Uchiha Clan (3)
Hiruzen, holding his pipe and exhaling a puff of smoke, furrowed his brow in confusion.
"So, Mirai has just been staying at his house these past few days?" He asked, glancing at his ANBU operatives.
"Yes, Lord Hokage." One of the operatives replied. "After his occasional chat with Uchiha Itachi. He's been relatively quiet, mainly seen either teaching or training Uzumaki Naruto."
Hiruzen's eyes narrowed slightly. "Uchiha Itachi, huh? That's interesting. I've always had high hopes for that boy, especially if what Uchiha Shisui says is true."
The ANBU operative nodded. "However, we couldn't get close enough to obtain more information about their conversations."
Hiruzen massaged his temples, feeling a splitting headache intensifying ever since Mirai's return. It was as if the young Namikaze's presence alone had disrupted the carefully maintained balance within the village. The situation with Naruto had spiraled out of his control, and now it seemed Mirai's influence was extending to Itachi as well.
"Ever since Mirai returned, everything has started to go wrong." Hiruzen muttered to himself.
Hiruzen exhaled another puff of smoke, his thoughts drifting to Danzo's continuous reports about the growing restlessness within the Uchiha clan.
Danzo, ever the hawk, had been pushing for more drastic measures to quell any potential insurrection. His insistence that the Uchiha were a ticking time bomb had become a constant refrain. Now, with Mirai's influence possibly extending to the clan, the situation felt even more precarious.
…
At the same time, the Uchiha clan welcomed a strange guest. The district's distinctive architecture, with its traditional Japanese design and the emblematic Uchiha fan symbol prominently displayed, stood in stark contrast to the rest of the village.
Uchiha Jin, a tall and muscular man with the typical dark hair and eyes of his clan. He as a seasoned guard of the Uchiha clan, had initially tensed at the sight of the stranger approaching the entrance. His eyes narrowed as he saw the figure approaching. His initial wariness quickly turned to recognition and respect as he identified and recognized the figure, Namikaze Mirai, the famed 'Blue Flash'.
"Mirai-sama" Jin greeted respectfully, his voice betraying a hint of awe. "It's an honor to have you here. What brings you to the Uchiha District?"
Mirai returned the greeting with a nod. "Thank you. I'm here to meet with Fugaku-san. We have important matters to discuss."
Jin's posture relaxed as he motioned for them to enter. "Of course, Mirai-sama. I'll escort you to the clan leader's residence."
As he walked through the district, the Uchiha members paused in their activities to observe the unusual visitor. Clan members whispered among themselves and nodded in recognition and respect, and children peeked out from behind doors. The atmosphere, initially tense, softened with Mirai's calm demeanor.
…
In the clan leader's mansion, Fugaku Uchiha was calmly sipping tea in his study, his mind occupied with various clan matters. The tranquility of the moment was suddenly interrupted by a firm knock on the door. A guard's voice called from outside. "Clan Leader Fugaku, Namikaze Mirai has arrived to visit."
Fugaku set down his teacup with a measured grace, his expression showing no surprise. He had been expecting this visit since the news of Mirai's return to the village. "Very well." he replied. "Inform Elder Setsuna, Inabi, Tekka, and the others. We shall meet in the main hall… And bring Itachi here as well."
The guard bowed and quickly went to carry out his orders. Fugaku stood up and adjusted his robes, before walking out of his study, his steps steady and purposeful, heading toward the main hall where the meeting would take place.
…
Moments later, Mirai was escorted into the hall by the guard. Mirai's calm yet powerful demeanor remained unmistakable.
As Mirai entered the Uchiha clan's main hall, the eyes of Fugaku, Setsuna, and others widened slightly. Even with his chakra meticulously controlled and hidden, the sheer potency of Mirai's presence was unmistakable. To those with keen senses and experience, it was as if a storm lay dormant within him, ready to be unleashed with devastating force.
Fugaku, with his years of experience, felt the subtle pressure and acknowledged the strength before him. "Welcome, Mirai-san." He greeted, his voice steady but respectful.
"Thank you for having me, Fugaku-san." Mirai responded, inclining his head slightly. "There are matters we need to discuss, as you no doubt anticipated."
