Chapter 63 - I Just Want You, the Dutiful Son, to Be Forsaken by All!
"I can't allow internal conflict within the village!"
"Heh, Hiruzen, you'll regret this."
Danzō stood up and left, sneering coldly in his heart. He couldn't help but mutter inwardly that Hiruzen Sarutobi was such a hypocrite—wasn't that statement just a veiled suggestion for him to take action?
But it didn't matter anymore.
As long as the Uchiha clan could be wiped out, that was enough.
The first step—seek out Uchiha Itachi.
Danzō had already decided that he would let the Uchihas fight among themselves. If Itachi and the others could eliminate the entire Uchiha clan, then he wouldn't need to step in. But if they failed, that's when Root and the Anbu would intervene.
In any case, the Uchiha clan—they don't deserve to have the Sharingan!
Once he exterminated the Uchiha clan, he would possess a massive number of Sharingan, and then he could make even greater use of Izanagi.
"Onii-chan, you're back!"
Late at night.
Sasuke, drowsy, looked up at Itachi pushing the door open. The sleepiness on his face instantly vanished. He had been planning to sleep early tonight, but he had something good to share with Itachi, so he waited up.
At the sight of Sasuke, the fatigue on Itachi's face was replaced by a trace of affection. He reached out and gently ruffled Sasuke's hair, then softly reminded him, "Sasuke, it's already late. Why aren't you asleep?"
Sasuke usually went to bed at this hour. Was he waiting for something today?
Maybe it was because they hadn't seen each other in a long time?
Itachi gave a soft chuckle inwardly. It made sense. Lately, he had been constantly busy with missions and working to ease the tension between the village and the Uchiha.
He hadn't had much time to spend with Sasuke, and even the training he promised Sasuke had been delayed for quite a while.
"Onii-chan, I have good news to tell you!"
"What is it?"
Seeing Sasuke's eager eyes, Itachi smiled and looked at him with anticipation, waiting for his good news.
"This afternoon after school, I ran into Clan Head Renji in the compound. He said he'll be teaching me tomorrow!"
Sasuke spoke with excitement. On the way home, he had already told Uchiha Fugaku and Uchiha Mikoto about this.
Although Fugaku had been ousted by Renji, he still respected Renji's boldness. When he learned that Renji wanted to teach Sasuke, he had no objections—in fact, he even felt grateful.
Renji was known in the clan as a genius ninja. At Itachi's age, he had already achieved elite jōnin strength. Now, he was a powerful user of the Three Tomoe Sharingan, and teaching Sasuke would be a breeze.
Moreover, as the clan head, he had many responsibilities, yet he still made time to guide Sasuke. Fugaku couldn't help but feel thankful.
In truth, Fugaku also felt somewhat guilty toward Sasuke. Back then, he poured all his attention and hopes into Itachi, placing everything on his elder son while neglecting the younger one who lacked Itachi's natural talent.
But Itachi's reaction was very different from Fugaku's. As soon as he heard what Sasuke said, his expression changed.
He thought of many possibilities. Could Renji be trying to use Sasuke to threaten him?
"Onii-chan, what's wrong?!"
Sasuke had been watching Itachi closely after finishing his words. He could clearly sense the shift in Itachi's expression.
He didn't understand why.
"It's nothing."
Itachi shook his head and calmed himself. He knew there were many possible explanations, and his current suspicions might not be accurate.
"How about I take you there tomorrow?"
Itachi decided to go along and observe. Besides, there was also the matter with Shisui—he wanted to see for himself how Renji managed to make Shisui switch sides.
"Okay!"
Sasuke didn't know what was going on, but seeing his brother not only agree but also offer to take him made him relax.
"Then you should get to bed soon, Sasuke."
"Mm-hmm. Onii-chan, don't forget our promise!"
"Don't worry—I won't."
After settling Sasuke in his room, Itachi sighed. He hesitated, but finally came to Fugaku's door.
