Ryōsuke was a bit puzzled to hear that the Clan Head was looking for him.
He wondered what the man wanted with him.
After retrieving the contract scroll, the Tailed Beast sealing materials, and Shisui's eyes from his home, he hurried to the Clan Head's meeting room.
Fugaku hadn't expected Ryōsuke to arrive so quickly.
He was pleasantly surprised to see him in person.
"Ryōsuke, you're back."
The clan's top expert had returned.
He felt much more at ease.
After all, the news of Uchiha Madara capturing the Tailed Beasts had spread throughout the shinobi world.
The people who had followed the Cloud Village's investigation had returned, and they also suspected that Uchiha Madara was responsible.
When he was young, he had witnessed Uchiha Madara's immense power firsthand.
A man like that was absolutely terrifying.
Even as a member of the Uchiha Clan, he felt it intensely.
And that was when Uchiha Madara hadn't even directed his oppressive aura at his own clansmen.
Those who opposed him likely lost their courage the moment they faced him.
But now, the feeling Ryōsuke gave him was rather strange. In the past, he had always felt incredibly formidable.
Now, however, there was something unique about him.
Incredibly strong, yet distinctly different.
Ryōsuke asked directly.
"Clan Head, what did you call me here for?"
The Clan Head spoke with a solemn expression.
"Uchiha Madara might have been resurrected, and he's already making moves. This concerns the safety of the Leaf Village."
Ryōsuke felt a bit speechless. *Uchiha Madara again?*
*It seems my casual actions really have a lot of people worried.*
"Don't worry. He's actually already dead, and he won't be coming back to life."
Naturally, Ryōsuke had no intention of giving Uchiha Madara the chance to resurrect.
Once he finished his current tasks, he would simply go to the Rain Village and pluck out Nagato's Rinnegan.
Clan Head Fugaku was a bit surprised by this answer.
*He's dead?*
*Then who was that man?*
Suddenly, a look of disbelief crossed his face.
"Ryōsuke, could it be that you were the one behind all this? Was that massive Susanoo your doing as well?"
The reason they were so certain the culprit was Uchiha Madara was because of that colossal Susanoo. In the entire history of the Uchiha Clan, no one else had ever been able to manifest a Susanoo of that scale. Could Ryōsuke's strength have increased that much?
Ryōsuke nodded.
"Yes. Keep this quiet, don't let it slip out."
Fugaku was astonished. It was completely unexpected, yet upon further reflection, it made perfect sense.
Ryōsuke was a true genius of the Uchiha Clan, achieving things even Uchiha Madara had failed to do.
The relationship between the Uchiha Clan and the village had eased significantly.
Their notoriously strict law enforcement, which had always been criticized, was no longer seen as a flaw.
Because the Konoha Military Police Force was now controlled by the five great clans.
Everyone operated under the exact same standards.
Naturally, no one dared to complain anymore.
Of course, more importantly, the Hokage wouldn't indulge those who harbored grievances.
If regulations weren't properly enforced, what was the point of having them?
Fugaku looked at Ryōsuke, the peculiar feeling in his heart growing stronger, and he couldn't help but ask.
"Ryōsuke, what happened to you? Why do you feel so different?"
Even if he could manifest a massive Susanoo, his aura should have felt similar to Uchiha Madara's.
Overwhelmingly powerful and invincible.
Ryōsuke found it a bit strange.
Perhaps it was because he had awakened the Rinnegan. He didn't plan on hiding it from him anyway.
His future plans would require Fugaku's assistance.
"My eyes have evolved into the Rinnegan, the ultimate evolution of the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan."
Hearing this, Fugaku's expression changed drastically.
*The Rinnegan?*
To think Ryōsuke had the ability to awaken the eyes of a Sage—it was truly astonishing.
A wave of ecstasy washed over him. The Uchiha Clan had actually produced a Sage!
He truly lived up to his title as the clan's shining star of hope.
Looking at the astounded Fugaku, Ryōsuke spoke slowly.
"I have prepared a grand plan to unify the shinobi world and establish a new order. I intend to bring every land under the Leaf Village's rule. Naturally, the Daimyō of every nation will have to submit to us."
Fugaku's expression of pleasant surprise instantly morphed into sheer horror.
This was far too sudden.
"Isn't that a bit extreme? I feel like a revolution of this scale would plunge the shinobi world into chaos."
"It feels like doing this would spark the Fourth Great Ninja War."
"Our clansmen are currently enjoying this era of peace."
Ryōsuke was slightly surprised. He hadn't expected Fugaku, who had always followed him, to hold such an attitude.
*It seems I'll have to put my plan on hold for now.*
This wasn't something that could be solved with brute force alone.
In truth, conquering the shinobi world by force would be quite difficult; it would be better to unite it.
As for who would be in charge, that went without saying.
Ryōsuke suddenly felt his perspective broaden. Doing it this way would result in far less resistance.
He already controlled the Stone Village, so naturally, he could control the higher-ups of the other villages as well.
As for the Mist Village, he could elevate Terumī Mei to power.
And the Cloud Village could simply be controlled directly.
That left only the Sand Village. He could collect their Tailed Beast and try to take control of them while he was at it.
Then, he would gather the combined might of the Five Great Ninja Villages to overpower the Daimyō.
Looking at Fugaku, he spoke.
"Alright, I will reconsider."
Fugaku felt a surge of relief.
Even though Ryōsuke was a Sage and could likely take on the entire shinobi world single-handedly...
...the world today was far too complex. Various factions had formed, and they naturally wouldn't submit easily.
"I agree. The members of the Uchiha Clan love peace now; no one wants to start a war."
Ryōsuke sighed. *Has the Uchiha Clan also begun to drift with the tide?*
However, he didn't dislike it.
There was never anything wrong with people loving peace.
"But I haven't abandoned the plan. I'm merely reconsidering the method."
Fugaku was astonished.
*Is Ryōsuke still determined to go through with it?*
"What kind of plan is it, if I may ask?"
Naturally, Ryōsuke wasn't going to tell Fugaku.
"We'll talk about it after I've sorted things out. It's not something that can be accomplished quickly anyway."
Fugaku could only reply.
"Alright. Is there anything you need us to prepare?"
Since Ryōsuke was determined to do it, he would naturally follow him. He might not understand it, but whatever Ryōsuke did was surely right.
Ryōsuke shook his head.
"Not for the time being."
Since he didn't plan on using brute force, he would naturally have to rely on strategy, as well as developing so-called technology.
To control such vast territories, advanced technology was an absolute necessity.
Communication systems had to be flawless.
Right now, the shinobi world's technology tree was a bit of a mess. Even the major ninja villages sometimes relied on rather primitive methods.
"Don't leak anything we discussed today."
"Understood."
Fugaku agreed immediately.
Of course, a matter like this couldn't be leaked.
If it were, it would likely cause the entire Leaf Village to start worrying about the Uchiha Clan all over again.
---------------
Want more chapters? 50+ extra chapters are available on my Patreon:
patreon.com/Hard_Worker