Chapter 147 - Uchiha Fugaku's Attitude
A week had passed since the battle between Kakashi and Uchiha Itachi.
ANBU Headquarters
That night, Kazane waited at home until Jiriku finally returned. After a "warm" and "friendly conversation," Jiriku agreed to Kazane's invitation to join Konoha and officially became a proud Konoha genin.
That morning, after finishing his usual training, Kazane made his way to the ANBU office for breakfast.
As he passed by the department head's office, he spotted Namikaze Minato inside, humming happily while flipping through documents.
Although Minato was always cheerful, it was rare to see him this overjoyed—humming a tune with a bright smile on his face.
Curious, Kazane entered and walked over, only to notice something puzzling.
Minato seemed completely unaware of Kazane's presence, eyes locked on a small piece of chakra paper—not ANBU files.
A simple chakra test strip was enough to completely distract a top-tier shinobi like Minato? That was definitely odd.
Ahem… ahem… cough cough…
Kazane cleared his throat twice to get his attention.
Finally snapping out of it, Minato looked up and smiled widely. "Kazane, Kushina is pregnant. I'm going to be a dad!"
He excitedly waved the chakra paper. "Do you think the kid will inherit my talent for ninjutsu, or Kushina's sealing techniques?"
"Oh! I've got to teach him my Spiraling Flash Super Round Dance Howl Style Three! He'll become an amazing ninja for sure. Kazane, maybe you should be his teacher!"
"…No wait, you only know taijutsu. I'll teach him myself. Actually, Kushina and I will teach him together."
This news caught Kazane off guard. So Naruto is about to be born too?
Things were getting interesting. With Kazane watching over the village, and Obito still living peacefully in Konoha, the Nine-Tails incident likely wouldn't happen at all.
But without Kurama, would Naruto still reach the same heights?
While Kazane pondered, Minato looked at the test strip again and added, "Kazane, I want to request some time off. I'd like to spend more time with Kushina."
The usually radiant Minato now seemed a little bashful. He knew how much ANBU work he handled—and if he stepped down, Kazane would have to pick up the slack.
But when Minato looked up again to finish his sentence, he realized Kazane was already gone.
He chuckled bitterly. Of course Kazane had vanished—clearly dodging the request.
"Oh well," Minato sighed. "Looks like I'll just have to give Kakashi a few more responsibilities. I'm sure he'll love it."
---
Cafeteria
The date for the Chūnin Exams had been set—one month from now.
This exam, hosted in Kirigakure, was the first joint Chūnin Exam across the entire shinobi world. To ensure strong performance from Konoha's candidates, Kazane decided to give Jiriku and Might Guy some special training.
Then he remembered—since Orochimaru had placed Uchiha Itachi under his care, all he had done was feed him. He hadn't actually taught the kid anything yet.
So Kazane turned to Kakashi. "Kakashi, let Itachi know—he'll start training with me today."
Slurp!
Kakashi, halfway through his ramen, glanced up, finished the remaining broth, and said, "Big bro, I haven't seen Itachi since that spar. You'll probably have to go to the Uchiha compound to find him."
Before Kazane could scold him, Kakashi vanished with a flicker, bowl in hand.
Kazane sighed.
After that secret technique… Itachi probably thinks his social life is over.
Still, if he didn't go now, and Orochimaru came back to evaluate Itachi and Anko's training, how would he explain?
Better to rip the bandage off now, Kazane thought. If not me, then who?
---
Uchiha Compound
Kazane and Jiriku arrived just as Uchiha Fugaku was heading out.
Although his feelings were complicated—after all, his younger brother had just hit Fugaku's son with a rather extreme technique—Kazane stepped forward and greeted him.
"Long time no see, Clan Head Fugaku."
But Fugaku's face carried a clear air of hostility.
As he strode forward, Kazane had a bad feeling.
Fugaku looked stern. "Lord Kazane, are you here to see Itachi?"
"Yes, Clan Head Fugaku. I know this may be hard to accept, but—"
"There's no need to explain," Fugaku interrupted. "I already know what happened. Itachi told me everything. This is my fault—I didn't raise him properly. He's too young to look down on others so easily."
Kazane noted his tone and realized this might be salvageable. "Since you already know, I won't make excuses. Kakashi was indeed out of line. How would you like to resolve this?"
If Fugaku makes an unreasonable demand, I'll have no choice but to respond with strength, Kazane thought. Kakashi is my brother, after all.
Fugaku replied calmly, "Don't worry, Lord Kazane. I'll have Itachi apologize to Anko. As for Kakashi—he doesn't need to worry. Itachi stole snacks from a little girl. He deserved the lesson."
Kazane had been preparing to argue—but Fugaku's surprising response left him speechless.
He smiled wryly and nodded. Right… with Itachi's pride, he probably didn't dare tell his father he was hit with "THAT" technique.
"Don't worry, it's water under the bridge," Kazane said. "Actually, I'd like to take Itachi for some taijutsu training alongside Jiriku and Might Guy. He's the only one left."
Fugaku's anger melted away, and he turned to a nearby Uchiha. "Bring Itachi here."
Moments later, a ninja returned with Itachi—who was still walking with a slight tremble in his legs.
Kazane glanced at Fugaku.
Fugaku gave him a subtle smile and nod.
Kazane smiled in return—message received.
When Itachi arrived, Fugaku said firmly, "Itachi, training under Lord Kazane is a rare blessing."
"Do you realize he's widely regarded as the strongest ninja in the entire shinobi world? Every clan in Konoha would kill for the chance to have him teach their children taijutsu. If you waste this chance, don't ever call yourself my son again."
Then he turned to Kazane. "Lord Kazane, I'll leave the boy in your care. If he disobeys, don't show mercy. Discipline him however you see fit. If there's trouble, come to me."
Itachi stared at Kazane in shock. This guy who only ever eats? He's… the strongest in the world?
Kazane, seeing Fugaku lower his pride so openly, knew what to do.
"Don't worry, Clan Head Fugaku. He's my junior—I'll treat him like my own disciple."
Fugaku grabbed Itachi by the wrist and handed him over. "Then I'll entrust him to you."
After some brief chatting, Kazane took Itachi with him and left.
Fugaku stood still, watching them go.
His expression turned serious as he looked at Jiriku walking beside Kazane.
He remembered that Kazane had picked up a young monk from the daimyō's estate.
He had seen Jiriku once, a year ago.
But in just a year, that former jōnin-level monk now radiated an aura that made even Uchiha Fugaku feel danger.