Uchiha Itachi's words could be called deeply shocking.
And precisely because he was the first to step forward and give his own proposal, this meeting became somewhat thought-provoking.
Even your own son does not approve of you and opposes you continuing. Do you really still have the face to sit in that position?
Clearly, after being backstabbed like this by Uchiha Itachi, even those who had originally been more conservative and planned to support Fugaku gave up.
It could be said that Uchiha Fugaku had lost completely. He had almost been nailed permanently to the pillar of shame.
Natsuhiko learned about this from Sora the next day, and Senju Hashirama had also been following the matter the whole time, as he cared deeply about the Uchiha's situation.
Now, he could be considered relieved. However, at the same time, he also developed a strong curiosity toward this kid, Uchiha Itachi.
As the clan head's son, he was able to make such a decision. This truly made even Senju Hashirama feel somewhat amazed, and also made him feel a little respect.
Back then, when he had faced the hatred between the Senju and the Uchiha, as well as his special relationship with Uchiha Madara, he had ultimately only been able to submit to his father and submit to his clan.
Although Uchiha Itachi's environment now was not as brutal as his own had been back then, he had still made a rational and reasonable choice between his father and the village.
No matter what, Senju Hashirama would give him his respect for this.
"It seems this went quite smoothly. Uchiha Fugaku's state of mind should have been greatly affected, right?"
Natsuhiko was completely different from Senju Hashirama. When he heard this news, he could not help looking at Sora with a face full of amusement.
"After all, he was tricked by his own son, and by the child he was most proud of at that. I think the fact that he did not strangle Uchiha Itachi already counts as him being very calm."
"Hokage-sama, saying it like that is not very good."
Although Sora also agreed with Natsuhiko's words, she still felt that he should restrain himself a little.
As a Hokage, Natsuhiko's remarks could already be called outrageous, especially since this matter had also been pushed forward by Natsuhiko. Otherwise, it would not have developed to this point.
For Natsuhiko to now gloat like this did not look appropriate no matter how one looked at it.
"Also, that child Itachi has come. He wants to see you."
"Oh? That child came?"
The moment Senju Hashirama heard this, his interest was immediately stirred. However, he knew very well who the Hokage was, so he turned his gaze toward Natsuhiko.
Natsuhiko was also somewhat surprised. He knew Itachi would come find him, but he had not expected this kid to come the very next day.
But since he had come, then he had come. Natsuhiko did not mind meeting this little guy, and he also did not mind giving him a little guidance.
He knew that Uchiha Itachi's heart was probably very confused right now. Even if he did not regret what he had done, it would still affect him somewhat.
Natsuhiko was now his lifeline, and also the only person who could truly comfort him.
Since Natsuhiko already planned to have this kid obediently follow him, he really did not mind helping.
"Let him in. I also happen to want to see him."
Sora nodded lightly, then turned and walked out. At the same time, Senju Hashirama formed a seal with one hand, and very quickly, he completed his disguise.
Before long, the office door opened again. Sora walked in slowly with Uchiha Itachi, whose expression seemed very calm.
Natsuhiko glanced at him. It had to be said that the calm look on this kid's face seemed rather convincing.
But if he were truly calm, he would not have appeared here. The confusion in this kid's heart was probably something only he himself knew.
"Hokage-sama."
When Itachi saw Natsuhiko sitting behind the desk, he immediately knelt on one knee and lowered his head.
Senju Hashirama also looked over Uchiha Itachi from the side. He was truly rather curious about this little guy.
Especially after learning that this child, who seemed to be only thirteen or fourteen, could make such a decision, he became even more interested in Itachi.
"Get up. I have heard about your matter."
Natsuhiko smiled and tapped the table. His tone was still calm, gentle, and without the slightest ripple.
"You did very well. There is no doubt that you made the correct choice, and your choice also spared your clan and some of your clansmen from the danger of being punished afterward."
Natsuhiko did not think there was anything he could not say, especially since this was the truth.
