When Itachi and Shisui returned to the Uchiha compound, they found it eerily quiet.
People hurried past without speaking — even when they saw Itachi, the clan head's son, they barely acknowledged him.
Exchanging uneasy glances, both boys felt something was wrong.
They ran straight to Itachi's house, but when they slid open the door — the home was completely empty.
Neither Mikoto, Fugaku, nor Grandfather Yamashiro were anywhere to be seen.
"Mother?"
Itachi searched every room in the house, but there was no trace of her.
When he came back out, his eyes were already brimming with tears.
"No, Big Brother Shisui, something's wrong. Even if Father and Grandpa really are planning to go to war with Konoha… what about Mother?
Why would she disappear too?"
Shisui's heart pounded — after all, he was only seven years old himself.
Still, he did his best to comfort Itachi:
"Don't worry. Didn't Lady Tsunade just say that no matter what, she wouldn't harm your family? Uncle Fugaku and Aunt Mikoto's feelings for each other are so deep, he definitely wouldn't let Aunt Mikoto take risks."
"Even if we've overlooked something, Aunt Mikoto definitely won't come to harm."
Hearing that, Itachi nodded slightly, calming down a bit.
Seeing this, Shisui said gently:
"Staying here worrying won't help. How about we go up to my roof tonight? We can see if our efforts to stop this will have any effect."
Itachi was somewhat distracted by this. He managed to hold back his tears and followed Shisui to his house, where they quietly waited for the suppression of tonight's turmoil.
...
That Night — The Uchiha Compound
It was already deep into the night.
Most of the civilians outside the Uchiha compound were asleep, and even the Hokage Building had gone quiet, with nearly all staff already home.
But within the Uchiha compound, house doors began to open one by one —
figures slipped silently into the dark streets, gathering toward Naka Shrine.
At the shrine's entrance, Uchiha Yamashiro stood waiting with Mikoto beside him.
As the last of the clan members arrived, a middle-aged man stepped forward, his eyes burning with excitement.
"Elder Yamashiro, everyone's assembled. Just give the order — we can begin our plan immediately!"
Yamashiro turned, patted the man's shoulder, and pulled a small bottle from his robe.
"Iwa, you're the one I trust most.
Tonight, you'll lead the strike force that attacks the Hokage Building."
Uchiha Iwa nodded eagerly and took the small box from Yamashiro.
The moment he opened it, his breath caught in his throat — his expression shifting from excitement to sheer frenzy.
"Elder… this… this is… the legendary—"
Yamashiro merely nodded slowly.
"Tonight decides the fate of the Uchiha. I have no choice but to use this.
Take it — and don't let me down."
"Yes, sir!"
Iwa bowed deeply, then entered the shrine.
About ten minutes later, he emerged again, face flushed with triumph —
and in his eye sockets gleamed a pair of sinister Mangekyō Sharingan.
Seeing the wild pride on Iwa's face, Yamashiro nodded in satisfaction, then turned to the assembled clansmen and roared:
"Move out! Half of you will follow Iwa to storm the Hokage Building!
The rest — come with me!"
As he spoke, Uchiha Iwa leapt forward, eyes blazing with his new Mangekyō power, shouting:
"Everyone! Follow me — we strike the Hokage Building tonight!"
Watching Uchiha Iwa's proud and confident retreating back, a trace of grim satisfaction flashed across Yamakage's aged face.
Fugaku, your father has cleared this final obstacle, Uchiha Iwa, for you.
After tonight, no one will ever threaten your position as clan leader again. Not only that, but the Police Force will also be fully under your command from now on. The future of the Uchiha is in your hands.
When Yamashiro handed the Mangekyō Sharingan to Uchiha Iwa, he deliberately withheld one crucial detail —
for a clansman who had only awakened the three-tomoe Sharingan, forcibly using the power of the Mangekyō came with a terrible price.
The immense strain of that power would irreparably damage the optic nerves, meaning that even if Iwa reverted to his normal eyes afterward,
he would never again be able to use his Sharingan at full strength.
Even if Uchiha Iwa somehow survived tonight, he was destined to become a cripple.
Watching Iwa's back grow smaller and smaller until it vanished, Yamashiro exhaled softly and said:
"Let's go. It's time to seize control of the Nine-Tails."
...
Uchiha Iwa, on the other hand, felt absolutely invincible.
The power of the Mangekyō Sharingan — it was intoxicating.
He had never imagined his strength could reach such terrifying heights.
At this very moment, he was standing at the pinnacle of his life.
With these eyes, he felt unstoppable — even if it came down to facing Gekko Hoshiyomi one-on-one, he believed he could win.
All those nagging thoughts about "being careful" or "acting cautiously"?
He had thrown them straight out the window.
There was only one thought left in his mind now:
"Screw sneaking around — I'm going to storm right in!"
If that Gekko Hoshiyomi could single-handedly take on the Kirigakure's Mizukage Building,
then he, Uchiha Iwa, could damn well break into the Hokage Building.
Thinking this, he quickened his pace and called out to the clansmen behind him:
"Move faster! We'll catch Tsunade off guard and subdue her before she can react!"
But as they rounded a street corner, a patrol squad suddenly appeared.
The squad leader's eyes widened as he shouted:
"Uchiha! What are you doing gathering so many people in the middle of the night?"
His answer came in the form of a pair of swirling Mangekyō eyes.
In the next instant, the patrol leader went rigid —
his movements turned erratic as he swung at invisible foes, trapped in a powerful illusion.
The rest of his squad fell under the same genjutsu, collapsing helplessly to the ground.
Within seconds, the entire patrol had been neutralized — without a single physical blow.
Looking down at their unconscious bodies, Iwa couldn't help but grin in delight.
So that's the ability of this left eye… a wide-area genjutsu? Incredible.
The power of the Mangekyō really is magnificent.
With those eyes — and the support of his clansmen — Iwa and his group made quick progress.
Soon, they stood before the Hokage Building, the guards already subdued.
A thrill surged through him.
Tsunade… it's been so many years. I can't wait to see your face when you lay eyes on these.
He raised his hand dramatically and shouted:
"Everyone, move in! Let Tsunade see the true might of the Uchiha clan!"
With that, Uchiha Iwa led his clansmen charging into the Hōkage Building. Little did they expect that the moment they stepped inside, the entire building lit up with the glow of sealing formulas.
A massive sealing barrier instantly enveloped the whole Hokage Building. At that very moment, Tsunade, accompanied by Nara Shikaku and Pakura, walked down the stairs slowly. She looked at Uchiha Iwa with an amused, faint smile and said:
"Show me then. The true might of your Uchiha clan."
...
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