216-220

Chapter 216: The Third Hokage's Apprehension

Undoubtedly, Uchiha Itachi’s ocular technique, Tsukuyomi, is remarkably powerful.

Even with Kaneki’s terrifyingly strong soul, he was unable to forcibly break his clone free from the technique remotely. This represents a vast difference from ordinary illusions.

Fortunately, it was merely a clone that fell under the Tsukuyomi at this moment.

Had the real body been caught in such an illusion, breaking free in a short time would have been nearly impossible.

However, Kaneki is different from humans. His true body now exists as a sea of blood, devoid of sensory organs like eyes. This makes it unlikely for Itachi to apply his Sharingan-based illusions directly on him.

Even if Kaneki were subjected to Tsukuyomi, his current vitality, both spiritual and physical, is not something that Itachi could destroy in a short period.

Of course, given Kaneki’s caution, the likelihood of anyone locating his true body, let alone launching an attack on it, is slim.

Even Hidan couldn’t confirm Kaneki’s true form—such is the extent of Kaneki’s prudence.

Back on the battlefield in Konoha, Kaneki, after confirming that he couldn’t remotely dispel the Tsukuyomi, swiftly severed the soul link between his main body and the clone. He left only a fragment of his soul in the clone to operate autonomously, minimizing the risk of exposing his true form.

This also meant the clone had lost all ability to resist in front of Uchiha Itachi.

As a special ocular technique that accompanies the awakening of the Mangekyō Sharingan, Tsukuyomi had only recently been discovered.

This was the first time Itachi used it in an actual battle, and its effectiveness was undeniable.

His ocular power invaded the enemy's body, penetrating even their soul.

In the illusion, countless replicas of Uchiha Itachi appeared, each holding a katana. They surrounded Kaneki, who was bound to a wooden stake.

Then, they raised their katanas one after another, stabbing him repeatedly.

Each time the pain of being stabbed surged through him, Kaneki’s wounds would heal instantly, only for the blades to descend once more, perpetuating an endless cycle of torment.

In the real world, at the edge of the battlefield between Uchiha Itachi and Kaneki, a man with a spiral-patterned mask silently appeared, observing the fight.

Seeing Kaneki, who had been dominating earlier, fall prey to Itachi’s illusion in an instant, the man couldn’t help but marvel, “What a terrifying ocular technique.”

Beneath the remaining eyehole of his mask, a Mangekyō Sharingan with a complex pattern slowly activated.

As a fellow Mangekyō Sharingan user, the masked man contemplated a question.

If he were in Itachi’s place, could he counter Tsukuyomi?

The answer was uncertain.

In theory, with sufficiently strong ocular power, all illusions could be dispelled.

However, the problem was that the masked man wasn’t entirely sure if his ocular power surpassed Itachi’s.

“This is the kind of talent the Akatsuki needs,” he thought.

As for that kid codenamed “B”?

Though talented, he was ultimately a product of Orochimaru and that man’s research, sent to Danzo as a tool. The masked man found him unreliable.

Back on the battlefield, Itachi seemed to have no intention of killing his opponent.

After incapacitating the enemy with Tsukuyomi, he waited silently.

A few seconds later, the fallen Kaneki’s clone reopened its eyes.

As the soul fragment reconnected with the main body, all the pain and memories endured by the clone were instantly transmitted to Kaneki. This caused violent turmoil within the sea of blood that constituted his true form.

Kaneki slowly opened his eyes, trembling uncontrollably, sweat pouring down his body as if under the weight of a mountain. He didn’t even have the strength to stand.

Such is the horrifying power of the Mangekyō Sharingan.

What felt like two or three days to Kaneki in the illusion was merely an instant in the real world.

During those long, torturous days, he endured constant slashing pain without a moment’s respite.

Had it been an ordinary person, they would have long succumbed to madness.

The outcome of the battle was now abundantly clear.

The Mangekyō Sharingan in Itachi’s eyes gradually faded, reverting to the standard three-tomoe Sharingan.

It was evident that using Tsukuyomi had taken a toll on him.

Under the moonlight, Itachi’s cold voice rang out.

“Don’t approach Sasuke again. Don’t test my limits. Otherwise, even at the risk of starting a war between my clan and the village, I will be the first to kill you.”

This was Uchiha Itachi’s warning.

At this moment, “B,” who had endured Tsukuyomi, couldn’t utter a word. He lay on the ground, gasping for air, watching Itachi’s cold silhouette disappear into the distance.

Though defeated in tonight’s battle, “B” had accomplished his mission as a clone—to test Itachi’s true strength, particularly the abilities contained within his Mangekyō Sharingan.

Ninja battles are about intelligence. Only with enough information can one devise strategies to exploit an opponent’s weaknesses.

Had Kaneki known about the terrifying powers of Itachi’s Mangekyō Sharingan earlier, he wouldn’t have dared to meet his eyes under any circumstances.

Such is the importance of intelligence.

Beyond gathering intelligence on the Uchiha, Kaneki also needed to ensure that news of Itachi awakening the Mangekyō Sharingan reached others.

Within a minute after the battle ended, Tenzo appeared before Hiruzen Sarutobi.

“Lord Hokage, the results of the battle between B and Uchiha Itachi are in,” Tenzo reported respectfully.

“Who won?”

Hiruzen, puffing on his pipe, asked casually.

He had anticipated this outcome when Kaneki provoked Itachi. Rather than intervening, he had let events unfold to gauge the combat capabilities of Uchiha Itachi and Kaneki, the Wood Release user.

“Itachi won. It’s confirmed that he has awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan. He defeated B with a single, powerful illusion technique.”

As Tenzo spoke, he found it difficult to believe himself. After all, he couldn’t fathom the level of power Itachi must possess to easily defeat a monster like B.

Even Hiruzen was visibly surprised by the report.

