——For the future of your son...
Uchiha Setsuna's voice was light, yet it seemed to drill into Uchiha Fugaku's heart, causing his hand to tremble uncontrollably.
Not long ago, his wife, Uchiha Mikoto, gave birth to a boy, his firstborn son, named Uchiha Itachi.
"The future of my son... What do you mean by this, Elder Setsuna?"
Uchiha Fugaku lifted his gaze and looked at Uchiha Setsuna, who squinted his eyes, and said in a deep voice:
"To avoid misunderstanding, please explain clearly!"
Uchiha Setsuna smiled: "Clan Leader Fugaku, do we need to hide anything from each other?"
"In the past few days, it seems everyone in the clan is discussing the name of Uchiha Aomi. Haven't you noticed?"
Uchiha Fugaku's expression froze.
At the mention of Aomi's name, Uchiha Fugaku always recalled that day's humiliation—in front of everyone, at the mention of Uzumaki Mito, he could only turn away in shame...
"Elder Setsuna, Uchiha Aomi has infiltrated the inner circle of the Hokage faction. Some level of discussion is normal. I think you're overthinking it...
Uchiha Fugaku pondered for a moment: "His appearance is still beneficial to our clan."
Uchiha Setsuna laughed and nodded.
"Indeed, it might be good for the Uchiha Clan, but maybe not for you, Clan Leader Fugaku..."
Uchiha Setsuna admired the confusion on Uchiha Fugaku's face, gently tapping the table: "Although Uchiha Aomi is young, his talent and strength are decent, and he's a master at winning people over."
"If things continue like this, those around Clan Leader Fugaku may stand on his side, and when that happens, what will you do?"
Uchiha Fugaku's face clouded over.
He was no fool. The Uchiha Clansmen were always bad at hiding their feelings. Even if he tried to conceal it, he could easily guess their thoughts if he paid attention.
Aomi's discussion topic had exceeded the normal range, and more importantly, Uchiha Fugaku felt that many of his former supporters seemed to have joined a secret group that excluded him.
Uchiha Fugaku knew Uchiha Setsuna was speaking the truth. He was considering how to respond.
His heart was not as open as he claimed; the loss of power in his hands was not a pleasant experience.
Just like when he considered how to address the limitations of the Konoha Security Team or manage the Uchiha Clan, Uchiha Fugaku hadn't figured it out yet.
"There is nothing to be done, Elder Setsuna..."
Uchiha Fugaku took a deep breath and put on what he thought was a magnanimous smile:
"The position of Clan Leader should naturally go to the capable. If Uchiha Aomi can lead the family to a brighter future, I am willing to step down. This is a sign of the clan's prosperity."
"Elder Setsuna, I do not covet the power of the Clan Leader position."
Uchiha Setsuna lightly applauded: "What openness, what a big heart!"
"Fugaku, I've always admired you, such a Uchiha. Let's have a drink in place of wine!"
Uchiha Fugaku's heart went cold, wondering if Uchiha Setsuna was also a mouthpiece for Aomi?
It shouldn't be...
In Uchiha Fugaku's mind, Uchiha Setsuna was always an extreme hawk, due to being imprisoned by the Second Hokage for decades, he had always advocated for overthrowing Konoha's leadership by force.
Uchiha Fugaku shook his head, clinked his cup with Uchiha Setsuna, and drank the tea in one swig.
"Fugaku, although you are a broad-minded hero, I must tell you, you are naive!"
Uchiha Setsuna suddenly smashed the cup in his hand: "Do you think the power of the Clan Leader is something you can just give up if you wish to?"
Uchiha Fugaku was stunned by this shocking reversal. What kind of drama was this?
Wasn't he just playing the role of a spokesperson before, and now suddenly he was resenting him for not living up to expectations?
Uchiha Setsuna abruptly stood up, sneering: "Fugaku, I have always regarded you as a junior, as someone close to me. For now, let's not talk about the future of the clan, but just about you and your descendants."
"I don't need to say anything about your relationship with Uchiha Aomi!"
Uchiha Fugaku narrowed his eyes.
Was his relationship with Aomi bad?
It wasn't particularly tense. It just became a bit delicate after that initial confrontation, but it wasn't beyond repair.
Uchiha Setsuna observed Uchiha Fugaku's expression and coldly laughed to himself.
As the strategist by Uchiha Fugaku's side, he knew all too well what kind of person he was...
He was hardly an Uchiha.
Indecisive, overcautious, lacking sufficient strategy, yet also lacking determination—the fact that he could obtain the position of Uchiha Clan Leader was merely a sign of the clan's decline.
Now, in Uchiha Setsuna's eyes, a teenager was winning over supporters behind the Clan Leader's back, and yet he hadn't retaliated strongly. Even mentioning that he would willingly step aside, did he think the Uchiha Clan with its storied thousand-year history was child's play?
"Okay, I understand what you are thinking..."
Uchiha Setsuna sneered: "You think you can afford to back down, don't you?"
"You want to say that with Uchiha Aomi's generosity, even if you're out of favor, he won't make things difficult for you?"
Uchiha Fugaku snorted coldly but did not reply.
