Chapter 95: The Future Is No Loser!"Uchiha Kei! I swear I'll kill you!"
Inside Uchiha Kei's secret training chamber, the dimly lit room didn't bother him at all. In fact, he somewhat enjoyed the atmosphere.
The only thing that made him a bit uncomfortable was Uchiha Isamu, who was currently glaring at him with his Sharingan eyes.
In such darkness, those crimson eyes looked quite terrifying—like a vengeful ghost, exuding an evil, suffocating aura.
After realizing that the Uchiha clan had started to react, Uchiha Kei couldn't help but admire how fast they were. Still, he had no choice but to resort to a method he really didn't want to use.
If he wanted his plan to go smoothly… if he still wanted to remain in Konoha… then he had no choice but to stay hidden.
With that in mind, Kei decisively activated his Mangekyō Sharingan. The effects of "Leap of Time" took hold, and suddenly, everything around him seemed to slow down.
At the same time, he felt his chakra flowing at an insanely fast pace.
But Kei had already used this ability before, so he wasn't fazed. Just as Isamu was about to strike him, Kei used the Body Flicker Technique and vanished!
Dodging the blow, Kei effortlessly appeared behind Isamu and stabbed him in the back.
Lightning chakra exploded inside Isamu's body. Kei had avoided the vital points, so Isamu was simply incapacitated, not dead.
"Just you?" Kei sneered. "Even if you have power, so what? You lost. Now you're just a captured loser."
"Hmph." Isamu let out a cold snort. His crimson eyes locked onto Kei. "You won't kill me. You don't even want to. Otherwise, you would've done it already instead of tying me up here."
"You're right," Kei nodded. "I don't want to kill you. Not yet. You're more useful alive than dead."
"You're not afraid I'll kill myself?" Isamu's face twisted with malice. With those red eyes, he looked downright evil.
Kei nodded again and stepped closer.
He crouched down, raised his right hand, and a surge of electricity crackled to life. Without hesitation, he jammed it into Isamu's shoulder!
Screams echoed through the chamber, but Kei ignored them. He repeated the same move on Isamu's other shoulder and both outer thighs.
By the time Kei was done, Isamu's screams had faded—his throat was hoarse to the point he could no longer scream.
Kei looked at the scorched wounds. The electricity had cauterized them, stopping the bleeding, but without treatment, Isamu wouldn't last long.
So Kei pulled out some medical supplies, applied them to the wounds, and even wrapped them up to prevent infection.
"Now, I doubt you could die even if you wanted to," Kei said calmly after finishing. "You won't die until my experiment is done."
"I'll kill you. I will kill you!" Isamu growled hoarsely. "Either kill me now… or I swear I'll kill you myself!"
"Don't worry. Once I'm done, you'll die," Kei replied coldly. "Maybe you'll even have company—someone dear to you."
"You bastard!" As Kei spoke, Isamu's face twisted even more.
Who were his dearest?His family. His parents. His brother. The one he loved most.Kei's words hit him right in the heart. Even if he didn't believe Kei could really do it, now that he was the one captured, how could he not worry?
Uchiha Kei was like a venomous snake—lurking in the dark, always hiding, always ready to strike when you least expect it.
That Sharingan of his was powerful. His speed was unbelievable. Yet he had hidden his strength until the very last moment—both times they fought.
Twice, Isamu thought Kei was finished. Twice, Kei fooled him and struck from the shadows.
A venomous snake—that's what Kei was. Silent, hidden, and lethal.
Kei didn't know Isamu now viewed him this way. But if he did, he'd probably be pleased.
After all, if you're not a snake in this world, how do you survive?
And Isamu wasn't wrong. The first time Kei used genjutsu, it was to set a trap.
The second time was different—he used a special power. It wasn't a trick, but the effect was just as deadly.
A ninja never reveals their trump card. They never expose their full strength. Kei followed this rule perfectly.
His ability was far too strange. If exposed, who knew what kind of people it would attract?
Just look at Uchiha Shisui, who revealed his own power—and how miserably he ended up.
Kei wasn't about to make the same mistake.
After tightly tying Isamu up to prevent any movement, Kei shoved some food down his throat, then casually left the secret chamber.
