Chapter 44: This Bunch of Idiots!!
Uchiha Clan Grounds, inside the dimly lit Clan Head's residence, two figures sat opposite each other.
Only a single candlestick emitted faint light, casting the two figures' shadows onto the wall.
The shadows swayed and distorted continuously with the candlelight, just like the oppressive, silent atmosphere currently filling the room.
"As expected of my son. Your entry into ANBU means your future prospects are boundless."
Uchiha Fugaku spoke, breaking the heavy silence.
Although they were words of gratification, his tone held not a trace of joy.
"However, you must remember my words."
He stared at Itachi, who sat before him with his head lowered, admonishing seriously: "You are not only Itachi of the ANBU, but also Itachi of the Uchiha clan!"
Uchiha Itachi slowly raised his head, replying expressionlessly: "...Yes."
Looking at his son, Fugaku felt a measure of comfort, the pressure lessening somewhat.
He had been truly exhausted lately.
Clan meetings within the Uchiha clan had become increasingly frequent recently.
And the power of the radical faction grew stronger and stronger, with more and more Uchiha clansmen supporting them.
Although he, the clan head, leaned more towards the conservative faction, the Uchiha clan was ultimately not his dictatorship.
Some elders with high seniority also supported the radicals from behind the scenes, making his position as the clan head caught in the middle truly miserable.
"However, since Lord Third allowed Itachi to join ANBU like Shisui, he likely holds the intention of easing relations."
"With Shisui and Itachi maintaining the relationship between the village and the Uchiha, at least it won't completely rupture."
"Worst case, if it truly comes to rebellion one day, Shisui and Itachi can also become sources of intelligence for us."
However, Fugaku failed to notice the fleeting look of disappointment in his son's eyes.
"Father, can your eyes only see the Uchiha clan?"
In a daze, the scene from the first time his father took him to a battlefield seemed to reappear before his eyes.
Konoha ninja, Iwa ninja, Kumo ninja...
Countless kunai and shuriken whistled piercingly. Ninja gripped their weapons, roaring as they charged the enemy.
Their eyes held only hatred, anger, fear; even their own hearts were filled with loathing.
When they killed an enemy, they would be killed by another enemy in turn – back and forth, endlessly.
On this battlefield, living lives vanished unceasingly.
Gloom swept across the entire sky. Cold rainwater dripped constantly from above. The assaulting smell of blood made one want to vomit. The entire land was stained dark red with blood.
That war was witnessed by the four-year-old Itachi.
He just stood there blankly, watching his father slay every single invading enemy.
His father's face lacked its usual gentleness and smile, holding only endless hate and abhorrence.
Slash!!
Enemy blood splattered onto Itachi's tender, vacant face.
His bright black eyes reflected the utterly cruel scene before him. His young mind was deeply shaken by this sight.
"This is... the Shinobi World War..."
That war lasted until sunrise.
There were no victors. In the end, only countless corpses remained.
And as Itachi walked among the bodies, a heavily wounded, wailing Iwa ninja caught his attention.
"Ugh... Ah!!"
Under Fugaku's expressionless gaze, Itachi ignored his Iwa identity.
Instead, he supported the ninja's head and gave him his own water.
"Th-thank you..."
The Iwa ninja slowly opened his eyes but saw the ninja tools at Itachi's waist.
Instantly snapping back, seizing the chance as Itachi turned his head, he stabbed straight towards Itachi's vital point with a kunai in hand.
Completely disregarding that Itachi had just saved his life.
Slash!!
His gifted reaction speed allowed Uchiha Itachi to instinctively thrust out the kunai in his hand.
With just one slice, he slit the Iwa ninja's throat.
"Father, why..."
Looking at the ninja falling backward to the ground, Itachi's voice was full of confusion and panic: "Why did this ninja want to kill me? I didn't... I didn't do anything..."
Fugaku slowly walked to his side, stating coldly: "Because this is war."
"Not a fight between individuals, but a struggle between nations. Therefore, meaningless killing occurs between strangers."
War...?
"Is war... like this?"
Uchiha Itachi lowered his head, looking at the corpse with its twisted features, slowly clenching his fists.
A thick feeling of disgust surged into his heart, making him feel intensely suffocated, almost making him faint.
Their deaths, their wills... just for their village, for the families behind them...
This kind of fighting, devoid of justice or evil, is utterly meaningless.
"This is the world of shinobi!"
Fugaku ignored his expression, continuing: "Listen, Itachi."
"Do not forget the sight before you."
His father's cold, merciless words struck Itachi's heart heavily.
He couldn't understand.
What is the meaning of war?
Is human conflict truly unavoidable?
"War..."
Is this... the world he lives in?
A world like hell...
Itachi's body trembled; he could only desperately suppress the fear in his heart.
But the corpses covering the ground, those twisted, despairing faces, constantly reappeared in his mind.
No!!
Solving problems through combat is wrong.
No matter what...
This kind of world needs to change!
Knock knock~
"Fugaku, Itachi, it's time to eat."
A sudden knock on the door interrupted Itachi's thoughts, pulling him back from the shadows of his childhood.
"One moment, we're coming."
Fugaku replied, glanced at his silent, head-lowered son, but paid it no mind.
He reminded him: "Sasuke will also be starting school soon. His talent isn't as good as yours. As his older brother, you should teach him more in your spare time."
Hearing his father mention Sasuke, a glimmer of light finally flashed in Itachi's eyes.
"...Alright."
No matter what, he didn't want Sasuke to live in a world full of conflict.
Whatever the cost.
...
Uchiha Fugaku finished eating, left his residence, and arrived at the Police Force Captain's office.
Although the Police Force's functions had now been mostly swallowed by ANBU, there were still various matters, big and small, requiring his attention daily.
After processing most of the documents, it was already nearing evening.
Slam!!
Just as Fugaku stood up, intending to leave,
"It's bad, Captain!!"
An Uchiha clansman from the conservative faction burst through the door, face filled with extreme anxiety and alarm, reporting: "Some clansmen got into a conflict with people from the Sarutobi clan! They're fighting now!"
"What?!"
Uchiha Fugaku's heart clenched violently. He hurriedly asked: "For what reason??"
"Members of the Sarutobi clan were discussing our previous violent enforcement incident. Yashiro and his group overheard them, the two sides started quarreling, and finally ended up fighting."
"This bunch of idiots!"
Uchiha Fugaku cursed inwardly.
(End of Chapter)
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