Even within the Uchiha clan, awakening the Sharingan was quite rare.
Madara’s father had been delighted when his son awakened a single tomoe in anger.
Fugaku was equally thrilled when Itachi awakened one after witnessing Obito kill his teammate in Itachi Shinden.
As for Sasuke awakening a single tomoe after his entire clan was massacred…
Ahem.
That was far too cruel to discuss.
Obito had awakened two tomoe in both eyes from the very beginning.
Such talent was exceedingly rare.
Had his body not been crippled and left unable to fight, Fugaku would never have allowed someone like him to waste away here.
The Sharingan itself was also a strategic resource.
Although Fugaku had shown no concern on the surface, he had always feared someone might target Obito’s eyes.
Otherwise, why would he have arrived so quickly?
Orochimaru had not yet exposed his true nature.
In the eyes of most Konoha residents, he was still one of the legendary Sannin, a veteran with outstanding achievements.
He had only lost the Fourth Hokage position because Minato’s accomplishments were too dazzling.
But as the Uchiha clan head, how could Fugaku not know who coveted the Sharingan?
Orochimaru and Danzo practically drooled whenever they looked at those eyes.
They hardly even bothered hiding it.
If the Uchiha were not already being ostracized, Fugaku would have gladly fought both of them and reminded them to keep their filthy hands to themselves.
Their shameless behavior was one reason the Uchiha had become so hostile toward outsiders and rarely welcomed anyone into their compound.
Now Arashi was suggesting that the helpless, half-crippled Obito be sent to Orochimaru.
That would be like throwing a meat bun to a dog.
Nothing sent there would ever return.
Seeing Fugaku nearly lose control of his expression, Arashi knew his warning had achieved its purpose.
The next steps were simple: offer a feast, show the blade, and put a leash around the survivor’s neck.
First came the feast.
Arashi smoothly produced Minato’s official order.
“There is another matter.
As the Hokage’s chief advisor, I am entitled to a personal guard.”
“The Fourth Hokage strongly recommended Uchiha Shisui.
Would you be willing to assign him to me, Clan Head?”
Arashi had personally chosen Shisui, yet he deliberately claimed Minato had recommended him.
His shamelessness lay in choosing lies that the other party had no practical way to verify.
Only a complete fool would respond, “Really?
Let me ask the Hokage.”
From Fugaku’s perspective, the Fourth Hokage had personally requested the finest fighter among the Uchiha’s younger generation.
‘Is Minato trying to win over the Uchiha?’
The Uchiha were one of the two great clans that founded Konoha.
Their situation had been acceptable under the First Hokage, but the Second had begun pushing them aside.
By the Third Hokage’s era, the hostility was barely concealed.
Calling them universally hated would be an exaggeration, but they certainly endured cold treatment throughout the village.
If Arashi could become a bridge to the Fourth Hokage, the Uchiha might not regain their former glory, but their position would still improve considerably.
As for whether Arashi also coveted the Sharingan…
There was nothing Fugaku could do about that.
Countless people desired the Uchiha’s eyes.
One more hardly mattered.
Besides, Shisui was experienced and exceptionally strong.
Taking his eyes would not be easy.
“Since the Fourth Hokage personally requested Shisui as your guard, we naturally have no reason to refuse.”
Fugaku agreed without hesitation.
“Regarding Obito, Advisor-sama, should we discuss the matter in more detail?”
“Of course.
Orochimaru-sama is a busy man, and we must also ask for Obito’s opinion.”
Arashi smiled calmly.
“I’m willing!”
The moment he finished speaking, Obito leaped to his feet and declared his decision excitedly.
His dream was to become Hokage, yet now he could not even serve as a shinobi.
In front of Arashi and Rin, he always acted cheerful and optimistic, as though his injuries did not bother him.
But how could he not feel grief and pain deep inside?
As long as he became a shinobi again, the power of his Sharingan would let him protect Rin more effectively.