To be honest, Hiruzen wouldn’t have been shocked by either outcome, as the two were evenly matched in strength.

However, the word “instantly” caught his attention.

What kind of ocular technique had Itachi awakened in his Mangekyō Sharingan to instantly defeat such a formidable Wood Release user like B?

How did it compare to Shisui’s Kotoamatsukami?

Moreover, what would the Uchiha clan’s reaction be upon learning that Itachi had awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan?

The unknowns were what worried Hiruzen most.

(End of Chapter)

*Chapter 217: Itachi, the Uchiha Clan Needs Your Strength*

When Itachi returned to the clan grounds, he immediately received a summons from his father, Uchiha Fugaku, the clan leader. He was ordered to go straight to the Uchiha shrine—the Naka Shrine—to meet Elder Uchiha Taka.

A bad feeling flashed through Itachi's heart, but he didn’t hesitate and headed straight for the shrine.

Inside the main hall of the shrine, torches on both sides emitted a bright glow, but it still wasn’t enough to dispel the darkness cloaking most of the hall's corners.

At the center of the shrine, the clan leader, Uchiha Fugaku, and Elder Uchiha Taka sat solemnly on cushions.

“Father. Elder Taka,” Itachi greeted them respectfully with a bow.

Seeing Itachi arrive, Fugaku stood up and took the initiative to speak: “I heard you had a conflict with the members of the Root?”

Itachi nodded without hiding anything.

The disturbance caused by his battle with Kaneki was significant, so it was no surprise it had been noticed.

This was exactly why Itachi had always wanted to avoid conflict with Kaneki. Once such conflicts erupted, they would only further strain the relationship between the clan and the village.

But this time, Kaneki’s actions were simply intolerable. Itachi had no choice but to teach him a lesson.

After suffering through the torment of Tsukuyomi, Itachi imagined Kaneki wouldn’t forget the experience anytime soon.

Surprisingly, after hearing Itachi’s explanation, Fugaku didn’t get angry. Instead, he asked calmly, “Why?”

Itachi answered honestly: “I warned him not to use Sasuke to threaten me. Otherwise, I wouldn’t hesitate to kill him.”

Fugaku wasn’t particularly surprised by this response.

In this regard, he knew his son quite well.

If anyone was the most important person in Itachi’s world, the first would undoubtedly be his younger brother, Uchiha Sasuke.

The second might be Shisui.

The third would probably be his mother.

As for himself…

Fugaku wasn’t certain where he ranked.

Though the thought stung, Fugaku had always adhered to a strict and militant style of parenting. If not for this, he wouldn’t have taken Itachi, only four years old, to the battlefield.

During this upbringing, Itachi’s resentment or opinions about him were understandable—it was part of the cost of growth.

Fortunately, Itachi hadn’t disappointed him.

“You’ve awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan, haven’t you?”

Itachi’s heart skipped a beat when he heard this.

As someone highly perceptive, he immediately realized what had happened.

He had been exposed.

The battle with Kaneki had likely spread under the influence of certain individuals.

The Root, the Hokage, the clan—everyone who needed to know now knew.

Itachi sighed heavily in his heart, but outwardly, he remained as calm as ever.

There was no way around it. This was about Sasuke’s safety. Even if he could do it all over again, he would still choose to punish that Mokuton user.

Perhaps he would just move faster and keep the fight even more discreet.

But what was done was done. Itachi no longer hid anything. Meeting his father’s gaze, he revealed his Mangekyō Sharingan.

In an instant, the atmosphere of the shrine changed.

In Elder Taka’s aged eyes, a faint light emerged.

As someone who had survived the First Great Ninja War, he understood just how powerful the Mangekyō Sharingan truly was.

Who would have thought that after losing Shisui, another Mangekyō had appeared—this time, in Uchiha Itachi. Truly, the Uchiha were blessed.

Seeing the Mangekyō in Itachi’s eyes, Fugaku couldn’t hide his excitement. “As expected of my son. You truly awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan!”

Itachi said nothing.

His father’s reaction was exactly what he expected.

To Fugaku, the Mangekyō was only a source of power for the clan. He didn’t care about the painful memories behind those eyes.

But this time, something seemed different.

Fugaku suddenly turned away, his tone becoming calmer.

“Itachi, do you think I only see your power and not the suffering behind it?”

For the first time, Itachi’s gaze wavered. His father had hit the nail on the head—that was exactly what he believed.

Fugaku smiled faintly. The next second, in the darkness, his scarlet eyes began to shift. The three tomoe expanded rapidly, turning into the shape of the Mangekyō Sharingan.

“That’s… Mangekyō!”

Itachi stared in disbelief at his father’s eyes.

He never imagined his father had also awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan—and kept it hidden for so many years!

“I awakened it during a mission where my entire squad was wiped out, leaving me the sole survivor,” Fugaku said quietly, a rare trace of sorrow in his voice. Then, his tone grew resolute.

“Itachi, the Uchiha are a clan of both glory and curse.

“Every Sharingan is born from painful memories. The Mangekyō even more so.”

Turning back to Itachi, Fugaku fixed him with an eagle-like gaze.

“But we cannot dwell in the past’s pain. Only by transcending it can we obtain true power.

“The Uchiha are lambs waiting to be slaughtered. The tension between the clan and the village is beyond repair. If we don’t act first, the only future for the Uchiha is annihilation.”

In the darkness, the gazes of two Mangekyō Sharingan locked onto each other.

“Two Mangekyō Sharingan are enough to take down the Third Hokage before the Anbu can react. If we force him to pass the title to the Uchiha, all our problems will be resolved.”

“Itachi, the Uchiha clan needs your strength.”

Fugaku delivered his final appeal.

From the side, Elder Taka’s cold gaze bore into Itachi’s back.

The Uchiha coup was reaching its final stage.

The clan could no longer tolerate Itachi’s indecision. He had to make a clear choice today.

