Uchiha Tonan regarded himself as a person who could think from others’ points of view. He stood in Jiraiya’s current position and thought about it. But honestly speaking, he was still a bit helpless…
“Tonan, what are you worried about? Why are you shaking your head and sighing?” Fugaku said with concern. Tonan replied in a desolate tone, “I’m sighing, thinking about how naïve I was. I thought that Konoha’s top executives were good people. I never thought…”
Fugaku sighed in agreement and earnestly said, “It’s good that you can see it clearly now. In this world, only the clan members treat each other wholeheartedly.”
Tonan nodded, “In fact, I’ve always known this.”
Fugaku smiled slightly, “Sure enough, the Great Elder didn’t misjudge you. However, awakening the Mangekyo Sharingan because of the death of children you don’t know is enough to show that your heart is too kind. If you don’t change your character, you’ll suffer a lot.”
Tonan pursed his lips when he heard these words and nodded silently. Seeing this, Fugaku felt a little helpless in his heart. It seemed this child would not be able to change his character for a while.
At this moment, Uchiha Mikoto came to the living room with a half-year-old baby in one hand and a steaming teapot in her other hand.
“Mikoto, you’re here,” Fugaku took the teapot and filled the teacup for Tonan. Mikoto sat in seiza-style beside Fugaku and smiled, “I heard that Tonan-kun awakened Mangekyo, so I came to see him.”
“He is…” Tonan looked at the baby in Mikoto’s arms and asked. Mikoto smiled gently and replied, “This is my child. His name is Itachi.”
Tonan took a sip of the tea and said with a smile, “This child is very cute. May I hold him?”
“Of course, you may,” Mikoto handed Itachi over. Tonan put down the teacup and carefully took Itachi, coaxing him in his arm. With the experience of taking care of baby Hatake Kotoura, Tonan made baby Itachi giggle easily.
Fugaku looked at this and his eyes flashed inexplicably. He said with a smile, “It seems Itachi also likes Tonan very much.” Tonan nodded, “I’ve adopted a child. His name is Hatake Kotoura, and he is the same age as Itachi.”
Hearing this, Fugaku and Mikoto looked at each other quietly. Mikoto hastily raised the teapot and leaned over to Tonan, “Tonan-kun, if you like, why don’t you let Itachi be your student?”
“No problem,” Tonan replied casually as if he didn’t know the significance of apprenticeship. There was a hint of joy in the couple’s eyes and Mikoto happily said, “Really?”
“In that case, we thank you on Itachi’s behalf.” Fugaku saying this was tantamount to finalizing the matter. Unless Tonan was willing to offend him, Tonan could only accept Itachi. But Tonan could easily understand the couple’s mindset.
Just looking at his achievements and how he had already awakened the Mangekyo, Tonan would become the strongest powerhouse of the Uchiha clan in the future. As parents, everyone would want their children to have a good sensei and backing.
Tonan made a funny face at Itachi in his arms and said without raising his head, “No need to thank me. I can see that Itachi is very talented.”
Fugaku coughed lightly and took a sip of tea, “When do you think it’s better to hold the apprenticeship ceremony? We will also prepare for it.”
Tonan raised his head and frowned. He thought for a while and said, “I’ll be going out on a mission after some time. Let’s hold the apprenticeship ceremony when Itachi turns one year old.”
“That works very well too… no need to hurry… no need to hurry…” Fugaku was much more polite to Tonan than before. “You two can talk, I won’t disturb you any further,” Mikoto left the living room as if she had forgotten Itachi.
After the teatime, Fugaku saw that Tonan was still teasing Itachi but he had to talk about proper business. “Tonan-kun, the Great Elder had revealed some of your previous plans to me. But looking at today’s situation, it seems things have changed.”
Tonan hugged Itachi and raised his head, saying with a serious expression, “My relationship with Sarutobi Hiruzen has deteriorated. I guess he will not be willing to pass on Hokage’s position to me.”
Fugaku leaned forward slightly and asked in a low voice, “Then, what are your plans for the future? Do you want to walk the path using force?”
Tonan considered for a while and then shook his head, “I’m still young. I don’t have enough qualifications. And there’s still a lot of room for improvement in my strength. Everything else can be considered afterward. After all, Danzo-sama is on my side right now. I’m not in any immediate danger.”
Fugaku picked up the teapot and carefully poured the tea, “Do you want me to tell clan members about the past? There still are many people in the clan who don’t understand you…”
Tonan smiled slightly, “It’s not necessary. Unless it’s the time to use force, it’s not beneficial for me to let them know too much. Besides, it has been peaceful for so long already. War might break out at some point. At that time, as long as I’ve outstanding military exploits, it won’t be difficult to obtain Hokage’s position.”
Fugaku’s eyes lit up. He picked up the teacup and said, “That’s a good plan. It’s best to not use force and hurt the village’s foundation.”
After all, Fugaku’s principle was not using force to seize power. In his eyes, the practices of the Great Elder in the past were radical. But unexpectedly, Tonan who was secretly cultivated by the Great Elder had the same thoughts as him. He couldn’t help sighing in relief.
