Chapter 113: Uchiha Itachi: I’ll Save Konoha In My Own Way
In Fugaku’s eyes, Uchiha Sasuke would forever be inferior to Uchiha Itachi, whether in talent, comprehension, or magnanimity… all far inferior.
Previously, when Uchiha Ikeizumi refused Sasuke on the grounds that “Sasuke doesn’t understand justice,” Fugaku felt fortunate yet somewhat disappointed at the same time.
Sure enough, even Ikeizumi thought Sasuke wasn’t up to par. It seemed Sasuke truly wasn’t even one percent as good as Itachi.
But who could have imagined…
Sasuke was stimulated by Ikeizumi’s refusal and suddenly had a breakthrough!
His previously dull comprehension inexplicably became sharp, and he actually grasped one of the cores of 「justice」!
This moment.
Fugaku already had the greatest sense of foreboding, and this premonition soon came true. He only heard Uchiha Ikeizumi say, “Remember every word you just said, and never forget your current comprehension of 「justice」. This ninja world truly shouldn’t be like this; the root of everything is the twisted and sickly ninja world, which has bred many hair-raising sins.”
“「Absolute Justice」 is to eradicate these sins one by one. For this, even at the cost of life, it is worth it. Uchiha Sasuke, you say you want to believe in justice—do you have the determination to pay the price of life for justice? Do you have the determination to bear the responsibility and obligation required for justice?”
“Yes! Yes!” Sasuke replied to Uchiha Ikeizumi’s two questions with two gritted, firm “Yes”es.
Uchiha Ikeizumi said, “You can follow by my side from now on.”
Under Sasuke’s ecstatic expression, Uchiha Ikeizumi indifferently said, “I hope your justice will score well in my eyes.”
“…Score?” Sasuke was stunned.
Justice has scores?!
Izumi explained from the side, “Sasuke, Senior Ikeizumi will judge your score based on your performance every moment. Full score is one thousand points; only by achieving full score can you be considered passing justice in Senior’s eyes.”
“But…”
Izumi’s tone shifted as she added, “If it’s a negative score, Sasuke, your life might not be safe—it’s hard to say.”
Sasuke: “!!!”
Life not safe?!
“Meow, because in Lord Ikeizumi’s eyes, a negative score means that you, who chose to believe in justice, did something against justice. Betraying justice… the consequences are very serious, meow.”
Kijiro jumped onto Sasuke’s small shoulder, the exaggerated weight nearly knocking Sasuke to the ground.
Kijiro poked Sasuke’s somewhat disheveled little face with its cat paw.
It continued, “Once, two little guys from the Uchiha Police Force became trainee students under Lord Ikeizumi. One of them had negative-score justice in Lord Ikeizumi’s eyes, and then Lord Ikeizumi killed him personally.”
“Little brat, if you’re scared, you can still regret it now—it’s not too late to back out.”
Sasuke did break out in a sweat listening to this; it seemed even more serious than violating the Uchiha Clan’s clan rules.
But…
Uchiha Itachi’s increasingly unfamiliar face flashed through Sasuke’s mind, and the bloody scenes of the Night of the Uchiha Clan Downfall in the illusion quickly flashed like a lantern show.
He couldn’t help looking at his father; Father’s face was full of resistance and rejection.
The other seemed to signal with his eyes for him to immediately refuse the other party.
Father didn’t want him to believe in 「justice」.
But…
If he didn’t find a way to become stronger, if he didn’t have the determination to change everything, if he just waited quietly for the future tragedy like Father… that wouldn’t be the future Uchiha Sasuke wanted to await!
Even Uzumaki Naruto, that dead last, wasn’t afraid of being judged as “negative-score justice” in front of Uchiha Ikeizumi.
How could he be afraid!
He was a proud Uchiha!
“I… don’t regret it!”
“And I don’t want to withdraw!”
Sasuke forcibly avoided eye contact with Father. When he shifted his gaze, his peripheral vision seemed to catch a thick disappointed expression in Father’s eyes.
……
“Fugaku, this is quite a show. The Uchiha Clan of Absolute Justice has truly found a new way out for the Uchiha.”
