Naruto: I am Uchiha Fugaku

"If only I had a pair of Mangekyo Sharingan! "

Uchiha Fugaku was feeling a bit greedy.

The Three-Tomoe Sharingan had already boosted Subject One's strength to Elite Jonin level. If he could get a Mangekyo Sharingan transplanted, the Spore Clone's power might even reach Kage level.

Moreover, due to the properties of Hashirama cells, this pair of Mangekyo Sharingan would not cause blindness.

Having a clone at Kage-level strength, completely under his control, would be a huge advantage. Many tasks would no longer require his personal involvement.

Unfortunately, Mangekyo Sharingan were not easily acquired.

"That Mangekyo Sharingan! "

Thinking of the Mangekyo Sharingan, Uchiha Fugaku couldn't help but recall the one Obito Uchiha had entrusted to Kakashi.

"That Mangekyo Sharingan won't be easy to seize! "

Uchiha Fugaku furrowed his brow slightly.

In fact, he had considered taking Kakashi's Mangekyo Sharingan a long time ago.

But after careful consideration, he gave up on the idea.

Kakashi had once been the youngest Jonin in the Hidden Leaf Village—his talent was undeniable.

After so many years, Kakashi, now in his twenties, had undoubtedly reached at least "Quasi-Kage" level, if not full Kage.

With that Mangekyo Sharingan, Kakashi's power could probably reach Kage level, making it difficult to snatch the eyes from him.

After all, he was someone destined to become the Sixth Hokage; he absolutely could not be underestimated.

As for hypnotizing him in his sleep and switching his eyes without his knowledge? That was simply impossible.

The target had a Mangekyo Sharingan; even if Fugaku hypnotized him personally, it would be extremely difficult to do so without Kakashi noticing.

Moreover, an eye transplant is a surgical procedure.

Most people would notice something was wrong after eye replacement—even more so a ninja, who is highly sensitive to bodily changes.

"Besides, now is not the right time to take it! "

Uchiha Fugaku shook his head.

He and the Uchiha clan were currently in the fiercest part of their struggle against the Third Hokage's faction.

He was working hard to change the Uchiha clan's image in the village and expose the Third Hokage's true nature.

At a time like this, if he took Kakashi's Mangekyo Sharingan, it would inevitably worsen relations with the Hatake clan, whose ties with the Uchiha clan had only recently improved.

It could even damage the already improving image of the Uchiha clan.

So now was absolutely not the time to seize Kakashi's Mangekyo Sharingan.

"Even if I want to seize it, it must be after overthrowing the Third Hokage's faction, becoming Hokage, and fully controlling the village."

Uchiha Fugaku had no choice but to put aside the plan of taking that Mangekyo Sharingan for the time being.

For the Uchiha clan today, overthrowing the Third Hokage's faction and becoming Hokage was far more important than that single Mangekyo Sharingan.

Hokage's Office

The Third Hokage sat at his desk, his expression kind and gentle, radiating a welcoming aura.

Opposite him sat a young boy.

The boy wore an Anbu ninja uniform and a cat-shaped mask; his slightly long hair was tied back with a hair tie.

This boy was Uchiha Itachi.

"Itachi, remove your mask and speak."

The Third Hokage's voice was gentle as he instructed.

"Yes, Hokage-sama."

Uchiha Itachi removed his mask, revealing a tender face, barely over ten years old.

His gaze toward the Third Hokage was filled with respect and awe.

"Has your identity as a double agent been exposed? "

The Third Hokage's expression grew slightly serious as he asked.

"I haven't felt any surveillance... My identity as a double agent should not have been exposed."

Itachi reported after a moment of thought.

"Good, that's good! "

The Third Hokage breathed a sigh of relief.

Uchiha Shisui's identity as a double agent had been exposed; if Itachi's identity was also compromised, it would be very difficult to monitor the Uchiha clan's movements.

He warned, "Be extra careful. You must not expose your identity as a double agent."

"Yes, Hokage-sama."

Itachi responded clearly.

"What is the current situation within the Uchiha clan? "

The Third Hokage continued.

"The clan is the same as usual; there are still voices of dissatisfaction toward Hokage-sama and the village."

Itachi answered objectively, without emotion.

"Still the same, huh? Alas, it's my failure as Hokage that has caused the Uchiha clan to harbor such deep prejudices against me and the village."

The Third Hokage sighed, self-reproach in his voice.

"That's not your fault, Hokage-sama. It's because some people in the clan are too stubborn."

Itachi quickly interjected.

After a long silence, the Third Hokage said with a hint of helplessness:

"The Uchiha clan is a part of the Hidden Leaf Village. My inability to gain their recognition and understanding is my failure as the Third Hokage."

"However, what makes me deeply relieved is that there are still people like Shisui and you within the Uchiha clan who possess the Will of Fire and are willing to fight for the peace of the Hidden Leaf Village."

He looked up warmly at Uchiha Itachi, then asked after a moment:

"Has anything unusual happened within the Uchiha clan recently? "

"Anything unusual? "

Itachi recalled and after a while said,

"Clan meetings haven't been held for some time. Instead, Father, the three elders, and the clan's Elite Jonin have held several meetings."

"Sometimes in Father's study, sometimes at the Naka Shrine."

"Clan Leader Fugaku, the three Uchiha clan elders, and the Uchiha clan's Elite Jonin have held several meetings…"

The Third Hokage's eyes narrowed slightly.

He wasn't surprised the Uchiha clan meetings were no longer held. They must have discovered Shisui's double agent identity and feared other moles within the clan, so they stopped these meetings.

However, the meetings involving Uchiha Fugaku, the three elders, and the clan's Elite Jonin caught his attention.

These represented the highest leadership of the Uchiha clan.

When these figures gathered, the matters discussed must have been extremely important.

If he could learn their content, he would know the Uchiha clan's next moves—very helpful for future dealings.

"Is there any way to discreetly find out what they discuss? "

"No. The Naka Shrine is heavily guarded, and I can't get close. At home, they set soundproof barriers, so eavesdropping is impossible."

Itachi shook his head.

"I see..."

The Third Hokage nodded in understanding.

Such meetings with strict secrecy were indeed difficult to infiltrate.

"You may go. Be careful, and absolutely do not expose your identity."

"Yes, Hokage-sama! "

Itachi put his mask back on and left the Hokage's office.

Watching him leave, the Third Hokage's eyes were deep and somber.

With Uchiha Shisui's double agent identity exposed, the Uchiha clan had become wary.

It was no longer possible to spy on their movements as before.

From now on, dealing with the Uchiha clan would require extra caution.

PS: Read Advance Chapters at patreon.com/c/Xentronix