He had worked hard to hide this place well, which was why he also kept his most important journal here.
"First target, done. Next is Uchiha Shu."
On the way back, Kei thought to himself:"But without a life-support system, this is troublesome. If this guy stops eating or drinking, it could get bad. I might need to check the hospital. Maybe I can get my hands on some nutrient solution or something."
Using nutrient fluid to sustain critically ill patients was common. He wasn't like Orochimaru—he had no advanced tech or huge resources. He could only stick to the basics.
Kei sighed. He was lacking in everything—money, manpower, you name it.
Still, there was one thing to be happy about: his strength now was enough to hold his ground in this era.
But in the future—especially ten years from now—if he didn't prepare, he'd be nothing more than a loser.
"Good thing I've still got ten years to get ready. No way I'm gonna be a damn nobody by then!"
Chapter 96: Watching from the Shadows
(New book—please add to your collection, and recommend it!)
Uchiha Yuu's disappearance cast a shadow over the Uchiha clan. As a result, most members were now forbidden from going out alone.
This was an order issued by Uchiha Fugaku. Uchiha Kei couldn't do much about it, but he wasn't the type to obediently follow every rule either.
Even though Fugaku gave the command, Kei would still sneak out whenever he got the chance.
If he didn't, Uchiha Yuu might just die in that secret training room of his.
And that was the last thing Kei wanted to happen. A dead Uchiha Yuu was of no use to him. If Yuu had to die, it should be after Kei had finished what he needed to do.
"Looks like I really do need to find someone to help."
Kei stared into Yuu's weak but hate-filled eyes as he changed his bandages and forced some food down his throat.
This whole process annoyed Kei to no end. He wanted to begin his experiments as soon as possible, but for now, he had no opportunity to do so.
Yuu's disappearance had not only caused panic in the Uchiha clan but also made Konoha uneasy. The village feared any misunderstandings might trigger internal conflict.
Kei had learned a lot on the battlefield. He hadn't left any clues when he retreated. At least for now, no one had found anything.
One thing he was truly grateful for was Danzo. Probably because of all the shady things that man did, and the Third Hokage having some awareness of it, the Hyuga clan hadn't been deployed to investigate.
If they had, Kei might've had to flee the village that very night.
Still, even if he hadn't been discovered, Yuu had become a huge burden for him.
Aside from feeding him and changing bandages, the sanitation issues were unbearable.
Whether it was on purpose or not, the secret training room now reeked. Kei had no choice but to hold his nose and clean up the mess. If the Inuzuka clan sniffed anything unusual, it would be a disaster.
"Damn it, I used a ton of scent-suppressing medication when I brought him in..."
Kei grumbled every time he had to deal with the disgusting mess. "But this stench will still be noticed sooner or later. Even with all my traps and seals, it's still risky."
Catching someone wasn't as easy as it sounded. If he had a choice, Kei would've never made a move inside the village.
Konoha's internal surveillance was no joke. Kei couldn't be perfect. One small mistake could expose everything.
Thankfully, nothing had happened so far. He figured once news of the war came in, it would overshadow this whole mess.
And he was right.
Kei behaved himself, training with Kakashi and the others at public training grounds for a while. Eventually, Konoha's surveillance on him began to ease.
Which made sense. If someone had been missing for so long, people would assume they were either dead or already taken far from the village.
The Uchiha clan hadn't fully given up, but they had clearly loosened their restrictions.
Kei was thrilled. No one knew what he had been going through these past few weeks!
Now that the restriction was lifted, he no longer had to sneak around just to act as a makeshift caretaker. Plus, he could feel that he'd be getting a new mission soon.
The village was clearly mobilizing again. Gai and others had already been sent out, and Hyuga Aya had mostly recovered from her injuries. Kei wouldn't be far behind.
"Better make the most of this final bit of free time and get everything done," Kei thought. "Besides, I'm honestly sick of that guy."
"What are you thinking about, Kei?" a sudden voice interrupted his thoughts. Uchiha Ryoko spoke up. "Hurry up and eat. Don't just sit there spacing out."
"Yeah, I know." Kei came back to reality and nodded.
