Isamu shrugged lightly.
"I told you the truth. You chose not to believe it."
---
Hiruzen's expression darkened.
"So you intend to defect… just like your father, Uchiha Madara."
"Don't feed me nonsense about your life being in danger."
---
He let out a bitter laugh.
"Just as my teacher once said…"
"The Uchiha are a clan cursed by evil."
"To think I ever tried to trust you… how ridiculous."
---
"Hiruzen Sarutobi, what did you say?!" the Great Elder roared in fury.
The rest of the clan glared at Hiruzen with killing intent.
---
"Great Elder, please calm down."
Isamu raised a hand to stop him, then looked straight at Hiruzen.
"I have my reasons. I hope you can understand."
---
"If you want my understanding," Hiruzen replied coldly,
"then surrender."
"Do that, and I might still spare you."
---
Zhan stepped forward, unable to hold back.
"Don't go too far!"
---
"Zhan. Step back."
---
"But—"
---
"Are you disobeying the Clan Head's orders?" Isamu's voice turned sharp.
"I told you to stand down."
---
"…Understood, Clan Head."
Zhan clenched his fists but retreated.
---
Hiruzen's expression grew even uglier.
"Look at this. Do they even recognize me as Hokage?"
"This isn't a clan anymore… it's a band of rogue ninja."
---
"There's no point in arguing," Isamu said calmly.
"I'll ask you one last time."
"For the sake of our past… will you let us leave today?"
---
"Enough with the sentiment."
"No matter what you say… I will not let you leave."
"Not today."
---
Isamu took a step forward.
"So if I want to leave…"
"I'll have to force my way out."
---
"I said—you're not going anywhere."
Hiruzen stepped forward as well.
The two stood face-to-face, barely ten centimeters apart.
---
"Let me be clear," Isamu said quietly.
"It's not that I look down on you…"
"But do you really think you can stop me?"
---
"Don't underestimate me!" Hiruzen snapped.
"You may be strong—but I am not weak."
"I've reached my peak."
---
Their gazes locked.
The air itself felt heavy.
---
Around them, ANBU and Uchiha alike gripped their weapons tightly.
No one moved.
But everyone knew—
The next second could erupt into bloodshed.
---
"Apprehend the Uchiha!"
Hiruzen gave the order.
His chakra surged, cracking the ground beneath his feet.
---
"I'd like to see who dares!"
Isamu's chakra exploded outward, even more violent.
The ground fractured further as a fierce wind swept through the courtyard.
---
Still—
Neither side moved.
---
"Uchiha Isamu," Hiruzen said, his tone shifting.
"Do you really intend to oppose the entire village?"
"Think carefully."
"Once you take this step, there's no turning back."
"You may escape…"
"But what about your clan?"
"Do you want them to die for nothing?"
---
Before Isamu could answer—
Zhan stepped forward again.
"So what if we die?"
"We chose this path ourselves!"
---
Gao Lifeng followed.
"Don't use us as leverage against the Clan Head!"
"We're not afraid!"
---
Others joined in.
"We've already accepted death!"
"The Uchiha do not fear dying!"
---
Their voices rose together, unwavering.
---
Isamu didn't speak immediately.
But you can feel it here—the line is fully crossed now.
There's no more "maybe we can avoid this."
----------------_-_-_------------------
Read 50 advanced chapter on
👉 patreon.com/Master_fic
read 10 chapters ahead just for 5$