaru chuckled.
Itachi's attitude satisfied him, so he did not continue teasing the boy.
"Go back and rest for a few days.
"After that, prepare to report to Anbu with Shisui.
"A shinobi like you deserves a place there.
"Also, when you return, tell your father that you have been allowed to enter Anbu.
"And pass him one more sentence from me."
Hikaru paused slightly.
Then he spoke with a deeper meaning in his voice.
"Sometimes, leaving the stage with dignity is not necessarily the best ending.
"Sometimes, the most complete and humiliating defeat may bring you an unimaginable reward.
"Repeat that to your father word for word.
"If he is smart, he will understand what I mean.
"You may go."
…
After Itachi left, Hikaru's day of work officially began.
From different positions and different angles, people would naturally reach very different conclusions about Itachi Uchiha.
From the Uchiha Clan's perspective, he was an unforgivable traitor.
From Hikaru's perspective as Hokage, however, Itachi's particular loyalty could be turned into a useful blade.
Hikaru already had Nagato, but Nagato's role was mainly external.
Internally, he had Kakashi, but Kakashi was too close to him.
And Konoha's internal environment was currently very stable.
So Hikaru intended to turn Itachi into a blade aimed at the Uchiha.
As a member of the Uchiha, Itachi was naturally better suited to watching other Uchiha.
Although the Uchiha had already been tamed for the most part, having a blade standing there was still far better than having none.
Aside from that, Hikaru also needed someone who could take blame if necessary.
In that regard, Kakashi would actually be a very good choice.
But he would also be the completely wrong choice.
The good part was that Kakashi had enough status.
The bad part was that his teacher was the Fourth Hokage, and Hikaru had no intention of using Kakashi that way.
Sometimes, Hikaru could not help thinking about Danzo.
Danzo had been able to act so recklessly partly because Hiruzen Sarutobi had indulged him.
Was that indulgence only because Hiruzen felt guilty toward Danzo and wanted to compensate him?
Or had Hiruzen done it deliberately?
Everyone knew Danzo was arrogant and domineering.
Everyone knew he did not fear Hiruzen.
So when Danzo did certain things, people naturally assumed he had done them on his own.
That naturally separated him from Hiruzen and made him Konoha's greatest scapegoat.
The more Hikaru thought about it, the more likely it seemed.
After all, it was difficult for a Hokage to be restrained by a direct subordinate.
Unless that person had enormous influence.
Unless that person was effectively another Hokage.
Or unless, like Hikaru, that person was seen as the Hokage's representative.
During Hiruzen's era, he did not have a living former Hokage standing behind him the way Minato had.
That was also why Hashirama and Tobirama refused to let too many people know they had been revived.
Their influence could erupt at certain moments, even if they did not want it to.
Once that happened, old friendships could shatter.
Even family bonds might collapse under the temptation of power.
Hikaru shook his head lightly and stopped thinking about it.
There was no need to dwell on such things.
Since Kakashi could not be used, Itachi was the best option.
He was Fugaku Uchiha's son, so on the surface, his position was naturally opposed to Hikaru's.
He was deeply loyal to Konoha, to the point that he could even betray his own father.
He also had great potential and considerable strength.
At a young age, he had already awakened the three-tomoe Sharingan.
With the right methods, Hikaru could turn him into his blade inside Konoha.
It would not dirty Hikaru's hands or Kakashi's.
And it would be clean and efficient.
Even if some people learned what had happened inside the Uchiha Clan, the news would not spread far.
And even if someone knew Itachi had Hikaru's shadow behind him, they would never dare speak carelessly.
"That boy isn't bad, but I feel like you don't have good intentions."
After Itachi left, Hashirama suddenly spoke.
"I'm not as smart as you or Tobirama, but I can feel a little malice from you toward that boy.
"He is an excellent shinobi. I hope you…"
"Don't worry. I only plan to have him handle certain people inside Konoha whom I cannot conveniently deal with myself."
Hikaru cut Hashirama off before he could finish.
"Of course, there aren't many people in Konoha who need to be dealt with anymore.
"The disobedient ones are already dead.
"Keeping him around is mainly to monitor Uchiha we cannot easily reach—people who may misunderstand us or get reckless ideas.
