Uchiha District.
Inside an underground chamber.
Yusuke and Fugaku sat facing one another, speaking openly.
"Yusuke, these two scrolls record the forbidden techniques passed down through generations of our clan."
"I now entrust them to you."
Fugaku retrieved two scrolls from a hidden compartment and handed them over.
The Uchiha's forbidden techniques—
Izanagi and Izanami.
By tradition, these taboo ocular arts were kept under the authority of the Clan Head.
"Understood."
Yusuke accepted the scrolls but did not immediately open them.
Madara Uchiha had survived his battle against Hashirama Senju because of Izanagi.
They were undoubtedly powerful techniques—
But costly.
Blinding oneself after a single use?
Yusuke couldn't afford that kind of price.
Seeing Yusuke remain calm even in the face of such secret clan arts, Fugaku showed a trace of admiration.
When he first received them, he had immediately begun studying them.
Yusuke, by contrast, was far steadier.
After a moment of silence, Fugaku asked carefully,
"Yusuke… you've awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan, haven't you?"
Though phrased as a question, his tone was certain.
He had personally experienced Yusuke's overwhelming ocular power. It was far beyond the level of an ordinary Three-Tomoe Sharingan.
Without the Mangekyō, how could Yusuke have reflected his illusion technique?
Yusuke nodded calmly.
"Yes."
Fugaku's face lit with relief.
"Good. That's good."
Yusuke was strong, composed, and transparent.
Entrusting the Uchiha to someone like him… Fugaku could rest easier.
For years, dealing with Konoha's upper leadership had exhausted him.
Stepping down was, in truth, not such a bad thing.
The title of Clan Head sounded glorious—
But few understood the loneliness that came with standing at the top.
Fugaku was deeply satisfied with his successor.
Perhaps Yusuke truly would bring the Uchiha toward a completely different future.
After a brief pause, Yusuke suddenly asked,
"Uncle Fugaku… you awakened the Mangekyō as well, didn't you?"
Fugaku gave a bitter smile.
"I see I couldn't hide it from you."
Yusuke's expression shifted.
"Then why didn't you step forward during the Nine-Tails incident?"
Before Fugaku could respond, Yusuke pressed on.
"If you had stepped forward with your Mangekyō, the Nine-Tails disaster could have been resolved."
"That would have proven the Uchiha's innocence."
"The Fourth Hokage wouldn't have died."
"You would have been hailed as the hero who saved the village—and protected the Hokage."
"If that had happened, would the Uchiha have fallen into such a situation today?"
The relentless questioning left Fugaku speechless.
He had possessed the Mangekyō.
He could have stopped the Nine-Tails.
If he had intervened—
Would Konoha have suffered such devastating losses?
Would Minato Namikaze have died?
Would the villagers have grown suspicious of the Uchiha?
Back then, to avoid suspicion, he had chosen restraint.
Now—
It seemed like a disastrous mistake.
His silence had not cleared the Uchiha's name.
It had only deepened suspicion.
The higher-ups claimed to trust the Uchiha—
Yet surveillance around the district doubled year by year.
Fugaku was naïve—
But not stupid.
He understood the prejudice Konoha's leadership held.
His greatest flaw was failing to see Hiruzen Sarutobi clearly.
He refused to believe that the benevolent Third Hokage would ever truly strike against the Uchiha.
Yusuke spoke plainly.
"Uncle Fugaku… you were too weak."
"Constant compromise with Konoha's leadership was never going to save the clan."
"Status and voice are earned through strength."
Fugaku had compromised again and again—
And in return received only deeper mistrust.
Offer goodwill endlessly, and others assume ulterior motives.
Was that not like negotiating with a tiger?
Out of fear that revealing the Mangekyō would provoke suspicion, Fugaku chose restraint.
But even restraint must have limits.
And what kind of man was Minato Namikaze?
He held no prejudice against the Uchiha.
Had Fugaku supported Minato in consolidating power, would the Uchiha have been pushed to the margins?
Fugaku lowered his gaze, unable to answer.
After a long moment, he could only sigh.
Yusuke was right.
He had been too cautious… too hesitant.
He had wanted to avoid exposure, avoid appearing forceful.
Yet the Uchiha had still been marked as a clan to be watched.
"I made the wrong choice," Fugaku said quietly.
"The clan's hardship today is my responsibility."
"You are Clan Head now. Correcting our course is your task, Yusuke."
He placed a hand gently on Yusuke's shoulder.
He believed Yusuke could fix his mistakes.
Yusuke smiled faintly.
"I won't disappoint the clan."
"But I won't allow you to run away either."
He paused.
"Mistakes must be corrected by the one who made them."
"I'll give you that chance."
"I hope you'll stay and help me."
If he intended to revive the clan, Yusuke would not waste an asset like Fugaku—
A genuine Kage-level powerhouse.
The road ahead for the Uchiha would be long.
Without unity—
It would be impossible.
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