One month later.
"The damage to both eyes has been completely repaired!"
Uchiha Fugaku was overjoyed as he looked at the clear world before him.
After grafting Hashirama's cells from White Zetsu's body—specifically the traits of these cells—a refreshing energy had been mending his eyes. Now, a month later, his eyes were fully healed.
Not only that, but he also sensed an improvement in his ocular power. His Sharingan had grown stronger; the power within his eyes had noticeably increased.
Hashirama's cells had not only resolved the risk of blindness and repaired the damage, but they had also significantly enhanced his pupil power. This wasn't surprising, considering that when Uchiha Madara integrated Hashirama's cells, his eyes evolved into the Rinnegan. While Fugaku's eyes couldn't reach the Rinnegan level, the enhancement in his Mangekyō Sharingan was evident.
Footsteps approached, and Fugaku turned to see Uchiha Yakumi walking toward him, wearing the armband of the Konoha Military Police Force.
"Patriarch," Yakumo greeted respectfully as he neared Fugaku.
In the security department, he addressed Fugaku as captain, but in the clan, he used the title of patriarch.
"What's the matter?" Fugaku asked.
Yakumo glanced around before responding.
"There's no one else around," Fugaku assured him, thanks to his advanced perception abilities from the Yamanaka clan. Even highly skilled ninjas would struggle to approach him unnoticed.
"Patriarch, Uchiha Chi has accepted a mission to leave the village."
As a member of the Military Police Force, Yakumo was aware of all mission departures. He had been informed of Chi's mission by someone he trusted at the registration office.
"Finally, a chance to deal with him!" Fugaku's eyes flashed with a hint of murderous intent.
Chi, the traitor within the Uchiha clan, had been a persistent concern for him. Now, Fugaku had the opportunity to eliminate this threat.
"Chief, please let me lead the team to eliminate this traitor!" Yakumo urged, his tone filled with resolve and anger.
Though Yakumo's desire to avenge the clan was understandable, Fugaku shook his head. "Uchiha Chi is an elite jonin with three magatama. He will be more challenging than a typical elite jonin and might possess hidden strengths. It is safer if I handle this personally."
The mission to assassinate Chi must succeed; failure could alert the Third Hokage. Additionally, Chi might have been given powerful forbidden techniques by Hiruzen, making him even more dangerous. Only Fugaku, with his shadow-level strength, could ensure the mission's success.
"I will leave a shadow clone behind and then quietly depart from the village. You will cover for me and make sure no one realizes I am gone."
"Understood," Yakumo replied respectfully.
As Fugaku prepared for his departure, he was concerned that leaving only a shadow clone behind could be risky, especially with Mikoto living with him.
After some consideration, he decided to confide in her.
"Mikoto," he called out as he approached the backyard, where Uchiha Mikoto was tending her plants.
Mikoto, dressed in an apron and holding a watering can, turned to him, her graceful figure illuminated by the sunlight.
"What's wrong?" she asked, setting the watering can aside and walking toward him.
"I'm going to be away from the village for a while," Fugaku said.
He decided to tell Mikoto about his departure.
"How many days will you be gone?" Mikoto inquired.
"Two to three days. I will leave quietly and use a shadow clone as a cover. I need you to help keep my absence a secret."
Mikoto's brows furrowed slightly in concern but soon relaxed. "Don't worry, I'll cover for you."
She sensed that something unusual was happening but chose to support Fugaku without pressing him for details. As his wife, she understood his need for discretion.
"This must be kept confidential, even from Itachi and Sasuke," Fugaku emphasized.
"Don't worry. I understand. I am a jonin, after all!" Mikoto smiled reassuringly.
---
At the entrance of Konoha, a man with dark hair and a slight beard, around twenty to thirty years old, appeared. It was Uchiha Chi, the traitor hidden within the Uchiha clan.
"Chi, heading out on a mission?" one of the guards at the gate greeted him warmly.
"Yes, I have accepted a mission and will be gone for two or three days," Chi replied, feeling a twinge of guilt but quickly pushing it aside.
Despite his loyalty to the Third Hokage and his role as a spy, he felt a deep connection to his Uchiha comrades.
Ninjas are supposed to prioritize their missions above all else. The Third Hokage had tasked him with monitoring the Uchiha clan to prevent any actions against the village. His mission was for the sake of Konoha.
"It's getting late. You should hurry. We'll have a drink together when you return," a familiar guard said.
"Sounds good. Let's drink together when I get back!" Chi responded with a heartfelt laugh.
He had returned to the Uchiha clan at twelve, and after sixteen years, he had forged strong bonds and experienced the warmth of the clan. Sometimes he wished he were not burdened by guilt, but he knew such wishes were futile.
Before joining the Uchiha clan, he had already accepted the mission from the Third Hokage, intending to become an insider.
With a swift motion, he left Konoha and vanished into the surrounding forest.
(End of Chapter).
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