After testing every Wood Release jutsu that consumed the least chakra, Uchiha Fugaku ultimately confirmed he couldn't perform any of them.
His current affinity with the Wood Release bloodline limit simply wasn't strong enough to manifest any jutsu.
Still, he wasn't too disappointed.
"Even though I can't use Wood Release, I've already achieved my initial goal and even surpassed it."
It was a bit of a shame he couldn't wield the legendary Wood Release techniques, but he had accomplished what he set out to do by fusing with White Zetsu's body.
He had successfully halted the blindness spreading in his eyes. Not only that, but even the existing damage was now actively healing.
In about a month, his vision would be fully restored—his eyes would return to their original state.
"Any technique White Zetsu could use, I should be able to use too. They're not especially powerful, but they're incredibly practical."
"It's a pity I didn't have the time to capture White Zetsu alive and interrogate him. If I encounter another one in the future, I'll try to extract those techniques."
He thought to himself.
The situation at the time had been critical. If he had hesitated and tried to capture White Zetsu instead of killing him on the spot, he might have run into Pain's Deva Path clone.
Even fleeing with a captured White Zetsu clone wouldn't have worked. The clone would have been a deadweight, preventing him from escaping Pain's search.
And there was no chance White Zetsu would have cooperated in hiding his chakra signature. Carrying him around would've made detection inevitable.
The next morning, Uchiha Fugaku glanced at the sleeping beauty beside him, her robe slightly disheveled, revealing a glimpse of skin. He got up quietly, dressed, and left the bedroom.
After breakfast, he made his way to the Konoha Police Force headquarters.
"Captain."
"Captain."
...
With greetings from the officers, he walked into his office.
Stacks of documents covered his desk paperwork that had piled up during his absence.
He began reviewing and approving them one by one.
Knock, knock, knock.
There was a knock at the door. After Fugaku gave permission, a man with black hair tinged with brown stepped into the room.
It was Uchiha Yakumi, a trusted lieutenant of Fugaku's previous self.
The smooth operation of the Police Force during Fugaku's absence had been thanks to this man.
"Captain, I have urgent news to report."
Yakumi cast a cautious glance toward the door, his expression serious.
"Soundproof barrier."
Sensing the gravity of the report, Fugaku immediately deployed a soundproofing jutsu, sealing the office from eavesdropping.
"Go ahead."
"Captain, I've made progress on the internal spy you asked me to investigate."
Yakumi's voice was low and firm.
Since receiving the order, he had been quietly investigating potential spies within the Uchiha clan and had finally made a breakthrough.
"You've found someone? Who is it?"
Fugaku's tone sharpened. The traitor lurking within the Uchiha clan had been like a bone stuck in his throat he couldn't rest easy until it was removed.
"So far, we've identified Uchiha Sen as a confirmed traitor. But I suspect there may be others as well."
"Him?!"
Fugaku was visibly surprised.
Uchiha Sen was a Sharingan user with all three tomoe activated and the strength of an elite jōnin.
Like Second Elder Uchiha Mamoru, he was considered one of the few level-headed and rational members of the clan.
Who would have thought such a person was the hidden traitor embedded within the Uchiha?
"Are you sure?"
Fugaku asked, still somewhat skeptical.
"No doubt. I saw it with my own eyes he had a secret summoning scroll used by the Anbu to transmit intelligence."
Yakumi's usual calm face now showed rare fury.
"I can't believe it... It was him."
Fugaku let out a heavy sigh.
An elite jōnin—and one of the few who didn't constantly talk about launching a coup. Fugaku had once felt somewhat reassured by Sen's presence.
But now, that same man was exposed as a traitor. A hidden dagger aimed at the clan's throat.
"Based on my investigation, Uchiha Sen's father was an outsider, while his mother was from the Uchiha clan. After his father died in battle, Sen was taken in by the Uchiha and changed his surname."
"I believe he came into contact with the Third Hokage before that—likely joining the Anbu and becoming a deep-cover operative embedded within our clan."
Yakumi explained.
"His father was from outside the clan?"
Fugaku frowned. That was a detail he hadn't known. With such a mixed heritage, it was no wonder Sen's loyalty to the clan was questionable.
Coupled with the Third Hokage's infamous skill at ideological manipulation, it was no surprise he'd been turned.
"What should we do about Uchiha Sen?"
Yakumi asked.
"If he's a traitor… he can't be allowed to live."
Fugaku's eyes glinted with killing intent.
He had no tolerance for turncoats.
Uchiha Shisui and Uchiha Itachi were exceptions unique cases.
Shisui possessed the Mangekyō Sharingan, and Fugaku didn't have the confidence to defeat him.
As for Itachi, his eyes were necessary for Fugaku to awaken the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan. He couldn't be killed yet.
"To avoid arousing the Third Hokage's suspicion, we must make Sen's death appear unrelated to the Uchiha."
"Unrelated to the clan?" Yakumi pondered.
"Captain, how about this—wait until he accepts a mission. Then take him out during the mission and make it look like he died in the line of duty."
"That's a good plan."
Fugaku nodded.
Although Uchiha ninja often joined the Police Force, many still took missions to hone their combat skills.
They could take advantage of this, assassinate Sen during a mission, and stage the scene to make it appear like enemy ninja were responsible.
That way, Sen's death would raise no suspicion toward the Uchiha.
"Keep a close eye on him. The moment he takes a mission outside the village, report to me immediately."
"Also, we can't assume he's the only spy. Keep digging there may be others hiding within the clan."
"Yes, Captain."
Yakumi bowed respectfully.