Naka Shrine, Konoha's 5A-level Scenic Spot, and a renowned Talent Re-education Graduation Institution.
This damn place gave Sōgetsu one overwhelming impression: it was utterly absurd.
It was like some Tongliao Dragon Field. Any Uchiha who came here for further study would, more or less, gain some kind of unusual insight.
As for exactly what they realized, that depended on their individual talent and luck.
Deranged fanatics, filial sons, animals—those weren't surprising. What shocked Sōgetsu was that it had even produced people like Kagami and Shisui. That was seriously impressive.
After taking a commemorative photo, Sōgetsu followed the shrine's secret passage and met Uchiha Fugaku in an underground chamber.
The vast chamber was brightly lit by candles. Uchiha Fugaku stood facing the walls, his hands clasped behind his back.
"I've been waiting for you for a long time, Sōgetsu."
As expected of an Uchiha—showing off was a habit carved into their bones. Staring at Fugaku's back, Sōgetsu's lips twitched. "Lord Fugaku, I'm here."
"Ah..." Uchiha Fugaku still did not turn around. Instead, he let out a faint sigh, as though his heart was burdened by unspeakable anguish.
"Why are you sighing, Lord Fugaku?" Sōgetsu tactfully asked.
"I sigh for the Uchiha Clan. Our situation is difficult now, and the Clan Extinction Crisis could strike at any moment." Fugaku finally turned around, his face full of sorrow. "Sōgetsu, after what happened yesterday, I'm sure you felt it too—the danger our Uchiha Clan is facing."
Hearing this, Sōgetsu clenched his fists, his face showing indignation and rage. "Lord Fugaku, you're right. I thought that although the Uchiha Clan wasn't welcomed, we were at least fellow ninja from the same village. But I never expected Danzo to openly attack me!"
As he spoke, he looked like a young man who had suffered injustice. His hot-blooded passion turned into grievance, and moisture actually appeared in his eyes. "I believe I've never done anything to wrong Konoha. The reason I became a Psychologist was because Lady Tsunade inspired me. I wanted to provide a sanctuary for the souls of ninja scarred by the battlefield. But I never expected Danzo to covet my ninjutsu!"
"I don't understand!"
"Why is this happening, Lord Fugaku?!"
The young man angrily waved his fists, tears streaming from his eyes. His heart was filled with indignation and resentment. Even Fugaku, who had seen all kinds of people, could not help but sigh inwardly: What a pure young man.
Still, Sōgetsu's reaction was within Fugaku's expectations.
Uchiha were emotional by nature and prone to mental problems. Now that they had been betrayed by the Will of Fire they trusted most, a little complaining was perfectly normal.
"Ah, actually, you can't be blamed for this, Sōgetsu."
Fugaku stepped forward, patted the young man's shoulder, and comforted him. "You did nothing wrong. It's just that our Uchiha Clan has never truly been accepted by Konoha."
"Huh? Why is that?" Sōgetsu widened his eyes, his face practically spelling out, I'm very curious.
"You know about Uchiha Madara, don't you?" Fugaku cleared his throat and continued without waiting for Sōgetsu's reply. "The Uchiha and Senju Clan ended the Warring States Period together and founded the Hidden Village of Konoha. But Uchiha Madara, one of its founders, betrayed Konoha and was personally killed by the First Hokage in the Valley of the End."
Sōgetsu naturally knew that history, but he still put on a puzzled expression. "But... wasn't that clearly Uchiha Madara's fault?"
"You're right. Our Uchiha Clan wasn't ostracized because of Madara."
As he spoke, Uchiha Fugaku stepped aside, revealing the gray-white walls. "It was because of our Kekkei Genkai. What they feared was the Sharingan's true power!"
Between the two Uchiha crests on the walls stood an ancient stone tablet enshrined on a raised platform, covered in hundreds of blurry, distorted characters.
"The Sharingan's true power?" Sōgetsu appropriately looked confused.
"Uchiha Sōgetsu, do you know why Uchiha Madara was able to contend with the First Hokage's Wood Release?"