If he chose the village, then for the good of the clan, Fugaku and Taka would have to keep his Mangekyō from leaving the shrine—even if it meant forcefully taking it.

Perhaps realizing this, Itachi didn’t try to convince his father to abandon the coup this time. Instead, he nodded decisively.

“I understand.”

His gaze became resolute as he added, “Don’t worry, Father. I will stand with the clan and support all its actions.”

End of Chapter.

Chapter 218: The Painful Decision

Itachi’s resolute response clearly took Fugaku Uchiha and Elder Taka by surprise.

The two exchanged glances, silently communicating their thoughts. Then, Elder Taka spoke in a grave tone to Itachi, “Itachi, with such resolve, I’m glad for your father. But don’t forget the honor of the Uchiha clan.”

Itachi could detect the faint note of warning in the elder’s voice. However, his expression remained sincere and respectful. “Rest assured, Elder. I will do my best to gather intelligence on the village’s plans against our clan and stand firmly on the side of the Uchiha.”

“Good.”

Elder Taka had no reason to doubt Itachi’s words. After all, his joining the ANBU had been orchestrated by the Uchiha leadership. The intent was for him to use his position to spy on Konoha’s higher-ups and relay critical information back to the clan.

Conversely, Itachi’s task from Konoha’s leadership was to monitor the Uchiha. Thus, he lived a double life, caught between the light and the shadows. His inner turmoil was unceasing.

After leaving the shrine, Itachi walked alone down the desolate nighttime streets, his shadow stretched long under the moonlight.

Unconsciously, he found himself at the Naka River, a place where he and Shisui often met.

“Shisui, what should I do?”

Staring at the moonlit reflection on the river’s surface, Itachi voiced his confusion aloud.

Although he had just promised his father and the elders to stand by the clan, deep down, he had not made a true decision.

Both the clan and the village were invaluable, not something he could easily sacrifice.

Fugaku’s words replayed in his mind.

"Two Mangekyō Sharingan users—will that truly be enough for the clan to carry out a coup?"  

It was true that the Uchiha were the most powerful clan in Konoha. But the village was home to many other powerful shinobi, all with exceptional abilities and unique talents.

Not to mention the ANBU, the Root, and the legendary Sannin, two of whom could return to the village at any moment. Even though only two Sannin remained, their power was still an undeniable force.

Would they side against the village? After all, the Third Hokage was their teacher.

Even with Fugaku’s and his own Mangekyō Sharingan, it seemed unlikely that peace could be swiftly restored to the village after a coup.

Even if the coup succeeded and the Third Hokage were eliminated, could the Uchiha, with their current reputation, truly govern the village?

If the coup caused Konoha to weaken internally, what if other villages took advantage of the chaos to trigger a Fourth Great Ninja War? Could Konoha, fractured by civil strife, muster the strength to face such a threat?

Cloud Village had been steadily bolstering its military and refining its control over the tailed beasts. During the Third Great Ninja War, Killer Bee had already become a perfect jinchūriki, capable of fully controlling his tailed beast.

In recent years, the Two-Tails jinchūriki had also risen to prominence. It was only a matter of time before they too became a perfect jinchūriki. Coupled with the Raikage’s terrifying strength, their military power was already on par with Konoha’s.

The Tsuchikage of Stone Village, though old, remained a formidable force, wielding the devastating Dust Release.

Though Mist Village had been quiet for years, their recuperation likely meant they were far from weak.

And then there was Sand Village, which was currently engaged in small-scale conflicts with Konoha in the Land of Rivers. Their new secret techniques were placing growing pressure on Konoha.

If Konoha faltered, Sand Village would undoubtedly seize the opportunity to take advantage.

With so many internal and external threats, Itachi could not see a path where the Uchiha’s coup would succeed.

"If that’s the case..."  

After carefully analyzing the situation, Itachi’s eyes grew resolute.

That night, he appeared at the Hokage’s office as an ANBU operative.

Gathered there were Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage; Danzo Shimura, the leader of the Root; two of the Hokage’s advisors; and Shikaku Nara, the head of the Jōnin Council.

“Itachi, is there urgent information for us to gather here so late?” Hiruzen asked gravely.

The rift between the village and the Uchiha had reached a boiling point. Conflict, and possibly a coup, could erupt at any moment.

In such critical times, every piece of intelligence from their inside operative, Itachi, was of paramount importance.

Without hesitation, Itachi spoke. “A mysterious group called Akatsuki has been targeting Konoha and has even attempted to recruit me into their ranks.”

“There’s a man among them capable of a powerful space-time jutsu. He can move freely throughout Konoha, immune to all attacks.”

“Akatsuki?”

It was clear that no one expected Itachi’s first report to be about an unknown organization rather than the Uchiha clan.

Danzo, however, showed a flicker of recognition.

During the Third Great Ninja War, he had allied with Hanzo of the Rain to eliminate a group called Akatsuki. They had been an idealistic group that naively believed they could achieve peace through their principles.

In the end, their idealism led to their downfall. The organization was supposedly wiped out during that ambush, with no survivors—nor any members capable of space-time jutsu.

Could this be a different group with the same name?

While Danzo pondered, Shikaku Nara raised a critical question.

“You’re saying that this Akatsuki member can bypass Konoha’s detection barrier and move undetected within the village?”

This was Shikaku’s primary concern.

Konoha’s detection barrier enveloped the entire village. Any unrecognized chakra would be detected immediately.

But according to Itachi, this person had a way to bypass it.

Itachi nodded. “If he hadn’t approached me to recruit me, I might not have even sensed his presence.”

“What could someone with such power want with Konoha? And why try to recruit you?” Shikaku mused, rubbing his chin, his brow furrowed in deep thought.

The idea of an unknown entity infiltrating the village at will was deeply unsettling.

