Uchiha Mikoto's departure brought Uchiha Fugaku some relief, allowing him to fight without restraint.
"Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!"
"Fire Release: Dragon Flame Bullet!"
Suddenly, a fierce hurricane swept through the water mist. As the mist was dispersed by the powerful wind, flames ignited instantly. Enhanced by the wind, the flames spread across the sky, blotting out the sun as they rushed toward Fugaku.
"You two bastards!"
"Using this level of ninjutsu within the clan?!"
Fugaku was both shocked and furious at the sight. Throughout the previous battle, he had been holding back, using only less powerful techniques like the Fireball Jutsu. Yet, his opponents showed no such restraint. Their combined Fire and Wind Release jutsu instantly tore through the surrounding walls of the ancestral hall.
Sparks landed on nearby houses as Uchiha Shin and Uchiha Kiyoshi emerged from the mist. Uchiha Shin crouched on the ground, seemingly recovered, using Fire Release, while Uchiha Kiyoshi stood beside him, channeling Wind Release.
Aside from the Sharingan, the two Uchiha elders excelled in synchronized combat, combining their ninjutsu for devastating attacks.
"Damn it!"
"Susanoo!"
Uchiha Fugaku cursed under his breath as the tomoe in his eyes rapidly spun, forming a pair of windmill-like patterns. A skeletal phantom materialized around him. In the next moment, the raging wind, infused with flames, crashed against the skeletal form and spread outward.
"Uchiha Shin, Uchiha Kiyoshi, don't you understand the principle of knowing when to bow your head and when to look at the bigger picture?"
"Uzumaki Raiden has returned. Under his leadership, the Uchiha clan will undoubtedly rise!"
"Even now, I can't comprehend why two men so devoted to the clan would choose to betray it!"
The skeletal frame around Fugaku quickly solidified, fully encasing him. Meanwhile, some shinobi distanced themselves from the battlefield, while others gathered behind Fugaku or behind Uchiha Shin and Uchiha Kiyoshi. Both sides hesitated briefly.
"This... is that ultimate pupil technique of the Mangekyō Sharingan, Susanoo?"
"I never expected Uchiha Fugaku to have developed the Sharingan to this level!"
Uchiha Shin narrowed one eye, staring coldly at Fugaku. Two things had caught him off guard during this coup: the unexpected return of Uzumaki Raiden and Fugaku's possession of the Mangekyō Sharingan.
Both factors posed significant threats to their plans.
"The Uchiha clan has already suffered great losses in this battle! All of you following Uchiha Shin and Uchiha Kiyoshi, listen up!"
"The Fourth Hokage, Uzumaki Raiden, has returned to the village—your coup is doomed to fail!"
"As the Uchiha clan's patriarch, I swear that I will only punish the instigators, Uchiha Shin and Uchiha Kiyoshi! The rest of you will be forgiven, as long as you renounce your rebellion!"
Susanoo spread its arms, shielding the Uchiha shinobi behind Fugaku. As his words settled, murmurs spread among Uchiha Shin and Uchiha Kiyoshi's followers.
Whether it was Fugaku's overwhelming power or the news of Raiden's return, doubt crept into their hearts. The possibility of being pardoned only deepened their hesitation.
The wise ones remained silent, their gazes shifting between Uchiha Shin and Uchiha Kiyoshi. But the foolish ones, oblivious to the situation, spoke up carelessly.
"Clan Leader Fugaku, if I surrender, will I really be forgiven?"
A young man, blood covering his face, trembled as he stepped out of the crowd, speaking loudly. A middle-aged man beside him gritted his teeth, calling him an "idiot" before closing his eyes in frustration.
Just as Fugaku was about to respond, Uchiha Shin made his move. His left hand shot out like a claw, slashing across the young man's face. A heart-wrenching scream erupted.
"AAAAAHHHH!"
"My eyes! My eyes!"
The young man clutched his face, blood gushing between his fingers. Uchiha Shin casually tossed two eyeballs to the ground, then crushed them underfoot. Turning to the gathered shinobi, he declared coldly:
"Anyone else who dares to speak out will meet the same fate!"
A soft sound echoed as Uchiha Kiyoshi plunged a blade into the young man's chest, ending his life. Their ruthless efficiency sent chills down the spines of the wavering shinobi.
"You two... I will never forgive you!"
Fugaku's rage erupted as Susanoo's form pulsed with chakra. The skeletal frame expanded, rapidly developing into a fully armored warrior.
"His Susanoo... it's even stronger now?!"
Uchiha Shin and Uchiha Kiyoshi could clearly feel Fugaku's power rising.
"Kiyoshi, let me handle this!"
"At my age, I doubt I'll survive after using it. Take care of my grandson for me!"
Uchiha Kiyoshi prepared to step forward, but his elder brother held him back.
"Brother? Your eyes..."
Kiyoshi whispered, worry evident in his tone.
"I want to experience the true power of the Mangekyō Sharingan's ultimate technique!"
Uchiha Shin clasped his hands together, forcing open his right eye. The scarlet iris flashed for a moment before a violent chakra storm erupted around him. Dark markings spread across his body like a curse.
"Susanoo!"
"It hurts... but..."
"This power... it's incredible! Hahaha!"
Laughing maniacally, a purple skeletal Susanoo began to form around him. But before he could fully stabilize it, Fugaku acted.
His Susanoo charged forward with overwhelming speed. Though both wielded Susanoo, Fugaku's was far superior. With a single punch, he shattered Shin's incomplete form, sending him crashing into the ground. Dust and debris flew into the air.
"You old fool who refuses to see reality!"
"A disgrace to the Uchiha!"
"Damn you!"
Fugaku's Susanoo conjured a massive chakra shuriken—not a traditional shuriken, but one shaped like a tomoe.
"Yasaka Magatama!"
Fugaku was done holding back. He had no intention of allowing Uchiha Shin to continue resisting. With no hesitation, he unleashed his strongest attack, hurling the massive tomoe-shaped projectiles straight at Shin.
"BOOM!!!"
A deafening explosion erupted from within the Uchiha district. The blast was so powerful that the shockwaves spread across the entire village of Konoha.
At the entrance of the Uchiha district, Uzumaki Raiden stood, holding an unconscious young man in his arms. Tilting his head slightly, he gazed in the direction of the explosion.
"To think that someone could force Fugaku to go all out..."
"Who could it be?"
Muttering to himself, Raiden vanished into the night.
(End of Chapter)