Those who were completely loyal to someone Natsuhiko did not support, and who opposed the person he supported, were in a sense going against Natsuhiko.
Even if Natsuhiko might not act himself, someone would always do something. For example, Sora would probably clean out those people herself.
After all, Sora had also been tempered in the ANBU for a long time. Back then, a document she casually helped Natsuhiko sign was enough to make quite a few people lose their lives.
She had already trained her heart to be extremely strong. Such things could not shake her at all, nor would they make her feel any pity.
Uchiha Itachi did not speak. He still kept his head lowered and quietly listened to Natsuhiko.
"There is no need to put on that attitude, and there is no need to worry about your relationship with your father. Besides, you did nothing wrong.
"As a Konoha ninja, there are times when you must make decisions. You should be glad that I did not make you kill your father, your mother, and those who supported him.
"The stability of the village is more important than anything you can imagine. Of course, I would not let something like that happen either, because everyone is a member of Konoha."
Natsuhiko spoke slowly, but this was also a rare moment where he showed his cold side in front of someone who did not know him well.
His words did indeed startle Uchiha Itachi. Especially when he heard the words about killing his parents, his head could not help lowering even further.
What let him breathe a sigh of relief was that such a tragedy had not appeared, and Natsuhiko seemed to approve of the current Uchiha. This still moved his heart somewhat.
Slowly raising his head, Uchiha Itachi opened his mouth, but in the end, he only said one sentence.
"Thank you, Hokage-sama."
"There is no need to thank me. On the contrary, I should thank you. At least you avoided making me send the ANBU against people from the same village, even though sometimes, that is very necessary."
Natsuhiko chuckled. Uchiha Itachi's attitude was truly satisfying, so Natsuhiko no longer bothered teasing him.
"Go back and rest properly for a few days, then prepare to report to the ANBU together with Shisui. A ninja like you is worthy of a place in the ANBU.
"Besides that, after you go back, tell your father that you can now enter the ANBU, and then tell him just this."
At this point, Natsuhiko paused slightly, then spoke with deeper meaning.
"Sometimes, an exit that seems respectable is not necessarily the best one. And sometimes, the most complete and humiliating exit may bring you gains beyond imagination.
"After you go back, tell your father every word of this. If he is a smart man, he will naturally understand what I mean. Go now."
...
After Uchiha Itachi left, Natsuhiko's day of work was also about to begin.
Looking at Uchiha Itachi from different positions and different angles, the conclusions one reached were truly very different.
From the Uchiha side, he was a wicked, ungrateful traitor who could never be properly raised.
But from Natsuhiko's position as Hokage, this man's unique foolish loyalty could absolutely be used as a blade for himself.
Although Natsuhiko already had Nagato in his hands, Nagato's role was more external. Internally, he did have Kakashi, but Kakashi was too close to him.
Moreover, Konoha's internal environment was very stable, so Natsuhiko planned to let Uchiha Itachi become a blade aimed at the Uchiha.
In any case, as a member of the Uchiha, Sharingan against Sharingan would be even better.
Although the Uchiha had already been almost completely tamed by Natsuhiko, having a blade standing there would definitely be more effective than having none.
Aside from that, Natsuhiko also needed to find someone to take the blame for him.
In terms of taking the blame, Kakashi was actually a particularly good choice, but at the same time, he was also an absolutely wrong choice.
The good part was that Kakashi had enough status, but the bad part was that his teacher was the Fourth Hokage, and Natsuhiko had no intention of making Kakashi do something like that.
Sometimes, Natsuhiko could not help thinking that the reason Danzo had been able to act so recklessly must have had a lot to do with Sarutobi Hiruzen's tolerance.
And aside from feeling that he owed Danzo and trying to make up for it, could this tolerance also have been something Sarutobi Hiruzen did on purpose?
Everyone knew Danzo was arrogant and domineering, and everyone knew this man did not fear Sarutobi Hiruzen at all.
Because of that, some of the things he did were naturally seen as things he himself wanted to do.