The slightly sarcastic voice came from Koharu Utatane.
It made Fugaku’s pupils contract slightly.
“Advisor Koharu…” As Fugaku’s heart tightened and he immediately wanted to defend himself, he saw the other had already turned away with a dark, gloomy old face, hands behind her back.
Homura Mitokado’s voice sounded from the other side: “Koharu was just angered by Uchiha Ikeizumi’s actions, but since the other is indeed in the right, she couldn’t refute for the moment, so she’s in a bad mood. You don’t need to take her words to heart, Fugaku.”
He slightly raised his head and slowly said to Fugaku, “I know you have always been willing to stand on Konoha’s side, and always on the side of peace, right?”
Fugaku immediately said, “The Uchiha Clan and Konoha should maintain the peace they ought to have.”
Homura Mitokado patted his shoulder, said no more, and followed Koharu Utatane away.
Fugaku couldn’t help looking toward Sarutobi Hiruzen, this Hokage.
But he found that the Hokage’s attention had always been on Uzumaki Naruto, the jinchuriki.
When the jinchuriki leaned toward Uchiha Ikeizumi’s direction.
Fugaku keenly noticed the Hokage’s expression darken slightly.
……
“Tsk tsk… Asuma, does your Konoha have some grand ‘party’ tonight? It’s really lively!”
Not far outside Konoha Village.
The Eleven Guardian Shinobi, who had traveled a thousand miles without rest, were slightly panting as they stood respectively on the treetops of different large trees.
The sarcastic one was clearly Kazuma. He smirked mockingly and continued, “The fire looks pretty big. If Konoha’s Hokage perishes in that sea of flames, wouldn’t that be quite a spectacle?”
Asuma crushed a leaf between his fingertips and coldly glanced at Kazuma.
After slightly easing his body’s fatigue, Asuma said in a deep voice, “I only know that if you don’t focus single-mindedly on Uchiha Ikeizumi, you’ll die by his hand due to carelessness. Even Konoha’s Root Leader Shimura Danzo was defeated by him—your arrogance could get us all killed.”
“Asuma, you’re overestimating Uchiha Ikeizumi.”
One of the guardian shinobi who advocated abolishing Konoha’s Hokage interjected, “Is it because your brother died by his hand, and your father the Third Hokage was too cowardly to act against his son’s killer, that you’re so hyping up an extreme Uchiha?”
“‘Lava Release Ferocious Beast’ may be powerful, but he’s just one person. Our eleven elite jonin of the Land of Fire together might not even lose to a village’s Kage. Do we need to avoid him?”
Veins throbbed slightly on Asuma’s forehead; every word from the other stimulated his nerves, especially regarding his brother Sarutobi Shinnosuke.
But for the bigger picture, Asuma forcibly held back.
He said expressionlessly, “No matter what enemy a ninja faces, they must go all out. The Daimyo’s order is for you all to obey my commands—don’t say what you shouldn’t.”
“Rest for a while first, recover, then exterminate that Land of Fire Uchiha pest for the Daimyo.”
“Tch!” Upon hearing Asuma invoke the Daimyo of the Land of Fire again, Kazuma’s eye corner flashed with disdain.
But he didn’t say more.
……
The next day.
The news that Uchiha Ikeizumi had killed over a dozen smugglers and dealers of large quantities of contraband drugs, and that the Shimura Clan had tried to assassinate Uchiha Ikeizumi only to be wiped out by him in return, swept through Konoha like a hurricane, shocking countless people.
“Uchiha Hayata, Uchiha Naoto, and Uchiha Tadashi—they’re all ninjas of our Uchiha Clan. Just because they smuggled contraband drugs, that guy has to kill them? Does he have no concept of clan kin in his eyes?”
“I heard not only three of our Uchiha Clan members died because of this, but ninjas from other ninja clans suffered too. Like the Utatane Clan and the Mitokado Clan.”
“If I remember right, Uchiha Hayata is Elder Setsuna’s grandson, right? A very annoying, arrogant guy.”
“Tch, the impartial 「Absolute Justice」 that recognizes no kin and only right and wrong really isn’t just made up to fool people.”