"When you're home, stop thinking about that stuff," Ryoko murmured. "Besides, the war's nearly over. I'm sure you won't…"
"Ryoko." Uchiha Keisuke interrupted her. "Let's eat. We can't interfere in village matters. Kei already knows what he's doing. He's surpassed us a long time ago."
His words left Ryoko speechless. It was true—Kei had long since outgrown them.
Whether in strength, clan status, or ninja rank, Kei had risen above.
He was their pride. Because of Kei, their own status within the clan and village had improved—though neither of them cared much about that. They just wanted their child to be safe.
"Don't worry. I know how to take care of myself. I've survived the battlefield for years now, haven't I?" Kei said calmly. He then set his chopsticks down. "I'm full. You two go ahead and take your time."
"Kei, you barely ate anything." Ryoko frowned. "Even if you've got stuff on your mind, finish your food!"
"I really am full." Kei explained patiently. "My appetite's always been normal. On the battlefield, I got used to eating whatever was available, no matter how bad it tasted. Otherwise, I wouldn't have had the strength to fight."
"So, you're saying my cooking's bad?" Ryoko raised an eyebrow, clearly pretending to be upset.
Kei felt helpless. He knew she wasn't truly angry—just using it as a way to deepen their bond.
He didn't have much experience with family warmth, but ever since awakening his Mangekyo Sharingan, he felt more like a normal person again. He genuinely appreciated them and wanted to do something in return.
So, he simply admitted fault and quietly returned to his room. He pulled out a book and began reading.
It wasn't until around 9 or 10 PM, when Ryoko came in to turn off the light and gently reminded him to rest, that Kei finally set the book down.
Once the house went completely dark, Kei silently used the Shadow Clone Jutsu.
Changing into a black combat outfit, he slipped out of his room, avoided the patrols, and headed toward the forest where he trained.
What he didn't realize was—
As he moved through the shadows…
A figure was silently watching him.
Absolutely! Here's the full English translation of Chapter 97 from the fanfiction featuring Uchiha Kei:
Chapter 97: Please Stay
Uchiha Kei moved quickly. He arrived at his destination in no time.
This was a forest near the Uchiha clan's grounds. Normally, it was already quite secluded, and now, since the Uchiha clan was under lockdown, no one would dare to wander here—especially not at night.
After arriving at his secret underground training room, Kei didn't go in right away. He carefully checked the surroundings.
He had a strange feeling on the way here. It felt like someone was tailing him. Though he didn't find anyone when he checked, he still decided to take precautions—setting a few traps. For example, he left the lab's door wide open. He wanted to draw out whoever might be following him.
As a ninja, Kei understood one thing: if there's a flaw, someone will investigate it. If anyone did follow him and tried to sneak in, they'd fall for the trap. Whether it was the Anbu or a fellow Uchiha, if they tried to expose him, he would silence them. He couldn't risk his secret getting out.
"I hope I'm just being paranoid," Kei muttered as he opened the door to the training room.
But things didn't go his way.
Not long after Kei went inside, someone else appeared.
A man dressed in black, wearing a mask, silently approached the entrance. He stopped briefly, sniffing the air—there was a smell here. A strange one, but not unpleasant. He narrowed his eyes behind the mask.
The door to the lab was open. Was this intentional? Was Kei trying to lure someone in? Either way, the masked man wasn't going to back off now. He was angry. He had questions.
He quietly stepped down into the underground room. It was dim and simple inside, but the darkness didn't hinder his sight. He spotted Uchiha Isamu lying in a corner—tied up, bandaged, barely alive.
The masked man's gaze sharpened. His expression darkened.
Suddenly—
"Raikiri!"
A blade of lightning chakra tore through the air, coming straight at him. Kei had launched an ambush.
The foul smell and the open door were just part of the setup—to confuse, distract, and lure in the enemy. Kei had hidden in the darkness, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
The masked man saw through it. He dodged to the side with ease and countered with a kunai aimed at Kei's arm.
Kei was surprised by the reaction speed but dodged as well. He grabbed the man's wrist and sent a burst of electric chakra through his left hand. It wasn't a full Chidori, but it was enough to paralyze at close range.
