Naka Shrine: Konoha's 5-A-rated tourist attraction and, incidentally, its most infamous "talent re-education and graduation academy."
That was how it felt to Uchiha Sogetsu, anyway.
The whole place just screamed wrong. It reminded him of those horror stories about "Longchang Reform Schools" he'd seen in his previous life—any Uchiha who came here to "reflect" would walk out with some sort of enlightenment. Whether that enlightenment produced zealots, filial-piety extremists, or outright lunatics… well, that depended on talent and luck.
That this place had managed to produce people like Kagami and Shisui on top of that?
Absolutely insane.
After perfunctory greetings and the ritual clan-photo moment, Sogetsu followed the hidden passage inside the shrine and headed down into the underground chamber where Uchiha Fugaku was waiting.
The hall was spacious and brightly lit by candles. Fugaku stood with his back to the room, facing the stone wall, hands folded behind him.
"I have been waiting for you for a long time, Sogetsu."
Yup. Definitely an Uchiha.
The urge to pose dramatically was clearly hereditary.
Watching that perfectly composed backlit silhouette, Sogetsu's mouth twitched. "I'm here, Lord Fugaku."
"Ah…" Fugaku still didn't turn around. Instead he let out a long, weary sigh that sounded like it carried all the sorrows of the world.
"Why the sigh, Lord Fugaku?" Sogetsu very considerately fed him his cue.
"I sigh for the Uchiha clan. Our current situation is dire; we stand on the brink of annihilation." Fugaku finally turned, face heavy with worry. "Sogetsu, after what happened yesterday, I trust you've sensed it as well—the danger our clan is in."
At that, Sogetsu clenched his fists, letting anger and resentment flicker across his face. "You're right, Lord Fugaku. I knew the Uchiha weren't welcomed, but I at least thought we were still fellow Konoha shinobi. I never imagined Danzo would dare attack me in broad daylight!"
He let his voice crack slightly, like a boy crushed by injustice.
"I've done nothing to betray Konoha. I only became a mental-health doctor because Lady Tsunade inspired me. I just wanted to give those who were scarred by the battlefield a place where their hearts could rest…" His eyes reddened, tears welling up. "But Danzo actually covets my jutsu!"
"I don't understand!
"Why, Lord Fugaku?"
The "pure-hearted young man" pounded his fist in frustration, tears slipping down his cheeks. Even Fugaku, who'd seen his fair share of schemers, couldn't help a silent sigh.
What a straightforward kid.
Still, Sogetsu's current reaction was entirely within Fugaku's expectations.
They were Uchiha. Passionate by nature, prone to emotional extremes. Being betrayed by the very "Will of Fire" they'd trusted would leave anyone furious.
"Alas, this isn't your fault, Sogetsu."
Fugaku stepped forward and patted his shoulder. "You did nothing wrong. It's just that our clan has never truly been accepted by Konoha."
"Huh? Why?" Sogetsu widened his eyes, the very picture of I am so curious.
"You've heard of Uchiha Madara, I assume?" Fugaku cleared his throat, not really waiting for an answer. "The Uchiha and Senju together ended the Warring States Period and founded the Hidden Leaf. But one of our founders, Uchiha Madara, later betrayed the village and was killed by the First Hokage at the Valley of the End."
Sogetsu of course knew this history, but still obligingly played his part. "But… that was Uchiha Madara's fault, wasn't it?"
"You're right. Our treatment isn't because of Madara."
Fugaku stepped aside, revealing the gray stone wall behind him.
"It's our bloodline they fear—our Sharingan's true power."
Between two carved Uchiha crests stood a raised platform, on which rested an ancient stone tablet. Its surface was covered in warped, distorted characters you could barely call writing.
"The Sharingan's true power?" Sogetsu put on a suitably confused expression.
"Uchiha Sogetsu," Fugaku said quietly, "do you know how Madara once stood as the equal of the First Hokage and his Wood Release?"
His gaze sharpened. Three tomoe spun in his eyes, releasing an invisible pressure that made the air feel heavy.
"You've awakened three tomoe yourself. Doesn't it bother you? With just this level of power, how could our clan ever have stood shoulder to shoulder with the man who ended an era?"
Sogetsu hesitated theatrically, then shook his head. "To be honest, Lord Fugaku, I don't believe three-tomoe Sharingan can be compared to the First Hokage's Wood Release at all."
"Then let me tell you."
Pride flickered in Fugaku's eyes; his voice rose, brimming with conviction.
"Beyond the three-tomoe Sharingan lies a greater power—Mangekyō Sharingan."
"Mangekyō Sharingan?" Sogetsu let his jaw drop in shock.
"Madara awakened Mangekyō, and with that power he could stand with the First Hokage to found this village." The more he spoke, the more animated Fugaku became. A faint madness crept into his gaze. "If even one of us were to awaken Mangekyō, we could overturn the current state of things and make the Uchiha great again!"
If not for his Rank VI emotional regulation, Sogetsu might actually have laughed out loud.
My guy, your son is about to oversee a full-course clan annihilation and you're still talking about greatness…
"Sogetsu, you're the clan's greatest hope." Fugaku doubled down on the hype, clapping his shoulder again. "I believe in you. If anyone can awaken the Mangekyō, it will be you. The future of the Uchiha lies in your hands."
All right, that's enough. I'm full.
Sogetsu felt a metaphorical vein throb.
Why did everyone like putting the "future of X" in his hands?
First the future of Konoha, now the future of Uchiha…it was the same speech with different branding. Someone should really run a plagiarism check.
"I'll do my best, Lord Fugaku!" On the surface, he wore a deeply moved expression, eyes shining with gratitude. He almost added, If you don't mind, I'd like to call you Father, but managed to restrain himself.
"The method to awaken Mangekyō, and the secret history of our clan, are recorded on that tablet." Fugaku pointed at it. "But there's a seal over the text. Only three-tomoe eyes can read the first layer. The rest… only Mangekyō can see."
"I'll give it a try, Lord Fugaku."
Sogetsu activated his three-tomoe Sharingan and gazed at the stone tablet.
Sure enough, the distorted lines slowly shifted into legible characters.
Of course, someone who already knew the plot had no interest in the tablet's "bullshit content." He was only standing here to put on a show for Fugaku.
…Then his expression subtly shifted.
He could feel it—the unmistakable sensation of being watched.
Spectator-path Beyonders were extremely sensitive to any form of observation.
Spirit Vision.
He quietly opened his spiritual sight and let his gaze slide across the chamber.
Finally, he spotted it—behind the stone tablet, inside the wall, a patch of shadow as dark as ink. Its etheric aura was a murky gray.
The shadow writhed inside the stone like a clump of concentrated tar. The feeling of being watched came straight from that thing.
"Black Zetsu, huh…"
Sogetsu's brow furrowed just a fraction, and the corner of his mouth lifted into a cold smile.
So you think you're undetectable and spend your days peeping on people from inside walls, do you?
All right then. Class is in session.
Hidden in the wall, Black Zetsu stared at Uchiha Sogetsu with a glacial gaze.
To think he can simulate something on the level of Infinite Tsukuyomi with just three tomoe… what a terrifying talent. It'd be a waste not to use him. Maybe I should recommend him to Madara and speed up Mother's revival.
He was still internally drafting an entire series of pit-trap schemes when he suddenly noticed Sogetsu's expression change.
The boy's face hardened.
His hands blurred through a rapid sequence of seals.
"Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu!"
Black Zetsu: ???
Fugaku: What the—?!
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