“The Police Force said the explosion in the Uchiha Compound last night was done by the Shimura Clan. Uchiha Ikeizumi went alone to the Shimura Clan and wiped them out.”
“Shimura Clan? Shimura Danzo’s ninja clan? Good riddance! They stole Sharingan from many of our clan members!”
“Feels like Uchiha Ikeizumi is much tougher than the clan leader.”
“…”
The Uchiha Clan’s reactions were the most intense: some were dissatisfied with Uchiha Ikeizumi’s “indiscriminate killing” of clan members; others approved of his Absolute Justice; some couldn’t help comparing Uchiha Ikeizumi to Uchiha Fugaku.
Then they realized the Uchiha Clan leader they once elected wasn’t even as good as a young Uchiha Clan member!
Just the matter of the Shimura Clan infiltrating the Uchiha Compound and planting a large number of explosive tags, causing considerable damage.
Did Uchiha Fugaku do anything about it?
Did he rush to the Shimura Clan right away to demand an explanation?
Did he rally the entire Uchiha Clan to surround the Shimura Clan?
Uchiha Fugaku did nothing!
On the contrary, Uchiha Ikeizumi took care of the Shimura Clan, whatever his purpose— at least the matter was handled.
It truly vented a pent-up grievance.
It made many Uchiha Clan members feel elated.
They Uchiha had endured for so many years.
They had yielded step by step for so many years.
Finally, they could stand up and resist once!
“Elder Setsuna, please lead us to join Uchiha Ikeizumi and impeach the cowardly Uchiha Fugaku together!”
Thus, many Uchiha radical ninjas hurriedly went to Uchiha Setsuna, excitedly saying, “Now, Uchiha Ikeizumi holds our Uchiha Clan’s strongest individual combat power, a power even Konoha’s Hokage fears; and you, Elder Setsuna, are the leader of our Uchiha radicals. With just your order, we can launch a coup plan against the Hokage across Konoha!”
“In this situation, if you join hands with him, Elder Setsuna, it’s a union of strengths, completely suppressing Uchiha Fugaku’s faction. Then the cowardly Uchiha Clan will cease to exist, and a new Uchiha Clan will stand at Konoha’s peak.”
“「Absolute Justice」 and radical will, if perfectly fused, Uchiha Fugaku couldn’t make a ripple; all he could do is hand over the clan leader position.”
This group’s hatred for Uchiha Fugaku greatly satisfied Uchiha Setsuna.
But their praise for Uchiha Ikeizumi made Uchiha Setsuna’s face darken.
They…
Didn’t they realize his grandson died miserably at Uchiha Ikeizumi’s hands?!
“Elder Setsuna, Hayata’s death was because of his uselessness and mediocrity! If he paid any attention to Konoha’s current situation, he wouldn’t have foolishly run into Uchiha Ikeizumi’s muzzle. Moreover, storing so much contraband drugs in the Uchiha Compound proves Uchiha Hayata had a problem in his head.”
A radical young ninja suddenly said, “For the Uchiha Clan’s great cause, we should abandon such foolish clan members.”
“Elder Setsuna surely wouldn’t feel sadness over the death of such a fool, right?”
Uchiha Setsuna: “…”
Before he could speak, a radical ninja beside Uchiha Setsuna snapped, “Elder Setsuna’s magnanimity naturally won’t lose to Uchiha Ikeizumi! Uchiha Ikeizumi killed his close kin Uchiha Onigawara for justice; Elder Setsuna can naturally abandon his grandson for the Uchiha Clan’s great cause.”
Uchiha Setsuna: “???”
……
On the other side.
“Father, why didn’t you stop Sasuke?” Uchiha Itachi stared intently into Uchiha Fugaku’s eyes and said, “「Absolute Justice」’s stance stands against Konoha. Once Sasuke chooses to believe in Uchiha Ikeizumi’s 「Absolute Justice」, his future will be utterly ruined!”
Uchiha Itachi speculated that his future self spared Sasuke’s life precisely to have Sasuke protect fragile Konoha.
And because of this, he couldn’t sit still now.
The Sasuke who should protect Konoha in the future, once joining the 「Absolute Justice」 camp, would have his path completely derailed!
