At dusk.
Just as Akihara Kagura had said, a major event was indeed about to unfold in Konoha.
Naka Shrine.
Members of the Uchiha clan gathered here in groups, each with a look of determination and solemnity on their faces, especially Uchiha Fugaku, whose expression was particularly resolute.
Ever since Uchiha Fugaku learned that Akihara Kagura had been promoted to the Hokage's guard and assistant, he immediately understood the decision of Sarutobi Hiruzen. He decided to take advantage of the clan's unity to launch a coup and seize the power of Konoha.
This Uchiha clan assembly unanimously passed the resolution to initiate the coup, and Uchiha Fugaku showed no opposition.
Only Uchiha Itachi was full of conflict.
Because his views diverged significantly from those of his father.
After the assembly ended, Uchiha Fugaku suddenly called out to his son, "Itachi, don't rush to leave. I have something to discuss with you."
After speaking, Uchiha Fugaku took his son to a stone monument that had stood in the Naka Shrine for generations, "This is a stone monument passed down through generations of the Uchiha clan. It is said to contain content carved by the Sage of the Six Paths, and only those in the clan with the Sharingan can read it…"
"…"
Uchiha Fugaku looked at the monument and continued, "However, those with the Mangekyo Sharingan can read even more…"
"Do you want me to tell you?"
Uchiha Itachi's eyes turned a deep red.
"There's no need."
Uchiha Fugaku shook his head slightly, tilting it so his son could see his eyes—those were the Mangekyo Sharingan!
"Mangekyo Sharingan…"
It was the first time Uchiha Itachi had seen his father's eyes like this!
All along, Uchiha Fugaku had been like an ordinary Uchiha ninja, with the clan's pride, and his talent and abilities were not apparent.
Nobody expected…
Uchiha Fugaku had been hiding his depth so profoundly!
Despite being the clan leader, he concealed his power, unwilling for it to be known by the clan, and even the higher-ups of Konoha were unaware of his capabilities.
"During the Third Great Ninja War, my friend saved my life at the cost of his own. With blood and tears, I obtained the Mangekyo Sharingan…"
Uchiha Fugaku looked down at the monument. He could read the content and even see the history on it, "Even with the Mangekyo Sharingan, I can't read the text behind the monument. It seems our bloodline can go further…"
"However…"
"Just this part of the content is enough…"
"Konoha has always feared our clan's power, as you've seen with Konoha's hostility towards the Uchiha. When they don't change, we have no way to change anything…"
"Especially when the Third Hokage announced that little brat Akihara Kagura as his guard and assistant, I fully understood what the attitude of the higher-ups really was. The future of the village will continue to be hostile towards the Uchiha, continuing to persecute our clan…"
"…"
Uchiha Itachi found himself unable to refute.
"I was the one who offended Akihara Kagura first."
Uchiha Itachi lowered his head, earnestly explaining his history with Akihara Kagura: "Akihara Kagura came from the Konoha orphanage, always respecting the orphanage's Dean Yakushi Nono and his friend Yakushi Kabuto. I was carrying out Danzo's mission and nearly killed them…"
"Itachi!"
Uchiha Fugaku stared at his son and shook his head, saying, "At this point, discussing these matters is meaningless. We must carve out a future for the Uchiha clan..."
"I have always hidden the fact that I possess the Mangekyo Sharingan, fearing that our clanspeople would force me to initiate a coup d'état earlier. I hoped to see a change in the higher ranks of Konoha, which is why I delayed until now..."
"Now..."
"There is no other way."
"Apart from choosing a coup d'état, there is no other path to take."
"It's not your fault, Itachi. The outcome was already sealed when the Second Hokage isolated our Uchiha clan from Konoha."
"The existence of these eyes is to prevent the Uchiha from feeling powerless and regretful when protecting those important to them. Now is the time to use these eyes..."
Uchiha Itachi remained silent, pondering for a moment before suddenly suggesting a bizarre idea: "What if I were to kill Akihara Kagura? If Akihara Kagura is killed, there would still be room for easing tensions between the Uchiha and Konoha, right?"