The masked man noticed this and quickly formed hand seals—
"Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!"
A massive fireball burst out, but Kei had already released his grip and jumped back. The masked man followed.
They both left the underground room. Fighting in such a tight space wasn't ideal—especially with Isamu's life hanging by a thread.
Once outside, in the dark woods, the masked man finally spoke:
"Why are you doing this?"
His voice was low and cold.
"Do you have a grudge against him? Even if you do, there's no need to torture your own clansman like this."
Kei sighed. "You're from the Uchiha too, huh?"
He had already seen the man's Sharingan earlier. That explained the reaction speed. That explained why he couldn't land a clean hit.
Kei smiled bitterly. "No wonder you could dodge my sneak attack."
"I'm curious though—who are you? Do I owe you an explanation?"
He couldn't tell who the person was. The man wore standard clothes, a mask, and even changed his voice. But that didn't matter.
Right now, this person was the enemy.
The masked man replied calmly, "My identity doesn't matter. Think of me as someone who protects the Uchiha."
He continued, "Your actions, Kei… are unacceptable. I came to warn you. Turn back now. It's not too late."
Kei shook his head. "Turn back?"
He chuckled softly.
"I don't think there's a path for me to return to."
He exhaled. "Sorry. I really don't have a choice."
"Then…?"
Kei raised his head and whispered:
"Please… stay."
Chapter 98: A Soft Whisper
If one were to ask which type of ninja battles are the most captivating in the ninja world, most would answer: a duel between two equally matched Uchiha.
Uchiha battles are elegant, like works of art, yet they carry deadly force.
However, for the Uchiha themselves, the most troublesome opponents are fellow Uchiha of equal strength.
With both possessing the Sharingan, capable of reading each other's moves, their battles shift from physical prowess to mental strategy.
They constantly outthink and outmaneuver each other, always seeking to exploit hidden abilities to gain the upper hand.
Sometimes, there's not even a chance for a comeback, as the opponent might be more cunning, ruthless, and decisive.
Such battles are exhausting unless there's a clear power disparity; otherwise, when two equally matched Uchiha fight, only one typically survives.
Uchiha Kei's foundational skills aren't exceptional, as he was young and not particularly gifted.
He advanced primarily through the evolution of his Sharingan, though he's been working to improve his overall abilities, aiming to become a well-rounded ninja beyond just his expertise in the Body Flicker Technique.
However, his previous focus has left him with imbalances that take time to correct.
Yet, his eyes are his greatest asset—he possesses the Mangekyō Sharingan.
The clash of blades and kunai echoed through the forest as Uchiha Kei and the masked man fought intensely, their battle silent yet fierce.
Since emerging from the underground chamber, neither had the opportunity to use ninjutsu.
Kei refrained from using it, while the masked man's attempts were consistently interrupted by Kei's swift attacks.
Kei's speed, enhanced by his Sharingan, allowed him to anticipate and counter any chakra surges indicating an impending jutsu.
The masked man was also fast; though his jutsu were disrupted, Kei's aggressive advances provided him with counterattack opportunities.
His retaliations were sharp and unpredictable, and if not for Kei's Sharingan, he might have been overwhelmed.
After about five minutes of combat, Kei concluded that this opponent was even more formidable than Uchiha Isamu.
Still, Kei couldn't identify him; aside from prominent characters from the manga and anime, he had little recollection of others.
For instance, during a battle in the Land of Grass, he didn't recognize a certain foe until he used Explosion Release, revealing himself as a character later reanimated by Kabuto.
But that future might never come, as that individual had been reduced to ashes.
Kei wasn't concerned about his opponent's strength; he had his own trump cards and was prepared to use them.
After another exchange, they separated, but this time, the masked man took the initiative to close in.
His Sharingan spun subtly as he formed a one-handed seal, surprising Kei and putting him on high alert.
A ninja's actions are deliberate, and Kei didn't underestimate this move.
Not everyone is like Naruto, whose unpredictable tactics defy logic yet succeed.
Observing his opponent's seal, Kei's Sharingan revealed an impending Fire Release technique.
Whether it was a feint or an attempt to draw attention, Kei had a plan.
Activating the Body Flicker Technique, he instantly appeared before the masked man.
