A Little Uchiha Shock for Madara

"Where am I? Where is this? Old man, who are you...?"

Their three eyes met. Uchiha Obito looked bewildered. The moment his Sharingan came into contact with the Sharingan, Obito's eyes quietly changed. The intricate, exquisite Mangekyō turned illusion into reality.

Tailed Beast Chakra was mixed and compressed at a yin-yang ratio of two to eight. In an instant, it condensed into a small Tailed Beast Bomb and shot straight toward Uchiha Madara.

"This is—!"

A crimson flash streaked forth, instantly blasting a huge circular hole through his chest.

Smoke and dust billowed everywhere. After the earthquake-like tremors subsided, only Obito remained standing there in a daze.

"What happened? What happened? Was that attack just now launched by me? What is going on?"

As Obito stood frozen, an incomparably familiar voice echoed through the secret chamber.

"This is a parting gift. Peeking at others is rude, you know. Senior with the Sharingan, enjoy some care from your junior. Farewell."

The voice lingered for a long time. The blood-red eye in Uchiha Madara's socket turned slightly before losing all color completely.

"A mere grain of sand, not even half my equal. Cough, cough, cough..."

The severed tubes behind him reconnected to Madara's back. Forcibly using Izanagi made his body, already near its limit, feel even worse.

"That voice was... Huayue? Was it really Huayue? Did you come to save me?"

"Kid, stop shouting. This is the Uchiha Clan's Transcription Seal. It seals ocular techniques within someone else who also possesses the Sharingan, then automatically activates once its conditions are met."

"He's just a child, yet he has such powerful ocular strength. That power just now... was it the Mangekyō Sharingan?"

A trace of surprise surfaced in his lifeless eyes. He had never expected that among the descendants of those traitorous clansmen who had abandoned him, someone with the Mangekyō could still be born.

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

The White Zetsu beside him wailed miserably. Obito was still confused. Lord Madara? Is this old man also from the Uchiha Clan? Is Madara his name?

Before Obito could speak, White Zetsu's gaze suddenly went blank for a moment, and the black ink spewing from its mouth abruptly spread outward.

"Damn it, the Reverse Four Symbols Sealing Technique!"

The remaining Sharingan flashed. The black ink swallowed White Zetsu along with itself. Only after the Reverse Four Symbols Sealing Technique vanished did Madara and White Zetsu reappear.

"Not bad, brat! A Tailed Beast Bomb, the Reverse Four Symbols Sealing Technique... no hand seals, just pure ocular strength. Is it a unique Mangekyō ocular technique?"

As Madara lowered his head in thought, 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 just called you Madara. Is it really just a coincidence of names?"

"No, I am Uchiha Madara. It seems someone you know, an outstanding brat, has awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan and can even use the Transcription Seal. An impressive child."

"It seems someone does not want you getting too close to them. Uchiha Huayue... is he your friend?"

Konoha, Uchiha Clan, Konoha Military Police Force office.

"Achoo! Who's been saying nonsense about me? It's nothing, nothing. Please continue, Lord Fugaku. I might have caught a chill."

Across from Uchiha Huayue, Uchiha Fugaku—the composed and capable captain of the Konoha Military Police Force who had long maintained the relationship between the village and the Uchiha, as well as the Uchiha Clan head—wore a stern expression.

"Uchiha Huayue, no matter how dissatisfied you are with the Third Hokage, do not behave so rudely before Lord Hokage again."

"Also, you must attend tomorrow's clan meeting. Or are you not only dissatisfied with Lord Hokage, but with your clansmen as well?"

Pairs of red eyes behind him glared over. Huayue brushed them off with a casual reply, utterly unconcerned.

"Yes, yes. If there's nothing particularly important, I'll be going first."

"Wait. Come to my house later for a simple meal. I would like to hear your views on this war."

Huayue, who was about to leave, paused slightly. After a moment of silence, he nodded in agreement. The ocular strength that had vanished from his eyes reminded him that even if he rushed over now, it was already too late.

After Huayue left, Uchiha Inabi turned around, his face full of confusion.

"Why did you invite that arrogant brat, Captain? From his graduation from the Ninja Academy until the time he became Orochimaru's disciple, that brat never attended a single clan meeting."

"Even if he has made many contributions in this war, even if he has been tasked with restraining the Third Tsuchikage, isn't that brat far too arrogant?"

Uchiha Yaeko and Uchiha Tekka both nodded. Fugaku remained silent, sighing inwardly.

What arrogance? He is clearly waiting to be courted. Since becoming Orochimaru's disciple, there have been very few people in the village who could provoke him. And with him having slain the Seven Ninja Swordsmen...

The name Body Flicker Gengetsu has begun spreading across the battlefield. If we do not win him over now, this boy's favor toward the clan will soon approach nothing.

After coughing twice, Fugaku spoke, signaling everyone to quiet down.

"Calm down. Uchiha Huayue is also a member of the clan. You have all seen his strength and reputation for yourselves. Our clan's strength comes from unity."

"Uchiha Huayue is still young. So long as he experiences the warmth of the clan, along with the bonds in his bloodline, he will surely become a pillar of the Uchiha Clan in the future."

At the same time, Huayue, who had hurried home, had no idea of Fugaku's assessment of him. At that moment, he was judging Uchiha Madara's condition by the ocular strength he had expended.

"Two chances, and neither worked. Izanagi really is an absurdly broken ocular technique."

"Still, I should have given him a little Uchiha shock. The most crucial thing has not been exposed for now. The infiltration was a success."

At that thought, anticipation faintly showed in Huayue's eyes.

I got a Sage trait just by checking in at Ryūchi Cave. If I go to Mountain Graveyard, shouldn't I at least get the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path?

Amid his wandering thoughts, the sun quietly sank westward, soon gilding the clouds on the horizon with layers of golden light.

In the heart of the Uchiha Clan district, Huayue arrived before a spacious, brightly lit courtyard and could not help sighing at the difference in social standing.

"Excuse me. Lord Fugaku asked me to come see him."

"You are Uchiha Huayue? Welcome."

The long-haired married woman before him gave him a gentle smile. Her mild disposition and demeanor made Huayue nod in return as he presented the gift he had prepared.

Uchiha Mikoto, a jōnin. Gentle with others and selflessly devoted. She truly is a good woman... Too bad she gave birth to such a filial son.

When he entered the living room, Uchiha Fugaku had already been waiting for some time. Green tea steamed in their cups. Huayue was about to take a sip when Fugaku's next sentence made him spit it out.

"Have you awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan?"