"A person cannot be resurrected from the dead, and you must keep going and live for both of you.," Kawakaze said, trying to comfort Fugaku, who now bore a heavy burden on his shoulders.
Based on his actions in the original story, Fugaku had not proven himself to be a qualified Clan Head. Compared to his uncle, he lacked both guile and the drive necessary for leadership.
"I know," Fugaku replied, taking a sip of tea. His tone was weighed down by an inexpressible despondency.
"You didn't just co to see today, did you?"
Fortunately, Fugaku's intelligence was intact. He could tell Kawakaze and Tsunade had more to say.
"The Uchiha are getting too close to us, and you've just taken on the role of Clan Head," Kawakaze began bluntly, unconcerned with softening his words. "I'm afraid the situation will beco even more difficult. You need to stabilize the clan first."
"I'll do my best," Fugaku responded, though the challenge ahead was clear. "Since my uncle left, so people have started to jump out."
Fugaku was still too young, and certain elders within the clan were already attempting to manipulate his thinking.
"You already have enough power. You need to be tough when it's required," Kawakaze said plainly. "What if the clan becos unstable and external factors intervene again?"
Kawakaze analyzed the situation clearly, trusting that Fugaku would draw the right conclusions. It would be absurd to possess the Mangekyō Sharingan and still be controlled by a group of elderly manipulators.
"I'm afraid of provoking the dissatisfaction of the clan," Fugaku admitted with a sigh. He hesitated to offend anyone, knowing he might end up paying the price himself.
"And who cares about your dissatisfaction? Who will fulfill your uncle's last wish?" Kawakaze asked, locking eyes with him. This kid really didn't get it. Caught between a rock and a hard place? He'll end up nothing more than a puppet Clan Head.
"I..." Fugaku faltered but quickly resolved himself. "Okay, I'll deal with them as soon as possible."
Fugaku thought back to his uncle's final push before his death. No matter what, he couldn't let him down. As for the elders, if they couldn't see the situation clearly, they couldn't bla him for being ruthless.
Kawakaze relaxed slightly when he saw the flicker of murderous intent in Fugaku's eyes. Good. If he can't be firm now, once the Uchiha split into factions, no one will be able to save them from internal and external strife.
Not to ntion lending any help to Tsunade.
"Anbu was already watching us when we arrived today. You need to be more careful these days, so no one can find fault with you," Kawakaze warned, deliberately adding a bit of pressure to ensure Fugaku wouldn't beco complacent.
Hiruzen had never forgotten about the Uchiha Clan.
Tsunade listened quietly, leaving these matters to Kawakaze. She felt reassured knowing he was handling them.
"Have they really prepared themselves this well?" Fugaku frowned, struggling to believe it. After all, Tsunade had been Hiruzen's disciple.
"You underestimate his desire for power," Kawakaze sneered. Hiruzen Sarutobi's actions had never been entirely for the village's benefit.
While the village had grown under his leadership, so had the Sarutobi Clan, experiencing rapid developnt while other major clans withered.
In the original story, the Hyūga Clan produced no significant figures, and the Uchiha Clan was even annihilated. No one could convincingly argue that Hiruzen had no hand in these outcos.
By contrast, during the Fourth Great Ninja War, the Sarutobi Clan's solo Fire Release team surprised many Naruto fans. How much exploitation would it take to produce such results?
"Sensei really isn't suited to remain in that position any longer," Tsunade said, her perspective on Hiruzen gradually sharpening. She understood that everyone had selfish motives, but understanding didn't an agreeing.
Fortunately, the Senju Clan had been disbanded under Tobirama's order, which had little to do with Hiruzen. Otherwise, even the respect she still held for him would have been lost.
"The Uchiha will continue to support you. Is there anything else I can do?" Fugaku asked, unwavering in his determination to follow his uncle's path. He willingly took the initiative to offer Kawakaze his assistance.
"There is actually sothing I need your help with," Kawakaze replied. He didn't treat Fugaku as a subordinate; their relationship was still one of relatively equal cooperation. With his Mangekyō Sharingan, Fugaku was already considered a top-tier combatant.
"Speak," Fugaku said, watching Kawakaze intently, waiting for him to continue.
"In this war, the three Kages of the Land of Wind, Earth, and Lightning have all fought. Only our Lord Hokage stayed in the village and didn't even step onto the front lines. With so many dead and injured, he can't possibly think he's not responsible," Kawakaze stated pointedly, ensuring Fugaku caught the deeper implications of his words.
"Then, it's only natural that soone in the village would be dissatisfied," Fugaku replied, following Kawakaze's train of thought and understanding the subtext.
"I will secretly send soone to bring this matter to light."
"Good, I'll leave it to you," Kawakaze said with a smile. He firmly believed in the power of public opinion, a force that held great sway in any era. This move was rely an appetizer. His real goal was to see Tsunade succeed Hiruzen as the Fourth Hokage.
"Don't worry. It's just a matter of words," Fugaku said lightly, though he had taken the matter seriously. He wouldn't slack off when it ca to aiding Tsunade's ascension to power.
"The injury to the Four-Tails' Jinchūriki—that was the power of the Mangekyō, wasn't it?" Kawakaze asked, unable to hide his curiosity now that the business was settled. Fugaku's Mangekyō ability had never been revealed in the original work, leaving Kawakaze intrigued.
