Uchiha Fugaku's Residence
"Shisui, what kind of ninjutsu did you choose?" Fugaku asked, his voice tinged with residual anger. He was still furious that the Third Hokage had even contemplated ordering the deaths of both Itachi and Shisui.
But... in the end, Itachi and Shisui were given the opportunity to study techniques from the Scroll of Seals—a rare privilege. Fugaku couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement.
The Scroll of Seals, handed down since the First Hokage, was a treasure trove of forbidden and powerful techniques. Typically, only those with significant accomplishments could apply to learn anything from it, and even then, there were many restrictions.
"This is the Flying Thunder God Technique," Shisui said with a smile.
Known as the "Body Flicker Genius," Shisui's mastery of high-speed movement already made him a fearsome presence. In the anime, he was even capable of creating afterimages or clones using the technique.
Choosing this space-time ninjutsu, originally invented by the Second Hokage, was a strategic move—one that played to all his strengths.
"Space-time ninjutsu… invented by the Second Hokage?" Fugaku nodded thoughtfully. "It suits you well."
"And you, Itachi? What did you choose?" Fugaku turned toward his son.
Although only 9 years old, Itachi had already awakened his three-tomoe Sharingan—a feat far beyond his years. He could even hold his own against seasoned jonin in battle.
"I chose a genjutsu also created by the Second Hokage—Demonic Illusion: Darkness Technique," Itachi replied quietly.
Itachi was naturally drawn to illusion-based techniques. Though Tobirama was from the Senju clan and not the Uchiha, he had deep knowledge of genjutsu and forbidden arts.
"Excellent. You truly are my son," Fugaku said proudly, before his expression turned serious. His mind wandered to the one who had indirectly brought about this opportunity for his son and Shisui—Naraku.
"What exactly is going on between you and Naraku?"
Shisui and Itachi exchanged glances. Their expressions grew grave as they began recounting everything that had occurred, including Naraku's insights into the village's current stance toward the Uchiha clan.
According to Naraku, the Uchiha were already on the edge of a cliff.
Most of the explanation came from Itachi, with Shisui occasionally chiming in.
For Fugaku, it was like being struck by lightning. A series of revelations overwhelmed him, and it took a while before he could even respond.
"The Uchiha clan is already this close to collapse?"
"Is Naraku just overreacting?"
He knew there were whispers among some clan members about rebellion—but to believe things had deteriorated to such an extent...
"Patriarch, this isn't just Naraku's opinion," Shisui said with a slight frown. "Most of what we've shared was based on factual observations. Naraku simply helped us see the full picture."
Fugaku looked at Itachi with complicated emotions—shock, admiration, and pride. His son, only 9 years old, was already this perceptive?
The Next DayHyuga Naraku's Residence
It was the second day since the Hidden Cloud Village delivered their ultimatum.
[Yin Chakra: 9300 / 10000]
Naraku had reached 93% of the chakra required to awaken the Tenseigan.
Defeating over a hundred shinobi—including Shinnosuke—had granted him 600 chakra attribute points, which he invested immediately. He felt a clear surge in the power of his Byakugan.
Tenseigan is near… Naraku thought with satisfaction.
When it came time to choose a technique from the Scroll of Seals, Naraku didn't pick flashy or iconic jutsu like the Flying Thunder God or the Eight Gates.
Instead, he chose a technique most considered unimpressive:
Super Beast Imitating Drawing
Originally used by Sai from Team 7, the technique allowed the user to create animated ink creatures. But to Naraku, this jutsu had enormous unrealized potential.
It was a rare combination of yin and yang chakra:
Yin Release: Uses spiritual energy to create form from nothing—essentially shaping the imagination.
Yang Release: Uses physical vitality to breathe life into form—granting it animation.
Through this fusion, Naraku could draw creatures and bring them into three-dimensional, semi-sentient life. While not on the level of the Creation of All Things technique used by Hagoromo Ōtsutsuki, it was still an exceptional ninjutsu with world-altering potential.
"Naraku-san, why does that bird look... alive?" asked Shisui as he arrived that morning.
He wasn't alone—Fugaku and Itachi accompanied him.
All three looked at the drawn bird resting on Naraku's desk. There was something uncanny about it—its eyes sparkled with life, and its body shifted subtly, like it breathed.
"In a way... it is alive," Naraku smiled.
He snapped his fingers.
Suddenly, the crow's expression sharpened. It expanded, taking on full form, and soared into the air!
The three visitors were stunned.
The inky crow looked almost indistinguishable from a real one. Its feathers shimmered black and sleek, and its eyes reflected awareness.
"This... this is remarkable," Fugaku muttered.
"It's the power of Yin-Yang Release," Naraku explained. The bird circled once before gracefully landing on his open hand. A moment later, with a flick of his wrist, the bird dissolved and returned to the scroll as a two-dimensional image.
Fugaku, deeply impressed, composed himself. Though he came with serious questions about the clan's survival, he had walked into something extraordinary.
"As for the Uchiha... I've already said what needs to be said," Naraku looked Fugaku in the eyes. "You, as patriarch, should know better than anyone the real danger your clan faces."
"But surely it hasn't reached the point of extinction?" Fugaku countered. "You're exaggerating."
"Really?" Naraku asked calmly. "Then tell me—why don't you dare reveal to anyone how you awakened your Mangekyō Sharingan?"
Fugaku's expression twisted in shock.
Naraku's words hit the mark. And in that moment, Fugaku finally understood—Naraku wasn't panicking.
He was warning them... before it was too late.