First Meeting with Orochimaru

"It seems you understand the Sharingan far better than I do," Jin said with a sigh. "A few simple steps to guide the Genjutsu, and I fell right into your trap."

Fugaku shook his head. "The Sharingan's strengths differ from person to person. Some favor Taijutsu, some Ninjutsu, and others Genjutsu. You can't lump them all together."

The Uchiha did not yet understand this. Perhaps certain records had been lost, or perhaps no one had studied the matter closely. When Madara Uchiha left the clan, he had taken some top-secret records with him. They contained Uchiha secrets and Forbidden Techniques.

Fugaku's two future sons, Itachi and Sasuke, would be the clearest proof. One would wield Genjutsu with such mastery that it was nearly impossible to guard against. Apart from changing a person's will, he would push the Sharingan's Genjutsu abilities almost to their limit.

The other would hardly ever use Genjutsu, focusing instead on Taijutsu and Ninjutsu.

Jin scratched his head. "Maybe. But your Genjutsu really is impressive."

Fugaku understood that while they both had the Three-Tomoe Sharingan, the differences in their Genjutsu, Taijutsu, and Ninjutsu were not pronounced. Once they awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan, however, their bodies would be strengthened in entirely different ways. The distinction would become obvious then.

Jin no longer tried to stop Fugaku from studying Sealing Jutsu. A fight carried more weight than any amount of talk. In a world that respected strength above all, the force of one's words rose with one's fighting ability.

After parting from Jin, Fugaku spent several more days testing Sealing Jutsu on a boar and a Giant Centipede.

The stronger a creature's Chakra, the more damage it could do to a seal. Simple Sealing Jutsu could only confine a living creature for a short time within a space that existed in reality. It could not enlarge or shrink creatures or objects.

Advanced Sealing Jutsu could create their own Sealing Space through their Formula, but they were extremely difficult to learn.

With the Four Symbols Seal, the Fourth Hokage had created a Sealing Space between reality and illusion in Naruto's abdomen to hold the Nine-Tails.

Danzo's Inner Four Symbols Seal likewise opened a space in his chest, allowing him to draw everything within a certain range into his body and seal it.

The Uchiha had no particularly advanced Sealing Jutsu, but the few they possessed were enough for now. Fugaku had laid the groundwork; he could study them further when he had time.

As for rare Sealing Jutsu, he would see whether he needed them or had a chance to obtain them later. Fugaku was in no hurry.

When Fugaku came home that evening, his father was kneeling quietly in the Living Room, waiting for him. He was unusually silent, and sorrow hung over him. Fugaku could tell he was in a poor mood. He remembered that grief all too well.

When Fugaku's mother had died, Uchiha Tenjo had worn much the same expression: silent, with sorrow beneath it.

"You're back, Fugaku. Uchiha Ueno died in battle in the Land of Rain. His funeral is tomorrow morning. Be ready."

Fugaku paused. Uchiha Ueno had once served under his father—or, more accurately, studied under him. No wonder his father looked so grief-stricken.

Outside their home, he was the formidable Uchiha Clan Leader, always upholding the clan's dignity. Only at home could he shed that mantle and become an ordinary Ninja, grieving in silence for someone who had once been his subordinate, student, and even friend.

Fugaku remembered talking with Ueno at the Forward Camp. The man had left a deep impression on him. Broad-minded and perceptive, he looked beyond personal concerns. Fugaku had thought highly of him.

He had never expected Ueno to die in the Land of Rain. Fugaku still remembered what he had said: "Fighting for the clan's honor is the greatest reward I could ask for."

"My condolences, Father. I'll be ready."

The fighting in the Land of Rain continued. Every few days, bodies were brought back from the front. Every one of them had died for Konoha.

Funerals were frequent during wartime. Usually, the family of the deceased and their friends were notified. Other Civilians and Ninja were not expected to attend.

The next morning, after washing up, Uchiha Tenjo did not report to the Security Force. Father and son dressed for the funeral, took small white flowers, and went out.

Many other Uchiha quietly emerged from their homes. The crowd gradually gathered, passed through the gates of the Uchiha District, and headed straight for Konoha's Graveyard.

Many people had already arrived at the Memorial Stone, Civilians and Ninja alike. Fugaku looked ahead, and a figure off to one side caught his eye.

He turned. Perhaps sensing Fugaku's gaze, the man looked back at him.

Long black hair, golden eyes, pale skin, and Tomoe-shaped earrings. It was Orochimaru, one of the future Three Sannin.

They nodded in greeting, then each looked away.

Fugaku had not expected to meet Orochimaru at a funeral.

At this point, Orochimaru had not yet delved into Forbidden Techniques. He was simply a calm, ruthless, cold-blooded Ninja who still felt a deep bond with his comrades, teacher, and students.

Orochimaru might already have begun working with Danzo, but they had not started their series of Forbidden Technique studies, and Konoha's Wood Release Research Plan had not begun. Their cooperation would not deepen anytime soon.

Fugaku's thoughts raced. Konoha's Wood Release Research Plan would not begin until the Third Shinobi World War was nearly over.

Perhaps that research could begin sooner. Fugaku believed it would not take him long to awaken the Mangekyo Sharingan. The period before he could advance it to the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan would be dangerous.

Frequent use could well lead to Blindness. Even if Fugaku could absorb Pupil Power, he could not afford to ignore that risk.

To use the Mangekyo Sharingan's power reliably, First-Generation Cells would be invaluable. Obito was a perfect example: Madara Uchiha had used a Special White Zetsu body made with large amounts of Hashirama Cells to repair Obito's body.

That had let Obito use his Mangekyo Sharingan's Kamui Space ability at will without worrying about going blind.

It could also spare other clan members who awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan from Blindness, strengthening the Uchiha's foundations.

If even a few Uchiha awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan, they would pose an enormous threat to the entire Shinobi World without having to do anything at all.

Speeding up the process would not be difficult. The slightest rumor about Wood Release could quickly spread everywhere. There was no way Konoha's leadership was not tempted by it; too many constraints simply stood in the way of action.

The First Hokage's granddaughter was also the current Third Hokage's student. That alone was a major obstacle to Wood Release research.

But once rumors about Wood Release began circulating through the village, Fugaku was sure ambitious people would act. Even if internal pressure kept the village from launching experiments, certain individuals would pursue the research privately.

Fugaku knew Konoha's leadership well. Even the Third Hokage sometimes turned a blind eye to things that were plainly wrong.

To Fugaku, it did not matter who led the Wood Release research. Extracts of First-Generation Cells would inevitably be produced. That was his opportunity: as long as they existed, he had a chance to obtain them.

Thanks to Er Mao Bu Er for the tip.