"Father, Mother, are you still awake?"
"Itachi?"
"Yes, I have something I want to ask Father."
Itachi hadn't planned to consult Fugaku, but his concern for Sasuke left him no choice.
"Go ahead, Itachi."
Inside the room, Fugaku looked at the ceiling, already guessing why Itachi had come.
This child...
Was he still going to insist on walking this path?
"Father, you know about Sasuke training with the clan head, right?"
"Yes, it's a good thing for Sasuke. Renji is very strong. At least when it comes to teaching Sasuke, he's much better than the teachers at the Ninja Academy."
After all, ninjas from the clan were definitely more suitable instructors than academy teachers.
People who know their own people.
"But his ideology is dangerous."
That was the issue.
Itachi wasn't against others teaching Sasuke. If it weren't Renji, he wouldn't have cared.
Just like Fugaku said, it was true that being taught by someone from the clan was better.
But Renji's ideology was too dangerous. Itachi feared that he might instill certain thoughts in Sasuke—or worse, use Sasuke for leverage.
"Itachi, do you know why the clansmen are slowly siding with Renji?"
Fugaku sighed. He regretted letting Itachi walk this path in the first place.
"It's because he reclaimed the clan's original territory—but that only deepened our enmity with Konoha."
Itachi understood clearly. But such actions came with consequences. Now, relations between the Uchiha and Konoha were even more strained. Renji had to take responsibility for that.
"Itachi, the clansmen's demands are simple: respect, and to reclaim what belongs to us. That's all."
"The Uchiha clan doesn't wish to fight anyone. When I was the clan head, I failed to achieve even that. Instead, in trying to coexist with Konoha, we became more and more submissive. And in doing so, we lost more and more."
"That's what stirred resentment within the clan. Now, as for everything you just said—it's not like the others don't know."
"Rather than be worn down like this, most of the clan would rather gamble everything in one desperate attempt. That's why Renji became clan head."
"He represents what the clan truly wants right now."
If it weren't for Renji, Fugaku would still be the head of the Uchiha clan. The neutral faction had always stayed neutral, while the radical and conservative factions were evenly matched.
Because of that, a strange balance had persisted—until Renji's appearance broke it.
At the very least, that incident caused the neutral faction to waver slightly. And with just a slight advantage, Renji rose to the top.
"But this doesn't just affect the Uchiha clan. Even Konoha will suffer losses. Once war breaks out, both sides will be harmed, and it will give other hidden villages an opportunity."
"If the village is gone, where will the clan have to survive? Shouldn't we consider the village too?"
Itachi couldn't understand. His father had always been a pacifist, but now he seemed to be speaking in favor of Renji.
A sudden feeling of being forsaken by everyone welled up in him.
"Itachi, remember—you are Uchiha first!"
"As for Sasuke, just let him be. Renji won't harm him. It's late, get some rest."
Fugaku's tone carried obvious disappointment. Though he had never wanted war, he had always recognized himself as part of the Uchiha clan first.
And this notion of siding with the village that Itachi clung to—shouldn't he also consider the people of his own clan?
"I understand, Father. I won't disturb you further."
Itachi took a deep breath, lowered his head, and silently left the room.
Inside, Mikoto looked at Fugaku with concern.
"Should we have Itachi leave the Anbu? I feel like his mindset isn't right anymore. And if Renji really leads the Uchiha into war against Konoha, then what will Itachi do..."
Given the current situation, most people in the clan believed that Renji might truly lead them into war. At the very least, peaceful resolution seemed unlikely.
The Uchiha wouldn't back down. Unless Konoha yielded, the conflict would only escalate.
Naturally, that meant other ninja clans outside the Uchiha were watching closely.
If Konoha gave in, those clans would also begin to stir.
This confrontation was no longer just between the Uchiha and Konoha. It had become a power play involving many other clans as well.