Uchiha Fugaku, as if seeing his son for the first time, looked at him incredulously: "You want to kill Akihara Kagura?"
Uchiha Fugaku shook his head and softly said, "Since you already harbor the intent to kill someone within the village, why not choose to support the Uchiha in launching a coup? He is a candidate for the next Hokage of Konoha. Killing him would be no different from a coup..."
Uchiha Itachi fell silent again for a while before sharing his thoughts: "At least this way, there's a possibility for peace in the future, without more sacrifices..."
"Assassinating that kid won't be easy."
Uchiha Fugaku looked at his son and said gravely, "Akihara Kagura's Wood Release has become strong enough to rival the Mangekyo Sharingan..."
"I will do it."
Uchiha Itachi knelt on one knee before his father, lowering his head and said, "If so, can you prevent the clan from initiating a coup?"
This time, it was Uchiha Fugaku's turn to fall silent.
The clan leader, who had been struggling to support the Uchiha clan, finally did not lie to his son: "Itachi, a fire has ignited on a thick bed of straw, and it can't be extinguished by a single bucket of cold water. If you can kill Akihara Kagura, when the Uchiha clan rises in rebellion, we will be more confident..."
"One Akihara Kagura cannot change the overall situation..."
"By making him a candidate for Hokage at this time, the higher-ups of Konoha will no longer compromise with the Uchiha, and they will persecute our clan until its extinction..."
This means...
Uchiha Fugaku will not change his mind.
Regardless of whether Uchiha Itachi kills Akihara Kagura or not, the coup is inevitable and must be carried out by the Uchiha clan.
Uchiha Fugaku, looking at his son, softly persuaded: "Itachi, you are my son, please, help our clan..."
Uchiha Itachi lowered his head in agony.
The sky grew darker.
The father and son left the Naka Shrine separately.
A team of Anbu ninjas appeared beside Uchiha Itachi, saying, "Captain, you came out later than usual today. Did something happen?"
"I'm going to report important information to the higher-ups."
Uchiha Itachi's eyes remained a deep crimson as he slowly closed them, burying his pain bit by bit.
Inside the Hokage's building.
A group of Konoha's higher-ups were seated here.
They were all waiting for important news from Uchiha Itachi while also discussing matters related to the Uchiha clan, with Akihara Kagura standing behind Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Because Akihara Kagura would be the absolute combat force against the Uchiha clan, it was impossible for him to be absent. Sarutobi Hiruzen also wanted to take this opportunity to teach Akihara Kagura a lesson.
However...
Something seemed subtly off.
"I think Lord Danzo's opinion makes a lot of sense."
"Why keep compromising with the Uchiha clan and wait for a peace that can never be assured when we could simply eliminate them?"
Indeed.
Akihara Kagura strongly agreed with Shimura Danzo's view.
This made Shimura Danzo's feelings particularly complex; this youngster didn't make him feel especially disliked, having indeed been influenced by him during his time in the Root...
No wonder...
No wonder the monkey had been blaming himself for influencing Akihara Kagura.
Shimura Danzo once again had that thought and took the opportunity to speak: "Kagura, do you want to return to the Root?"
"Shut up!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen interrupted Shimura Danzo with a single sentence.
Just then, a sliding door slowly opened, and an Anbu member came to report that Uchiha Itachi had arrived to deliver the night's intelligence.
"The Uchiha clan..."
"Wants to launch a coup."
Uchiha Itachi knelt on one knee before everyone.
"The situation is urgent!"
Shimura Danzo narrowed his eyes, finally finding an opportunity: "We must strike before they do; it's imperative!"
"The Uchihas were once comrades-in-arms..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen shook his head and continued in a deep voice, "I still want to try communicating to resolve the issue rather than resort to force. I'll think of a strategy."
However...
Sarutobi Hiruzen couldn't think of a better solution.
But Sarutobi Hiruzen was very calm inside, because Akihara Kagura was right behind him, and Sarutobi Hiruzen had already been confident in resolving the Uchiha clan's coup.
