Chapter 122

Uchiha Obito, to be honest, Uchiha Fugaku didn’t understand much about him.

He rose too quickly and fell too fast, like a meteor streaking across the sky, vanishing in an instant.

Before unlocking his Sharingan, he was utterly ordinary—a bottom-ranked student at the ninja academy.

In truth, even during academy days, Obito’s actual strength was decent, but due to his personality, he appeared to be a failure.

After all, even Sasuke could be the top student; at the same age, Obito could easily outmatch him.

But none of them were reincarnators or transmigrants, so it was hard to see Obito as a hidden talent.

Just as not every fat man is a hidden talent, not every bottom-ranked student is one either.

An orphan with mediocre talent—who would bother to pay attention?

When Obito unlocked his Sharingan, he advanced straight to the three-tomoe in a single day, likely unprecedented in Uchiha history.

Fugaku had no idea Obito might have awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan.

So, in response to Fujinaka Genma’s inquiry, Uchiha Fugaku gave the official reply: “Obito is an outstanding talent of our Uchiha clan, a hero of our Uchiha, who gave his life to protect the Uchiha’s honor and the village’s peace—this is the highest honor, and the finest destiny for a ninja!”

“Death is not terrifying; what is terrifying is dying uselessly, lying on a sickbed.”

Though it was an official response, Fujinaka Genma detected genuine emotion within it.

For instance, Fugaku was truly satisfied that Obito became a hero.

Losing a clan member with a three-tomoe Sharingan was painful, but he did not tarnish the Uchiha name—he brought glory to the clan, and died with purpose.

As for dying to protect the village… that was likely just an afterthought, an official slogan.

Very Uchiha Fugaku.

“Chief Fujinaka, Itachi’re right—but Itachi may not know that the girl who died alongside Obito, Rin, was the one he secretly loved.”

“He watched his beloved die with his Sharingan already at three tomoe.”

Fujinaka Genma revealed a secret.

The Uchiha clan was unaware of the exact circumstances of Obito’s death; after Kakashi reported it to the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, the latter classified it as top secret and never informed the Uchiha.

So now, hearing this, even Fugaku’s composure cracked—he froze. “What?”

Fugaku could now say with certainty: no one understood the Sharingan better than he did.

Thus, Fujinaka’s words made him realize: Obito likely awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan just before his death.

But then he realized: Fujinaka Genma—or rather, the Leaf’s high command—knew this too.

He wasn’t surprised. Most Uchiha didn’t know the secrets of the Mangekyo Sharingan, but the Leaf’s leadership certainly did.

After all, Uchiha Madara once fought the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, using his Mangekyo—and after that battle, Madara’s body was never returned to the Uchiha.

With the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju’s nature, who would believe he didn’t study Madara’s corpse?

At the time, the Uchiha clan had effectively betrayed Madara and turned a blind eye—though perhaps they had no choice.

Fugaku stared at Fujinaka Genma, his expression shifting rapidly.

From Fujinaka’s words, he discerned three layers of meaning.

First: Obito likely awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan.

Second: Obito’s Mangekyo Sharingan was stolen.

Third: The thief was not someone from within the Leaf.

Then why reveal it now?

Why not at the time?

Was it because the war was raging, and the Leaf feared the Uchiha would split their forces chasing the Sharingan’s trail?

One thought after another flashed through Fugaku’s mind. Finally, he calmed, his face settling, and looked at Fujinaka Genma. “Chief Fujinaka, speak plainly.”

Fujinaka Genma revealed: “During the Shinobigakure Bridge battle, Obito nearly died. He was taken away by a mysterious figure, and later rescued by me.”

“A mysterious figure?”

“Not from any ninja village?”

Fugaku asked urgently.

This was critical.

It might be a targeted move against the Uchiha.

The thought that Obito might have awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan made Fugaku’s heart ache.

“He likely wasn’t from any ninja village—if he were, he wouldn’t have escaped me.”

Fujinaka shook his head, then said solemnly: “I suspect Obito’s sacrifice was premeditated.”

“They sealed the Three-Tails inside Rin, brought her back to the Leaf, intending to inflict massive damage.”

“It was the Mist Village’s plan—but someone exploited a flaw.”

“Rin didn’t want to bring the Tailed Beast back to the Leaf, but the curse seal prevented her from killing herself, so she chose to die at Kakashi’s hands.”

“Chief Fugaku, Itachi understand the Sharingan better than I do—in that situation, Obito’s chance of awakening the Mangekyo was over ninety percent.”

Hearing this, Fugaku’s heart ached even more.

The Uchiha clan could have had two pairs of Mangekyo—now only one remains.

And he couldn’t even dare to reveal it openly.

If there had been two, they could have displayed them proudly and legitimately demanded the power and status they deserved.

“Chief Fujinaka, someone without Uchiha blood—could they even bear the Sharingan?”

Fujinaka asked, knowing the answer.

“Correct.”

Fugaku replied gravely: “The Sharingan differs from the Byakugan. If Itachi’re from the main house, Itachi can use the Byakugan without hindrance. But the Sharingan? Without our bloodline, even if Itachi obtain it, Itachi cannot wield it freely.”

Fujinaka nodded: “So it is with ordinary Sharingan—and even harder for the higher-tier Mangekyo.”

“That means someone outside the clan, with Uchiha blood, has already set their sights on Itachi.”

“Or rather, on those among Itachi with potential.”

Fugaku had thought of this too—and now recalled the fallen geniuses of his clan.

He hadn’t noticed before, but now, thinking back, every death felt wrong—filled with conspiracy.

“So, Chief Fujinaka, are Itachi asking me to find any Uchiha who may have gone missing?”

Fugaku asked.

“No.”

Fujinaka shook his head: “It’s too difficult.”

“From Madara’s time to now—decades, generations—finding one person hidden in the shadows? Impossible.”

“I’m worried about the Uchiha clan itself.”

Fugaku froze, then his expression twisted in horror.

He understood.