Chapter 72: Unbalanced Power
"Thank you, Kei-kun," said Uchiha Fugaku with a bow, his young son Uchiha Itachi standing beside him. "Thank you for saving my child."
"You're too kind, Clan Head. Honestly, even if I hadn't acted, he probably would've been fine," Kei replied politely, shaking his head. "Besides, I wasn't the only one there—Kakashi played a huge part."
Indeed, the little boy Kei and Kakashi had found at the edge of the cliff was none other than Uchiha Itachi.
If Kakashi hadn't been there, Kei might really have thrown a kunai at the kid out of sheer impulse. Kakashi didn't know who Itachi was—but honestly, even if he had, he would've rushed to save him all the same.
Kei had sighed inwardly at the time and followed Kakashi down to rescue Itachi.
Come to think of it, even without Itachi, perhaps someone else would've eventually emerged from the clan to fulfill the same role. The Uchiha situation was a complicated mess, and after the Nine-Tails attack and the death of the Fourth Hokage, the clan was already teetering on the edge of ruin.
Add internal divisions and a few traitorous figures, and it was clear that even without Itachi, disaster was looming. In that scenario, the Third Hokage himself might have stepped in directly. Sure, it would've torn apart any pretense of diplomacy and led to more widespread conflict—but sacrificing the Uchiha to preserve the village? Not out of the question.
Kei glanced at the quiet boy standing beside Fugaku. Though Kei knew all the intricate politics surrounding the clan, he still couldn't help but feel an urge to flick the kid upside the head. Not that he had the chance—dealing with Itachi personally was probably off the table for now.
As for raising him, grooming him with Kei's own ideals? Kei quickly dismissed the idea. Given Itachi's "legendary accomplishments", the thought made Kei's skin crawl. Even if Kei invested time and effort, Itachi might still end up brainwashed by Hiruzen and his ilk.
"Kakashi, huh?" Fugaku thought for a moment, then nodded. "I see. Still, I owe you thanks. And, Kei-kun, you haven't stopped by for tea in a while."
"I've been occupied with training, Clan Head," Kei replied with a polite smile. "But I'll definitely visit when I get the chance."
"No time like the present," Fugaku tilted his head. "Unless you're in a hurry?"
Kei hesitated briefly, then nodded. "Since the Clan Head personally invited me, it would be rude to refuse."
In truth, Kei found drinking tea with Uchiha Fugaku tedious and mentally draining. Fugaku, despite being indecisive and arguably unfit to lead in a time of crisis, was no fool. He was shrewd—perhaps even cold and calculating enough to have willingly sacrificed the clan in exchange for the survival of Itachi and Sasuke.
Ruthless? Selfish? If those were assets, then yes, they applied to Fugaku. Kei couldn't say for certain whether his assumptions were correct, but it hardly mattered. The future was what it was, and dead men don't speak—unless you use Edo Tensei.
Playing political games with Fugaku was a pain, but Kei had no choice. Unless he could demonstrate enough strength or value to make Fugaku trust or fear him, Kei's plans wouldn't go anywhere.
Kei followed Fugaku to a small pond where the man showed no sign of sending his son away. Maybe Fugaku wanted his child to witness this and start learning early.
They sat down in a gazebo by the water. Itachi quietly brewed tea for them, creating a picture of familial harmony.
"So, Kei-kun," Fugaku began once the tea was served, "what are your plans moving forward?"
"My plans?" Kei tilted his head slightly, unsure if the question referred to his role within the clan or the village.
Within the clan, Kei had made enemies among the hardliners. But at the same time, his intelligence and strategic thinking made him an intriguing ally, even to those he'd offended.
The moderate or "dove" faction appreciated Kei's seemingly peaceful philosophy, even if it was really just him protecting his friends. They still hoped to win him over.
As for the village, Kei had options. He could join the Konoha Military Police for a more stable role and a decent degree of authority. Or he could remain with his current team, a group celebrated as heroes for sparing many from the horrors of war—a position that came with its own advantages.
"I'm not sure yet. I think I'll observe for a bit longer before making any decisions," Kei replied neutrally, not knowing what Fugaku was truly probing for.
"Caution is wise," Fugaku said with layered meaning. "Not every path offers a chance to turn back."
"I'll keep that in mind." Kei nodded. True enough—some choices were irreversible. But that's why he always prepared backup plans.
"And what's your view of the current state of the clan?" Fugaku asked after a sip of tea.
Kei frowned. That wasn't a question one could answer lightly. The clan was a mess of conflicting ideologies and factions, and Kei had only recently entered the inner circle. Still, he had prepared for this—though there were some truths best left unsaid.
He glanced at Fugaku, then at the quiet boy beside them, and answered.
"It's complicated. The clan is fragmented. There's no true unifying force—not even you, Clan Head, can fully hold it together."
Calmly, Kei continued, "There are those like Uchiha Shuu who advocate confrontation with the village, and others who prefer peaceful negotiation. Neither side is willing to compromise. And honestly, who knows how many more are secretly backing one faction or the other?"
"You're perceptive, Kei-kun." Fugaku nodded approvingly. "But do you know why things are like this? I mean the relationship between the village and the clan."
"I do." Kei took a deep breath, his tone carrying a hint of mockery. "Isn't it obvious? It's about power."
Yes—power. At least from the Uchiha's perspective, the problem was simple: the imbalance of power.
As for the deeper causes? Maybe they never thought about them—or maybe they didn't dare to speak of them.
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Note: In Itachi Shinden, Itachi meets Orochimaru and gets baited into an existential crisis over the "meaning of life," which leads him to jump off a cliff... only to be saved by a crow.
(No, it wasn't Shisui.)