Here you go, a new chapter. I hope you all enjoy it.
I would appreciate your feedback, comments, and power stones. I want to read all of your comments to see if I am doing well. Please enjoy.
Thank you all for your support.
And a special thank you to those who support me here and on Patreon. I appreciate you very much, and look forward to more.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The question surprised Naruto a bit, but it didn't appear on his face. The question also made it clear what the conversation would be about.
"I see them as comrades and friends. Even as family." Naruto replied with an even and calm tone while thinking the last bit to himself, only to hear a scoff coming from his mindscape.
'Mentally unstable family, they are.' Kurumi muttered.
'Maybe they are different, Kurumi.' Naruto replied
'I will believe it when I see it myself.' Kurumi replied with an irritated huff, making Naruto sigh before cutting the mental link.
"I see." Fugaku breathed out
"Then how do you see the Uchiha's situation in Konoha?" Fugaku asked
"The Uchiha are currently in a predicament; if it isn't resolved soon and cleanly, it will lead to a crisis. Either for the Uchiha or the village, and most likely both." Naruto said with a blank tone.
Naruto's reply made Fugaku and Mikoto exchange a look before looking back at Naruto.
"The problem keeps getting out of control. And the recent relocation made everything worse." Mikoto said with a bitter tone.
"Everything was going fine until the Kyuubi attack. Everything started to fall apart since then." Fugaku said with a blank tone that had a bitter undertone. Minato had helped the Uchiha a lot during his time as Hokage.
"Do you really think that the problem started after the Kyuubi attack?" Naruto asked with a raised eyebrow. The question surprised Fugaku and Mikoto
"Things were a little… out of order before the Yondaime's time. But nothing like what is happening right now." Fugaku said
"While it is true that the situation boiled over after the attack. Its roots start beyond that." Naruto said
"What do you mean by that, Naruto-kun?" Mikoto asked
"What I mean is that the problem started way before that, with the Uchiha having a hand in it," Naruto replied
"Are you saying that the problem is the Uchiha's doing?" Fugaku asked with his eyes narrowing as he looked at Naruto.
"I didn't say that. I said that the Uchiha has a hand in the problem. Meaning that they are a part of the problem, not the entire problem." Naruto replied with a calm tone.
"Can you elaborate, Naruto-kun?" Mikoto asked as she felt that her husband was starting to get agitated.
"I am sure your problem formed the moment Uchiha Madara defected," Naruto said, making Fugaku's and Mikoto's eyes widen at the name and how far back Naruto thought the problem started.
"Uchiha Madara should be regarded as any other rogue shinobi that have died, but until now, his name still strikes fear in people. Which at the time made the villagers and other Shinobi look at the Uchiha with fear." Naruto replied.
"That fear should have disappeared after a while, but the Uchiha isolated themselves, making the situation worse," Naruto said
"What do you mean, we isolated ourselves? We used to live in the middle of the village among its population. Now we are being isolated by the council away from the village," Fugaku inquired
"What I mean is that the Uchiha kept to themselves in their compound and the Uchiha police force headquarters, and only interacted with the population in Konoha when performing police work. The Uchiha genin are usually pulled out of the Academy after graduation and put into the Uchiha police force, with very few of them ending up in regular genin teams." Naruto said
"That gave the Uchiha a bit of a mixed reputation with the regular population, but nothing too bad. That can't be said about the Hokage and council." Naruto said
"Danzo," Fugaku muttered. He also thought of Tobirama and Hiruzen, with his advisors, but he didn't say it, seeing who sat in front of him.
Hiruzen is the most mellow of them as he always tries to negotiate, but the negotiations always fall one way or another.
"The war Hawk is the most extreme example in the council. But the others are also wary of the Uchiha to varying degrees." Naruto said.
"Then came the time of the Yondaime Hokage, who already had a Uchiha student and had a positive impression on the Uchiha. Things were going well, looking at how good your relationship with him and his wife was." Naruto said, looking between Fugaku and Mikoto.
"Then the Kyuubi attack happened," Naruto said, making the atmosphere in the room grow heavy.
"Where were the Uchiha when the attack happened? I got confirmation that there was no one from the Uchiha clan helping in either the evacuation or fighting the Kyuubi. Your absence has already made you prime suspects." Naruto asked while looking at Fugaku.
"We were ordered to stand down," Fugaku said with his usual frown deepening.
"By whom? As by the looks of it, you were being set up." Naruto asked
Fugaku kept quiet, but the message was clear; it was the warhawk's doing.
"As soon as the attack started, he seemed to suspect us of being the cause. It didn't help that the Kyuubi was seen with the Sharingan pattern on its eyes." Fugaku said
"But the warhawk is already out of the picture. Shouldn't you try harder to mend the relationship between the Village and the Uchiha?" Naruto incquired
"It isn't as simple as you make it to be," Fugaku said bitterly. The Uchiha elders are making everything difficult for him. They feel so insulted and isolated that they cannot compromise.
"Then start simple. Have the regular Uchiha civilians and shinobi interact with the rest of the village. Try to make the general population's view of the Uchiha change to a positive light. That would help you in trying to integrate back into the village. Show the village that the Uchiha can be trusted. Be a bit more open with the village so you don't arouse more suspicion." Naruto said, making Fugaku go silent, deep in thought.
"Think about it. Your biggest obstacle has been forced to go quiet, making negotiating considerably easier. Take the chance, if the differences between the Uchiha and the village aren't resolved, it may reach a point of no return." Naruto said
To be continued.
Guys and Gals, show me those powerstones.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I hope you all enjoyed the chapter.
'100 power stones if you want an additional chapter with next week's release.'
I would appreciate feedback, comments, and power stones from you guys. I would like to read all of your comments. I would like to know if I am doing well and if you enjoy what I write.
Thank you all for your support.
1178 words
For those who wish to support;
www.patreon.com/Lord_Ashura