Just as the Sand, Stone, and Cloud ninja villages reached an agreement, Uchiha Fugaku, far away in Konoha, received news that the three villages intended to join forces and invade.
He immediately summoned Zongyan and Uchiha Itachi to meet in the Hokage's office in the Hokage Building.
The intelligence was spread across the wooden desk. Wearing a pair of glasses for nearsightedness, Fugaku looked at the two of them.
"The Sand, Cloud, and Stone really intend to take advantage of us having just put down the rebellion to attack the Land of Fire's borders?"
Zongyan swept his gaze over the intelligence and snorted.
"Do those three ninja villages really think the Uchiha are pushovers? They see that we've only just put down the rebellion and assume we lack strength?"
"What a joke. If they dare set foot in the Land of Fire, none of them will be leaving."
Uchiha Itachi nodded slightly. As Konoha's sole ruling power now, the Uchiha had to win this war.
"That's right. We have to defeat them."
With that, the three began discussing countermeasures.
Once they finished their discussion, just as Itachi and Zongyan were preparing to return home to make arrangements for any oversights, Fugaku spoke.
Fugaku suddenly spoke up.
"The first shipment of supplies from the other world arrived just now, and this month's opportunity to use the Altar is still available. Who do you think should use it?"
"If someone can awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan through it, our strength will rise another level."
Almost without hesitation, Itachi made his suggestion.
"Let Zongyan use it!"
"With Zongyan's strength, adding the Mangekyō would let him inflict greater damage on the enemy."
In Itachi's mind, only by becoming stronger would Zongyan be able to protect himself. Even if he encountered a powerful enemy, he would