Unstable Nine-Tomoe Mangekyō Sharingan

The Grand Elder announced—Uchiha Gōka was the Uchiha Clan's new clan head.

Everyone present turned their eyes toward him.

The result of this clan head election had exceeded everyone's expectations.

Grand Elder Uchiha Hōka turned around and looked at Uchiha Gōka.

"Karmic Fire, although you are now slated to become the new clan head..."

"If you truly wish to become the leader of the Uchiha Clan, you will still need the support of the Uchiha clansmen."

"Whether the Uchiha clansmen truly support you will depend on your future performance."

Uchiha Gōka nodded.

"Mm."

At that moment, the eyes of every spectator in the arena were fixed on Uchiha Gōka.

Hatake Sakumo said, "Although Uchiha Gōka has become the new clan head..."

"The new challenges have only just begun."

Yūhi Shinku said, "Mm! That's right."

"Uchiha Fugaku is still the captain of the Konoha Police Force. The real power remains in Uchiha Fugaku's hands."

"If Uchiha Gōka cannot obtain real authority or win the clansmen's recognition, his position as clan head will be difficult to maintain for long."

Mikoto Uchiha became deeply interested in Uchiha Gōka. What kind of person is Brother Karmic Fire, really?

Might Duy said, "Yo! The owner of Yehuo Snack Shop actually really became the Uchiha Clan's clan head."

"Now that Uchiha Gōka has become the Uchiha Clan's clan head, will Yehuo Snack Shop still stay open?"

"Will I still be able to eat Pissing Beef Balls in the future?"

Orochimaru said, "How interesting."

"The result of the Uchiha Clan's clan head election was that a snack shop owner became the clan head."

Jiraiya stared intently at his rival in love on the stage—Uchiha Gōka. "This guy is strong."

Senju Chengshui frowned. "Tsunade's boyfriend is the Uchiha Clan's clan head?"

Uchiha Gōka did not linger on the arena platform.

After defeating Uchiha Fugaku, under the gazes of countless spectators...

Uchiha Gōka walked straight off the platform, took Tsunade's hand, and left the competition grounds.

After leaving the Uchiha Clan's clan head election venue...

Uchiha Gōka held Tsunade's hand as they walked together toward his home.

Tsunade's thoughts began to wander, and her cheeks flushed red...

When did I start holding hands with Karmic Fire?

Without realizing it, it seems my relationship with Karmic Fire has become a little more intimate.

What kind of relationship do Karmic Fire and I have now?

Are we lovers?

Tsunade felt that her relationship with Karmic Fire had become somewhat delicate.

As for why Tsunade was following Karmic Fire home...

The truth was that, deep down, Tsunade had unknowingly come to like Karmic Fire very much.

Tsunade truly wanted to stay with Karmic Fire, to follow him home.

However, Tsunade still found herself an excuse she "couldn't refuse"—reviving Nawaki.

Therefore, Tsunade did not feel embarrassed at all about following Karmic Fire home.

She even felt it was only natural, completely at ease.

"Creak."

Uchiha Gōka opened the front door.

Although Tsunade had a perfectly valid reason to follow Karmic Fire home...

The moment the door opened, her heart still pounded wildly. She breathed lightly and rapidly, her cheeks rosy...

"Karmic Fire still hasn't helped me revive my little brother Nawaki."

With that thought, Tsunade followed Karmic Fire through the door without any hesitation or inner conflict.

They entered the living room.

Uchiha Gōka suddenly collapsed onto the floor, exhaustion immediately showing on his face.

Seeing how drained and weary he looked, Tsunade immediately grew nervous, her face full of concern.

"Karmic Fire, what's wrong?"

"I just awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan. It's still not very stable."

"Did you overuse your eyes?"

"Mm. I used my ocular techniques continuously last night, then used the Mangekyō Sharingan again today. It consumed a great deal of my physical and spiritual energy."

"Karmic Fire, you forcibly developed the Mangekyō Sharingan in such a short time based on Madara Uchiha's notes and experience. The burden on your body is too great."

"Mm! The Sharingan's evolution still needs to proceed step by step. It can't be rushed overnight."

Uchiha Gōka realized that activating the Nine-Tomoe Sharingan all at once would bring backlash.

At present, the "Nine-Tomoe Mangekyō Sharingan" form was actually very unstable.

Uchiha Gōka could not maintain the "Nine-Tomoe Mangekyō Sharingan" form for long periods while using ocular techniques.

Even using it once placed an enormous drain on Uchiha Gōka's physical and spiritual energy.

Next, Uchiha Gōka still needed to continuously deduce and gain insight into the "Mangekyō Sharingan."

Only when his understanding of the "Nine-Tomoe Mangekyō Sharingan" reached the point of complete mastery...

Would he be able to use the "Nine-Tomoe Mangekyō Sharingan" freely and with perfect ease.

Seeing Uchiha Gōka so mentally exhausted, Tsunade's face was filled with anxiety.

At that moment, even Tsunade herself had not realized that her concern for Uchiha Gōka had already gone beyond the bounds of ordinary friendship.

Tsunade hurriedly began preparing medicine to restore physical and spiritual energy, helping Uchiha Gōka recover.

The Hokage's office.

The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, had just returned to his office.

An ANBU ninja entered and reported the results of the investigation into the destruction in Konoha's back mountains.

"Reporting to Lord Hokage."

"It rained heavily that day. Although we searched for every trace and clue..."

"We still found nothing."

The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, held a pipe between his lips and exhaled a cloud of smoke.

"Even the ANBU investigation produced no results."

"An entire stretch of forest in Konoha's back mountains was destroyed. Who could have done this?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi desperately wanted to know who had caused such massive destruction in Konoha Village.

As he pondered, the Hokage's office door was suddenly pushed open.

Danzo Shimura barged in with Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado.

Danzo Shimura, his forehead and right arm wrapped in bandages, wore a dark expression.

"Hiruzen, has the investigation into the destruction of Konoha's back mountains been completed?"

The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, brushed him off.

"Uh... well, it's still under investigation."

Danzo Shimura narrowed his aged eyes. "I strongly suspect someone!"

"It is very likely that the destruction of Konoha's back mountains was caused by that person."

The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, said, "Oh? Who?"

"The Uchiha Clan's new clan head—Uchiha Gōka!"

"How could it be him?"

"Uchiha Gōka displayed the Mangekyō Sharingan today, and we still cannot see through his true strength. It could very well have been him!"

"Danzo, I know you and the Uchiha Clan do not get along, but before we have sufficient evidence, you cannot casually suspect others."

When Hiruzen refused to listen to him, Danzo Shimura's anger made him itch all over.

Danzo Shimura wished he were sitting in the Hokage's seat right now, issuing orders.

Koharu Utatane said, "Hiruzen, I believe Danzo's suspicion has merit."

"That brat from the Uchiha Clan has hidden himself deeply."

"We know nothing at all about his true combat strength."

Homura Mitokado said, "Hiruzen, we demand a thorough investigation of Uchiha Gōka."

The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, nodded lightly, seeming to find some sense in their words.

"I will send ANBU to investigate."

"Before we learn Uchiha Gōka's true strength, do not act rashly."

At that moment, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, also turned a suspicious gaze toward Uchiha Gōka.