Everything is for the Plan!

"Wasn't it you who've been stirring up the idea of a coup all along? Wasn't the coup your goal? Even I, the clan head, was swept along by you—if it weren't for you, I'd never have even thought of a coup."

"How did it turn around and become my problem? How did it become me wanting to launch a coup?"

"Elder Setsuna, have you lost your mind?"

Uchiha Fugaku stared at Uchiha Setsuna in disbelief, momentarily at a loss for words.

"Clan Head, is this true? Why, why would you collude with Shimura Danzō!"

"Clan Head, why? So all of this was a scheme between you and Shimura Danzō? Why? You're our clan head! What are you doing?!"

Several Dove Faction Uchiha turned to Uchiha Fugaku, pressing him with questions, their faces equally incredulous, utterly unable to believe that everything happening now was Uchiha Fugaku's conspiracy. But why? Why would you do this, Clan Head? You're our clan head—unfathomable, completely unfathomable!

"How could it be? As clan head, how could I betray the clan's interests to collude with Shimura Danzō and carry out some scheme? How could I ever do such a thing? Elder Setsuna, you must be misunderstanding something—I would absolutely never do that. I'm the clan head! What would I gain from it?"

"Elder Setsuna, there must be some mistake, there must be some mistake! Haha, since you all don't actually want a coup, then let me go. Let's talk this through properly. As clan head, how could I possibly harm the clan's interests!"

Uchiha Fugaku stared intently at Uchiha Setsuna, explaining rapidly.

"Indeed, what would you gain from it?"

Uchiha Setsuna's face was shrouded in shadow as he looked at Uchiha Fugaku, pausing before continuing.

"Who knows what Danzō promised you? Clan Head, perhaps it was to purge dissent and seize all the Uchiha Clan's power for yourself. Perhaps Danzō offered you some reward. Who can say?"

Indeed, who could say? Who knew whether the words coming from Uchiha Fugaku's mouth now were true or false? If there really was a conspiracy, how could he possibly admit it?

The Dove Faction members looked at Uchiha Fugaku, suspicion beginning to creep onto their faces. Though what was happening felt utterly unbelievable, even absurd, upon reflection it seemed somewhat plausible—after all, this was coming from Elder Setsuna, a longtime Hawk Faction member. Moreover, as Dove Faction members, they didn't really want a coup in the first place, which inclined their minds toward this conclusion. It's human nature: people always lean toward interpretations that favor their desired outcome. It's like how Guinan always comforts himself that his goddess is pure and unsullied, not out running—even if something feels off, he subconsciously ignores the inconsistencies.

It's over!

Uchiha Fugaku froze, unsure what to say anymore, because no matter what he said, it sounded like excuses, like cover-ups. But he truly had no connection with Shimura Danzō!

"Fugaku, don't bother struggling. You can't fool us!"

Uchiha Setsuna shook his head.

"Elder Setsuna, Lord Kazuto has returned!"

Just then, a figure entered and spoke to Uchiha Setsuna.

"Hahaha! Good! Excellent!"

Uchiha Setsuna burst into laughter.

Soon after, under the bewildered gazes of Uchiha Fugaku and the Dove Faction members, several figures walked in, trailing behind someone.

Then...

As one figure entered, Uchiha Fugaku and the Dove Faction members all froze.

Mangekyo Sharingan!

Knowledge of the Uchiha Clan's ultimate power surged into their minds.

"This is... the Mangekyo Sharingan! When did our Uchiha Clan gain such an eye?"

A Dove Faction member exclaimed.

"Indeed, this is the Mangekyo Sharingan—the same power as Lord Madara once wielded. It was thanks to Kazuto's Mangekyo that we were able to uncover the conspiracy between Uchiha Fugaku and Danzō. If not for Kazuto, our clan would have been dragged into the abyss by Uchiha Fugaku!"

Uchiha Setsuna nodded, stepping back to stand behind Uchiha Kazuto as he explained.

"That's right. I awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan long ago, but Elder Setsuna kept it hidden. Originally, this power was meant to be used during the coup, but with these eyes, I discovered Uchiha Fugaku and Danzō's scheme, leading to today's events. I couldn't let my clan be dragged into the abyss by Uchiha Fugaku and Danzō, nor could I let Elder Setsuna and the others become sacrifices to Uchiha Fugaku's conspiracy!"

Uchiha Kazuto declared with righteous conviction, as if it were all true.

So that's how it is!

The Dove Faction members looked at Uchiha Kazuto's eyes and nodded in sudden understanding. They were beginning to believe the story—that Uchiha Fugaku really had some scheme with Shimura Danzō.

"Hmph, Uchiha Fugaku, didn't expect this, did you? Your conspiracy with Danzō has been thwarted by me, and even your accomplice, Shimura Danzō, has been killed by my hand!"

At these words, everyone present was stunned. Wait, he actually killed him? Even Uchiha Setsuna looked surprised at first, then a wild joy spread across his face. Truly worthy of Uchiha Kazuto, who possessed the Uchiha Clan's ultimate power!

Afterward, Uchiha Kazuto dragged Uchiha Fugaku into a nearby room.

"You... what exactly are you trying to do?"

Uchiha Fugaku lay on the ground, staring at Uchiha Kazuto. He instantly understood—the talk of collusion with Danzō, the conspiracy, it was all fake. Everything happening now was Uchiha Kazuto's scheme.

"What am I trying to do? Change the Uchiha Clan. Change Konoha! For that, I'll have to wrong you, Clan Head!"

Uchiha Kazuto leaned against a nearby pillar, looking down at Uchiha Fugaku with utter indifference.

Everything was for the plan, for survival. Letting a worm like Uchiha Fugaku lead the Uchiha Clan would only end with them being dragged into the abyss by this waste. He had no intention of being killed by that beast Uchiha Itachi in the future. To that end, he had to seize the position of Uchiha Clan Head!