It was when Uchiha Fugaku went to the Hokage Building to report to the Third Hokage.
The news that Uchiha Fugaku possessed the Mangekyō Sharingan and had defeated a Wood Release Kekkei Genkai user spread at an alarming speed.
Many families received the news at the first opportunity.
Hyuga Clan.
"Patriarch Fugaku also possesses the Mangekyō Sharingan!"
Upon hearing the news, Hyuga clan leader Hyuga Hiashi couldn't help but express his envy.
The Hyuga and Uchiha clans are both dojutsu clans, but unlike the gradually declining Hyuga, the Uchiha clan has produced many powerful individuals over the years.
First, it was revealed that Uchiha Shisui awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan, and now it is revealed that Uchiha Fugaku has also awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan.
Every person who awakens the Mangekyō Sharingan possesses Kage-level strength. The Uchiha clan now has two Mangekyō Sharingan users, meaning two Kage-level individuals.
The strongest member of the Hyuga clan is only at quasi-Kage level, while the Uchiha clan has two Kage-level members.
When he thought of this, he couldn't help but feel envious.
"And Uchiha Fugaku's strength is far beyond that of an average Kage!"
His voice was filled with shock.
Even Uchiha Shisui and eleven elite jonin together could not defeat the Wood Release Kekkei Genkai user.
Yet Uchiha Fugaku defeated the Wood Release Kekkei Genkai user alone, proving his strength far surpasses that of an ordinary Kage—comparable even to Uchiha Madara in his time.
"It definitely wasn't awakened recently. He must have had it for many years."
He thought to himself.
To possess such overwhelming power, he must have deeply cultivated the abilities of the Mangekyō Sharingan.
This is not something that can be achieved in a short period of time.
Uchiha Fugaku may have awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan years ago but had kept it hidden until now.
This was only exposed due to a Wood Release Kekkei Genkai user invading the village.
"The Uchiha clan and the Third Hokage's faction..."
There was a thoughtful look in his eyes.
He was well aware that the conflict between the Uchiha clan and the Third Hokage's faction had intensified recently.
He had no intention of siding with the Third Hokage, who had forced his brother to his death, but he also had no intention of aligning with the Uchiha clan.
After all, the Uchiha clan is merely a single clan, whereas the Third Hokage controls the entire village and can mobilize its full power if necessary.
In his view, the ultimate victor of this conflict would be the Third Hokage.
But now, even though the Third Hokage holds authority over the village, he might not necessarily win this battle.
"I should wait and see before making a decision!"
He would be glad if he could follow the Uchiha clan in overthrowing the Third Hokage and making him pay for his actions.
However, despite the Uchiha clan's overwhelming strength, victory in this battle was not guaranteed.
He decided to observe further before making a move.
In the Hatake household, two silver-haired men sat cross-legged opposite each other at a table.
One of them looked middle-aged—Hatake Nobuhiro, the head of the Hatake clan.
The other, a young man with an eyepatch over his left eye, was none other than Hatake Kakashi.
"I never thought Patriarch Fugaku had also awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan and possessed such strength that even a Wood Release Kekkei Genkai user was no match for him!"
Hatake Nobuhiro exclaimed.
Over the past year, Uchiha Fugaku had united the Uchiha clan, which previously operated independently, and improved their reputation among the village clans and civilians.
His ability to handle affairs had already surprised many.
But no one had expected that Uchiha Fugaku's personal strength was even more astonishing.
Not only had he awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan, but he had also single-handedly defeated the Wood Release Kekkei Genkai user, whom Uchiha Shisui and eleven elite jonin together could not overcome.
Such strength was likely comparable to the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju.
"With two Kage-level members in a single clan, no wonder they dare to openly clash with the Third Hokage's faction. This is where their confidence comes from."
"I once thought it was unwise for him to challenge the Third Hokage's faction so openly, but now I see that it was the right move. With such strength, why should he continue to tolerate the Third Hokage?"
Hatake Nobuhiro said with a smile.
His elder brother, Hatake Sakumo, had been forced into suicide due to the Third Hokage and his faction manipulating public opinion against him.
Naturally, he blamed the Third Hokage and his circle.
If he had the strength of the Uchiha clan, he too would have openly opposed the Third Hokage.
Now that the Uchiha clan was doing exactly that, he found it quite satisfying.
"So strong..."
Hatake Kakashi's expression shifted.
He had already known that Uchiha Fugaku possessed the Mangekyō Sharingan.
He also knew that Uchiha Shisui had betrayed the Uchiha clan, attacked Uchiha Fugaku, and ultimately perished at Fugaku's hands.
Even so, he had not expected Uchiha Fugaku to be powerful enough to defeat a Wood Release Kekkei Genkai user.
As a former Anbu captain, he was one of the few who truly understood the threat posed by the Wood Release Kekkei Genkai.
That individual possessed the Uchiha clan's Mangekyō Sharingan, near-unbreakable space-time ninjutsu, and the Wood Release Kekkei Genkai of the First Hokage.
With so many abilities, his strength was terrifying.
Yet, Uchiha Fugaku had utterly defeated him, forcing him to flee in disgrace.
"The Third Hokage is going to have a serious headache now!"
Hatake Nobuhiro chuckled, then looked at Kakashi with some relief.
"Luckily, you resigned from your position as Anbu Commander and left the Anbu. Otherwise, you would be forced to fight someone like Uchiha Fugaku!"
"That is indeed fortunate."
Hatake Kakashi nodded with some relief.
When he had learned that the Third Hokage planned to surround and kill Uchiha Fugaku, he had immediately chosen to leave the Anbu.
Otherwise, he would be in a difficult position now.
Facing a stronger shinobi than the Wood Release Kekkei Genkai user, standing on the opposite side… even with his hidden strength, he would have felt enormous pressure.
…
Similar conversations took place in various clans.
Many clans had already begun shifting their attitudes toward the Uchiha clan.
Some clans that were previously friendly with the Uchiha decided to strengthen their ties.
Some clans that had been neutral now considered forming alliances with the Uchiha.
Even those unwilling to befriend the Uchiha clan knew that offending them was no longer an option.
(End of this chapter)