Danzo asked with hidden intent what the increased militarization of the Konoha Military Police Force implied.
Itachi paused briefly before replying, "The Uchiha's dissatisfaction toward the village is growing again."
Danzo let out a staged sigh, saying, "It seems impossible to maintain the status quo anymore."
Itachi lifted his gaze toward Danzo in the shadows and replied, "Yes."
Danzo turned his head toward Itachi. "You should already know this—Anbu and my Root Division have been monitoring the Uchiha Clan's every move. If the Uchiha attempt anything suspicious, we will respond immediately.
Now the situation has gone too far; it's impossible to resolve this conflict peacefully.
Hiruzen is too indecisive. This current state exists precisely because of Hiruzen's hesitation. If he had acted decisively from the beginning, relations between the Uchiha and Konoha would never have become so strained.
Everyone now knows that Shisui's death merely delayed the Uchiha coup. An uprising from the Uchiha is now certain to happen.
So it's time for you to start thinking—you must choose. Will you stand with the Uchiha or with us?"
Itachi lowered his head again and simply said, "Yes."
After leaving the Root Base, Itachi's eyes darkened.
He now fully understood—rebellion cries within the Uchiha Clan were becoming increasingly vocal, and the signs from his father, Fugaku Uchiha, were starting to point unmistakably toward a coup.
Itachi arrived at the Anbu surveillance room, which monitored the Uchiha Family Estate.
All the screens displayed live footage from inside the Uchiha grounds.
On one of the monitors, Itachi saw Izumi Uchiha.
Izumi was among the few close friends Itachi had ever made.
If the coup went forward, Izumi wouldn't stand a chance of survival either.
And then there was his younger brother, Sasuke Uchiha.
Memories of Shisui's last request came flooding back.
Please protect the village—and the honor of the Uchiha name.
Heavy-hearted, Itachi muttered quietly, "Shisui, you really left me with an impossible burden. Is there truly no way to save everyone?"
Itachi had spent some time on missions and rarely returned to the Uchiha estate.
At dusk today,
Itachi finally returned home to the Uchiha Family Estate.
He noticed the crack in the Uchiha clan symbol on the wall—a mark left by a kunai long gone.
"Brother, you're back!"
Turning around, Itachi found Sasuke Uchiha standing at the doorway.
Sasuke excitedly exclaimed, "I'm going training. Brother, come with me!"
"I just came back from a mission. I'm too tired."
Sasuke ran up eagerly to face his older brother directly.
"Nonsense! How could you possibly be tired?"
Itachi approached him and, under Sasuke's hopeful stare, gently flicked him on the forehead.
Ouch!" Sasuke winced while covering his forehead.
As he walked away, Itachi murmured, "Forgive me, Sasuke. Not this time."
Itachi Uchiha walked toward his room but noticed Fugaku Uchiha standing in the corridor.
"You should know about the clan gathering three days from now?"
Fugaku Uchiha stared at Itachi expressionlessly.
Itachi stopped walking. "I didn't know."
Fugaku continued, "After the gathering ends, go to the Naka Shrine alone. Don't bring any Anbu along."
"I'll be leaving the village for a mission starting tomorrow."
Itachi murmured quietly. He hated these Uchiha gatherings with a passion.
Because all they ever talked about was rebellion—and now even this place, the Naka Shrine, had become part of that sentiment.
As Itachi took a few steps forward and began walking again, he heard Fugaku's stern voice rise up: "Don't run away."
"Run away? What am I running from?"
"Running from your fate as an Uchiha. Remember, I'm waiting for you."
Fugaku's tone allowed no argument. After finishing his words, he left.
Three nights later.
The gathering at the Naka Shrine had already ended.
Uchiha clan members were gradually leaving the shrine grounds.
Hidden among the treetops, Itachi kept his eyes fixed on a girl below.
This girl was Izumi Uchiha.
Behind Itachi stood two Root Division ninjas.
Their mission was to shadow Itachi constantly—they practically followed him step by step.
When Itachi saw his mother Mikoto Uchiha leave last, he ordered the two Root ninjas: "Stay here and await orders!"
The two weren't willing to let Itachi escape their sight: "But Captain..."
"Just report everything directly to Danzo."
Without giving them time to argue further, Itachi used the Shifting Body Technique and vanished.
Itachi entered the Naka Shrine and found Fugaku Uchiha.
Fugaku stood before the Uchiha stone tablet, gazing at it.
"Only those within the clan who possess the Sharingan can read this tablet—but only partially. As someone with the Mangekyo Sharingan, you should be able to see what others can't."
Itachi wasn't surprised that Fugaku knew he had awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan.
Because on that day when he knelt before Yashiro Uchiha and the other two and activated the Mangekyo Sharingan, Itachi had already noticed Fugaku watching.
"Would you like me to explain it?"
"That won't be necessary."
Fugaku turned his head and looked straight at Itachi.
His eyes revealed themselves—clearly displaying the Mangekyo pattern.
"Mangekyo?! Father, you have one too?"
"This was during the Third Great Ninja World War. My friend gave his life to save mine. With blood and tears, I obtained my Mangekyo Sharingan."
Fugaku turned back and resumed staring at the stone tablet. "This tablet holds the hidden path to salvation for the Uchiha Clan. However, even with the Mangekyo Sharingan, we still cannot read the latter part of the text. Looks like we can still advance further."
"Even if you've only seen part of it, you should get it by now, Itachi. Just how unjust the current situation is for the Uchiha Clan!"
Itachi Uchiha shot back, "That still doesn't justify trying to overthrow them by force…"
"The village elders fear us, so they're targeting us. They fear the [Sharingan]'s power. After all, the biggest threat is right in front of us."
What Fugaku Uchiha referred to as "threat" naturally pointed toward Chinya.
"That's right. There are even rumors the Uchiha might control the [Nine-Tails] using the [Sharingan]."
Itachi Uchiha acknowledged his father's claim that the village elders feared them. If Konoha's leaders weren't afraid of the Uchiha, they wouldn't have gone this far.
<><><><><><><><>
Thank you for reading! Your support will keep me updating!
~ Every 50 Powerstones = **4 Bonus Chapters** this weekend!
<><><><><><><><>
~ 100+ Advanced Chapters Available on Patreon!
~ More *Free* Chapters and Books Available on Patreon!
patreon.com/Tansnovel
<><><><><><><><>