"If necessary, he can judge the situation himself and solve the problem.
"Neither saya nor Shisui can do this better than Itachi.
"His identity is excellent cover."
"That may be true, but he opposed his own father. Is that really good?"
saya frowned slightly.
She understood Hikaru's meaning, and she knew what he said made sense.
But if Hikaru wanted to use Itachi, he should not have let the boy make such an extreme move yesterday.
"Now, those people will probably find it hard to trust him.
"Even his father may no longer trust him."
"That is why I gave his father a sweetener and asked the boy to pass him that message."
Hikaru chuckled and tapped the desk.
Then he looked at saya with a smile.
"Fugaku Uchiha may not be a good clan head, but that does not mean he is stupid."
"You mean…"
saya seemed to understand Hikaru's thinking, but she still asked uncertainly.
"After such hatred and humiliation, will he really cooperate with us?"
"I don't know. That is why we still need to observe."
Hikaru shook his head lightly.
He casually picked up a document and spoke at an unhurried pace.
"Personally, I think he will cooperate under these circumstances.
"Because for him—and for his branch of the Uchiha—it is the best choice.
"Of course, if he truly chooses to oppose us, then Itachi can still prove his value."
Hikaru paused slightly.
Then he sighed softly.
"Itachi is a highly talented shinobi.
"But for a talented shinobi, turning that talent into real strength requires suffering and pressure.
"That is especially true for the Uchiha.
"They need to go through more.
"Even if they themselves do not want to cash in on that talent, some things are simply beyond their control.
"If he does not do it, someone else will do it even more ruthlessly."
…
For a sharp blade, its job was to kill the enemy without letting the hand that held it become stained with blood.
If that blade could not show its value, the better outcome was to be placed on display, admired for the sharpness it once possessed.
The worse outcome was to be abandoned, shattered, and thrown into a furnace.
Hikaru intended to make Itachi Uchiha into a blade.
A sharp shinobi blade.
Although Hashirama was not happy about Hikaru's thinking, he did not say much.
Every era, and every Hokage, faced different problems.
Even if Hashirama disliked it, he would not force his own views onto Hikaru.
In his heart, he felt Hikaru should spend more time trying to persuade those people, rather than sending them straight to the Pure Land to drink tea with their ancestors.
But he could also see that Hikaru was not the patient type.
Nor was he the kind of person who would tolerate people causing trouble behind his back.
A Hokage like this had both advantages and flaws.
The advantage was that many problems would be crushed before they could erupt.
The flaw was that blood would be shed.
Sometimes, innocent people might be affected, causing hatred to continue endlessly.
But when Hashirama looked at the current Konoha, at this thriving village with more potential than ever before, he felt it was better not to speak.
Otherwise, this junior and his younger brother might gang up on him and lecture him together.
Hashirama was honestly a little afraid of that.
Although he felt some pity for Itachi Uchiha and the fate Hikaru had assigned to him, the boy's final treatment still depended on his father's performance.
Besides, the Uchiha were developing well.
Everything was moving in a good direction.
So Hashirama could only sigh over the family Itachi had been born into.
Then he shifted the topic back to Hikaru.
As for Hashirama's next topic, Hikaru had no choice but to feel helpless.
Because Hashirama always returned to the matter of Hikaru having children.
By coincidence, Ayame came in right then.
In one sentence, Hashirama managed to make Hikaru, Ayame, and saya all blush.
"If you want to hold a child that badly, you can do something about it yourself.
"If necessary, I can help you bring Lady Mito back.
"Her grave is in Konoha anyway.
"At worst, I'll go dig it up with Tobirama tonight!
"And why are you always staring at me?
"Your own granddaughter Tsunade still isn't married. Go tell her to give you a great-grandchild if you're so capable!"
Hikaru was truly annoyed by Hashirama this time, so he fired back without hesitation.
The result was that Hashirama actually fell into thought.
After a long while, he punched his palm as though he had suddenly understood.
"You're right.
"Then I'll have to trouble you to wake Mito as well. As for whether to fully revive her, we can ask her what she wants.