Before the conversation could proceed further, the doors to the hall opened again, admitting Itachi. He entered and took a seat in the back with composed expressions, but his eyes held a mix of curiosity and caution.
…
Seeing everyone was seated, Mirai reined in his chakra slightly, reducing its oppressive pressure. He then came directly to the point, his serious eyes demanding answers.
"I want to know the truth about the night of the Nine-Tails's attack." Mirai stated firmly, his voice cutting through the room's tension like a blade.
Hearing this, Setsuna's eyes narrowed, his face thoughtful. And Fugaku glanced at the his fellow clan members, gauging their reactions before sighing secretly, a mix of expectation and terror gripping him. The moment had arrived, and despite the Uchiha clan's lack of direct involvement in the Nine-Tails' attack, their Sharingan was unmistakably implicated.
He met Mirai's piercing gaze, feeling the weight of the questions and suspicions that had loomed over the clan for years. "We have nothing to hide, Mirai-san." Fugaku began, his voice steady but tinged with the gravity of the situation.
Mirai's eyes narrowed slightly, showing he was listening intently. "Then tell me everything you know. Leave no detail out."
Fugaku took a deep breath, preparing to recount the harrowing events of that fateful night. The room fell silent, every Uchiha present listening intently.
"As soon as the Nine-Tails began its rampage in the village." Fugaku began, "I mobilized the Police Force. Our intention was to support the village in its defense. However, we were intercepted by Danzo and his Root."
"They claimed it was too dangerous for us to intervene and that our presence would only escalate the situation due to the Sharingan's suspected involvement." Fugaku continued, his voice steady but filled with underlying frustration. "In the end, we were forced to stand down, unable to help. We could only watch as the village was devastated."
Mirai's eyes narrowed at the mention of Danzo. The mere name brought a bitter taste to his mouth and his eyes turned cold at the mention of it. "I will get my answers from him soon." He declared with a steely resolve.
Mirai couldn't help but think that if the Uchiha guards had intervened, maybe the outcome would have been different. But he shook his head, clearing his thoughts. The outcome was already decided, and no regrets could change that.
With the same cold voice, Mirai then addressed Fugaku. "What's about the traces of a three-tomoe Sharingan in the eyes of the Nine-Tails, indicating it was controlled by it?" He didn't elaborate further, but the implication that he wanted an explanation was apparent.
Fugaku's face hardened as he replied bitterly. "I don't know how it happened. We were as shocked as anyone. Until now, I still don't understand how one of our clan's most guarded abilities could be used in such a way without our knowledge."
Fugaku took a deep breath and continued, "There is one thing I am certain of, the Nine-Tails couldn't be controlled by an ordinary Sharingan. To achieve such a feat, the Mangekyō Sharingan must have been used."
At this, Uchiha Setsuna's angry shout interrupted him, his eyes blazing with intensity. "Fugaku!"
Fugaku met Setsuna's fiery gaze with a steely resolve. "Is it really necessary to conceal it at this point? The stakes are too high." He said, his voice measured but firm.
Setsuna's eyes blazed with indignation, but Fugaku pressed on, knowing the gravity of the situation. "We don't have a choice."
With a sigh, Fugaku addressed the room, his tone serious, observing his son and the other young Uchiha, recognizing the impact of his words. "The Mangekyō Sharingan is a rare and powerful evolution of our Sharingan. The method to obtain it is known only to a select few, and it comes at a great personal cost. The secrets of the Mangekyō have been closely guarded."
Mirai's eyes narrowed. "Mangekyō Sharingan… I see. That does narrow it down. But it also raises more questions. Who within the clan possesses the Mangekyō?"
Fugaku hesitated for a moment, a flicker of something unspoken passing through his eyes. "It is a rare and dangerous power, one that few have achieved. As far as I know, no one in the current generation has awakened it. The last known wielder in our clan was Uchiha Madara."
He secretly thought of his own Mangekyō, a power he had kept hidden to protect himself and his clan from further suspicion and implication. Better to keep it as a close card, he reasoned, in these uncertain times.
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