"Itachi, I know you've been providing information to the Third Hokage."
Itachi was silent for a moment. "...I'm sorry."
"Your desire for peace isn't wrong. But the method you chose is."
"Itachi, from here on, many matters within the clan need to be handled. You'll resign from the Anbu and return to help the clan."
But joining the Anbu wasn't something you could just leave at will.
After all, the Anbu were entrusted with many secrets. Without the Hokage's approval, one couldn't easily change their status.
Still, now that Itachi had turned his heart toward the clan, he would surely find a way.
Besides, even if he didn't resign, the Third Hokage would never trust him again.
Itachi agreed.
Fugaku, standing nearby, was deeply relieved. During his tenure as clan head, both Shisui and Itachi had always kept him at a distance.
He had even sent Itachi to infiltrate the Anbu, never expecting that Itachi would instead become a source of intelligence for the Third Hokage.
Fortunately, now everything was developing in the right direction.
All thanks to Natsuki.
Fugaku had already begun pondering when he should pass down the position of clan head to Natsuki.
[Ding! Faction template fully loaded.]
When Natsuki opened it, at the top were Uchiha Fugaku and himself.
Below were the names and portraits of every Uchiha clan member.
He clicked on Itachi's icon. Uchiha Itachi —
Loyalty: High
Strengths: Combat, Stealth.
Clicking on Combat gave a detailed breakdown: taijutsu, ninjutsu, genjutsu…
Stealth, well… no need to explain that.
On the side, there was a separate section for Mangekyō Sharingan and related abilities.
Next, he clicked on Fugaku. Instead of loyalty, Fugaku had an Affinity stat—also High.
The rest was much the same as Itachi's.
Now things were different—he could clearly see everyone's talents. It would make assigning roles far easier.
When he opened the pages for the two elders, the Fourth Elder excelled at internal affairs, while the Third Elder specialized in management.
Natsuki said politely, "For the upcoming plans, I'll need to rely heavily on both of you."
The two elders bowed. "Vice Clan Head, you are too kind. Please, just give your orders."
In his mind, Natsuki began forming an initial blueprint.
What did a clan need to develop? Funds. Every other clan had its own means of making money.
The Akimichi had their barbecue shop.
The Nara produced medicine and supported the medical system.
The Inuzuka bred ninken.
The Yamanaka had their flower shop and intelligence business.
Except for Uchiha, whose weapons were supplied internally through the Cat's Den, nearly every other clan had a business sustaining them.
If one only relied on missions, they could barely support themselves, let alone expand.
The Uchiha were different. They never engaged in production. The assets seized during the Warring States era had gradually dwindled.
The root cause was a lack of talent. Without the right people, there was no way to manage businesses.
The Uchiha had always been battle fanatics—no one studied such things.
During the Warring States era, they could plunder what they wanted. But now that the Five Great Nations were stable, plundering would only spark wars.
Income had been shrinking for years. Though still wealthier than average shinobi, expanding the clan was difficult.
But now, with the faction template showing everyone's talents, the path forward had become clear.
Natsuki spoke firmly, "Since awakening my Mangekyō, I've seen many fragments of the future. Konoha's peace won't last long—soon, countless disasters will strike this village."
"So we must prepare early. The clan's grievances also need an outlet."
"We can't cling to the Police Force anymore. As enforcers, we'll never be liked. Whether we are strict or lenient, resentment will only grow, and dissatisfaction within the clan will deepen."
Fugaku tapped his fingers on the table. "Natsuki, speak boldly. We will fully support you."
Those words were tantamount to handing over full authority.
The others voiced no objection. After all, Natsuki was both powerful and shrewd.
Natsuki pointed to his eyes.
"The visions I've seen of the future aren't limited to battles. They include many successful businesses as well."
"All we need to do is select a group of people and vigorously develop our economy, step by step freeing ourselves from Konoha's control."
The others were stunned—who would've thought foresight could be used this way?
If the clan had abundant funds, they could develop self-sufficiently, no longer beholden to Konoha.
And given the disasters Konoha would face in the future, economic independence would be crucial.
Everyone nodded in agreement.
Natsuki continued, "Of course, this will be a long process. Fortunately, we still have some time."
"During this time, we must relinquish all Uchiha authority and render the so-called 'Uchiha Threat Theory' meaningless."
Seeing their confusion, Natsuki briefly explained the concept of the "Threat Theory."
