The coastline of the Land of Fire, where the Konoha forces had stationed their troops, was quiet for now. But within one of the military tents serving as a temporary combat meeting room, the atmosphere was tense.
Inside, a strategic war meeting was underway.
"A secret order just arrived from the Hokage," announced one of the messengers, breaking the silence.
"According to the intelligence, Rock Shinobi have already begun withdrawing their forces. Their allied units on the battlefield will soon be redirected to reinforce us."
"The Hokage has instructed us to cooperate with these reinforcements and eliminate Mist Shinobi as swiftly as possible."
"In other words," the speaker paused, sweeping his eyes across the room, "we can't simply wait for Mist Shinobi to strike us in waves. We need to take the initiative and find a way to attack them first."
Uchiha Fugaku, head of the Uchiha clan and commander of the forces stationed there, stood at the head of the room. He was surrounded mostly by elite Uchiha clan members. Among them were prominent figures like Akimichi Chōza and a few other senior Jōnin from allied clans.
"Can't we set traps along the shoreline?" asked a hawkish young Uchiha with barely-contained excitement.
Fugaku shook his head.
"The coastline is too long. We cannot predict where the enemy will land. And it's their terrain—they're better suited for maneuvering there. Laying traps would only waste manpower and resources. It's not worth it."
"But we are Uchiha!" the youth pressed on stubbornly. "Even on the water, we can take down ten Mist Shinobi with one man!"
Fugaku raised an eyebrow. He responded with chilling calm.
"Very well. I'll give you a hundred men. Head out to sea and fight Mist Shinobi now. If one of you can take down ten of them, you should be able to kill at least a thousand enemies."
He smirked faintly. "When you're done, I'll personally host a celebration in your honor."
The young Uchiha's face turned red. He immediately fell silent, clearly realizing the sarcasm in Fugaku's words.
Fugaku cast him a cold glance and quietly memorized his face. Many of the younger Uchiha had already been influenced by the hawkish faction within the clan, convinced that their Sharingan made them invincible among ninja of the same rank.
While Fugaku understood clan pride, he couldn't tolerate arrogance in times of war. If any wrong decision was made, it could cost the clan dearly. This kind of reckless mindset had no place in future leadership.
"Report!"
A voice called out from outside the tent.
Fugaku rubbed his temples, sighing. He usually didn't allow meetings to be interrupted unless it was absolutely urgent.
"Come in," he commanded.
An Uchiha sentry stepped in, saluting respectfully.
"Fugaku-sama, Kakashi has returned from Kirigakure, accompanied by Shisui, Obito, and Nohara Rin!"
"What?" Fugaku's eyes lit up. "Quick! Bring them in immediately!"
Relief washed over him. He had known that Kakashi had taken Shisui and infiltrated Kirigakure to rescue Nohara Rin. Unfortunately, by the time he learned of their plan, they had already departed. He had been furious—especially since Shisui had only recently activated his Three Tomoe Sharingan and was poised to become a key figure linking the Uchiha clan with Konoha's leadership under Minato.
Sending them into a death mission, unauthorized, had seemed like madness. And Obito—whose double magatama Sharingan had just awakened—had disappeared from the battlefield, his fate unknown.
Fugaku had been consumed with anxiety.
He feared that if Minato's team was wiped out, it would strain his fragile relationship with the Fourth Hokage, whom he saw as the last hope for improving Uchiha's standing in the village. If Minato grew resentful of the clan, the Uchiha's future would be even more precarious.
"Hello, Chief Fugaku!"
A familiar voice snapped Fugaku out of his thoughts.
Looking up, he saw Kakashi step into the room. Beside him stood Shisui, Obito, and Rin.
Fugaku's stern face softened into a rare smile.
"Haha, you're back! That's excellent news!"
He didn't scold Kakashi for his reckless actions. The very fact that he returned with not just Obito and Shisui, but also successfully rescued Rin, was proof of his exceptional ability. Fugaku silently acknowledged Kakashi's growth and potential.
"Someone, bring four more chairs!" he commanded.
The others in the room exchanged confused glances. Usually, only high-ranking elite Jōnin and senior Uchiha had the privilege of sitting during strategy meetings. The rest had to stand and listen, regardless of age or experience.
Now, Fugaku had just ordered seats for four young ninja?
Shisui and Kakashi were understandable.
Shisui, now famed among the younger Uchiha for his unmatched skill, had dominated every internal challenge since unlocking his Three Tomoe Sharingan. Kakashi, despite not being an Uchiha, had even defeated Shisui during the Chūnin Exams—earning the tribe's admiration.
But Obito?
He only had two magatama in his Sharingan and was still just a Chūnin.
As for Rin, she was a medical ninja. No one paid her any mind in matters of combat.
Though, as Tsunade's apprentice, she was expected to one day lead the medical corps—so most of the discerning didn't dare offend her.
Still, giving Obito a seat? That sparked outrage.
"Chief Fugaku, this is inappropriate, isn't it?"
The same hawkish young Uchiha spoke again. "It's fine for Kakashi and Shisui. But what qualifications does Obito have?"
This time, several others nodded in agreement.
Kakashi's gaze sharpened. He spoke calmly but coldly.
"Oh? So you're saying Obito isn't qualified?"
"That's right!" the young man sneered. "Everyone here has the Three Tomoe Sharingan. How can someone with just two magatama be allowed to sit among us?"
Though arrogant, the man wasn't entirely without merit—activating Three Tomoe in his early twenties was a commendable feat.
Kakashi turned away from him and addressed Fugaku instead.
"Chief Fugaku, does this man's opinion represent yours?"
Fugaku shook his head.
"Of course not."
He raised his voice so the entire room could hear.
"The four of you took great risks and managed to escape from deep within enemy territory. How many here could do the same?"
He then turned to the protester. "You speak of Obito's two magatama as if it were a flaw. Do you even know how old Obito was when he awakened both?"
The young Uchiha stiffened.
"Seven years old!" Fugaku continued. "And you? I recall you didn't even awaken your first tomoe until you were ten."
Laughter and whispers rippled through the tent. The protester's face flushed with embarrassment.
In terms of raw talent, Obito had him beat.
Still, the young Uchiha wasn't about to back down so easily.
"I admit Obito was more gifted than me—but talent doesn't change the present reality."
"Right now, he isn't qualified."
The man straightened his back, proud of standing his ground. As a known supporter of the hawkish elders, he wasn't afraid of Fugaku's disapproval. After all, the clan head rarely imposed harsh punishments on differing opinions, and Uchiha culture encouraged boldness and pride.
Kakashi, however, had heard enough.
"Obito," he said, voice like ice. "Show them why you deserve that seat."
Obito stepped forward.
In the next moment, the temperature in the room seemed to plummet.
A wave of immense chakra rippled outward. Yin and yang swirled together in chaotic harmony. A blinding red light flared from Obito's eyes.
The air grew heavy, and an almost primal fear crept over everyone in the room.
"Th-that's... the Mangekyō Sharingan?!"
Gasps echoed from every corner.
Even Fugaku's eyes widened. The tension in the room exploded into shocked murmurs.
The same young man who was being mocked for not having enough tomoe—was now standing in front of them, displaying the legendary form of the Sharingan that few in Uchiha history had ever awakened!
The youth who had just challenged Obito now stood pale, eyes locked on those glowing blood-red spirals that seemed to peer straight into his soul.
No one questioned Obito's qualifications after that.