At the White Zetsu base, Uchiha Obito—who had retreated from Kirigakure—was staying there.
"Nagato lost?"
Obito looked at Zetsu's black-and-white face in shock.
"Yes. Hard as it is to believe, Nagato was defeated. Even the Deva Path, along with all six bodies, was completely destroyed," Zetsu confirmed with a frown.
"How is that possible? How could Nagato be defeated?" Obito asked urgently.
As the wielder of the Rinnegan, Nagato's power was unquestionably at the super-Kage level. In an era without Uchiha Madara and Senju Hashirama, Obito couldn't imagine how someone of that caliber could lose.
"We underestimated Uchiha Fugaku. His power is already no weaker than Madara's before his eyes evolved into the Rinnegan," Black Zetsu said grimly.
"No weaker than Madara before the Rinnegan…?" Obito's expression froze in disbelief.
"In the battle against Nagato's Deva Path, Uchiha Fugaku used the Complete-Body Susanoo," White Zetsu added, clearly shaken.
"Complete-Body Susanoo… Does that mean Fugaku possesses the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan?" Obito's voice trembled with shock.
Having once lived alongside Madara, Obito knew Susanoo well. He understood that the fourth form and beyond—the Complete-Body Susanoo—could only be unleashed with the Eternal Mangekyō.
"That's most likely the case," Black Zetsu replied with a serious look.
"But none of Fugaku's close relatives ever awakened a Mangekyō. How did he acquire the Eternal Mangekyō?" Obito asked with a deep frown.
"Perhaps he experienced a bloodline reversion," Black Zetsu said hesitantly.
"Bloodline reversion?" Obito echoed in surprise.
"The Sharingan of the Uchiha descends from the Sage of Six Paths' elder son, Indra. Indra himself was a man who, upon awakening the Mangekyō, already possessed the Eternal Mangekyō.
"But over generations, the blood diluted. Descendants could no longer achieve that naturally. They required transplanting a close relative's Mangekyō to obtain the Eternal Mangekyō.
"It's possible Fugaku's bloodline reverted to Indra's original state—awakening directly into the Eternal Mangekyō," Black Zetsu theorized.
"Awakening straight into the Eternal Mangekyō…" Obito drew in a sharp breath.
He himself had leapt from two-tomoe directly to the Mangekyō and once thought that was already extraordinary. Yet now, he was confronted with something even more unfathomable—someone awakening straight into the Eternal Mangekyō.
After a long silence, he finally said, "If even Nagato wasn't enough, then Fugaku might become the greatest obstacle to our plan."
"Don't jump to conclusions," Black Zetsu countered. "Nagato's Paths were only avatars, not his true body. He still has trump cards he hasn't revealed. If he used them, the outcome might be different.
"Still, as he stands now, Fugaku has indeed become our greatest threat."
"I feel a growing urgency," Obito said darkly. "We must accelerate the plan. As soon as the Five-Tails revives, we'll begin capturing the Tailed Beasts."
That afternoon, Uchiha Fugaku returned home.
The sound of the door opening drew out Mikoto, Sasuke, and Yuki no Natsu from inside.
"Father!" Sasuke ran up happily.
"Did you listen well in class today?" Fugaku asked.
"I did! The teacher even praised me," Sasuke said proudly, fishing for approval.
"That's good." Fugaku reached out and ruffled Sasuke's hair. Sasuke pouted.
"Father, I'm not a kid anymore."
"Oh? My Sasuke isn't a kid anymore?" Fugaku teased with a smile.
"Lord Fugaku." Yuki no Natsu bowed respectfully.
"Mm. How are you adjusting to school?" Fugaku asked with a nod.
Because of her young age, he had enrolled her in the Academy as well.
"I've made some friends, but the classes are too easy," she said honestly.
"In that case, I'll speak with your teacher. You can focus on independent training while you're there," Fugaku decided.
Her strength far exceeded children her age. Ordinary lessons were pointless. Sending her to the Academy was more about helping her build bonds with Konoha and kids her own age.
At that moment, Mikoto stepped forward, holding onto Fugaku's arm with a bright smile.
"Fugaku, I have good news for you!"
"What news?" he asked, turning toward her with a smile.
"I… I'm pregnant," Mikoto said, resting her head on his shoulder.
"Really?" Fugaku's face lit up with uncharacteristic excitement as he looked at her in astonishment.
Happiness struck so suddenly that even his usual composure couldn't contain it.
Strictly speaking, Itachi and Sasuke were children of Fugaku's body's original self—not his true bloodline. But now, Mikoto's pregnancy meant he would have a child of his own flesh and blood—his true legacy in this world.
How could he not be overjoyed?
"Yes. I haven't had a medic-nin check me yet, but as a medic-nin myself, I'm certain," Mikoto assured.
"That's wonderful, Mikoto." Fugaku, overcome with emotion, kissed her cheek.
Her face instantly flushed crimson. She gave him a playful glare and whispered shyly, "Not in front of Sasuke and Yuki no Natsu."
"I just couldn't help it—I'm too happy," Fugaku laughed.
"Look at you, grinning like a fool," Mikoto teased.
"Don't stand too long. Sit down. Come, let's go back inside," Fugaku said, carefully supporting her as they returned indoors, afraid she might tire herself.
"It's still early. You don't need to fuss so much," Mikoto said helplessly.
"Better safe than sorry," Fugaku replied, grinning foolishly—already planning to have a medic-nin assigned to her care the next day. No risks could be allowed.