After this briefing.
Sarutobi Hiruzen stayed in the Hokage's building with Akihara Kagura, planning to teach Akihara Kagura some jutsu techniques while continuing to strengthen their own forces and think of ways to resolve the coup.
"This is the Sage Techniques left by the First Hokage."
Sarutobi Hiruzen pulled out a scroll and handed it to Akihara Kagura: "It would be best if you could master one or two of these in the next few days. In case a fight really breaks out, we might need to rely on Wood Release, after all, it's the natural nemesis of the Sharingan..."
"Are you asking me to kill Uchiha Itachi?"
Akihara Kagura took the scroll and said softly, "Before Teacher Jiraiya took me out of the village for training, that guy Uchiha Itachi must have received new power..."
"Uchiha Itachi is a pacifist."
Sarutobi Hiruzen shook his head and solemnly educated his successor, "Kagura, do not harbor any ill will towards Uchiha Itachi because of past events. Those were mistakes made by Shimura Danzo, and Itachi too was a victim…"
"Hopefully."
Akihara Kagura lowered his head to look at the scroll in his hands.
This scroll recorded numerous ninjutsu, including the "Sage Art: Gate of the Great God," necessary for sealing the Tailed Beasts. Clearly, this Third Hokage also worried about the Uchiha clan controlling the Tailed Beasts.
Besides that,
There was the jutsu that Akihara Kagura most wanted to acquire.
[System Prompt]: [Ninja Professor] trait activated, the host's chakra level has reached SSS class, capable of entering Sage Mode. The "Sage Art: Gate of the Great God" being studied complies with the theory of ninjutsu. Learning of "Sage Art: Gate of the Great God" was successful!
Sage Art: Gate of the Great God (Through utilizing Sage chakra, summons a certain number of Torii gates to seal the opponent. Its sealing capability is extraordinarily strong, capable of easily suppressing the Tailed Beasts!)]
[System Prompt]: [Ninja Professor] trait activated, the host possesses the Wood Release Kekkei Genkai, chakra level has reached SSS class, capable of entering Sage Mode. The "Sage Art: True Several Thousand Hands" being studied complies with the theory of ninjutsu. Learning of "Sage Art: Wood Release: True Several Thousand Hands" successful!
[Sage Art: Wood Release: True Several Thousand Hands (Only activatable in Sage Mode. By bringing hands together, summons a statue of Kannon with countless giant arms. The statue can attack enemies with thousands of giant fists, each capable of easily crushing mountains and rocks!)]
...
Akihara Kagura's eyes flickered slightly.
The scroll did not detail the power of the True Several Thousand Hands very clearly, merely noting this sage technique as one that could suppress the rampage of the Nine-Tails…
The First Hokage…
Wasn't this a bit too modest?
Such a powerful technique merely used to suppress the Nine-Tails' rampage? It seems just one wooden figure is needed to press down on the Nine-Tails' head and pummel it!
"Is it difficult?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen even took the initiative to ask Akihara Kagura.
"It's alright."
Akihara Kagura shook his head.
"I'll think of a way."
Sarutobi Hiruzen felt a bit of a headache.
So, how exactly should we communicate with the Uchiha clan?
If it's just a simple concession, the already turbulent Uchiha clan will definitely be dissatisfied; if it's a large-scale concession, the other families and high-ranking officials in the village will also be dissatisfied.
"I'll continue to look at these techniques…"
Akihara Kagura nodded and watched as Sarutobi Hiruzen left.
Suddenly, White Zetsu Awei emerged from the ground, saying, "Young man, after you dispersed, Shimura Danzo and Uchiha Itachi seemed to have talked about something. They let Uchiha Itachi kill all members of the Uchiha clan to prevent a coup. He could spare the life of Uchiha Itachi's brother, Uchiha Sasuke; otherwise, the Third Hokage and you would eliminate the Uchiha together. Itachi seemed to have agreed…"
"Oh."
Akihara Kagura indicated that he was aware.
