Shadow of Black Zetsu

Naka Shrine, Konoha's 5A-level scenic spot and renowned Talent Re-education Graduation Institution.

To Sōgetsu, this place felt nothing short of absurd.

Just like that Tongliao Dragon Field, any Uchiha who came here for training would inevitably realize something different.

As for what exactly they realized, that depended on individual talent and luck.

Things like lunatics, filial sons, or beasts weren't surprising—what shocked Sōgetsu was that it could actually produce people like Kagami and Shisui. Truly impressive.

After taking a commemorative photo, Sōgetsu followed the secret passage within the shrine to an underground chamber, where he met Uchiha Fugaku.

The vast chamber was brightly lit with candles. Uchiha Fugaku faced the wall, hands clasped behind his back.

"I've been waiting for you, Sōgetsu."

As expected of an Uchiha—showing off was ingrained in their bones. Watching Fugaku's back, Sōgetsu's mouth twitched involuntarily. "Lord Fugaku, I'm here."

"Ah." Uchiha Fugaku still didn't turn around, instead letting out a deep sigh, as if carrying unspeakable anguish in his chest.

"Why does Lord Fugaku sigh?" Sōgetsu asked, playing along.

"I sigh for the Uchiha Clan. Our situation is dire now, with the danger of extinction looming at any moment." Fugaku finally turned around, his face full of worry. "Sōgetsu, after what happened yesterday, you must have sensed it too—the danger our Uchiha Clan now faces."

Hearing this, Sōgetsu clenched his fists, his face showing indignation and anger. "Lord Fugaku, you're right. I thought that even if the Uchiha Clan wasn't well-liked, we were still fellow village ninjas. But I never expected Danzo to openly attack me!"

Speaking thus, he was like a youth wronged, his hot blood turning into grievance, and tears actually welled in his eyes. "I believe I've done nothing to wrong Konoha. The reason I became a psychologist was inspired by Lady Tsunade, wanting to provide a spiritual sanctuary for ninjas tormented by war. But I never imagined Danzo would covet my jutsu!"

"I don't understand!"

"Why is this happening, Lord Fugaku?"

The young man shook his fist in anger, tears streaming down his face, his chest full of indignation and resentment. Even Fugaku, who had seen countless people, had to admit: What a pure-hearted youth.

Still, Sōgetsu's reaction was within Fugaku's expectations.

Uchiha, after all, were emotionally rich and prone to mental issues. Being betrayed by the Will of Fire they trusted most—a little complaint was only natural.

"Ah, actually, this isn't your fault, Sōgetsu."

Fugaku stepped forward, patting the young man's shoulder in comfort. "You did nothing wrong. It's just that our Uchiha Clan has never been accepted by Konoha."

"Huh? Why is that?" Sōgetsu's eyes widened, his face screaming 'I'm curious.'

"You know about Uchiha Madara, right?" Fugaku cleared his throat, not waiting for Sōgetsu's answer before continuing. "The Uchiha and Senju Clans together ended the Warring States Period and founded Konoha Hidden Village. But Madara, one of the founders, betrayed Konoha and was killed by the First Hokage at the Valley of the End."

Sōgetsu naturally knew this history, but he still played along with confusion. "But... that was clearly Madara's fault."

"You're right. Our Uchiha Clan being ostracized isn't because of Madara."

With that, Uchiha Fugaku turned sideways, revealing the gray-white wall. "It's because of our Kekkei Genkai. What they fear is the true power of the Sharingan!"

Between two Uchiha clan crests on the wall, a stone tablet sat on a high altar, engraved with hundreds of blurry, distorted characters.

"The true power of the Sharingan?" Sōgetsu showed timely bewilderment.

"Uchiha Sōgetsu, do you know how Uchiha Madara once matched the First Hokage's Wood Release?"

