"Naoya, this afternoon, go with Mie and the others and take my invitation to the heads of Konoha's other clans. Invite them to visit the Police Force."
"Set it for nine tomorrow morning, in the Konoha Military Police Force's conference room."
"Tell them I have important matters to discuss."
"Yes, sir. I'll make sure it's done." Uchiha Naoya agreed without hesitation.
"But... Clan Head, if they don't come, won't that damage your authority?"
At that, Masaki Uchiha chuckled. "Not come? Heh."
Setting aside the reputation Masaki Uchiha had earned on the battlefield, just think of how many shinobi from Konoha's clans he had saved there. That debt alone was reason enough for their clan heads to come when summoned.
What's more, Masaki Uchiha's standing in Konoha was surpassed only by the Hokage's.
Inviting the other clan heads over was a way of showing them respect.
Of course, it would also help distinguish friends from enemies.
Masaki Uchiha leaned back and tilted his head. "If they don't come, all the better. I won't have to hold back when the time comes."
"I'm home!" Mie Uchiha had returned.
Seeing the large bag of groceries she was carrying, Masaki Uchiha hurried over to help. Then he turned back and said, "You two brothers haven't seen each other in a month. Talk for a bit. I'll help Mie with dinner."
Naoya and Kaito exchanged a glance, then fell silent.
"Burp."
Kaito Uchiha burped. "Little Sis's cooking is as good as ever."
"By the way, Clan Head, when are you going to use those White Zetsu Cells on my brother?"
Masaki Uchiha smiled. "Don't worry. This afternoon, I'll summon the clan's jōnin and inject them all with White Zetsu Cells to strengthen the Uchiha Clan."
Seeing that it was almost one o'clock, he said, "Naoya, have some members of the guard team notify the other jōnin in the clan to gather at the shrine."
"Yes, Clan Head."
Uchiha Naoya used the Body Flicker Technique and left.
"Come on, let's go to the shrine too."
With that, Masaki Uchiha stood up and led Mie Uchiha toward the shrine.
Kaito Uchiha followed close behind.
Inside the shrine
Once everyone had gathered, Masaki Uchiha got straight to the point. "The members of the guard team know that some time ago, I sent Kaito Uchiha to a certain laboratory for 'advanced training.'"
"By injecting a certain kind of cell, you can improve every aspect of your abilities—ninjutsu, taijutsu, genjutsu, chakra, and more. It can even restore the ocular power of the Mangekyo Sharingan."
Uchiha Fugaku's eyes widened. "Clan Head, is that true? It can restore the ocular power of the Mangekyo Sharingan?"
"Of course. Once you've had the injection, you can see for yourself."
"Yes. Let me be the first to get the injection."
Seeing how eager Uchiha Fugaku was, Masaki felt pleased. With the former clan head leading the way, the others would have fewer reservations.
"Not yet. Let them see Kaito's strength first." Then he turned to the rest of the clan. "You all know how strong Kaito Uchiha used to be. If anyone wants to test his current strength, step forward."
Everyone in the audience except the guard team murmured among themselves, unwilling to step forward.
Masaki Uchiha's claims were simply too astonishing. The clan members still found them hard to believe.
Cells that could improve one's abilities in every way were unheard of. It was only natural that they had reservations.
After a while, ten people stepped forward.
Kaito Uchiha's face turned green. He hurriedly said, "I can't take on ten people, but two or three can come at me together."
Seeing Kaito Uchiha's expression, Masaki Uchiha burst out laughing. "Then Inabi and Tekka can try together."
The two brothers, Uchiha Inabi and Uchiha Tekka, were veteran jōnin of the clan. They were in their prime and at the peak of their strength. Hearing Masaki's words, they immediately replied, "Yes, Clan Head."
The three of them walked to the middle of the shrine and formed the Seal of Confrontation.
Masaki Uchiha also took the opportunity to activate a barrier that concealed the area.
"Begin!"
As soon as Masaki Uchiha gave the word, Inabi made the first move. A stream of shuriken shot toward Kaito, followed close behind by Tekka's Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique!
Seeing the attacks come one after another, Kaito Uchiha immediately formed hand seals. Water Style: Water Formation Wall!
"Oh!"
Gasps of surprise rang out. It was the first time the people in the shrine had seen such a massive Water Formation Wall.
"Psssh!"
After the ninjutsu collided, mist began to rise.
Using the mist for cover, the two brothers exchanged a glance and silently activated their Three-Tomoe Sharingan.
Suddenly, the mist shifted shape, as if something were about to burst out of it.
Water Style: Water Dragon Jutsu!
A water dragon rushed straight toward Uchiha Inabi.
Inabi immediately formed hand seals and slapped a palm against the ground. Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall!
Uchiha Tekka charged into the mist, scanning the area with his Sharingan as he searched for Kaito Uchiha.
But Kaito Uchiha appeared behind him.
Uchiha Tekka sensed movement behind him and swiftly drew a kunai, slashing backward.
"Clang!"
The kunai was blocked.
Looking up, Tekka saw a pair of Three-Tomoe Sharingan staring straight at him.
He knew something was wrong, but it was already too late.
Demonic Illusion: Shackling Stakes Technique!
Seeing Tekka immobilized, Kaito Uchiha decisively went on the offensive. He burst out of the mist and charged at Uchiha Inabi.
His fists shot rapidly toward Inabi.
The thudding of fists and feet rang through the shrine.
The clan members watching the fight had all activated their Three-Tomoe Sharingan, following the match with rapt attention.
Kaito was clearly getting the better of Inabi. In the past, Inabi had always had the upper hand. No one had expected Kaito's strength to improve so much after receiving the White Zetsu Cell injection.
For a moment, everyone's blood ran hot. They wished they could get the White Zetsu Cell injection right then and there.
But Uchiha Inabi wasn't enjoying himself one bit. Kaito Uchiha's punches were getting heavier and heavier, and he was almost unable to block them.
Seeing Inabi's defensive stance start to falter, Kaito knew his chance had come. A faint smile crossed his lips as he quickly kicked at Inabi's knee, never slowing his attacks.
Watching the kick come toward him, Uchiha Inabi let out a silent groan.
"Damn, he's too fast. I can't block it in time."
"Thud!"
Uchiha Inabi was kicked to the ground and rolled several times before immediately conceding.
"I give up!"
Hearing him, Kaito stopped attacking and formed the Seal of Reconciliation, then helped Inabi to his feet.
By then, the mist in the shrine had mostly cleared.
Once everyone could see what had happened, they found that Uchiha Tekka had been trapped in a genjutsu and was unable to move.
"Kaito, release the genjutsu on Tekka," Masaki Uchiha said.
"Yes."
Genjutsu: Release!
Though his pride had taken a hit, Tekka formed the Seal of Reconciliation with Kaito after the genjutsu was released.
Masaki Uchiha formed a hand seal with one hand, dispelled the barrier, and announced the result.
"Winner: Kaito Uchiha!"