He would also move one step closer to becoming Hokage—the dream he had promised to pursue with her.
Hearing him, Fugaku wanted to headbutt the foolish brat.
Obito was still recognizably human right now.
There was no telling what kind of creature he would become after entering Orochimaru’s laboratory.
Why was he volunteering to die?
“I understand, Obito, but calm down.
This is complicated and cannot be arranged immediately.”
Arashi began giving him vague reassurances.
At the same time, he sent the considerate Rin a look, asking her to soothe Obito.
The boy had become so emotional that his Sharingan had activated without him noticing.
“For now, Clan Head Fugaku and I must discuss everything carefully.
Wait patiently for good news.”
“Yes!
Thank you for all your help, Kaeda-san!”
Obito bowed deeply.
He might not trust Arashi completely, but the level was certainly above ninety percent.
…
After leaving Obito’s home, Fugaku invited Arashi to the Konoha Military Police Force headquarters.
Elite Uchiha officers stood guard throughout the building, and the air carried the clan’s natural pride and constant vigilance.
Fugaku first ordered someone to summon Shisui.
He then dismissed everyone else from his office and carefully shut the door, leaving only the two of them inside.
His expression became solemn as he cautiously chose his words.
“Advisor Kaeda, can Obito truly only be treated through Orochimaru?”
Fugaku’s feelings were conflicted.
Emotionally, he desperately wanted Obito to become a shinobi again and serve as a source of strength for the clan.
Rationally, however, he understood Orochimaru far too well.
If Obito entered that man’s laboratory, he would never leave.
“I brought Tsunade-sama back to treat him, yet even she could only prevent the boy from remaining bedridden for life.”
Arashi spoke calmly.
“With Konoha’s current medical abilities, restoring Obito as a shinobi is impossible.
You should understand that yourself.”
“There is only one thing that might restore his power…”
“The cells of Senju Hashirama-sama.”
“The First Hokage’s cells?!”
Fugaku’s eyelid twitched.
“Many people proposed researching them, but did Lord Tobirama not strictly forbid it?
Besides, such research violates every ethical principle—”
Arashi suddenly chuckled as though recalling something amusing.
“Tobirama-sama could naturally prevent others from desecrating his brother’s remains while he was alive.”
“But he is dead now.”
“And you cannot honestly believe something like morality would stop ambitious men.”
Fugaku’s expression grew increasingly ugly.
Arashi continued speaking.
“Have no Uchiha children ever disappeared?
Have no bodies belonging to your clan ever gone missing?”
According to Itachi Shinden, Danzo already possessed a Sharingan beneath his bandages before attacking Shisui.
He had used that eye to cast Izanagi, catch Shisui off guard, and steal one of his Mangekyo Sharingan.
That eye could not have sprouted from the ground or grown on a tree.
There had undoubtedly been the life of an Uchiha behind it.
Fugaku’s Sharingan activated as anger and agitation overwhelmed him.
“Who was it?
Orochimaru?!”
“Orochimaru may have conducted the research, but what do you think lies beneath Danzo’s bandages?”
Arashi offered the reminder casually.
“I know you’re wary of him, so you never dare activate your Sharingan and look directly at him.”
“But should an opportunity arise, take a secret glance.
You may receive a pleasant surprise.”
“You…
I…”
While Fugaku’s thoughts descended into chaos, Arashi dropped another bomb.
“Orochimaru certainly covets the Sharingan, but because he is researching the First Hokage’s cells, he genuinely possesses the ability to treat Obito.”
“And I can restrain him.”
“As chief advisor, I can personally coordinate, guarantee, supervise, and monitor every stage of Obito’s treatment.”
“With me watching, Orochimaru will not dare act recklessly.”
“However, I must make one thing clear.”
“The procedure will be extremely dangerous.
Even without malicious intent from Orochimaru, Obito’s chance of dying will remain high.”
“But should he survive…”
Arashi’s usually gentle face revealed a trace of madness.
