Chapter 6: Releasing Uchiha Fugaku

[Note: Read up to Chapter - 56 on P atreon at: p-atreon.com/Knockturn_Alley]

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[Ding! Indirectly caused the death of the Uchiha patriarch. Reward: Evil Value +1000]

Uchiha Douma's death had unexpectedly earned Kanzou a system reward—confirmation that the old man was truly dead and not faking it.

It was a pleasant surprise and solid proof.

"Go and release Uchiha Fugaku-san."

Now that Douma was gone, Kanzou intended to keep his word. He would let Fugaku go.

But that didn't mean Fugaku was no longer useful—far from it.

When two tigers fight, one is always wounded.

This kind of internal strife was exactly what the upper ranks of Konoha loved to see.

To ease Sarutobi Hiruzen's suspicions, Kanzou had to appear cooperative for now.

He couldn't afford to become a thorn in the Hokage's side—not yet.

Kanzou had only recently awakened his system. For now, survival was key.

Once he reached Kage-level strength—or awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan—he would no longer need to tread so carefully.

And once that happened… he could finally achieve Shikai: Ryūjin Jakka.

Although Shikai: Ryūjin Jakka and the Bankai: Zanka no Tachi were incredibly powerful, even Shikai alone was a deadly trump card—more than enough to kill a Kage-level opponent.

If Kanzou awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan, he would not only gain Kage-level combat power but might even take a step beyond that realm through the sheer boost in strength it would bring.

But now wasn't the time for arrogance. Kanzou understood that perfectly.

Which is why he needed to create the Genjutsu of balance—an opponent who could challenge him.

That would ease the pressure from the side of the Third Hokage, that old fox.

"The patriarch is dead. As a member of the Uchiha clan, it wouldn't look good if I didn't pay my respects."

Kanzou arrived at the patriarch's residence, where the air was thick with mourning and tension.

The moment he stepped inside, several sharp glares locked onto him.

At the forefront stood Uchiha Shinkurou, Uchiha Ren, and Uchiha Haruto—all staring daggers at Kanzou.

Uchiha Haruto even went so far as to draw his sword.

"You bastard," he snarled, "you killed the patriarch—and you dare show your face here?"

Hearing Haruto's accusation, Kanzou's expression darkened with clear dissatisfaction.

"You can eat shit, but you can't talk nonsense. The patriarch was someone I deeply respected. Why would I kill him? What's your motive for saying something like that? Are you trying to sow discord within the Clansmen? What's your motive in doing that? You wouldn't happen to be a spy or something, right?"

Hearing his words, the others in the vicinity looked over, wondering what was going on.

Realizing the problem, Ren quickly stopped Haruto, "Don't do it here."

Starting a fight now would only disturb the patriarch's remains—and confronting Kanzou here wouldn't accomplish anything substantial… on the other hand, they'd lose a lot as doubt would appear in the eyes of many clansmen.

"Tch!" Haruto clicked his tongue and lowered his hand.

Kanzou smirked, and as he passed by them, he whispered a few more words in their ears, "That's right… be a pussy and keep your tail tucked between your legs…"

Haruto was about to lose his temper, but Ren firmly stopped him.

After saying that, he didn't spare another glance at Haruto or Ren and walked calmly toward Uchiha Douma's body.

Kanzou wasn't surprised by their aggressive yet suppressed attitude, after all, they are all loyal to Uchiha Fugaku.

'Birds of a feather, flock together…' he chuckled inwardly.

At that moment, the first Elder of the Uchiha clan approached and stepped beside Kanzou.

"Kanzou-kun, now that the patriarch has passed, the Clan is in a moment of disarray… shouldn't you release Fugaku-kun?"

Kanzou glanced at him, his tone indifferent.

"Don't worry, Tadayoshi-sama. Uchiha Fugaku-san will be released very soon."

Uchiha Tadayoshi looked at the young man for a moment before nodding earnestly, "That's good. You and Fugaku-kun are both geniuses of the Uchiha clan. I hope the two of you can join forces rather than become enemies."

From the standpoint of the clan's interests, an alliance between Uchiha Kanzou and Uchiha Fugaku would bring the greatest benefit to the Uchiha family.

Still, deep down, Uchiha Tadayoshi favored Fugaku.

It wasn't that Kanzou lacked ability—but his granddaughter, Uchiha Mikoto, was engaged to Uchiha Fugaku.

As Fugaku's future grandfather-in-law, the Elder naturally leaned toward supporting him.