"And little Tsunade's situation really does need some thought. Could I trouble you to send someone to find her? I still haven't seen her since I came back."
Hikaru had no intention of refusing Hashirama's small request.
Letting Hashirama bother someone else was better than letting him bother Hikaru.
So Hikaru decisively sent Sakumo Hatake to find Kakashi.
He planned to have the two of them move together.
In the past, Hikaru had not wanted Tsunade to return because he felt her presence did not matter much, and she might even affect him.
But now, he was no longer worried.
He would not give Tsunade—or even Jiraiya—any real power.
He would not allow them to use the title of Sannin to exert influence in Konoha.
But they were still Konoha shinobi.
Why would he not use available labor?
While the Hokage's office descended into chaos, Itachi slowly returned to his home.
Along the way, he kept thinking about the words Hikaru had asked him to pass on.
Unfortunately, no matter how much he thought, he still could not understand the deeper meaning.
In the end, he was only thirteen.
No matter how intelligent he was, he could not see through every scheme.
"Maybe this is the difference between me and the Fifth Hokage."
Itachi shook his head lightly and sighed.
He knew the Fifth Hokage had once served in Anbu.
According to rumors, when Hikaru had been around Itachi's age, he already understood how to play with schemes.
It had also been during that time that he had taken Uchiha Shin, who had come to him for help, under his wing.
Step by step, he had guided Elder Shin in seizing power and reforming the Police Force.
Step by step, he had built the Police Force into what it was today.
And step by step, he had brought the Uchiha back into Konoha.
Itachi wanted to enter Anbu partly because his father had demanded it.
Fugaku had hoped Itachi could build a bridge between him and Konoha's upper ranks.
But it was also Itachi's own dream.
He wanted to walk Hikaru's path.
As a Konoha shinobi, he also carried the heart of someone who aspired to become Hokage.
Hikaru had entered Anbu when he was seven or eight.
Itachi had graduated from the Academy at six and become a genin.
After completing enough missions and building experience, he had started applying to Anbu.
At first, he thought he had a good chance.
After all, his close friend and older-brother figure, Shisui Uchiha, was already in Anbu.
But from the age of seven until now, six full years had passed, and he had never succeeded.
Every result had been the same.
Cold rejection.
Itachi had almost begun to despair.
He knew that even if he entered Anbu, he could never reach Hikaru's level.
He had also heard from Shisui that Anbu life was not as wonderful as he imagined.
Inside Anbu, he would come into contact with the darkest side of the shinobi world.
But Itachi had never given up.
If one wanted to grow, only the most dangerous places could force rapid improvement.
"Now I suppose I finally got what I wanted.
"But the gap between me and the Hokage has only grown wider."
Taking a deep breath, Itachi walked firmly toward his home.
He could not understand Hikaru's words, so he could only obey.
He hoped his father could understand them.
He hoped his father could tell him what they truly meant.
If his father could understand, everything would be fine.
But if his father could not…
Even though that would trouble Itachi deeply, he believed there would still be a way to solve it.
Even if…
…
Fugaku Uchiha sat silently inside the room.
He had been sitting there for a full day and night.
Even when his wife came to persuade him, she received only cold silence.
He still could not understand.
Why had his child, the child he loved most and placed the most hope in, done this to him?
Why had Itachi betrayed him?
Fugaku had spent the entire night thinking about that question.
But after a full night, he still had no answer.
His heart was filled with desolation.
He truly could not accept this result.
It pushed him close to despair.
Knock, knock, knock.
At that moment, someone knocked on the door.
The sound was crisp against the wooden frame.
To Fugaku, however, it was piercing.
He did not answer.
Right now, his heart felt dead.
He had no interest in caring who had come.
But soon, his expression changed.
Because the voice outside was one he knew better than anyone.
It was familiar, yet now painfully unfamiliar.
"It's me, Father."
Itachi.
It was him.
Fugaku clenched his teeth.
He wanted to curse.
He wanted to use the ugliest words he could think of to express what he felt.
But he found he could not say them.
In the end, this was his child.
The child he had once been so proud of.
Fugaku slowly closed his bloodshot eye.
He still did not speak.
His heart hurt too much.
He was too tired.
