chsdbacks Chapter 560 As long as you release Fugaku, I'll do anything you ask!
Chapter 560 As long as you release Fugaku, I'll do anything you ask!
The cheers from Konoha Village last night had barely faded, yet an indescribable silence hung over the Uchiha clan's territory...
After the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi's conspiracy was exposed and the Shimura, Utatane, and Mito clans were wiped out, the Uchiha clan finally cleared their name and regained their glory. However, under the eaves of their clan's territory, there were still unknown undercurrents and unrest among the people.
As soon as the Uchiha Sanfeng stepped into the clan's gate, he was stopped by the waiting Uchiha Yatsuho.
The hawkish elder was still dressed in his dark clan robes, with the Uchiha fan emblem embroidered on the hem. The edges of the robes were damp with morning dew, and his expression was more solemn than usual.
Seeing Sanfeng approaching, he quickly stepped forward, a hint of urgency in his eyes: "Sanfeng, you're finally back! I was so worried! There's a thorny matter concerning the future of the Uchiha clan, and I need your personal decision."
Sanfeng nodded slightly, his eyes completely calm, as if he had already seen through the undercurrents around him.
"Eighth Elder, what is it? Just speak frankly, there's no need to beat around the bush."
The Eighth Generation quickly lowered his voice, covered his lips with his hand, and leaned closer: "It's Uchiha Fugaku. We've already announced that he was assassinated by Hiruzen Sarutobi and others during the battle to eliminate the remnants of the Third Hokage's faction. But in reality, he's still alive in the clan's dungeon, but his injuries are extremely severe, and he's on the verge of death, only being kept alive by a small amount of herbs."
Uchiha Mitsunori's lips remained unchanged, his expression calm, showing no surprise whatsoever, as if he already knew about this.
He lowered his eyes slightly, the scene of the chaotic battle that day flashing through his mind...
He deliberately spared Fugaku's life at the time, not executing him on the spot. Firstly, to save face for the Uchiha clan; secondly, he knew that Fugaku's awakened Mangekyou Sharingan was the rarest and most powerful power of the Uchiha clan, a treasure that countless clan members dreamed of but could not obtain. It would be too much of a waste to let it dissipate with Fugaku's death, so it was better to keep it.
"Let's go check out the dungeon."
Uchiha Sanfeng didn't say anything more. After speaking, he turned around and took the lead in walking towards the dungeon deep in the clan's territory.
Seeing this, the Eighth Hokage of Uchiha hurriedly followed, his steps somewhat frantic...
He had long coveted Fugaku's Mangekyou Sharingan, but he had never dared to make a decision on his own due to the strength of the three peaks. Now that he finally had the opportunity, he was naturally impatient.
The dungeon was somewhat suffocating, with the deepest cells sealed off by heavy iron doors.
Upon seeing this, the guards rushed forward and turned the lock cylinder with both hands. With a "click," the iron gate was slowly opened.
Inside the cell, a simple wooden bed leaned against the cold stone wall. Uchiha Fugaku lay quietly on it, his face as pale as a sheet of paper, his chest rising and falling slowly, proving that he was still alive.
He was wrapped in thick white bandages, which ran from his neck to his chest, covering almost half of his body. Blood was still seeping through the bandages, a shocking sight.
Fugaku was seriously injured. Although he received emergency treatment from the clan's medical ninjas, he was barely kept alive and could only rely on a small amount of herbs to maintain his last bit of life.
Uchiha Hachimoku strode to the bedside, his gaze fixed on Fugaku's tightly closed eyes, a hint of barely concealed greed in his eyes.
He said urgently, "Mitsubin, what do you think we should do about this? Fugaku possesses the Mangekyou Sharingan, which is the most powerful force in our Uchiha clan. To let him die like this, and have those Mangekyou Sharingan annihilated, is such a waste. It's a complete waste of the clan's resources!"
Uchiha Mitsunori slowly walked to the bedside, looking down at Fugaku, who was lying on the bed and barely breathing, with a calm and expressionless face.
He naturally understood the Eighth Hokage's thoughts... The hawks have always valued the clan's combat strength and power the most, and always put the clan's interests first. The Mangekyou Sharingan, as one of the Uchiha's ultimate combat powers, is something they have always dreamed of. Now that Fugaku is seriously injured and on the verge of death, unable to resist, it is the best time for them to seize this power.
Uchiha Mitsunori pondered to himself, his gaze sweeping over the Eighth Hokage, his eyes growing sharper: "If you want to transplant his Mangekyou Sharingan, I have no objection. But there are three points that must be strictly observed, otherwise you will bear the consequences."
"First, Fugaku has type AB blood, so the recipient must be a perfect match; second, using Susanoo requires an extremely large amount of chakra; third, the recipient must be devoted to their family and loyal to them."
Upon hearing this, the Eighth Hokage of Uchiha was overjoyed and couldn't help but smile.
