Reborn in Konoha; I Think I’m Cultivating Immortality

In reality, Hui stood beside Fugaku, but his consciousness had already entered Fugaku's mind.

Before Hui's evolution, he could easily access the mental worlds of weaker shinobi. Now, after his transformation, anyone below the level of the Six Paths Sage who fell under his genjutsu could have their mental world invaded.

Evaluating a person's deepest "choices" required more than mere questioning.

Hui cast a genjutsu on Fugaku, creating a scenario within which Fugaku would be forced to make decisions.

This technique allowed Hui to observe Fugaku's truest thoughts and intentions. It was, in essence, the ultimate tool for assessing a person's character.

Of course, this technique had its drawbacks.

It was time-consuming and, for now, could only be performed by Hui himself.

This limitation was why Hui didn't use it on everyone.

…

Inside the genjutsu, Fugaku discovered that some members of the Uchiha clan were planning a coup. Shocked, he sought out his father, hoping to persuade him to stop the clan.

However, to his dismay, his father was also in favor of the coup.

This revelation left Fugaku feeling cold and betrayed. He couldn't understand why his clansmen would want to rise against the peace and prosperity of Konoha.

Fugaku decided to stop them on his own, to change their minds.

But his attempts were in vain. Not only did the clansmen refuse to listen, but they also decided to imprison him, planning to release him only after the coup succeeded.

What followed was a harrowing escape for Fugaku, a journey that felt like something out of an action-packed movie.

After overcoming countless hardships, he finally managed to escape the Uchiha compound and made his way to Hui, revealing the Uchiha clan's plans for rebellion.

In the end, when faced with the choice between his clan and the village, Fugaku chose the village.

This didn't mean he was a traitor to his clan.

Konoha during Hui's era had never oppressed or mistreated the Uchiha clan. Hui had always been fair to all shinobi clans.

Under Hui's leadership, Konoha had become a truly idyllic place, a bastion of peace and prosperity.

Fugaku couldn't allow anyone to destroy such a beautiful world, not even his own clan or father.

After Fugaku made his decision, the genjutsu ended.

The environment around him shifted instantly, leaving Fugaku momentarily dazed.

"Lord Third…" he murmured in confusion.

"You were under my genjutsu just now," Hui explained with a faint smile.

"You may have noticed that some people in the village now bear a marks on their foreheads."

Instead of immediately explaining why he had cast the genjutsu, Hui redirected the conversation.

Fugaku nodded. He had indeed noticed the marks and knew that those who bore them had received them after visiting the Hokage's office.

"The reason I've placed those marks is to allow them to practice a unique technique. This technique is called the Eight Gates Sage Ascension Technique."

As Hui spoke, he retrieved a scroll—the scroll containing the Eight Gates Sage Ascension Technique.

"This technique is of great importance," he continued. "It's a method I've developed to revolutionize the shinobi world and humanity itself.

"In the future, this technique will spread across the world, but for now, only those I've carefully chosen are allowed to practice it."

Hui paused before making his next statement.

"Today, I've decided to teach you this technique and bestow upon you the Sage Seal, the mark that allows its practice."

Hui's expression turned serious as he addressed Fugaku.

"Uchiha Fugaku, you will be among the first to practice the Eight Gates Sage Ascension Technique. You bear the mission of transforming the shinobi world.

"I hope you will grow to become a cornerstone of Konoha, a protector of the village.

"Do not betray my expectations of you.

"Now, hold still while I inscribe the seal."

With that, Hui extended his finger. A moment later, as he retracted his finger, a seal appeared on Fugaku's forehead.

"Work hard and grow stronger. I have faith in your future."

After engraving the Sage Seal on Uchiha Fugaku's forehead, Hui handed him the scroll containing the Eight Gates Sage Ascension Technique and then left without lingering.

Fugaku stood there, clutching the scroll, overwhelmed with excitement.

"I will... I will definitely become the protector of Konoha... a true pillar of strength!"

He spoke aloud, his eyes burning with determination.

Unable to contain his excitement, Fugaku immediately unrolled the scroll and began reading through the contents of the Eight Gates Sage Ascension Technique.

As he read, he became increasingly astonished.

By the time he finished, Fugaku was trembling in shock.

Now he understood why Lord Third had been so solemn during the test and why he had spoken of transforming the shinobi world.

This method wasn't just a powerful technique, it was something that could completely revolutionize the shinobi world!

Fugaku was in awe of Hui and found himself at a loss for words.

To be able to create such a groundbreaking technique...

"Truly... as expected of Lord Third!"

He murmured, unable to suppress the emotions stirring within him.

However, Fugaku's thoughts soon shifted as he recalled the details of the test.

In the genjutsu, the Uchiha clan had plotted a coup against the village, and he had been forced to choose between Konoha and his clan.

At first glance, the test had seemed like a simple choice.

But the more he thought about it, the more Fugaku realized it wasn't so straightforward.

He knew the Uchiha clan all too well, their pride and their intense loyalty to their own.

The Uchiha were passionate to the extreme, often blinded by their emotions.

So, it wasn't impossible for the scenario within the genjutsu to happen in real life.

This realization sent a shiver down Fugaku's spine.

If, in reality, the Uchiha clan were to be pushed into staging a coup due to some provocation, he knew that, even if forced to choose Konoha again, it would break his heart to see his clan destroyed in the aftermath.

He didn't want such a tragedy to ever happen.

Moreover, the fact that Hui had specifically crafted such a test for him might have had another purpose, to see if Fugaku had the capability to handle such a potential threat.

But how could he prevent such a crisis?

Fugaku's mind worked quickly, considering every possibility.

Suddenly, his eyes lit up as an idea took form.

The Uchiha clan may have been proud, but they also respected strength and leadership. There were people they admired, people they followed.

In the current era, many Uchiha respected Lord Third for his fairness and strength.

And among those the Uchiha would follow without question, the most obvious figure was his father, the current clan head.

But...

What if I became the head of the Uchiha clan?

If he became the clan leader, he could gradually reshape their mindset and, if necessary, stop them from acting impulsively.

Yes—becoming the Uchiha clan head was the key to resolving the crisis!

Realizing this, a seed of ambition sprouted in Fugaku's heart.

He would become the leader of the Uchiha clan!

Although the position of clan head was traditionally passed from father to son, it wasn't guaranteed if the son lacked the necessary strength and competence.

But Fugaku was not weak, he was already seen as the next in line to lead the clan.

However, it would still take at least ten years before his succession became official.

And Fugaku didn't want to wait that long.

"I will become stronger. Strong enough to gain everyone's recognition."

He clenched his fists, his eyes burning with resolve.

"If Lord Third could become the Hokage at the age of twenty... then I can become the head of the Uchiha clan by the age of twenty!"

Fugaku's whispered vow echoed in the clearing, a testament to his unwavering determination.

…

Meanwhile, unseen by Fugaku, Hui's consciousness exited Fugaku's mental world.

A faint smile appeared on Hui's lips as he concluded the technique and finally departed for real.

The day's test had been a resounding success.

Not only had he secured a talented young shinobi as a future comrade for his grand mission among the stars, but he had also preemptively addressed the potential threat posed by the Uchiha clan.

With Uchiha Fugaku destined to become the clan head, the Uchiha clan would eventually fall completely under Hui's control.

This...

...this is the political acumen that every leader must possess.

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