Fahai, Golden Mountain Temple, Snake Demon?

Fugaku Uchiha's gaze did not escape Guy's notice.

It seems he misunderstood something.

Guy mused inwardly but did not expose it.

He pretended not to understand the deeper meaning in the other man's eyes.

Pressing his palms together, he bowed with a calm expression.

"Just now, I felt an itch to demonstrate our temple's divine abilities to Itachi."

"The commotion was a little too great and caused Clan Head Fugaku concern. My apologies."

Fugaku Uchiha swiftly concealed the shock and suspicion in his eyes, regaining the composure expected of a clan head.

He gave a light cough and nodded, his tone revealing little emotion.

"It is nothing. For Chief Fahai to demonstrate such... profound divine abilities to my son is Itachi's honor."

The misunderstanding was cleared up.

The two sides exchanged a few more polite remarks.

Nothing more than formalities such as "the Fire Temple has serene scenery" and "the Uchiha clan possesses exceptional forging skills."

Guy secretly observed Fugaku Uchiha's emotional shifts but found no unusual signs.

There were only perfectly appropriate, courteous responses.

Fugaku Uchiha turned to Huiyan, preparing to take his leave.

Guy watched his back, his gaze profound.

I wonder whether the man in black has contacted Fugaku Uchiha yet.

He quietly shook his head.

There was no way for him to know.

And even if contact had been made, given Fugaku Uchiha's shrewdness and position, he would never reveal a word to an "outsider" like Guy.

Asking would be pointless.

Still, Guy believed the most likely possibility was—

There had been no contact yet.

It was too early for that at this point.

Or rather, it would have to wait until after the Nine-Tails Attack.

By then, the Uchiha clan would be marginalized and targeted by Danzo.

Resentment within the clan would boil over, and