He nodded vigorously, his head bobbing like he was pounding garlic: "Sanfeng, don't worry! Uchiha Ryūka has type AB blood. He's Fugaku's cousin, exceptionally talented, with chakra reserves far exceeding those of other young ninjas in his clan. Moreover, he's utterly loyal, devoted to the clan, and has never had a single selfish thought. He absolutely meets all your requirements, and the transplant will definitely be successful. He won't let you down!"
Uchiha Mitsunori nodded slightly and replied calmly, "Yes, you can arrange this yourself. Just make sure to strictly follow the three points I mentioned, select the best medical ninjas to assist you, and personally supervise the entire process."
"As for Fugaku, let's leave it at that for now. There's no need to waste precious herbs to treat him. His injuries are too severe, and there's no hope of recovery. He won't live much longer. Let nature take its course. If he can't hold on... there's no need to notify me."
In his view, Fugaku Uchiha was extremely foolish, and he deserved his current fate. Allowing him to live until now was already an act of great kindness.
After saying that, he didn't linger, turned around and walked out of the cell without the slightest regret.
The heavy iron gate slammed shut with a loud clang after he left.
The Eighth Hokage lowered his head slightly, glanced at Fugaku on the bed, a chilling smile playing on his lips. He muttered coldly to himself, "Fugaku, don't blame me for being ruthless. Blame yourself. You possessed the Mangekyou Sharingan, yet you didn't cherish it and betrayed your clan. You deserve it all! Your Mangekyou Sharingan will ultimately bring glory to the Uchiha clan, and I will personally make it happen!"
After saying that, he didn't linger and quickly walked out of the dungeon to arrange the transplant of the Mangekyou Sharingan. He was afraid that if he was a step too late, he would miss this hard-won opportunity, and his steps became more and more urgent.
Uchiha Mitsunori walked out of the dungeon and slowly returned to his residence along the bluestone path.
Along the way, whenever people from his tribe saw him, they would bow respectfully, speaking to him with reverence in their eyes.
After this catastrophe, the three peaks of the Uchiha clan have become the backbone of the clan and the reliance of the clan members.
He simply nodded slightly, without saying anything more, as if nothing around him could stir the slightest ripple in his heart.
The tranquility of the courtyard was broken with a soft creak as soon as the wooden door was pushed open.
Uchiha Sanfeng looked up and saw a slender figure sitting on a stone bench in the center of the courtyard...
Uchiha Mikoto wore an elegant light purple kimono, which made her already slender figure appear even more frail.
Her long, black hair was loosely tied up and secured with a simple wooden hairpin. A few wisps of hair fell beside her cheeks, making her already gentle face appear even paler.
She placed her hands gently on her knees, her brows furrowed, her gaze fixed intently on the courtyard entrance.
An unshakeable unease and despair lingered around her. Clearly, she had been waiting here for a very long time, completely oblivious to the chill of the morning dew on her skin.
In her heart, countless emotions were intertwined... On one hand, there was endless worry for Fugaku, worry about his injuries, worry about his life; on the other hand, there was a deep-seated despair. She knew Mitsumine's character, knew the mistakes Fugaku had made, and knew even more clearly that her request might be in vain.
Even so, she still clung to a sliver of hope and arrived early to wait, hoping that Mitsumine would spare Fugaku's life.
Upon hearing the door open, Mikoto abruptly raised her head, her anxiety instantly replaced by eagerness.
She quickly stood up. Perhaps because she had been waiting for too long and her legs had been in the same position for so long, they were already numb. When she stood up, she staggered slightly and almost fell into Uchiha Mitsumine's arms.
She quickly grabbed the stone bench beside her to steady herself, her fingers trembling.
Then, her tone became respectful, yet it concealed an barely suppressed urgency, even a hint of humble pleading: "Lord Sanfeng, you're back! You've finally returned..."
Looking at her pale face, swollen eyes, anxious and apprehensive gaze, and the unease and despair emanating from her, Uchiha Mitsunori already guessed why she had come.
He turned slightly to the side, gesturing for her to enter the courtyard. Rather than making her uneasy, he decided to directly reveal her thoughts.
"Mikoto, you came to see me so early because of Fugaku, right?"
Mikoto Uchiha's body stiffened abruptly, as if someone had spoken her mind. She bit her lower lip slightly, barely suppressing the tears in her eyes, and nodded forcefully.
She mustered her courage, her eyes filled with pleading and a hint of humility: "Lord Mimine, I beg you, spare Fugaku. No matter what he did in the past, no matter how big a mistake he made, I beg you... spare his life."
"I'll do anything you ask, just let him go! I'd be your slave, please, spare his life..."
Her voice was very soft, each word filled with despair and pleading, and her body trembled more and more violently.
She knew that Fugaku might have made some mistakes, but he was still her husband and Itachi's father. She couldn't bear to watch him die so quietly.
Uchiha Mitsunori watched her silently, his eyes showing no emotion whatsoever.
"Mikoto, your request puts me in a difficult position!"