Danzo, too, was alarmed. As the head of the Root, responsible for intelligence and internal security, the idea that someone had penetrated Konoha so easily was a glaring failure on his part.

“What did this intruder look like?” Danzo asked.

Itachi frowned slightly as he recalled. “He wore a black cloak with red clouds and a swirling mask.”

“A swirling mask?”

Danzo’s expression darkened.

“If I’m not mistaken, that’s a symbol of the Jashin cult.”

“Jashin cult…”

The others’ faces hardened.

The Jashin cult had caused massive devastation in Sand Village, including stealing their sole tailed beast and ruining their international reputation.

Shikaku speculated grimly, “After taking the One-Tail from Sand Village, could the Jashin cult now be targeting Konoha?”

Sensing the weight of the atmosphere, Danzo snorted. “A mere Jashin cult? Leave it to the Root. I’ll have my agents flush out these rats hiding in Konoha.”

Hiruzen nodded. “I’ll leave it to you.”

With Danzo’s assurance, the matter of the Jashin cult was set aside for the time being.

More pressing matters remained.

“Itachi, I assume you have more to report?”

Hiruzen’s sharp question cut to the heart of the issue. If this were only about the Jashin cult, Itachi could have reported directly to him in private. There was only one matter grave enough to warrant summoning all the village leaders.

Itachi didn’t disappoint. Facing their intense gazes, he delivered explosive news.

“Indeed, I have another critical report: the Uchiha clan leader, Fugaku Uchiha, has decided to launch a coup. The exact timing is unknown.”

Itachi’s expression remained calm, as if he weren’t speaking about his own father.

As soon as those words were spoken, the meeting room fell into complete silence.

Hiruzen Sarutobi puffed on his pipe, Danzo Shimura’s face was clouded with darkness, and the two advisors remained silent, seemingly waiting for Sarutobi’s response.

Shikaku Nara, often regarded as Konoha's brain and the smartest person in the room, wore a grave expression.

Since Fugaku Uchiha had already decided to stage a coup, there was practically no room left for negotiation. What Shikaku had to focus on now was how to minimize the damage this Uchiha coup would cause to the village.

And the key to this battle lay in the calm young man before them.

A pair of Mangekyo Sharingan could decide many things.

With that thought, Shikaku naturally turned his gaze toward Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Hokage.

The latter clearly understood Shikaku’s silent cue and spoke up:

“Itachi, what are your thoughts?”

Without a moment’s hesitation, Itachi replied, “I will follow the Hokage’s orders completely.”

Faced with such a straightforward response, Sarutobi fell into silence.

According to the high council’s contingency plan, the proposed actions would be far too painful and burdensome for Itachi to bear.

Seeing Sarutobi hesitate to speak, Danzo, his face still shrouded in gloom, finally broke the silence. His raspy voice carried through the room:

“If none of you are willing to take on the role of the villain, then let this old man do it.”

Leaning on his cane, he rose to his feet. His gaze, cold and venomous like a snake’s, locked onto Itachi.

Itachi, however, remained calm, meeting Danzo’s chilling gaze without fear.

If he were to choose the one person he despised most among Konoha’s leadership, it would undoubtedly be this elder, known as the “Darkness of Shinobi,” Danzo Shimura.

Operating from the shadows and resorting to any means necessary, Danzo had no moral limits so long as it ensured Konoha’s victory.

While Itachi could acknowledge the necessity of a certain level of darkness, he could never accept the kind of boundless, ruthless darkness that Danzo represented.

With these thoughts in mind, Danzo spoke again.

“Itachi, I recognize your strength, but against the entire village, the Uchiha stand no chance. If they insist on rebellion, it will be like a mantis trying to stop a cart—utterly futile.”

“I’ll give you two choices.”

“First, side with the Uchiha and join them in their rebellion against the village. Ultimately, you’ll all be crushed, and the Uchiha’s legacy of glory will vanish, leaving nothing but shame etched into the village’s history.”

Danzo’s lone, chilling eye seemed like an abyss, his voice akin to the whisper of a demon.

“Or, before the Uchiha can act, you take it upon yourself to wipe out the clan and stop the coup. Then, leave the village as a rogue ninja.”

“In this way, the Uchiha’s honor can be preserved, and we will ensure your younger brother, Sasuke Uchiha, survives to inherit the clan’s legacy.”

“Think it over carefully.”

Danzo’s voice trailed off, and the room descended into silence once again.

The only sound was the weighty rhythm of Itachi’s breathing.

His eyes remained fixed on the floor.

Would he bear the risk of annihilation and stand with his clan, fighting for a slim chance of survival? Or would he stop the coup himself, sacrificing the entire clan to give his younger brother a chance to live?

It was a choice—one drenched in blood no matter the outcome.

“Take your time to think about it. I hope you’ll give us an answer soon,” Danzo said before standing and leaving the room.

The two advisors exchanged a lingering look at Itachi before following Danzo out.

Finally, Hiruzen Sarutobi approached the trembling Itachi, placing a heavy hand on his shoulder. With heartfelt sincerity, he said:

“Itachi, I trust you. You will not fail the Will of Fire.”

Then the Third Hokage also departed, leaving Itachi alone in the vast, empty room, gradually engulfed by darkness.

“What will you choose, Uchiha prodigy?”

In the depths of Root headquarters, a man named Kaneki opened his eyes from his bed, a faint smirk on his lips.

Itachi Uchiha’s decision would directly impact his next move.

If Itachi firmly sided with his clan, whether the coup succeeded or not, it would inflict the greatest possible damage on Konoha.

But if Itachi chose to slaughter his own clan, then…

That would be true filial piety.

(Chapter End)

*Chapter 219: Itachi's Will of Fire*

After leaving the Hokage building, Koharu Utatane couldn’t help but ask Danzo, who was walking ahead, “Do you really think Uchiha Itachi will follow through with our plan?”

