"That treacherous white-eyed wolf is finally dead! "
The barrier formed by the Uchiha Fire Formation dissipated, and the Uchiha clan members approached.
Looking at Uchiha Shisui's corpse, many gazes were filled with both hatred and satisfaction.
The Uchiha prided themselves on their honor and their bloodline.
Shisui's betrayal was something they despised to their core.
"He got off too easy! "
Among the crowd, Great Elder Uchiha Setsuna spat his words with venom.
In his youth, if he'd captured such a traitor, he would have made sure the man died in agony.
To have their clan leader end Shisui's life with a single clean strike—without much suffering—felt far too merciful.
"Indeed, far too easy for that white-eyed wolf! "
Third Elder Uchiha Shi added bitterly.
Years ago, he had served as a torture ninja on the battlefield; had Shisui been handed to him, he would have ensured the traitor experienced the utmost torment before death.
"Tch, that white-eyed wolf! "
"He really betrayed the clan! "
…
Uchiha Yui and Uchiha Akio had already shared Shisui's earlier words with the others.
Any lingering doubts about his betrayal were erased.
"Even with the Mangekyō Sharingan, he still wasn't a match for the clan leader."
"The clan leader is truly formidable, killing Shisui the traitor."
Curious murmurs followed:
"But… how does the clan leader have both Ice Release and Shikotsumyaku? "
During the battle, many had clearly seen Fugaku use not only the Mangekyō Sharingan but also Ice Release and the Shikotsumyaku kekkei genkai.
"The clan leader's Mangekyō ocular powers can copy other kekkei genkai. Ice Release and Shikotsumyaku must have been copied using his eye technique," Uchiha Wenzi and others explained.
Fugaku was about to speak when his expression suddenly shifted.
Whoosh—
Without explanation, he shot off in a particular direction.
"Damn, he spotted me! "
Hidden within a tree, a White Zetsu clone turned pale. Detected, it immediately used the Mayfly Technique to dive underground and flee at full speed.
"Mayfly Technique—"
Fugaku followed, using the same jutsu.
But as an elite Kage-level shinobi, his speed vastly surpassed the clone's.
He quickly caught up, seizing the clone by the throat and dragging it back to the surface.
"So, a White Zetsu saw everything… which means the Akatsuki now know the truth about my power."
Fugaku's face darkened as the clone struggled in his grip.
His battle with Shisui had been so intense, the massive chakra surges had dulled his sensory perception.
Combined with White Zetsu's exceptional ability to mask its presence, he hadn't noticed its appearance until the clash was over and the chakra haze cleared.
And from what he knew, White Zetsu clones could transmit information through root systems and underground water veins.
The intel was likely already sent to the Akatsuki.
"Hypnosis—"
Fugaku placed the clone under genjutsu.
"Tell me exactly what you saw and what you've already sent back."
"I saw… everything…"
Under hypnosis, the White Zetsu answered blankly.
Fugaku's expression grew heavier.
As expected, the clone had transmitted a full report of his abilities.
A man who had killed Uchiha Shisui and proven himself the stronger—he knew this meant he would become a prime target of Akatsuki surveillance.
"So be it. Even if my power is exposed, so what if Akatsuki focuses on me? "
"Once I refine Shisui's corpse, my Mangekyō Sharingan will evolve into the Eternal Mangekyō. When that time comes, not even Nagato will be beyond my reach."
Fugaku exhaled slowly.
He held a deep wariness of Akatsuki, especially Nagato with the Rinnegan and Obito with his space-time abilities.
But with the Eternal Mangekyō, his strength would soar—enough to stand against them.
Crack—
With a sharp twist, he crushed the White Zetsu clone's throat, killing it instantly.
Carrying the corpse, Fugaku returned to the battlefield.
"Clan Leader, what happened? "
"What is that creature? "
Seeing Fugaku with the strange body, the clan members gathered around in confusion.
"It was hiding nearby, watching us. It saw the entire battle," Fugaku explained.
"Such incredible concealment… Even among us, with so many elite jonin, none sensed it."
"What kind of creature is this? "
Some marveled at its stealth, while others puzzled over its origins.
"We encountered beings like this before, in the Land of Rivers," one who had traveled with Fugaku recalled.
"They belong to a mysterious, powerful group known as Akatsuki. Members all wear black cloaks patterned with red clouds."
"Orochimaru may have joined them. If any of you encounter Akatsuki in the future, abandon your mission and retreat immediately," Fugaku warned.
"Even Orochimaru might have joined…? "
Faces turned grim.
Prideful as they were, none dared to underestimate a Kage-level shinobi like Orochimaru.
If even he had joined Akatsuki, it spoke volumes about the organization's true power.
"Enough. This place isn't safe. Erase all traces and withdraw."
Fugaku took out a sealing scroll, storing both Shisui's body and the White Zetsu corpse.
"Yes, sir! "
Half an hour later, all evidence was gone.
The Uchiha clan split into two groups:
Fugaku continued on with Yui and Akio to the Daimyō's mansion, maintaining the pretext of a diplomatic visit.
The rest, led by the Great Elder and Third Elder, quietly made their way back to Konoha.