In the days that followed, Konoha was anything but peaceful.
To be specific, it was the Uchiha clan that was in turmoil due to recent events.
First off, the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, uncharacteristically inducted Uchiha Sogetsu into ANBU and even assigned him significant responsibilities. This, in itself, wasn't too unusual to cause much of a stir.
The real trouble began when Uchiha Sogetsu, while serving as an examiner, severely beat up both a Suna ninja and a Jōnin from Iwagakure.
This resulted in the Third Hokage dismissing him from his position as an examiner. However, it was clear to anyone paying attention that this was merely a cover-up, a facade for outsiders.
The real news came afterward.
After publicly reprimanding Uchiha Sogetsu, the Hokage promptly gave him a new assignment, appointing him as the squad captain of the third ANBU detachment.
Rumor has it that upon hearing this news, the Iwagakure Jōnin who was recovering in Konoha Hospital was so enraged that he passed out.
On the other hand, the neighboring patient, Pakura from Sunagakure, seemed to be in stable condition. Yet according to the nurses, her eyes had lost focus, and she seemed utterly dejected.
Meanwhile, after learning that Uchiha Sogetsu had been promoted to the captain of an ANBU squad, the elders of the Uchiha clan were thrown into chaos.
"What do you mean by aiming for one and fighting for two? The blade is now directed at the third, fourth, and fifth positions!"
Uchiha Yuanhuo, who was in his sixties, shouted angrily, his forehead veins visibly pulsing. He threw his tea cup to the ground in frustration. "How is it that we're a bunch of old-timers, and we can't even match a junior in terms of progress!"
Uchiha Fugaku, the clan leader, kept his head down, pretending not to hear, as if his mind was elsewhere. It was well-known that these elder council meetings often erupted into heated arguments. If it weren't for his position, Fugaku would rather be at home with his wife.
"Ahem, there's still time to change things," said Uchiha Tetsuji, who had a long white beard, coughing awkwardly. "In any case, as long as one of us Uchiha is rising, there's always a chance we could aim for the Sixth Hokage when the child is mature!"
"Agreed!"
"Absolutely!"
"Yes, we're aiming for the Sixth Hokage!"
Watching the group of elders suddenly turn optimistic, Uchiha Yuanhuo's face twitched in disbelief. "Wow, you guys sure changed your tune fast. What about Fugaku?"
"Fugaku."
The elders fell silent for a moment, then collectively shook their heads. "Forget it, he's got no chance," one of them said.
Fugaku's eyes twitched, but he didn't say a word. He looked up, glancing at the group of old men before speaking, "So, you're saying that from now on, you'll fully support Uchiha Sogetsu?"
"Hold on," said Uchiha Yuanhuo, after a brief pause. "Don't rush into it. Remember, that boy has been marginalized by the clan since he was a child. Sarutobi Hiruzen recognized that and made him a key part of the ANBU."
"Yuanhuo is right," agreed Tetsuji Uchiha, seated second on the left. He narrowed his eyes, the cold gleam of his gaze piercing through the room. "And don't forget about Uchiha Kagami."
Mentioning "Uchiha Kagami" was like dropping a thunderclap into the room. Instantly, the mood darkened. The once-pride of the Uchiha clan, Kagami's fall from grace had left a mark that was never discussed openly within the clan.
"Don't bring up Kagami again, Elder Tetsuji," Fugaku said, rubbing his temples, a note of fatigue in his voice. "I'll take care of the situation with Sogetsu. That's the end of it."
The council meeting dispersed, leaving Fugaku alone in the room. He felt like a man adrift at sea, desperately trying to keep his head above water, but the more he struggled, the further he sank.
"Is there really only one path left for the Uchiha clan?" he murmured to himself, his words echoing in the empty room, with no one around to answer him.
It was night, with clouds obscuring the moon and a light drizzle falling. The raindrops fell like fine needles, creating a ghostly ambiance in the quiet darkness.
In the midst of this silent night, a shadow as black as ink moved silently along the outer wall of the Uchiha residence. It slipped through a small gap, almost invisible to the eye, like a ghost blending into the night.
The black figure seemed familiar, skillfully maneuvering through the security measures of the Uchiha compound, avoiding all the alarms, and heading straight to a secluded house.
It moved like a shadow cast by candlelight, blending into the doors and windows of the house.
Despite its dark appearance, the shadow wasn't entirely black. It had two hollow eyes on its head, staring at the objects inside the room with a strange, unsettling gaze. The corners of its mouth slowly curled into a huge smile, almost stretching to its ears.
Whoosh——!
A sharp kunai suddenly flew out from the window.
"Hehehehe."
The kunai pierced the shadow's head but eventually landed on the grass.
The shadow let out a playful laugh, then shifted into a more fluid form, darting away at incredible speed.
"Stop!"
Uchiha Sogetsu burst out of the door, chasing the shadow.
But something strange happened: the distance between the shadow and him remained constant, keeping it within sight but always just out of reach.
As Sogetsu pursued it, he noticed that the surroundings were becoming familiar: "This is the Naka Shrine, isn't it?"
"Hehehehe."
The shadow laughed again, almost mockingly. It glanced at him from the entrance of the shrine before disappearing inside.
"Stop!"
Uchiha Sogetsu didn't hesitate, rushing in after it.
He chased the shadow deep into the Naka Shrine, down to the basement where he had last met Fugaku. The shadow finally stopped.
"Not planning to run anymore, huh?" Uchiha Sogetsu readied his kunai, adopting a battle stance, and said coldly, "You've broken into Konoha and the Uchiha compound twice now. Do you really think we can't do anything to you?!"
His chakra flared, suggesting he was ready to attack at any moment.
"Wait a minute, Uchiha Sogetsu."
But then, the shadow spoke, "Aren't you curious why I brought you here?"
"Ah, so your goal is the Naka Shrine."
Uchiha Sogetsu frowned, his expression tight with suspicion. "But don't think I'll fall for your tricks so easily!"
The air crackled as Black Zetsu's voice cut through the tension. "You're mistaken, Uchiha Sogetsu," he said, his voice low and rasping. "Aren't you curious about what's hidden on the stone tablet at Naka Shrine?"
Sogetsu's eyes widened slightly, though he tried to maintain his composure. "How do you know about that?"
"I know much more than you could imagine," Black Zetsu replied with a sinister grin.
"The stone tablet at Naka Shrine, the secrets of the Uchiha clan, and what's buried deep within your bloodline limit—the real power that could shake the Ninja World and make even Konoha's Hokage tremble. Don't you want to find out more?"
His words were dripping with temptation, and Uchiha Sogetsu felt the curiosity clawing at him. "Who are you? Why do you keep sneaking into Naka Shrine?" he asked, his voice steady but his curiosity obvious.
"Me?" Black Zetsu chuckled, his tone filled with dark satisfaction. "I am 'Black Zetsu'. And why do I sneak in here? That's simple."
He paused for dramatic effect, enjoying the growing suspense. Then he leaned in slightly and said, "Uchiha Sogetsu, do you crave power?"
"Power," Sogetsu repeated, the word rolling off his tongue with a hint of eagerness.
"Yes, the legendary power—the Mangekyō Sharingan!"
Black Zetsu's voice was dark and seductive, like a demon whispering forbidden secrets.
"Uchiha Sogetsu, let me ask you again. What is it that you truly desire? Is it the power of the Mangekyō Sharingan?"
********
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