"Hokage-sama!"
Seeing the arrival of the Third Hokage, Uchiha Shisui immediately straightened up and addressed him with respect.
"Mm."
The Third Hokage suppressed the anger on his face, instead allowing a kind yet sorrowful expression to emerge.
"Hokage-sama, has something happened?"
Uchiha Shisui noticed the sadness in the Third Hokage's expression and hesitated for a moment before asking.
The Third Hokage sighed, his face filled with apparent worry.
After a brief silence, he finally spoke.
"Not long ago, Uchiha Fugaku brought Uchiha Mikoto to privately contact the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki, Uzumaki Naruto."
"What?!"
Uchiha Shisui's expression instantly changed.
The Nine-Tails Jinchūriki was one of the village's greatest secrets, and the Hokage had long issued a strict order forbidding anyone from approaching him without permission.
Yet, the clan leader had disregarded that order and contacted Naruto in private.
What exactly was Fugaku trying to do?
Shisui felt a wave of confusion.
As an Uchiha, he was well aware of the Sharingan's ability to control tailed beasts—it wasn't just a rumor.
Could the clan leader be seeking that power?
Had he set his sights on the Nine-Tails?
"I sent Anbu to stop them and summoned Patriarch Fugaku to the Hokage Building for questioning," the Third Hokage continued, his tone heavy. "But his attitude was unshaken. Not only did he show no remorse, but he even made a request of me."
Shisui was stunned.
How could Fugaku be so bold?
Not only had he secretly contacted the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki, but even after being confronted by the Hokage himself, he had the audacity to make demands?
Shisui's voice was filled with disbelief as he asked, "What did he ask for?"
"He claimed that his wife, Uchiha Mikoto, was a close friend of Naruto's late mother, Uzumaki Kushina. Using that as justification, he requested that she be allowed to continue meeting with Naruto."
Shisui fell silent.
He didn't believe for a second that Fugaku's request was purely out of concern for his wife's friendship.
His real aim was likely the Jinchūriki himself.
But instead of approaching the Nine-Tails directly, he had taken a more strategic route—using his wife as an intermediary.
"The Uchiha clan is the most powerful family in Konoha," the Third Hokage said with a weary sigh, his usually upright posture slumping slightly. "For the sake of maintaining harmony in the village, I had no choice but to agree to his request."
His words struck a deep chord in Shisui's heart.
The Hokage was a man who carried the burden of Konoha's peace, upholding the Will of Fire even in his old age.
Why couldn't the Uchiha clan see that?
Why did they always have to cause trouble?
First, Danzo's death. Then, Fugaku openly opposing the Hokage. And now, this reckless act of secretly contacting Naruto.
It was clear—if left unchecked, the clan was heading toward disaster.
A firm resolve settled in Shisui's heart. He looked at the Third Hokage with unwavering determination.
"Hokage-sama, I will always stand by your side. If the Uchiha clan ever takes actions that threaten the village... I will stop them myself."
The Third Hokage offered a sad smile, his voice filled with gratitude.
"I'm relieved to hear that, Shisui. Both you and Itachi truly embody the Will of Fire. But I know... it must be difficult for you both."
"Itachi and I have already prepared ourselves for this path," Shisui replied resolutely. "Even if it means opposing our own clan, we will protect the village's peace."
The Third Hokage smiled, his eyes filled with what seemed to be relief.
***
Deep underground, in a vast space filled with White Zetsu.
A dark vortex swirled into existence, and from within it, Uchiha Obito, wearing his spiral mask, stepped out.
"Any new developments in Akatsuki?" he asked, his voice calm yet commanding.
Being based in the Land of Water meant that information didn't reach him as quickly as he'd like, so he returned to this secret base periodically to get updates from Zetsu.
"There have been some changes," Black Zetsu replied, his tone carrying a hint of amusement. "The most notable one is Orochimaru joining Akatsuki."
Obito's eye narrowed slightly behind his mask.
"Orochimaru? How did that happen?"
His encounters with Orochimaru in Konoha had been limited, but he knew enough to recognize the man's ambition.
Orochimaru was not someone who would easily bow to another's will.
What could have convinced him to join?
"Nagato invited him to meet in the Land of Rivers. During the meeting, Orochimaru saw the Rinnegan in Nagato's Deva Path body and tried to take it for himself," White Zetsu explained. "He was ultimately defeated, and with his life on the line, he chose to join Akatsuki instead."
Obito scoffed.
"That doesn't add up," he muttered. "Orochimaru is cunning. Even if he lost, he should have had ways to escape. The fact that he joined Akatsuki willingly suggests he has an ulterior motive."
Black Zetsu chuckled darkly.
"Of course he does. Orochimaru hasn't given up on obtaining the Rinnegan. He joined Akatsuki to stay close to Nagato, study the Rinnegan, and wait for the right moment to take it."
Obito's expression beneath the mask remained unreadable.
"He's underestimating Nagato. Even if he somehow manages to steal the Rinnegan, it'll be useless to him."
Nagato's real body was hidden away, and the Rinnegan in his Deva Path was nothing more than a projection of his true power.
Even if Orochimaru managed to get his hands on them, he would quickly realize they were worthless to him.
"He likely suspects as much, but he still sees an opportunity," White Zetsu added.
"Nagato must know Orochimaru's true intentions," Obito mused. "But Orochimaru is still a valuable asset. He's a Kage-level ninja and a skilled scientist. Nagato is choosing to use him rather than eliminate him."
"That seems to be the case," White Zetsu agreed.
Obito shifted his gaze.
"And the others?"
Black Zetsu's tone turned amused.
"Two members of Akatsuki have already been killed—by none other than your fellow Uchiha, Fugaku. It seems he possesses Kage-level strength."
Obito's eye widened slightly.
Fugaku had Kage-level power?
The clan leader who had long been dismissed as weak and incompetent?
Had he been hiding his strength all along?
A disturbing thought crossed Obito's mind, and he frowned.
"Has he awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan?"
Ordinary Kage-level opponents were nothing to fear.
But a Mangekyō Sharingan user... that was a different story.
He knew firsthand the devastating power of those eyes.
"It's still unclear," Zetsu admitted.
Obito's eye narrowed.
"Keep a close watch on him. I want to know whether he has the Mangekyō Sharingan or not."
(End of this chapter)
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