This naturally separated him from Sarutobi Hiruzen, allowing him to truly become Konoha's greatest scapegoat.
After thinking it over, Natsuhiko felt that this possibility was really quite high. After all, it was very hard for a Hokage to be restrained by a direct subordinate.
Unless that person had enormous influence, or unless that person was originally a Hokage.
Or unless, like Natsuhiko, that person gave others the feeling that he was the Hokage's representative.
One had to know that during Sarutobi Hiruzen's time, he did not have a living Hokage standing behind him like Namikaze Minato did.
This was also why, after Senju Hashirama and Senju Tobirama were revived, they were completely unwilling to let others know of their existence.
Because such influence, even if they did not want it, could suddenly erupt at certain times.
And once it erupted, old friendships might be broken apart, and even family ties might be shattered under the temptation of power.
Lightly shaking his head, Natsuhiko no longer bothered thinking about these things. To him, there was no need to consider them.
Since Kakashi could not be used, the best choice was naturally Uchiha Itachi.
This kid was Uchiha Fugaku's son—his position naturally appeared opposed to Natsuhiko's. Yet he was extremely loyal to Konoha, to the point of even backstabbing his own father.
His potential and strength were both excellent; at such a young age he had already reached the three-tomoe Sharingan.
Through certain methods, he could become Natsuhiko's blade inside Konoha.
It would not dirty Natsuhiko or Kakashi's hands, while also being clean and efficient.
Even if someone knew what had happened inside the Uchiha, it would definitely not spread widely.
Even if someone knew that Natsuhiko stood behind Uchiha Itachi, they absolutely would not speak carelessly.
"This kid is quite good, but I keep feeling that you do not have good intentions."
After Uchiha Itachi had completely left, Senju Hashirama suddenly spoke.
"Although I am not as smart as you or Tobirama, I can sense that you have some ill will toward this kid.
"He is an excellent ninja, and I hope you…"
"Do not worry. I only plan to have him help me deal with some people inside Konoha whom I am not suited to personally act against."
Before Senju Hashirama could finish, Natsuhiko directly interrupted him.
"Of course, there are not actually many people in Konoha who need to be dealt with, because those who refused to listen have long since died.
"Keeping him allows us to monitor those inside the Uchiha whom we cannot reach, people who may misunderstand us and act rashly.
"If necessary, he can judge the situation himself and solve the trouble.
"Whether it is Sora or that kid Shisui, neither can do this better than Itachi, because his identity is a very good cover."
"What you say is not wrong, but he opposed his own father. Is that really good?"
Sora frowned. She could understand Natsuhiko's meaning, and she also understood that what Natsuhiko said was correct.
But the problem was, if Natsuhiko truly wanted to use Uchiha Itachi, then he should not have let him show such terrible behavior yesterday.
"He will probably find it hard to gain those people's trust now, and even his father's side will not trust him."
"That is why I gave his father a sweet reward, and also had that kid bring his father those words."
Natsuhiko chuckled. He tapped the table, then smiled as he looked at Sora.
"Although Uchiha Fugaku is not a good clan head, that does not mean he is a fool."
"You mean…"
At this moment, Sora seemed to understand Natsuhiko's thoughts, but she still asked with some uncertainty.
"Under such great hatred and humiliation, will he really cooperate with us?"
"I do not know, so we still need to observe."
Natsuhiko gently shook his head. He casually picked up a document, then slowly said.
"But personally, I think that under these circumstances, he should choose to cooperate with us.
"Because for him, and for his branch within the Uchiha, this is the best choice.
"Of course, if he really wants to oppose us, then I think Itachi can also show his value."
At this point, Natsuhiko paused slightly, then spoke with a faint sigh.
"Itachi is a ninja with extremely high talent, but for a talented ninja to truly bring out that talent, hardship and tempering are needed.
"Especially for Uchiha ninja, they need to experience even more, even if they themselves are not willing to bring out that talent.