Especially when facing Itachi.
But soon, the door creaked open.
Itachi had pushed it open himself.
"Father."
Itachi slowly walked up to Fugaku and spoke softly.
"Mother said you did not sleep last night."
Fugaku remained silent.
At the same time, his hands had clenched into fists.
Those fists trembled constantly.
It was obvious he was suppressing his anger, refusing to let it erupt.
Seeing this, Itachi sighed softly.
He had seen this kind of anger in his father twice.
The first time was when Fugaku lost one of his eyes.
The second time was now.
Itachi could not truly understand that anger.
Perhaps it was because he had never been a father.
But he could still feel how terrifying that anger was.
He could also feel that Fugaku was desperately holding it back.
However, Itachi did not regret his choice.
Even though he knew his father was in extreme pain and rage, there were some things he had to choose.
Besides, the Hokage had given him words to pass on.
Words that might help his father understand.
Itachi also knew those words might not work.
But right now, they were his only option.
"Father, I have joined Anbu."
Itachi slowly sat down.
Then, in a calm voice, he explained what had happened yesterday and what Hikaru had told him today.
"Yesterday, I met the Hokage.
"He told me that as a shinobi, there are times when one must make necessary choices, as long as those choices do not violate principles or rules.
"He also told me that as a Konoha shinobi, I should make choices that preserve Konoha's peace."
"So you betrayed me?"
The moment Itachi finished speaking, Fugaku roared in fury.
His eye snapped open.
It was filled with blood vessels, making him look terrifying.
"So that is why you betrayed me?"
Itachi was not frightened by the roar.
He took a deep breath and said firmly, "It was not betrayal.
"It was a rational choice, Father.
"This morning, I went to meet the Hokage again.
"He told me I should be grateful, because he once considered acting against you, Mother, and those who supported you.
"The Hokage has never been soft-hearted.
"You should know that better than anyone.
"When the Hokage first took power, are the people who opposed him still here now?"
Itachi spoke slowly.
His words made Fugaku stiffen slightly.
Then, fear rose in Fugaku's heart.
Senju Hikaru was undoubtedly a good Hokage.
But perhaps because he came from Anbu, when he truly decided to act, he would not waste words.
Back then, more than a thousand people had disappeared from Konoha.
For a village with more than a hundred thousand people, that number might have seemed small.
But almost all of those thousand people had been shinobi.
Overnight, several clans had been erased.
That alone revealed Hikaru's coldness and cruelty.
Now, after years of gentle rule, many people had gradually forgotten what had happened back then.
But no one had forgotten that Hikaru had once destroyed a Kumogakure army by himself.
The cruelty buried beneath that gentle surface was enough to chill the heart.
Fugaku felt it clearly.
If he truly defied that man's will, his entire family might suffer.
Understanding that was one thing.
Accepting it was another.
Especially when Itachi's actions had hurt him so deeply.
"So I should thank you, is that it?"
Fugaku asked coldly.
His tone, however, had already returned to calm.
"No.
"I understand how terrible my actions were.
"I also understand that I have wronged you, Father.
"But I am also a Konoha shinobi."
Itachi sighed softly.
Then he spoke word by word.
"And the Hokage had one more sentence he wanted me to pass to you."
"Speak," Fugaku said indifferently.
"The Hokage said sometimes, leaving the stage with dignity is not necessarily the best ending.
"And sometimes, the most complete and humiliating defeat may bring you an unimaginable reward."
Itachi calmly finished repeating the words.
Then he shook his head lightly.
"I can understand the literal meaning, but I know the Hokage must have a deeper meaning that I cannot see.
"But I believe you can understand it, Father.
"You can understand what he means, can't you?"
Fugaku did not answer Itachi's question.
He was seriously thinking about the meaning behind Hikaru's words.
As he thought deeper, his eye suddenly brightened slightly.
He seemed to understand.
But the moment he understood, a bone-deep chill settled over his heart.
He knew.
He was absolutely right.
◇ I'll drop one bonus chapter for every 10 reviews (leave a review/comment!)
◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 100 Power Stones.
◇ Read 60 chapters ahead on P@treon: patreon.com/KageNaruto