Returning home, Jie Uchiha didn't mention a single word about what had just transpired.
After eating dinner as peacefully as usual and playing with little Sasuke for a bit, Jie retreated to his room.
However, it was precisely this unnatural calmness that made Itachi feel as though a heavy boulder was pressing down on his chest, leaving him incredibly stifled. He wanted to knock on Jie's door several times, but his inner apprehension caused him to stop in his tracks every time he approached.
Itachi's actions couldn't be hidden from Jie, but he wasn't in a hurry. He firmly believed Itachi would figure things out on his own.
Jie sank his consciousness into his mind, preparing to receive the rewards settled by the System for the day.
[Ding! The Host has defeated Shisui Uchiha in a head-on battle. Reward settled: Sharingan Visual Prowess Enhancement.]
[Reward Received: Uchiha Style Kenjutsu!]
As soon as the System's prompt faded, a cool stream of energy flowed directly into Jie's eyes, immediately followed by a massive influx of information flooding his mind. Every stance and technique represented the absolute essence of Uchiha Style Kenjutsu.
Although Uchiha Style Kenjutsu wasn't as famous as the Hatake Clan's sabermanship, as an art passed down continuously since the Warring States period, every single move was overwhelmingly powerful. Furthermore, the majority of the Uchiha Style consisted of flawlessly merging swordplay with ninjutsu. The various ingenious combinations benefited Jie immensely.
Moreover, Jie discovered that after this visual prowess enhancement, his eyes seemed to have reached a critical limit. Once he broke through this boundary, his Sharingan would evolve into the Mangekyo Sharingan he had been yearning for.
'Just one more visual prowess enhancement, or perhaps reaching 50% of Indra's reincarnated chakra...' Jie had a strong premonition that as long as he achieved either condition, his eyes would instantly break through to the Mangekyo Sharingan.
Looking at the 39% Indra's Reincarnated Chakra displayed on his status panel, a brilliant smile broke out on Jie's face.
He glanced distantly toward the room where Sasuke was sleeping and thought silently, 'Little brother, don't blame me for what happens over the next few days.'
Finally, long after Jie had entered his room, Itachi gathered his courage and knocked on the door.
"Brother, I have something I need to talk to you about," Itachi called out.
"Come in," Jie replied calmly.
"Why did you fight with brother Shisui this afternoon?" Itachi asked after a brief moment of hesitation.
"You are the Second Young Master of the Uchiha clan. I have a responsibility to ensure that the people you associate with don't harbor ulterior motives," Jie said truthfully, hiding nothing. "That spar with Shisui Uchiha this afternoon was nothing more than a test."
Itachi had his own impeccable judgment. Lying to him about this sort of thing would be meaningless and might even lead him down the wrong path entirely.
Itachi nodded and fell silent for a moment before continuing. "About a month ago, I ran into brother Shisui by chance while training in the back mountains. After that, we often arranged to train there together. This afternoon was just our daily spar. It's just... every time we finish sparring, he intentionally or unintentionally steers the conversation toward the relationship between the clan and the village, explaining the Will of Fire to me. I just feel that brother Shisuis' Will of Fire is far too one-sided."
Jie sneered internally. 'Sure enough, there's no such thing as so many coincidences in this world. Everything was just arranged by someone with an agenda.'
Despite his internal thoughts, Jie didn't show the slightest hint of emotion on his face. "Then what do you think the Will of Fire is now?"
Itachi answered without hesitation. "Wherever leaves fly, the fire burns! Whether it is the clan or the village, both are a part of the Will of Fire. If the village wants to develop, grow, and endure, then the clans must flourish for just as long. Even if the village is gone, as long as the clan remains, the village can be rebuilt at any time. Just like how the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, and our ancestors founded the Hidden Leaf together, wherever the clan is, the village can endure forever!"
Hearing Itachi's words, Jie's eyes immediately lit up. Itachi's perspective suited his own perfectly.
Giving his brother an approving look, Jie nodded in satisfaction. 'Good kid. Having this kind of mindset is excellent. At least this little brother hasn't been completely led astray.'
"I'm very relieved you have such thoughts," Jie said with a warm smile. "Perhaps in the future, you'll be the very first Hokage from our Uchiha clan."
Hokage? Itachi paused in surprise. Was he really suited for that position?
He immediately shook his head, his eyes shining as he spoke with resolute determination. "No, the position of Hokage belongs to you, brother. I just want to stand by your side and follow in your footsteps forever. In the future, Sasuke and I will be your most reliable right and left hands. We will help you ascend to the Hokage's seat and bring glory to the Uchiha clan."
Jie let out a dumbfounded chuckle, not expecting himself to hold such an elevated status in Itachi's heart. It was just a pity that he had absolutely no interest in the mere title of Hokage.
As the only person aware of the future, Jie knew that in just a few short years, the shinobi world would usher in a massive upheaval. When that time came, Kage-level powerhouses would be everywhere; a mere Hokage wouldn't amount to much at all.
If he wanted to protect himself and control his own destiny in the approaching great war, Jie still needed far more absolute power.
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