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

As evening fell, the night sky was dotted with stars.

Under the moonlight, Mei Terumi arrived alone at the gate of the mansion where Fugaku Uchiha was staying.

As for the guard, Chojuro, who had always been by her side, she sent him away to accompany Ao in guarding the clay figurines.

She stood outside the door, took a deep breath, and slowly exhaled, her chest rising and falling slightly.

"Calm down, you're just here to get your eyes replaced and take medication..."

She murmured to herself, but her ears were burning uncontrollably.

The phrase "Sleep here tonight" swirled in her mind like a spell. Although she was inexperienced, as an elite ninja of Kirigakure, she knew what she needed to know and vaguely guessed that the so-called "taking medicine" might not be as simple as just taking medicine.

"Never mind, we're already here."

She bit her lower lip and reached out to push open the courtyard gate.

The sound of the door hinges turning was particularly clear in the quiet courtyard, but the ambiguous and romantic scene that had been expected did not appear.

The aroma of food wafted from the yard. As she walked along, she arrived at the living room. Through the open sliding door, she saw a sumptuous dinner already laid out on the low table in the living room.

"Ming, you've come."

Mikoto Uchiha peeked out from the kitchen, holding a soup spoon in her hand.

"Come in and sit down, dinner will be ready soon."

Mei Terumi stood frozen at the doorway, watching this scene brimming with everyday life, just like the ordinary people in those villages, getting off work, going home, and having dinner.

So much so that the prepared words got stuck in his throat, and in the end, he could only look around and say one sentence.

"Um... what about Fugaku?"

"You're staying here tonight, right? Fugaku is making up your bedding in the inner room. Go keep him company. I'll be here for a while."

"Oh...is this alright?"

"Hehe, what's wrong with that? You two were kissing this afternoon, weren't you..." (Note 1)

"ah!!!"

Seeing Mei Terumi run inside covering her face, Mikoto Uchiha, holding a spatula in her hand, couldn't help but giggle...

---Divider line

As night deepened, in another courtyard of the eastern coastal market of the Land of Whirlpools, the courtyard was overgrown with weeds and looked long abandoned, but an oil lamp was lit in the basement, casting a dim yellow light that illuminated two figures.

Obito Uchiha sat on a dilapidated wooden box, his orange spiral mask looking particularly eerie under the light.

Black Zetsu emerged halfway out of the wall, his pure black face expressionless, only his yellow eyes gleaming in the darkness.

On the ground, a White Zetsu was lying there.

Its body spread out like melted wax, merging with the ground, with only its head still retaining a human shape. At this moment, fine, mycelium-like tentacles extended from its ears, deeply embedding themselves in the cracks of the floor, as if receiving some kind of signal.

This is one of the White Zetsu's secret techniques: [Spore Eavesdropping].

By parasitizing the structure of the target building with spores, sound can be transmitted like a telephone line.

"The surgery was a success."

White Zetsu's mouth opened and closed, but the voice that came out was that of Uchiha Fugaku, somewhat distorted, but still audible.

"Oh."

Upon hearing this voice, Obito Uchiha sneered.

"For the Uchiha clan, especially those who have awakened the three-tomoe Sharingan, replacing someone's eyes is a basic operation, and he is quite skilled at it."

...

"Now, you need to take the special medicine. Come on, follow me to the bedroom."

...

"Huh? Why is this guy dragging someone to the bedroom?"

Obito Uchiha held his masked face and asked curiously.

"If you're going to eat saliva, where can't you eat it?"

"Shut up."

Black Zetsu sighed helplessly.

Listen quietly.

"Hi hi..."

...

"Clang, clang, clang..."

That's footsteps...

"Squeak..."

That's the sound of a wooden door being pulled...

"Whoosh~ Whoosh~"

That's the sound of fabric rubbing together; clearly, someone is taking off their clothes...

Before long, the rhythmic thumping of the tatami mats and the creaking of the gaps between the wooden planks could be heard coming from the White Zetsu's mouth...

The sound started softly, but gradually became more and more noticeable...

...

An eerie silence fell over the basement, broken only by the sounds transmitted through the White Zetsu's secret technique: low breathing, the creaking of the tatami mats, and Mikoto Uchiha's occasional soft giggles as she covered her mouth...

"You bastard!"

Obito Uchiha suddenly stood up and kicked over the wooden box next to him.

"Is this guy's head filled with nothing but this kind of thing?"

"Three more people!!!"

