Uchiha Clan Grounds.
After Uchiha Kimei brought the Clan Head back, the medical team immediately pushed him aside.
Kimei wasn't seriously injured, so he could only stand there blankly at a time like this.
He watched the clan members bustling about.
The wounded clansmen, the Clan Head on the brink of death.
Everyone, fighting to protect the clan.
Happiness had come so hard, what the clan used to be, and what the clan was now.
It wasn't easy for the clan to improve, and now they had suffered such a devastating blow.
Kimei's eyes turned red, tears streaming down uncontrollably.
Those two damned invaders!!!
Kimei clenched his teeth.
The clan!
From now on, I will protect the clan!
A cry of grief came from beside him!
"Clan Head!!!"
Kimei looked over to see that the Clan Head's vital signs were dropping rapidly.
His spiritual fluctuations were dwindling more and more.
Every passing second, he slid further toward the abyss of death.
"Clan Head!!!"
Clan Head, you must not die!
The clan has just begun to recover, you must not die!
Kimei cried out in sorrow! His Sharingan spun uncontrollably.
The three tomoe spun faster and faster.
Until finally, they linked into a continuous pattern, transforming into three round flower-like shapes.
An epiphany surged within!
Kimei's eyes were struck with intense pain, a massive surge of ocular power burst forth!
The Uchiha gathered around Fugaku only felt an overwhelming ocular power descend upon him.
Fugaku's chaotic spiritual energy suddenly stabilized.
Everyone turned in shock.
"Kimei, you…!"
The crowd erupted, Kimei had awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan!
Kimei's Mangekyō spun wildly, his ocular power continuously radiating.
Fugaku's mental state steadily climbed upward.
Guardian Spirit!
Kimei's Mangekyō Sharingan ability, capable of defending on the soul level, stabilizing the mind, and rendering soul-based attacks ineffective.
Fugaku's condition finally stabilized completely.
As everyone breathed a collective sigh of relief...
Kimei let out a muffled groan and suddenly collapsed.
"Kimei!"
Everyone hurriedly supported Kimei.
After checking him over, everyone sighed in relief, Kimei had only overexerted himself and wasn't in any life-threatening danger.
Everyone exchanged glances, these were the most trusted core Uchiha clan members.
Yoki spoke up, "We must absolutely not let the awakening of Kimei's Mangekyō Sharingan leak out."
Everyone agreed, the Mangekyō Sharingan was the Uchiha Clan's greatest secret. Any new Mangekyō awakening meant the clan's strength would take a huge leap forward.
Elder Yangping, one of the Four Elders, parted the crowd and stepped forward.
He had just confirmed Sasuke's whereabouts when he received the news of Fugaku's critical condition and rushed over.
Heaven have mercy, at over sixty years old, he had burned out his chakra using Body Flicker Technique just to get here.
When Yangping arrived, he found that Fugaku's vital signs had already stabilized.
Upon hearing everyone's account, Yangping realized Fugaku had truly walked to the gates of hell.
Yangping hadn't fully agreed with Fugaku's plan initially, but Fugaku said he had done little for the clan over the years, if there was a chance, he must leave Obito behind.
The preparations had been thorough, but the final result was that Fugaku had nearly lost his life.
If Kimei hadn't unexpectedly awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan, Fugaku would have died for sure.
While he sighed in relief, he also felt happy for Kimei and glad for the clan.
A rare smile finally appeared on Elder Yangping's face.
Though Fugaku had stabilized, the Uchiha Clan couldn't go without a leader.
Everyone looked toward Elder Yangping, who held the highest prestige.
Elder Yangping pondered for a moment, "Although the Clan Head is stable now, we can't be sure the enemy won't invade again. First, use Summoning Technique to send a message to Uchiha Itachi and reverse summon him back."
"Also, keep Kimei awakening the Mangekyō Sharingan a secret. The clansman with the ninja cat contract, summon Yoya back."
"As for Natsuki, I'll contact him personally."
"The clan's elites have all been wounded, the clan is currently extremely weak. Everyone with outside tasks must abandon them and station themselves within the clan. We'll wait for Itachi's return or the Clan Head's recovery before making any further moves."
Everyone dispersed to their duties.
Sending a message to Uchiha Itachi with Summoning Technique was to have him prepare, to see who could return to the village now, or bring some of Orochimaru's medical supplies back.
Fugaku had anticipated the worst-case scenario from the start, so he had left behind enough contingency plans.
Yoya was Kimei's elder brother. With Kimei awakening the Mangekyō Sharingan, he had to be informed.
Moreover, Yoya was one of the clan's elite, with the current emptiness of the clan, it was perfect for him to return and guard the family.
The last time they contacted Uchiha Natsuki, he said he was going to handle something important and would return afterward.
So Elder Yangping would contact him personally.
---
After Zetsu's retreat, Kakashi immediately led a large number of Anbu to support.
In nearly five years, Kakashi had grown into an elite jonin, extremely capable and loyal, becoming the Third Hokage's right-hand man.
Once news of the situation at the Uchiha Clan broke out, the Third Hokage immediately dispatched Kakashi for support.
The Third Hokage himself arranged for other Anbu to investigate what had happened at the Uchiha Clan.
When Kakashi's team saw the red chakra cloak around Naruto, they were startled, they almost thought Naruto had gone berserk.
Seeing a familiar face, Naruto shouted, "Kakashi-nii, hurry over, Sasuke is hurt!"
Kakashi immediately pushed up his forehead protector, revealing his Sharingan to observe.
Fortunately, aside from the red chakra cloak, Naruto was completely clear-headed and speaking energetically.
It seemed Naruto was fine and hadn't gone berserk.
While relieved, he saw Sasuke in Naruto's arms, far worse off than Naruto.
Unconscious, with a penetrating wound on his shoulder and his hands covered in blood.
When Naruto handed Sasuke over to the Anbu, the chakra cloak on his body gradually faded, his body feeling heavy, Naruto stumbled.
And fell straight into Kakashi's arms.
Kakashi was startled, Naruto couldn't be seriously injured, could he? He checked carefully.
Naruto's breathing was steady...
This kid, he's asleep!?
Kakashi was speechless.
Looking over the devastated scene, Kakashi ordered the Anbu to spread out, some to investigate the food street, others to inspect the four fallen Anbu.
Kakashi himself took Sasuke and Naruto to the hospital for a detailed examination.
---
Anbu surrounded Naruto and Sasuke, bringing them to the hospital.
The medical ninja there had long been waiting.
They immediately began emergency treatment.
The Third Hokage also rushed over, along the way, he had already received plenty of information.
First and foremost, he was most concerned about Naruto, hearing about Naruto's Tailed Beast chakra leaking out, memories of the Nine-Tails' attack years ago made the Third Hokage tense.
Upon arrival, the first thing he checked was Naruto's seal, ensuring it was intact.
Only then did he breathe a sigh of relief.
As for Sasuke, although his injuries weren't fatal, the penetrating wound on his shoulder looked terrifying.
But with the medical team left behind by Tsunade in Konoha, they could handle even the most troublesome injuries.
After arranging treatment for Sasuke, Kakashi reported what he had investigated so far.