Fugaku has gone mad; he's going to create a new Uchiha clan in Kirigakure.

"How is that possible?"

Danzo Shimura stared blankly at the man in front of him.

His Sharingan clearly "saw" it!

Although the amount of chakra was not as much as in his prime, it was still far beyond what a clone could possess!

More importantly, the "quality" of that chakra is uniquely filled with a fiery life force, which is something that no one else can imitate!

Danzo slowly lowered his head.

He saw a piece of pitch-black, strangely shaped blade. The blade was not smooth metal; its surface seemed to have a viscous, slowly wriggling black slurry flowing on it.

Isn't that the huge weapon?

It's just shrunk by several times...

"When? I mean..."

"I started making plans the moment I learned you were heading towards the East Coast Market..."

"but..."

"You mean the matter of clones, right?"

Fugaku Uchiha said with a smile.

"Logically speaking, it's foolish for a ninja to explain information to the enemy, but I really need you to listen."

"The weapon in my hand is called the Blade of the Underworld. After it is summoned through the third stage of Susanoo, it can exist indefinitely and become a weapon that can be summoned. It has many interesting characteristics."

"for example..."

"It can temporarily 'hide' inside someone's body, or even inside a clone. The 'original body' you see is just a clone hiding this weapon..."

"For example, it can devour the enemy's chakra..."

"Of course, I know that your Reverse Four Symbols Seal is an independent seal with its own chakra, and... it is triggered instantly upon death (Note 1: Please refer to the author's words)."

"Therefore, the third characteristic of my weapon is that anyone infected by it will be imprisoned. During this time, no ninjutsu, even pre-set techniques, even secret techniques like Izanagi, can be activated until it has fully taken effect..."

"As expected, they've been planning this for a long time..."

"You even know my trump card..."

"Could it be that you have people within Konoha's Root or Anbu?"

"And most importantly, I orchestrated the Uchiha clan massacre and even used Izanagi, yet you didn't kill me?"

From Fugaku Uchiha's words, Danzo Shimura easily deduced that the man before him didn't seem to want to kill him for the time being. Furthermore, he realized that everything was indeed as Fugaku Uchiha had said; his body was imprisoned by the mud, as if stuck at a critical moment between life and death...

Naturally, he quickly regained the composure of "Konoha's Darkness" from his initial shock and despair. Having experienced two Shinobi World Wars and countless brushes with death, he had long been accustomed to thinking in desperate situations.

"As expected of the Dark Side of Konoha, even at a time like this, you haven't forgotten to gather intelligence. However, there's some information I can tell you, and some I'll leave out. As for killing you, why would I want to kill you?"

"You don't hate me?"

"To say I don't hate them would be a lie..."

Acting requires a full performance. As a transmigrator, he naturally didn't have any particular hatred to speak of. However, having inherited this identity and this name, he had to do the corresponding things. So, he slightly turned his wrist, and the black blade stirred inside Danzo's chest cavity.

Danzo groaned, cold sweat beading on his forehead, but his eyes remained fixed on Fugaku's face.

"You inherited Tobirama Senju's policies, the policies of that old white cat, to suppress the Uchiha clan. You used the two Shinobi World Wars to gouge out the eyes of the Uchiha clan. You and Hiruzen Sarutobi brainwashed Shisui and Itachi Uchiha, intending for them to exterminate our Uchiha clan!"

"However, Lord Danzo, only children talk about quick revenge. Mature adults only talk about interests. As the clan leader, I am responsible for the future of the hundreds of people behind me. And for me, you are much more useful alive than dead. So, naturally, I will not kill you..."

"Heh, you want to use me as a bargaining chip with Hiruzen?"

Danzo Shimura sneered. Even with a black blade piercing his chest and his life hanging by a thread, he continued to analyze and calculate—it was an instinct etched into his very bones.

"It's not just you."

Fugaku Uchiha's voice was soft, yet it reached Danzo's ears clearly.

"And those ninjas outside, they are actually still alive."

"What?"

"Those clay figurines are just shells; their lives are temporarily sealed away."

Fugaku spoke slowly.

"The fourth characteristic of the Blade of the Underworld is that it can choose to devour only chakra without devouring life."

Danzo remained silent for a full three seconds.

