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

The Land of Whirlpools, East Coast Market Town.

As night fell, the lanterns along the street lit up one by one. Inside an izakaya with a sign that read "Seeing Flowers in the Mist," which should have been the liveliest place, only one room was occupied; the other rooms had been cleared out.

Representatives of the Ninja Clan Alliance sat around a long table, which was laden with sake bottles and snacks.

"Have you heard?"

A middle-aged man with flushed cheeks lowered his voice.

"The fourth generation has sent someone."

"Who?"

Someone nearby asked.

"Sushiyama Fuguki, carrying his greatsword Samehada."

"What's he doing here?"

"The official explanation is that there is doubt about whether Mei Terumi's eyes are Kotoamatsukami. Before the problem is completely resolved, for the safety of the entire Hidden Mist Village, she is not allowed to return to the Land of Water. Suigetsu Hozuki is here to 'supervise' her. If she insists on going back... she will be killed on the spot. Moreover, this order has been authorized by the Daimyo. After all, Samehada is the best counter to chakra ninjas. Its power is even comparable to Fugaku Uchiha's Mangekyou Sharingan."

"Hmph, that sounds nice."

The lean man sitting in the corner curled his lip.

"I've heard more than just that."

All eyes turned to him. The man took a sip of his drink before continuing.

"On the surface, they sent Suigetsu Hozuki, but secretly, Biwa Juzo, Kurosuki Raiga, and the Mizukage's direct ANBU also came."

"Really?"

"Of course it's true, the Mangekyou Sharingan! Who wouldn't want that? Just think about it, having someone loyal to you forever..."

His gaze swept over the crowd, carrying an indescribable meaning.

"Look at our leader, Mei Terumi, how arrogant she is! Who did she ever treat with any respect before? But now? She practically lives at Fugaku Uchiha's house every day, serving him like a servant..."

Upon hearing this, the entire izakaya suddenly fell silent.

The only sound was the soft bubbling of the hot pot simmering on the stove. Everyone's gaze became subtle as they exchanged glances, but no one spoke easily anymore.

"So... what's Chief Hozuki Mangetsu's opinion?"

After a long silence, someone finally broke it in a low voice.

"What other opinions could there be? It's the same as always. He doesn't believe any of this and thinks that someone is deliberately trying to disrupt the situation and undermine the unity of the alliance."

"You're still young and too idealistic."

"Of the Hozuki clan, only those two brothers are left. His younger brother is just a child, so we can't count on him..."

...

"By the way, I heard that the first thing Mitokado Homura, who was in charge of the negotiations, did after arriving on the west coast was to bring in troops from the Land of Fire."

"What? Konoha wants to start a war?"

"No, that army didn't land. Mitomon Homura also issued a statement saying that due to the 'chaotic situation' on the island of Uzushiogakure, those troops were only used to 'maintain order.' If you ask me, they were just scared by Kotoamatsukami. If you were in their shoes, wouldn't you be afraid? To be controlled without a sound and be someone else's dog for the rest of your life..."

"Who isn't afraid..."

"Gentlemen!"

A clear, cool female voice rang out, drowning out the noise.

Everyone looked over and saw the head of the Minazuki clan, Minazuki Kiriko. She was sitting by the window, her skin so white it was almost transparent in the lantern light.

"Let's get back to our original topic, everyone. What are your thoughts on Leader Terumi Mei's request to meet with us tomorrow to address the rumors?"

The room fell silent again. Everyone kept their eyes down, not daring to go in—what if they were controlled?

...

After a long while, looking at the empty room, Mizuki Kiriko, who was sitting there alone, poured herself a glass of sake, but did not drink it. She just looked at the clear liquid swirling in the glass.

As an extremely small clan in Kirigakure, the Mizuki clan had only about twenty members at its peak.

During the most brutal years of the Blood Mist policy, her younger sister, out of fear and despair, secretly fled the Mist Shadow and has not been heard from since. The clan's talent pool dwindled, and it seemed that they would be silently annihilated in the Blood Mist.

Mei Terumi's appearance was like a ray of sunlight tearing through the thick fog.

Her powerful rise, uniting with the ninja clans to fight against the Mizukage's tyranny, gave small clans like the Mizuki a chance to breathe and even a glimmer of hope for survival.

It can be said that the Minazuki clan has survived to this day entirely thanks to Mei Terumi's kindness.

But now?

His benefactor, the hope for Kirigakure's future, was deeply embroiled in rumors of being "controlled." Although Hozuki Mangetsu, the clan leader, did not believe it, he only "disbelieved" and did not take any strong action to clarify or protect her.

And those so-called allies...

Some people don't care whether Mei Terumi is being controlled or not. As long as their own family interests are not harmed, or even if they can get a share of the profits, they don't care who the leader is or whether the leader is a puppet.

