With this thought in mind, Hui did not delay and began to act the next day.
In the grove where Fugaku trained, Uchiha Fugaku was practicing his own techniques. Suddenly, a kunai came out of nowhere, and Uchiha Fugaku dodged sideways.
Although there was no follow-up attack, Uchiha Fugaku's expression changed drastically, his heart filled with unease.
There was only one reason—this kunai was neither a standard issue nor a custom-crafted weapon. Instead, it was made of hardened earth.
Uchiha Kiyo's exclusive Earth Release technique.
He had never heard of Uchiha Kiyo passing this jutsu down to anyone.
Had someone else developed this technique independently?
Uchiha Fugaku didn't know, but if someone else had mastered this jutsu and used it to throw a kunai at him, there had to be a deeper motive behind it.
Stepping forward, he picked up the kunai that was embedded in the ground, his expression growing solemn.
"This soil is incredibly compact, and the blade is razor-sharp."
Observing the kunai closely, Uchiha Fugaku realized that whoever had created it had an exceptional mastery of the jutsu. This level of precision and hardness could not have been achieved without years of refinement.
Moreover, the degree of hardness indicated a profound grasp of nature transformation.
After a brief moment of hesitation, Uchiha Fugaku made a decision.
He would investigate.
Following the trajectory from which the kunai had been thrown, Uchiha Fugaku proceeded cautiously.
After walking about 500 meters into a secluded area, he sensed the presence of a barrier the moment he stepped in.
However, he did not panic. Based on his perception, the barrier was not meant to entrap him; it was merely concealing chakra signatures.
What he didn't realize was that the barrier not only masked chakra but also completely isolated it.
Uchiha Fugaku remained cautious, keeping his three-tomoe Sharingan activated as he moved forward.
"Hmm?"
The sight before him shocked Uchiha Fugaku.
A tree slowly transformed, shifting into the form of a person.
No, it would be more accurate to say that the transformation technique was undone, revealing the person's true appearance.
Even with his three-tomoe Sharingan activated, he had failed to detect the transformation. Such a level of skill in the Transformation Jutsu defied comprehension.
Hui, however, remained indifferent. To him, this was nothing extraordinary.
He was simply using chakra to simulate the corresponding appearance.
His primary advantage was his Hidden Barrier Jutsu, which not only concealed chakra signatures but also masked the use of transformation.
Under normal circumstances, a skilled Sharingan user could see through a Transformation Jutsu, but they would only perceive that a transformation had taken place—they wouldn't necessarily see through to the original form.
"Who are you? What's your purpose in luring me here?"
Uchiha Fugaku was on edge. The transformation technique just demonstrated was too advanced, and he felt as though the other party was deliberately displaying their power.
At this moment, Hui was using the unaltered appearance of his clone's body, making it impossible for Uchiha Fugaku to recognize him.
Realizing this, Hui casually cast another transformation, this time assuming the form of his original self.
"Fugaku, do you recognize me?"
"Kiyo? Impossible!"
Uchiha Fugaku's disbelief was evident as he immediately shook his head in denial.
"That's impossible. You died four years ago, in an explosion.
Your transformation skills may be impressive, but don't insult my intelligence."
His reaction was reasonable. Unlike Uchiha Madara, not everyone could easily accept the notion of someone returning from the dead.
"No, I never died. I was never dead.
Did you ever see my body? Were there any remains?"
Hui spoke calmly, anticipating Fugaku's response.
"No, but there were… remnants of flesh infused with your chakra…"
"Couldn't that have been faked with proper preparation?"
Hui interrupted, revealing the truth about what had happened back then.
Uchiha Fugaku looked skeptical but remained on guard.
Perhaps Kiyo was still alive—but that didn't mean the man before him was truly Kiyo.
"Don't take me for a fool. You only resemble him!"
Seeing that Fugaku remained defensive, Hui sighed in frustration.
"I'm just a clone—a doppelgänger created by the original Kiyo using a self-developed secret technique.
A clone with independent consciousness."
"If you need proof, I can give it to you. For example, the first time we sparred, I completely crushed you.
Or that time with Mikoto—"
"Hey! Stop right there!"
Though Hui didn't finish his sentence, Uchiha Fugaku immediately believed him and cut him off.
Seemingly guilty, he glanced around to ensure no one else was listening before sighing in relief.
Hui rolled his eyes.
"My barrier isolates sound and chakra signatures. No one outside can hear us."
"It can even mask chakra?"
Uchiha Fugaku was astonished. He had never encountered such a barrier before.
Few people knew of Uchiha Kiyo's advanced concealment methods. Only Nawaki Senju and Hiruzen Sarutobi had seen early iterations of it, while even Orochimaru had only known that Kiyo had a hiding technique—he hadn't realized it was an actual barrier until investigating Kiyo's last known location.
Without unnecessary words, Hui explained his reason for revealing himself.
He had no specific objective—he simply wanted to reconnect with Fugaku so they could exchange information in the future.
At the same time, Hui urged Fugaku to further conceal his identity and shared insights into the current situation of the Uchiha clan.
Uchiha Fugaku was pleased to learn that Uchiha Kiyo was alive but was disturbed by the analysis provided by the clone.
Had the Uchiha clan always been in such danger? Had Danzo's views always been this extreme? He had once thought that Danzo merely held a different perspective—but now, he realized that Danzo had completely misinterpreted the ideals of the Second Hokage.
His methods were far too extreme.
Unfortunately, Danzo's power within Root had grown significantly, and the Uchiha clan no longer had the advantage in strength.
At that moment, the fundamental difference in ideology between Uchiha Kiyo and the shinobi world became apparent.
After parting ways with Fugaku, Hui returned to his underground hideout.
However, just as he arrived, he sensed a terrifying chakra surge—massive and oppressive.
"The Nine-Tails!"
Hui immediately recognized the source.
The Nine-Tails Jinchūriki, Uzumaki Kushina, was in trouble.
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