Realization dawned on them, and their admiration for him deepened. This brain… truly remarkable.
Natsuki waved his hand.
"The Police Force is now more harmful than beneficial to us. Our first step will be abandoning it."
"Fourth Elder, Danzo took a huge loss today. Tomorrow, he will certainly cause trouble for us through the Police Force's jurisdiction."
"Gather all Uchiha who've been complained against and suspend them, bringing them back to the clan. If anyone questions it, delay them—stall as long as you can."
The Fourth Elder thumped his chest. "Leave it to me, Vice Clan Head. This is my specialty."
Natsuki turned to the Third Elder. "You've always striven to gain the Hokage's seat through force. After seeing those visions of the future, what do you think now?"
The Third Elder gave a bitter smile and shook his head. Indeed, he had once aimed to seize the Hokage's position by force.
But in the visions, even with the Sharingan controlling the Nine Tails, the coup still failed.
And then there was that world-shattering technique—Shinra Tensei—which obliterated everything.
His ambition had been extinguished.
"If Konoha fears us gaining power, then let's throw away all power."
"Fugaku, at the right time, you too must resign as head of the Police Department."
"In our struggle for power, we've offended too many. The people have forgotten the good the Uchiha once did. Everything is taken for granted now."
"Instead, we'll advance by retreating."
"Third Elder, your task will be to gather the radicals within the clan who refuse to swallow their pride."
The elder frowned. "Natsuki, what are you planning?"
Not everyone could tolerate such humiliation. For some Uchiha, "advancing by retreating" was impossible. That was why the Hawk faction existed.
"We need a 'rebellion' and a 'severe loss of strength,'" Natsuki said with a sinister smile.
"Otherwise, how can we dispel the Uchiha Threat Theory, or send people outside to develop freely?"
The two elders and Fugaku exchanged glances.
"But such people won't be easily convinced…"
They didn't know Shisui had already awakened the Mangekyō, nor that his ability was Kotoamatsukami.
At this moment, Natsuki gave Shisui a look.
Shisui understood immediately—Vice Clan Head wanted to use his Kotoamatsukami.
He explained his ability to the others.
"Another Mangekyō?"
The elders were stunned. For so many years, not a single Mangekyō had appeared—yet now, there were two more.
Fugaku's heart surged with waves of shock. Natsuki, Shisui, and himself—already three pairs of Mangekyō within the clan.
If not for wanting to push Konoha into taking the blame, a direct rebellion might even have a good chance of success. No wonder Danzo coveted Shisui's eyes.
If Fugaku knew his son, Uchiha Itachi, had also awakened the Mangekyō, he might faint from joy on the spot.
After the elders left—
Natsuki asked, "Itachi, you have Shisui's left eye, don't you?"
Itachi replied, "As expected, nothing can be hidden from you, Vice Clan Head."
He summoned a murder of crows and took out a bottle containing the Sharingan.
"Shisui, we need to unite the clan into a single rope. You must recover quickly."
Shisui felt the heavy weight of responsibility.
Now that there was a way to protect the clan without clashing directly with the village, he had to give his all.
"Vice Clan Head, I suspect someone else is watching us."
Natsuki nodded. "You mean the one investigating the secret stone tablet at the shrine?"
Itachi was startled—he hadn't expected the Vice Clan Head to already know.
"This person will one day stir up great upheaval in the shinobi world. But for now, I can't confirm his identity."
"He's lingered at the stone tablet many times. I suspect the writings there have already been tampered with. Don't trust them."
He planted the precaution in advance.
"Yes, Vice Clan Head. I understand."
Night deepened.
After their meeting, Itachi stepped outside and saw Izumi asleep on a bench.
Memories of her tragic death in the vision struck him painfully.
He gently shook her shoulder. "Izumi, what are you doing here?"
She stirred, rubbing her eyes. "Itachi…?"
Then she snapped awake.
"N-no, it's nothing. I'm heading back."
A flush rose to her cheeks as she stood, flustered, ready to leave.
"Izumi…" Itachi called after her.
She turned back, bathed in the soft glow of the lantern light, looking playful and adorable.
Itachi hesitated a moment, then said softly, "Tomorrow, let's go eat dango together."
Her heart thumped wildly in the silent night.
Overwhelmed by sudden happiness, her face burned crimson.
"O-okay!"
Clutching her cheeks, she scurried off. "Tomorrow, by the river!"
Watching her retreating figure, a rare gentle smile touched Itachi's lips.