So…
Could Uchiha Fugaku truly reach the position that even his predecessors, Uchiha Madara and Uchiha Kagami, had never attained—the seat of Hokage?
In the original story, the Uchiha Clan had also contributed greatly during the Third Shinobi World War and even produced two remarkable figures: Obito during the Kannabi Bridge battle, and "Shunshin no Shisui."
Unfortunately, Obito had supposedly died, while Shisui seemed heavily restricted by Danzō.
But more importantly, Fugaku himself—the head of the Uchiha Clan—had never possessed any legendary achievements that truly shook the shinobi world. Even his strength had never displayed anything overwhelmingly exceptional.
Naturally, the position of Hokage had never fallen to him.
But now, things were clearly different.
Obito, after joining the Anbu, had already become capable of standing on his own. Shisui and Megumi were also growing at astonishing speed. Combined with the historic military achievements from this battle, the Uchiha Clan now possessed far greater political capital than they ever had before.
For the first time, the position of Hokage no longer seemed like an impossible dream.
And yet, when compared to his competitors—Minato and Orochimaru—the gap still remained obvious.
Those two not only possessed extraordinary accomplishments, but their terrifying strength had long since become famous throughout the shinobi world.
How could Fugaku possibly surpass both of them and emerge victorious?
In the end, the greatest problem remained unresolved:
Uchiha Fugaku's personal strength was still not enough to fully convince everyone.
Even if that Fire Release technique earlier had indeed been astonishingly powerful and unforgettable.
But that alone was not enough.
"Favored by fate?" The Third Mizukage let out a mocking laugh, as though he had heard something ridiculous. "Being forced to face me is the greatest injustice fate could inflict upon you!"
In the next instant, his figure shot forward like a ghost, charging directly at Uchiha Fugaku.
Rather than face Shimizu's clones, the Third Mizukage chose to target Fugaku instead, despite Fugaku currently being in better condition.
After all, when choosing a target, people naturally went after the weaker opponent first.
"You really think you've beaten me already?" The three tomoe in Fugaku's blood-red Sharingan spun faster and faster.
The Third Mizukage offered no reply.
Instead, he answered with a cold flash of blade light.
It was a short blade around thirty centimeters long—small enough to carry concealed on his body. Yet throughout the earlier battle, he had never once drawn it.
The strike was fast, ruthless, and incredibly difficult to detect.
And yet Fugaku dodged it with astonishing ease.
In close combat, the Sharingan feared almost no opponent.
The two instantly engaged in an intense taijutsu battle.
Shimizu did not move in to support Fugaku immediately. Instead, he calmly used the opportunity created by their close-quarters fight to carefully observe and analyze the Third Mizukage.
Kage-level shinobi usually possessed some unique specialty—
Or at the very least, a hidden trump card.
Yet the Third Mizukage seemed to break that rule entirely.
Since the battle began, Shimizu had genuinely failed to discover anything particularly extraordinary about him.
Excellent taijutsu.
Powerful Water Release.
Luxurious chakra reserves.
Outstanding battlefield judgment and adaptability.
Every aspect of his abilities had reached the Kage level, but was that really enough to become the leader of an entire hidden village?
And if this was truly all he had, then why was he still so confident he could escape this situation?
Why did he still look down on Uchiha Fugaku?
Where exactly did that confidence come from?
Very quickly, Shimizu noticed something surprising.
In pure taijutsu combat, Fugaku was gradually falling behind.
Within their high-speed exchange of attacks, Fugaku had already encountered several near-fatal moments. If not for the extreme visual perception granted by the three-tomoe Sharingan, the outcome might already have been decided.
At this point, it was not that Fugaku did not want to create distance and use ninjutsu—
He simply had no opportunity to do so.
Furthermore, the Third Mizukage clearly possessed extensive experience fighting the Uchiha Clan. From beginning to end, his eyes remained fixed solely on Fugaku's limbs, completely denying the Sharingan any chance to use its powerful genjutsu abilities.
Uchiha Fugaku...
Was going to lose.
The three Shimizus exchanged glances simultaneously, all arriving at the same conclusion.
Then—
They finally noticed the slightest hesitation in the Third Mizukage's movements.
Was his chakra beginning to run low?
No matter the reason, this was the best opportunity they would get.
Two of the three Shimizus immediately raised their hands at the same time.
Water Release: Water Wall!
Lightning Release: White Lightning!
The two Shimizus instantly unleashed their hand seal–less ninjutsu.
The purpose of the blue Water Wall was to separate the two combatants locked in close combat, protecting Uchiha Fugaku while restricting the Third Mizukage's movements and creating an opening for Shimizu himself to strike.
At the same time, White Lightning shot directly toward the cramped space where dodging was nearly impossible.
