Chapter 101: A Compromised Alliance
If they intended to proceed with Uchiha Kei's plan, the primary obstacle would undoubtedly be the hardliners. Their prideful nature led them to disdain everyone outside the Uchiha clan—even the Hyuga clan was not immune to their contempt.
Fugaku didn't need much contemplation. Once this plan was proposed, the hardliners would become the most vocal and vicious opponents. Even if the proposal originated from Fugaku himself, it wouldn't alter their stance. Now, he finally grasped why Kei was so ruthless in dealing with them.
However, Fugaku couldn't quite comprehend why Kei didn't simply eliminate Uchiha Yuu outright. Instead, he left him suffering, risking exposure.
"Because of my eyes," Kei answered calmly, fully aware that such things couldn't remain hidden for long. "I'm sure you've noticed the unique power lingering within your Mangekyō Sharingan, haven't you? Once that power is used, it doesn't regenerate. So..."
"You're planning to experiment? For the sake of your eyes?" Fugaku frowned deeply, clearly not expecting Kei to harbor such intentions. "Using your own clansmen? Kei-kun, many of them aren't that stubborn. And your conditions—"
At this moment, Fugaku began to suspect that Kei had uncovered some deeper secret and wondered about the true state of Kei's Mangekyō Sharingan.
He knew that the Mangekyō's power was irreversible once lost. But even so, he could never imagine being as cruel and unrestrained as Kei. Still, what choice did he have but to accept it? Would he really clash with the clan's only other Mangekyō wielder?
Fugaku couldn't believe that Kei was genuinely capable of conducting experiments, though. This filthy basement resembled more of a dog kennel than a lab. It lacked even the most basic facilities necessary for proper experiments.
Moreover, the Uchiha ancestors had attempted similar methods in the past, trying to recreate the era when the clan flourished with many Mangekyō wielders, and their experiments ended in disaster, with neither results nor survivors left behind.
"Clan Leader," Kei shook his head and clarified, "the best way to dismantle the hardliners isn't through slaughter. It's by eliminating their leadership and then absorbing the mid- and lower-ranking members."
Kei knew Fugaku had misunderstood.
"As for the so-called leaders..." Kei's tone grew colder. "Just think of it as making the best use of some worthless trash. Honestly, I only have two real targets. As for equipment—I'll find a way."
Before Kei could finish, Fugaku cut him off sharply: "I'll arrange the people and the equipment you need."
It seemed Fugaku had made up his mind.
"In your eyes, I've probably never been a qualified clan leader," Fugaku said grimly. "And you likely don't trust me either—just as I don't dare to fully trust you."
"But, we are the only two Mangekyō holders in the Uchiha clan. Because of that, I've decided to cooperate with you."
"I'm willing to test your method. After all, reconciliation between Konoha and the Uchiha is almost impossible now. I have to make a choice."
Taking a deep breath, Fugaku continued:
"Based on your predictions for the future, Konoha will eventually move to eliminate the sources of instability. Instead of waiting passively for them to strike, I'll start by purging the hidden threats within our own clan."
"I only hope," he muttered, "that this will be enough."
Uchiha Kei silently observed Fugaku. He was genuinely surprised—was this really the same indecisive Uchiha Fugaku he remembered? Had he truly found the resolve to act ruthlessly?
Kei frowned slightly, starting to understand what Fugaku really intended.
Uchiha Kei was not like Uchiha Shisui. Shisui had willingly exposed the abilities of his Mangekyō Sharingan, but Kei had never once revealed the true nature of his eye techniques.
This air of mystery and unpredictability left Fugaku deeply uneasy—especially since part of Kei's abilities had already been inadvertently exposed.
Even so, knowing a fragment of the truth was a far greater advantage than being left in the dark.
More importantly, Fugaku genuinely didn't want to fight Kei. Two Mangekyō wielders could indeed achieve extraordinary things—but only if they weren't set against each other.
Otherwise, history had shown that when four Mangekyō users once clashed within the Uchiha clan, the results were disastrous: all were crippled, and the two survivors each lost an eye, forced to create the forbidden techniques Izanagi and Izanami.
Thus, after confirming Kei's sincerity and witnessing his Mangekyō with his own eyes, Fugaku finally chose compromise.
Otherwise, with his temperament, he would have dragged the entire clan into a rebellion, rather than sacrifice a few for survival—just as he had in the original timeline, leading them all to destruction.
"Pleasure working with you, Clan Leader," Kei said with a slight smile. "I'll handle the hunting. As for persuading the others—that will be your job, Fugaku-san."
"Minimize the violence," Fugaku closed his eyes, nodding with difficulty. "They are still our elite."
"My targets are only Uchiha Yuu and Uchiha Shuu," Kei said calmly. "Whether the experiment succeeds or fails, I only need the two of them. However—if you can't handle the rest..."
Two brothers? Fugaku seemed to realize something, but he didn't immediately respond. He waited patiently for Kei to finish speaking.
"Then you won't need to lift a hand," Fugaku said decisively. "I will personally take care of it. As for your experiments—I insist on participating."
"In exchange, I will issue you a new official position when we return. You may recruit some who are willing to follow you—but under one condition."
Taking a deep breath, Fugaku declared:
"You must not divide the Uchiha clan, and you must not disrupt the stability of the village. If you violate this—even if it costs me my life, I will personally kill you!"
Uchiha Kei silently stared at him. To show the seriousness of his vow, Fugaku had fully unleashed his Mangekyō Sharingan once more.
Naturally, Kei wasn't going to back down either. In case of a sudden betrayal, he too activated his Mangekyō.
Truth be told, Fugaku's conditions weren't unreasonable. In fact, they were exceptionally generous. Even his threat carried an important caveat: he would only act if Kei betrayed their agreement.
At present, Kei had no intention of doing so. If his plan succeeded, everything would fall into place naturally. And if it failed—he could always retreat.
He valued a "fertile field" to cultivate, sure—but he valued his own life even more.
Besides, whether his plan succeeded or not, Kei didn't see Fugaku as a real threat. It wouldn't be easy for Fugaku to kill him.
And realistically, Fugaku wasn't the type to risk everything unless absolutely necessary. If he were, this fragile "cooperation" between them would never have been possible.
"Don't worry, Clan Leader," Kei smiled faintly. "If I truly intended to destroy everything, I wouldn't have shared so much with you. I sincerely want the Uchiha clan to thrive—and I have no plans to abandon Konoha."
"I understand, Kei-kun," Fugaku nodded solemnly. "For the future of the Uchiha—and for the future of Konoha."
After speaking, Fugaku turned and disappeared into the night.
Finally, Kei allowed himself to relax, a breath he hadn't realized he was holding slipping out. He hadn't expected that leaving behind a single kunai would be enough to lure Fugaku out—an extremely dangerous gamble in hindsight. Next time, he would have to be even more cautious.
But surprisingly, this accidental meeting had yielded far more than Kei could have hoped.
Perhaps their relationship had become slightly more strained—he could feel the subtle sense of distance now growing between them.
But so what? He had already achieved what he wanted.
As for the future—he didn't care what direction it might take.
After all, this was a cooperation born from compromise.