"I bet you can tell, his right eye definitely has that kind of ability!"

"And that Uchiha Mikoto! She was just watching the show!! And she was even laughing!"

...

Time passed, second by second.

Obito Uchiha went from initial anger to numbness, and finally to utter boredom. He even started counting the cracks in the ceiling. But in reality, he didn't have much else to do. After all, Nagato was still in the early stages of development within Akatsuki, and they hadn't even built a stable team yet...

That's why he stayed in the Land of Whirlpools with Black Zetsu. Right now, Fugaku Uchiha is the only man he can take seriously...

Finally, when he counted the 327th slit, the sound stopped.

The basement fell silent again.

After a while, new conversations began.

It was Uchiha Mikoto's voice, low but clear.

"Is she asleep?"

"Yes, she's asleep. Don't worry, she won't wake up."

This is the voice of Fugaku Uchiha.

"Thank you for your help with dinner last night."

Fugaku Uchiha continued.

"Not at all, you've had it much harder, Fugaku."

"ha.."

"Um, Fugaku, is it really okay to give her the eyes?"

"Don't worry, the amount of chakra she possesses is unmatched by either the Uzumaki or Senju clans. It's practically a bloodline limit. Without experiencing it firsthand, it's hard to believe that a previously unknown ninja clan could produce such a genius. No wonder she became the leader of the Shinobi Alliance at such a young age. With this amount of chakra, plus my help, she can use Kotoamatsukami multiple times in a short period of time..."

"Kotoamatsukami!!!"

Obito Uchiha suddenly sat up straight, his eyes widening beneath his mask.

He turned to look at Black Zetsu, who also showed a rare expression of surprise. Although it was difficult to discern any expression on his pure black face, his yellow eyes visibly narrowed.

"Kotoamatsukami..."

Obito Uchiha repeated in a low voice, his voice filled with disbelief.

"The other eye, is it really in his hands?"

Black Zetsu didn't answer immediately; it pricked up its ears and listened carefully to every word White Zetsu spoke.

"My question is, if you transplant your eyes into her, will it still be effective in controlling her?"

"It works. Uchiha Shisui's two eyes, the right eye, which is Danzo's, has a short cooldown period when used alone, but it must be controlled in real time. As for my left eye, its effect is permanent and will not fail just because the eye is not with me."

"Those are truly terrifying eyes..."

Uchiha Mikoto remarked with emotion.

"Yeah, those are terrifying eyes. That piece of trash, Uchiha Shisui, had such amazing abilities, yet all he thought about was surrendering. What a waste!!"

"Bang!"

Fugaku Uchiha seemed very angry, and slammed his fist on the ground...

Then came the sound of skin rubbing together, which sounded like someone was stroking someone's face.

"Tsk tsk, Mei Terumi, what a godsend. Through her, I can easily control the entire Shinobi Alliance, and even the entire Kirigakure leadership. And since she submits to me, the entire Kirigakure will be mine in the future."

"Ha ha ha ha!!!"

A burst of wild laughter rang out, a laugh that was arrogant, unrestrained, and full of ambition, sounding particularly jarring in the quiet night.

Black Zetsu's pupils contracted again.

The laughter reminded it of Madara Uchiha.

That fool also likes to laugh like that; he lets out that arrogant laugh when his plans succeed, when he thinks he has everything under control...

...

After a long while, all was quiet except for the sound of steady breathing...

"A rumor you made up on the spot..."

Obito Uchiha took a deep breath, his voice a little hoarse.

"It's actually true."

Black Zetsu remained silent for a few seconds before slowly speaking.

"Unexpected, yet logical. The way he ruthlessly crushed Danzo's eyes made me realize that unless he had a better alternative, why would he be willing to destroy Kotoamatsukami!"

"What should we do?"

Obito Uchiha's tone turned serious.

He knew all too well the power of Kotoamatsukami; it could silently and permanently alter the will of others. If Fugaku Uchiha truly controlled the Kirigakure leadership through Mei Terumi, the entire Kirigakure would become his private army.

But what if this eye fell into my hands...?

Thinking of this, Obito Uchiha's breathing became slightly rapid.

If he possessed Kotoamatsukami, with the mobility of Kamui and the nourishment of the Sharingan from Hashirama's cells, he could infiltrate any place and control anyone—the heads of various clans, the daimyo of various countries, and even the Kage of the Five Great Nations!

The entire ninja world will fall into his control without him even realizing it.

