Naruto: I am Uchiha Fugaku

"Earth Style: Earth Dragon Concealment Technique!"

Among the reinforcements from the Iwasaki Clan, several were Earth Style users.

After learning that Uchiha Fugaku disguised as Uchiha Obito had escaped underground, they all immediately used underground-traveling jutsu to pursue him swiftly through the earth.

"They're closing in!"

Sensing their presence through his sensory abilities, Uchiha Fugaku immediately became aware of the Iwasaki clan members using subterranean techniques to track him underground.

"Fools courting death."

A cold glint flickered in his eyes.

With his strength, he could easily annihilate the entire Iwasaki Clan if he fought in earnest.

But he chose to retreat—not out of fear, but because if the Iwasaki Clan managed to stall him, he would risk being surrounded by elite jōnin from various clans in the village arriving shortly after.

"Shadow Clone Technique—"

Forming hand seals, a shadow clone materialized beside him.

The real Fugaku continued to flee swiftly, concealing his chakra with the Mayfly Technique.

Meanwhile, the shadow clone brandished a kunai and, also utilizing the Mayfly Technique, actively intercepted the approaching underground pursuers from the Iwasaki Clan—buying precious time for Fugaku.

Swish—

As a Kekkei Genkai ninjutsu, the Mayfly Technique offered far greater maneuverability underground compared to regular Earth Style jutsu.

Like a fish swimming freely through water, the shadow clone rapidly closed the distance to the leading Iwasaki pursuer.

Still in Mayfly state, it slashed the kunai viciously at the man's throat.

Clang—

Startled by the sudden assault, the Iwasaki shinobi quickly drew his own kunai to parry, narrowly blocking the strike aimed at his throat.

But in that instant, he felt a sharp pain in his chest.

The shadow clone, having been parried, immediately retracted the kunai and thrust forward again—this time, stabbing straight at his heart.

He failed to react in time. The kunai pierced into his chest.

Splurt—

Blood spurted from the wound, and the jutsu sustaining his underground movement was broken.

The Iwasaki shinobi's body was left embedded in the surrounding earth, lifeless within moments.

Swish—

The shadow clone, as agile as a fish, swam on through the ground toward the next Iwasaki target.

Though only a clone, it was the clone of a Kage-level ninja. Naturally, it possessed considerable strength.

Ordinary Iwasaki clan members stood no chance against it.

Splurt, splurt, splurt—

The shadow clone struck repeatedly, taking down one Earth Style-using Iwasaki pursuer after another, killing them underground.

Eventually, the clone encountered a group of two jōnin and one elite jōnin from the Iwasaki Clan. Surrounded and overwhelmed, it was finally destroyed in battle.

By that point, however, the real Uchiha Fugaku had long since vanished, using the time bought by his shadow clone to escape undetected.

He circled around, ensured no one was following, and covertly returned to the Uchiha Clan compound.

There, he reabsorbed his spore clone and acquired its memories, allowing him to clearly understand all that the clone had done and said during its time active.

Naturally, he turned to a clansman who had been sent out by the spore clone to gather intel.

"Well? Did you find out anything? What's going on?"

"Clan Head, just moments ago, Iwasaki Yū—the head of the Iwasaki Clan—was assassinated. Also, Takasaki Kazushi of the Takasaki Clan and Hoshino Atsumi of the Hoshino Clan were found dead in their residences."

The Uchiha clansman took a deep breath, trying to calm his excitement, but couldn't hide a trace of schadenfreude.

Takasaki Kazushi, Iwasaki Yū, and Hoshino Atsumi were all clan heads aligned with the Shimura family and had long stood in opposition to the Uchiha.

Just days ago, they had supported the Shimura Clan in suppressing the Uchiha.

Now, with all three dead, the informant couldn't help but gloat a little.

"Takasaki Kazushi, Iwasaki Yū, and Hoshino Atsumi are dead? That's… truly tragic news."

Upon hearing the news, Fugaku first feigned surprise—then let a trace of delight slip into his expression.

After a brief pause, he asked:

"Do we know who killed them?"

"It was a Wood Style Kekkei Genkai user!"

The informant's tone became more serious at this point.

Though he was grateful for the mysterious assassin's help in eliminating their enemies, he also felt deeply uneasy about a Wood Style user operating in the village.

"Iwasaki Yū was assassinated in full view of the Iwasaki Clan's people. As for Takasaki Kazushi and Hoshino Atsumi—although no one witnessed their deaths—their wounds suggest it was also the work of a Wood Style Kekkei Genkai user."

"A Wood Style user..."

Fugaku frowned, his voice taking on a similarly "grave" tone.

He turned to Uchiha Shi, the Third Elder in charge of the clan's internal security.

"Third Elder, assign more patrols around the compound in the coming days. Be alert for any possible infiltration by the Wood Style user."

"Understood, Clan Head."

Uchiha Shi replied with an expression of "serious concern" and immediately began issuing orders.

Of course, he was fully aware that the real killer of Takasaki Kazushi, Iwasaki Yū, and Hoshino Atsumi was none other than Fugaku himself—he was one of the few who knew about the plan.

But he also understood Fugaku's reasoning.

With three clan heads mysteriously slain, the Uchiha needed to be seen putting up a proper defense—or else people might grow suspicious.

Whoosh!

A masked man with silver hair appeared in the Uchiha compound.

He made no attempt to conceal his presence. Stopping a short distance away, he called out:

"Clan Head Fugaku, the Hokage has issued a directive. The Uchiha Clan is to dispatch thirty shinobi to assist in the search for the Wood Style user."

"Please inform the Hokage that the Uchiha Clan will assemble a team immediately."

Fugaku replied after a brief pause of contemplation.

"Very well, Clan Head. I will report your response to the Hokage. Farewell."

The silver-haired masked man nodded slightly and left swiftly.

Once he was gone, Fugaku turned to Uchiha Min, who had just returned from the Land of Water.

"Min, gather thirty clan members to participate in the search for the Wood Style user."

"Understood, Clan Head."

Uchiha Min responded and began organizing the search party.

For many, this was a sleepless night.

Under orders from the Third Hokage, every clan in the village mobilized personnel to aid in the search for the mysterious Wood Style user.

But unsurprisingly, it was all in vain.

The search continued until morning, yet the Wood Style Kekkei Genkai user was never found. Eventually, all participants were dismissed.

Shortly afterward, a village-wide meeting convened at the Hokage Tower.

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