Naruto: The Rise Of Uchiha

Shortly after, all the families, including the Uchiha clan, received a search order from the Third Hokage, instructing each family to send personnel to look for the thief who had broken into the scroll room.

The result, naturally, yielded nothing.

The Transformation Technique could disguise one's appearance and chakra, and the Mayfly Technique could even conceal one's presence entirely.

Even ninja hounds couldn't track Spore Clone No. 1, who used both jutsu to escape.

After searching Konoha back and forth several times, they were left with no choice but to give up.

After sending a few Uchiha clan members to symbolically participate in the search, Uchiha Fugaku went to a secret chamber near the Naka Shrine.

There, Spore Clone No. 1 had indeed returned.

Seeing him arrive, Spore Clone No. 1 immediately handed over a scroll.

He took it, opened it, and read it—fully grasping the principle of the Yin Seal.

The principle of the Yin Seal involved using complex sealing formulas to create a chakra storage point at the center of the eyebrows.

Normally, excess chakra would be stored there, and during battle, the seal could be released to draw on the stored chakra.

This involved extremely advanced sealing techniques—only a clan like the Uzumaki, known for their sealing prowess, could create such a jutsu.

"It's a pity the Yin Seal is too visually obvious. Otherwise, I would've practiced it myself."

Uchiha Fugaku shook his head.

Although his chakra was now two to three times greater than that of an average Kage, it still didn't compare to chakra monsters like Uzumaki Naruto or Senju Hashirama.

The Yin Seal could help close that gap.

Unfortunately, after mastering the Yin Seal, a diamond-shaped mark appeared on the forehead—an obvious sign.

If he practiced it, it would be akin to telling the Third Hokage directly that he was the one who stole it.

"Though I can't use it now, once I overthrow the Third Hokage and become Hokage, I can practice it openly."

Uchiha Fugaku wasn't disappointed.

It wasn't that there would never be a chance to practice it—he just couldn't do it now. He had to overthrow the Third Hokage and claim the seat of Hokage first.

Besides, two to three times the chakra of an average Kage was already a large reserve.

Only when his eyes evolved into the Rinnegan would his chakra reserves be insufficient.

The Rinnegan consumed an enormous amount of chakra—even Nagato, a member of the Uzumaki clan renowned for his chakra, had been overwhelmed by it, proving how costly it was.

Of course, this was just his theory. Perhaps Nagato wasn't the original owner of the Rinnegan, which would explain the drain.

He recorded the scroll's contents with his Sharingan, then tossed the scroll back to Spore Clone No. 1 and ordered him to begin practicing the Yin Seal.

Fugaku then left the chamber and went to Naka Shrine.

Inside the shrine, the three elders and several elite jōnin of Uchiha Yami had arrived.

"Patriarch."

They all greeted him with pleased expressions—they were clearly in good spirits.

Uchiha Fugaku injuring the Third Hokage in only a few moves was a great honor for the clan and made them proud.

He nodded and sat cross-legged at the head seat.

The ungrateful Uchiha Shisui had been eliminated, and the treacherous Uchiha Itachi had his Mangekyō Sharingan gouged out and was imprisoned.

It was now time to consider the next steps, so he had gathered them here.

"Patriarch, what happened to Itachi?"

Second Elder Uchiha Shō asked.

Earlier, the Third Hokage had arrived before he had the chance to ask, so he didn't know what had happened to Itachi or why the clan head had suddenly withdrawn him from the ANBU.

"You underestimate the Third Hokage,"

Uchiha Fugaku sighed.

"Itachi is still young and was easily swayed."

"Not long ago, I discovered that he had been manipulated by the Third Hokage, so I grounded him and removed him from the ANBU."

He told half-truths.

Although Itachi was the son of the clan head, he was manipulated by the Hokage and became a traitor.

If that information were made public, it would disgrace Fugaku and weaken his authority.

And if Itachi hadn't been manipulated, then imprisoning him would be unjustified.

So he opted for half-truths.

"Damn that Third Hokage!"

Elder Uchiha Setsuna slammed his thigh angrily.

Not only had he corrupted Shisui, but now he was targeting Itachi too.

"Thankfully, the Patriarch discovered it in time,"

said Third Elder Uchiha Tsukasa with relief.

"It's better this way. There was never any need for us to be part of the ANBU,"

Uchiha Atsuko added with lingering fear.

Once everyone had quieted down, Fugaku shifted the discussion.

"I've gathered you today to discuss our next move against the Third Hokage's faction."

"Patriarch, from your fight with the Hokage today, it's clear he's no match for you."

"With your current power, are you confident in killing him quickly through a surprise attack?"

Uchiha Yaowei looked at him intently.

Everyone turned to look at Fugaku expectantly.

It was obvious his strength had grown since the fight with Shisui.

"I'm confident I can kill him quickly if I launch a surprise attack now."

Fugaku nodded, then added,

"But we shouldn't do that—at least not yet."

"Why not?"

They were stunned.

It seemed obvious: assassinate the Hokage and overthrow his faction. But the Patriarch refused.

"Because our goal isn't just to overthrow the Third Hokage—our true goal is to return the Hokage title to the Uchiha clan."

Fugaku's eyes swept over them.

"To reclaim the Hokage seat…"

Their eyes burned with anticipation.

The Uchiha and Senju clans founded Konoha together.

The Senju had produced two Hokage. The Uchiha? None.

Becoming Hokage had always been the clan's dream.

"If I kill the Third Hokage now, the Fifth Hokage selection will begin immediately, but with my current reputation, I'm not confident I'll win."

"To ensure I do, I must raise my reputation. Now is not the time."

"You're right. Against Tsunade and Jiraiya, even with your strength, winning the vote could be difficult,"

said Uchiha Shō.

"I disagree,"

Elder Setsuna retorted.

"With your power, you don't need reputation. Kill the Hokage and seize the seat."

"I could take the position by force—but it would create hidden dangers."

Fugaku paused.

"The Third Hokage has ruled Konoha for decades and built up strong alliances with many clans."

"If the Uchiha seize control through violence, those families would turn into future obstacles."

"And letting the Third Hokage die like that—it's too easy."

"What do you mean, Patriarch?"

Elder Setsuna asked.

"He's oppressed us for years. How can we let him off so easily?"

Fugaku's eyes gleamed with a cold light.

"The Third Hokage has done plenty of dirty deeds."

"I plan to expose them one by one—so he's disgraced, forced to abdicate, and dies in humiliation."

"To ruin him before his end…"

Everyone's eyes lit up at the thought.

If they could really pull it off, it would be more satisfying than simply killing him.

"How do we do this?" Uchiha Min asked.

"I plan to carry it out in three stages," Fugaku explained.

"Step one: build my prestige so that when the Third Hokage dies, I'll be the natural choice for the next Hokage."

"Step two: expose his crimes and force him to step down."

"Step three: make him disappear—permanently."

"I agree."

"So do I."

Everyone but Yaowei voiced agreement.

Yaowei then said,

"I support it, but I have one suggestion."

"What is it?"

"Even if now isn't the time to kill the Hokage, there's no reason to keep Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura alive. Eliminating them would further weaken his faction."

Fugaku nodded.

"That's reasonable. There's no need to let them live."

"Then we revise step one—eliminate Koharu and Homura."

(End of this chapter)