This didn’t match Itachi’s expectations and plans.
As for why he was so certain Absolute Justice opposed Konoha?
This was Itachi’s judgment from observing Uchiha Ikeizumi’s actions.
In his eyes, Uchiha Ikeizumi’s so-called “executing justice” was constantly weakening Konoha’s power.
One ninja after another died by his hand; even Konoha’s higher-ups were affected.
The Shimura Clan was even cruelly wiped out by Uchiha Ikeizumi!
This 「justice」 made Uchiha Itachi feel great resistance.
“Itachi, I’m very confused.” Fugaku sighed, opening his heart to his eldest son, and slowly said, “What exactly is the right thing to do? You for Konoha, I for balance, Ikeizumi for justice, Setsuna for power…”
“After Sasuke came home, I wanted to scold him angrily. But your mother said Sasuke’s choice was right. She said Ikeizumi’s justice could at least let most Uchiha survive.”
“Mikoto said—the more I try to maintain balance between both sides, the more unstable the scales become, ultimately pleasing neither; the more Setsuna seeks power, the more it intensifies conflicts, pushing the Uchiha into the abyss. And you, heart toward Konoha, your outcome is already in the prophecy.”
He simply recounted what his wife said last night.
Fugaku’s eyes flashed with unprecedented complexity and confusion.
Even his closest people didn’t support his path, but supported an outsider instead…
This was something Fugaku never expected.
At this time, Uchiha Itachi said expressionlessly, “Father, Mother is too narrow-minded. She has never personally experienced the complexity of the situation; she’s just a woman after all, her vision too narrow and shortsighted. So naively thinking Uchiha Ikeizumi’s so-called Absolute Justice is the Uchiha Clan’s future path.”
“She shouldn’t indulge Sasuke walking the wrong path; Father even less so should feel confused because of her words. She has never made any decisions—how could she see everything clearly?”
At this point, Uchiha Itachi paused, his expression unchanged: “Father, your chance is used up.”
Fugaku was stunned, suddenly recalling something.
But he heard Uchiha Itachi continue, “Last time, I said I wanted to handle the increasingly dangerous and uncontrollable Uchiha Clan my way. But Father said to give you one chance to try again.”
“Now, Father’s attempt has failed.” Uchiha Itachi slowly said, “I won’t let the Uchiha Clan go out of control; I certainly won’t let it harm Konoha.”
Staring into Fugaku’s eyes that had activated Mangekyo Sharingan.
Uchiha Itachi asked, “Are you going to stop me, Father? I remember you said that no matter what decision I make, you would be proud of me.”
Fugaku’s Mangekyo Sharingan gradually calmed.
He opened his mouth, but couldn’t say a word.
Until he watched Uchiha Itachi leave.
Fugaku still didn’t act to stop his eldest son.
……
“Illusion? It feels like the village’s ordinary people don’t resent him as much as before. Or rather…” Kakashi muttered to himself, “Some misconceptions spread by word of mouth have been cleared up; they’re gradually realizing that as long as they don’t commit crimes, they basically won’t be targeted by Uchiha Ikeizumi.”
“They even seem to realize Uchiha Ikeizumi is helping them root out Konoha’s criminals one by one. At least things like theft and fraud are heard less and less.”
When Naruto was still attending the Ninja Academy, Kakashi was in a state of idleness.
He just wandered around Konoha casually and heard everyone in Konoha discussing Uchiha Ikeizumi.
Unlike before, when discussions of Uchiha Ikeizumi were full of fear and caution, people speaking carefully lest Uchiha Ikeizumi hear.
Now, they discussed openly with great interest.
“His power is changing Konoha’s underbelly.”
Just as Kakashi felt somewhat emotional, a sudden slap landed fiercely on his back.
“Pfft! Cough cough! Cough cough cough!!” Caught off guard, Kakashi bent over coughing violently.
He raised his listless dead-fish eyes, utterly speechless at the striking thick eyebrows before him, not noticing the other suddenly baring two rows of big white teeth.
“Kakashi! I’m back!!!” Might Guy thrust a big thumbs-up at Kakashi.
Ah…
A troublesome guy returned.
……
……