Some people are probably already tempted and secretly planning how to get involved in the competition for that "Mangekyou Sharingan".

The rest may not be good people either; they are just silently watching and waiting for the situation to become clear before deciding which side to side to take—just opportunists.

They've all forgotten who it is that has allowed their families to continue, and who has allowed them to sit here drinking and discussing interests!

A chilling rage, mixed with profound sorrow, burned within Mizuki Kiriko's heart.

An idea took shape in her mind.

To assassinate Uchiha Fugaku.

She admitted that she acted impulsively, coming up with the idea on a whim.

However, this is also the tragedy of the small clan. This is the only card she has left. So, do you think she should play it or not?

Moreover, once the caster dies, even if the illusion cannot be directly broken, Mei Terumi will no longer have anyone to serve, and in a sense, she will be free.

As for how to assassinate...

A direct confrontation is out of the question; with my meager strength, I probably wouldn't even be able to touch the hem of their clothes.

but...

Mizuki Kiriko looked down at herself. Good, she couldn't see the wine glass.

That Uchiha Fugaku is said to be extremely lecherous, so seduction, combined with the Mizuki clan's bloodline limit, might be the most direct, and only, way to get close...

---Divider line

It was still the same abandoned courtyard's basement.

Since overhearing the secret of "Kotoamatsukami" a few days ago, Obito Uchiha has hardly left this place, monitoring the movements of Fugaku Uchiha's residence day and night.

With half of his body composed of white blood cells, he doesn't need to sleep like ordinary people, but he still suffers from mental fatigue and a persistent sense of irritability.

Especially every night, the creaking sound of the tatami mats transmitted through White Zetsu's [Spore Eavesdropping] made him feel a strange sense of anxiety and disgust.

However, he didn't curse, because from the eavesdropped conversation, he learned that this seemed to be a process of charging "Kotoamatsukami," a strange process that required combining Fugaku's "life energy" and Mei Terumi's massive chakra.

"The Uchiha clan really has all sorts of bizarre abilities..."

Just then, White Zetsu, who had been lying prone like a relief on the ground and responsible for transmitting sound, suddenly made a new noise.

"Knock knock knock".

It was a knock on the door.

Then, a clear, melodious female voice, but with a hint of barely perceptible tension, came through.

"Excuse me, is Chief Fugaku at home?"

Obito Uchiha's spirits lifted.

He quickly searched his memory for that voice: the head of the Minazuki clan, Minazuki Kiriko, a woman whose looks and temperament were in no way inferior to Mei Terumi. After all, the Minazuki clan, regardless of gender, was known for their beauty and was famous in Kirigakure.

Next came the sound of the door opening, followed by the soft sound of slippers.

"Chief Wuzi? What brings you here so late?"

This is Mikoto Uchiha's gentle voice.

"Mrs. Mikoto, excuse me, but I have some confidential matters that I would like to discuss with Clan Head Fugaku alone. It is very urgent."

Mizuki Kiriko's voice was very low.

"He's organizing intelligence in the basement. I'll take you there."

Footsteps sounded again, heading towards the basement, followed by the creaking sound of an old wooden door being pulled open...

After a brief silence, sound came from the basement...

A rustling sound, the sound of fabric rubbing together.

Obito Uchiha: "???"

Immediately following was Mizuki Kiriko's cool voice, which now carried a deliberately softened tone, even a slight tremor.

"Clan Chief Fugaku, I want to stay by your side and serve you like Chief Terumi Mei did."

Mizuki Kiriko's voice grew softer and softer until it was almost inaudible.

"Are all these women crazy?"

Obito tilted his head, feeling his worldview being violently challenged. Wasn't Mei Terumi enough? What kind of magic did Fugaku Uchiha possess?

"Pfft!"

However, at that moment, a short, muffled groan came from White Zetsu's mouth. It wasn't Fugaku's, but rather Mistress Minazuki's.

"Ugh!!"

Mizuki Kiriko let out a painful cry, followed by a dull thud as her body slammed against the wall or cabinet.

Sounds of fighting!

But it was extremely brief, lasting almost a second.

"What's wrong, Fugaku?"

"I sensed murderous intent."

Fugaku Uchiha's voice turned cold, revealing little emotional fluctuation.

"It seems they want to use some kind of close-range bloodline limit technique to summon Mei Terumi."

"it is good."

Mikoto Uchiha's footsteps faded away quickly, and soon, another, slightly hurried footstep joined them.

"Fugaku? Minazuki Kiriko?"

Mei Terumi's voice was filled with surprise.

"She wanted to kill me."

Uchiha Fugaku said briefly.

"It seems to be some kind of bloodline limit."

