Giving Madara a Little Uchiha Shock

"Here? Where is this place? And you... who are you, old man?"

Their gazes met. Obito Uchiha's expression was one of confusion. The moment his Sharingan locked onto the other's, his eyes shifted quietly; the intricate, exquisite Mangekyo Sharingan transformed illusion into reality.

Tailed Beast chakra, compressed in a two-to-eight yin-yang ratio, condensed into a miniature Tailed Beast Bomb in an instant and blasted toward Uchiha Madara.

"This is!"

A flash of crimson light pierced through, instantly carving a massive, circular hole through his chest.

Dust billowed and smoke rose. After a tremor akin to an earthquake, only Obito remained, standing there in a daze.

"What happened? What was that? Did I just launch that attack? What on earth is going on?"

Just as Obito stood stunned, a familiar voice echoed through the secret chamber.

"This is a parting gift. Peeking at others is quite impolite, you know. As a senior who possesses the Sharingan, do try to appreciate this care from your junior. Farewell."

The voice lingered. The blood-red eyes in Madara's sockets swiveled slightly before losing their luster entirely.

"Mere gravel, not even half of what I once was. Cough, cough, cough..."

The severed pipes behind him reconnected to his back. Forcing the use of Izanagi had pushed his already terminal body to the brink of agony.

"That voice... is it Hanazuki? Is it really you, Hanazuki? Did you come to save me?"

"Boy, stop shouting. This is the Uchiha clan's Transcription Seal. It's a sealing technique that stores a dojutsu within someone else who also possesses the Sharingan, triggering automatically once certain conditions are met."

"To have such powerful ocular strength despite being a mere brat... was that power just now the Mangekyo Sharingan?"

A hint of surprise flickered in his dead, sunken eyes. He had not expected that among the descendants of those traitorous kin who had abandoned him, one would be born with a Mangekyo.

"Lord Madara, it was that brat! That Uchiha Hanazuki is the one who cut my arm!"

White Zetsu wailed nearby. Obito remained lost in his confusion. Lord Madara? Is this old man also a member of the Uchiha clan? Is Madara his name?

Before Obito could speak, White Zetsu's eyes suddenly glazed over, and the pitch-black ink he began to spew spread rapidly.

"Damn it, Reverse Four-Symbols Sealing!"

The remaining Sharingan flashed. The black ink swallowed White Zetsu whole, and only after the seal vanished did Madara and Zetsu reappear.

"Kid, you're quite capable! A Tailed Beast Bomb, the Reverse Four-Symbols Sealing... and not through hand seals, but pure ocular power. Is that a unique ability of your Mangekyo?"

As Madara pondered, Obito, who had been bewildered for some time, slowly raised a hand and asked awkwardly.

"Um, old man, are you also from the Uchiha clan? Who exactly are you... that strange creature called you Madara just now. Is it really just a coincidence of names?"

"No, I am Uchiha Madara. It seems that among the people you know, there is a brilliant brat who has awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan and can even use the Transcription Seal. An impressive kid."

"It appears someone doesn't want you getting too close to me. Uchiha Hanazuki—is he a friend of yours?"

Konoha Village, Uchiha clan, Konoha Military Police Force headquarters.

"Achoo! Who's talking about me behind my back? It's nothing, nothing. Lord Fugaku, please continue. I must have just caught a chill."

Opposite Hanazuki, the steady and capable captain of the Konoha Military Police Force—the man who had long maintained the delicate balance between the village and the Uchiha—Uchiha Fugaku, wore a stern expression.

"Uchiha Hanazuki, regardless of your dissatisfaction with the Third Hokage, do not engage in such impolite behavior in front of him again."

"Furthermore, you must attend tomorrow's clan meeting. Or are you saying that you are not only dissatisfied with the Hokage, but with your own kin as well?"

Pairs of red eyes glared from behind, but Hanazuki brushed them off with a casual shrug, utterly indifferent.

"Yes, yes, yes. If there's nothing else of particular importance, I'll be heading off now."

"Wait. Come to my home for a meal later. I want to hear your thoughts on this war."

Hanazuki, who had been about to leave, paused for a moment. He nodded in agreement after a brief silence, though the fading ocular power in his eyes reminded him that even if he rushed over now, it would be too late.

After Hanazuki left, Inabi Uchiha turned his head, looking puzzled.

"Why would the captain invite that arrogant brat? From the time he graduated the academy to his apprenticeship under Orochimaru, that kid hasn't attended a single clan meeting."

"Even if he has made contributions in this war, and even if he was tasked with keeping the Third Tsuchikage in check, this kid is simply too arrogant!"

Yae Uchiha and Tekka Uchiha nodded in agreement. Fugaku remained silent, sighing inwardly.

Arrogant? He's clearly holding out for a better price. Ever since he became Orochimaru's student, there are very few in the village who can provoke him, and that's not even counting the fact that he killed members of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen...

The moniker 'Flash Phantom Moon' has already begun to spread across the battlefield. If I don't win him over now, his affinity for the clan will dwindle to nothing.

Clearing his throat twice, Fugaku signaled for everyone to be quiet.

"Stay calm. Uchiha Hanazuki is still a member of this clan. You have all witnessed his strength and his reputation. Our clan's power comes from our unity."

"Hanazuki is still young. Once he experiences the warmth of his kin and the bonds of his bloodline, he will surely become a pillar of the Uchiha clan in the future."

Meanwhile, Hanazuki, who was speeding home, was unaware of Fugaku's assessment, for he was currently using the depletion of his ocular power to gauge Uchiha Madara's condition.

"Two chances, and neither worked. I suppose a dojutsu like Izanagi really is absurdly broken."

"Still, the little 'Uchiha Shock' should have done the trick. The most critical things haven't been exposed yet. The infiltration was a success."

At the thought, a flicker of anticipation appeared in Hanazuki's eyes.

If he could sign in and get a Sage-tier entry in Ryuchi Cave, then surely, if he ran over to the Graveyard of Mountains, he'd at least get a Demonic Statue of the Outer Path!

Lost in thought, the sun quietly slanted westward, gilding the clouds on the horizon with layers of gold in the blink of an eye.

In the heart of the Uchiha clan's district, Hanazuki arrived before a spacious and bright courtyard, unable to help but sigh at the disparity of social standing.

"Pardon the intrusion, Lord Fugaku asked me to come see him."

"You must be Uchiha Hanazuki, right? Welcome."

The long-haired woman before him smiled gently, her graceful temperament and demeanor prompting Hanazuki to nod in return as he presented the gift he had prepared.

Uchiha Mikoto, rank Jonin, gentle and selfless—truly a good woman. It's a pity she raised such a filial son.

Stepping into the living room, he found Uchiha Fugaku waiting. As Hanazuki was about to take a sip of the steaming green tea, a single sentence from Fugaku made him spit it right back out.

"Have you awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan?"