After leaving the command room, Byakuya originally planned to depart from the Konoha camp, but at Shisui's enthusiastic invitation, he went to the Uchiha camp with Shisui.
Before reaching the camp, Byakuya saw Fugaku leading a group of Uchiha ninjas to him.
Fugaku Uchiha's appearance fits the standard of "born evil"; his eyes and expression are always cold, as if everyone else owed him a fortune.
Before Byakuya could greet him, Fugaku spoke up, "Shisui, this person beside you must be Byakuya, the disciple of the demigod Hanzo, who once captured you and Tekka and the others."
Byakuya showed a look of surprise and said, "I didn't expect that a nobody like me would be remembered by the head of the Sharingan clan. I'm truly flattered."
Faced with Byakuya's slightly sharp reply, Fugaku pondered for a few seconds.
Since the last time Byakuya visited Konoha with Yahiko and the others, Fugaku had conducted an investigation into Byakuya, knowing that he was the one who had kidnapped Shisui and was also a disciple of Hanzo.
Shisui's expression was somewhat awkward as he quickly said, "Lord Fugaku, this time it was all thanks to Byakuya. If it weren't for him, I, Tekka, and the others wouldn't have been able to return."
"I know."
Fugaku looked at Byakuya and smiled, saying, "I was just joking with you, Byakuya. You saved Shisui and Tekka, so you are already a friend of the Uchiha clan."
Byakuya smiled back, "Chief Fugaku, you really have a good sense of humor. However, last time was indeed a misunderstanding; I thought you were fighting over prey, and resolving the misunderstanding was all that was needed. However, Hanzo has always been interested in your Uchiha clan. How about visiting Amegakure if you have the opportunity?"
Upon hearing this, a glint flashed in Fugaku's eyes.
Byakuya's words seemed casual, but they revealed a lot of information.
First, Hanzo's interest in the Uchiha clan was both good and bad. Secondly, the invitation to visit was surely more than a simple visit; it suggested that Amegakure might be looking to recruit the Uchiha.
Otherwise, Byakuya, who had previously kidnapped Shisui, wouldn't be so generous toward the Uchiha this time.
Of course, to get the real answer, he would have to ask Shisui, as he had spent the most time with Byakuya, both before and now.
After finding an excuse to divert Byakuya, Fugaku led Shisui to a corner.
Shisui knew Fugaku's intentions and said, "Are you wanting to inquire about the Two-Tails jinchuriki, Lord Fugaku?"
Fugaku did not answer directly, staring at Shisui.
Under Fugaku's gaze, Shisui slowly spoke, "The Two-Tails jinchuriki was not solely hunted down by me; it was a joint effort between me and Byakuya. This is a deal between Byakuya and me."
Upon hearing this, Fugaku's doubts were considerably eased.
He had wondered when Shisui had the strength to die alongside the Two-Tails jinchuriki, but it turned out they had worked together to defeat it.
However, being able to work together to defeat the Two-Tails jinchuriki showed Shisui's strength.
Fugaku had no objections to the deal between Shisui and Byakuya. If it were him, he would also make such a deal with Byakuya, as the Uchiha needed achievements to prove themselves.
"You did well this time. I will give Byakuya the money he was promised."
After a pause, Fugaku continued, "However, the Hokage Office will definitely have suspicions about us. We Uchiha need more achievements to prove ourselves."
Shisui nodded and said, "Lord Fugaku, if there's nothing else, I'll take my leave."
At that moment, Fugaku suddenly remembered something and said, "Shisui, there's one more thing I almost forgot to ask you. Have you awakened your Mangekyō Sharingan?"
Upon hearing this, Shisui felt a surge of tension, hesitating over whether or not to confess.
After pondering for a moment, he decided to conceal the news: "Mangekyō Sharingan? Isn't that just a legend within the clan? Since that incident, there hasn't been a Mangekyō Sharingan in the clan."
"Is there really none?" Fugaku confirmed again.
Shisui shook his head, letting out a soft sigh as he said, "Clan Head, I also want to awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan, but it's not that simple to activate…"
Fugaku stared at Shisui for a long time before sighing, "When I heard you and Byakuya teamed up against the jinchuriki earlier, I thought you had awakened the Mangekyō… If the clan truly had a pair of Mangekyō, the chances of competing for the position of Hokage would increase significantly."
Shisui nodded in agreement, "Yeah, if Clan Head Fugaku awakened a pair of Mangekyō Sharingan, this war could be resolved quickly."
Upon hearing this, Fugaku waved his hand, signaling Shisui to leave.
Watching Shisui's departing figure, Fugaku's expression became unpredictable. Although he couldn't find evidence of Shisui possessing the Mangekyō Sharingan, his intuition told him that Shisui absolutely had it.
Otherwise, Shisui wouldn't have been able to return to rescue Yakumo, nor could he have activated Susanoo.
Indeed, after Yakumo woke from his coma, he reported to Fugaku what he had seen before losing consciousness. In a daze, Yakumo had seen the icy green phantom of a divine spirit.
That divine spirit could not be any other ninjutsu; it could only be the legendary Susanoo.
As for why Shisui was unwilling to mention the Mangekyō Sharingan, it was likely out of concern that the Hokage faction would accuse him of instigating the Nine-Tails Incident. However, it was impossible for Shisui's character to do such a thing.
Additionally, it related to Shisui's ideology.
Like Kagami Uchiha, Shisui was full of fantasies about the Hokage faction, but the position of Hokage could not be granted by the Hokage faction; one must fight for it through strength.
Thinking of this, Fugaku let out a soft sigh.
Why did every ninja in the clan who awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan fail to understand the family? Madara was like this, and so was Shisui.
---
In the Land of Waterfalls.
The Fourth Raikage was scouting the front lines with Killer Bee. Unlike the leaders of other ninja villages who stayed at the central army, the Fourth Raikage enjoyed "personally leading the charge" alongside Killer Bee.
This action not only boosted morale but also maximized the effectiveness of a Kage-level powerhouse.
However, there were downsides; if they encountered a large enemy force's siege, even a Kage-level powerhouse could be overwhelmed by a sea of enemies.
Nevertheless, the Fourth Raikage was not worried at all.
Because he was acting alongside Killer Bee, who was the jinchuriki of the Eight-Tails. While Killer Bee might not be as skilled in other areas, he excelled at countering sea tactics.
At that moment, the Fourth Raikage suddenly stopped and looked toward the forest behind him.
From the forest emerged a Kumogakure Anbu, who cautiously approached the Fourth Raikage and handed over an intelligence scroll.
The Fourth Raikage took the scroll, his expression shifting between anger and uncertainty.
Killer Bee, noticing the Fourth Raikage's expression, asked in confusion, "Big Brother, what happened?"
The Fourth Raikage said angrily, "We just received news that a team from the Land of Rain has gone missing."