"I wonder if it can truly reach Kage-level strength as expected…"
Staring at the first spore clone that had perfectly fused with the pair of Mangekyō Sharingan, Uchiha Fugaku couldn't help but feel a surge of anticipation.
According to his calculations, once equipped with a Mangekyō Sharingan, this spore clone's power should be enough to reach the level of a Kage.
And if the spore clone could indeed reach Kage level, then he would have an absolutely loyal Kage-class fighter under his command.
"A combat test will tell."
Mangekyō patterns spun within Fugaku's eyes as he cast True Illusion on the first spore clone.
The clone was immediately drawn into the illusionary world.
"Fight me with everything you have! "
Fugaku commanded, and the spore clone moved without hesitation.
"Fire Style: Majestic Dragon Flame! "
A massive dragon of fire roared forth, exuding terrifying heat as it lunged toward Fugaku.
"Fire Style: Majestic Dragon Flame! "
Fugaku unleashed the same technique—another colossal dragon of flames appeared.
However, compared to the one summoned by the spore clone, Fugaku's fire dragon was clearly larger and radiated an even more intense heat.
In terms of technique mastery, the clone, having inherited Fugaku's memories, was nearly identical to the original.
But the amount of chakra it possessed was only on par with a regular Jōnin, while Fugaku's chakra reserves far exceeded that of most Kage.
The enormous gap in chakra translated into a huge disparity in power.
Boom—!
The clone's fire dragon was devoured, and Fugaku's massive dragon surged forward, crashing down on the clone.
"Amaterasu—!"
In that instant, the spore clone's Mangekyō spun rapidly. Its gaze locked onto the approaching fire dragon, and a black flame of destruction ignited across the blazing beast.
The fiery dragon instantly collapsed, consumed by the relentless black flames that showed no sign of extinguishing.
Swish—
Fugaku appeared beside the spore clone through space-time movement, thrusting his kunai toward it.
Clang—!
Relying on the Mangekyō's incredible perception, the clone sensed the disturbance in the air right before Fugaku's arrival and reacted in time, blocking the strike with its own kunai.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Their kunai clashed at blinding speed, each collision sparking brightly.
Bang—!
Suddenly, a figure was sent flying—
The spore clone.
Though it could read Fugaku's movements and predict his attacks, its physical body was still only at an ordinary Jōnin's level, far inferior to Fugaku's.
After a brief exchange, Fugaku sent the clone hurtling backward with a powerful kick.
Swish—
The clone crashed to the ground as Fugaku closed in, intending to finish the fight before it could recover.
"Susanoo—!"
The clone's Mangekyō spun again, manifesting an orange-red skeletal arm that slammed down toward Fugaku.
"Susanoo—!"
Fugaku responded in kind. A black skeletal arm rose to meet the strike.
Boom—!
The collision of the two giant arms unleashed a shockwave so powerful that the stone walls of the underground chamber cracked, threatening to collapse entirely.
Inside the True Illusion, Fugaku didn't care about the destruction.
As the red skeletal arm was repelled, he poured more chakra into his Susanoo.
The black Susanoo's hands now held a massive shield and a dark spear, the latter thrusting forward with explosive force.
The clone immediately did the same—the orange-red Susanoo manifested the Yata Mirror and the Totsuka Blade. The blade extended into a glowing slash that met the incoming spear.
Boom—!
The explosion was even louder than before. Cracks spread like spiderwebs across the chamber until the entire underground room caved in, burying both fighters in rubble.
But with a single sweep of their Susanoo arms, they tossed the debris aside and resumed their battle, their devastating clash spreading farther and farther.
Minutes later, the clone's chakra was completely drained, and the fight ended.
Fugaku dispelled the True Illusion, returning to the original chamber.
"It really does have Kage-level combat power! "
Excitement flickered in his eyes.
From the battle just now, there was no doubt—the first spore clone truly possessed Kage-tier strength, making it his strongest subordinate by far.
Even Uchiha Yakumi couldn't compare.
A Kage-level asset was an incredible advantage—top-tier combat power in any village.
With such a fighter under his command, Fugaku wouldn't need to handle everything personally. He could simply dispatch this clone.
"But its stamina is a problem… with only a Jōnin's chakra reserves."
Sensing the clone's completely depleted chakra, Fugaku frowned.
Its ocular power was still plentiful, but its chakra was entirely gone.
Right now, it was like a Kage-level fighter with no endurance—a glaring weakness that needed to be fixed.
"The Yin Seal could solve this—storing chakra for later release during battle. Unfortunately, it wasn't in the Forbidden Scroll."
He clicked his tongue in frustration.
If he had access to the Yin Seal technique, the clone's biggest weakness would vanish.
"But that seal belongs to Tsunade. Getting it from her won't be easy."
Fugaku shook his head.
Given the history between the Uchiha and Senju clans, acquiring the Yin Seal from Tsunade through negotiation seemed almost impossible.
"Still, Tsunade might not be the only one who knows it. The Hokage's archive room should have it as well."
The Yin Seal wasn't Tsunade's invention—it was an Uzumaki sealing technique, proof being that the First Hokage's wife also used it.
Since it originated from the Uzumaki clan, and given Konoha's ties to them, the scroll must exist among the Hokage's stored techniques.
"Perfect. There's going to be a confrontation with Hiruzen soon anyway. When the Hokage building is vulnerable, I'll take the Yin Seal."
Although he had already captured Uchiha Itachi, getting him out of the ANBU wouldn't be easy.
Hiruzen would never willingly let go of a Mangekyō wielder—a Kage-level fighter. A clash was inevitable.