Meanwhile, the third Shimizu activated Instant Water, his hands erupting with deadly lightning chakra.
Water Release: Instant Water!
Lightning Release: Lightning Blade Slash!
Using Instant Water, he appeared behind the Third Mizukage in the blink of an eye and launched a lethal ambush with Lightning Blade Slash.
Three Shimizus.
Four hand seal–less ninjutsu cast simultaneously.
All for the sake of instantly killing the Third Mizukage.
Shimizu had been preparing this killing move for a long time.
He had only been waiting for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Yet before the roaring lightning could even touch the Third Mizukage, the Shimizu who closed in first suddenly froze in place.
He could not move another inch forward.
"Shunshin Shimizu… you finally made your move." For the first time since the battle began, the Third Mizukage smiled. "I was worried you'd keep hiding forever."
"You…"
Shimizu lowered his head and stared at the massive hole that had somehow been blasted through his chest.
"Water Gun Technique?!"
But wasn't the Water Gun Technique a secret technique passed down exclusively within Kirigakure's Hōzuki Clan?
How could the Third Mizukage know it?!
That terrifying speed…
Combined with such overwhelming destructive power…
It truly deserved to be called the trump card of a Kage-level shinobi.
This was the Third Mizukage's hidden ace!
"My teacher was the Second Mizukage, Hōzuki Gengetsu," the Third Mizukage replied calmly. "So it shouldn't be strange for me to know this technique."
"I see…"
Understanding finally dawned on Shimizu as his body slowly began to disperse.
"So the one who approached me was only a clone after all?" The Third Mizukage shifted his gaze toward the two distant Shimizus just as the rapidly spinning Water Wall dissolved at the perfect moment.
Both of their chests had also been pierced clean through.
"But you were only surprised, not afraid…" The Third Mizukage looked genuinely regretful. "It seems the carefully prepared killing trap failed after all."
As he spoke, the two distant Shimizus slowly dispersed as well.
"That wasn't the Water Gun Technique," Uchiha Fugaku said calmly as he analyzed the attack. "That was the Second Mizukage's famous technique—Water Release: Water Bullet Barrage."
The Water Gun Technique condensed liquid bullets at the fingertip and fired them with enough force to pierce straight through an enemy. Its destructive power alone was already terrifying.
But Water Release: Water Bullet Barrage was an enhanced version of that technique, capable of firing multiple Water Gun shots instantaneously. Its power was said to rival a miniature Tailed Beast Bomb.
"I didn't expect you to recognize the technique." The Third Mizukage let out a faint sigh. "Unfortunately, I'm not a member of the Hōzuki Clan. No matter how hard I trained, the most I could achieve was firing three Water Gun shots at once."
"So you chose to eliminate the more dangerous Shimizu first…" Fugaku did not know whether to feel helpless or fortunate. Being underestimated had indirectly saved his life. "You're right. If that technique had targeted me instead, I probably would've been hit."
"I never expected Shunshin Shimizu to be this cautious..." The Third Mizukage carefully recalled every detail of the battle. "To be honest, I never noticed when his real body disappeared."
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"I'm certain he never formed any hand seals."
Then he suddenly remembered the moment before Shimizu launched that fatal ambush.
"So that's it… none of his techniques required hand seals."
"No wonder. What terrifying speed."
Fugaku showed no irritation at all.
"You're so focused on him, yet you're not worried he might attack again? Instead, you still have time to stand here chatting with me?"
"I can determine your locations through the flow of water," the Third Mizukage answered without hesitation, openly revealing part of his abilities. "Of course, it requires hand seals and consumes additional chakra."
His gaze lowered toward the lake beneath them.
"Right now, he's hiding underwater… though I don't know what he's waiting for."
Suddenly, the Third Mizukage's expression changed drastically.
He jerked his head upward and met those blood-red eyes directly.
"So you finally noticed…" At some point, Fugaku's eyes had changed completely. They no longer resembled ordinary three-tomoe Sharingan. Instead, mysterious blood-red patterns spun within his pupils, carrying a far more terrifying power.
"But it's already too late."
"What… exactly is that?!" The Third Mizukage's face filled with horror, as though he had just witnessed something he feared from the bottom of his soul.
Fugaku calmly gazed at the man before him.
"A long time ago, I believed these cursed eyes of mine were the reason my closest friend died."
"So all this time… I never truly used the power hidden within them."
"But today is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the Uchiha Clan."
"How could I possibly let such a chance slip away?"
A trace of pain flickered through Fugaku's eyes.
"Forgive me, old friend. Everything is for the Uchiha Clan… all for the glory of the Uchiha!"
Then his voice turned cold.
"Third Mizukage… your life is mine."