"Everyone, I've called you here today so you can bear witness to something and ensure it is carried out. This will be my final request as the Great Elder of the Uchiha Clan."
"So, I ask this of you all."
In the most secret meeting room within the Uchiha compound, Uchiha Setsuna spoke solemnly to the few truly core members of the clan, his voice low and aged.
His tone held gravity, a plea, and the air of a man settling his final affairs.
This attitude left the elders exchanging glances. Only Uchiha Masanobu, the clan head, remained serious but calm—clearly, he had already spoken with Setsuna beforehand.
Though it had been announced during the day's gathering that Masanobu would step down and pass the role to Fugaku Uchiha, that was merely an internal decision.
The formal handover of the clan head's title could not be done so casually. A proper ceremony would follow, on a chosen auspicious date, with representatives from the major Leaf clans and civilian shinobi in attendance.
Only after that would Fugaku officially become clan head.
Until then…
Your old man is still your old man.
Thus, the current heir Fugaku spoke up: "Elder Setsuna, that's far too grave a tone. Even if you plan to pass the Great Elder title to Kei-dono, you will always be a senior we Uchiha deeply respect. Even in retirement, you can still contribute to our future."
But Setsuna simply shook his head. "No need for empty comfort. I truly am settling my affairs—because I don't have much time left."
The blunt statement caused all the Uchiha present—except Masanobu—to visibly pale.
Fugaku protested, "Elder Setsuna, your health is obviously robust. Why say something so ominous? Please don't—"
"No, Fugaku. This isn't pessimism. It's just the truth," Setsuna interrupted calmly.
That tone left Fugaku and the others stunned. They finally understood—Setsuna was truly near the end.
Fugaku frowned deeply. "How could this be? The doctor just checked you a few days ago. They said you were healthy and could live many more years."
Setsuna nodded. "Under normal circumstances, yes. But…"
As he spoke, his once-cloudy black eyes changed—into three-tomoe Sharingan, the tomoe spinning rapidly. Then, to everyone's shock (except Masanobu), the pupils transformed into a downward-pointing triangle.
The Mangekyō Sharingan.
Gasps and startled voices echoed through the room. The Uchiha were stunned.
"Elder Setsuna… your eyes—they're Mangekyō? When did this happen?!"
Setsuna, scanning the room calmly with those eyes, finally closed them and spoke again:
"Just a few days ago, on the day Kei-dono laid out a vision for the Uchiha's future. Maybe because I'm old… Seeing Kei-dono's wisdom awakened something in me. I realized the mistakes of my youth. I had an epiphany."
He reopened his eyes—now back to normal.
"Unfortunately, that insight came too late. My failing body can't bear the burden of Mangekyō. The moment I awakened them… my life began its countdown."
These words left Fugaku and the others utterly speechless. Their minds buzzed—unable to process it.
At last, Masanobu spoke. "There's no need for you to ask more. Just know: Elder Setsuna is dying. And when he passes, his Mangekyō will remain."
"But this Mangekyō already has a chosen successor."
Still reeling, Fugaku's mind landed on a name. "Father… Elder Setsuna… You mean Kei-dono?"
Setsuna nodded. "Correct. Since the Mangekyō was awakened by the Great Elder, it should be inherited by the next Great Elder."
He paused, expression wistful.
"Sadly, Kei-dono and I aren't blood relatives. And his natural talent as a shinobi doesn't meet the threshold for awakening the Mangekyō."
"If he did, I could've passed my eye to him—creating a new Eternal Mangekyō for the Uchiha. That would've made my life worthwhile."
The gathered Uchiha elders fell silent. Deep inside, all of them felt a pang of envy toward Kei.
After all, this was the Mangekyō Sharingan—a legendary power within their clan.
Even though awakening the Eternal Mangekyō required transplanting the eyes of a blood relative, making it extremely difficult, the standard Mangekyō alone was enough to drive many to madness.
Yet none of them expressed discontent or desire.
Because Uchiha Kei was seen as worthy of such an honor—and more importantly, this was the will of Uchiha Setsuna, the Mangekyō holder himself.
Thus, Uchiha Setsuna's final request was confirmed. The dying Great Elder would entrust his Mangekyō Sharingan to Kei, to carry it into the next generation.
Throughout the entire process, the elders maintained solemn expressions, immersed in an atmosphere of somber pride—each one steeped in the dramatic self-glorification that defined the Uchiha's famously intense outlook.
Had Kei known what was happening—even knowing the Sharingan's infamous "plug-and-play" functionality—he might've muttered, "This clan's collective delusion is way too serious."
In any case, the decision was made.
However, what Fugaku did not know was that his beloved father, Uchiha Masanobu, was also planning something for the future.
Though Setsuna had remained calm, his actions had deeply impacted Masanobu.
And now, feeling his own health decline, Masanobu secretly made up his mind—to awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan himself while he still had the strength.
If he succeeded, he could pass his Mangekyō on to his son, Fugaku. Even if it cost him his life, he would die without regrets.
That's just how the Uchiha were.
After all, they were the clan of love—willing to give everything for what they cherished.
Uchiha Setsuna's deep love for the clan moved him to leave his eyes to Kei.
Uchiha Masanobu's great love—for the clan, and his small love for his son—compelled him to burn himself out, just to give his son eyes that could pierce the darkness.