"But with some things, you really do not have a choice. If he does not do it, someone else will do it even more ruthlessly."
For a sharp blade, what it had to do was kill the enemy while keeping the hand of the one holding the blade clean.
Once that blade could not show its value, then in a better outcome, it would be displayed, admired, and remembered for the sharp edge it once had.
In a worse outcome, it would truly be abandoned, or even shattered into pieces and thrown into the furnace.
Natsuhiko treated Uchiha Itachi as a blade, a sharp ninja blade. Although Senju Hashirama was not happy with Natsuhiko's thoughts, he did not say much.
Every era and every Hokage had different problems to face. Although Senju Hashirama was unhappy, he would not force his own thoughts and views into the matter.
Even though he felt that Natsuhiko should spend more time finding ways to persuade these people, instead of simply sending them all to the Pure Land to reunite with their ancestors and drink tea.
But he could see that Natsuhiko was not someone with that kind of patience, nor was he someone who would tolerate people doing things behind his back.
This kind of Hokage had both good and bad sides. The good side was that many troubles could be completely wiped out before they truly erupted.
The bad side was naturally that blood would be shed, and even innocent people might be caught up in it, causing hatred to continue endlessly.
However, looking at the current Konoha, looking at this lively village whose development potential had already surpassed the past, Senju Hashirama felt it was better for him not to speak.
Otherwise, if this young man and his own younger brother started lecturing him, he would truly feel a little afraid and unable to take it.
Although he felt some pity for the young man named Uchiha Itachi and the result Natsuhiko had decided for him, at least how things would end still depended on his father's behavior.
Moreover, the current Uchiha were developing very well, and everything was moving in a good direction.
Because of that, Senju Hashirama could only sigh over the family Uchiha Itachi had been born into, then shift the topic back to Natsuhiko.
As for the topic Senju Hashirama brought up next, Natsuhiko had no choice but to feel helpless, because it always circled back to Natsuhiko having children.
By coincidence, Renge also came in at that moment. It could be said that he alone made Natsuhiko, Renge, and Sora all blush.
"I said, if you really want to hold a child, it is not as if you cannot have one yourself. If that does not work, how about I revive Lady Mito for you?
"Her grave is in Konoha anyway. At worst, I will go dig it up tonight with Tobirama-senpai.
"And also, why do you keep staring at me?
"Is your own granddaughter Tsunade not still unmarried? If you are capable, then make her give birth to a grandson for you!"
Natsuhiko had been made somewhat angry by Senju Hashirama, so he snapped back without hesitation. In the end, his words actually made Senju Hashirama fall into thought.
After a long while, this man suddenly punched his other palm, looking as if he had suddenly understood.
"That is right. Then I will trouble you to awaken Mito as well. As for whether to revive her, it is better to ask her opinion.
"And Little Tsunade's matter is indeed worth considering. Could I trouble you to send people to look for her? I have been revived for so long, but I still have not seen her."
Natsuhiko truly had no intention of refusing this small request from Senju Hashirama. Letting him trouble someone else was much better than letting him trouble Natsuhiko, right?
Because of that, Natsuhiko decisively had Hatake Sakumo go find Kakashi. He planned to let the two of them act together.
Before, Natsuhiko had not wanted Tsunade to return because he felt that whether she came back or not did not matter much, and her presence might very likely affect him.
But now, Natsuhiko was no longer worried. Although he would absolutely not give this woman, or even someone like Jiraiya, even the slightest bit of power, nor would he pay them any attention.
He also would not let them use the so-called title of "Sannin" to exert their influence in Konoha.
But they were still Konoha ninja, so why should he not use labor that could be used?
...
While Natsuhiko's office was full of chaos, Uchiha Itachi slowly arrived at the entrance of his home.
Along the way, he had been thinking about what deeper meaning was hidden in the words Natsuhiko wanted him to pass on, but unfortunately, he found that he could not understand it at all.
In the end, he was only a thirteen-year-old child. Even if he was smart, when faced with many schemes and hidden struggles, he truly could not see through them.
