Chp-153: Seizing the Future in an Instant
Satoru's visit to the Uchiha clan thrilled Fugaku Uchiha.
The Uchiha clan was currently facing internal and external troubles, and aligning with Satoru could bring immense benefits.
"Satoru, please come in. I hope you can overlook any lack of hospitality."
Fugaku Uchiha led Satoru into an elegant room, personally pouring tea for him. White steam rose from the teacup.
"No worries, I don't usually drink tea much anyway. By the way, the Hyuga clan is working on a new drink called cola. Once it's perfected, I'll send a few bottles your way to try."
Satoru took a small sip of tea and placed the cup on the low table.
Cola???
What's that?
Fugaku was momentarily stunned.
He quickly shifted to the main topic, inhaling deeply and adopting a serious expression.
"Is it true that the one controlling the Nine-Tails was Uchiha Madara?"
"Mm, it seems most likely to be him."
Hiss!
Fugaku Uchiha took a sharp breath.
Madara!
He was a legendary figure within the Uchiha clan!
As the clan leader, Fugaku knew better than anyone the terror Madara represented!
If Madara was truly alive, what could he be planning?
But if it wasn't Madara... Fugaku had combed through all clan records from the past decades and found no signs of defection or false deaths.
All evidence pointed to the mysterious man being Madara!
"Whether it's Madara or not, our clan has no ties to the enemy."
Fugaku said gravely.
"I believe that, and I'm sure Orochimaru does too. But whether the higher-ups believe it is another matter."
Satoru took another sip of tea, his gaze calm as he looked at Fugaku.
Fugaku's expression turned stern. Because of that night's events, the village was rife with rumours and suspicion towards the Uchiha clan.
What made it worse was that many within the clan, upon hearing Madara's name, got excited and clamoured to welcome the ancestor back…
Internal and external troubles.
This was what worried Fugaku Uchiha.
Just then, Satoru raised an eyebrow, putting down his teacup.
He looked with interest at the boy peeking in, holding a baby.
The boy had two deep tear troughs.
Satoru immediately recognised him.
The filial son!
"Come on in, Itachi."
"Right, Satoru, I forgot to introduce you," Fugaku Uchiha said with a smile. "This is my son, Itachi Uchiha. I hope he can grow up to be an excellent ninja like you."
Talking about Itachi, Fugaku's face showed pride.
Although only four years old, Itachi had already displayed rare talent.
His mature thinking often amazed even Fugaku.
Itachi Uchiha, holding baby Sasuke, walked in, his curious eyes studying Satoru.
Is this the man everyone talks about?
Even Father holds him in such high regard.
He saw Satoru beckoning him, hesitated, and then walked over.
He was greeted with a crisp flick on the forehead.
"Ow! Ow, ow, ow…"
Itachi grimaced, one hand holding Sasuke, the other rubbing his reddening forehead.
"Hahaha…"
Seeing this, Fugaku laughed heartily.
"My son usually teases his little brother like this. I didn't expect him to get a taste of his own medicine from you, Satoru."
Satoru also laughed.
Flicking Itachi's forehead was probably Sasuke's lifelong dream.
Right now, Itachi was soft and playful.
But thinking of the future Itachi, Satoru's expression darkened.
"Clan leader, I have something I need to say."
"Please do."
Fugaku was curious.
"While considering the future of the clan, don't neglect the education of the young ones."
Satoru spoke meaningfully.
Fugaku was taken aback.
What did that mean?
Was he referring to Sasuke or Itachi?
Had Satoru noticed something?
Fugaku fell into thought.
"In that case, clan leader, I'll take my leave."
I've said all I can.
Those who understand, will understand.
Satoru gave Fugaku a meaningful look and prepared to leave.
Fugaku stood up to see him to the door.
After Satoru left, Fugaku pondered his last words.
What did Satoru mean by that? Was there a deeper meaning?
Unable to figure it out, he shifted his thoughts to the reform of the Uchiha clan.
The Hyuga clan had succeeded.
They had transformed.
Fugaku wondered if this could be a path for the Uchiha, too.
But Uchiha's situation was more complex, and he couldn't yet come up with concrete steps for reform.
While he was deep in thought, an elderly clan member walked in.
His face was sombre, and as soon as he entered, he spoke.
"Clan leader, it seems you've got the answers you sought. So, what about the mysterious clan member…"
"Madara, the most likely candidate is him."
Fugaku wasn't surprised by his arrival.
The elder from the hawkish faction.
Uchiha Setsuna!
He had more seniority among the Uchiha than Fugaku, having been an elder since the era of the Second Hokage.
"Just as expected!"
A gleam of joy flashed in Setsuna's hawk-like eyes.
Fugaku sighed.
Facing Satoru earlier, due to clan secrets, he hadn't voiced a particular suspicion.
Izanagi, the Uchiha clan's forbidden technique, could alter reality and reverse death!
If Madara had used that technique, it would have been possible for him to survive.
"Clan leader, this might be our clan's chance!"
Setsuna grew excited.
"If Madara is indeed alive, with his power, we could regain…"
"Enough!"
Fugaku interrupted impatiently.
"Clan leader, with his strength combined with the Uchiha, not just Konoha, but even…"
Setsuna continued incessantly.
"Elder Setsuna." Fugaku looked at him calmly. "Have you considered why Madara left our clan back then?"
"If he abandoned us once, can you guarantee he has no ulterior motives now?"
Setsuna sneered.
"Hmph! You're blinded by that kid."
"A mere child, just strong in power, yet you, the clan leader, are so enamoured."
Fugaku shook his head.
Welcoming Madara back carried too much uncertainty.
Aligning with Satoru seemed a more promising path.
He knew which choice to make.
Setsuna's sharp eyes glinted.
He had already made up his mind.
He would secretly contact Madara!
He would let Madara know there were still people in the clan awaiting his return.
If they could join forces with Madara, not just Konoha, even unifying the ninja world wouldn't be impossible.
Setsuna felt he had grasped the future.