Hokage's office.
Seeing Uchiha Fugaku arrive, the Third Hokage's face darkened, and the murderous intent in his heart surged, barely concealed.
Facing the man who had killed his son, even with all his cunning, he struggled to suppress his emotions.
"Hokage-sama, are you feeling unwell? You should take care of your health as you get older."
Seeing the Third Hokage's barely restrained anger, Uchiha Fugaku expressed his "concern."
"…"
Hearing Uchiha Fugaku's mocking words, the Third Hokage glared at him with fury.
Arrogant, too arrogant!
He had killed Asuma Sarutobi, yet he still had the audacity to mock him like this.
He had been Hokage for decades, and no one had ever dared to behave so arrogantly before him.
After taking several deep breaths, he asked in a cold voice.
"What brings you here?"
"Not long ago, I encountered a Wood Release Kekkei Genkai user..."
Uchiha Fugaku recounted his encounter with the Wood Release user.
Of course, he only spoke of the details that could be shared. He did not mention that Uchiha Obito had suspected him of being an imposter.
However, he was not concerned about Uchiha Obito spreading the truth.
Given Uchiha Obito's identity, even if he tried to reveal the information, no one would believe him.
"A Wood Release Kekkei Genkai user..."
Hearing this, even the furious Third Hokage momentarily calmed down.
A Wood Release user—the bane of Konoha.
In total, more than a dozen of Konoha's elite jonin had fallen at the hands of this individual.
"You fought off the Wood Release user?"
He asked in a deep voice.
Before Uchiha Fugaku had arrived, an Anbu ninja had already reported that Fugaku had defeated the Wood Release Kekkei Genkai user.
He was skeptical. Even if Uchiha Fugaku had awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan, it was unlikely he could defeat a Wood Release user.
After all, the Wood Release user also possessed the Mangekyō Sharingan and had inherited the Wood Release abilities of the First Hokage.
His assumption had been that Uchiha Fugaku merely located the Wood Release user and called upon the village's forces to besiege him.
Faced with overwhelming numbers, the Wood Release user had likely chosen to retreat.
"Yes, I fought the Wood Release user and defeated him."
Uchiha Fugaku nodded.
"…"
The Third Hokage's expression grew solemn, not because of the Wood Release user—but because of Uchiha Fugaku.
Even the Wood Release Kekkei Genkai user had been defeated by Uchiha Fugaku. This meant that his strength was beyond what the Third Hokage had imagined.
It was now almost certain that the Crow Squad, led by Uchiha Shisui, had not been wiped out by some unknown enemy. They had been annihilated by Uchiha Fugaku.
After a long silence, the Third Hokage finally spoke.
"Patriarch Fugaku, you did well."
His voice carried a barely suppressed hatred. Though he despised him, he had no choice but to acknowledge his "contribution" to the village.
"This is my duty, Hokage-sama. I will take my leave now."
Uchiha Fugaku spoke respectfully, but his tone held no real reverence.
Without waiting for a response, he left the office.
Having already severed ties with the Third Hokage, he cared little for his opinion.
After he left, the Third Hokage's expression turned even darker.
Uchiha Fugaku had defeated a Wood Release user—an individual Konoha had considered a grave threat—yet he felt no joy at all.
The Wood Release user was his enemy.
But so was Uchiha Fugaku.
Now that Uchiha Fugaku possessed the power to defeat a Wood Release Kekkei Genkai user, the Third Hokage felt nothing but deep concern.
With the strength Uchiha Fugaku had displayed, even if he mobilized all the Anbu captains, they would likely be no match for him.
How could he eliminate such a powerful enemy?
If this were during the Shinobi World War, Uchiha Fugaku could have been sent to a dangerous front line and disposed of using enemy forces.
But this was not wartime, and that opportunity did not exist.
…
"Fugaku, people are saying you have the Mangekyō Sharingan and that you defeated a Wood Release Kekkei Genkai user. Is that true?"
As soon as Uchiha Fugaku returned home, Uchiha Mikoto asked in shock.
Beside her, Sasuke's large, round eyes shone with curiosity and excitement.
He didn't fully understand what the Mangekyō Sharingan was or what kind of power it held.
But he could clearly see the admiration everyone had for his father.
It made him proud.
"Yes, it's true."
Uchiha Fugaku nodded.
Hearing his confirmation, Uchiha Mikoto's face lit up with joy and excitement.
After a moment, she calmed herself and asked curiously.
"When did you awaken it?"
"Ten years ago. I awakened it during the Shinobi World War."
"However, given the Uchiha clan's position in Konoha, I chose not to reveal it. I'm sorry for keeping it from you all these years."
Uchiha Fugaku said apologetically.
The real reason he had hidden it was to prevent Uchiha Itachi—who was aligned with the Hokage—from discovering it.
However, after the ambush by Uchiha Shisui, his strength had been exposed, making it unnecessary to hide anymore.
"It's okay. I understand our clan's situation."
Uchiha Mikoto shook her head in understanding.
The Uchiha clan was already under scrutiny by the Third Hokage. If Uchiha Fugaku, the clan head, revealed his Mangekyō Sharingan, it would have only worsened their predicament.
As the patriarch, he had hidden his abilities for the sake of the clan. She understood and respected that.
Then, she frowned slightly, a trace of worry crossing her face.
"Now that you've revealed your Mangekyō Sharingan, the Third Hokage will be even more wary of the Uchiha clan."
"Don't worry. The reason I chose to reveal my power now is that the Uchiha clan has grown strong enough not to fear the Third Hokage anymore. There's no need to keep lying low."
Uchiha Fugaku smiled confidently.
"That's reassuring."
Uchiha Mikoto sighed in relief.
"Father, Mother, is the Mangekyō Sharingan really that powerful?"
Sasuke's voice rang out.
"Of course. It is the Uchiha clan's greatest bloodline power."
Uchiha Mikoto bent down, gently touching Sasuke's cheek, her voice filled with pride.
"Father is amazing!"
Sasuke beamed with excitement before looking up at Uchiha Fugaku with anticipation.
"Father, can I awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan too?"
"Of course. My son, Uchiha Fugaku's child, naturally has that potential."
Uchiha Fugaku laughed.
In the future, Uchiha Sasuke would not only awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan but also evolve it into the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan—and perhaps even the Rinnegan.
(End of this chapter)