"The secret technique of the Minazuki clan, Ice Release: Blood Ice Technique."

Mei Terumi explained.

"It's a secret technique developed by Kiriko. It can be activated by grabbing both of the enemy's hands with your own, instantly freezing their blood!"

"amazing..."

Fugaku Uchiha gave a lukewarm compliment.

"Perfect, use 'Kotoamatsukami' on her to test your current level of control and energy expenditure, and save her from causing any more trouble."

"it is good."

After a brief pause, Mei Terumi's voice rang out.

"Minazuki Kiriko, look into my eyes... Kotoamatsukami! From this moment on, you will be forever loyal to Uchiha Fugaku, serving him as your master until death!"

The basement fell silent.

A few seconds later, Mizuki Kiriko's originally cold voice rang out, but it became extremely submissive.

"Yes, I will always be loyal to Lord Fugaku. My life and my will belong to you."

"How are you feeling?"

Fugaku Uchiha asked Mei Terumi.

"The consumption was less than expected."

Mei Terumi's voice carried a hint of relief and excitement.

"By combining my chakra and your life energy, I can use this technique about once per hour, but it's best not to use it more than four times a day, otherwise it will be a great burden on me and may damage my eyes."

"Once an hour, four times a day is enough."

A satisfied smile crept into Fugaku Uchiha's voice.

"If the negotiations with Konoha drag on for three or four days, that's enough time to turn all those wavering or scheming guys in the Ninja Alliance into 'our own people,' one by one."

He paused, and that familiar, flamboyant, and ambitious laughter rang out again, clearly echoing in the basement where Obito and Black Zetsu were hiding, thanks to White Zetsu's eavesdropping.

"Hahahaha, then the entire Hidden Mist ninja clan will be under my control!!"

Hearing the maniacal laughter, Obito Uchiha and Black Zetsu's faces turned extremely ugly in the dim light.

"What should we do? One Kotoamatsukami per hour, this efficiency is terrifying! If Mei Terumi continues to control it like this, in a few days, the Kirigakure Ninja Alliance will truly belong to the Uchiha clan!"

Black Zetsu remained silent for a few seconds before slowly sinking into the ground.

"During tomorrow's negotiations, launch an attack on him and disrupt his control process. I will inform the Shinobi Alliance, which will be enough to ignite their fear and hostility, and unite them. You go and inform the Fourth Hokage's people, Suigetsu Hozuki and Juzo Biwa, and tell them that Fugaku Uchiha is rapidly controlling the Shinobi Clan using Kotoamatsukami."

"Have them make their move tomorrow, under the pretext of 'eliminating the threat to Kirigakure,' to seize the Kotoamatsukami Sharingan! At the same time, secretly find an opportunity to kill a few more people. Make sure everyone is fighting. Once the war starts, once people start dying, no one will be able to stop!"

At this point, Black Zetsu was brimming with confidence, because in its thousand-plus years of life, it had witnessed far too many similar events. Ultimately, the vast majority of humans in this world were incapable of calmly assessing situations...

---Divider line

The basement of Fugaku Uchiha's mansion.

He stopped laughing and put the note in his hand aside; it was covered with dense writing.

[Monitoring continues.]

[The following dialogue: Mei Terumi asks how you feel, and you reply, "Once per hour, no more than four times a day."]

You stated, "That's enough; delay negotiations and control the ninja clan..."

...

And so on, and even if you flip back, there are many more pages, clearly indicating that this is not the first time these people have done this.

"They're gone."

"Was the listening interrupted?"

"Yes, they've taken the bait and are going to plan their operation."

Fugaku Uchiha nodded, then looked at Kiriko Mizuki beside him.

"Thank you for your hard work, Chief Wuzi."

"Phew~~"

Mizuki Kiriko let out a long breath, regaining her cold yet alluring demeanor.

Then she looked at Mei Terumi beside her.

There's no control involved, no Sharingan involved. Those are clearly still her own eyes. The eye patch she wore a few days ago was obviously a lie.

"Leader of the Underworld, what... what's going on? I really thought you were being controlled!"

"Hehe, Kiriko, I'm so happy you could come, but I'm not happy that you're trying to steal my husband."

"The leader of the Underworld!!"

"Ha ha..."

Mei Terumi hugged Kiriko Minazuki. To be honest, the behavior of those smaller clan representatives was unsurprising; they were all opportunists, siding with whoever won. But she was still disheartened. Fortunately, there was still Kiriko...

"To make a long story short, the guy who controlled the Fourth Hokage is on this island. He's been eavesdropping on Fugaku, and he's even the one who spread the rumors about me. So, Fugaku decided to play along, using the so-called, non-existent 'Kotoamatsukami' as bait to lure him out!"