Chapter 14: The Shadow of Black Zetsu
Naka Shrine—a historic landmark within Konoha, and also the Uchiha clan's unofficial "talent retraining institution."
The place struck Kazuki as utterly absurd.
It was like some kind of cursed enlightenment center. Any Uchiha who came to "study" here would inevitably grasp something profound—though what exactly they understood varied wildly depending on individual talent and circumstances.
It wouldn't be surprising to produce madmen, obsessive brothers, or sociopaths. What did shock Kazuki was that this same place somehow cultivated genuinely decent people like Kagami and Shisui.
Truly remarkable. This shrine has a better track record than most therapy programs.
After taking a mandatory group photo with other clan jonin—standard procedure for clan meetings—Kazuki followed the hidden passage within the shrine down to an underground chamber where Fugaku awaited.
The vast chamber was illuminated by countless candles, their flickering light casting dancing shadows across ancient stone walls. Uchiha Fugaku stood facing away from the entrance, hands clasped behind his back in classic dramatic pose.
"I've been waiting for you, Kazuki."
Ah yes, because being Uchiha means being inherently dramatic.
Showing off was literally encoded in their DNA. Looking at Fugaku's theatrically positioned silhouette, Kazuki's eye twitched involuntarily.
"Lord Fugaku, I've arrived as requested."
"Mm..." Uchiha Fugaku still didn't turn around. Instead, he let out a soft, heavy sigh—as if burdened by unspeakable grief and ancient sorrow.
Oh, here we go.
"Why do you sigh, Lord Fugaku?" Kazuki asked, playing along with impeccable timing.
"I lament the dire state of our Uchiha clan. We stand on the precipice of extinction." Fugaku finally turned around, his face a picture of profound sorrow. "Kazuki, after yesterday's incident, you must now understand the mortal danger our clan faces."
Hearing this cue, Kazuki clenched his fists, his expression filling with righteous indignation and fury.
"Lord Fugaku, you're absolutely right! I thought that even though the Uchiha clan was... disliked... we were at least comrades of the same village. Fellow shinobi of Konoha!" His voice rose with emotion. "But I never imagined Danzo would dare openly attempt to murder me!"
At this point, he adopted the persona of a wronged youth—passionate idealism turned to bitter resentment, actual tears welling in his eyes.
"I believed I had done nothing to betray Konoha's trust! I became a psychiatrist inspired by Lady Tsunade herself, wanting to provide sanctuary for the souls of shinobi suffering from battlefield trauma. But I never imagined..." His voice cracked. "Danzo would covet my techniques and try to eliminate me!"
"I don't understand!"
"Why is this happening, Lord Fugaku?!"
The young man angrily clenched his fist, tears now streaming down his face, his entire body radiating passionate indignation and youthful betrayal.
Even Fugaku—who had dealt with countless shinobi over the years—couldn't help but sigh internally.
What an innocent boy. So pure.
However, Fugaku honestly hadn't expected such an intense emotional reaction from Kazuki.
Then again, the Uchiha were infamous for their volatile emotions and frequent psychological issues. It was perfectly normal for someone to feel such resentment after being betrayed by the very "Will of Fire" ideology they'd been taught to trust.
"Actually, Kazuki, this isn't entirely your fault."
Fugaku stepped forward, placing a comforting hand on the boy's shoulder. "You did nothing wrong. The truth is that our Uchiha clan has never been truly accepted by Konoha's leadership."
"What? Why not?" Kazuki's eyes widened, his expression perfectly conveying confused hurt.
"You know about Uchiha Madara, correct?" Fugaku cleared his throat and, without waiting for a response, continued his prepared speech. "The Uchiha and Senju clans together ended the Warring States period and founded Konoha. But Madara—as one of the village's founders—ultimately betrayed Konoha and was killed by the First Hokage at the Valley of the End."
Kazuki obviously knew this history, but he feigned innocent confusion. "But... that was clearly Madara's personal choice. His betrayal."
"You're absolutely correct. The reason our Uchiha clan faces ostracism isn't actually because of Madara's actions."
As he spoke, Fugaku stepped aside dramatically, revealing the ancient stone wall behind him.
"It's because of our bloodline limit. What they truly fear is the genuine power of the Sharingan!"
Between the two Uchiha clan crests carved into the wall sat a raised stone platform holding an ancient tablet, its surface covered with hundreds of blurry, distorted characters that seemed to shift and writhe.
"The genuine power of the Sharingan?" Kazuki asked right on cue, his tone perfectly confused.
"Uchiha Kazuki, do you know how Uchiha Madara was able to fight on equal footing with the First Hokage's legendary Wood Release?"