"Why? If that's truly what you think, that you can abandon hatred for your people, why didn't you surrender in the first place?"

"If I had surrendered back then, would you still be asking me this?"

"What do you mean?"

"It means..."

Fugaku slowly drew out the black blade, the mud on the blade wriggling like a living thing, but not much blood came out with it.

"Peace will survive if we seek it through struggle, but it will perish if we seek it through compromise."

His voice echoed in the wind.

"Peace cannot rely on charity; otherwise, today's peace would simply be because 'I don't want to fight you.'"

...

"Um...Fugaku, are you alright?"

Just then, a cautious voice came from the side.

Mei Terumi, who had been standing not far away, unsure whether to stay or leave, finally mustered up the courage to come over.

It wasn't out of shyness, but embarrassment; her behavior just now was simply that of a madwoman.

You ask her, does she really love Uchiha Fugaku that much?

not necessarily.

They had only met once and known each other for a day.

Her anger at the time was more of an outburst at her seemingly cursed fate. All she wanted was to get married. Was that illegal?

However, it turned out that they were just using a tactic.

Then what is she?

He's just a clown...

"Heh, I'm fine."

Fugaku turned to look at her, his gaze softening.

"I'm just a little tired and need someone to lean on."

Mei Terumi's face flushed bright red instantly.

"You...you..."

She stammered, but her body betrayed her as she leaned closer to support Fugaku Uchiha. As a Kage-level shinobi, she immediately sensed that Fugaku's body had reached its limit...

"No need to look, Misaka isn't here."

Mei Terumi was looking around furtively, as if she were a thief.

Fugaku said softly, leaning against her soft body.

"Huh? I...I didn't...I didn't..."

"puff..."

Fugaku couldn't help but laugh.

"I couldn't lie to her, otherwise she might go even crazier than you, which would affect my plans, so I told her the truth. But years of being a housewife had made her forget most of her ninja abilities, and her acting skills weren't up to par, so I had her hide."

He paused, glanced at Danzo, and then looked at the Konoha ninjas in the distance who were still in the "mud puppet" state.

"It's a pity I didn't foresee you, otherwise my people might have gained a few more pairs of eyes, or even, with good luck, a pair of kaleidoscopes or something..."

His tone carried a hint of regret, but more than that, it was one of relief.

"sorry."

"No, I'm actually happier this way, really."

"Fugaku said softly."

"After all, having a woman who loves me is more important than a pair of kaleidoscopes, isn't it?"

"Pfft—"

His entire face instantly transformed into the front of a steam locomotive.

This wasn't a metaphor, but a fact. Tiny, milky-white steam rose from her cheeks, ears, and even the tips of her hair, raising the temperature of the surrounding air by several degrees—this was her boiling point...

"You two."

However, at that moment, a cold voice interrupted.

Danzo Shimura's face was as black as the bottom of a pot—no, even blacker than the bottom of a pot. Even when a thousand ninjas had "died" earlier, his face wasn't this black. He stared intently at the man and woman who were openly "flirting" in front of him, his eyes blazing with fury.

"You're being all lovey-dovey in front of me, as if I don't exist?"

His voice was squeezed out from between his teeth.

Having lived for nearly fifty years, experienced two Ninja World Wars, and witnessed countless storms, this is absolutely the first time in my life that I have been stabbed with a knife and forced to watch my opponent talk about love.

What a shame!

Outrageous!

It's unbearable to repair!

"How could that be?"

Fugaku turned his head, a half-smile on his face.

"You're also part of our play."

Danzo Shimura: "???"

Mei Terumi: "!!!"

Fugaku tore off the bandage on Danzo's right arm.

Above, there were three Sharingan eyes in total. Two had permanently closed, and only one was still spinning...

"Pfft!!"

His fingers were covered with vital chakra from within his body; though it was running low, it was still enough to protect his eye.

He paused, then turned to look at Mei Terumi, who was still steaming beside him.

"deep."

"Uh-huh?"

Mei Terumi had not yet fully recovered from the shock she had just experienced.

"Since we're getting married, I'll give you a betrothal gift."

"Oh, this..."

Mei Terumi once again transformed into a steam engine. Having been single since birth, she had never experienced anything like this before. Delivering betrothal gifts on the battlefield made her feel like she was about to faint.

But then, at that very moment...

