At dusk, in a small chamber deep within the Uchiha district, the elites of the clan gathered.
At the front of the room, Uchiha Kai sat silently, his eyes closed, saying nothing. His seat—close to the patriarch—was assigned by Uchiha Fugaku himself, symbolizing his special status. While Kai bore the Uchiha name, the clan's internal politics meant little to him unless someone's words directly affected his plans—or if Fugaku's safety was at stake. Otherwise, Kai rarely spoke.
The clan elites were well aware of his temperament. Most avoided provoking Kai. After all, everyone knew where he stood: firmly in Fugaku's camp.
His actions, loyalties, and even expressions reflected Fugaku's political posture. This dependence made many wary—because if Fugaku's stance shifted, so too might Kai's. Some didn't like or trust Kai, not because of personal hatred, but because his alignment with Fugaku gave him unpredictable leverage.
Yet no one could claim his choices were wrong. Kai's growing influence in the clan, coupled with his own strength and Fugaku's backing, had made him a formidable figure. In a short time, he had turned a division of the Konoha Military Police into one that answered solely to him.
That influence bred resentment. Some of the clan whispered:
"Tch. He got lucky and awakened the Sharingan. And not just one tomoe—he unlocked the three-tomoe version right away…"
But Kai ignored these whispers. Sitting there, his mind wandered—to Aya Hyūga and to Uchiha Osamu.
Aya had recently seen the Mangekyō Sharingan Kai had deliberately exposed through Yuchi Uchiha. That moment had stirred something in her: If the Uchiha can attain such power, why can't the Hyūga?
The Hyūga and Uchiha had been rivals since the Warring States Era. If their bloodlines weren't destined to evolve, why had they survived centuries of war?
Aya had finally grasped why Yuchi had fallen, and why Kai—with the same eyes—had not. Kai didn't crave power for power's sake. He possessed it. Others borrowed or sought it. Though Kai's chakra didn't exude the overwhelming killing intent of Yuchi, there was something far more chilling—his calm, silent threat.
Aya understood: If Kai wished to kill me, I wouldn't even realize I'd died.
Kai was satisfied. That was exactly the impression he wanted her to have. Their alliance would remain equal—so long as Aya remained honest and cooperative. Otherwise, he had the means to end it unilaterally.
Fortunately, Aya was astute. She didn't ask many questions about his eyes. Kai could tell she believed his claim: "The Hyūga have their own hidden potential." She was eager to explore it—but it would take time, investigation, and Kai's guidance.
Aya's matter was settled for now. The moon's secrets—such as the possibility of unlocking the Tenseigan—could wait. If the Hyūga ever reached the Ōtsutsuki legacy's domain, perhaps the cursed seal of the caged bird could be undone. If not, the Uchiha bore no responsibility.
As for the Tenseigan itself? Kai had no intention of helping her obtain it.
Those eyes rivaled the Rinnegan. Kai was still struggling to maintain his Mangekyō without risking blindness. The Rinnegan was a distant dream. Tenseigan? Pure fantasy—for now.
"Byakugan's greatest flaw," Kai mused, "is that it's almost useless beyond mid-tier combat. The Sharingan, though, scales with mastery."
And at the apex? Both bloodlines reached equally godlike levels.
"But evolution into the Rinnegan requires Senju chakra," Kai reminded himself. "And the Tenseigan… that's just luck, bloodline, and access to the Moon's core."
Fantasizing was pointless. Step by step. The next task came first: dealing with Uchiha Osamu.
Uchiha Fugaku had shown restraint. He hadn't acted against Osamu, his loyal retainer. Kai, on the other hand, had plans—carefully calculated ones. That evening, he finally saw Osamu again. The man's demeanor had changed: respectful, submissive. Exactly what Kai wanted.
A tool must act like a tool.
Kai didn't need Osamu's loyalty—just obedience. And the man delivered.
That night, Osamu completed his first task. He provided Kai with Yuchi Uchiha's personal manuscript. With this, Kai could forge a letter, mimicking Yuchi's tone and phrasing, to manipulate Osamu.
It would take time. Uchiha Yuchi's writing style was distinct, and the forgery had to be convincing.
For his second assignment, Kai sent Osamu after a different kind of material.
"I need certain drugs and preservatives," Kai instructed, his voice cold. "Something to preserve a body, keep it from rotting. Fast. Also… check with the patriarch. See if that last compound is still in storage."
"Yes, Lord Kai. I'll deliver in two days."
Osamu's tone was careful, deferential. He was exactly the subordinate Kai needed—useful and silent.
Some materials—like the ones Aya needed—were outside Kai's reach. But Osamu had ties to the underworld. The kind of "rat in the gutter" who could find what others couldn't.
With those errands in motion, Kai turned his focus to the manuscript. By analyzing Yuchi's phrasing and word choice, Kai created a forged letter using his Sharingan's memorization ability.
That letter now sat folded inside his robe. Once the clan meeting ended, it would fall into Uchiha Osamu's hands.
The meeting itself, like most, was a symbolic skirmish. A cold war between Uchiha Fugaku and the clan's aging elder council—especially the Great Elder.
No true decisions would be made. Most discussions were power plays and compromises, masked as policy.
The so-called pacifists occasionally spoke, but mostly remained neutral. They preferred to quietly negotiate gains for themselves amid the two major camps' bickering.
Such was the way of the Uchiha: a crucible of ambition, distrust, and brilliance.
As the meeting adjourned around ten, Kai exchanged a glance with Fugaku. The patriarch paused, understood the message, and nodded slightly before leaving.
It was time.
Uchiha Osamu had just exited the hall when Kai followed.
"Uchiha Osamu."
The older man turned. "Kai-kun? Is something the matter?"
Kai's face remained impassive. "I came across something… strange. A letter. I don't know if it's authentic, but it bears Yuchi's name. You should read it."
He handed over the forged letter.
Osamu's eyes scanned it. His face stiffened. His hands trembled slightly.
The game had begun.