Kanzou smiled and replied, "I'm not opposed to joining forces. As long as Fugaku-san is willing to make a small sacrifice, I don't mind working with him."

The Elder shook his head, assuming Kanzou was referring to the position of clan patriarch.

But in his mind, Fugaku could never give up that role—nor would he be willing to make such a sacrifice.

What Tadayoshi didn't realise, however, was that Kanzou wasn't talking about the patriarch's seat at all.

He was talking about Uchiha Mikoto.

'I wonder how many evil points I'd earn by stealing Fugaku's fiancée...' Kanzou mused silently, a faint smirk tugging at his lips.

He had seen Uchiha Mikoto several times before—and even he had to say that she was truly stunning. He would be lying if he were to say that he didn't feel a thing when he looked at her. Even if he said that, his little brother wouldn't agree…

Fortunately for Kanzou, Tadayoshi had no idea what he was thinking.

If he did, he might not have been able to stop himself from attacking Kanzou on the spot.

…

Not long after, Fugaku returned—disheveled and visibly shaken.

He had learned of his father's death on the way and now stormed into the residence in a fury.

"Kanzou! I'll kill you!"

"Young Patriarch, don't be reckless!"

Shinkurou and Ren quickly restrained him, holding him back.

Fugaku had been captured once before for attacking Kanzou. Now that he had just been released, they weren't about to let him repeat the same mistake.

Kanzou watched the scene unfold, clicking his tongue in amusement.

"Tsk. What a pity."

If Fugaku had charged at him, Kanzou wouldn't have minded giving him another lesson—in fact, he might have used it as an excuse to arrest him again.

After all, Kanzou was now officially the captain of the Konoha Military Police Force.

Wouldn't it be perfectly justified to detain Fugaku for causing a disturbance at a funeral ceremony?

So, what if the funeral ceremony was that of his father's?

Disturbance is disturbance… and as the Captain of the police force, it was his duty to ensure that the perpetrator was punished.

It's a pity that Fugaku was restrained before he could lash out.

"Fugaku-san," Kanzou said with a faint, mocking smile, "I truly mourn the loss of the patriarch. But judging by your reaction… it seems your grief isn't quite as deep as one might expect. Perhaps, I am more deeply saddened by his death than you…"

His words were deliberately pointed.

Kanzou knew that Fugaku possessed the potential to awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan.

In the original timeline, Fugaku likely did awaken it.

But based on Fugaku's own words to Itachi, he had awakened it in the midst of the Third Great Shinobi War… not before that. Which meant it had nothing to do with the death of his father.

If his emotional bond with his father were truly strong enough, now—at the peak of his grief—would be the moment to unlock it.

Yet, he didn't.

'Is it because he was already mentally prepared for his father's death?'

After all, Uchiha Douma was at the edge of his life… Perhaps, Fugaku has long since been prepared for this death and has accepted it, and that's why he didn't awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan.

'Well, good thing for me…'

It was indeed the best that he didn't.

Had the Mangekyō Sharingan awakened in that moment, Kanzou would have seen him as too great a threat to tolerate.

And in that case, he wouldn't have hesitated—either he'd kill Fugaku on the spot, or at the very least, gouge out his eyes.

Kanzou had no intention of letting anyone awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan before he did—not even Fugaku.

"Young Patriarch, now isn't the moment. We are at a disadvantage, and you are also not in your best condition. You need to endure," Shinkurou whispered in Fugaku's ear.

Even at his peak, Fugaku would struggle to defeat Kanzou. And now, after days of confinement, he was far from his best.

During his time in custody, even if Kanzou hadn't explicitly ordered harsh treatment, Shin had certainly made sure Fugaku wouldn't forget the experience.

That alone had likely left a mark on him—physically and mentally.

Perhaps, Kanzou thought, this pain will help him grow.

And for now, Fugaku managed to suppress his rage.

"Uchiha Kanzou... I'll settle this with you one day," Fugaku swore silently.

Though only just released, he already understood the situation.

He knew that his father's death—though indirect—was tied to Kanzou.

Without Kanzou's involvement, Douma may have had at least six more months to live.

As Fugaku stared at Kanzou, his blood-red Three Tomoe Sharingan gleamed with hatred.

Kanzou met his gaze without concern.

'You hate me now, sure… but in time,' Kanzou thought, 'you'll hate me even more.'

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Drop power Powerstonessssssssss!

[Note: Read up to Chapter - 56 on P atreon at: p-atreon.com/Knockturn_Alley]