“He will gain far more than the ability to become a shinobi again.”
“Fugaku-san, since Konoha’s founding, have you ever seen someone who possessed the powers of both the Uchiha and Senju?”
Fugaku’s expression twisted instantly.
As expected of Sasuke’s father, he now strongly resembled the famous image of his son asking, “What is this guy talking about?”
A moment later, however, he understood the terrifying possibility hidden within Arashi’s words.
The powers of both the Uchiha and Senju!
Fugaku knew nothing about Indra and Asura or how Hashirama’s cells could greatly extend the lifespan of the Mangekyo Sharingan.
Even so, the literal combination of the Sharingan and Wood Release was enough to tempt anyone.
Even Fugaku himself desired such power.
“Even if the procedure fails and Obito dies, I can guarantee that his Sharingan will return to the Uchiha compound with his body.”
Arashi continued laying out the bait without haste.
Then, without warning, he pulled the hook tight.
“Of course, I’m only an ordinary man.
If Orochimaru uses genjutsu or some similar method to deceive me, I would never notice.”
“That is why I need Shisui.”
“I need the Sharingan’s ability to see through illusions and ensure Orochimaru does not attempt anything improper.”
“Furthermore, I will be stationed permanently in the Hokage’s office, overseeing the reforms, communicating with the leadership, and handling numerous affairs alongside Shisui.”
“We will stand at the center of every conflict.”
“That means I will inevitably shield the Uchiha from considerable suspicion among the leadership and hostility from public opinion.”
Fugaku would not have become clan head if he still failed to understand Arashi’s intentions.
“Then what do you need me…
What do you need the Uchiha clan to do for you?”
There was no free meal in this world.
Arashi had not come here to offer the Uchiha countless benefits out of simple kindness.
He inevitably intended to profit from the arrangement.
“Not for me.
For us.”
Arashi corrected him with a smile.
“The reasoning is simple.
Shisui alone will be stationed at the center of the village and interacting with its leaders.”
“He will inevitably become isolated and vulnerable to schemes.”
“If several clansmen work alongside him, they can protect one another and reduce the risks.”
“Their presence will also force those with malicious intentions to think twice.”
“No matter how powerful the Sharingan may be, it cannot see the hand reaching from behind.”
“Otherwise, the shinobi world would not have spread the saying, ‘When facing one Uchiha, flee.
When facing two, attack from behind.'”
“But everything changes when someone is watching your back.”
Arashi appeared to be describing a weakness of the Sharingan.
In reality, he was telling Fugaku that he intended to bind himself to the Uchiha and become the eye watching their backs.
Fugaku’s Sharingan narrowed slightly.
He had clearly seen through the essence of the offer.
Arashi’s actions would indeed help Obito and elevate Shisui.
At the same time, however, he was building a shinobi unit that answered only to him, much like Danzo’s Root.
If Fugaku agreed, the Uchiha would truly be tied to Arashi.
Should Arashi lose power, the clan’s situation would become even worse.
But refusing would undoubtedly earn his hostility.
The old generation already treated the Uchiha as a thorn in their side.
If the clan also offended the Fourth Hokage’s newly rising faction, their situation would still worsen.
Advancing meant risking death.
Retreating meant the same.
Why not gamble?
Fugaku spent several minutes sorting through his options before taking a deep breath.
“Very well.
In addition to Shisui, I will assign three talented young clansmen to serve under you.”
A three-man squad was Konoha’s standard formation.
It was also the most Fugaku could provide without drawing overwhelming resistance from the Elder Council.
“Oh?
And whom are you planning to give me?”
Arashi smiled with narrowed eyes and took a sip of tea.
This time, Fugaku did not hesitate.
Since he had decided to gamble, he would bet everything.
“Tekka and Inabi are both exceptional young men.
As for the third—”
“Your eldest son, Uchiha Itachi.”
Arashi’s narrowed eyes slowly opened.
“I find him very interesting.”
…