Artificial Eyes

Kyo Uchiha couldn't help sighing. Wrinkles covered his aged face.

The passage of these three years had left even deeper marks on him.

"If I hadn't helped Sarutobi Hiruzen back then, he probably still would've become Hokage through his own means. But... he might have treated the Senju Clan the same way and secretly moved against my Uchiha Clan..."

"Sarutobi Hiruzen is kind-faced but ruthless at heart. Still, he remembered the help the Uchiha Clan gave him back then. We just can't trust that bond too much."

Kyo Uchiha spoke with a warm smile.

Over the past three years or so,

the Uchiha Clan had indeed enjoyed a comfortable life!

They could even be said to have received exceptionally favorable treatment.

"It was Grandpa's far-sightedness. Now that Orochimaru has become my teacher, I've naturally become part of the Hokage's faction. It's just that... the clan's hardliners have quite a few complaints about it."

Keigo Uchiha's eyes flickered.

Recently, quite a few ninjas in the clan had followed his lead. They could be said to already see him as the future clan head. But there were also those who resented him for joining the Hokage's faction!

Some even... wanted to challenge his position!

"Of course, that's nothing to me. It's also a necessary step on the road to becoming clan head."

Keigo Uchiha said calmly, "There are some people in the Uchiha Clan who... because of the Second Shinobi World War, resent Konoha for sending the Uchiha Clan to the front lines."

"That's understandable, but taking out their anger on their own people is wrong."

Click!

The piece in his hand landed on the board.

It made a crisp sound.

"Heh heh."

The Great Elder chuckled, as if watching a child play. Curiosity filled his eyes. "Keigo really has grown up. He thinks things through more and more carefully. I thought you hadn't noticed any of this, so I was going to handle it for you."

His kind eyes were calm.

Keigo Uchiha had no doubt that his grandfather would put those who disagreed in their place.

But that would only be a temporary fix!

For the whole clan to truly accept him, he would have to step up himself!

"So, what does Keigo want to do?"

"I'm the only one who can resolve this, but there's no rush. Someone else will be in a hurry before I am."

Keigo Uchiha spoke pointedly. He didn't have anything else to do,

but he couldn't be bothered to deal with those people either. When they came looking for trouble, he'd just teach them a lesson.

"The Uchiha Clan worships strength. So as long as I'm stronger than them, they won't have anything to say."

Keigo Uchiha knew the clan members' nature all too well.

As long as you were strong, no one cared what you thought. If you were weak, they'd find fault with you even for letting out a fart.

"Oh, Keigo, you came over and didn't come see me first?"

Just then, the door to a room nearby suddenly opened, and Momoko Uchiha's lovely face appeared in view.

Sunlight shone on her, making her seem as warm as the sun itself.

If Hyuga Ruri was a haughty young lady,

and Inuzuka Mi was a delicate girl who looked like an elf,

then Momoko Uchiha was the sun's daughter. She radiated sunshine from head to toe and gave everyone a wonderfully warm feeling. She grinned, and her onyx-black eyes crinkled with her smile.

"Keigo, I just mastered a new jutsu today. It can quickly heal my own injuries, but it takes all of my chakra!"

Her face was full of pride.

It was something no other ninja could do.

Keigo Uchiha was startled. "Quickly heal your own injuries? That could save your life at a critical moment!"

Suddenly, he thought of Tsunade.

If he remembered correctly, Tsunade had already created a system of medical ninjas. But after losing her lover, Dan Katō, in the Second Shinobi World War, she'd grown fearful of war.

She just hadn't developed hemophobia.

And Tsunade... had mastered the Yin Seal, right?

It could store a large amount of chakra and release it at a critical moment. It was Mito Uzumaki's secret technique. Perhaps he could have Momoko learn it!

"Your ability is very similar to Lady Tsunade's, one of the Sannin. You can try developing it further and see if you can store chakra in your body, turn it into a seal, and draw on it when you need it. That would greatly increase your strength!"

Keigo Uchiha offered her a direction for developing her medical ninjutsu.

Momoko had tremendous talent.

Her eyes lit up at once!

"Great idea! Then the next time I'm injured, I'll be able to recover quickly without using up all my chakra. And as long as I'm around, Keigo, you'll be invincible!"

Keigo Uchiha laughed helplessly. "I don't want people stabbing me over and over..."

The Great Elder burst out laughing.

That was the end of their discussion for the day.

But it had become a little more entertaining.

A glint flashed in Keigo Uchiha's eyes as he murmured, "There aren't many Summoning Animals suited to Momoko. It seems... Tsunade's Summoning Animal is the best choice."

It could heal.

It could communicate.

That would take Momoko's strength to another level!

There was no hurry, though. Momoko wouldn't be seeing any combat for now.

Early the next morning, Keigo Uchiha was about to head to the Forest of Death to train.

He had just stepped onto the street when he stopped. A thin figure stood before him, his pale face filled with excitement and anticipation that were hard to understand!

"Teacher Orochimaru? Did you get results?"

Keigo Uchiha was taken aback. He hadn't expected Orochimaru to be waiting at his door so early in the morning.

"More precisely, I got them around three this morning. But I didn't want to disturb you, Keigo, so I waited until now."

Orochimaru smiled.

Excitement shone in his amber eyes, along with a touch of madness!

"Come on, Keigo. I've made some progress on the topic you gave me earlier. I have a few leads. Let me show you the results of my research!"

His amber eyes were full of excitement and pride.

Keigo Uchiha's eyes lit up!

Orochimaru wasn't all talk.

He was a man of action, and a very demanding one at that.

If he hadn't actually achieved something, he wouldn't be this satisfied!

"Shall we go?" Orochimaru asked.

"Let's go!"

Keigo Uchiha followed him without hesitation.

Hyuga Ruri and Inuzuka Mi waited at the Forest of Death, but even by afternoon, Keigo Uchiha still hadn't appeared.

Soon, they arrived at the Underground Laboratory.

Orochimaru pointed to the data on the blackboard and said hoarsely, "Whether it's the Byakugan or the Sharingan, my research shows that both have limitless potential!"

"After the Uchiha Clan's cells fused with Hashirama Cells, they became even stronger and more active!"

He suddenly pulled something open.

Inside the culture dish lay a pair of Sharingan and a pair of Byakugan!