This matter had not escaped Akihara Kagura's anticipation.
Shimura Danzo always liked using the Uchiha to deal with the Uchiha.
The origin of this clan's annihilation night lay in Shimura Danzo's enticement of Uchiha Itachi, who arrogantly believed he had resolved the peace between Konoha and the Uchiha clan, arrogantly preserved the Uchiha clan's bloodline, and arrogantly arranged his brother's fate.
"I had warned him a long time ago."
Akihara Kagura had long anticipated the fate of Uchiha Itachi.
Long ago, out of consideration for their past as teammates, Akihara Kagura had warned Uchiha Itachi both openly and secretly.
Even during the incident in Rock Village, Akihara Kagura explicitly advised Uchiha Itachi to abandon the mission given by Shimura Danzo, urging him not to kill Yakushi Kabuto and Yakushi Nono, who were very important to him, and instead join him in saving Hatake Kakashi in Rock Village.
However, Uchiha Itachi considered the lives of Yakushi Kabuto and Yakushi Nono as the price for gaining Shimura Danzo's trust. Even after realizing Danzo's darkness, he was willing to delve deeper into it.
This guy did not care about the lives of those important to Akihara Kagura; he never cared about Akihara Kagura as a teammate!
If one must say...
Actually, the two of them had already become enemies!
Out of respect for Hatake Kakashi, Akihara Kagura had already been tolerant enough towards Uchiha Itachi!
"He chose to jump into the abyss himself. Since he jumped in, he should not dream of leaving the darkness in this lifetime."
After saying this, Akihara Kagura seemed to think of something and suddenly asked, "Awei, is Obito still in Konoha?"
"Yes."
"Obito has returned to the Naka Shrine."
White Zetzu Awei nodded and said, "It seems that Obito really likes Uchiha Itachi. I still don't understand what makes Uchiha Itachi better than you?"
"Who made Uchiha Itachi a member of the Uchiha clan?"
"Anyway, that guy will never like us..."
Akihara Kagura chuckled and casually took credit for Uchiha Itachi's defection: "Now, go immediately and tell Uchiha Obito that the matter of forcing Uchiha Itachi to defect will soon bear fruit..."
"Besides."
"I need his help with something else. There may not be another Kyuubi incident, and he might not be able to break the seal on Uzumaki Naruto. I am the future Hokage of Konoha and do not wish to see the village suffer any more losses..."
"However, before Yagura, the Three-Tails Jinchuriki, is sent away tomorrow, the Third Hokage, to avoid displeasing the Mizukage, has lifted the seal on the Three-Tails Jinchuriki. We could stir up trouble with the Three-Tails as well. He once controlled Yagura, didn't he?"
"Or..."
"Let another pair of Mangekyō Sharingan control Yagura."
"Uchiha Itachi, having agreed to slaughter his clan for Shimura Danzo, certainly can't stay in Konoha, right? Uchiha Obito can just recruit Uchiha Itachi into the Akatsuki organization to help with the first task..."
"By the way, don't forget to remind Uchiha Obito not to reveal my identity."
"Uchiha Itachi will definitely not be loyal to him, at most, he will only become a spy hidden in the Akatsuki organization, just like I am a spy hidden in Konoha by the Akatsuki organization..."
"Eh? Is that possible?"
White Zetzu Awei was puzzled for a moment and laughed, asking, "I just overheard that Uchiha Itachi would rather kill his entire clan. How could he dare to control the Three-Tails and cause turmoil in Konoha?"
"That's not our concern."
"Just give him any reason. Test my power, test Uchiha Itachi's ability."
"I just hope for a result."
Akihara Kagura looked deeply at White Zetzu and said solemnly, "It is up to me to quell the turmoil of the Three-Tails."
"This will earn me everyone's respect, make me a hero of Konoha, and help me secure the position of Hokage in the future. Tonight, a real drama will unfold, just like the fate of Wood Release and Mangekyo Sharingan many years ago..."
"Some become rogue ninjas."
"Some become heroes."