The rain in the Konoha Cemetery pierced the soil like silver needles.
Itachi stood before his father's grave, rain sliding down his cheeks.
"Itachi, it's time to go back."
Mikoto's voice sounded distant in the rain. She held a dark oil-paper umbrella, and droplets of water condensed on its ribs continually fell onto her kimono-clad shoulders.
Itachi nodded, a hint of maturity beyond his years flashing across his youthful face. His fingertips traced the indentations of his father's name, feeling the cold, rough stone.
"Father, what exactly is the Uchiha's true power that you spoke of?"
...
Meanwhile, inside an Uchiha residence.
"Are you sure the Mangekyo is in Itachi's hands?"
Yashiro's fingers tapped on the table, the rhythm growing faster and faster.
Tsushimi lowered his head, his voice trembling. "Yes, I saw it with my own eyes. Before Fugaku-sama died, he dug out the Mangekyo, placed it in a nutrient jar, and gave it to Itachi."
Yashiro suddenly slammed his hand on the table, making the candlelight flicker violently. "Go call Ryuka. Remember, don't alarm Shun."
...
"Ryuka, you are my most promising student. I am old now, but if you can obtain those eyes, I will recommend you as the Fifth Hokage. I hope you will inherit the Uchiha's glory."
Ryuka, in the corner, raised his gloomy face. The Three-Tomoe Sharingan in his left eye suddenly spun faster. "Sensei, what about Shun?"
Yashiro sneered, "He's two years younger than you, are you just going to accept that?"
Amidst the rain, a dark shadow silently scaled the wall of Fugaku's house.
Ryuka wore a special Chakra-shielding mask, drifting through the corridor like a wisp of smoke. As he slid open the window to Itachi's bedroom, the moonlight shone directly on the glass jar on the nightstand. Two crimson eyeballs slowly floated in the cultivation fluid.
"This is the Mangekyo Sharingan." Ryuka's breathing grew heavy.
He carefully took the glass jar, then closed the window, and vanished.
...
The lights of the Root laboratory cast the shadows of three people on the wall, distorted like specters.
Yashiro's voice was low. "Begin the Mangekyo transplant and prepare two tubes of Hashirama cells."
Ryuka, on the operating table, suddenly grabbed Yashiro's wrist amd asked, "Wait... what if it fails?"
"Ryuka, it won't fail. Trust me."
Ryuka's Three-Tomoe Sharingan were removed one by one and placed in nutrient jars.
Meanwhile, Fugaku's Mangekyo were implanted into his empty eye sockets. The transplant surgery went smoothly, and Ryuka easily activated the Mangekyo. He felt the power hidden within the Mangekyo.
Left eye Dojutsu: Yumeutsutsu: Can simulate a future scene.
Right eye Dojutsu: Mugenkyo: Enhances Genjutsu power.
Next, they injected Ryuka with Hashirama cells culture fluid.
"First tube, inject."
After a while, Ryuka's Chakra volume surged by 2.2 times, with no abnormalities in his body.
"Second tube, inject."
Ryuka's Chakra volume surged to 4.5 times. He felt his body filled with power, and the Mangekyo suddenly began to spin wildly.
"This is clan head Fugaku's power? The Third Divine Power: Susanoo!"
...
The next day, the air in the Hokage building conference room was frozen.
Yashiro slammed his hand on the table amd said, "I object to Tsunade becoming the Fifth Hokage. Her strength is insufficient to be Hokage, how can she protect Konoha?"
Hiashi's Byakugan narrowed slightly. "Then who does Minister Yashiro think is suitable?"
"Uchiha Ryuka!"
The conference room immediately erupted in an uproar.
Shikaku pushed up his glasses. "While Jonin Ryuka is excellent, his strength is probably..."
"Then let strength speak!"
Ryuka suddenly activated his Mangekyo, and the aura he exuded made everyone gasp.
Shun slowly stood up, his usually lazy expression completely gone for the first time. "You stole Fugaku's Mangekyo..."
Ryuka sneered, "Fugaku-sama's Mangekyo belongs to the Uchiha clan, and now it has chosen a new master."
Shun's gaze turned completely cold as he said, "Since these Mangekyo have given you courage, then I will show you true power. If you can defeat me, I will support you as the Fifth Hokage."
...
Because Fugaku had repeatedly used Susanoo to change the tide of battle during the war, many Uchiha had become overly superstitious about Susanoo's power.
After entering the battle, Ryuka immediately activated his Mangekyo and summoned a 120-meter-tall green Susanoo. He wielded a scythe, forcing Shun to retreat repeatedly.
Shun found an opportunity, also activated his Mangekyo, and summoned a 160-meter orange Susanoo, holding a giant shield in his left hand and a long sword in his right, casting a terrifying shadow in the sunlight.
Ryuka roared hysterically, "How is this possible? Why is your Susanoo so much bigger than mine?"
Shun's Susanoo blocked the attack with its giant shield, then split open the green Susanoo's armor with a sword from its right hand.
"Fugaku's eyes are not for you to use like this."
After speaking, he grabbed Ryuka out of the Susanoo, then gently knocked him unconscious. Then, from his eye sockets, he dug out Fugaku's Mangekyo.
Seeing the plan fail, Yashiro collapsed onto the viewing stand, his face ashen.
Shun's voice echoed throughout the training ground. "These are Fugaku-sama's eyes, not tools for your power struggles. Given Yashiro's severe dereliction of duty this time, I have decided to revoke his status as an Uchiha elder."
Yashiro shouted unwillingly, "You are not the clan head, you don't have that authority."
Shun shouted loudly, "Alright then, I announce that from today, I am the new clan head. Who is in favor, who is against?"
The many Uchiha remained silent.
"Since no one opposes, then I am the new clan head. My order is now in effect: Yashiro's elder status is revoked."
...
That night, the door to Fugaku's house was gently knocked.
Itachi opened the door and saw Shun standing in the moonlight, holding a familiar glass jar.
Shun crouched down, meeting Itachi's gaze and said, "Returning it to its rightful owner. You must hide it well, don't let anyone find it again."
Itachi ran over and said, "Uncle Shun, why don't you keep it? I can't protect this thing yet."
Shun replied gently, "Then, I will keep it safe for you for now. When you need it in the future, come find me."