A voice interrupted again, cold and tinged with mockery.

"My right eye is the Mangekyou Sharingan from the Uchiha clan, containing the strongest genjutsu in history..."

"Farewell My God".

Fugaku Uchiha continued Danzo Shimura's words.

"As expected, you knew this too."

Shimura Danzo took a deep breath. He couldn't see through the man in front of him anymore. How did he know such confidential information? Could it be related to his other eye?

"But since you know, why don't you give it to her as an engagement gift?"

With a cold laugh, Danzo said, a hint of smugness in his expression. Anyone who dares to talk about love in front of him, the Dark Lord of Konoha, should be prepared to be sown apart.

"I'm happy with whatever he gives me, you old fool! Besides, it's his spoils; he can give it to whomever he wants. Why would I care about such things!"

"Ha, women."

Danzo sneered, looking at Mei Terumi as if she were a country woman.

"I may not have explained it in enough detail. Listen carefully, the strongest genjutsu, Kotoamatsukami, it... can silently and permanently change a person's will! Now, do you... still think that way?"

Change...will?

These words were like a silent thunderclap splitting the curtain of rain.

Not to mention Mei Terumi, who was right next to them, even the Hidden Mist Village and Uchiha ninjas around them fell into a deathly silence.

For ninjas who walk on the edge of a knife and value intelligence and mental fortitude, the terror contained in these few words might be more terrifying than that of the chakra giant from before. After all, that one could be seen, touched, and even if you couldn't defeat it, you could still run away.

But what about this so-called Kotoamatsukami?

You might not even know you've been infected...

Having said that, Danzo stared intently at Mei Terumi. He repeated his earlier statement: he was already a prisoner, everything was now their spoils, and even Kotoamatsukami would fall into enemy hands. Exploiting human greed to orchestrate this divisive scheme was the best solution at the moment...

Therefore, he wanted to see greed, desire, or even inner turmoil in Mei Terumi's eyes...

Given his understanding of human nature, and as the representative of the Hidden Mist Ninja Alliance, if she wavered, then the fate of the Uchiha clan would already be sealed.

But...

What kind of look is that?

hatred?

She even wanted to kill herself!

After a long while, Mei Terumi gritted her teeth and looked at Fugaku Uchiha as if she wanted to devour someone alive.

Fugaku Uchiha smiled and shook his head.

Neither of them spoke, but the meaning was already conveyed.

Then, he turned his head and looked at Danzo who was imprisoned again, his gaze falling on the Sharingan that had turned into three tomoe.

Just then, it started to rain; that's just how the climate is on the island—unpredictable and rainy.

"I underestimated you. The Dark Side of Konoha, if it were anyone else here, you would probably have succeeded by now. Unfortunately for you, you've met your match."

Fugaku's voice sounded exceptionally clear amidst the rain, not only addressing Mei but also addressing all the Kirigakure and Uchiha clan members around him who were listening intently.

"【Kotoamatsukami】, the strongest illusion technique, capable of altering will. It sounds tempting, but..."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over everyone before finally settling on Mei Terumi's face, his eyes open and serious.

"I truly want to join Kirigakure and lead the Uchiha clan to take root, flourish, and multiply there. It's also... I truly want to be with you."

As soon as Fugaku Uchiha uttered these words, the chilling aura that had been present due to Kotoamatsukami dissipated by most of it. Mei Terumi's face flushed red again, and her hand holding Fugaku's arm tightened unconsciously. The surrounding Kirigakure ninjas let out low, good-natured chuckles, and even some of the younger Uchiha couldn't help but turn their faces away, their shoulders shrugging.

"But if it's there, outsiders will wonder if all of this depends on it. Whether I use it or not, once the seed of suspicion is planted, it will take root and sprout. Building trust is incredibly difficult, but destroying it only requires a little unfounded doubt, like just a single sentence from this Dark One of Konoha..."

"This isn't what I wanted..."

Before he could finish speaking, with a soft "plop," Fugaku Uchiha gouged out Danzo's right eye.

The scarlet eyeball, still bearing traces of nerves and blood vessels, was held high in the rain by Fugaku, the rain washing away the bloodstains on it.

Then, under the spotlight, Fugaku Uchiha clenched his five fingers.

Squeeze it hard!