In the next few days, Hikaru and another shadow clone disguised themselves as Renjiro and Taichi, taking over the daytime gatekeeping duties of the Uchiha clan.
By night, they kept to the real pair's usual habits, using "training" and "fishing" as excuses to quietly investigate and gather information within the clan.
On the fourth day, it was finally Renjiro and Taichi's turn to rest.
Coincidentally, this day was also the Uchiha clan's monthly clan meeting.
Based on what Hikaru had gathered, the qualifications to participate in the clan meeting were similar to those established in later generations under the ninja system set by Second Hokage Tobirama Senju—one's strength had to be at least at the level of a Special Jonin.
A few months ago, Renjiro had witnessed the death of a comrade during a mission and awakened the two-tomoe Sharingan.
Back then, he was only at Chunin level. But after intense training, he had finally reached the strength required to attend the clan meeting. More importantly, he was also the grandson of the Fourth Elder, which further solidified his eligibility.
That morning, the Fourth Elder had brought both Renjiro and Taichi to the training grounds to test their progress.
Seeing his grandson grow stronger filled the old man with pride. He believed he finally had a worthy successor.
After all, awakening a two-tomoe Sharingan before turning thirteen was a remarkable feat, even during the Warring States era. It was something that couldn't be achieved with hard work alone.
Some Uchiha never awakened the Sharingan at all—it was far from rare.
However, when the Fourth Elder looked toward Taichi, his expression dimmed with worry.
Taichi was only two months younger than Renjiro, yet he hadn't even awakened a single tomoe. It didn't make sense. In school, he had better grades than Renjiro. His personality was brighter than most Uchiha, and his chakra reserves were greater as well.
He had even seen bloodshed on the battlefield. So why hadn't he awakened his Sharingan?
The Fourth Elder couldn't understand. After all, Taichi's parents and grandfather had all unlocked three-tomoe Sharingan. Logically, the ability should have been inherited. He should have awakened it by now.
Hikaru noticed the elder's puzzled look and couldn't help but feel a touch of pity.
Thanks to Taichi's memories, Hikaru had used his Sharingan to probe into his mind. What he discovered had shocked him.
Taichi had already awakened the two-tomoe Sharingan. He had simply hidden it, flawlessly.
More than that, he had secretly allied himself with the Grand Elder's faction.
The Grand Elder had taken advantage of Taichi's longing for his lost family. Through manipulation and Mangekyō-level genjutsu, he'd twisted Taichi's mind into believing that the Fourth Elder had been responsible for their deaths—all so he could rise to his current title.
Since then, Taichi had worn a perfect mask, biding his time until the Grand Elder made his move. When that day came, he planned to kill the old man who had cared for him like family.
As for how Hikaru uncovered this deception… there were just too many sloppy holes in Taichi's memories. The Grand Elder clearly wasn't skilled in genjutsu.
Under Hikaru's superior ocular power, every weakness had been laid bare.
The Fourth Elder continued to ponder the matter, but dusk had already arrived—there was no more time to waste.
He approached the two boys.
"Renjiro, your strength meets the standard. You'll attend the clan meeting with me tonight."
He then turned to Taichi and softened his tone.
"Taichi, don't feel discouraged. You just need to awaken your Sharingan. Once you do, you'll have your chance."
"I've asked the maid to prepare dinner. Go home and rest."
With that, he left, Hikaru's real body accompanying him to the Naka Shrine.
Meanwhile, the shadow clone disguised as Taichi slipped away quietly, headed for his secret meeting with the Grand Elder.
He moved cautiously through the village, avoiding crowds, until he reached the Naka River. There, at the waterfall's base, he traced his hand along a water-smoothed stone wall until his fingers pressed a hidden mechanism.
A narrow door, just wide enough for a person to pass, slid open.
The clone entered and reset the mechanism behind him before descending a long staircase.
After about a hundred steps, a wall blocked his path. Hikaru made a sequence of hand signs and pressed them into the stone.
The wall melted away to reveal a hidden room.
Inside sat the Grand Elder, cross-legged on a cushion. The clone stepped forward and handed him a scroll.
"Master Zebra, this contains the latest intel on all movements in and out of the clan's borders."
Uchiha Zebra unrolled the scroll and read it silently, a self-satisfied smirk creeping across his face.
"Very good," he said. "You may leave. It's time for me to attend the clan meeting."
He stood up to go, but the clone—still posing as Taichi—spoke coldly.
"Grand Elder, it's been nearly six months. When will I be allowed to avenge my parents and grandfather?"
"Every time I look at that bastard Yuan Zong's fake smile, I want to vomit!"
Zebra turned to face him, eyes glowing with cruel amusement. A satisfied grin pulled at his lips.
"Don't worry. Tonight's the night."
"I've already contacted our allies. The coup begins tonight. Just go home and wait. With your current level of strength—even with two tomoe—you'd be a liability."
And with that, he swept past the clone and exited the chamber.
Taichi had been chosen as a pawn precisely because of his tragic past and trusting heart. With all his loved ones dead, and his nature too kind to question authority, he had been the perfect target for manipulation.
Despite being young—barely in his thirties—Zebra had already risen to the role of Grand Elder, thanks to the Mangekyō Sharingan.
Though he once respected the current clan head, a mysterious figure had appeared before him two years ago and told him a secret:
Only by fusing two Mangekyō Sharingan can one obtain the Eternal Mangekyō—eyes that never fade.
Since that day, Zebra had set his plan into motion—consolidating power, forming factions within the clan and beyond, and preparing to overthrow the current leader: Uchiha Clan Leader, a fifty-year-old man nearing blindness.
Tonight, he would attempt to take his eyes, claim the Eternal Mangekyō, and seize the position of clan head.
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