Fleeing from Konoha

For the first time, I feel so mentally exhausted.

When Fugaku returned home, he was already drained— not just physically, but even more so, mentally.

Ever since the Uchiha Clan was relocated, there hasn’t been a single peaceful day in the clan.

Because they saw this as a sign of distrust from the village leadership; even though, on the surface, the Uchiha Clan’s territory had expanded, at its core, it was merely a precaution against them.

They were trying to pin the blame for the Nine-tailed attack on the Uchiha Clan.

Even if nothing was said outright, to outsiders they’d claim that it was the work of three S-rank renegade ninjas who’d long left Konoha, but moving the entire Uchiha Clan immediately after the incident— anyone could see something was off.

The expanded territory given to the Uchiha was just to shut them up.

Some clan members thought this was groundless paranoia— after all, with so many people, they did need a larger territory.

Plus, after the relocation, the Nankai Shrine was just inside the new borders, making it more convenient for clan meetings.

But other clan members believed the leadership suspected the Nine-tailed incident was actually an inside job between the Uchiha Clan and renegade ninjas.

The seeds of suspicion had already been planted, and pulling them out would not be easy.

As Clan Leader, Fugaku could only try to placate his people on one hand, and negotiate with the reinstated Third Hokage on the other.

The Third Hokage was still just like before, relentlessly showing support for the Uchiha— but it was exactly this that made Fugaku feel uneasy.

He feared the Third Hokage might also be wondering whether there was a spy among the Uchiha Clan.

But it wasn’t just the Third Hokage— Fugaku had his own doubts.

Because the Uchiha Ruri who defected was once a high-ranking member of the Uchiha, a central figure in the clan.

Before leaving, she might have planted some of her subordinates in the clan, leaking information at critical times— Fugaku couldn’t guarantee such things wouldn’t happen.

"But why is it only targeted at the Uchiha Clan?"

Yes, why is it only the Uchiha?

Fugaku didn’t think the Third Hokage’s suspicions were wrong— even he, the Clan Leader, couldn’t guarantee that before Uchiha Ruri left the village, she hadn’t planted anyone to monitor and deliver intel.

But the mistake was in treating them differently. If spies were the issue, then the Hyuga Clan could have the same problem.

Yet, everything for the Hyuga Clan remained unchanged; their days passed calmly.

Mistrust... The hard-won cooperation with the Third Hokage was, because of the Nine-tailed incident, once again ’strained’ between Uchiha and the village.

In the end, it was a leftover problem from history.

This issue had been around since more than thirty years ago, back when the Second Hokage was in power.

How to resolve something like this— that’s exactly what plagued Fugaku.

On the surface, the Uchiha appeared united, but from within and without, hidden dangers loomed. Even the Clan Leader’s voice grew weaker for some.

Although he knew he should’ve suppressed all of this earlier, Fugaku didn’t know how to handle it perfectly, without flaws.

Especially now, with Hidden Cloud eyeing them greedily. Supposedly, at Konoha’s garrison on the eastern border of the Land of Fire, clashes had already broken out.

Another war between the two villages was all but expected.

At the dinner table, Fugaku’s troubled look did not escape Itachi’s eyes.

In fact, lately, Fugaku had seemed more and more worried, and Itachi also knew what was troubling him.

"Dad, are you worrying about things in the clan?"

Itachi put down his bowl and asked.

Fugaku nodded.

"Is it because of that clan member, Uchiha Ruri?"

Itachi’s words caught Fugaku by surprise. He frowned and said:

"Itachi, these are matters you shouldn’t get involved in yet. First, focus on becoming an excellent ninja."

"Yes."

Itachi nodded obediently.

Though his father Fugaku refused to answer, Itachi still felt uneasy.

So, he decided to ask his new friend, Shisui.

Since Shisui was a full-fledged ninja in the clan, he would probably know more.

The next day, Itachi woke up early, brought his training ninja tools, and headed to the usual woods where he practiced.

About ten minutes later, just as the sky was starting to lighten, Shisui arrived to meet him.

Seeing Itachi already warming up, Shisui scratched the back of his head, giving a helpless smile:

"Itachi, at this rate, you’re going to turn into a training maniac."

He hadn’t even entered the Ninja School yet, and was already training harder than him, a full ninja. Shisui just didn’t know what to say.

Itachi was absolutely the most diligent child he’d ever met.

Plus, with that enviable talent of his, even actual Genin might have trouble defeating Itachi quickly.

If they underestimated him, Itachi might even win.

"I don’t want to lead a mediocre life. Time is the most precious treasure in this world."

Itachi answered calmly.

He needed power—strength to set this twisted world straight.

So, to Itachi, even the slightest bit of wasted time that could’ve been spent getting stronger was a loss.

"Really? Then what exactly are you so determined to become strong for? Or is it some dream?"