"I understand why you're here. This incident is exceptionally serious."
Despite the turmoil in his heart, Uchiha Fugaku quickly composed himself and spoke evenly.
"However, I also ask that you understand this—what I can disclose is limited. I must consider the clan."
"I understand, Clan Head Fugaku."
Ren nodded. How much Fugaku revealed didn't really matter to him—Ren already knew most of it. What he needed was a legitimate opening.
"That said, given the gravity of the situation, we hope for information that's actually useful."
"The Hokage's orders are not something we would dare to treat lightly."
Fugaku nodded calmly, then spoke without expression.
"You want detailed information on Uchiha Obito. That has already been prepared—I can hand it over immediately.
"As for the evolution of the Sharingan, many details are not convenient for me to explain. I can only provide the basics."
What he wanted to say was: Doesn't Konoha already have this? Why come to us?
Senju Tobirama may have been infamous for his cold demeanor, but no one could deny his research prowess. Even Uchiha Setsuna had acknowledged that.
Who was to say Tobirama hadn't conducted deep studies on the Sharingan?
But Fugaku swallowed the thought. Some things didn't weigh much until you put them on the scale—then even a thousand pounds wouldn't hold them down.
"The Sharingan is a symbol of power," Fugaku continued after a brief pause, his tone growing heavier, "but it is also a curse.
"Because only by losing something can these eyes evolve.
"And once something is lost, what follows is endless pain.
"Itachi. Shisui. Myself. We've all experienced that pain."
After saying this much—vague yet heavy—Fugaku closed his eyes and fell silent.
To him, that was already everything he was willing to say. The rest depended on how others understood it.
"That doesn't quite add up."
Kakashi, who had remained quiet, suddenly frowned and spoke.
"When Obito awakened his Sharingan, he was right beside me. He didn't lose anything—he awakened it to protect me."
"But my Sharingan awakened because of my teammate."
Shisui sighed as he countered gently, then shook his head.
"Let's focus on Obito's information. That will help us more."
"No—actually, I have a thought."
Ren didn't rush. He looked directly at Fugaku.
"Clan Head Fugaku, may I ask—when it comes to the advanced form of the Sharingan, is it normally the same?"
"Under normal circumstances—yes."
Fugaku opened his eyes and looked at Ren for a moment, then nodded. He stopped there.
"I see."
Ren smiled. For him, that was enough.
"Even with limited information, I think it's sufficient."
"?"
Yūgao and Tenzō looked confused. Even Shisui, Kakashi, and Fugaku stared at Ren in puzzlement.
"If what Clan Head Fugaku says is true," Ren said plainly, "then I can confirm that man was Uchiha Obito."
Kakashi's expression tightened instantly, but before he could speak, Ren raised a hand.
"Don't rush. Combined with what Clan Head Fugaku said—and what Kakashi-senpai experienced—I think I understand the Sharingan better now."
Fugaku's expression didn't change, but inwardly he sneered. With just this much, you understand the Sharingan?
"You're both right."
Ren continued, looking at Kakashi.
"Clan Head Fugaku spoke of loss. Kakashi-senpai, you spoke of protection.
"So can we interpret the awakening of the Sharingan as a state of mind—something triggered by intense emotion?
"To put it simply: mental stimulation."
"Mental… stimulation?"
Shisui murmured. Fugaku frowned. He was starting to suspect Ren had read classified Konoha materials.
"That's right—mental stimulation."
Ren nodded and continued calmly. The Uchiha had attended last night's meeting; this wasn't something he needed to hide.
"Losing a teammate. An overwhelming desire to protect. These are both emotional surges—powerful psychological stimuli.
"These stimuli drive the Sharingan's evolution.
"And Clan Head Fugaku said that, normally, the advanced form follows the same principle.
"So doesn't that imply the difference is simply… intensity?"
"Greater intensity…"
Shisui murmured again.
Kakashi's face went pale.
Yūgao and Tenzō were still trying to keep up.
Fugaku's expression darkened. He was now genuinely wondering if Ren had deliberately come here to rub salt in old wounds.
He'd only spoken in hints—yet Ren had gone straight for the core.
"Yes. Greater intensity."
Ren tapped the table lightly and sighed.
"We all know parts of Kakashi-senpai's past.
"And I've heard that Obito was very close to Kakashi—and that Nohara Rin was the person Obito loved most.
"So if Obito was actually present that day… what do you think would happen?"
The answer didn't need to be said.
The pavilion fell into silence.
Watching your closest friend kill the person you love most—no sane person could imagine the pain and distortion that would cause.
And by Kakashi's own account, Obito had been driven by a powerful will to protect.
The shattering of that will.
The arrival of catastrophic loss—twice over.
Under such extreme emotional pressure—
"He really could have awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan."
The thought surfaced simultaneously in Shisui's and Fugaku's minds.
And with it came certainty.
No records existed of an outsider awakening such eyes through emotional extremes alone.
"Ren, we need to report this immediately."
Shisui stood up at once. He glanced at the dazed Kakashi and spoke carefully.
"At this point, it's basically confirmed."
"It's impossible!"
Kakashi suddenly stood, eyes closed, his expression unreadable.
"Even if that's true, he should have come after me! Why would he target sensei? Why?!"
"Do you remember your situation back then?"
Ren sighed softly and shook his head.
"You and Rin were being hunted by Kirigakure shinobi.
"And yet, as a team, your captain—the future Fourth Hokage—never arrived.
"Tell me… would he have blamed the Hokage for that?
"Would he have believed that if the Hokage had arrived, none of it would have happened?"
"He wouldn't—"
Kakashi tried to argue, but the words failed him.
Displaced hatred was terrifying. In circumstances like that, no one stayed rational.
"And there's more," Ren continued, rubbing his chin. "I think I can roughly guess where he is."
Yūgao finally caught up.
"You mean… Kirigakure?"
"Exactly."
Ren nodded, then looked at Kakashi gently.
"It was Kirigakure's pursuit that led to that tragedy.
"And given how strange and dangerous his abilities are…
"After what he's done to Konoha, there's no way he'd let Kirigakure off the hook."
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