Hokage's Office.
Upon seeing the arrival of Uchiha Fugaku, the Third Hokage's expression turned grim, a murderous intent surging within him, barely restrained.
Faced with the man who killed his son, even someone as composed and calculating as the Third Hokage was struggling to keep his emotions in check.
"Hokage-sama, are you feeling unwell? At your age, you really should take better care of your health,"
Fugaku remarked "concernedly," clearly noting the Third Hokage's suppressed anger.
"…"
The sarcasm in Fugaku's tone was unmistakable. The Third Hokage glared at him, fury in his eyes.
Arrogant—far too arrogant!
He had killed Sarutobi Asuma, and now he stood here mocking him.
Throughout his decades as Hokage, never before had someone dared to act so brazenly before him.
Taking several deep breaths, he finally asked coldly,
"What are you here for?"
"Not long ago, I encountered a Wood Release Kekkei Genkai shinobi…"
Fugaku began recounting his encounter with the mysterious Wood Release shinobi.
Of course, he only spoke of what could be disclosed. He omitted the part about Uchiha Obito suspecting him of impersonation—such matters couldn't be spoken aloud.
Still, he wasn't worried about Obito spreading the truth.
Given Obito's identity, even if he did spread the word, no one would believe him.
"Wood Release Kekkei Genkai shinobi…"
Even in his rage, the Third Hokage calmed slightly upon hearing those words.
That shinobi was a serious threat to Konoha's security.
Over the years, more than a dozen elite jōnin had died at that individual's hands.
"You drove him off?"
The Third Hokage asked in a deep tone.
Prior to Fugaku's arrival, Anbu operatives had already reported that Fugaku had driven off the Wood Release shinobi.
He had his doubts. Even if Fugaku had awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan, he shouldn't be capable of defeating that foe.
After all, the Wood Release shinobi also possessed a Mangekyō Sharingan—and had inherited the First Hokage's Wood Release.
His best guess was that Fugaku had discovered the enemy and gathered other Konoha shinobi to overwhelm him with numbers, forcing him to retreat.
"Yes. I engaged him in battle and ultimately drove him off,"
Fugaku confirmed with a nod.
"…"
A sense of gravity rose in the Third Hokage's heart—not toward the Wood Release shinobi, but toward Uchiha Fugaku himself.
Even that formidable enemy was no match for Fugaku—his power was clear.
Now it was almost certain: the annihilation of Shisui's Crow Squad hadn't been due to unexpected external forces—it was Fugaku who had killed them.
After a long silence, the Third Hokage finally spoke.
"Clan Head Fugaku, well done."
His voice was strained with resentment. Though he hated him to the core, he had no choice but to acknowledge his contributions to the village.
"This is merely my duty, Hokage-sama. I shall take my leave."
Fugaku's words were respectful, but his tone carried not a trace of actual deference.
Without waiting for a reply, he turned and left the office.
The mask between them was now fully torn. Fugaku no longer cared about the Third Hokage's opinion.
After he left, the Third Hokage's face turned ashen, fluctuating between rage and dread.
Fugaku had driven off the shinobi Konoha regarded as a major threat, and yet… he felt no joy at all.
That man was a danger to Konoha, but so was Uchiha Fugaku.
With the strength Fugaku had shown, even if the Hokage combined forces with every Anbu squad captain, they still might not be able to defeat him.
How could such a powerful enemy be eliminated?
If they were still in the middle of the Shinobi World War, he might've been able to send Fugaku to the front lines and let other villages wear him down.
But these were peaceful times. There was no such opportunity.
---
At the Uchiha Residence.
"Fugaku, is it true what I heard—that you awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan and defeated the Wood Release shinobi?"
Uchiha Mikoto asked in astonishment the moment Fugaku returned home.
Beside her, little Sasuke looked up at his father with wide, curious eyes, filled with admiration and excitement.
He didn't fully understand what the Mangekyō Sharingan was or the power it represented, but he could clearly sense how highly the clan regarded his father.
It made him proud.
"Yes, it's true,"
Fugaku replied with a firm nod.
Mikoto's face lit up with joy and excitement. It took her a while to calm down, after which she asked curiously,
"When did you awaken it?"
"It's been ten years. I awakened it during the Shinobi World War,"
Fugaku answered.
"But due to the Uchiha clan's situation in Konoha, I kept it hidden. I'm sorry for keeping it from you for so long."
Fugaku offered an apologetic look.
The real reason he'd kept it from her was his concern that the Uchiha spy—Itachi—might discover it.
But after the ambush on Shisui, his strength was already exposed. There was no more need for secrecy.
"It's okay. I understand the clan's situation."
Mikoto shook her head gently, her understanding apparent.
The Uchiha were already viewed with suspicion by the Third Hokage. If the clan head were to openly reveal his Mangekyō Sharingan, that scrutiny would only worsen.
Her husband had been thinking of the clan when he made that decision—and she respected that.
Then, with a slight frown, she voiced her concern.
"Now that your Mangekyō is known, the Third Hokage might tighten his surveillance on the Uchiha."
"No need to worry. I revealed my power because the Uchiha are now strong enough to no longer fear the Hokage faction. We don't need to hide any longer,"
Fugaku said with a calm smile.
"That's good to hear."
Mikoto finally relaxed.
"Father, Mother, is the Mangekyō Sharingan really powerful?"
Sasuke asked in his soft, curious voice.
"Of course! It's the Uchiha clan's strongest Kekkei Genkai,"
Mikoto said proudly, leaning down to stroke Sasuke's face.
"Father is amazing!"
Sasuke beamed with admiration, then looked up at Fugaku with anticipation.
"Father, will I be able to awaken the Mangekyō one day too?"
"Of course. You are my son—naturally, you have the potential,"
Fugaku said with a smile.
One day, Uchiha Sasuke wouldn't just awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan—he would evolve it into the Eternal Mangekyō, and eventually, even the Rinnegan.