Chapter 382: Chapter 382: The Suspected Uchiha Takumi
"That decision is the right one."
Itachi said, "Recently, the attitudes of clans like the Nara, Akimichi, Yamanaka, and Hyuga towards the Uchiha have clearly softened. Although there is still wariness, at least they are no longer openly opposing us."
"Yeah..."
Uchiha Fugaku sighed, but then, as if thinking of something, his expression grew serious again.
He took a report from a drawer and handed it to Itachi.
"Take a look at this."
Itachi took the report and quickly skimmed through it, his brow gradually furrowing.
"This is... Uncle Takumi?"
The report was submitted by a Uchiha Anbu member and detailed observations from the few days before the coup.
It mentioned that Uchiha Takumi had left the clan grounds alone multiple times, his movements secretive, and the last time was the day before the coup plan was leaked, when someone saw him appearing near the Hokage Building.
The report concluded by stating there was reason to suspect that Uchiha Takumi was the one who leaked the news of the coup.
"Father believes this?" Itachi put down the report and looked at Fugaku.
"I don’t want to believe it."
Uchiha Fugaku stood up and walked to the window. "Takumi is one of the few powerful figures in the clan to have awakened the Mangekyō. Although he didn’t participate in the battle the night of the coup, he also didn’t help Konoha. If he truly wanted to betray the Uchiha, he had countless opportunities then to bring about our destruction."
"But how do you explain this report?" Itachi asked.
"That’s what puzzles me too."
Fugaku turned around, a complex look flashing in his eyes. "I investigated the person who submitted the report. He’s an ordinary Chūnin from the clan, with a clean background and no signs of colluding with other forces. His observation records are also very detailed; they don’t seem fabricated."
Itachi pondered for a moment, then said, "Father, is it possible... someone is trying to drive a wedge between you?"
"Of course, I’ve thought of that."
Uchiha Fugaku walked back to his seat. "But what’s the motive? Who benefits from driving a wedge between me and Takumi?"
"It doesn’t benefit the Uchiha, but it does benefit the enemies of the Uchiha."
Itachi’s voice was very calm. "Uncle Takumi is a Mangekyō-level combatant. If he and you have a falling out, or he even leaves Konoha, it would be a huge loss for the Uchiha. This perfectly aligns with the interests of those who don’t want the Uchiha to grow stronger."
"You mean... the mastermind behind this might be..."
"I can’t be sure."
Itachi shook his head. "But Father, what we should do now is to keep Uncle Takumi stable. We can’t suspect him based on a report without solid evidence."
Uchiha Fugaku fell silent.
Didn’t he understand this principle?
But as the Hokage, he had to consider more.
Takumi possessed the Mangekyō Sharingan and was incredibly powerful. If he truly had divided loyalties, the danger would be immense.
Furthermore, on the night of the coup, Takumi indeed hadn’t participated, citing the reason that "his must be saved for his younger brother." While this reason was acceptable within the Uchiha clan, it still left a lingering doubt in people’s minds.
"Father is hesitating." Itachi saw through his thoughts.
"Yeah..."
Uchiha Fugaku smiled bitterly. "Indecisiveness, that’s my old habit."
He picked up the report again, looked at it for a long time, and finally made a decision.
"Itachi, go inform Shisui."
"Please give your orders, Hokage-sama." Itachi stood at attention.
"From today onwards, transfer Uchiha Ryota to the Anbu, assign him to Shisui’s squad, and have Shisui lead him personally."
Uchiha Fugaku’s voice was very calm, but a hint of resolve flashed in his eyes. "As for Takumi’s side... for now, don’t tell him the reason. Just say it’s the Hokage’s order, intended to train Ryota."
Itachi’s pupils contracted slightly.
He understood his father’s intention—to use Ryota as a hostage to restrain Takumi.
If Takumi truly harbored ill intentions, concern for his younger brother’s safety would prevent him from acting rashly. If Takumi was innocent, having Ryota enter the Anbu to receive guidance from Shisui would also be a good thing.
