"I have a few hypotheses about Kekkei Genkai that I'd like to test. I was hoping Senior Orochimaru could help."
"Of course. The Uchiha Clan will provide 100 million ryō in research funds for you to use as you see fit."
"I wonder if Senior Orochimaru might be interested?" Masaki Uchiha asked with a smile.
"Heh, Masaki, you certainly are generous. One hundred million ryō in research funds is quite tempting. I have no reason to refuse." A soft chuckle came from the little white snake's mouth. "But I'm curious—which Kekkei Genkai do you want to experiment on?"
"I can only tell you for now that the Byakugan is one of them. We can discuss the specifics when I come see you tomorrow," Masaki Uchiha replied.
"Very well. I'll await your arrival at our usual place tomorrow, Masaki."
"Poof!"
A cloud of smoke dissipated, and the little white snake vanished.
Masaki Uchiha stretched and murmured to himself, "The show should be starting soon."
Then he rose and walked out. Under the moonlight, an astonishing malice seemed to emanate faintly from him.
Inside the Uchiha Shrine
"Uchiha Fugaku! Two weeks ago, you swore you'd petition the Fourth Hokage to arrest and put on trial the Anbu who attacked Uchiha Yohiro."
"But it's been two weeks now. Where's the culprit?!" Uchiha Setsuna glared furiously at Uchiha Fugaku.
"This happened right here in our own village. One of our own village's shinobi attacked him! If word gets out, it'll be a disgrace to the Uchiha Clan!"
"Exactly! Make them hand over the culprit!"
"If they won't, we'll go capture him ourselves!"
"They dared attack an Uchiha in the village today. Tomorrow they'll come to the clan grounds to arrest us! Let's fight them!"
"Calm down. The Fourth Hokage isn't that kind of person. He'll surely give us an explanation."
"That's right. The Third and Fourth Hokage would never ignore this."
The hawks and doves began arguing, while the other clan members' voices rose in a steady clamor.
"Quiet!" Uchiha Fugaku roared.
The noise in the shrine gradually died away.
Uchiha Fugaku still commanded considerable respect.
He frowned slightly, then spoke in a weary tone.
"Elder Setsuna, I told you last time that because Uchiha Yohiro had acted suspiciously after returning to the village, the Anbu suspected he was a spy from another village and attacked him. The Third Hokage apologized to me over the incident and said he was willing to compensate Uchiha Yohiro. The Fourth Hokage has only been in office for a few months, and the transition from his predecessor isn't complete. He's only gained control of a small portion of the Anbu so far. The two elders control the Administration Department and Medical Department, while Root only takes orders from Shimura Danzō and the Third Hokage. But don't worry. The Fourth Hokage has promised me this won't happen again."
Uchiha Setsuna grew even angrier. His words turned sharper. "Spy or not, does Sarutobi Hiruzen really not know the truth? An Uchiha jonin with the Three-Tomoe Sharingan, wearing Uchiha clan clothes, was openly attacked by the Anbu inside the village, and you call him a spy? Now they've slapped a 'suspicious behavior' label on Yohiro, just because he wandered around near the Forest of Death! That's suspicious?" He paused.
"Then can I send the Police Force to attack members of the Sarutobi Clan under the pretext of arresting spies?" Uchiha Setsuna grew more agitated and slammed his hand hard against the table.
Uchiha Fugaku quickly rose to placate him. "Elder Setsuna, please stay calm. Don't act rashly. Our Uchiha Clan has finally found a Hokage who treats us equally. We mustn't ruin this hard-won situation."
"Well said!" A loud shout came from outside.
The voice arrived before its owner. It was Masaki Uchiha and his followers, striding toward the center of the shrine.
"Just as expected of Clan Head Uchiha Fugaku—you've perfected the art of compromise."
"Elder Setsuna, I wholeheartedly agree with what you just said! The Uchiha should answer tooth for tooth and blood for blood. Otherwise, the other ninja clans will think we're easy prey, someone they can push around whenever they like."
Uchiha Fugaku watched Masaki approach, his expression stern. "Masaki Uchiha, what are you doing here? Do you know what you're saying?"
"Am I not allowed to come? Or did I come to the wrong place?" Masaki Uchiha smiled at Uchiha Fugaku. "I heard what you said outside. For a moment, I thought I'd wandered into the Hyuga Clan's grounds."
The moment he finished speaking, the gathered clan members burst into laughter. Only Uchiha Fugaku's faction and the doves looked grim.
Uchiha Fugaku's face darkened further. In a low growl, he demanded, "What exactly are you trying to do?!"
"What am I trying to do?" Masaki Uchiha regarded Uchiha Fugaku with an amused look. "I think the Uchiha need a new clan head!"
His words struck like a thunderclap, leaving the entire shrine silent. But Masaki Uchiha's followers watched everyone else without expression, clearly prepared for this.
The others looked at Masaki Uchiha in shock.
The Uchiha clan head had traditionally been chosen on merit, with the capable rising and the incompetent falling. Ever since Uchiha Madara had left the clan, however, the position had remained within Uchiha Fugaku's faction.
Now Masaki Uchiha was challenging for the clan head's position. He needed both strength and prestige.
He had earned his prestige on the battlefield.
As for strength, during the Third Great Ninja War, Masaki had first pushed north and overpowered the Third Tsuchikage, defeating both the Four-Tails and Five-Tails Jinchūriki in succession and striking fear throughout the Land of Earth. Then he had headed south, defeated the Six-Tails Jinchūriki, and crippled the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, throwing the Land of Water into turmoil.
There was no doubt that Masaki was now the Uchiha's strongest fighter. "Wicked Eye Fugaku" was no match for him in strength.
"Don't be ridiculous! Masaki Uchiha, your ideas are far too dangerous. I'll never let you become clan head!" Uchiha Fugaku shouted, his face twisted with rage.
"If you want to become clan head, you'll have to step over my dead body!"
As he spoke, Uchiha Fugaku revealed his Mangekyō Sharingan.
"Witness the Uchiha Clan's ultimate power!"
The other clan members finally came to their senses. Seeing the Mangekyō in Uchiha Fugaku's eyes, they cried out in astonishment.
"Clan Head Fugaku has actually awakened the legendary Mangekyō Sharingan!"
"Those are the same eyes as 'that man'!"
"I wonder if he can beat Lord Masaki."
"The Mangekyō Sharingan is the Uchiha Clan's ultimate power. Lord Masaki probably can't beat him."
The clan members' chatter continued without end. Uchiha Fugaku remained expressionless, but inwardly he was pleased. It seemed he could count on the clan's support.
Hearing what Uchiha Fugaku had just said, Masaki Uchiha narrowed his eyes slightly. "Since you won't step down gracefully, I'll help you do it."