His blade, imbued with the lightning chakra of 'Storm Cut,' slashed toward the masked man, but Kei noticed something amiss.
The masked man had used a substitution technique, confirming Kei's suspicion of a trap.
Unfazed, Kei's 'Storm Cut' cleaved the wooden substitute, and he immediately moved.
The masked man silently appeared behind Kei, thrusting a kunai at him.
Kei swiftly turned, both their speeds peaking, and at the critical moment, Kei grabbed the masked man's hand.
This time, he wouldn't let him escape.
His Sharingan emitted a strange chakra, causing the masked man to hesitate, his attempted kick pausing.
Seizing the opportunity, Kei drove his blade into the masked man's chest.
'Storm Cut's' lightning chakra surged through the masked man's body, paralyzing him.
Under Kei's Sharingan, the man's body stiffened noticeably.
Blood dripped from the blade, indicating the masked man was now at Kei's mercy.
"It's over," Kei sighed. "I told you, you'd be left behind. You shouldn't have followed me."
He slowly withdrew his blade, blood splattering again.
Despite his pain and weakness, the masked man remained silent, a testament to his formidable willpower.
"Why... why?" the masked man asked, his voice faltering yet coherent.
"Why?" Kei echoed, looking down at the kneeling man. "Saying it's for the clan would be disingenuous. I don't care about the Uchiha, but I don't want to leave Konoha. Besides, I'm doing this for myself."
"The Uchiha clan?" the masked man pressed, clutching his chest. "For yourself? Are you implying the Uchiha will be annihilated?"
"Perhaps. If things continue as they are, it's inevitable," Kei nodded. "I'm sorry, I'm busy and don't wish to continue this conversation. So...
Here is the full English translation of Chapter 99: Mangekyō:
Chapter 99: Mangekyō
"That voice..."
Cold sweat broke out on Uchiha Kei's forehead. He never imagined things would turn out like this!
Now, Kei was absolutely certain—he had fallen into a genjutsu.
But what he couldn't figure out was when it happened. And more importantly, why it happened.
Though his eyes still showed the three tomoe Sharingan, his foundation was actually the Mangekyō. No matter how strong the opponent, it shouldn't have been possible to trap him in genjutsu so silently.
Unless...
Kei took a deep breath. He had a suspicion about who this guy might be.
Among the Uchihas who still remained in Konoha, Kei didn't know how many Mangekyō users there were—but there was one person he did know of: Uchiha Fugaku.
From the man's build and quick reactions, it was obvious—this wasn't someone old and frail. This was a strong adult in his prime.
No wonder he called himself the "guardian deity" of the Uchiha. No wonder he kept trying to convince Kei to give up. No wonder he wanted Kei to turn back.
It all made sense. This man was none other than the clan leader of the Uchiha.
Now that he understood all this, Kei felt a headache coming on. He had gone through all that effort to make Fugaku believe in him. But how had he found him?
Kei was sure he hadn't left any clear evidence behind. If he had, Konoha's other clan search teams would've found him already.
"Who exactly are you?" Kei asked, taking a deep breath, his guard raised as he scanned his surroundings. "And how did you find me?"
"The traces at the scene," Fugaku's voice echoed from all directions. The world around Kei had already become distorted—black and white, impossible to tell what was real or illusion. "You were careful. But you still left something behind."
"Traces...?" Kei frowned. He started thinking, trying to figure out what he had missed.
After a moment, his face darkened. "That kunai..."
Yes!
Kei finally remembered—the only possible trace he left behind was the kunai he had sliced in half with his blade. The one Uchiha Isamu had later thrown at him.
Isamu was also a Sharingan user. The only way to beat him one-on-one would be with another Sharingan. And the damage on the scene clearly pointed to a Sharingan duel.
Only Uchihas fought like that.
And the kunai—covered in distinctive blade marks—made things worse. Kei was known to use a ninja blade. That detail probably exposed him.
"Smart... but a pity," Fugaku's voice remained calm, but carried a hint of regret. "Now tell me—what did you mean when you said the Uchiha clan will be destroyed?"
