Giving Madara a Little Uchiha Shock

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

Their eyes met. Uchiha Obito wore a look of bewilderment. The moment their Sharingan locked, Uchiha Obito's eyes shifted quietly; the intricate, exquisite Mangekyo Sharingan turned 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, firing directly at Uchiha Madara.

"This is!"

A flash of crimson light pierced through his chest, leaving a massive, circular void in a mere heartbeat.

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

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

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

"This is a parting gift. Peeking at others is quite impolite. Senior, as a fellow wielder of the Sharingan, do enjoy this care from your junior. Farewell."

The voice lingered. The blood-red eyes of Uchiha Madara shifted slightly before losing their luster entirely.

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

The broken tubes behind him reconnected to Uchiha Madara's 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 is a sealing technique that stores ocular jutsu within someone else who possesses the Sharingan, triggering automatically once specific conditions are met."

"To think a mere brat could possess such formidable ocular power. 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, someone capable of awakening the Mangekyo would be born.

"Lord Madara, that's the brat! That Uchiha Hanazuki is the one who slashed my arm!"

White Zetsu wailed on the side. Obito remained in a daze. Lord Madara? Is this old man also of the Uchiha Clan? Is Madara his name?

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

"Damn it! Reverse Four-Symbols Sealing!"

His remaining Sharingan flared. The black ink swallowed White Zetsu whole. Only after the Reverse Four-Symbols Sealing faded did Madara and White Zetsu reappear.

"Brat, you're quite capable! A Tailed Beast Bomb, the Reverse Four-Symbols Sealing—not through hand signs, but pure ocular power. Is this a unique jutsu of your Mangekyo?"

As Madara bowed his head in thought, Obito, who had been confused for some time, slowly raised his hand and asked awkwardly.

"Um, old man, are you also from the Uchiha Clan? Who exactly are you... That strange creature just called you Madara. 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 brat indeed."

"It seems someone does not wish for you to get too close. 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. Please continue, Captain Fugaku. I might have just caught a cold."

Opposite Uchiha Hanazuki, the composed and capable Captain of the Konoha Military Police Force and head of the Uchiha Clan, 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 the Hokage 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, completely indifferent.

"Yes, yes, yes. If there's nothing particularly important, 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 was 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, Uchiha Inabi turned his head, his expression puzzled.

"Why would the Captain invite that arrogant brat? From the time he graduated the Ninja 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 holding off the Tsuchikage, this kid is simply too arrogant!"

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

Arrogant? It's clearly a case of holding out for a better price. Since he became Orochimaru's student, there are very few in the village who can provoke him. Add to that his killing of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen...

The title of 'Flash Illusion 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.

"Calm down. Uchiha Hanazuki is also a member of this clan. His strength and reputation are clear for all to see. Our clan's strength comes from unity."

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

Meanwhile, Hanazuki, who was rushing home, had no idea of Fugaku's assessment of him, as he was currently gauging Uchiha Madara's state based on his own depleted ocular power.

"Two chances, and neither worked. I suppose the Izanagi technique 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 this thought, a glimmer of anticipation appeared in Hanazuki's eyes.

If he could sign in and get a Sage-level trait just from Ryuchi Cave, surely heading to the Graveyard Mountains would at least net him the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path!

Lost in thought, the sun quietly dipped toward the west, gilding the clouds on the horizon with layers of gold in the blink of an eye.

In the heart of the Uchiha Clan, Hanazuki arrived before a spacious and bright courtyard, unable to help but lament the disparity of class.

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

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

The long-haired, black-tressed wife before him offered a gentle smile. Her graceful temperament and demeanor prompted Hanazuki to nod in return as he presented the gift he had prepared.

Uchiha Mikoto, a Jonin-level ninja, gentle and selfless—she truly is a good woman. It's a pity she gave birth to such a devoted son.

Stepping into the living room, he found Uchiha Fugaku waiting. The green tea was steaming, and just as Hanazuki was about to take a sip, a single sentence from Fugaku made him spit it out.

"Have you awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan?"