Uchiha Fugaku's gaze shifted, three tomoe spinning in his pupils, releasing an invisible pressure. "You've already awakened the Three Tomoe. Aren't you curious how our Uchiha Clan, with only this level of power, could be hailed alongside the Wood Release that pacified the 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 compare to the First Hokage's Wood Release."

"Then let me tell you, Sōgetsu."

Fugaku's eyes shone with pride, his tone rising. "Above the Three Tomoe Sharingan exists an even greater power. Its name is: the Mangekyo Sharingan!"

"The Mangekyo Sharingan?" Sōgetsu's mouth fell open in 'shock.'

"It was by awakening the Mangekyo Sharingan that Uchiha Madara could found Konoha alongside the First Hokage." Speaking of this, Uchiha Fugaku's excitement nearly overflowed, his face carrying an almost manic expression. "If just one person can awaken the Mangekyo Sharingan, we can completely change our situation and make the Uchiha Clan great again!"

If not for his psychologist's strong emotional control, Sōgetsu would have laughed out loud by now.

Your own son's going to wipe out the whole clan, and you're still talking about greatness.

"Sōgetsu, you're the clan's greatest hope." Fugaku wasn't done painting rosy pictures, patting his shoulder. "I believe in you. If anyone can awaken the Mangekyo Sharingan, it's you. I have faith in you. The future of the Uchiha Clan is in your hands."

Enough, enough. Can't swallow any more.

Sōgetsu felt helpless. Why did everyone love feeding him empty promises like this?

One moment the future of Konoha was in his hands, the next the future of the Uchiha. Same old rhetoric recycled over and over—they really needed to check the repetition rate!

"I'll do my best, Lord Fugaku!" Sōgetsu put on a face of tearful gratitude, almost adding: If you don't abandon me, I'd gladly call you foster father.

"The way to awaken the Mangekyo, along with our Uchiha Clan's secret history, is all on this tablet." Fugaku pointed at the stone tablet. "But the tablet's content is sealed. Only those with at least a Three Tomoe Sharingan can see part of it. The rest requires the Mangekyo Sharingan."

"Let me try, Lord Fugaku."

Sōgetsu activated his Three Tomoe Sharingan and stared at the tablet.

Sure enough, the blurry, distorted characters on the tablet became legible.

But knowing the plot, he had zero interest in the tablet's garbage content. He was just putting on a show for Fugaku.

Hm?

Pretending to study the tablet, Sōgetsu suddenly felt something strange.

He was being 'watched.'

Spectator Pathway beyonders are extremely sensitive to any form of 'observation' behavior.

Spiritual Vision!

Sōgetsu secretly activated Spiritual Vision, sweeping his gaze across the surroundings.

Finally, on the wall behind the stone tablet, he spotted an ink-like shadow, its Ether Body aura a dull gray.

That shadow writhed inside the wall like a clump of pitch-black viscous liquid—the strange sensation of being watched originated from it.

"Black Zetsu, huh."

Sōgetsu furrowed his brow almost imperceptibly, then a cold smile curled at the corner of his lips.

Relying on not being discovered to sneak around and pry into others' secrets, huh?

Fine, today I'll teach you a lesson!

Hidden within the wall, Black Zetsu stared sinisterly at Uchiha Sōgetsu: "I didn't expect someone with only Three Tomoe to simulate Infinite Tsukuyomi. It'd be a waste not to use such talent... maybe I can recommend him to Uchiha Madara and speed up the plan to revive Mother a little."

Just as Black Zetsu was scheming through a series of malicious plots, he suddenly noticed Uchiha Sōgetsu in front of the wall—his expression shifted dramatically.

Then, he saw Uchiha Sōgetsu's hands blur as he rapidly formed hand seals.

"Fire Style: Great Fireball!"

Black Zetsu: ???

Fugaku: Holy shit?!

December 7th, clear skies.

So sleepy. Got caught dozing off at work—annoying. Gonna buy a lottery ticket after work. Dear esteemed readers, spare a few tickets for this humble one~