"You really think you've won?" Kei suddenly sighed. He seemed to have figured things out. "Your genjutsu is good. But if that's all you've got, it's not enough."
"You are indeed a genius, Uchiha Kei."
Fugaku's voice grew colder. "But this is the end of the road. I don't want to kill you—you're sharp, and you have vision. We could have worked something out. But you made a mistake. And... do you really think the three tomoe Sharingan is the peak?"
"Of course not."
Right as Fugaku's words ended, Kei gave a chilling smile.
Because... he had these eyes too.
Suddenly, the three tomoe in Kei's eyes began spinning wildly. In an instant, they morphed into a strange, triangular, diamond-like pattern—Mangekyō Sharingan!
In that moment, Kei saw through everything.
The kneeling masked man? Just an illusion.
The real Uchiha Fugaku—also masked—was standing not far away.
In Fugaku's own eyes was a Mangekyō pattern similar to Itachi's, but with three dots added. The tomoe rotated slowly, but his gaze—normally calm—was filled with terror.
Yes, Uchiha Fugaku was terrified.
Because no matter how highly he had estimated Kei, he still underestimated him in the end.
Mangekyō Sharingan—this was Mangekyō!
How did Kei awaken such a power?
Had he been hiding it all along?
Fugaku's mind raced in panic. He tried to force himself to stay calm, but it wasn't working. Kei seized the opportunity and launched his counterattack.
As soon as he activated the Mangekyō, Kei quickly understood the nature of the genjutsu—some kind of special illusionary space, similar to Tsukuyomi.
Though it wasn't exactly like the Tsukuyomi he remembered, Kei now had enough information.
Forming hand seals, he surged his pupil power and chakra. Fueled by his mental strength, Kei seized control of the genjutsu space before Fugaku could react.
In that world of black and white, the pale moon in the sky suddenly turned blood red, transforming the whole space into a nightmarish realm.
That red moon became a massive, crimson eye—pulsing with killing intent—dyeing the entire world in blood.
Within the red eye was a rotating triangular diamond pattern—Kei's Mangekyō.
"Impossible!" Fugaku gasped. He stared at the massive eye in the sky—the same shape as Kei's—and couldn't stop the shock in his voice.
"There's no such thing as impossible," Kei replied calmly. "You got careless. I stayed alert. I told you—if this is all your power amounts to... this is where you fall."
"How did you awaken those eyes?" Fugaku, though masked, now spoke with a strangely calm tone. "Did you kill your best friend? A relative? Or—"
"I'll tell you before you die." Kei snorted. "I've witnessed far too many of my comrades die. Especially those who died protecting me."
"So… go keep them company."
As soon as he finished, Kei's ninja blade once again lit up with bright blue chakra.
His aura surged—now fused with the power of his Mangekyō, it was terrifying.
Kei was ready to strike.
But at that moment, Fugaku reached up to his mask… and slowly removed it.
"You finally took it off," Kei said coldly. "If you hadn't, I wouldn't know how to end this."
Chapter 100: The Approach (New book – please add to favorites and recommend~)
Seeing Uchiha Fugaku like this, Uchiha Kei finally let out a breath of relief.
That's right—Uchiha Kei had indeed been waiting, waiting for what Fugaku would do next.
If Fugaku took off his mask, it would mean there was still room for negotiation.
After all, Kei had laid out many points, clearly showing that he held immense value.
If Fugaku could weigh pros and cons, he would know what to do.
But if he didn't remove his mask, then Kei wouldn't hesitate to use his chakra and Sharingan power.
He had already activated his Mangekyō and used it. Besides, Konoha already had one unresolved case—what's another one?
Whether the Uchiha clan would lose its leader, or whether Kei's plans would fall apart—that wasn't a concern for now. The priority was to eliminate anyone who knew about his Mangekyō and refused to cooperate.
Luckily, Kei had done good groundwork in advance. He had also said some nice things just now, and Fugaku hadn't intended to kill him to begin with.
In the end, Fugaku chose to take off his mask and face Kei with his true self. This was a sign of willingness to negotiate—a gesture of sincerity.
Still, Kei couldn't help but feel that, despite all his effort, what really worked might have just been his Mangekyō Sharingan.