Danzo paused mid-step, turned his head, and spoke in a low voice, “Koharu, you underestimate Hiruzen’s abilities.”

“Hiruzen’s abilities…”

Koharu immediately understood the implication and fell silent.

Homura Mitokado, hearing this, also refrained from saying more.

As old friends, they knew very well that if anyone excelled at persuasion—perhaps even manipulation—Hiruzen Sarutobi was second to none, rivaling Danzo himself. Especially when dealing with idealists like Uchiha Itachi.

Realizing this, they let out a sigh of relief. Still, preparations had to be made. After all, the Uchiha, as Konoha’s foremost clan, controlled considerable assets and influence over the decades.

If the Uchiha fell, those assets would quickly become highly coveted prizes. A moment's delay, and other clans would swoop in like vultures.

As members of Konoha’s upper echelon, they sometimes had to consider their clans’ and factions’ interests too, didn’t they?

---

Over the next few days, surveillance on the Uchiha district by the ANBU and Root intensified, leading to multiple clashes with Uchiha clan members.

What troubled the Uchiha most, however, was the unexplained disappearance of several clan members during this period.

“As the Police Force, how can we fail to investigate the disappearance of our own people?”

At a clan meeting, Fugaku Uchiha uncharacteristically lost his temper.

In recent days, ten members of the clan had gone missing. What was worse, all ten had awakened the Sharingan—each one a crucial asset to the Uchiha. And yet, they had vanished from the district without a trace.

With the village’s increasingly tense atmosphere, it was hard not to suspect foul play.

“Clan Leader, I’m certain this is the work of the ANBU and Root!” Uchiha Inaho was the first to speak, his words instantly gaining murmurs of agreement.

Who stood to benefit the most from weakening the Uchiha? It was undoubtedly the village’s leadership—they had both the motive and the means.

Standing in the corner, Itachi furrowed his brow slightly.

His instincts told him this wasn’t the village’s doing.

The village leadership had already decided to use him as their weapon to eliminate the Uchiha. Stirring up further conflict at this point would only complicate their plans.

That meant someone else was trying to provoke animosity between the village and the clan.

Was it another clan? Or that mysterious organization?

Lost in thought, Itachi suddenly heard someone mention his name.

“Itachi, what do you think?”

Fugaku had directly called on his son.

Itachi replied calmly, “The Police Force currently lacks concrete evidence. It’s best not to escalate tensions with the village.”

Before he could finish, Uchiha Inaho stormed up to him, grabbing him by the collar.

“Don’t escalate? All you care about is siding with the village! Are you even a part of the Uchiha clan?!”

“I am, of course, an Uchiha.”

As Itachi spoke these words lightly, his eyes transformed into the powerful Mangekyo Sharingan. A terrifying pressure instantly descended upon the entire shrine.

For those with Sharingan activated, the sensation was even more suffocating.

“Those eyes…”

Inaho stared at Itachi in disbelief. The overwhelming power of Itachi’s gaze nearly took his breath away.

It wasn’t just Inaho—every clan member looked at Itachi with shock and awe.

With a single glance, Itachi had made them feel utterly powerless.

Seeing the moment was right, Fugaku finally spoke.

“As you can see, Itachi has awakened the legendary Mangekyo Sharingan, an evolution beyond the three-tomoe Sharingan.”

The revelation hit the room like a thunderclap.

The Mangekyo Sharingan?

Another Mangekyo Sharingan wielder had emerged within the Uchiha?

After the initial shock, excitement took hold of the clan. This increased their chances of success in the impending coup.

Only Inaho remained bitter, his fists clenched tightly, his expression twisted with frustration.

Why? Why, after consuming so many Sharingan, am I still inferior to Itachi?  

Those eyes… It feels like they could dominate me at any moment.

No. It’s impossible!

Only through evolution can the Uchiha achieve true power.

Yes… If I can take Itachi’s Mangekyo Sharingan, I will become the strongest Uchiha! The god of the Uchiha!

With this thought, Inaho’s madness gave way to ambition.

---

Above, Fugaku continued to drop bombshells.

“Additionally, Itachi, acting as our informant within Konoha’s leadership, has obtained the village’s defense plans. Everyone must prepare accordingly.”

Fugaku’s words carried a clear implication.

We have the layout of the village. It’s time to prepare for the coup.

The exact timing remained a secret—Fugaku knew the importance of maintaining the element of surprise.

It could be tonight. It could be tomorrow.

Regardless, all clan members needed to be ready.

The news of Itachi awakening the Mangekyo Sharingan, combined with his role as a double agent, turned him into a hero. The suspicion of treason against him evaporated, replaced by admiration.

After the meeting, Uchiha Taka approached Fugaku.

“Are you planning to make Itachi the next Hokage?”

As an experienced politician, Taka could see through Fugaku’s intentions. By positioning Itachi as a hero, Fugaku was paving the way for him to become the first Uchiha Hokage.

Otherwise, why wouldn’t Fugaku, a Mangekyo wielder himself, step into the spotlight?

Facing Taka’s question, Fugaku nodded and admitted, “That is my plan. If we succeed, someone like me, who leads the clan in a rebellion, can never become Hokage.”

“Besides, the village will need a Hokage capable of uniting all the clans. Itachi is the perfect choice.”

Taka nodded in agreement.

He thought Itachi was too soft-hearted and indecisive—a disaster as clan leader. But for a village recovering from turmoil, his kindness and open-mindedness made him ideal.

“What if we fail?”

Taka was not only a politician but also an elder of the Uchiha. He had to prepare for the worst.

“I’ve made arrangements. I’ve chosen ten of our most gifted children. They’ll leave Konoha tonight through routes secured by the Higanbana Merchant Guild.”

“You’re not sending Sasuke?” Taka asked.

Itachi would need to fight, leaving the talented Sasuke vulnerable.

