Uchiha Inabi and Uchiha Tekka lunged together, their movements honed from clan taijutsu drills. Tekka targeted Gen's upper body, Inabi his lower, clean, practiced, and perfectly coordinated.
But Gen was no novice.
He had already anticipated such an approach. In a blur, he leapt into the air, twisting as both legs snapped out like lightning. His reach was longer than their arms, his speed a fraction faster.
The pair were forced to change tactics mid-motion, crossing their arms before their chests in a desperate block.
Bang!
The impact sent both reeling, their forearms stinging with searing pain as they staggered back.
"Go together!" Elder Setsuna barked sharply.
At his command, the Jōnin on both sides surged forward. They rushed in from every direction, striking bare-handed, a coordinated swarm meant to overwhelm.
Gen's brows drew together.
Anger rose, dark and heavy. From his body seeped a ghostly black chakra, dense, oppressive, and chilling.
In an instant, it solidified into a skeletal frame, ribs curving forward and back to encase him in a cylindrical barrier.
The Jōnin's attacks slammed against it, but not one strike pierced through. Then, from the ribcage, two massive black arms materialized. They swung in a wide arc—an unstoppable sweep that blasted every attacker off their feet. Bodies crashed to the ground in a circle around him, groaning in pain.
Gen lowered his sunglasses. The Mangekyō Sharingan beneath glowed with a deadly radiance. His face was expressionless, but his voice cut like ice:
"Elder Setsuna. If you cannot give me a proper explanation… this matter will not be settled."
The killing intent radiating from him was suffocating, fused with that abyssal chakra. In that moment, he seemed less man than Asura, descended upon the mortal world.
Setsuna, the three Elders, Shisui, even Mikoto, all of them stiffened, their blood running cold. Goosebumps prickled their skin, their instincts screaming that death hovered at the edge of a single wrong move. Almost without thought, their Sharingan activated in defense against that crushing pressure.
As for the lower-ranked Uchiha, the Special Jōnin and genin among them, most were frozen, stunned by the spectacle.
Why? they whispered in shock. Why would our own Jōnin suddenly attack Lord Gen?
And what is this terrifying black chakra… so real, so alive?
"This is… this is…"
Setsuna's eyes locked on Gen's. His throat worked, his words catching as he stammered. Then clarity struck him like lightning.
"The Mangekyō Sharingan. The legendary eyes, Uchiha Madara's very eyes!"
He shot to his feet, face alight with disbelief and awe, his hands gesturing wildly in exhilaration.
Gen's expression did not change. His tone remained flat. "Madara's eyes were Eternal Mangekyō. Mine are only Mangekyō, one step below. But even these are beyond your power to oppose. Now…" His gaze sharpened, voice cold as steel. "Why did you ambush me?"
The crowd erupted in murmurs.
The words Mangekyō Sharingan spread like wildfire. Though most had never even heard of the Eternal Mangekyō, the Mangekyō alone was legend enough. These were the eyes that had not appeared in decades. To witness them again here before them sent blood pounding in their veins.
Excitement crackled. Nanga Shrine roared like a market square.
"Silence!" Setsuna bellowed.
The command dampened the noise, though not completely. Even hushed, whispers lingered, and eyes still shone with disbelief and fervor.
Resigned, Setsuna exchanged a look with the Second and Third Elders.
Together, the senior officials raised their voices, forcing order back into the assembly. At last, the shrine grew quieter, though beneath the silence, communication buzzed in furtive glances and sharp breaths.
Setsuna exhaled, then softened his tone, his voice almost gentle: "We were… forced into this, Gen. Please, take your seat. We will give you an explanation."
The transformation in his attitude was instant. Upon seeing the Mangekyō, Setsuna could no longer believe Gen was guilty.
With those eyes, what motive would he have?
The clan revered the Mangekyō above all. At a time when no such power existed within the family, Gen's sudden awakening placed him nearly equal to the Clan Head.
If his methods were clever enough, he could even surpass Fugaku in standing.
Such a man would never need to scheme with others to strike down the Clan Head. If he truly wanted it, he could act alone. To share such plans with outsiders would only invite weakness.
Even if, by some stretch, Gen had cooperated in Fugaku's downfall, the reality remained; the Mangekyō Sharingan could not be cast out. The clan's future, its chance to rise again, depended on eyes like his.
One Mangekyō user already lived outside their walls, a stain upon their name. To push another into becoming an enemy… that would be suicide.
No. Whatever happened to Fugaku, it could not have been Gen.
Setsuna knew the procedures still had to be followed, the explanations given. But with Gen's wisdom, whether innocent or not, he would answer. And Setsuna would help guide it.
Gen let the black chakra fade, dismissing his skeletal guardian. His killing intent withdrew, leaving only his cool, unreadable calm.
Without a word, he strode forward and knelt at his place among the senior seats.
Seven cushions lined the front row.
The Clan Head's was central. To his left sat the First Elder, then Shisui, then the Third Elder. To his right, Mikoto, Gen, and the Second Elder. Though Mikoto was Fugaku's wife, she held no official rank, and so sat last by hierarchy.
Gen's Mangekyō glinted forward. Not a soul dared meet his gaze. Heads bowed instinctively, eyes lowered to the floor.
Except one.
Mikoto's eyes lingered on him. Gen turned slightly, catching her look. She flinched, quickly averting her gaze.
He exhaled softly. You'll know soon enough.
"Tadao," the First Elder said, "repeat what happened that day."
"Yes, Elder."
Uchiha Tadao rose. His expression was conflicted as he glanced once at Gen, then began his account.
The room's tension shifted as his story unfolded—peaking in outrage when Fugaku's death was confirmed, surging with disbelief at Gen's alleged presence.
For a time, the meeting dissolved into chaos before order was restored.
Finally, Setsuna turned. "Gen, are you satisfied with this explanation?"
Gen inclined his head slightly. "Acceptable. Understandable."
They had tried to restrain him without weapons or jutsu. In its way, it was mercy, clan showing consideration for clan.
Tadao stepped forward, bowed deeply. "Lord Gen… I do not want to believe it. But the chakra—it was identical to yours. Can you offer any explanation?"