In his view, Aomi was still just developing a bit of influence and was not yet a threat to him.
Even if there was a threat, what could this newly appointed Clan Leader do to him?
"Let me tell you, Fugaku, on the path of power, it's like rowing against the current; you must advance or fall back!"
Uchiha Setsuna looked seriously at Uchiha Fugaku and said, word by word, "Even if Uchiha Aomi spares you, those clansmen who follow him won't, and those high-ranking officials allied with the Hokage won't either!"
"They only need to trample you, throw you into the abyss, to most conveniently and quickly prove their loyalty to Uchiha Aomi!"
"Do you think anyone can resist such temptation?"
Uchiha Fugaku was shocked, but Uchiha Setsuna's words were not finished yet—
"Your son, his name is Itachi, right?"
"When he barely understands things, he will have to face the malice of the entire village because of your decisions!"
Uchiha Setsuna was satisfied with the change in Fugaku's expression and waved his hand:
"Don't think that I'm exaggerating. In Konoha, there's no room for you to retreat..."
"Back then, when Lord Madara left Konoha, the Uchiha Clan expressed their loyalty, not a single person followed. Isn't that commendable enough? But did Senju Tobirama let us off?"
"The cold history is right in front of you, and you ought to see through Uchiha Aomi's hypocrisy as well, shouldn't you?"
Uchiha Setsuna sneered, "An Uchiha tried to get close to the Konoha high-ups, one who shamelessly used Water Release as his signature move. How do you think he'll treat you once he comes to power?"
"Even more ruthless and merciless than Senju Tobirama did towards the Uchiha Clan!"
Uchiha Fugaku's mind was in turmoil.
In his mind, a voice constantly refuted Uchiha Setsuna, but it grew quieter.
But history told him that Setsuna wasn't deceiving him, especially in the Uchiha Clan that admired power. Failed weaklings had a status lower than dogs, even if he was a former Clan Leader...
What he said was merely trying to argue with Uchiha Setsuna, not letting the control of this conversation slip away.
But Uchiha Setsuna pierced through his disguise precisely.
"All these considerations were just for you personally."
"As for the family, Uchiha Aomi's approach of getting close to Konoha is entirely unfeasible!"
Uchiha Setsuna coldly said, "The Uchiha Clan Leader must prioritize Uchiha first. Uchiha Aomi, entrapped by the Will of Fire, has already lost this qualification."
"Fugaku, if you retreat now, one day when Uchiha falls, you will bear all the responsibility!"
Uchiha Setsuna looked at Fugaku, who tried to keep a stiff face, and used a softer tone:
"But it's all still timely, many clansmen think like me. They do not want to see a false Uchiha win over people's hearts and bow to those bastards in Konoha."
"Moreover, you are still the legitimate Clan Leader of the Uchiha Clan; you hold an infinite advantage!"
"Think well about what I've told you!"
Uchiha Setsuna shook his head, looked at Uchiha Fugaku who was lost in thought, and swaggered away.
After being imprisoned for over twenty years, Uchiha Setsuna only wanted to see bloodshed among the Hokage faction. As for the rise and fall of the clan, it naturally fell within his considerations but ranked further down...
Uchiha Fugaku sighed deeply, his eyes gradually becoming resolute.
"Itachi... Father can't let you grow up in a bad environment!"
"However, Uchiha Setsuna is too extreme; I still can't entirely believe him."
Uchiha Fugaku pondered, suddenly seeming to catch onto something.
"Right... Uchiha Aomi is trusted because he's the first Uchiha to fully read the Will of Fire, isn't it?"
"If my son is carefully cultivated from a young age, he won't be inferior to Uchiha Aomi!"
"Once he's a bit older, I will teach him how to use the Will of Fire to deceive the higher-ups and then the true teachings of the Uchiha Clan. Then, he's sure to become a more dazzling talent than Uchiha Aomi..."
Uchiha Fugaku's thoughts raced.
By the time Itachi grows up, even if Aomi sidelines him and blocks his access to Sarutobi Hiruzen...
As long as he eventually connects with any faction within the Hokage lineage, that would be enough.
Uchiha Fugaku was well aware that even the seemingly solid Hokage faction had various cliques.
For instance, Shimura Danzo and Orochimaru were reportedly distanced from Sarutobi Hiruzen...
If Itachi gets onto this ship, backed by his father as the Clan Leader and with careful guidance and resources from a young age, how can he not surpass Uchiha Aomi?
Under pressure from Aomi and the whisperings of Uchiha Setsuna, Uchiha Fugaku seemed to have awakened early to the idea of letting Itachi become a double agent and was amazed at his own wisdom.
He did not fully listen to Uchiha Setsuna, nor did he succumb to Aomi...
In Uchiha Fugaku's view, he only needed to control the spread of Aomi's influence, without needing direct conflict. Once Itachi grows up and retraces the steps of Aomi, he could reach the true pinnacle!
A perfect Uchiha with family dedication, carefully nurtured, and infiltrated into the Hokage faction from a young age!
Especially since this was his son, Uchiha Fugaku's son...
Uchiha Fugaku laughed heartily, his laughter echoing through the mansion, as if he already foresaw a bright future for his son, his family, and himself.