Fugaku's eyes transformed, the three tomoe in his pupils spinning as invisible pressure radiated from him. "You've already awakened the three-tomoe Sharingan. Aren't you curious how, with just this level of power, our clan could be proclaimed the strongest in Konoha alongside the Wood Release that pacified the entire world?"
Kazuki hesitated deliberately, then shook his head. "To be completely honest, Lord Fugaku... I don't believe the three-tomoe Sharingan can truly compare to the First Hokage's Wood Release. The power differential seems... significant."
"Then allow me to enlighten you, Kazuki."
Pride practically radiated from Fugaku's eyes as his voice rose with fervent excitement. "Beyond the three-tomoe Sharingan, there exists an even more powerful evolution—the Mangekyō Sharingan!"
"The Mangekyō... Sharingan?" Kazuki let his jaw drop in perfectly performed shock.
"It was precisely because Madara Uchiha awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan that he could stand as equal to the First Hokage and co-found this village!"
Fugaku's excitement was nearly overflowing now, his face taking on an almost euphoric expression. "If even one person in our generation can awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan, we can completely transform our current situation! We can make the Uchiha clan great again!"
If it weren't for my Psychiatrist's emotional control, I'd probably burst out laughing right now.
Your son is literally going to genocide the entire clan, and you're talking about making it "great again"?
Fugaku continued enthusiastically, gripping Kazuki's shoulder. "Kazuki, you are the most promising young talent in our clan! If anyone can awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan, it will be you. I have complete faith in you. The future of the Uchiha clan rests in your hands!"
Why does everyone insist on placing their entire future on my shoulders?
One moment it was "the future of Konoha depends on you," the next it was "the fate of the Uchiha clan is yours to bear"—always the same grandiose rhetoric. These people really needed to workshop some new material!
"I will work hard, Lord Fugaku! I won't let you down!" Kazuki feigned overwhelming gratitude, barely resisting the urge to add, "If you don't abandon me, I'd be honored to become your sworn brother."
"The method for awakening the Mangekyō Sharingan, along with the secret history of our clan, are all recorded on this stone tablet."
Fugaku gestured reverently toward it. "However, the tablet's contents are sealed by ancient chakra. Only those with at least a three-tomoe Sharingan can decipher a portion of the text. The rest requires the Mangekyō Sharingan itself to read."
"I'll try to read what I can, Lord Fugaku."
Kazuki activated his three-tomoe Sharingan, crimson eyes focusing on the ancient stone.
Sure enough, the previously blurry and distorted characters became legible—at least partially.
However, knowing the plot as he did, Kazuki had absolutely zero interest in the manipulated nonsense Black Zetsu had inscribed on that tablet. He was merely pretending to read while actually observing Fugaku's reactions through his peripheral vision.
Hmm?
While pretending to study the tablet, Kazuki suddenly felt something distinctly... wrong.
He was being watched.
Beyonders who walked the Spectator pathway were extraordinarily sensitive to any form of observation or surveillance—it was practically a sixth sense.
Spirit Vision!
Kazuki subtly activated his spirit vision, scanning the chamber's spiritual landscape.
Finally, on the wall directly behind the stone tablet, he detected a shadow as dark as spilled ink. Its etheric aura appeared a dull, lifeless gray.
The shadow writhed within the very substance of the wall itself, like viscous black liquid flowing through stone. The unsettling feeling of being watched originated directly from it.
Black Zetsu.
Kazuki's brow furrowed almost imperceptibly, then a cold smile curved at the corner of his lips.
Taking advantage of not being detected, spying on people's private conversations, are we?
Fine. I'll teach you a lesson today, you ancient parasite.
Hidden within the wall's substance, Black Zetsu observed Uchiha Kazuki with calculating interest.
I didn't expect him to simulate effects similar to Infinite Tsukuyomi with only three tomoe. Such remarkable talent would be wasted if not utilized properly. Perhaps I should recommend him to Lord Madara—he could prove useful in expediting the plan to resurrect Mother.
Just as Black Zetsu mentally plotted various schemes to manipulate this promising young Uchiha, he suddenly noticed something alarming.
Uchiha Kazuki had turned to face the wall directly.
Their eyes met—or rather, Kazuki stared directly at where Black Zetsu hid within the stone.
Black Zetsu's expression shifted to shock.
He can see me?! Impossible! How—
Immediately afterward, Kazuki's hands blurred through rapid hand seals.
Snake—Ram—Monkey—Boar—Horse—Tiger!
"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"
Black Zetsu: What the—?!
Fugaku: WHAT THE HELL?!
Author's Note: Kazuki just casually tried to roast Black Zetsu. This is going to have consequences. Thanks for reading!
[End of Chapter 14]
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