After arranging accommodations for Yuki no Natsu, Uchiha Fugaku headed to an underground chamber near the Naka Shrine.
He had never once stopped creating spore clones, and by now their numbers had grown into the hundreds.
Some of these clones were tasked with discreetly shadowing Uchiha clansmen who left the village, ensuring that if they encountered danger, aid could be dispatched immediately. Others had been scattered across the Land of Fire to gather intelligence.
"I wonder when I'll be able to create another special spore clone…"
Since the birth of his first special clone, no others had manifested, leaving him disappointed. The usefulness of such a clone was beyond question—the first one alone had proven indispensable.
That first special spore clone now lived as Uchiha Shisui, serving as Fugaku's most trusted right hand. Because of its existence, Fugaku himself had been spared from infiltrating Kumogakure to assassinate their advisor Tutai or personally sabotaging Uchiha Obito's schemes in Kirigakure. With shadow-level strength, the clone could accomplish tasks on his behalf that would otherwise demand his direct intervention.
Yet, creating another like it was far from easy. Even Obito, despite producing a hundred thousand White Zetsu, never managed to replicate a special one. Fugaku's earlier stroke of luck—birthing one after only a few dozen attempts—was nothing short of miraculous. But since then, hundreds more had been made without success.
Suddenly, as Fugaku formed another, his expression sharpened. Though he had used the same amount of chakra as always, this clone appeared stunted—like a child—and remained incomplete.
He immediately understood. This was it. Another special spore clone.
"Unlike that unlucky fool Obito, I truly am different."
Suppressing his excitement, he poured in more chakra. With the chakra equivalent of three clones, it grew into the form of a ten-year-old. With five, it appeared fifteen or sixteen. When his reserves finally ran dry, it had matured to around seventeen or eighteen—but was still unfinished.
Astonished, Fugaku realized even his full chakra output wasn't enough to complete it. Gesturing to the dozen clones in the chamber, he commanded them to transfer their chakra. Just as Obito had once used tailed-beast chakra to mass-produce White Zetsu, any chakra could fuel the process.
One by one, they obeyed. The clone aged further, into adulthood, but still demanded more. With little choice, Fugaku summoned back every nearby spore clone. Over a hundred returned and gave up their chakra. Finally, the special clone stabilized—bearing Fugaku's exact likeness.
"You'll be Number Two. After consuming so much chakra, you'd better not disappoint me."
The next day, with his chakra restored, Fugaku rushed back to the chamber to test his creation.
Using Yamanaka-style chakra sensing, he probed its reserves—and his eyes widened.
"Kage-level chakra! "
The sheer volume eclipsed even the first special clone by two whole tiers. Fugaku could scarcely contain his excitement.
To test its abilities, he cast it into a genjutsu simulation. All spore clones carried his jutsu knowledge, so with sufficient chakra they could wield nearly any technique short of bloodline limits.
"Try a high-level ninjutsu," he ordered.
"Fire Release: Majestic Destroyer Flame! "
A tsunami of searing flames roared forth, slamming into the chamber walls, melting them into streams of lava. The destructive power was undeniable—at least elite jōnin level.
Next came taijutsu and genjutsu trials. In the end, Fugaku concluded:
Ninjutsu: Elite Jōnin
Taijutsu: Kage-level
Genjutsu: Elite Jōnin
Chakra reserves: Kage-level
Overall, its strength was firmly ranked among elite jōnin, yet superior to most of that class. While not fully Kage-level, it was still a remarkable success—especially compared to the first special clone, who had only been at the standard jōnin level before gaining the Sharingan.
But then came the most important test: bloodline limits.
One by one, he commanded Number Two to attempt Wood Release, Sharingan techniques, Lava Release, Shikotsumyaku… nothing. Fugaku sighed in disappointment, ready to accept that this clone, like the first, had inherited none.
Until—
"Ice Release: Crystal Ice Mirrors! "
Around them, reflective sheets of frozen glass shimmered into existence, rising into the air and forming a dome. The jutsu had manifested perfectly.
Fugaku froze, then broke into a rare smile.
"So you've awakened Ice Release! "
This meant that special clones could indeed inherit bloodline limits beyond the universal set all clones shared. And if one had gained Ice Release, others might unlock different kekkei genkai in the future.
The implications thrilled him.
At once, he began a systematic trial, ordering Number Two to ascend through progressively stronger ice techniques. When at last it unleashed an S-rank Ice Release jutsu, Fugaku's eyes gleamed with satisfaction.
"Shadow-level strength! "
Number Two had surpassed expectations.