“No,” Fugaku replied sternly. “Other families can flee with their children, but as the Uchiha leader, my family will stand firm.”

Taka frowned. “Sasuke has the talent to be among those ten.”

“But he’s my son!” Fugaku’s fists trembled.

“As the son of the Uchiha leader, this is his fate.”

Taka fell silent.

As Uchiha leaders, they alone understood the weight of Konoha’s power—and the dire fate awaiting their clan.

Leaving the shrine, Itachi received many approving glances as he walked along the road.

Outwardly, he smiled and greeted his clansmen, but inwardly, he felt nothing but coldness and sorrow.

He was indifferent to their sudden change in attitude.

This change had never been due to anything he had done, but simply because of his strength. They worshiped him blindly, pursuing greater power while neglecting the cultivation of their inner selves.

Itachi also felt sorrow for their ignorance.

They were so naïve—naïve enough to believe that possessing a pair of Mangekyō Sharingan could change the entire tide of war.

This ignorance stemmed from the Uchiha clan’s arrogance and their blind obsession with power.

With these complex thoughts in mind, Itachi returned to his assigned duty: monitoring the Uchiha clan.

What he witnessed next only reinforced his beliefs.

A squad of Uchiha led by Inabi Uchiha was forcibly apprehending a dozen villagers on the street. As if venting some deep-seated rage, they began to beat the villagers savagely with their fists and feet.

Yes, right in broad daylight, in front of everyone.

Itachi's expression showed little reaction. After taking on the task of monitoring the Uchiha, such scenes had become all too familiar.

Though it was common knowledge that the relationship between the village and the clan had deteriorated, the Uchiha still officially controlled Konoha’s police force, responsible for maintaining law and order in the village.

Lately, however, the disappearance of Uchiha clansmen one after another had left the police force on edge.

Coupled with years of pent-up anger, it was inevitable that their frustrations would be unleashed on villagers who violated the law.

To the villagers, these incidents naturally appeared as nothing more than the Uchiha’s violent abuse of power.

Itachi glanced at the scene for a moment before looking away.

From his position on the rooftop, he could see not only the street where the police force had just acted but also the ninja academy in the other direction.

The academy seemed to be hosting some sort of competition.

To be precise—a duel.

A duel between children.

One of the participants was none other than Itachi’s younger brother, Sasuke Uchiha.

The son of the Uchiha clan’s leader, Sasuke had already garnered significant attention due to his exceptional talent and handsome appearance, even as a first-year student.

On either side of the arena, a group of young girls cheered for him enthusiastically.

After all, they were just children. Their primary concern was whether a boy was cool or not, paying little mind to Sasuke’s identity as an Uchiha.

When had the once-glorious name of the Uchiha clan become a burden?

Itachi let out a bitter laugh and continued watching.

Facing off against Sasuke was a blonde-haired boy who seemed lively and mischievous.

His name was… Uzumaki Naruto, wasn’t it?

Itachi remembered taking Sasuke to enroll at the ninja academy and had a faint impression of all his classmates. Naruto, however, stood out.

As someone who had awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan, Itachi could easily sense the strangeness surrounding Naruto.

But as far as Naruto’s character went, he was just a bright and cheerful kid.

At that moment, Naruto, hands on his hips, was declaring some kind of battle challenge to Sasuke.

Sasuke, naturally, responded with a proud and indifferent demeanor, which only infuriated Naruto further.

The match began.

Fueled by anger, Naruto charged at Sasuke with his fists swinging.

Sasuke sidestepped and countered with a single kick.

The match was over.

Naruto ended up face-down in the dirt. After climbing out of the sandpit, he angrily issued another challenge to Sasuke—only to be defeated once again.

Itachi couldn’t help but smile at the sight.

“What a lively child. You’ll probably become a good friend to Sasuke someday.”

Watching this scene, which was more play than battle, Itachi finally came to a decision.

He would protect Sasuke’s future.

Not just Sasuke’s, but also that of the other children in Konoha.

He couldn’t allow his clan’s coup to ignite the Fourth Great Ninja War. He couldn’t let these children walk the same path of war.

Thus, his only option now was clear:

To destroy his clan and stop the coup.

Shisui, this must be the Will of Fire you believed in.  

“It seems you’ve made up your mind,” a voice said suddenly.

The air behind Itachi warped, and the figure of the masked man appeared silently.

“You certainly know how to make an entrance. Aren’t you afraid of being caught by the Anbu?”

Itachi turned to look at the mysterious man, debating whether to use Tsukuyomi to eliminate this powerful threat to the village.

The masked man, seeming to read his thoughts, chuckled. “The Anbu? They couldn’t touch me, let alone catch me.”

“That includes you, Uchiha Itachi.”

Hearing this warning, Itachi abandoned the idea of using Tsukuyomi.

He couldn’t be sure his genjutsu would work on this man, and failure would only complicate matters further.

“I need your help,” Itachi said coldly.

“Oh? How?” the masked man asked, clearly intrigued.

Itachi’s voice was icy. “Help me kill the entire Uchiha clan. In return, I’ll join the Akatsuki.”

(End of Chapter)

Chapter 220 Group Collection

"What remarkable resolve, Itachi."

Even though I had anticipated that Itachi would make this decision, hearing it out loud still caught me off guard.

Itachi’s expression didn’t change. Once he made up his mind, he never wavered.

“Prepare yourself. It’s happening in the next couple of days.”

With that, Itachi’s figure vanished from sight.

He left the ANBU headquarters and returned to the familiar training ground by the lake, where he used to train with Shisui and Arima.

“I’ve made my decision, Shisui. But even now, I don’t know if it’s the right one.”

Facing the still waters of the lake, Itachi murmured softly to himself, in a voice only he could hear.

“Itachi-kun, so this is where you were.”

A warm, clear, feminine voice broke the silence, sounding like a refreshing spring on a summer’s day.

