"Hmph, what are you looking at?"
"The Uchiha have their pride. We don't bother to hide ourselves. If that person really was Madara Uchiha, there's no way he'd act like that."
"So, based on my guess, that guy isn't Madara Uchiha. But even if he's not, there's still a deep connection between them."
"As for why he's covering himself up, it's just to create suspense, using Madara's name to amplify his presence. But I won't deny it—his strength is real. Judging from how he controlled the Nine-Tails and fought against you all, I'm no match for him."
Fugaku Uchiha, as the Clan Head, was meticulous and calculating. After hearing this analysis, Kazuyama nearly clapped.
He smoothly poured Fugaku another cup of sake and grinned like an old schemer.
"Nicely said. Here, a toast to the Uchiha Clan Head. Drink up and soothe that throat, or you'll start flying."
"And hey, drop the modesty already. I know what you're capable of."
Fugaku: ...I want to punch him.
What really baffled Fugaku was—how did Kazuyama know about his strength?
"What? Don't tell me the great Uchiha Clan Head hasn't even awakened his Mangekyō Sharingan?"
"Let me think... You definitely hadn't awakened it before. So when did it happen…?"
"Third Great Ninja War?"
Kazuyama bluntly revealed Fugaku's hidden secret. Instantly, Fugaku tensed up, and the air between them froze.
"What? Is that how you look at a friend?"
"Relax. I've never told anyone. Just like how you're guessing the identity of the masked man, I'm only guessing your strength."
"But Fugaku, that masked man's appearance—it's got you on edge, hasn't it?"
Kazuyama drank and rambled on, completely unfazed by the idea that Fugaku might attack him.
Fugaku was a stern, rigid man—even more so than the version Kazuyama remembered from the original story. But even someone like him had a sacred place in his heart: his sons. For them, he'd gladly sacrifice his life, his clan—everything. As long as his two sons were alive, nothing else mattered.
He wasn't like Shisui. He cherished love deeply. And for that love, he was willing to give up anything else.
That's why Kazuyama figured persuading him wouldn't be too hard. Damn son-lover.
"You're right. I'm here as a mediator—or rather, a scout would be more accurate."
"But Fugaku, I know you're not thinking like that. Like you said, the Uchiha have their pride."
"Regardless of whether that man is Madara Uchiha or not, he's clearly standing against the village."
"Come on, let's keep drinking and eating."
As he spoke, Kazuyama poured more sake and grilled more meat.
The topic paused, and Fugaku drank in silence, his heart heavy.
"So, the village wants to know whether our Uchiha Clan is going to revolt?"
"Just like Madara Uchiha did—turn our blades on the village?"
At this point, there was no need to hide anything. Fugaku put down his cup and looked at Kazuyama.
"You won't. No—you won't."
"But Fugaku, can you really speak for the entire Uchiha Clan?"
"The elders? Those stubborn fossils?"
"Do you think Minato wants to investigate you? He doesn't. The three of us—we're close friends. You know very well who's really trying to suppress you."
They exchanged looks and slowly named names.
"Danzō Shimura..."
"Koharu Utatane..."
"Homura Mitokado..."
"Hiruzen Sarutobi..."
Four names—representing Konoha's advisor council.
They also embodied the will of the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju. In the end, Tobirama had been far too wary of the Uchiha. Among his six guards, only Torifu Akimichi couldn't be bothered with politics, and Kagami Uchiha had already died.
The remaining four were openly hostile to the Uchiha.
"Hahaha, still clinging to the Second Hokage's legacy."
"Good thing Minato became Hokage—otherwise, your clan's situation? Tch, hopeless."
Of course Fugaku knew how the village viewed the Uchiha.
After the Nine-Tails incident, their suspicion must've deepened.
"Don't give the village an excuse to strike first, Fugaku."
"You're the Clan Head. Step up. Go to Minato and state it plainly—the Uchiha are Konoha's Uchiha."
"As for those troublemakers in the village, just bury them already."
Fugaku shot him a look. Bury them? Like that was easy.
"What're you looking at? You think it's that easy?"
"Come on, you're the Clan Head. The Uchiha are numerous—surely you've got plenty of supporters?"
"What are you afraid of?"
"If you can't bring yourself to do it, just tell me. I'll haul those old bastards off to a deserted island and let them rot there."
Fugaku let out a long, heavy sigh.
How could he not get it? Kazuyama was telling him to make up his mind—and fast. Waiting would only bring disaster.
"I'll think abou—"
"Think about what?"
"What the hell is there to think about?"
"Don't you know what state the Uchiha are in right now?"
"Whatever, no point in talking to you anymore. Sit here and think it over."
"Think about what I said. Minato can shield you once—but can he keep doing it forever?"
"You useless son-lover!"
So damn frustrating!
Kazuyama vanished with Flying Thunder God, leaving Fugaku sitting alone in silence.
After a long while, a waiter came over.
"Sir, please settle your bill."
That snapped Fugaku out of his daze. He looked around, bewildered. The other customers were all gone—he was the only one left.
After paying, just as he was about to leave, he suddenly realized—
Wait a minute. Kazuyama left. How the hell was he supposed to get back?
That bastard! He did it on purpose!
Meanwhile, in Takigakure, Kazuyama was holding his son when a system prompt popped up, and he broke into a gleeful grin.
Ding! Detected that the host abandoned Fugaku Uchiha at a barbecue restaurant 30 kilometers from the village and tricked him into paying the bill, sending him into a rage with no outlet. Special reward: Genjutsu +1.
Pakura, standing nearby, looked curious at his sudden laughter.
"What? Something funny happen?"
"Yeah, I dumped that bastard Fugaku at a barbecue joint."
"How is that funny?"
"It's 30 kilometers from the village!"
Good grief. Fugaku was going to spend the whole night running back.
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
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