54 Chapter 54
Watching Shisui leave, Kaito could only sigh helplessly.
He had originally intended to go out and resolve this trouble himself, as he had promised Shisui that he could take over such matters.
Of course, this also included Kaito's desire to teach Itachi a lesson.
Even if Itachi hadn't yet committed any unforgivable act, Kaito had indeed been living in the shadow of his predestined actions, fraught with worry for fifteen years.
In those fifteen years, he had considered 'brainwashing' Itachi, but alas, the boy was the clan leader's son, and he couldn't possibly approach him casually.
When he finally got the chance, he only subtly expressed some of his thoughts, only to have the kid ignore him.
Shisui was slightly better. He had grown up with Kaito, but back then, Kaito was too young, and there were some things he dared not say casually.
Especially those related to political stances, he was afraid that if he said them, Shisui might turn around and tell the elders, bringing trouble upon himself.
Things have to be done step by step. Hoping for immediate success is impossible, so he always planned to express some of his positions first.
The difference between Shisui and Itachi is that, although the positions Kaito expressed conflicted somewhat with Shisui's, Shisui could agree to disagree on some subtle points that he didn't fully agree with.
Therefore, Shisui could accept Kaito, and their relationship had always been pretty good. Perhaps that's the difference between Shisui and Itachi.
Shaking his head, Kaito turned to look at Uchiha Fugaku and continued, "Although there have been some unexpected incidents, I believe Shisui can handle these troubles."
"Yes, Shisui can solve problems," Uchiha Fugaku sighed and nodded, "Let's continue the meeting. Please proceed, Mr. Kaito, I really want to see just how unfit I am in your eyes."
"Clan Leader Fugaku, your inadequacy lies in your inability to grasp reality, in your compromises, and in your indecisiveness."
Kaito continued to look at Uchiha Fugaku, speaking calmly.
"The most important thing for a clan leader is to understand reality. I wonder, Clan Leader Fugaku, do you still remember your decision on the night of the Nine-Tails?"
The Night of the Nine-Tails was undeniably a turning point for the worsening situation of the Uchiha clan. No one could deny that.
And those who were involved in that night all remember one thing: Uchiha Fugaku ultimately heeded the command of an elder and halted all support actions.
Many people had questioned this decision, but according to Uchiha Fugaku's explanation, it was the Third Hokage's command, a way to dispel suspicions of them controlling the Nine-Tails.
Kaito had brought this up again today, which seemed a bit strange to them, and Uchiha Fugaku was also puzzled.
"Mr. Kaito, that was the Third Hokage's command, I..." Uchiha Fugaku began, only to be interrupted by Kaito.
"No, Clan Leader Fugaku, it's not necessarily the case that this was arranged by the Third Hokage."
Kaito shook his head slightly, his expression serious.
"Do you still remember, the situation was so dire at the time, the Third Hokage was already combating the Nine-Tails at the front line.
With the Nine-Tails being so dangerous, how could he have time to issue such an order? Moreover, any additional force could increase the possibility of defeating the Nine-Tails.
You might argue that the Uchiha were suspected of controlling the Nine-Tails, but in fact, only by directly confronting the Nine-Tails could we best clear ourselves of suspicion!"
Kaito's words left Uchiha Fugaku gaping, but in the end, he didn't say a word, and Kaito didn't stop there.
"Moreover, even if we assume that it was the Third Hokage's order, I have a question for Clan Leader Fugaku.
Eight years ago, who was the Hokage of Konoha, was it the Third, Hiruzen Sarutobi, or was it the Fourth, Minato Namikaze?"
Kaito's question completely changed Uchiha Fugaku's complexion, and everyone else present also had subtle changes in their expressions.
Indeed, whether the order for them, the Uchiha, to stand down was given by Hiruzen Sarutobi or not, the key issue was: who was the Hokage at the time!
"Clan Leader Fugaku, because you failed to understand reality, the clan missed the best opportunity to prove itself.
And the chain reaction to this incident was that after the Nine-Tails incident, when the village was divided into sectors for rebuilding, we were shamelessly driven to more remote areas.
The reason is simple: we did not prove ourselves innocent of suspicion, and you, Clan Leader, made another mistake on this matter.
You chose to compromise, you chose to accept all this, you didn't choose to reject it all with a firm attitude, you have practically admitted to everything!"
Kaito's words were like a sharp sword thrust mercilessly into everyone's hearts. At this moment, their gazes involuntarily turned to Uchiha Fugaku.
Even Uchiha Fugaku's most steadfast supporters were now looking at their clan leader at this moment.
Uchiha Fugaku clenched his fists. The struggle and pain in his heart were visible, yet he didn't voice any refutation.
He didn't know how to refute. Moreover, as he listened to Kaito and thought about his past actions, he realized that it seemed that Kaito was indeed correct!
"As for your indecisiveness..."
Kaito looked at Uchiha Fugaku and sighed. His tone was no longer as harsh.
"The situation outside the clan has evolved to this point, but within the clan, you've never thought about unifying everyone's ideas and correcting the wrong trends within the family.
The spirits are too compromising, and the peace they compromise to obtain, as you have shown us, will inevitably end in destruction.
On the other hand, the bloods are too tough. They don't have a correct target, only insisting on regaining the glory of the Uchiha.
Does this mean, then, that the Uchiha are to make enemies with the entire Konoha?
The Konoha is vast and houses many ninja clans. As a single Uchiha clan, what do we have to fight against the whole Konoha?
The Hyuga, Ino-Shika-Cho, Inuzuka, Yamanaka, and other clans such as Akimichi, as well as the vast number of civilian ninjas — can we, the Uchiha, truly go against the entire Konoha?"
"Are you still Uchiha Madara, our clan leader? Others can wear us down, but you let such ideas grow!
You've never thought about integrating clan ideas, but rather balancing the people from the two factions.
And your approach makes clanspeople from both factions believe that they are the ones in the right, causing continual internal strife within the family.
Each clan meeting is like a food market, without a suitable, concrete plan to solve any problems.
The clanspeople do not have a clear and correct goal, they don't even know what they truly want. This is the change that you, as a clan leader, have brought to the Uchiha!"
Upon saying this, Kaito paused slightly. He looked at Uchiha Fugaku with utmost seriousness, and after a long time, he asked in a soft voice,
"Clan leader Fugaku, you really are not a qualified clan leader!"
//
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