Uchiha Fugaku's gaze changed. Three tomoe spun in his pupils, radiating invisible pressure. "You've already awakened the Three Tomoe. Aren't you curious how our Uchiha Clan, with only this degree of power, could be hailed alongside the Wood Release that pacified a chaotic era as the Strongest in Konoha?"
Sōgetsu hesitated, then shook his head. "To be honest, Lord Fugaku, I don't think the Three Tomoe Sharingan can be mentioned in the same breath as the First Hokage's Wood Release."
"Then let me tell you, Sōgetsu."
Pride appeared in Fugaku's eyes, and his voice rose. "Beyond the Three Tomoe Sharingan, there exists an even more powerful force. Its name is the Mangekyō Sharingan!"
"The Mangekyō Sharingan?" Sōgetsu opened his mouth in "shock."
"Uchiha Madara awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan, which was how he was able to found Konoha with the First Hokage." As he spoke of this, the excitement in Uchiha Fugaku's eyes nearly overflowed, and a feverish look appeared on his face. "As long as one person awakens the Mangekyō Sharingan, we can completely change our situation and make the Uchiha Clan great again!"
If not for a Psychologist's powerful emotional control, Sōgetsu would probably have burst out laughing.
The Uchiha Clan was going to be wiped out by your son, and you're still talking about greatness.
"Sōgetsu, you are the most promising person in the Clan." Fugaku did not forget to keep selling the dream as he patted Sōgetsu's shoulder. "I believe in you. If anyone can awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan, it will definitely be you. I have high hopes for you. The Uchiha Clan's future rests in your hands."
That was enough. He couldn't take any more.
Sōgetsu felt a little helpless. Why did every single one of them love feeding him grand promises?
One moment, Konoha's future was in his hands. The next, the Uchiha Clan's future was in his hands. It was always the same script. Someone should seriously check the plagiarism rate.
"I'll work hard, Lord Fugaku!" Sōgetsu put on an expression of overwhelming gratitude, practically wanting to add, If you do not reject me, I would be willing to take you as my godfather.
"The method of awakening the Mangekyō, as well as our Uchiha Clan's secret history, are all recorded on this stone tablet." Fugaku pointed at it. "However, the tablet's contents have been sealed by some method. At minimum, one needs the Three Tomoe Sharingan to see part of it. The rest can only be seen with the Mangekyō Sharingan."
"I'll give it a try, Lord Fugaku."
Sōgetsu activated his Three Tomoe Sharingan and stared at the stone tablet.
Sure enough, the blurry, distorted writing on the tablet became legible.
But since he knew the plot, he had no interest whatsoever in the bullshit written on the tablet. He was only putting on a show for Fugaku.
Hmm?
As Sōgetsu pretended to read the tablet, he suddenly sensed something unusual.
He was being watched.
Extraordinary beings of the Spectator Pathway were extremely sensitive to any sort of observation.
Spiritual Vision!
Sōgetsu secretly activated Spiritual Vision and swept his gaze across the area.
At last, on the walls behind the stone tablet, he saw an ink-black shadow with a gray Ether Body aura.
The shadow writhed inside the walls like a mass of black, viscous liquid. That strange sensation of being watched was coming from it.
"Black Zetsu..."
Sōgetsu frowned so subtly that it was almost imperceptible, then a cold smile curled at the corner of his lips.
Relying on the fact that no one could detect you to spy on everyone's privacy, huh?
Fine. Today, I'll teach you a lesson!
Hidden inside the walls, Black Zetsu stared sinisterly at Uchiha Sōgetsu. "I didn't expect him to be able to simulate the Infinite Tsukuyomi with just the Three Tomoe. It would be such a waste not to make use of talent like this. Perhaps I can recommend him to Uchiha Madara and suitably accelerate the plan to revive Mother."
Just as Black Zetsu was inwardly plotting a series of schemes to harm others, he suddenly noticed that Uchiha Sōgetsu, standing before the walls, had undergone a drastic change in expression.
Then, Uchiha Sōgetsu rapidly formed hand seals.
"Fire Style: Great Fireball!"
Black Zetsu: ???
Fugaku: What the hell?!
December 7th, sunny.
So sleepy. I got caught dozing off at work, so annoying. I'll buy a lottery ticket after work. Esteemed readers, please toss this little one a few tickets~
Before you continue