A very cold, but effective political maneuver.
"...Understood."
Itachi bowed his head in acknowledgment, then turned and left the office.
Uchiha Fugaku watched his retreating figure, a wave of emotions welling up inside him.
He knew this decision would create a rift with Takumi, but as Hokage, he had to be responsible for all of Konoha, and even for the Uchiha clan itself.
At this moment, he understood the feelings Hiruzen Sarutobi must have had back then.
"Takumi, I hope you won’t blame me..."
...
Inside the Uchiha clan grounds, at Takumi’s home.
"What?!"
Uchiha Takumi shot to his feet, his three-tomoe Sharingan activating instantly. His terrifying aura seemed to freeze the very air in the room.
Uchiha Itachi, standing before him, remained expressionless and calmly repeated:
"The Hokage-sama has ordered that, effective immediately, Uchiha Ryota is to be transferred to the Anbu, assigned to Captain Shisui’s squad, and personally instructed by Captain Shisui."
"I disagree!"
Uchiha Takumi said coldly, "Although Ryota’s strength is decent, it’s not enough for him to enter the Anbu and carry out dangerous missions."
"This is the Hokage’s order." Itachi emphasized.
"Then tell Fugaku to come and tell me himself!"
Takumi’s tone carried suppressed anger. "Is he trying to pressure me using his position as Hokage? Has he forgotten that if I hadn’t held my position on the night of the coup, whether the Uchiha could have succeeded is still debatable?"
Itachi was silent for a moment, then said:
"Uncle Takumi, Father asked me to tell you that having Ryota enter the Anbu is for his own good. You know Captain Shisui’s strength and character well. Under his guidance, Ryota will grow faster."
"Hah..."
Takumi let out a cold laugh. "That sounds so nice. Training? More like surveillance, wouldn’t you say?"
He wasn’t stupid; he naturally understood Fugaku’s intention.
Within the Uchiha clan these past three years, Shisui had earned the name "Shunshin no Shisui," similar to his own "Shunshin Enma."
But many privately called him "Seishin no Shisui" — The Purifier — meaning one who purifies扭曲 wills.
This was distrust; they were using Ryota to restrain him.
"Uncle Takumi is overthinking things." Itachi remained calm.
"Overthinking?"
Takumi stared at Itachi, his Sharingan slowly rotating. "Itachi, you go back and tell Fugaku: Ryota can enter the Anbu. But if he receives any unfair treatment, or has an ’accidental’ injury or death..."
"I’ll make him understand the wrath of the Mangekyō."
A terrifying burst erupted, causing the furniture in the entire room to tremble slightly.
Itachi’s body tensed, and his three-tomoe Sharingan instinctively activated to withstand the pressure.
After a moment, Takumi withdrew his aura, sat back down, and closed his eyes.
"You may leave now."
Itachi gave him a long, hard look, bowed respectfully, turned, and left.
Only Takumi remained alone in the room.
He opened his eyes, looking out the window. The three tomoe in his eyes slowly rotated, eventually transforming into a pattern of three curved blades, connected end to end, encircling his pupils.
"Fugaku... so you’ve started to suspect me after all."
Takumi muttered to himself, his tone laced with disappointment and a trace of sarcasm.
Just as he had told Uchiha Fugaku, his own was indeed nearly depleted, and the remaining power, he truly wanted to preserve for his younger brother, Ryota.
But if it truly came to the point where the Uchiha clan faced annihilation, he would still act.
Even if it meant his Mangekyō would completely lose its light, turning into a pair of ordinary eyes that posed no threat.
And these ordinary eyes were originally the "gift" he had meticulously prepared for Sora, the only gift he could offer as Sora’s strength continued to grow.
But ever since he read those words and prophecies buried by time on the stone tablet at the Naka Shrine...
He could only offer a silent apology to that old friend in his heart.
