That afternoon, Sarutobi Ryo quietly visited the Uchiha Clan Residence.
The setting sun painted the simple courtyard in shades of orange.
Sarutobi Ryo paused, taking in the scene.
Through the slightly open door, he saw someone cleaning.
It was Uchiha Mikoto, dressed in black to mourn her late husband. She looked tired and worn.
Her face, though pale and marked by sadness, still held a beautiful strength.
He knew that the forty-nine-day mourning period was almost over.
Soon, Uchiha Mikoto would take off these clothes and begin to live a normal life again.
Sarutobi Ryo watched her, his gaze steady, until…
"Mother, we have a guest."
Young Itachi, sharp as ever, spoke up immediately.
Lost in her thoughts, Uchiha Mikoto looked towards the courtyard entrance. "Who is it?"
"Madam Mikoto, please forgive my intrusion…"
Sarutobi Ryo gently pushed the door open and stepped inside.
Itachi, also dressed in black, stood close to his mother, helping with the cleaning.
Mikoto's eyes widened slightly. "Young Master Ryo?"
---
A little while later, Sarutobi Ryo sat in the living room.
First, he respectfully bowed before Uchiha Fugaku's memorial portrait, showing his respect for the deceased.
After this, Sarutobi Ryo carefully sat down across from the mother and son.
Itachi's father's death had forced him to grow up quickly. He was already taking on responsibilities and trying to act like a man.
He did his best to be polite, staying close to his mother's side.
Sarutobi Ryo saw that Uchiha Itachi was very smart, but he lacked real-world experience.
This lack of experience was clear to anyone who looked closely.
"Young Master Ryo, are you here… about the Uchiha clan?"
Uchiha Mikoto wondered aloud, trying to guess his reason for visiting.
When Uchiha Fugaku was alive, she always let her husband handle things.
Now that he was gone, she had to take care of the family, and even… the Clan, by herself.
She knew that her husband's death would mean they needed to choose a new Military Police Captain.
Whatever people thought, this was something that had to happen.
"Yes, Madam Mikoto, I have a few things to discuss, including the Uchiha Clan's situation…"
Sarutobi Ryo got straight to the point.
He started by talking about the Hokage Election.
The preparations for choosing the Fourth Hokage had already begun.
During this early stage, the Village would inform all the Jonin, the high-ranking ninja, within the Village.
This was because only Jonin had the right to vote.
Then, the Jonin would begin the "Nomination" process, writing the name of their chosen candidate on slips of paper and putting them into a Suggestion Box.
The leaders of Konoha would collect these slips and use them to make a first selection.
After this was done, they would move on to the next step, which was… the official election.
At that time, all the Jonin would be there.
The Daimyo, the feudal lord, would also come, along with important people from the Land of Fire, to watch and help with the voting.
Because the Daimyo's choice was also important.
Sarutobi Ryo explained that this also involved the Uchiha clan.
After all, there were many Jonin in the Uchiha clan. The Uchiha were known as the Elite Clan, and they produced many skilled Jonin.
"This matter… should be discussed with Yashiro…"
Uchiha Mikoto said uncertainly.
Since getting married, she had stayed at home and no longer went on missions.
And Yashiro was the second-in-command of the Uchiha clan...
"…"
Sarutobi Ryo shook his head, stopping Uchiha Mikoto from continuing.
"Madam Mikoto, what I want to talk about is the Uchiha Clan's Future."
Sarutobi Ryo emphasized the word "Clan."
Uchiha Mikoto blinked, showing that she was listening carefully.
She clapped her hands, asking Itachi to leave the room.
She thought that the conversation might involve secret information.
"No need, Itachi can stay here…"
Sarutobi Ryo stopped her.
"This matter also concerns Itachi."
"?" Itachi's eyes widened slightly, wondering how he could be involved.
"Madam Mikoto, what do you think… the Uchiha Clan's Future should be?"
Sarutobi Ryo's face became serious as he asked this question to the grieving widow.
"Our Clan's… Future…"
Uchiha Mikoto repeated softly.
A thoughtful expression appeared on her face.
As an Uchiha, she knew the Uchiha clan's situation in Konoha very well.
She usually followed her husband's lead, but she had seen and experienced things with him, so Uchiha Mikoto knew everything that was happening.
The biggest problem was that the Uchiha clan was being held back.
"The Uchiha clan… has always been held back and oppressed by the leaders."
Before Mikoto could speak, Sarutobi Ryo revealed this shocking truth.
"…"
The courtyard was very quiet in the fading light.
Uchiha Mikoto stared at Sarutobi Ryo in disbelief.
Young Itachi felt like he had misheard something…
He was still young and didn't know what the Uchiha clan was facing. He was simply dreaming a pleasant dream.
This dream.
In the original story, Uchiha Itachi only understood this shocking truth after joining the Anbu, the special assassination squad.
But by then, his blind loyalty had already taken root, and he didn't truly want to change the Uchiha clan's situation.
Therefore…
Some things needed to be understood from a young age.
Sarutobi Ryo looked at Itachi. "Itachi… your Father… Senior Fugaku, the reason he took you to the Battlefield, do you know why?"
"…"
Itachi began to remember his father's face and voice.
He clearly remembered their conversation on the Battlefield.
His father had said… it was to let him see the cruel world, the world in which he would live…
Itachi also learned about death for the first time.
"Senior Fugaku, as the leader of the Uchiha clan, personally experienced the Uchiha clan's situation… therefore… he wanted his son to avoid mistakes and see these facts sooner…"
Sarutobi Ryo said earnestly.
Uchiha Fugaku wanted Itachi to avoid mistakes and understand the reality of the Ninja World as soon as possible.
Most importantly, he wanted him to understand the kind of world he would live in as an Uchiha.
This was what Uchiha Fugaku wanted to tell his son.
However, Uchiha Fugaku wasn't good at expressing himself and couldn't communicate well with his child.
This led to Itachi seeing the Battlefield at a young age, which caused problems for him.
Such a young child needed to be guided properly.
"Itachi… you have the talent to become Hokage, but you must walk the right path…"
Sarutobi Ryo stated firmly.
My Old Father Sarutobi Hiruzen said that you can think with the mind of a Hokage at the age of 7.
I say, you have the talent to become Hokage at the age of 4!
*
**
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[T/N:
Latest Chapter translated on Patreon - Chapter 297 (Vol 2 Ch 239) (+142 Chapters Ahead!)
Final Total Power Stone Collection : 200 PS
Goal : Reach +50 Total PS = +2 Bonus Chapters next day! 🚀
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Here are the novels I'm currently translating:
-> Naruto Paradise: An Evil Uchiha's Rise
-> One Piece: I'm Destined to Be the Son-in-Law King!
-> Young Master, Please Become Hokage!
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]