"How could this be...?"
The First Elder, Uchiha Setsuna, and the Third Elder, Uchiha Tsukasa, were in complete shock.
The Second Elder, Uchiha Shou's statement confirmed what they feared—that Uchiha Shisui was indeed a traitor. However, the two elders still held onto a shred of hope and turned towards Uchiha Fugaku.
"Clan leader, please let us see the truth for ourselves."
Without a word, Uchiha Fugaku activated his eye technique again, allowing the two elders to witness the same memory he had shared with Shou. When it ended, grief, disappointment, and defeat were etched on their faces.
"It's true... Uchiha Shisui really is a traitor."
Shisui had been the Uchiha clan's prodigy, their shining hope. To learn that he had been working as a spy for the Third Hokage was a devastating blow. The elders struggled to process the loss of such a talent, a loss that seemed to crush the very spirit of the Uchiha family.
"The Uchiha family finally had someone awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan, only for him to betray us," Uchiha Shou said sorrowfully. His voice was heavy, reflecting the weight of the realization. Even their rare Mangekyō Sharingan wielder had sided with the village over the clan. With this betrayal, it seemed like there was no future for the Uchiha.
"It's the end of the Uchiha Clan..." Uchiha Setsuna muttered bitterly.
As a key member of the clan, Shisui had represented their greatest hope for the future. Now, the elders were grappling with the fact that their coup had been exposed and their most powerful member had turned against them.
"How could everything fall apart like this?" Uchiha Tsukasa lamented, staring blankly into the distance. Their plans for a coup seemed futile now. The Uchiha clan was up against the Third Hokage and the other powerful leaders of Konoha, and with Shisui working against them from within, any chance of success seemed slim.
But Uchiha Fugaku wasn't ready to give up. "I know Shisui's betrayal is a great disappointment, but don't lose hope just yet," he said, his voice firm.
The elders looked up at Fugaku in surprise.
"Shisui isn't the only one with the Mangekyō Sharingan."
At this revelation, the elders' eyes widened in shock and hope. "What do you mean? Is there someone else in the clan with the Mangekyō Sharingan?"
"Yes," Fugaku said. "I, too, have awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan."
With that, Fugaku activated his Mangekyō Sharingan, revealing the unique pattern within his eyes. A powerful, mysterious force seemed to emanate from him.
"The clan leader has also awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan!" the elders exclaimed in awe.
The despair that had gripped them moments ago began to fade. While Shisui's betrayal still stung, the presence of another Mangekyō Sharingan brought renewed hope.
"I awakened my Mangekyō Sharingan over ten years ago," Fugaku began. "I had planned to reveal it once another in the clan also awakened theirs, so we could stand together and restore the Uchiha clan's former glory. Unfortunately, the other Mangekyō Sharingan user has turned out to be a traitor."
The First Elder, Uchiha Setsuna, and the Third Elder, Uchiha Tsukasa, both looked ashamed. "We've misunderstood you all these years," Setsuna said, his voice filled with regret.
For years, they had been frustrated by what they saw as Fugaku's passivity in the face of Konoha's oppression. Now, they realized that Fugaku had been biding his time, waiting for the right moment when the Uchiha could strike back with the power of two Mangekyō Sharingan users.
"We thought you were too soft on Konoha, but we see now that you were waiting for the right moment," Tsukasa added.
Fugaku nodded. "Yes, I've endured for the sake of our clan. My patience was all for the day when we could finally challenge Konoha's leadership from a position of strength."
The elders, now fully aware of Fugaku's true intentions, were filled with a newfound respect for their leader. Uchiha Setsuna and Tsukasa, who had once openly opposed Fugaku, now looked at him with reverence. Even Uchiha Shou, who had been hesitant before, showed no signs of dissent.
"We apologize for our past doubts, Clan Leader. We are ready to fully support you," the three elders said in unison.
"Don't worry about it. Given my actions over the years, I understand why you felt that way," Fugaku replied, though inwardly he was pleased. The revelation of his Mangekyō Sharingan had worked perfectly. The elders were now fully loyal to him.
"Now that we've settled that matter, we must focus on dealing with Shisui," Uchiha Setsuna said, anger returning to his voice. "He must pay for his betrayal."
"That was my plan," Fugaku said. "At the last village meeting, I had intended for Shisui to be part of the operation to take down the Wood Release user, hoping to eliminate him then. Unfortunately, the Third Hokage intervened."
"Still, the matter isn't over. If more people fall to the Wood Release user, the Hokage will eventually have no choice but to send Shisui."
"You plan to continue disguising yourself as the Wood Release user and attack Konoha's ninjas?" Shou asked.
"Yes," Fugaku replied. "I'll eliminate the ninjas who oppose the Uchiha and pin the blame on the Wood Release user. This way, we take out our enemies and force Shisui into the field."
"A brilliant strategy," Setsuna said. "Not only do we weaken our enemies, but we also force Shisui to confront a Kage-level opponent."
The elders nodded in agreement, determined to see this plan through.
(End of Chapter).
***
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