Chapter 35: Mask Shattered, False Concessions
In the quiet Uchiha district, word had already spread like wildfire: Uchiha Tonan had graduated early. Naturally, the Uchiha Great Elder made his way to pay the boy a personal visit.
Tonan was crouched under the eaves of his home, kunai in hand, whittling away at a block of wood. Shavings scattered at his feet as a lifelike wooden figurine took shape — the face unmistakably that of Uchiha Mina. Even in death, she was immortalized in his craft. After placing the sculpture gently inside, he grabbed a new piece and began carving again — this time, Uchiha Teno.
The courtyard gate creaked open. The Great Elder stepped in, eyes landing on Tonan and the carving in progress.
"Tonan," the elder called warmly.
Tonan rose and bowed formally, hands on his knees. "Great Elder. Is there something I can do for you?"
The old man smiled, giving him a once-over, his eyes flicking over the interior — catching sight of the neat row of figurines resting on the shelf: his parents, Mina, others. Little wooden gravestones for a boy too familiar with loss.
"We're family, Tonan. No need to be so stiff," the Elder said, settling beside him like some doting village grandpa.
Tonan wordlessly excused himself, heading in to fetch a cup of hot tea. When he returned, he handed it over and resumed carving.
"You do love your tea, don't you?" the elder chuckled, sipping.
Tonan nodded, running a finger over Teno's nearly finished face. "Yes. Studying drains me. Tea clears my mind."
"Mmm…" the old man nodded thoughtfully, eyes narrowing as he looked at the carving. "It feels like you graduated in the blink of an eye. Time really does fly."
Tonan didn't pause his hands. "Which is why every second counts. You can't wait until everything slips through your fingers to realize how much you've lost."
The Great Elder turned to the sky, watching a flock of white doves take off in the distance. "You're not like the others in our clan. Frankly, you're the most unique Uchiha I've ever seen. I used to think I understood you, but sometimes…" His eyes gleamed. "I can't read you at all."
Then he added, with a sly smile, "You left Teno for last. Was that guilt?"
Tonan's knife stopped mid-slice. He blinked, clearly taken aback. "I'm not sure I follow."
"You're cool-headed. Patient. You think before you act. Even when pushed, you don't let emotions cloud your judgment."
Tonan's heart skipped a beat. Still, he feigned humility and guilt, sighing deeply. "I'm not that rational, Great Elder. I act on impulse more than I should. I even lashed out at someone from the Interrogation Department once."
The elder just gave a knowing smirk and set his tea down. Reaching into his robe, he pulled out a yellowed book and slid it toward Tonan. "This belongs to you. Time I returned it."
Tonan's pupils contracted. He recognized it instantly — a notebook he'd once given Teno. The poison that had once coated the paper had long since evaporated, but the area where it was applied had stained the page an unnaturally deep yellow.
A misstep. He was too green back then.
If I hadn't awakened my Sharingan and proved my worth… they would've pinned Teno's death on me and strung me up without a second thought.
He could crush average genin or the odd cocky chunin — but someone like the Great Elder? A relic from the Warring States era who probably used to eat explosive tags for breakfast? No chance. Fighting him would be suicide.
But if you can't beat them… play the game.
Tonan stood abruptly, tossing the book into the air, eyes snapping open.
Sharingan, active.
Woosh!
His kunai flew and pinned the notebook to a tree.
His hands blurred through seals.
"Fire Style – Phoenix Sage Fire Technique!"
A swarm of blazing fireballs launched from his mouth, lighting up the courtyard as they hammered the tree.
Boom!
Flames roared up the trunk, flickering wildly in the wind like red stars scattered through the branches.
Tonan stood still, back to the elder, silent as the fire raged.
The old man exhaled softly, his voice laced with awe. "Genius."
He rose and walked toward the gate, then stopped beside Tonan and gently patted his shoulder.
But before he left, Tonan spoke up, his voice low but resolute.
"Great Elder… I'll always be Uchiha. But right now, I have to walk this path."
The elder turned, smiling like a proud father. "I've always believed in you. Come to the shrine in a few days. I'll show you something… a jutsu that belongs only to us."
With one last nod, he exited the courtyard.
"Take care, Great Elder." Tonan bowed deeply, hands on knees.
Ding! Gained Uchiha Tenzou's Acknowledgment.
Rule when dealing with cunning old men: Never say everything. Just enough to light the fuse — then let them build the bomb in their own heads.
After the elder left, Tonan finally straightened up and exhaled a long breath. Just as he turned to head inside, something caught his eye.
Two yellow handprints.
On his pants.
His face twisted in confusion… then horror. He bent down, rubbed at them, and sniffed.
Fragrance?
His expression darkened.
"…That sly, wrinkled pervert."
Tonan inhaled sharply to calm his rage. Once his face returned to its usual stoic look, he walked into his room and pulled out an old, dusty scroll:
Advanced Spy Camouflage Techniques.
Time to brush up on the classics.
That Night — Naka Shrine, Uchiha District
The Great Elder sat across from Uchiha Fugaku, the candlelight casting long shadows across the stone.
"Why did you summon me?" Fugaku asked.
The Great Elder leaned in, eyes gleaming. "Tonan is far more gifted than we imagined."
"Huh?"
"I saw him use the Phoenix Sage Fire Jutsu. His chakra control was nearly jonin-level."
Fugaku's eyes widened.
"But that's not the key part," the elder said, looking over at the clan's secret stone tablet. His voice dropped to a reverent murmur. "What matters most is… his heart is still Uchiha."
Fugaku rubbed his chin. "So, everything he's shown to the Hokage… the 'obedience,' the 'discipline'…"
"All an act," the elder confirmed, nodding. "He's been playing them from the start. A prodigy with both talent and foresight. He's lying low, keeping Konoha's trust — and when the time comes, he'll be our blade in the dark."
Fugaku was visibly impressed. But a question lingered.
"Then… it was Tonan who poisoned Teno, wasn't it?"
The elder didn't even blink. "To awaken the Sharingan, you must endure agony. Loss. It was necessary."
Fugaku looked conflicted, then slowly nodded. "He cared for Teno… loved Mina… but in the end, he cut them off. For power."
"He even killed Mina himself," the elder muttered, half to himself. "But not to unlock the third tomoe — he already had it. My guess? He was aiming higher. The Mangekyou Sharingan."
"But he failed."
"Not yet," the elder said, eyes shining. "He's young. But one day, I believe he'll unlock it. He'll become a true legend."
Fugaku leaned forward. "What now?"
"We stay quiet. Let him grow. When Konoha's leadership watches, we act like we're trying to win him back. But in reality… we give him space to ripen."
The elder smiled darkly.
"And when the time is right, I'll pass down that jutsu to him…"