Power is the main theme of this world. Schemes and plots are merely tools to reach that goal.
Every successful negotiation is built on absolute strength. Compromise only comes from reluctance or weakness.
While thinking about this, Kei put on a shocked expression. Having once faked death on the battlefield, his acting skills weren't bad.
He now looked as if he had witnessed something unbelievable. This made Fugaku chuckle.
"No need to be so surprised, Kei-kun." Fugaku tossed the mask aside. His eyes returned to their normal black color, and the illusionary world collapsed completely.
Kei didn't mind. That illusion space wasn't his to begin with. He had only temporarily seized control.
Now that Fugaku had canceled the technique, Kei, not being the original user, couldn't maintain it.
Seeing Fugaku's actions, Kei hesitated briefly, then also deactivated his Sharingan. That was a signal too.
"I didn't expect our clan leader to hide so deeply," Kei said solemnly after they returned to the real world.
"Likewise, Kei-kun," Fugaku replied in a low voice. "I didn't expect you to have these eyes. So my guess was right—you awakened the Sharingan long ago, didn't you?"
"Yes," Kei admitted. "My first time on the battlefield, my captain died protecting me. That's when I awakened my Sharingan."
Though he didn't want to hide anymore, there were still things he would never reveal. Like the fact that his Sharingan had been awakened through a special genjutsu method.
Kei didn't want anyone to know that. It was his unique path. He wasn't sure if it would work for others, even within the Uchiha. It would need slow testing and careful trust.
"I see. That makes sense." Fugaku nodded, but still asked, "Then why didn't you ever show it?"
"What about you?" Kei smiled. "I didn't show mine because I didn't want to. The nail that sticks out gets hammered. And as for the Mangekyō…"
He left the sentence hanging with a meaningful smile. How Fugaku interpreted it was up to him.
Fugaku pondered for a moment and then sighed. He figured Kei must have been cautious about both the clan and the village.
Even Fugaku himself was wary of the village. If not for wanting to avoid disaster, he wouldn't have hidden his Mangekyō either.
He knew that once the clan's ambition was exposed, it would spiral out of control. The village, in turn, would take a harsher stance due to the Mangekyō.
"Kei-kun truly is clever—he can't be judged by normal standards," Fugaku sighed. "A Mangekyō suddenly appearing in the clan could be fatal for both the clan and the village."
"Yeah," Kei said. "I don't want to be used as a tool either."
"Kei-kun, can you now tell me your concerns and what you're thinking?" Fugaku took a deep breath and glanced at the basement. "Uchiha Isamu was one of our elite and a core figure in the hardliner faction. What you did…"
Fugaku was genuinely puzzled. He could only imagine the Uchiha clan being wiped out as a consequence of Kei's attitude.
Kei didn't want to leave the village. He had mentioned the hardliners and the Second Hokage. So was it possible he meant that "at this rate, a disaster beyond imagination would hit the Uchiha"?
What kind of disaster would make a self-centered person like Kei take action? Fugaku could only think of one terrifying possibility—the entire clan being destroyed.
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"He was only the first. Others will follow," Kei cut him off before he could finish. "Do you remember what I told you before, clan leader?"
Fugaku frowned. Kei's words matched his own thoughts.
But Kei's actions—were they going too far? Even if the hardliners were purged, could relations with Konoha really be repaired?
Clearly not. Fugaku started to doubt if Kei was truly as smart as he thought.
Still, with both of them having Mangekyō, Fugaku chose to be patient. He didn't want to make any sudden moves.
"I remember. But even if you wipe out the hardliners, what then?" Fugaku sighed. "As long as someone following the Second Hokage's ideology is in power, nothing you do will change the outcome."
"Then what's your plan?" Kei crossed his arms, asking calmly. "Try to negotiate peace, stay low-profile, and suppress voices of discontent within the clan?"
"…Yes. That's exactly my plan." Fugaku was surprised, but admitted it.
Kei sighed. That wasn't unexpected. This was exactly what Fugaku would do later on.
But this cautious approach wouldn't work with the Third Hokage. Reality had already proven that if Konoha faced a crisis—and the Uchiha were even slightly involved—then the entire Uchiha clan would be finished.