As Uchiha Itachi and Uchiha Obito entered the clan grounds, masked shinobi emerged from the surrounding forest.
They lurked in the shadows, eyes cold and focused on the Uchiha compound.
Wearing different masks and split into several units, they silently encircled the area.
Their leader signaled with a hand sign. A moment later, a ROOT shinobi formed hand seals, and with a puff of smoke, a summoning seal-based barrier quietly activated.
Inside ROOT's base, Danzō sat motionless. A subordinate entered quickly to report.
"Danzō-sama, Uchiha Itachi has entered the compound. Awaiting orders."
Danzō nodded slightly and looked out the window. The moonlight was bright—but in his eyes, it was crimson, like the bloodshed to come.
"Hold position. Let Itachi handle everything within the compound. If any Uchiha try to escape—kill them. Except Uchiha Sasuke. Do not harm him. Capture and secure him."
"Yes, sir," the ROOT ninja replied and relayed the command.
The ROOT base fell back into silence. Danzō's lips curled into a cold smirk.
A lot of shinobi had been mobilized tonight. No matter how convincing Itachi seemed, the Konoha leadership wasn't about to trust him completely.
These backup forces were insurance. And tonight, Danzō wielded immense power—even Hiruzen Sarutobi had handed over command of his personal ANBU for the operation.
Though Danzō hadn't deployed them yet, for this one night, he had full control of the ANBU—feeling the weight of the Hokage's power.
As for the Third Hokage himself, he remained "oblivious" in his office, working late into the night.
Still, he did send a trusted ANBU to retrieve Sasuke from the academy.
Back at the compound, Itachi glanced left. He knew there should be three Uchiha guarding that entrance—the first hidden post.
Even during a celebration, they always maintained minimal security.
"Hm?"
But as Itachi approached, his brow furrowed.
No one was there.
"What the hell… Were the guards rotated? Or did they all leave for the celebration?"
A creeping unease gnawed at him. He hadn't interacted with the clan much lately—not just because they ignored him, but because he himself wanted distance.
He'd made his choice. He didn't want emotional ties to a clan he believed was doomed.
He'd rather spend time with his little brother. Because Sasuke would survive.
"Forget it. Whatever you're planning… this ends tonight. I'll protect Konoha. I'll carry Uchiha's sins."
He quickened his pace toward the shrine—only to suddenly spot a figure ahead.
His father—Uchiha Fugaku.
"Itachi. It's late, and you come back dressed like this. Can I ask… do you even know what you're doing?"
Fugaku's voice was low and sad. There was also a trace of hope in his eyes.
But Itachi's cold expression and harsh words made Fugaku's heart sink.
"I know exactly what I'm doing. I'm eliminating disaster. I'm bringing peace to the village. I'm preserving Uchiha's last shred of dignity. But what about you, Father? Do you know what you're doing? Do you know the consequences?"
Fugaku stared at him silently. His wife had told him about Itachi's strange behavior over the past month.
He hadn't seen Itachi himself, but had heard from Shisui that they'd talked.
Shisui didn't explain everything, but he did hint at the clan's future direction:
Integration with Konoha. Resistance against injustice. Making their voices heard.
Fugaku had understood. They weren't rebelling against Konoha—they were pushing back against the current Hokage's oppression.
The Hokage and Konoha may be intertwined, but they weren't the same.
Fugaku had no idea how his son became like this.
"I think you've misunderstood something."
He took a deep breath, voice heavy, but was cut off.
"I haven't misunderstood. I know you're plotting to rebel. To fight the Hokage. To fight the village!"
Bathed in silver moonlight, Itachi looked grim and determined.
And that's when Fugaku truly gave up hope.
"No need to say more. I've already seen the clan's future—and yours."
"I guess this night won't end well."
Fugaku closed his eyes, his voice raspy.
"Why do you think you alone can take on the entire Uchiha?"
"I'm not alone," Itachi said flatly. "And even if I were… what I'm doing is just. I…"
He paused, then his eyes turned into Mangekyō Sharingan.
"With these eyes—the same as Shisui's—I can complete my mission."
He dropped into a combat stance. Fugaku let out a deep sigh.
He'd received the most heartbreaking answer possible.
The clan was on the verge of real change, finally heading in the right direction—and his son was going to destroy it all.
Was it his failure as a father? Or had Sarutobi's influence been too deep?
Either way, Itachi's crimes were now undeniable.
And if he admitted to this path, no one would ever forgive him.
Fugaku's eyes opened—three tomoe spinning rapidly.
But before he could speak, a voice echoed from afar.
And that voice made Fugaku sigh, and Itachi narrow his eyes.
"You just said… you could do what, with those eyes?"
(End of Chapter)