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Chapter 66 - Fugaku Visits, Wanting Itachi to Become a Disciple

Meanwhile, in the Uchiha compound.

Uchiha Kai lay lazily in a deck chair in his little courtyard, a purple clay teapot in his left hand, a bunch of grapes sitting on the small table to his right.

He looked utterly relaxed, sun on his face, thoughts drifting.

"Now this… this is life."

"What's the point of slaving away every day? That's no life at all."

"It's been so long, and the Hyuga are still running around like headless chickens. Looks like that mess really has been covered up."

"Which means Hyuga Aya is, more or less, one of us now."

"From here on, unless she has no choice, she won't betray me."

"Good. Very good."

"The Third Shinobi War has nothing to do with me. Sarutobi Hiruzen won't send me to the front."

"Which means, until the Nine-Tails attack, I can just lie flat and slack off."

He was at ease.

Especially thinking about the next few years: he would be able to stay far away from all the chaos, just lounging at home and quietly growing stronger.

That was the life he wanted.

Aya's matter was settled, and he'd never been exposed.

Perfect.

As for the village? Nothing needed to be said.

Sarutobi wanted him suppressed, maybe even "retired."

The man would be delighted to see him rotting away in the clan compound.

And indeed—Kai had returned so long ago, yet Sarutobi hadn't summoned him even once.

At that thought, the corners of his mouth curved upward.

Retirement?

For others, maybe it would waste them away.

But not him.

He didn't care for fame.

Going to war only wasted time he could spend training.

Only by living leisurely like this could his power steadily climb higher.

And since becoming a clan elder, his "ninja status" had all but vanished.

As long as the Uchiha didn't collapse, he could spend his whole life in comfort.

What could be better than that?

And yet…

When it came to the Uchiha clan itself, his head ached.

If he wanted to preserve this easy life, then he had to preserve the Uchiha as well.

But that was hard.

The clan's internal situation was a mess beyond words.

His "elder" title was just ceremonial—he was basically a mascot.

If he ever tried to interfere, both the radicals and the moderates would unite to get rid of him first.

Power was too tempting.

Even with his Mangekyo, he might get scraps of influence—but actual authority? Not a chance.

Still, he remembered what Nara Kazama had told him:

If he didn't want to stay single forever, then for the sake of his wife and children someday, he had to create a safe rear base.

He couldn't guard his family twenty-four hours a day.

With such excellent subordinates as the Uchiha, no matter how difficult things were, he couldn't abandon them.

But—no need to rush.

The radicals, the moderates, even Fugaku were watching him closely.

If he showed even a hint of ambition for power, they'd treat him like a threat.

It could even drag the village leadership into things.

So—he would wait.

Once the war ended, Shisui could be the one to step forward.

Having thought it all through, Kai relaxed again.

That afternoon, toward evening.

Just as he was about to head over to Ichiraku for dinner, a knock sounded at his door.

Kai frowned.

He had no real acquaintances in the village.

Even with his Mangekyo, the two elder factions in the clan kept everyone away from him.

Who could it be?

Suspicion in his eyes, he opened the gate—

and froze slightly when he saw Fugaku standing there, Itachi at his side.

"Clan head!"

"Well, this is a rare guest. Please, come in."

Smiling faintly, he welcomed the two inside.

Once the three of them were seated in the living room, Kai poured tea.

Then, unable to resist, he reached out and pinched Itachi's little cheek, so serious and adult-like for such a child.

Not bad. It feels nice.

He had to admit—

young Itachi really was an adorable little princeling.

That precocious air only made one want to tease him more.

Uchiha Itachi: "…"

His head hurt.

He had expected this, but every time Kai did it, he still couldn't help sighing.

With his adult's mind in a child's body, he truly couldn't stand being treated like a kid.

So he could only glance at his father for help.

Fugaku was helpless as well.

It was clear that Kai meant no harm—on the contrary, he was rather fond of Itachi.

What could he say?

Best to ignore it.

Especially since he had come here with a serious purpose.

His expression grew solemn.

"Kai-kun," Fugaku began,

"I've come today for my son."

"I wish to ask you to be his teacher. Will you accept?"

He spoke with gravity.

He was no fool.

If his son needed a teacher, the Hokage's faction was out of the question.

And within the Uchiha, who was more suitable than Kai?

The only Mangekyo wielder alive in the clan.

Kai blinked.

He had already half-guessed Fugaku's intention when they arrived—

but still, this was awfully straightforward.

Yet, thinking it over…

Itachi was still young, his worldview not yet fixed.

If Kai could shape that, then someday Itachi might work alongside Shisui.

Not a bad outcome.

So he nodded.

"Alright."

"I don't mind taking Itachi as my student. In fact, I rather like him."

"But there is one condition."

"My teaching style is different from the Uchiha tradition. Especially, I cannot accept sending him off to witness war and slaughter at such a young age."

"So, Clan Head Fugaku—"

"If Itachi becomes my student, then his education will follow my approach. You cannot interfere."

"If you agree to that, then it's settled."

His tone was calm, but firm.

At first, he had considered being tactful.

But knowing the Uchiha way of thinking, he decided bluntness was better.

Anything softer, and Fugaku might not even understand.

Fugaku was taken aback.

He hadn't expected that.

Was his own method of raising children… wrong?

For a Uchiha, wasn't early exposure to war a good thing?

Yet…

Though he didn't fully understand, he had already made up his mind.

In his view—

Every Mangekyo wielder was a true genius of the clan.

There was no such thing as "luck" in that achievement.

So he nodded at once.

"Of course."

"Since you are his teacher, then naturally, his upbringing will follow your way."

"In that case, I entrust Itachi to you, Kai-kun."

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