Obito Uchiha's fingers clenched unconsciously, his knuckles turning white.

Collecting the tailed beasts, reviving the Ten-Tails, and activating the Infinite Tsukuyomi—but that takes time, requires waiting, and requires carefully balancing the various forces.

But if there are other gods...

Everything will become simple.

"Black Zetsu".

He spoke, his voice filled with suppressed excitement.

"We must get our hands on this eye, but what about your plan now?"

"Just proceed according to the original plan."

Black Zetsu slowly emerged from the ground.

"For that plan, the truth of the rumors doesn't matter. Of course, it would be better if they were true. The only variable is that you have to be prepared to snatch your eyes at any time."

"it is good."

---Divider line

A market town on the west coast of the Land of Whirlpools, within the territory of Konoha.

Mitomon Yan was standing in the central building of the market, where he could see the rising sun on the distant sea.

"Lord Yan."

A Konoha ninja entered the room and knelt on one knee; he was the manager of the West Coast Market.

"Tell me what you know."

Mitokado Yan didn't turn around; he continued looking out the window.

"Yes."

The manager began reporting the information he had gathered to Mitokado Homura.

It mainly relates to the strength of the Hidden Mist Village, such as how many ninjas, Chunin, and Jonin they have, as well as information on their support forces. Mitokado Homura was not interested in these things, since this time, a war was not going to break out, and it didn't matter how many people the other side had.

"Finally..."

"Currently, there's a rumor circulating in the East Coast Market area about Uchiha Fugaku and Terumi Mei."

"I know about their marriage."

"No, that's not it, Lady Mitomon."

The ninja took a deep breath and continued.

"According to reports from our informants in the city, three nights ago, Mei Terumi went alone to the residence where Fugaku Uchiha was staying and did not leave until the next morning. During that time, there were sounds of a bed shaking and groans coming from inside the residence, which is said to be the presence of Mikoto Uchiha."

"Oh..."

Upon hearing this, Mitokado raised an eyebrow.

"It seems Mikoto Uchiha has compromised for the future of the Uchiha clan. However, while this kind of information has some value,... you saved it for last?"

"Ahem, Lady Mitomon, I haven't finished speaking yet."

Seeing Mitokado Homura's slightly widened eyes, seemingly somewhat dissatisfied, the ninja hurriedly waved his hand.

"After that incident, rumors began to circulate in the markets of Kirigakure on the east coast, saying that 'Kotoamatsukami has two eyes, one of which belonged to Elder Danzo Shimura and was crushed in public by Fugaku Uchiha, and the other is in Mei Terumi's eye.'"

Mitokado Yan suddenly turned around.

"Go on!"

"Yes! Rumor has it that the reason why Fugaku Uchiha was able to crush Elder Danzo's eye without any mercy is because he had another one of his own, and he controlled Mei Terumi through that eye. Now he has given the eye to Mei Terumi, intending to use her identity to secretly control the entire Kirigakure leadership."

"This matter has caused quite a stir. It's said that someone from the Shinobi Alliance raised questions at a meeting, but Hozuki Mangetsu suppressed them. Unfortunately, the rumors just won't stop. Also, the Fourth Mizukage of Kirigakure has sent people over. It's said that the team is led by the Mizukage's direct ANBU, and they should arrive this afternoon."

"Kotoamatsukami..."

Mitokado Yan remained silent for a long time before going to the window again and gazing into the distance.

It is a fact that there are two Kotoamatsukami.

It is also true that the other one is missing.

Is it possible that it will fall into the hands of Fugaku Uchiha?

possible.

Given his strength and shrewdness displayed in the past few days, it's not surprising that he planned ahead and obtained Shisui's eye. Moreover, his decisiveness when crushing Danzo's eye, in retrospect, does seem like he was "fearless."

"Did the rumors mention what Kotoamatsukami's abilities are?"

"No, the version circulating only mentions 'control,' but no one knows exactly how it is controlled or what the effects are."

Mitokado Yan's fingers tapped lightly on the window frame, and suddenly, he smiled slightly.

He knew very well that while the rumor was possible, it couldn't be 100% certain that it was true. However, for Konoha, the truth or falsehood wasn't really important. What mattered was that this news was a major boon to the negotiations. After all, disunity within Kirigakure meant that the support for Uchiha Fugaku would be weakened.

So, during negotiations, if more pressure is applied, Konoha can probably reduce the amount of compensation they have to pay...

"By my order, notify the village to send another ninja army!"

"yes!"