After savoring the taste of the Three-Color Dango for a while, Uchiha Itachi suddenly remembered that his father had said he wanted to meet Uchiha Chen.
Uchiha Chen had probably come today for that very reason.
"Brother Chen, you're here to see my father, right? I'll show you the way."
"Then I'll trouble you, Itachi."
Uchiha Chen smiled and nodded.
Following Uchiha Itachi along a stone path, he arrived at a door and stopped.
Uchiha Itachi turned around and gestured for him to go ahead.
"Brother Chen, my father's inside. Go on in."
It was hard to believe that Uchiha Itachi was only four years old. He acted just like an adult, which was truly astounding.
"Thank you, Itachi."
Uchiha Chen clasped his hands in thanks, passed Uchiha Itachi, and walked up to the door. Just as he was about to knock, a dignified voice came from inside.
"The door's unlocked. Come in."
Uchiha Chen's expression shifted slightly, then he calmly pushed open the door and went inside.
The spacious room was empty except for the huge Uchiha Clan crest on the wall.
Beneath it sat a short-haired, middle-aged man in a dark blue robe, the Uchiha Clan crest emblazoned on his back. He faced Uchiha Chen, seated cross-legged on a cushion.
This man was none other than the Uchiha Clan's leader, Uchiha Fugaku.
Uchiha Chen stepped forward, about to greet him. He looked up—and met Uchiha Fugaku's blood-red eyes...
An invisible wave spread outward from Uchiha Fugaku.
To Uchiha Chen's surprise, Uchiha Fugaku's entire figure turned hazy.
Even everything around him began to blur.
Space twisted, and the surroundings filled with endless darkness and a chilling aura.
Suddenly, countless Kunai and Shuriken appeared in the sky ahead, swarming toward Uchiha Chen.
Uchiha Chen was stunned.
In the heat of the moment, his eyes changed too.
One Tomoe, two Tomoe, three Tomoe, Mangekyō Sharingan...
But just as his eyes became a yin-yang pattern, the space around him instantly returned to normal.
"So it's true. You've awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan too."
At the same time, Uchiha Fugaku's dignified voice rang out, carrying a hint of excitement.
Damn it!
The moment Uchiha Fugaku spoke, Uchiha Chen realized he'd fallen for the trap. He cursed inwardly.
Although Uchiha Chen had awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan and mastered Sage Mode,
he had been in this world for less than half a month. He was still a complete novice.
Under Uchiha Fugaku's test, he had revealed some of his hand.
But Uchiha Chen quickly regained his composure.
Uchiha Fugaku had probably guessed he'd awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan because Uchiha Yujin had reported everything that happened on the way back to the village.
With Uchiha Fugaku's insight, it was only natural he'd realize Uchiha Chen had used the Mangekyō Sharingan to instantly kill those Iwagakure jonin.
Since he couldn't hide that he had awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan, there was no point trying to conceal it.
But there was no way he'd just foolishly admit everything.
Uchiha Chen looked up, feigning confusion.
"Uh, the Mangekyō Sharingan? What's that?"
"Mm. You had average talent before, so it's only natural that you didn't know about the Mangekyō Sharingan.
But now that you've awakened it, you're qualified to learn about it."
Seeing Uchiha Chen's bewildered expression, Uchiha Fugaku nodded.
Uchiha Chen had once been little more than a nobody in the Uchiha Clan. He probably knew no more about the Sharingan than an outsider.
"Please enlighten me, Clan Leader!"
Uchiha Chen's eyes lit up, and he put on an excited expression.
Though he looked thrilled, inwardly Uchiha Chen was scoffing.
Hah. I've even watched Boruto: Naruto Next Generations. You're the one who died right at the start. What could you possibly know that I don't?
"Yesterday, Tsunade and Jiraiya wanted to take you on as a student. They probably realized you'd awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan and wanted to get to you before anyone else.
There have been few in the history of the Uchiha Clan who awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan at your age.
Naturally, they'd be tempted."
Uchiha Fugaku crossed his arms and analyzed the situation calmly.
"So that's why two of the Sannin suddenly took an interest in me, a nobody!"
Uchiha Chen acted as if he'd finally understood.
"Mm. Though what surprised me was that you actually turned down their offer."
As he spoke, Uchiha Fugaku gave Uchiha Chen an approving look.
"Ahem. You flatter me, Clan Leader."
Uchiha Chen bowed slightly, feigning modesty.
"Others might think turning down Tsunade and Jiraiya was foolish, but I think you made the right choice!
As a member of the Uchiha Clan, the Sharingan is the foundation of our power. How could outsiders understand it?"
Uchiha Fugaku continued in the same calm tone.
Though his voice was even, Uchiha Chen could sense his pride. It practically filled the entire room.
"You're right, Clan Leader."
Uchiha Chen continued to nod in agreement.
"Now that you possess the Mangekyō Sharingan, all you need to do is master it. There are few in all of Konoha who could stand against you!
Uchiha Chen, become my right-hand man. With my guidance, your future will be limitless!"
As he spoke, Uchiha Fugaku's gaze grew heated.
This was a pillar of the Uchiha Clan's future. He had to bring him into the fold!
"I'm grateful for your kindness, Clan Leader.
But I'll have to decline the offer to become your right-hand man."
Uchiha Chen rejected Uchiha Fugaku's offer without a second thought.
"Good... I..."
Uchiha Fugaku wore a composed smile, but it quickly froze on his face.
"Hmm? What... do you mean?"
Uchiha Fugaku had never imagined Uchiha Chen would turn down his offer.
"I'm just a nobody. I don't have any grand ambitions.
Especially after being seriously injured this time, all I want is to live an ordinary life.
Besides, I'm still young. What right do I have to be your right-hand man, Clan Leader?"
Uchiha Chen rolled his eyes inwardly.
Stop giving me more trouble!
He had already drawn enough attention over the past couple of days. If he really became Uchiha Fugaku's right-hand man, he'd surely become a target for everyone.
How many pairs of eyes would be watching him from the shadows?
If his plan to change Uchiha Itachi's mind failed, then as Uchiha Fugaku's right-hand man, he'd be the first to die on the night of the massacre!
Of course, more likely, he wouldn't even live to see that night.