Itachi turned his head, unsurprised to see a gentle-looking girl with waist-length hair.

“Izumi?”

The visitor was Uchiha Izumi, a childhood friend of sorts.

Back during the Nine-Tails’ attack, Itachi had saved Izumi on the battlefield. Since then, their relationship had always been close.

Izumi was one of the few female friends this prodigious Uchiha maintained.

Even though she sensed Itachi’s emotional distance, Izumi didn’t mind.

After all, with the clan and the village’s tense situation, Itachi, as the young heir of the Uchiha, must be under tremendous pressure. She completely understood.

Stepping forward, she held out a small box and spoke kindly. “Itachi, the clan’s affairs must have been overwhelming these days. I brought you some tri-color dango. Take a moment to relax.”

Itachi’s expression froze momentarily before returning to its usual coldness.

He didn’t take the tri-color dango, his usual favorite treat, and instead responded with an icy demeanor. “I stopped liking childish things like tri-color dango a long time ago. If there’s nothing else, you should head home.”

Without giving Izumi a chance to reply, he turned and walked away.

Their backs faced each other.

Just as Itachi’s figure was about to vanish into the sunset, Izumi summoned her courage and called out to him.

“Itachi-kun, I don’t know what burden you’re carrying, but I hope you know—I will always stand behind you. No matter what decision you make, I’ll support you!”

The gentle girl stood bathed in the crimson glow of the sunset, her smile radiant like a blooming flower.

Even if it’s... death?

Itachi didn’t voice the question. He paused briefly before quickening his steps.

He was afraid. Afraid that if he turned back, he would abandon his resolve and retreat to the decaying, endless cycle of the past.

When he returned home, Sasuke rushed to greet him, fresh from ninja academy. He proudly reported his day’s achievements.

“Onii-chan! I defeated all my classmates today!”

Sasuke’s doll-like, handsome face was brimming with pride.

Itachi smiled, ruffling his brother’s hair. “That’s amazing, Sasuke.”

“Did you make any friends at the academy?”

“Friends, huh...”

Sasuke tilted his head, giving the question some serious thought.

For some reason, whenever the word “friend” came up, an annoying figure always popped into his mind.

Despite being hopelessly weak, that guy constantly challenged Sasuke, the top student.

Someone so overconfident couldn’t possibly be his friend!

“I guess... sort of.”

Seeing Sasuke’s bashful expression, Itachi’s smile deepened with satisfaction.

“Is it that blond boy?”

At his brother’s words, Sasuke’s face turned bright red.

“No way! Naruto could never be my friend! He’s so weak and full of himself, always shouting about becoming Hokage. It’s ridiculous!”

Mid-sentence, Sasuke noticed his brother looking at him with an amused smile and immediately fell silent.

“Alright, I get it. Just make sure to treasure the bonds you’ve formed.”

“Okay.”

Sasuke, still a bit confused, trusted his brother’s words completely. If Onii-chan said so, it must be right.

However, Sasuke had one more thing to ask.

“Onii-chan, will you teach me now—”

Before he could finish, Itachi gently poked Sasuke’s forehead with two fingers.

“Forgive me, Sasuke. Next time, I promise.”

Itachi closed his eyes and headed upstairs.

“Every time! I hate you, Onii-chan!” Sasuke pouted angrily.

Their mother, Mikoto, stepped in to console him. “Sasuke, Itachi has been really busy lately. Try to understand him, okay?”

Reluctantly, Sasuke puffed out his cheeks. “Fine.”

In his study, Itachi reflected on Sasuke’s earlier expression.

It was clear that Sasuke had already begun to forge meaningful bonds within the village.

“Hold onto those bonds and walk forward,” Itachi whispered softly.

He formed a hand sign, and a crow flew out of the window, disappearing into the night and reappearing on the other side of the village.

At the Konoha Research Facility.

Arima received the message from Itachi’s crow.

Despite his concern for the Uchiha clan’s plight, Arima had remained calm and restrained due to Itachi’s previous instructions.

Knowing Itachi, if help was truly needed, he would reach out. Acting rashly would only complicate matters.

In the meantime, Arima had focused on refining his kekkei genkai, waiting for a signal from Itachi.

Sure enough, the message finally came.

Arima extended his hand, letting the jet-black crow perch on it. He retrieved a rolled-up note tucked under its wing.

Unrolling the paper, he saw a single line written on it: “Tomorrow night, protect my brother.”

“Protect Sasuke, huh...”

Arima gazed out at the silent night.

“It seems you’ve made your decision, Itachi.”

After receiving Itachi’s message, Arima strode toward the inner part of the research lab without hesitation.

“Dr. Hosuke, is my Myoujin upgraded yet? I need it urgently!”

Since it was a request from a close friend, Arima was naturally willing to give it his all.

Meanwhile, after making his decision, Itachi once again stood before the Third Hokage.

“Have you made up your mind, Itachi?”

The Third Hokage asked in a heavy tone.

Itachi nodded. “Yes, Lord Hokage. Tomorrow night, I will personally take action to annihilate the Uchiha Clan and stop the coup.”

“After the Uchiha Clan is destroyed, I will go undercover as a rogue ninja and join the Akatsuki, providing intelligence for the village.”

Itachi raised his head, his eyes fixed on the old man before him, who, despite his aged appearance, still carried a benevolent demeanor.

“I’ll leave Sasuke in your care.”

The Third Hokage nodded. “Don’t worry. I will protect Sasuke. Not even Danzo will dare make a move against him.”

“Good.”

Itachi felt somewhat reassured by the Third’s promise.

As he prepared to leave, the Third Hokage suddenly said, “Itachi, you are a hero of the Leaf Village.”

Itachi paused briefly and replied coldly, “I won’t let anyone harm the village, not even my own clan.”

With the plan’s execution time now set, the ANBU forces began rapidly mobilizing.

