Not long after, every major clan—including the Uchiha—received an emergency directive from the Third Hokage: mobilize their shinobi to hunt down the thief who had infiltrated the Scroll Repository.
As expected, the search yielded nothing.
The intruder had used both the Transformation Technique to disguise their chakra and the Mayfly Technique to erase all traces of their presence.
Even the most skilled tracking ninken could not follow someone who escaped using those two jutsu.
After scouring Konoha several times over, the search teams could only give up in frustration.
Fugaku, after dispatching a few Uchiha to join the search as a formality, withdrew to a hidden chamber near the Naka Shrine.
Inside, the White Zetsu clone was already waiting.
Upon seeing Fugaku, it immediately handed him a scroll.
He unrolled it and began to read, committing the contents to memory—the secrets of the Yin Seal.
The principle behind the Yin Seal was ingenious: through an intricate fūinjutsu formula, it created a chakra storage point at the user's forehead.
Excess chakra could be sealed away during times of peace, then released in battle when needed.
The method was so advanced that only a clan like the Uzumaki, masters of sealing, could have created it.
"Too bad the Yin Seal's mark is so obvious… otherwise, I'd learn it myself."
Fugaku shook his head.
His chakra reserves were impressive—two to three times that of an average Kage—but compared to monsters like Naruto Uzumaki or Hashirama Senju, it was still a vast gap.
The Yin Seal could have closed that gap.
Unfortunately, mastering it left a distinctive diamond-shaped mark on the forehead—a clear sign.
If Fugaku were to adopt the technique now, it would be the same as announcing to Hiruzen that he was the thief.
"It doesn't matter. Once I overthrow Hiruzen and claim the Hokage's seat, I'll learn it openly."
There was no disappointment in his voice—only determination.
It wasn't a question of if he would learn it, only when.
For now, his current chakra reserves—already two to three times Kage level—were more than sufficient.
Only when his eyes evolved into the Rinnegan would his chakra possibly become insufficient.
The Rinnegan's demands were enormous—so great that even Nagato, an Uzumaki famed for his massive chakra reserves, had been drained to a skeletal husk.
Of course, that might have been because the Rinnegan wasn't originally his to begin with.
Fugaku burned every detail of the scroll into his Sharingan before tossing it back to the clone.
"You practice the Yin Seal," he ordered.
Then he rose and left the chamber, making his way to the Naka Shrine.
Inside the shrine, three elders and several elite jōnin, including Uchiha Yakumi, were already gathered.
"Clan Head."
They greeted him warmly, their faces bright with satisfaction.
After all, Fugaku had injured the Third Hokage in just a handful of moves—a feat that filled the Uchiha with pride.
Fugaku gave a curt nod and took the main seat, settling cross-legged with an air of calm authority.
Shisui—the traitorous "white-eyed wolf"—was dead.
Itachi—the other wolf—had been blinded and imprisoned.
Now it was time to discuss the next move.
"Clan Head, what happened with Itachi? "
Second Elder Uchiha Mamoru was the first to speak.
He hadn't had the chance to ask earlier; Hiruzen had arrived too quickly.
"I underestimated the Third Hokage," Fugaku said with a sigh.
"Itachi is young—easily swayed. I discovered signs that he was being influenced by Hiruzen. So, I pulled him from the ANBU and confined him."
It was a half-truth.
If the clan learned that the heir had betrayed them and was working as Hiruzen's spy, it would be a scandal—a blow to Fugaku's authority.
But if he claimed there was no influence, how could he explain Itachi's imprisonment?
So he chose a middle ground.
"Damn that old Hokage! "
Great Elder Uchiha Setsuna slammed his hand down in fury.
First Shisui, now Itachi—Hiruzen had been trying to corrupt them all.
"Good thing you acted in time, Clan Head, or the Hokage might have succeeded."
Third Elder Uchiha Tokinobu exhaled in relief.
"Leaving the ANBU was the right call. It was never worth joining."
Uchiha Wakako murmured, still shaken by the thought.
When the room quieted, Fugaku shifted the topic.
"I called you here to discuss our next move against Hiruzen and his faction."
Yakumi leaned forward, eyes sharp.
"Clan Head, from what we saw today, the Hokage is no match for you. With your strength now… do you have the confidence to assassinate him? "
All eyes turned to Fugaku, expectant.
Yakumi could feel it—Fugaku was stronger than ever, even compared to when he fought Shisui.
"Yes. If I struck suddenly, I could kill him before he had time to react," Fugaku admitted—and then shook his head.
"But we can't. Not yet."
The room rippled with surprise.
Why not? If the Hokage fell, his entire faction would crumble.
"Because killing Hiruzen isn't the endgame. Our true goal is to claim the Hokage's seat for the Uchiha."
His gaze swept over them, his tone iron.
Eyes burned with hunger. The dream of an Uchiha Hokage—a dream denied for generations—now seemed within reach.
"If we kill him now, the Fifth Hokage election will start immediately. My reputation isn't strong enough yet to guarantee victory."
"We need more prestige before that day comes. Killing him now would be premature."
"The Clan Head is right," said Second Elder Mamoru after a pause. "Right now, you couldn't outshine Tsunade or Jiraiya."
"I disagree," Setsuna cut in sharply. "With your power, why bow to anyone? Kill Hiruzen, and take the title by force."
Fugaku's voice hardened.
"I could do that. But if we seize the title through brute force, we'll leave a field of enemies behind us. Hiruzen has loyal clans—powerful ones. They'd never stop trying to undermine us."
His lips curved into a cold smile.
"And killing him quickly? That's far too merciful."
Setsuna frowned. "What do you mean? "
"Hiruzen has spent years smearing the Uchiha name. Does he deserve an easy death? No. I'll drag every one of his dirty secrets into the light. I'll strip him of his honor. He'll be forced to step down in disgrace—die choking on his own rage."
The elders exchanged glances. The thought of watching the Hokage fall—not by steel, but by humiliation—sent a dark thrill through the room.
"Clan Head… how do you plan to do it? " asked Uchiha Min.
"In three stages," Fugaku said smoothly.
"First, build overwhelming prestige—enough that when Hiruzen falls, no one can deny me the Hokage's seat."
"Second, expose his corruption and crimes—destroy his reputation and force his resignation. Then I take his place."
"Third…" A glint of steel flashed in his eyes. "…make sure his disappearance is permanent."
"I agree."
"So do I."
One by one, the elders voiced their approval—until Yakumi spoke again.
"I agree as well… but I have a suggestion."
"Speak," said Fugaku.
"You're right about Hiruzen—but what about Koharu and Homura? They're pillars of his faction. Removing them would cripple his power base."
Fugaku considered—and nodded.
"Good point. There's no reason to let them live. We'll add that to Phase One: eliminate Homura and Koharu."
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