"It doesn't necessarily have to lead to war," Fugaku said with a sigh. "But the current tension between the village and the Uchiha is too high. Sometimes, even I don't understand what Renji really wants."
"He hasn't sent any clear signals to the radical faction, but at the same time, he's pushing Konoha to the edge."
"As for Itachi... I don't think he'll listen to us anymore. He's someone with his own ideas. All we can do is wait and see."
He wanted to advise his son, but what could he really do?
Would Uchiha Itachi even listen to him?
Fugaku didn't think so. So he gave up trying.
He patted Mikoto's shoulder and said, "Get some sleep. I'm not the clan head anymore. Let Renji worry about it."
Ever since stepping down, Fugaku's mindset had become a bit more relaxed.
The next day.
Sasuke sought out Itachi early in the morning. Today was his first training session with Renji, and he wanted to make a good impression.
The two of them arrived at Renji's place very early.
"Want a drink?"
"What is it, Clan Head?"
Sasuke curiously leaned forward. He had never seen something like this before.
"Coke. It's really good. I'm planning to sell it and start a soda business in Konoha. You try some too, Itachi."
The Coke was imported from the everyday world.
It was cheap to acquire there, and since no such drink existed here, Renji was planning to market it.
Konoha had things like sweet red bean soup and similar beverages, but Renji felt their taste couldn't compare to Coke.
The Uchiha's industries focused mainly on weapons and explosive tags, with very few side businesses. Unlike the Akimichi who had barbecue, or the Nara who dealt in medicinal herbs.
During wartime, the Uchiha were wealthy. But in this time of peace, their businesses were struggling.
To improve the clan's economy even slightly, Renji decided to launch a side venture.
This was only the first step—economic warfare.
If all your food, drinks, and essentials came from the Uchiha, would you still dare turn on them?
It was all about profit. The Uchiha had few interest ties with other clans now, but once mutual benefits were established, others would begin considering the Uchiha's position more carefully.
Why was Hiruzen Sarutobi so popular in Konoha?
Because he controlled too many benefits. With how long he'd been in power, countless families had come to rely on cooperation with him and the clans backing him.
In such a setup, naturally, many people supported Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"It's delicious!"
Sasuke felt the fizz rush to his head the moment he took a sip. And since Renji had chilled it, the sensation was even more refreshing.
"It really is good. So you're planning to sell this, Clan Head?"
Though he was radical in action, Renji really did seem unexpectedly well-suited to being a clan head.
Itachi muttered to himself. After seeing all this, Renji seemed even more fit to lead than his own father.
"That's right. Clan business is tough nowadays. Everyone needs to eat. Ninja can manage, but ordinary Uchiha still need a way to survive."
Despite being a major clan, not every Uchiha lived in luxury. Some had it tough.
"But Clan Head, what you're doing now is completely different from what you're saying."
Itachi lowered his gaze. Part of him was moved by Renji's intent to help the clan's lower ranks. But he also knew—if Renji kept going down this path, it would all end in death.
"Tell me, Sasuke. If you had to choose between living on your knees or dying on your feet, which would you choose?"
Renji didn't respond to Itachi. Instead, he turned to Sasuke.
"Die on my feet!"
Sasuke didn't hesitate. The honor of the Uchiha clan didn't allow him to live on his knees!
"You see, Itachi—that's everyone's choice."
After hearing Sasuke's answer, Renji turned back to Itachi.
Sasuke, however, looked back and forth between the two, sensing there was something more behind their words.
"Alright, you probably have missions to do. Go finish them. Leave Sasuke to me!!"
Seeing Itachi rendered speechless, Renji nearly burst out laughing—if it weren't for others being present, he probably would have.
This was what it meant to be misunderstood by everyone.
Even his own little brother believed he was wrong.
This feeling of being forsaken by all—Renji wanted the ever-loyal, dutiful son to taste it thoroughly.
The good times were just beginning!
Renji had a lot more in store!
(End of Chapter)
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