Uchiha Compound.
Inside an underground chamber.
Uchiha Akihito and Uchiha Fugaku sat facing each other, conversing amicably.
"Akihito, these two scrolls record the forbidden techniques passed down through generations of the Uchiha."
"I will entrust them to you now."
Fugaku retrieved two scrolls from a hidden compartment and handed them to Akihito.
They contained the Uchiha clan's forbidden arts—
Izanagi and Izanami.
By tradition, these two taboo ocular techniques were kept under the custody of each successive Uchiha clan head.
"Understood."
Akihito accepted the scrolls but did not open them immediately.
When Uchiha Madara fought Senju Hashirama, he survived only by relying on Izanagi.
The techniques were undeniably powerful.
Unfortunately—
They were expensive.
A technique that cost one eye each time it was used was not something Akihito could casually afford.
Seeing Akihito remain calm and composed even before the clan's forbidden arts, Fugaku's expression showed approval.
Back then, he had eagerly opened the scrolls the moment he received them.
Akihito was far steadier.
Fugaku probed cautiously.
"Akihito… you've awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan, haven't you?"
Though phrased as a question, his tone carried certainty.
He had personally experienced Akihito's ocular power.
It far surpassed that of an ordinary Three-Tomoe Sharingan.
Without the Mangekyō, how could Akihito have reflected his genjutsu?
Akihito nodded calmly.
"Yes."
Fugaku was no "filial son" like Uchiha Itachi.
He was someone who could be trusted.
"Good… that's excellent."
A trace of relief surfaced on Fugaku's face.
Akihito possessed strength, composure, and honesty.
Entrusting the Uchiha to such a man allowed him peace of mind.
In truth, facing the constant pressure from Konoha's higher-ups over the years had exhausted Fugaku.
Stepping down was not necessarily a bad thing.
The title of Uchiha clan head sounded glorious—
But few understood the loneliness at the summit.
As for his successor, Fugaku felt genuine satisfaction.
Perhaps Akihito truly would bring the Uchiha a completely different future.
After a moment of silence, Akihito suddenly asked,
"Uncle Fugaku… you've awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan as well, haven't you?"
A bitter smile tugged at Fugaku's lips.
"So I couldn't hide it from you after all."
Akihito's tone shifted.
"If that's the case, then why didn't you step forward during the Nine-Tails Incident?"
Before Fugaku could respond, Akihito continued.
"If you, with the Mangekyō, had intervened, the disaster could have been resolved."
"Not only would it have proven the Uchiha's innocence, but the Fourth Hokage, Namikaze Minato, wouldn't have died."
"You would have become the hero who saved the village and protected the Hokage."
"If that had happened, would the Uchiha be in such a predicament today?"
The barrage of questions left Fugaku speechless.
He had possessed the Mangekyō Sharingan.
He had had the ability to restrain the Nine-Tails.
If he had acted—
Would Konoha have suffered such losses?
Would the Fourth Hokage have perished?
Would the villagers have come to suspect the Uchiha?
Back then, to avoid suspicion, he had chosen to obey Konoha's orders and remain inactive.
Looking back—
It had been a disastrous decision.
Not only had it failed to dispel suspicion—
It had deepened the misunderstanding.
Konoha's leadership publicly claimed to trust the Uchiha.
Yet why did surveillance only increase year after year?
Fugaku was naive—but not foolish.
He understood perfectly well the prejudice Konoha held against the Uchiha.
His greatest flaw was failing to see Hiruzen's true nature.
He could not believe that the benevolent Third Hokage would ever strike mercilessly at the Uchiha.
Akihito spoke bluntly.
"Uncle Fugaku, you were too weak."
"Constant compromise with Konoha's leadership could never pull the Uchiha out of this crisis."
"Status and influence must be earned through strength."
Time and again, Fugaku had yielded.
In return, he received only greater distrust.
You show goodwill—
Others suspect ulterior motives.
Was that not like negotiating with a tiger for its skin?
Out of fear that revealing the Mangekyō would provoke Konoha's suspicion, Fugaku had chosen inaction.
But restraint should have limits.
What kind of man had the Fourth Hokage been?
Minato had harbored no prejudice against the Uchiha.
Had Fugaku supported Minato in consolidating power, would the Uchiha have fallen to such straits?
Facing Akihito's words, Fugaku's expression darkened.
His lips parted—
But only a helpless sigh escaped.
Akihito was right.
He had been too weak.
He had feared exposure.
Feared appearing too strong.
Feared provoking suspicion.
And yet—
The Uchiha had still been placed under scrutiny.
He truly had not been a qualified clan head.
Fugaku sighed heavily.
"A single misjudgment led the Uchiha into this predicament. The fault lies with me."
"You are the new clan head now."
"The task of setting things right falls to you, Akihito."
He gently patted Akihito's shoulder.
He believed Akihito capable of correcting his mistakes.
Akihito smiled faintly.
"I won't disappoint the clan."
"But I won't allow you to become a deserter either."
He paused, then continued.
"Mistakes one makes must be corrected by oneself."
"I will give you that opportunity, Uncle Fugaku."
"I hope you'll stay—and help me."
If Akihito intended to revitalize the clan, then a Kage-level powerhouse like Fugaku was an asset he had every reason to retain.
The road ahead for the Uchiha would be long.
Without collective strength—
They would never make it.
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