CHAPTER 101

If one were to follow the ideals of the Uchiha clan, it was obvious that the so-called hardliners posed the greatest obstacle.

Their pride made them look down on anyone outside the Uchiha—be it the Hyūga clan or even the Hokage. Uchiha Fugaku didn't need to think long to know who would be the first to oppose this decision. It was them—the radicals who dreamed of rebellion.

Even if he said it aloud, it wouldn't matter. Fugaku could now understand why Uchiha Kai had resorted to such underhanded methods.

What he didn't understand was why Kai hadn't simply eliminated Uchiha Yuu. Leaving him alive risked discovery.

"Because... my eyes." Uchiha Kai answered plainly, knowing it couldn't be hidden. "You can sense it too, right, Patriarch? There's something special about these eyes. But after using this power... they don't regenerate. So—"

"You're experimenting? With your Mangekyō?" Fugaku frowned, clearly not expecting such a response. "On your own people? Kai-kun, not everyone is that extreme. And your condition…"

Fugaku now began to wonder—had Kai discovered something? What was the true nature of Kai's Mangekyō?

He knew the truth: the Mangekyō Sharingan deteriorated with use. That had been true since Madara Uchiha's time. But unlike Madara, Fugaku lacked the cruelty to experiment on his own kin. And perhaps that fear, that hesitation, was what made him vulnerable now.

Still, Fugaku had no choice but to accept the reality. What else could he do? Raise arms against the only other Mangekyō wielder in the clan?

It wasn't as if Kai had some vast laboratory. This basement—cramped and bleak—had no equipment for medical or chakra research. What could he possibly hope to achieve here?

And yet, Fugaku couldn't ignore Uchiha history. Attempts to restore the Mangekyō had been made in secret before. None succeeded. The users died. The knowledge vanished with them.

"Patriarch," Kai said, "the best way to dismantle the hardliners isn't by slaughtering them. It's by neutralizing their leadership and absorbing the younger and more moderate members."

Fugaku's eyes narrowed. "So those high-ranking zealots… you see them as expendable?"

"My targets are only two: Uchiha Yuu and Uchiha Osamu. The rest? That's your call. As for equipment, I'll handle that—"

"I'll assign you people and resources." Fugaku interrupted. He didn't want to hear the rest.

"I've probably never been a 'qualified' clan head in your eyes. And you likely don't trust me. Honestly, I don't fully trust you either. But we are the only two Mangekyō in the clan." He took a long breath. "I've decided to cooperate. Reintegration between Konoha and the Uchiha has become too difficult. I must choose."

He glanced at Kai, his voice growing heavier.

"According to your vision of the future… Konoha will move to eliminate us. So I'll strike first—cleanse the clan from the inside."

"I just hope this will work."

Kai watched him in silence, surprised. Was this truly the hesitant, cautious Fugaku he remembered?

Was he truly this ruthless?

Kai frowned slightly. He now understood. Fugaku was no Shisui Uchiha. Shisui had openly revealed his Kotoamatsukami. Kai never explained the power of his Mangekyō.

That ambiguity made Fugaku uncertain—and afraid. Kai had only revealed some of his abilities. Who knew what else he could do?

And above all, Fugaku did not want to fight Kai. Two Mangekyō users could accomplish much—if they weren't fighting each other.

Otherwise, history would repeat. Four Mangekyō wielders had once existed in Uchiha history—and their power led nowhere. Even the survivors lost their eyes to Izanagi and Izanami.

So now, Fugaku gave in—at least partially. He compromised, after seeing Kai's power.

If this were the Fugaku from canon, perhaps he'd have taken the whole clan with him in one suicidal strike. But now… he was choosing to sacrifice a few, for the sake of the many.

"Let's work together, then, Patriarch," Kai said with a faint smile. "I'll eliminate the targets. You focus on shifting public opinion in the clan."

"As few casualties as possible," Fugaku said with a pained sigh. "They're still our elite."

"My targets remain Uchiha Yuu and Osamu," Kai repeated. "Even if the experiment fails, they're all I need. But if the others resist—"

Fugaku paused, catching something in Kai's tone. He seemed to think of the "brotherhood" among the radicals. But instead of answering, he waited for Kei to finish.

"You won't need to act," Fugaku said finally. "I'll take responsibility. I'll even oversee the experiment myself."

"In return, I'll give you a new post. You'll be allowed to recruit followers—those who trust your vision. But under one condition…"

Fugaku took a deep breath and declared firmly, "The Uchiha must never split, and Konoha must remain stable. If you break that promise, I'll kill you—even if I die trying."

Kai looked at him calmly. To show he was serious, Fugaku activated his Mangekyō Sharingan.

Naturally, Kai did the same, just in case of a sudden betrayal.

Fugaku's conditions weren't excessive—in fact, they were quite generous. Yes, he threatened death, but only if Kai broke the agreement.

At the moment, Kai had no such intention. If his plan worked, the clan could be unified and protected.

And if it failed? He had backup plans. He didn't want to die—he wanted a future.

He wasn't afraid of Fugaku. And perhaps… Fugaku knew that too. Otherwise, this "cooperation" would never have begun.

"Don't worry, Patriarch," Kai said. "If I truly meant to betray you, I wouldn't have told you anything. I want the Uchiha to thrive. And I have no plans to leave Konoha."

"I believe you, Kai-kun." Fugaku nodded. "For the Uchiha. And for Konoha."

With that, Fugaku turned and disappeared into the night.

Kai finally exhaled.

He hadn't expected Fugaku to appear just because of a planted kunai. That had been risky—dangerously so. He'd need to be more careful in the future.

But in the end, that gamble paid off. He gained far more than he had hoped.

Their relationship might remain strained, maybe even distant.

But Kai had achieved his goal. Whatever came next... would be a matter of strategy, not sentiment.

After all, this was a cooperation forged through compromise.