Perhaps this is the difference between me and the Fifth Hokage.
Gently shaking his head, Uchiha Itachi sighed helplessly.
He knew that this Fifth Hokage had once served in the ANBU for a long time, and according to the rumors, when he was around Itachi's age, he had already understood how to play with schemes and plots.
And it was also at that time that he brought Uchiha Shin, who had come to him for help, under his command. Step by step, he taught Elder Shin how to seize power and reform the Police Force.
Step by step, the Police Force developed to its current level, and step by step, the Uchiha returned to Konoha.
Uchiha Itachi wanted to enter the ANBU partly because this was what his father had asked of him, hoping that he could build a bridge of communication between Konoha's higher-ups and himself.
But at the same time, this was also his true dream, because he wanted to walk Natsuhiko's path again. As a Konoha ninja, he also had the heart of a Hokage.
Natsuhiko had entered the ANBU when he was seven or eight years old. Itachi had graduated at six and become a genin, then kept doing missions, and after gaining some experience, he began trying to apply for the ANBU.
At first, he believed he should still have a good chance. After all, was his close friend and elder brother figure, Uchiha Shisui, not in the ANBU?
However, from the age of seven until now, over a full six years, he had never succeeded. Every time, the result he received was a cold rejection.
This made Uchiha Itachi himself feel somewhat hopeless. Even though he knew that after entering the ANBU, he still might not be able to reach Natsuhiko's level.
Even though Shisui had told him that life in the ANBU was truly not as good as he imagined, and that within the ANBU, he would come into contact with the darkest things in the shinobi world.
Uchiha Itachi had still never given up on this idea. If one wanted to grow, only the most dangerous places could make a person improve quickly.
Now I can be considered to have gotten what I wanted, but the gap between me and Hokage-sama has only grown wider and wider.
Taking a deep breath, Uchiha Itachi firmly walked into his home. If he could not understand what Natsuhiko's words meant, then he could only do as he was told.
He hoped his father could understand and could tell him everything hidden within those words.
If his father could understand, then everything would be very good.
But if his father could not understand, although this would make Itachi feel deeply troubled, he believed there would still be a way to solve it.
Even if…
Uchiha Fugaku sat quietly inside the room. He had already sat there in silence for an entire day and night.
Even when his wife came to persuade him, all she received was cold silence.
He still could not understand why his child, the child he loved and valued the most, would treat him this way. Why would he betray him?
He had already thought about this question for an entire night, but after that whole night, he still had not found any answer.
At this moment, his heart was filled with sorrow. He truly could not accept this result, a result that nearly pushed him into despair.
Knock, knock, knock.
Just then, the door to the room was knocked on. The sound of knuckles striking the wooden door was so clear, yet to Uchiha Fugaku, it was so grating.
Uchiha Fugaku did not respond, because to him, his heart was truly as dead as ash right now, and he had no interest in caring who had come to find him.
However, his expression soon changed, because from outside the door came a voice that was both extremely familiar and extremely unfamiliar to him.
"It is me, Father."
It was Itachi. It was this boy.
Uchiha Fugaku clenched his teeth. He really wanted to curse and use some harsh words to express his current feelings, but he found that he simply could not.
In the end, this was his child. This was the child he had once been so proud of.
He slowly closed that bloodshot eye, and Uchiha Fugaku did not plan to speak. His heart hurt deeply now, and he was very tired, especially when facing Uchiha Itachi.
But very soon, the door made a creaking sound. Clearly, Uchiha Itachi had pushed it open.
"Father."
Uchiha Itachi slowly walked in front of Uchiha Fugaku, then softly called out to him.
"I heard from Mother that you did not sleep at all last night."
Facing this question, Uchiha Fugaku still remained silent. At the same time, his hands had already clenched into fists.
And those tightly clenched fists were trembling continuously, showing that he was now suppressing his anger and keeping it from easily erupting.
