Chapter 31: Promoted to Squadron Leader, The Third Hokage Brainwashes Itachi
2 weeks later, many Hawk Faction members, led by the Hawk Faction elder Uchiha Yashiro, jointly recommended Uchiha Akira. With the Hawk Faction's unreserved support, Uchiha Akira was promoted from Platoon Leader to Squadron Leader.
A Squadron Leader was already a high-ranking official with considerable power, controlling the deployment authority of 12 platoons. Plus the original 20 members of the training camp and some logistics personnel, this meant Uchiha Akira now managed nearly 100 people.
[Ding! Congratulations to the host for successfully being promoted to Squadron Leader of the Konoha Police Force!]
[Ding! The host's outstanding performance is rewarded with Clan Glory Points: 80,000 points!]
A series of system prompts rang out in Uchiha Akira's mind.
"80,000 Glory Points!" Uchiha Akira's eyes lit up.
Adding the previously accumulated Glory Points, the current total Clan Glory Points had reached an unprecedented high—260,000 points!
[Clan Glory Points: 260,000 points]
[Ding! Detected that the host's prestige within the Uchiha Clan has reached a new peak!]
[Ding! The host's demonstrated strength, excellent leadership ability, and absolute loyalty to the family have caused the loyalty of some originally neutral Uchiha Clan members to the host to begin to grow significantly!]
Uchiha Setsuna, loyalty increased from 40 (Neutral) to 75 (Admired)!
[Ding! Some radical members of the former Uchiha Hawk Faction highly recognize the host's "practical toughness" philosophy, and their loyalty has greatly increased!]
Uchiha Yashiro, loyalty increased from 65 (Observing) to 88 (Supporting)!
Strength and tactics are indeed the best tools for winning hearts.
[System, filter out the list of clan members whose loyalty has reached 85 or above and who possess Jōnin potential.]
[Ding! Filtering complete. A total of 8 clan members meet the criteria.]
Looking at the names on the list, Uchiha Akira nodded. He spent some Glory Points to precisely increase the Chakra volume, Ninjutsu mastery, and Sharingan potential of these 8 clan members.
On the other side.
Uchiha Itachi. As an Anbu Platoon Leader and the eldest son of Uchiha Fugaku, the head of the Uchiha Clan, he carried an unimaginable burden. Uchiha Akira's rise, his growth rate, and his style of action all caused Itachi a hint of unease.
"Akira's rise is a good thing for the Uchiha Clan," his father, Uchiha Fugaku, had told Itachi. But Itachi did not think so. A good thing? Uchiha Itachi's belief of "sacrificing some family interests when necessary for the sake of Village peace" was completely contrary to Uchiha Akira's undisguised "family first" philosophy.
"If… if Akira-kun could, in another way, both ensure the family's survival and maintain the Village's stability… then is everything I bear still necessary?"
Itachi had privately reported Uchiha Akira's situation to his father, Uchiha Fugaku.
"Itachi, you continue to observe him. But remember, do not easily interfere."
"Shisui, do you think Akira's path is feasible?" Itachi found Shisui on the training ground, hoping Shisui could enlighten him.
"Akira's philosophy is too radical," Itachi said in a deep voice. "Once we completely fall out with the Village's high command, the Uchiha Clan will face annihilation."
Shisui sighed softly. "Itachi, we all know that Konoha's high command has never stopped being wary of the Uchiha Clan. After the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox Incident, this wariness reached its peak. The family was isolated, and the Guard Team's power was weakened; these are all facts. Peace… cannot be achieved by one-sided compromise," Shisui's voice carried a hint of weariness. "Akira's path might be a perilous one."
"What if the ultimate outcome is the destruction of the Uchiha Clan?" Itachi's eyes were filled with pain.
Shisui patted Itachi's shoulder. "We both hope to avoid the worst outcome. If it truly comes to that, I will stop it from happening."
Hokage Office.
Hiruzen Sarutobi sat behind his desk, his pipe emitting wisps of smoke. He looked at the night view of Konoha Village outside the window, his eyes deep.
"Itachi, you're here." Hiruzen Sarutobi's voice carried the kindness of an elder.
Uchiha Itachi walked into the office and respectfully bowed. "Third Hokage."
"Sit down." Hiruzen Sarutobi pointed to the chair in front of the desk.
Itachi sat down, looking at the Third Hokage. He knew that every time the Third Hokage sought him, it meant something important.
"Recently, what are your thoughts on the movements of the Uchiha Clan?" Hiruzen Sarutobi did not beat around the bush, directly cutting to the chase.
Itachi's heart tightened. He knew what the Third Hokage was referring to. Uchiha Akira's rise, and the increasing activity of the Hawk Faction, must have alerted the Village's high command.
"The Hawk Faction's influence within the clan is rising, and Uchiha Akira's personal influence is rapidly expanding," Itachi reported on what he had observed. "Akira acts decisively, and his dissatisfaction with the Village's high command has resonated with clan members."
Hiruzen Sarutobi took a light puff from his pipe, exhaling a faint cloud of smoke. "Akira's growth is indeed surprising." He paused, his tone becoming meaningful, "However, the power of the Uchiha Clan is ultimately a part of Konoha. Any attempt to break away from Konoha, or even threaten Konoha's stability, is intolerable."
The Third Hokage's words directly pointed to Uchiha Akira's "family first" philosophy.
"I know you have always worked for the peace of the Village and the family." Hiruzen Sarutobi's voice became even gentler. "You possess the most excellent bloodline and wisdom of the Uchiha Clan, and you have an awareness far beyond your peers."
The Third Hokage paused, looking directly into Itachi's eyes. "Konoha's peace did not come easily. It was earned by countless predecessors with their lives and blood. And the Uchiha Clan, as an important part of Konoha, also made great contributions to the Village's construction."
The Third Hokage's voice became low, with a hint of sorrow. "However, as time passed, the rift between the Uchiha Clan and the Village deepened. After the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox Incident, this rift reached its peak."
The Third Hokage put down his pipe and leaned slightly forward. "Itachi, do you understand? Once the Uchiha Clan rebels, the entire Konoha will fall into turmoil. The Fourth Great Ninja War might even break out earlier because of this."
"Itachi."
"You are the only one in the Uchiha Clan who can see the big picture and make the right choice. You have the resolve to protect Konoha's peace, and you have the determination to protect your younger brother."
"For the Village, for your brother Sasuke, for all innocent civilians, you must make a choice."
Protecting Konoha, protecting Sasuke—this had become an unshakeable belief in Uchiha Itachi's life.
"I understand, Third Hokage." Itachi's voice was a little hoarse, but his eyes became unusually firm.
Walking out of the Hokage Office, the night wind blew, and Itachi's heart felt cold.
"Then, let me bear all of this!" Itachi looked at the vibrant Konoha, and his figure instantly vanished from where he stood.