Uchiha Itachi was dumbfounded.
He couldn't make sense of it.
Why did his father want him to ask his teacher about the clan's relationship with the village—then report back to him?
He was still a child, so not understanding was normal. But his father—who was already the clan head—didn't know either?
Though young, Itachi's mind was sharp. In just an instant, he figured it out.
His little face darkened. The corner of his mouth twitched, and the look he gave Fugaku was full of complexity.
But even if he understood, it wasn't something he could say aloud.
After all, the man in front of him was still his father.
Still, he couldn't help wondering—could a father who didn't even understand such things really manage the clan's relationship with the village?
Sigh.
With a helpless breath, he nodded anyway.
"Alright, I understand. I'll find out as soon as I can, Father, don't worry."
Fugaku gave a small nod.
His brain might not work well, but he could still read the complicated look in Itachi's eyes.
His cheeks flushed slightly.
But there was nothing he could do.
As a traditional Uchiha, he was just no good at this sort of thinking. Otherwise, how would things between the clan and the village have gotten so bad?
"Good, as long as you remember." Fugaku muttered. "Go get some rest."
Itachi nodded.
He had no interest in chatting further. After what happened today, he felt his father was actually worse than him.
The questions he himself was pondering—his father clearly couldn't answer them anyway.
So forget it.
He'd think things through on his own.
After Itachi left the study, Fugaku could only rub his brow in frustration.
It was hard enough being looked down on by anyone—but by his own son? How could his mood not sour?
But there was no helping it. Thinking about such complicated matters was simply not his strength.
"What's wrong, Fugaku?"
Mikoto walked in. "You were just chatting with your son. Why do you look like you've taken a blow?"
"What exactly did you two talk about?"
She had seen Itachi off to bed and now entered the study, only to find her husband looking so troubled.
The sight was almost funny, but she still brewed him tea with gentle hands, then began to knead his shoulders.
She truly was curious.
What had her husband and son been discussing?
Fugaku was the clan head, yet here he was looking so dejected.
"I… was despised by your son," Fugaku said helplessly. "A father's authority is gone—how am I supposed to face him now?"
He was deeply troubled.
He was already a stern man by nature. Especially in front of Itachi, he always kept up a strict demeanor.
Now that his son looked down on him—how could he ever regain that authority?
Of course, he didn't hide it from Mikoto, but gave her a simple recounting.
"So that's how it is." Mikoto furrowed her brows for a moment, then broke into a smile.
"Actually, you should be glad!"
"We Uchiha have never been the brightest. But now we have someone like Kai-kun—someone who can think, someone like the Nara clan's strategists. Isn't that worth celebrating?"
"With such a teacher, no one will ever be able to fool Itachi again."
"As for something as trivial as a father's 'authority'—isn't that insignificant in comparison?"
"And I've told you before—you're the clan head, so save your stern posturing for outside. Why keep it up at home with your own child? He's your son!"
"But that Kai-kun really is unlike any Uchiha I've ever seen."
Fugaku slowly nodded.
Yes.
He had long noticed it himself.
If not for Kai possessing the Sharingan—no, a Mangekyo at that—he would honestly have suspected Kai was a Nara, swapped at birth in the hospital.
Ever since returning from the Hidden Blood Mist Village battlefield, Kai had become almost reclusive, his lazy air, his ability to cut straight through to the heart of things… he was every bit a Nara.
But fortunately, the awakening of the Mangekyo Sharingan erased any doubt of his identity.
Fugaku could rest easily.
He took a deep breath and spoke.
"Mikoto, there's something I want your opinion on. The Police Chief position I gave Kai before was really just nominal. But since he clearly has the ability, I want him to actually take office. With wisdom on par with the Nara, I'm sure he can manage relations between the village, the villagers, and the Uchiha."
"But I'm worried the other clansmen won't accept it. What do you think?"
Yes.
Though he had already made up his mind to let Kai take the role, he still wavered when he thought about the voices within the clan.
His brows knitted in distress.
"You're overthinking this, Fugaku," Mikoto said bluntly. "It's really not as complicated as you imagine."
"Don't forget—Kai-kun is the only one in the clan with a Mangekyo. Do you really think anyone would be willing to offend him over something this petty?"
"What if he bore a grudge and made life difficult for them?"
"They should be rushing to curry favor, not risking offense!"
"Fugaku, you're very capable, but you're too indecisive. And that's not a good trait!"
"You're the clan head of the Uchiha. At least show some dominance!"
Fugaku smiled bitterly.
He knew well enough he was indecisive. But it wasn't something he could easily change.
He hated offending anyone, always trying to find a solution that pleased everyone.
But reality rarely worked that way.
"…Alright, I understand." Fugaku sighed. "I'll try to change, I promise. Your idea is a good one. As it happens, tomorrow night is the clan assembly. I'll propose it then. For the sake of the Uchiha—even if they object—I'll support Kai-kun taking the position!"
He finally made up his mind.
Mikoto smiled at that.
"That's more like it. You're the clan head. If it's something you truly want, even the elders can't stop you. That is your authority. You've just been too easygoing in the past."
Fugaku nodded.
Of course, understanding was one thing—changing one's nature was another.
The couple chatted a little longer, then tidied the study before returning to their bedroom.
They soon drifted off to sleep.
But Itachi, for once, couldn't.
His mind was still turning over the things Kai had told him that day.
The more he thought, the more sense it made.
The clearer it all seemed, the more excited his mind grew—until sleep became impossible.
"Teacher… is truly incredible. To dissect such complex matters so thoroughly…"
"No wonder he always seems weary—he must have seen through everything already, so life must feel meaningless to him."
"I must surpass my teacher. In strength, and in wisdom!"
"…"
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