Seeing this, Uchiha Itachi also sighed softly. He had seen this kind of anger in his father twice.
The first time was when his father had lost one of his eyes. Back then, he had shown anger like this, and the second time was now.
He did not understand this anger. Perhaps it was because he had not become a father himself, but he could still feel just how frightening this anger was.
At the same time, he could also feel that his father had been suppressing this anger the entire time, not allowing it to fully erupt.
However, Itachi did not regret his choice. Even though he knew his father was now extremely sad and angry, there were some things where he had to make a choice.
Besides, had Hokage-sama not given him a set of words, words that could help his father understand?
Even though he himself knew that those words might not necessarily work, for now, this was his only choice.
"Father, I have already joined the ANBU."
Uchiha Itachi slowly sat down and calmly spoke of what he had experienced yesterday, as well as what Natsuhiko had told him today.
"I met Hokage-sama yesterday. He told me that as a ninja, when principles and rules are not violated, sometimes it is necessary to make certain choices.
"At the same time, as a Konoha ninja, I should make certain choices even more, in order to maintain Konoha's peace."
"So you betrayed me? So you betrayed me like this, is that it?"
Just as Uchiha Itachi finished speaking, Uchiha Fugaku angrily roared. He opened his eye, and that bloodshot eye looked so frightening in this moment.
However, Uchiha Itachi was not frightened by his roar. He took a deep breath, then spoke firmly.
"It cannot be considered betrayal. It can only be said that I made a rational choice, Father."
"This morning, I went out and met Hokage-sama again. He told me I should feel fortunate, because he had once considered acting against you and Mother.
"Hokage-sama has never been soft-hearted. Father should know this as well.
"When Hokage-sama took power, are those who once opposed him still around now?"
Uchiha Itachi spoke slowly, and his words made Uchiha Fugaku's body stiffen slightly. Immediately after, a wave of fear rose in his heart.
There was no doubt that Senju Natsuhiko was a good Hokage, but perhaps because he came from the ANBU, when he truly wanted to act, he would not waste even half a sentence on you.
Back then, more than a thousand people had disappeared from Konoha. Although over a thousand people were somewhat insignificant compared to Konoha's population of more than a hundred thousand.
The key point was that the vast majority of those thousand people were ninja.
In one night, several clans vanished like smoke and dust, and from this, Natsuhiko's coldness and cruelty could be seen clearly.
Even though his rule had become more and more gentle now, and people had gradually forgotten what happened back then.
No one had ever forgotten that Natsuhiko had wiped out Kumogakure's army by himself.
The cruelty hidden beneath that gentle surface was so chilling, and Uchiha Fugaku truly felt it.
If he really went against this man's will, his entire family would probably suffer.
However, thinking of it was one thing, and whether he could accept it was another matter. Especially since Uchiha Itachi's actions had truly chilled his heart.
"So, I should thank you, then?"
Uchiha Fugaku asked coldly, but his tone had already returned to calm.
"No. I understand how terrible what I did was, and I also know I have wronged you, Father, but I am also a Konoha ninja."
Uchiha Itachi sighed softly, then spoke word by word.
"And Hokage-sama also had a message he wanted me to pass on to you, Father."
"Speak," Uchiha Fugaku said coldly.
"Hokage-sama said that sometimes, an exit that seems respectable is not necessarily the best one.
"And sometimes, the most complete and most humiliating exit may bring you gains beyond imagination."
Uchiha Itachi calmly repeated this sentence, then once again shook his head lightly.
"I can understand the literal meaning, but I know Hokage-sama must have a deeper meaning that I cannot understand.
"But I believe Father can understand it, and can understand the meaning inside, correct?"
Uchiha Fugaku did not respond to Itachi's question. He was now seriously thinking about what Natsuhiko's words truly meant.
And as he continued thinking, his eye suddenly brightened slightly. He seemed to understand Natsuhiko's meaning.
But after he understood it, a coldness that seemed to freeze his heart once again fell over him.
He knew—he absolutely had not misunderstood!
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