The surveillance around the Uchiha district grew stronger, like oppressive storm clouds hanging over the clan’s territory, suffocating its residents.

“The show is about to begin.”

Standing on the rooftop of the Higanbana Trading Company, Kimura—or rather, Kaneki—gazed toward the Uchiha district.

“While your decision may seem noble, Itachi, I can’t allow you to ruin my plans so easily.”

In Kaneki scheme, the Uchiha Clan was supposed to rebel against the Leaf Village due to constant suppression, the mysterious disappearances of their members, and Itachi’s Mangekyou Sharingan awakening. United in anger, they were meant to launch a coup, leading to mutual destruction between the Uchiha and Konoha.

This would not only weaken Konoha, the most powerful force in the ninja world, but also allow Kaneki to exploit the chaos, stealing the village’s secrets and harvesting Uchiha “materials.”

He hadn’t anticipated two idealists emerging from the Uchiha Clan.

Shisui and Itachi—two Mangekyou Sharingan wielders—had both chosen to side with the village.

The former willingly sacrificed himself to prevent the coup, while the latter made the extreme choice to massacre his entire clan to protect the village.

Of course, from Itachi’s perspective, whether the coup succeeded or failed, Konoha would inevitably be dragged into the Fourth Great Ninja War.

In the worst case, the village could face complete destruction.

Rather than bearing the title of “traitor” and vanishing, Itachi decided it was better to destroy the Uchiha himself. At the very least, Sasuke would survive, preserving a part of the clan’s honor while minimizing the village’s losses.

Kaneki didn’t understand Itachi’s mindset but was undeniably shocked.

It was clear that the Will of Fire had profoundly influenced these two geniuses.

Their thoughts were shaped entirely by their devotion to the village, always prioritizing its welfare over their own feelings.

It was terrifying.

Even someone as inhuman as Kaneki couldn’t reach such an idealistic mindset.

“Maybe I should develop my own ‘Will of Evil’ to brainwash my followers…” he mused.

Regardless, Itachi’s decision would drastically reduce Kaneki gains.

If Itachi single-handedly destroyed the Uchiha Clan, Konoha would remain stable. If Konoha stayed stable, Kaneki wouldn’t have the chance to reap any benefits.

Therefore, Kaneki couldn’t just sit back and do nothing.

Looking toward the direction of the Root, Kaneki pushed up his glasses, a playful smile forming on his face. “Danzo must be pleased to finally get what he wants.”

In the depths beneath the village, hidden far below the Root headquarters, there was a secret chamber—one even the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, was unaware of.

At the center of the chamber lay a yellow-green pool.

Floating quietly in the pool’s center was one of the Root’s most important weapons, Otsu.

Danzo, the leader of Root, slowly unwrapped his bandages and removed his loose robes, revealing his shriveled, elderly body.

Including his grotesque arm, which was embedded with ten Sharingan eyes.

“Otsu, are you ready to offer your body?”

Danzo’s raspy voice echoed through the chamber.

Hearing this, Otsu spread his arms wide, his tone tinged with madness. “Of course! I gladly offer myself, Lord Danzo, as a stepping stone for you to become Hokage!”

“Excellent, Otsu. I promise you—I will become Hokage.”

Danzo nodded in satisfaction and then formed a series of hand seals.

“Forbidden Jutsu: Mutual Devouring Technique!”

As Danzo activated the jutsu, a snake-like tendril sprouted from his abdomen. At its end was a hideous mouth, grotesque and menacing.

“Absorb me, Lord Danzo!”

With Otsu’s near-crazed chant, the tendril stabbed into his abdomen.

Gurgling sounds echoed through the chamber as Otsu’s body began to wither. Everything within him was drained and absorbed, fusing him with his “beloved” Lord Danzo.

Eventually, he was reduced to a dried corpse.

Even so, Otsu’s skeletal face bore a crazed smile.

At the same time, Danzo’s body underwent a dramatic transformation.

His once frail, decaying frame began to rejuvenate. A surge of new power erupted from within, rapidly suppressing the Sharingan embedded in his right arm.

This was the Wood Release power Danzo had longed for.

A frenzied expression overtook Danzo’s face.

Unlike the unstable Hashirama cells that required Sharingan to control, this Wood Release felt powerful yet completely under his command.

Not only that, but his body had started to grow younger, and his decades-old wounds and injuries vanished completely.

Green droplets slid off his revitalized body, and beneath his now flawless skin lay terrifying strength.

His mind, too, underwent a transformation.

Scenes he had once imagined now felt vividly real.

He envisioned himself killing Hiruzen during the First Ninja War, mastering Hashirama’s Wood Release, becoming Hokage, annihilating the evil Uchiha, obtaining the Mangekyou Sharingan, and leading Konoha to victory in the Second Ninja War—unifying the ninja world and becoming the next God of Shinobi!

“Heh heh…”

“Yes. This is what I was meant to achieve!”

Danzo’s now-youthful body erupted with a terrifying aura.

He felt as strong—no, stronger—than he had in his prime.

“Why did Hiruzen get to become Hokage? The position was always meant for me!”

Danzo’s confidence soared. With his newfound strength, he believed he was more than a match for Hiruzen.

“Looks like the fusion was a success, Danzo.”

A similarly chilling voice echoed from the shadows. Two cold, golden snake eyes appeared.

Danzo’s sharp gaze turned to the figure emerging from the darkness—Orochimaru.

“Don’t worry. Once I become Hokage, I’ll fulfill my promises to you.”

“That’s all I needed to hear.”

Orochimaru licked his lips before continuing, “Oh, and I have some news for you.”

“What is it?”

Danzo narrowed his eyes.

With his new body and power, he no longer feared this snake.

“Itachi Uchiha plans to carry out his mission tomorrow night—the annihilation of the Uchiha Clan.”

(End of Chapter)