These casualties were within an acceptable range.
After all, in war, death was inevitable, and the Uchiha clan was never one to fear losses.
What they couldn't accept was the mass death of their kin.
Losing two or three clansmen for a significant victory was something no one could criticize.
"Take care of the bodies of the fallen and treat the injured as best as you can."
"Oh, and send a report back to the camp with details of this battle."
Whether they would continue to hold their position in the Land of Bears or return to camp depended on Orochimaru's orders. If he had a choice, Takuya wouldn't want to stay there.
These minor details didn't need Takuya's direct attention. He simply informed Uchiha Mikoto, who would see to their completion.
"Haha, Clan Head, what a resounding victory!"
"It's a shame the remaining enemies were so frightened they fled into the sea. If they hadn't run, we could have wiped them out."
"Yes, it was indeed a decisive victory."
Even the usually stern Uchiha Fugaku cracked a rare smile.
Compared to patrolling the camp, this kind of battle was what the Uchiha thrived on.
Minimal losses with significant merit.
The previous disputes were long forgotten.
"Takuya, the remaining enemies retreated into the sea. I left a few clansmen to monitor them while the rest withdrew; we didn't pursue further."
"That was the right call."
While it might seem cautious, even timid, Uchiha Fugaku was competent enough.
Given the current situation, pursuing the enemy wasn't wise. If they fell into an ambush, the consequences could be severe.
Sometimes, a bit of caution and restraint wasn't a bad thing.
Sitting on a rock, slicing up freshly caught game, Takuya advised Fugaku:
"Later, send someone to the Hoshigakure village to tell their leader that Konoha has no interest in hostilities with them. We'll leave once the war is over and won't cause them any trouble. They should stay calm and remain in their village."
Takuya disliked disruptions. It was best if the Hoshigakure stayed put and didn't interfere.
This way, it would benefit everyone.
Avoiding conflict could save everyone a lot of trouble.
"I will."
After glancing at Takuya, who seemed focused on preparing to roast his meat, Fugaku walked off to handle the tasks.
Takuya's decision to relay orders through Fugaku rather than directing the Uchiha directly was a sign of respect.
Fugaku preferred not to have any unnecessary tension with Takuya.
After days of eating rations, with the battle over, Takuya wasn't going to deny himself a better meal.
It was a stroke of luck that Mikoto's patrol had caught a deer, which they promptly brought over.
Takuya didn't take much—just two hind legs.
Perhaps drawn by the scent of roasting meat or genuinely needing to talk, Fugaku returned after finishing his arrangements, hovering like an uninvited guest.
This left Mikoto, who had been sitting close to Takuya, a bit embarrassed. After sharing some venison, she excused herself, giving the two men space to talk.
Chewing on his venison, Takuya didn't spare Fugaku a glance, only remarking:
"If you're here to discuss Uchiha matters, don't bother. Let's avoid any unnecessary tension."
The higher-ups already wanted him as far away from the Uchiha as possible, yet Orochimaru had tasked him with leading them on a mission.
Takuya still couldn't figure out what Orochimaru's true aim was.
"It's not about the clan. I just wanted to talk about the Sharingan."
Fugaku clarified his stance.
"The Sharingan?"
What made Uchiha Fugaku suddenly want to discuss this?
In the original story, Fugaku unlocked the Mangekyō during the Third Great Ninja War but kept it a secret until his death, only revealing it to his son, Itachi, before being killed.
Takuya couldn't deny that Fugaku was patient.
And he admired Itachi's foolishness: killing his father, knowing he could have transplanted those eyes and saved his own from going blind, yet choosing not to.
Was that a plot device?
There was also speculation that Fugaku's eyes ended up with Uchiha Obito.
But Takuya thought Itachi wouldn't be that naive. Knowing his father had awakened the Mangekyō, he should have been aware of its value.
Would he have left Fugaku's eyes behind?
The fate of Fugaku's eyes remained a mystery.
Fugaku crossed his arms, his gaze serious as he looked at the distant fire.
"I've been curious for some time."
Fugaku turned to face him.
"You possess the Three-Tomoe Sharingan, but when you use it, I feel immense pressure. Takuya, is your eye really just a Three-Tomoe?"
What was that supposed to mean?
Was this mere curiosity, or had Fugaku awakened his own Mangekyō?
But there hadn't been any major deaths in the Uchiha recently. Had Fugaku been triggered by something else to awaken it?
No, that couldn't be it. Takuya hadn't sensed any notable changes in Fugaku's mental energy.
It didn't feel like the aura of someone with a Mangekyō.
"Are you questioning me, Clan Head?"
Takuya paused, then resumed eating.
Fugaku shook his head.
"That's not my intent. I'm just curious. You know the Three-Tomoe isn't the Sharingan's final form."
Mysterious as ever.
Last time, it was about forbidden jutsu; now, it was about Sharingan levels. Fugaku sure had a way of keeping things cryptic.
If Takuya didn't care about spoiling his appetite, he would have rolled his eyes at Fugaku.
"If that's all you have to say, you can leave. I'm not interested in—what the?!"
Takuya was about to dismiss Fugaku when he turned to find the man staring at him, a pair of Mangekyō Sharingan spinning in his eyes.
Damn it!
What kind of stimulus did Fugaku experience?
He had awakened the Mangekyō!
This wasn't normal!
In the original series, Fugaku only unlocked it after witnessing a comrade's death, and he kept it secret until the end.
Takuya hadn't expected Fugaku to have already evolved his Sharingan to the Mangekyō, and he certainly hadn't expected him to reveal it openly.
Mental energy levels had risen, becoming more active.
What on earth was going on?
Takuya narrowed his eyes.
"Does your Mangekyō have the ability to hide mental energy?"
"It seems I wasn't wrong."
Fugaku's presence shifted, and his Mangekyō glowed an eerie crimson.
"These eyes can glimpse future events, though in vague glimpses."
What the—?
This wasn't supposed to be possible!