"In this Third Shinobi World War, your Uchiha clan didn't hold back, nor did you defy the Hokage's orders in secret. In the eyes of Konoha's higher-ups, you're still salvageable. As long as you don't court death, maintaining the facade of Konoha's number one clan shouldn't be a problem."
"The Third Shinobi World War concerns the life and death of the entire Konoha. Although we Uchiha are arrogant, we understand the principle of 'if the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold.' Protecting Konoha is our Uchiha's duty."
"I don't doubt that at the moment," Qi Feng nodded.
"At the moment?" Uchiha Fugaku was taken aback.
"Alright, Clan Head Fugaku, we can be considered comrades who fought together on the battlefield. You didn't call me here today to listen to these unpleasant words, did you? I don't like talking in circles. If you have something to say, you better say it sooner rather than later."
Qi Feng didn't answer immediately.
The real trigger that pushed the Uchiha clan towards destruction was the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox incident.
Now that Konoha's external troubles haven't been resolved, the Uchiha's power is not small. Konoha won't and doesn't dare to act rashly.
Then, he saw Uchiha Fugaku actually prostrating on the ground, his attitude extremely sincere, pleading, "I want to ask Lord Hizashi to take Itachi as a student. He is a genius of our Uchiha clan, his talent will definitely not be weaker than Shisui, and he may even be the future of our Uchiha!"
Qi Feng raised an eyebrow, looking at Uchiha Fugaku prostrating on the ground, feeling somewhat surprised in his heart.
No wonder Uchiha Fugaku was able to become the new clan head of the Uchiha.
He didn't immediately agree, asking, "Why choose me? Shouldn't you be looking for Minato at this time? Oh—"
Suddenly, he seemed to have thought of something.
Putting aside whether Minato would agree, Hiruzen Sarutobi and Konoha's other higher-ups wouldn't agree.
Uchiha Obito was fine because he had the least Uchiha markings on him, being a descendant of Uchiha Kagami, so it didn't matter. But it was impossible for someone like Uchiha Itachi, the son of the Uchiha clan head.
However, the Uchiha clan still showed goodwill to Minato Namikaze.
Kakashi obtained Obito's Sharingan. Although many Uchiha clan members strongly opposed it, Uchiha Fugaku suppressed these voices, giving Minato some face.
Otherwise, there's no way Kakashi would have been able to keep Obito's eyes.
And Uchiha Shisui was also a descendant of Uchiha Kagami, influenced by Uchiha Kagami, and was taken as a student by Qi Feng. In the eyes of Hiruzen Sarutobi and these Konoha higher-ups, Shisui was one of their own.
"As long as Lord Hizashi can agree, our Uchiha will be your most steadfast ally in the future, whether it's defeating Danzo to compete for the Root, or... competing for the Hokage position!"
Uchiha Fugaku, with his head lowered, his eyes flickering.
He was gambling!
Chapter 196 A Small Favor (4000 words)
"I have no interest in the Hokage position," Qi Feng waved his hand indifferently. "However, I can take Itachi as a disciple."
Uchiha Fugaku, who was about to say something, immediately beamed with joy upon hearing the latter sentence.
Although Uchiha Shisui was already Qi Feng's student, with this relationship, the Uchiha weren't without a chance to build a good relationship with Qi Feng.
But just like most people thought, Uchiha Shisui ultimately couldn't represent most of the Uchiha clan members.
Moreover, from Uchiha Fugaku's selfish perspective, the benefits of Itachi becoming Qi Feng's disciple were obviously greater than the benefits of Shisui becoming Qi Feng's disciple.
This was one of Konoha's twin stars.
In the future, he would definitely be a person of power in Konoha. This could be referenced from the Sannin back then.
And the strength that Qi Feng displayed on the battlefield was genuine.
Whether it was killing the Cloud Shinobi Kage Assistant Toroi, killing the Two-Tails, annihilating the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, or the recent killing of the Third Mizukage and the Three-Tails, each of these feats would be enough to make someone famous and be valued by Konoha if they could accomplish just one of them.
Not to mention Qi Feng, who had accomplished them all.
If Minato Namikaze wasn't equally dazzling, if Qi Feng didn't aspire to be Hokage, if not...
Who the Hokage position ultimately belonged to was still up for debate.
But even so, it didn't prevent the Uchiha clan from betting on him. The Uchiha could only try to get closer to him.
The Hokage lineage mostly rejected the Uchiha clan. Although Minato Namikaze's attitude was unknown, the only connection between the Uchiha and Minato Namikaze, Obito, was dead. The only one they could get close to was Qi Feng.
The Uchiha knew they couldn't truly become one of Konoha's higher-ups, but Uchiha Fugaku saw the current situation of the Uchiha clan and could only use this method in hopes of slightly alleviating the conflict between the Uchiha and Konoha's higher-ups.
He breathed a long sigh of relief in his heart.
Uchiha Fugaku also knew one thing, and that was that among Konoha's higher-ups, the one who truly disliked them Uchiha wasn't Hiruzen Sarutobi, but the Root leader, Danzo.
Now that Qi Feng had been pushed out by Hiruzen Sarutobi to confront Danzo, then they naturally had to stand on Qi Feng's side.
It would be best to kill Danzo.
Even if they couldn't kill him, as long as he didn't have the energy or ability to deal with the Uchiha, that would be acceptable.
"But I have a condition," Qi Feng suddenly said again.
Uchiha Fugaku raised his head, straightened his posture, "Please speak, Lord Hizashi."
Although Uchiha Fugaku was older and more experienced than Qi Feng, ninjas didn't only value age and experience. Strength was the most important thing, so he gave Qi Feng enough respect and corrected his attitude.
It was their Uchiha who were asking for help, so it was naturally impossible for them to act like they were the kings of heaven.
Moreover, the tree in Uchiha Fugaku's heart, the tree between A and C, had already been planted a long time ago.
"Since I've taken Itachi, and also taken Shisui, then I absolutely can't mislead my disciples. They are both members of your Uchiha clan, so I need a copy of the most detailed information possible about the Sharingan, as well as the content of its techniques," Qi Feng squinted his eyes.
This condition was relatively harsh.
It was no exaggeration to say that this had already touched the very foundation of the Uchiha clan.
It should be known that what the Uchiha clan relied on was the Sharingan, as well as the various abilities and dōjutsu of the Sharingan. If all of these were handed over, then the Uchiha clan would have no secrets at all to Qi Feng.
As expected, Uchiha Fugaku's expression darkened upon hearing this condition.
Qi Feng didn't show anything, still looking at him with a smile, picking up his teacup and taking a light sip.
He didn't actually care about the Uchiha's Sharingan information and techniques. His understanding of the Sharingan was several streets ahead of Uchiha Fugaku. What he wanted was just an attitude.
You say you're standing on my side, and that's it?
Without paying a price, why should I believe you?
Uchiha Fugaku had a sullen face, his heart fighting a battle between heaven and man. In the end, the determination to make a desperate gamble exceeded reason.
He could already foresee that if the Uchiha didn't make a change, the Uchiha would probably really be in danger.
He nodded heavily, "Alright! I will have someone sort it out in the next few days and send it to you, Lord Hizashi!"
