Konoha: Preparing to Defect, the System Arrives

Uchiha Naoki is only two years old.

Kakashi was already a genin by the age of five, and the Uchiha Clan's talent wasn't any weaker than his.

So, it's possible that Uchiha Naoki could reach genin level by the age of five.

Hmm...

If I think about it, a jonin challenging a genin sounds better than a jonin bullying a toddler.

Sure, both cases involve bullying the weak, but at least challenging a genin could be framed as teaching them about the harsh realities of the ninja world.

Right!

After figuring this out, Asuka glanced at Elder Mado out of the corner of his eye. He decided to wait three years and see what surprises this system had in store.

If Sasuke's system had landed on him, then it was his now.

"Lord Minato Namikaze, Lady Kushina Uzumaki, congratulations on your wedding!"

"Thank you, thank you."

"It's hard not to feel envious seeing the Hokage and his wife today. With such a capable partner, I'm sure Konoha's recovery will speed up even more."

"Peace in the ninja world is hard-won. Konoha won't initiate wars, and we must work together to maintain this peace."

"Hokage-sama, you must visit the Hyuga clan sometime to share your ninja experiences with the younger generation. That way, when they face battles in the future, they won't die in vain against other ninja villages."

"Of course, Clan Leader Hyuga. I'll make sure to visit each clan and share my combat knowledge."

...

Watching the Fourth Hokage and Kushina interact so politely with the guests, whether they were villagers or ninja from other villages, Asuka leaned back in his chair and muttered softly:

"This is what a power couple looks like.

But our Uchiha Clan, the so-called first family of Konoha, still insists on marrying within the clan.

Clan Leader Fugaku is so narrow-minded. Why doesn't he think about the clan's future, get a divorce quickly, and pursue a woman from the once-great Senju Clan?"

Clatter!

Itachi dropped his chopsticks for some reason. Asuka handed him his own pair and said:

"Keep eating. I wasn't talking about Fugaku-san."

"I heard everything."

"Well, since you heard it, what do you think of my plan to unite the Uchiha and Senju Clans?

And since the Senju Clan only has one remaining member, the only Uchiha qualified to marry Princess Tsunade is Clan Leader Fugaku. If he doesn't get divorced, who will?"

Hearing this plan, Itachi immediately shook his head, looking completely opposed to the idea.

A while back, he overheard someone discussing this proposal while shopping with his mother. It had given him a minor heart attack, and his mother had nearly put on her combat gear to beat up the person who suggested it.

Logically, the plan seemed fine, but clearly, no one had considered the opinions of Fugaku's wife, Tsunade, or even Itachi himself.

Most importantly, neither clan would likely agree to this.

Seeing Itachi remain silent, Asuka pulled out the Fire Will textbook from his beginner's package, flipped through it, and began to read softly:

"When I was in ninja school, my teacher told me that Konoha is one big family, and we are all part of it.

We shouldn't look at things only from our clan's perspective, nor should we have a narrow view of problems.

More often than not, we need to consider issues from the village's point of view."

Ignoring Elder Mado's look of disdain, Asuka casually ripped off the cover of the Fire Will book, crumpled it, and stuffed it into his pocket. He continued:

"We can only resolve external conflicts after addressing internal ones."

Then, Asuka closed the book, stood up, and dragged Itachi to a quiet corner. He squatted so Itachi wouldn't have to crane his neck.

Looking toward the wedding scene, Asuka focused back on Itachi and praised him:

"You're a genius. You're wise, rational, and a deep thinker. Fugaku-san often brags about you.

Even though you're only four, I hope you can start thinking about issues from the Hokage's perspective. Don't let the boundaries of the Uchiha Clan or the village limit your views."

"Think about it carefully. Try to see it from the Hokage's point of view."

"Also, if your father divorces but fails to marry Princess Tsunade, he can always remarry your mother later. That way, you can get back the 200,000 ryo—or maybe even make a profit.

There's no loss either way."

He ended with an encouraging look.

Asuka wasn't worried about being seen as a bad influence on the clan leader's son. Everything he said was based on the Fire Will lessons taught in ninja school—a pure Konoha ideology.

Besides, Itachi had already been influenced by Shisui and had started thinking from the village's perspective.

If that's the case, why not let him think about his dad's divorce and remarriage too?

Watching Asuka walk away, Itachi sat on the grass, plucking blades of grass while thinking about what had just been said.

As the son of the clan leader, he knew quite a bit about internal clan matters.

