Our focus returns to Uchiha En.
After Uchiha En returned to the Uchiha Clan compound, he did not seek out other high-ranking members of the Uchiha Clan, but instead went back to his own home.
He had already displayed his strength before the Uchiha Clan high-ranking members this time, and there was no need to keep lingering around them afterward; some things are better left undone than overdone.
It would be soon enough to proceed with the next step after he truly took charge of the Third Squad.
At this time, the Uchiha Clan high-ranking members had also "adjourned the meeting."
"Yakumi, help me find all the information on Uchiha En," Uchiha Fugaku said to his confidant, Uchiha Yakumi.
"Clan Head, I already prepared it earlier." Having said that, Uchiha Yakumi handed a scroll to Uchiha Fugaku.
Uchiha Fugaku quickly scanned the scroll and said, "This Uchiha En is completely different from what I imagined!"
"Different? What do you mean, Clan Head?"
"He wasn't the type who was exceptionally talented from a young age. Instead, he only began to show prominence after he awakened his Sharingan at the age of ten when his parents died.
From awakening the Sharingan at age ten to crushing Yashiro in Eye power this year at age thirteen—in three years, it's already quite remarkable for an ordinary clan member to even awaken the Two Tomoe.
Uchiha En's growth rate reminds me of Uchiha Madara."
Hearing the name Uchiha Madara, Uchiha Yakumi's expression also became serious.
Uchiha Madara reportedly awakened his Sharingan at age twelve, but he possessed the Mangekyo before age twenty, and throughout the entire Ninja World, no one could rival him except Senju Hashirama.
Does Uchiha En possess such potential as well?
"Then, Clan Head, should we..."
"Uchiha En is relatively close to Uchiha Hane's dove faction. The dove faction's attitude towards the Village shares some common ground with mine. At this stage, Uchiha En is not our enemy."
"But won't the hawk faction worry about Uchiha En's rise?" Uchiha Yakumi asked.
"If Uchiha Setsuna weren't available, the hawk faction would probably be anxious. But if Uchiha Setsuna regains his freedom, the hawk faction shouldn't be so rushed, and the situation can temporarily be stabilized."
"But Clan Head, the Village releasing Uchiha Setsuna must be an attempt to thoroughly muddy the waters within the Uchiha Clan. Will he really allow the Uchiha Clan to stabilize the situation?"
"No matter what, the Third Ninja World War has not ended yet, and the Village won't do anything drastic to the Uchiha Clan right now.
Even if they make a move, it will be after the Third Great Ninja War concludes. There's no need to worry now."
Just as Uchiha Fugaku said, the Konoha high-ranking officials truly hadn't planned on doing anything to the Uchiha Clan right now. They chose to release Uchiha Setsuna partly because they didn't want to pay too much to exchange for Kakashi's Sharingan.
After all, Kakashi is directly affiliated with the Third Hokage, not with Utatane Koharu, Homura Mitokado, or Danzo Shimura.
For those three, using the smallest possible cost to quell this matter was the best option.
The other reason was that they wanted to plant a nail within the Uchiha Clan.
Uchiha Setsuna himself is a representative of the hawk faction. Currently, the situation between the Uchiha Clan's hawk faction and dove faction is relatively stable, but that might change with the addition of Uchiha Setsuna.
It will take some time for Uchiha Setsuna to exert influence over the Uchiha Clan, and the Third Great Ninja War is conveniently approaching its end. When the war finishes, that will be the time for this nail to be activated.
A peaceful and stable Uchiha Clan is not the Uchiha Clan Konoha desires.
Meanwhile, Uchiha Yashiro had already woken up.
"Yashiro, how are you feeling?" Uchiha Takeshi asked.
"My head is a little dizzy, but otherwise I'm fine," Uchiha Yashiro replied.
"Yashiro, how did you lose the Genjutsu confrontation with that brat Uchiha En just now?" Uchiha Chizan asked.
"I attacked Uchiha En unexpectedly at the time because I heard that he had awakened the Three-Tomoe Sharingan a year ago and had learned Genjutsu that only the Three Tomoe could handle.
Logically, I awakened the Three-Tomoe Sharingan many years before Uchiha En, so my Eye power should be higher than his, and I struck first, gaining the advantage.
But I didn't expect that the moment my Genjutsu activated, Uchiha En immediately countered. He simply used Genjutsu Rebound to reflect the Genjutsu I cast on him back onto me.
Then he increased his Eye power. I felt like he shattered my Genjutsu Space without expending much effort."
After hearing Uchiha Yashiro's words, Uchiha Takeshi and Uchiha Chizan exchanged glances. Uchiha Takeshi then said, "Even if they both have the Three Tomoe, Uchiha En's Eye power shouldn't be so much stronger than Yashiro's."
"Elder Takeshi, are you suggesting..."
"It's possible that Uchiha En has awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan, just like Uchiha Fugaku."
"What? The Mangekyo Sharingan! But he's only thirteen years old!" Uchiha Yashiro asked, utterly shocked.
"Possessing Eye power that can easily overwhelm the Three Tomoe, I can't think of any other possibility besides the Mangekyo Sharingan," Uchiha Takeshi said.
"Elder Takeshi, Uchiha En's eyes might not necessarily be the Mangekyo. Perhaps he has mastered some special Genjutsu technique.
Don't forget, Uchiha Aya, a descendant of Ancestor Chiri, is also on the Land of Bears battlefield.
That branch of the clan has always been skilled in Genjutsu. Yashiro, you probably couldn't handle Cai's Genjutsu either, right?" Uchiha Chizan asked.
"I have fought Uchiha Aya before. If I fall under her Genjutsu, I truly can't break free," Uchiha Yashiro confirmed.
Uchiha Takeshi's expression improved slightly upon hearing this.
"Elder Takeshi, Yashiro, we don't actually need to worry too much about Uchiha En right now, as he hasn't taken over the Third Squad yet.
Compared to him, we should focus our attention on Setsuna. Once Setsuna returns, the dove faction will likely make a move, and we must guard against it," Uchiha Chizan stated.
Uchiha Takeshi nodded upon hearing this. This was mainly why he had called Uchiha Chizan and Uchiha Yashiro over.
It is currently the time of the Third Great Ninja War, and everything concerning the Uchiha Clan should prioritize the war effort.
But anyone with eyes can see that this war is about to end.
The Iwagakure Ninja and Kumogakure Ninja are locked in fierce combat and no longer have the capacity to wage war against Konoha. The Kirigakure Ninja from the Land of Water only ever intended to seize an opportunity, and seeing that the situation is unfavorable, they will certainly retreat immediately. Looking at it this way, only the Sunagakure Ninja remain.
A dying camel is still bigger than a horse; no matter how weakened Konoha is, they would never regard a mere Sunagakure Ninja as a threat.
Therefore, the outcome of the war is, in a sense, already predetermined.
The Uchiha Clan suffered heavy losses in this war, and when the fighting ends, the internal conflicts within the clan will surely become even more acute.
----------------------------------
I've already uploaded over 40 new chapters on Patreon!
If you're enjoying the story and want to read ahead, feel free to check it out.
Your support truly means a lot to me!
patreon.com/Kazenova223
Thank you so much for being here!
And if you're having fun with the story, don't forget to drop a Power Stone for me!