A day later, Uchiha Fugaku returned to Konoha.
"Good day, Lord Hokage! ""Greetings, Lord Hokage! "
…
The moment he stepped back into the village, he was met with warmth and respect.Villagers greeted him as he walked down the streets.
After all, this time he had slain the Iwagakure squad that invaded the Land of Fire—including the Jinchūriki of the Five-Tails—and even struck the Iwa border outpost, causing over a thousand enemy casualties.
It was a dazzling achievement.Because of this brilliant victory, his prestige in the village rose yet again.
After arranging for Karin and her mother to be settled in the village, Fugaku returned home.
"Father!"
Seeing his return, Sasuke ran over happily.
Uchiha Mikoto, dressed in a light-colored gown, beautiful and graceful with the charm of maturity, also stepped forward with a gentle smile.
"You're back! "
"Mm."
Fugaku patted Sasuke's head, then put an arm around Mikoto's shoulders, pulling her into his embrace. The smoothness of her skin and her faint fragrance made him almost wish night would fall faster.
The next morning, Fugaku rose as usual, practiced his taijutsu routine, and then began the day's duties.
But instead of going to the Police Force, he headed for the Hokage Tower.The Police Force was now under the command of Uchiha Yakumi, a trusted man. Fugaku had formally withdrawn, yet still held firm control through him.
At the tower, he worked through the backlog of documents before pausing to rest.
"Uchiha Obito tried to attack Hatake Kakashi… to take back the Mangekyō Sharingan left in his possession."
Pouring himself a pot of tea, Fugaku drank while considering this.
That Mangekyō had been with Kakashi for years. Obito had never tried to reclaim it—until now. His sudden change of mind was suspicious.
"Is it because of his defeat at my hands last time? "
After some thought, Fugaku concluded that Obito, pressured by his loss, wanted to strengthen himself—and the best way was to reclaim the other Mangekyō Sharingan.
"I absolutely cannot allow Obito to get that eye."
With both Mangekyō, Obito's strength would skyrocket. He would gain full Susanoo, a faster Kamui, and even another terrifying ability—long-range spatial distortion. Not even a perfect Susanoo might be able to withstand that. This wasn't an ordinary dōjutsu, but a space-time technique.
"Someone, come in."
At his call, a purple-haired kunoichi from the ANBU entered.
"Bring Hatake Kakashi to me."
She left and soon returned, leading Kakashi into the Hokage's office.
"Lord Hokage," Kakashi said respectfully.
He wasn't surprised by the summons. Ever since his Mangekyō had been exposed, he had expected the Hokage would call for him. A normal Sharingan was one thing, but a Mangekyō? Surely Fugaku would not let it remain outside Uchiha hands.
"Mm," Fugaku nodded. "Your Sharingan has evolved into a Mangekyō? "
"Yes."
Kakashi admitted it, though his heart sank. As he feared, the Fifth Hokage wanted to deal with this eye.
"That Mangekyō is now targeted by a Wood Release user. With your current strength, it will be difficult to protect it. But since it was entrusted to you by Obito, I know you wouldn't want it taken away. So I have a compromise."
Kakashi looked at him in surprise. He had assumed Fugaku would simply reclaim the eye, and though reluctant, he knew he couldn't refuse. Against Fugaku—backed by two Kage-level Uchiha—he had no chance. But to his astonishment, there was another option.
"The Wood Release user is Konoha's sworn enemy. This eye must never fall into their hands. So, I will place a seal upon it: if anyone attempts to rip it from you, the eye will self-destruct."
Fugaku explained calmly.
By force, he could take it easily. But that would offend the Hatake clan and push Kakashi, a near-Kage-level shinobi, into opposition. Killing him wasn't an option either—he needed strong subordinates as Hokage.
This way, the Uchiha didn't get the eye, but neither would Obito.
"…Thank you, Lord Hokage."
Kakashi bowed. Normally, the Uchiha would reclaim such an eye without question. To leave it with him under only a self-destruct seal—he knew this was already the greatest concession.
And if one day the eye really were stolen, its destruction might be the best outcome. Fugaku would inscribe Izanagi into it: if the eye were taken, Izanagi would activate, not only destroying it but also giving Kakashi a chance to escape. Against someone like Obito, who had struck down even his own teacher, the Fourth Hokage, Kakashi could expect no mercy. This safeguard was precious.
After thanking Fugaku again, Kakashi departed—with his impression of the Hokage improved. He wasn't suddenly loyal, but he felt closer than before.
Left alone in the office, Fugaku tapped his fingers on the desk.
"Breaking into Konoha again and again… Obito treats it like his own backyard! "
Obito's space-time technique, Kamui, let him come and go freely, and it infuriated him. Yet for now, he had no real counter. Sasuke had a natural talent for space-time ninjutsu, but he was still too young to study the Flying Thunder God.
"If I can't deal with you directly, then I'll make things difficult for you elsewhere."
Fugaku's expression hardened. Obito was still controlling the Fourth Mizukage, using Kirigakure for his schemes. That would be his opening—he would create obstacles for Obito there.