"Right eye technique—True Illusion… Hm? There's a change! "
When Uchiha Fugaku focused on the ability in his right eye, a flash of joy crossed his face.
His True Illusion had transformed.
Previously, activating it required direct eye contact with the target.
Now, all he had to do was look at the target—or even just in their direction.
Even if obstacles lay between him and the target, the illusion would still take effect.
The activation requirements had loosened, making it far harder to defend against.
Without question, his True Illusion had undergone a breakthrough.
"This change must be connected to Uchiha Shisui's eye technique…"
Fugaku reasoned silently.
Shisui's Kotoamatsukami was one of the rare genjutsu that didn't require direct eye contact, with activation conditions so broad that it was nearly impossible to guard against.
Though refining Shisui's body hadn't granted him Kotoamatsukami itself, it had imbued True Illusion with its defining trait.
"Besides evolving my Mangekyō into the Eternal Mangekyō, I never expected to gain this as well."
Fugaku was elated. The benefits of refining Shisui's corpse had exceeded all expectations.
Not only had his eyes advanced to the Eternal Mangekyō, but True Illusion had been fundamentally enhanced.
The Next Morning
The previous day's battle and the night spent refining Shisui's corpse had nearly drained Fugaku's ocular power.
Even after a night's rest, it hadn't fully recovered—he estimated it would take two or three more days.
But even in this weakened state, his current power surpassed his former peak.
Once fully recovered, his ocular energy would be more than six times what it had been before.
Against an ordinary Mangekyō Sharingan, his new Eternal Mangekyō's reserves were likely over tenfold.
The difference between the two was staggering—heaven and earth apart.
It was no wonder the Eternal Mangekyō could sustain a Complete-Body Susanoo towering over a hundred meters, while the regular Mangekyō, even at the cost of its user's eyesight, could only reach the third form, two entire stages below. The gap in power was immeasurable.
"Clan Leader, since it's rare for us to visit the daimyō's capital, why don't we go sightseeing today? "
After breakfast, Uchiha Hiro and Uchiha Mei from the neighboring guesthouse came over with the suggestion.
"Sure," Fugaku replied in a good mood—his newly awakened Eternal Mangekyō still filling him with satisfaction.
"Fugaku-dono, heading out? "
As the three prepared to leave, the portly Iwai clan leader, Iwai Yōichi, approached with a friendly smile.
"Yes, we're thinking of exploring the city while we're here," Fugaku said.
"Then allow me, as a local, to be your guide," Yōichi offered warmly.
"That would trouble you too much. You can just have a clan member show us around," Fugaku politely declined.
Having a clan head play tour guide felt inappropriate.
"It's no trouble at all," Yōichi insisted. He had been hoping to strengthen ties with the Uchiha anyway, and spending a day together offered the perfect opportunity.
"Well, in that case, we'll take you up on it," Fugaku agreed.
Led by Yōichi, the three spent the day touring the city—lunching at a famous sushi restaurant at noon and dining at a centuries-old eatery in the evening.
Both sides had been intent on deepening relations, and the day ended with everyone in high spirits.
That Night
"The reason I came here was to attend Iwai's heir's coming-of-age ceremony. It's tomorrow. The day after, we return to Konoha," Fugaku mused in his quarters.
"But since we're already here, I can't leave without doing something to meet Hiruzen's expectations."
A cold smile flickered across his lips.
The Third Hokage suspected that Fugaku intended to seize control of the daimyō—but that wasn't his plan.
Unless he had Shisui's Kotoamatsukami, any attempt at hypnotic domination would be obvious.
Both the Uchiha's Sharingan and the Hyūga's Byakugan could easily detect if someone was under genjutsu.
Still, it wouldn't do to leave the capital empty-handed.
"I recall that the Third Hokage's son, Sarutobi Asuma, is currently serving as the daimyō's guard…"
Fugaku's eyes flashed with cold intent.
Hiruzen had sent Shisui to kill him. Fugaku would respond in kind—by killing Hiruzen's own son.
It would hurt. And that was the point.
For years, the Third Hokage had oppressed and marginalized the Uchiha. It was time he paid a price.
As for Asuma's innocence?
From the moment he was born, he had enjoyed the privileges of being the Hokage's son.
Those who enjoyed such privilege had to bear its costs.
In the original timeline, when the Uchiha were massacred, were the slain ordinary clansmen any less innocent?
"Spore Clone—"
Fugaku formed a hand seal, and a perfect duplicate of himself appeared—sharing his face, chakra, and memories, lacking only his full strength and bloodline limits.
"Ephemeral Art—"
Leaving the clone behind to play his part, Fugaku sank beneath the earth, heading toward the daimyō's inner palace.