"Yes, the move that releases the black flas is called Amaterasu," Fugaku said without hesitation, revealing the information to the two in front of him.
"It's a very powerful move," Kawakaze remarked, though he wasn't surprised. He had no intention of asking about the other Dōjutsu. It would be inappropriate to inquire about Fugaku's trump card, sothing that could easily strain their rapport if handled carelessly.
"I can't use it too much. I've already noticed a slight decrease in the vision of my left eye," Fugaku admitted. His sharp observation allowed him to quickly identify the Mangekyō's drawbacks after using it only once. Overuse would inevitably lead to blindness.
"Use it with caution. Perhaps Tsunade can find a solution in the future," Kawakaze said. Though he offered reassurance, he wasn't overly confident. Even he hadn't dared to experint with Hashirama's Cells yet.
"Then I'll wait for good news from Lady Tsunade," Fugaku replied, though he thought Kawakaze was rely being optimistic. The aftereffects of the Mangekyō, the pinnacle of the Uchiha Clan's power, couldn't be so easily resolved.
Tsunade, suddenly finding herself drawn into the conversation, realized she couldn't afford to tarnish her image in front of Kawakaze. She could only manage a polite smile at Fugaku.
...
After a bit of idle chatter, Kawakaze and Tsunade got up to say their goodbyes.
Fugaku escorted them to the edge of the clan grounds. Since they were already being watched, he saw no point in avoiding it. Regardless of what he did or didn't do, Hiruzen would continue to target the Uchiha Clan.
"We're leaving. Let's get together again soti," Kawakaze said as he waved goodbye. Taking Tsunade's hand, he led her away.
Fugaku watched the two of them walk further and further away before turning back toward the clan grounds.
"Tell Midori to co see ," Fugaku instructed one of the nearby clan mbers.
"Yes, Clan Head," ca the prompt reply.
Fugaku walked back to his ho on his own, his deanor already showing glimpses of a proper clan head.
"Let's go to the hospital. It's still early," Tsunade said. With the war, research on Hashirama's Cells had been put on hold for a long ti, and she wanted to check on its progress.
"Okay," Kawakaze replied. As soon as the words left his lips, the two vanished from the spot.
The Flying Thunder God Technique's mark never faded, making it a suprely useful tool. Tsunade was already accustod to the feeling of teleportation and appeared in the research room without the slightest discomfort.
Letting go of Kawakaze's hand, she surveyed the room. It was still spotless, suggesting Nagato had been cleaning it regularly.
Putting on her white coat, Tsunade turned to stop Kawakaze, who was about to follow her into the lab.
"You just stay here."
"Okay, then," Kawakaze agreed reluctantly. He had considered arguing but thought better of it. There was no point—he wouldn't be of any help inside anyway.
When he noticed the mischievous look in Tsunade's eyes, he abandoned any impractical thoughts and complied.
"That's more like it. Wait here like a good boy, and I'll give you so candy," Tsunade teased, smiling as she playfully nudged Kawakaze's chin with her finger before turning to enter the laboratory.
"Hehe~" Kawakaze chuckled softly, love glimring in his eyes as he watched her go.
Kawakaze found a comfortable spot on the sofa and lay down, watching as Tsunade worked busily inside the lab.
Since obtaining Kawakaze's blood, Tsunade had been conducting cell fusion experints. Both their cells exhibited high levels of phagocytic activity, and most were destroyed in the process of engulfing one another. Those that fused didn't survive long, often taking on strange, mutated forms.
Tsunade speculated that if these types of cells were integrated into Kawakaze's body, even if he survived, there was a high likelihood he would turn into a monster. She wasn't willing to take that risk with her fiancé.
Determined, she made nurous improvents and continued her experints using various thods before the battle. Ten petri dishes had been prepared, and now it was ti to see the results. She wondered if there might be any surprises.
Carefully, Tsunade removed the petri dishes from their special container. With anticipation, she opened them one by one.
The first three were failures, as expected, containing only unford combinations of dead cells.
It wasn't until the fourth petri dish that she found sothing noteworthy. The two types of cells inside were in a clear state of symbiosis. It was a small success but still far from her ultimate goal.
When Tsunade opened the fifth dish, her eyes lit up.
Inside was a fully ford finger. Upon closer inspection, she realized it was highly active and full of vitality. Unable to contain her excitent, she wanted to share this major breakthrough with Kawakaze.
"Kawakaze, co and look," she called out, her enthusiasm overriding any concerns about possible disruptions.
Hearing her excitent, Kawakaze quickly got up and joined her.
"Did it work?"
The surprise in her voice was impossible to miss.
"It's not completely successful yet. I still need to observe the stability of this finger," Tsunade replied, forcing herself to remain calm and maintain a professional deanor. "If everything checks out, we can move forward with a live experint."
"You're amazing," Kawakaze said, beaming as he cupped her face and kissed her.
"Don't ss with . I haven't finished examining it yet," Tsunade scolded, playfully pushing him away and pretending to wipe her mouth in mock disgust.
"Hey, okay, look at it," Kawakaze said, taking her reaction in stride and standing quietly to the side like a good boy.
Tsunade proceeded to open the remaining petri dishes one by one.
Unfortunately, only that single dish had yielded a successful result. It seed the chances of cell fusion were still incredibly low.
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