The Uchiha Clan, co-founders of Konoha alongside the Senju Clan, had missed the Hokage seat four times in a row. This had caused a lot of dissatisfaction within the clan.

At the last clan meeting, the elders even fought over this issue. If tensions kept building, a conflict between the Uchiha and the village seemed inevitable.

And the simplest solution to this problem?

An Uchiha becoming Hokage.

Shisui had mentioned before that it was very hard for the Uchiha Clan to produce a Hokage—not just because of emotional issues within the clan but also due to external factors.

However, if the Uchiha Clan could marry Princess Tsunade, everything would be different.

As the granddaughter of the First and Second Hokage, the student of the Third, and the senior to the Fourth, Tsunade's status was unquestionable. Any child born between her and the Uchiha Clan would be the perfect heir to the Hokage title.

Hmm...

Thinking about this, Itachi glanced at the banquet table where his parents were sitting, looking happy and affectionate. His mind grew even more conflicted.

Convincing his parents to divorce—disrespectful but beneficial to the clan and village.

Not convincing them—respectful but possibly harmful to the village in the future.

Why did it have to be his father? Was it just because he was the clan leader and had to make sacrifices for the greater good?

As the banquet wound down, the Uchiha Clan Leader and his wife finished chatting with the Fourth Hokage and his wife and prepared to leave.

Uchiha Mikoto glanced around the hall. She noticed a few elderly women packing up leftovers, which made her think of her own grandmother. When Mikoto was a child and missed a wedding due to illness, her grandmother had brought her leftovers from the event.

As Mikoto reminisced, she noticed a child in the corner packing up leftover food. She smiled unconsciously.

Even though her life was different now, she still remembered how those leftovers tasted.

Suddenly, the child looked up, and Mikoto froze when she saw the familiar face.

Blinking in disbelief, she abandoned Fugaku and walked over to the table where Itachi was busy packing leftovers. She asked softly:

"Itachi, what are you doing?"

"Mother!"

Hearing her voice, Itachi looked up and shook the plastic bag in his hand, showing her the leftovers inside.

"Someone said the clan's finances are tight and our income and expenses are out of balance. Since I can't help increase income, I should focus on saving money.

He also said that after the Second Shinobi War, the village faced financial struggles too. At weddings, villagers used to take leftovers home to reheat and fill their stomachs.

And he said you grew up during that time, so you'd understand."

Mikoto's smile froze. She had thought Itachi was packing food for the stray cats in the clan grounds.

But now... he actually planned to bring it home and eat it?

Although it did taste good...

Taking a deep breath, Mikoto crouched down and patted Itachi's head, speaking gently:

"It was like that back then, but things are much better now.

Also, you packed too much. We won't be able to finish it."

"No!"

Itachi shook his head, put the bag on the ground, and started counting on his fingers.

"Because you and Father married early, you didn't know Lady Kushina yet, so she didn't give a wedding gift back then.

But today, you gave 200,000 ryo as a gift. Even if Kushina returns 200,000 ryo at my wedding, and then I give it back when her child gets married, we'll still be down 200,000 ryo.

Unless..."

Mikoto's heart skipped a beat. She forced herself to stay calm and looked at her son, who seemed deeply conflicted. She softened her voice and asked:

"Unless what?"

Itachi sniffed and finally made up his mind.

Village > Clan > Family.

Even though pushing for his parents' divorce seemed logical, bringing it up directly might earn him a beating. He needed to ease into the topic and test his mother's reaction first.

Standing at a crossroads, much like he would on the night of the Uchiha massacre years later, Itachi chose to sacrifice personal feelings for the greater good.

After deciding, he stepped closer, hugged his mother, and rested his head on her shoulder. Trying to sound innocent, he said:

"Unless Father and Mother get divorced and then remarry. That way, we won't lose any money.

We could even donate part of the money to the orphanage and use the rest to improve the lives of the clan's widows and orphans."

Mikoto's face froze. She stared at her son and suddenly felt that enrolling him in school earlier might not be such a bad idea. At least with a formal education, he wouldn't suggest things like divorcing and remarrying just to save money.

This fool must have been influenced by someone.

"Who told you that?"

Hearing the icy tone in her voice, Itachi felt nervous. Without thinking, he immediately sold Asuka out.

"It was the one who tried to convince Father to divorce last time."

"Uchiha Asuka."

Carrying Itachi, Mikoto turned toward the Uchiha district, her lips pressed so tightly that they lost color.

That guy had to be crazy. Why did he keep trying to get Fugaku to divorce her?