In the evening, Kirito changed into his regular clothes and arrived at the Ninja Academy on time to pick up Uchiha Izumi and walk her home.
"Have you been waiting long?" Uchiha Izumi asked as soon as she saw Kirito.
At this time, Uchiha Izumi had not fully matured, but her grace was already apparent. Her waist-length black hair, smooth and sleek without any accessories, flowed behind her. She wore a lavender high-collared dress, her delicate features highlighted by fair skin and a warm smile that could easily touch hearts.
"It's fine, I just got here," Kirito replied, raising his right hand. Under the envious eyes of many Academy students, Uchiha Izumi naturally handed over her backpack, and the two walked side by side.
"Time flies. Six years have passed in the blink of an eye," Uchiha Izumi sighed.
"Yeah, you're about to graduate, right?" Kirito smiled and asked casually, "Have you thought about what you want to do in the future?"
"Hmm..." Uchiha Izumi thought for a moment, then, blushing slightly, she took Kirito's arm and said, "Maybe I'll become a bride."
She recalled the night they first met. It was the night the Nine-Tails attacked, a natural disaster. Her father had died, her mother was gone, and she was overwhelmed with confusion and helplessness. In that moment of crisis, Kirito had unhesitatingly pulled her from an alley on the verge of collapse and led her to safety.
That image of a young boy saving her remained vivid in her mind, even after six years. As they grew older, the two naturally grew closer. To her, it wouldn't be bad if things stayed that way forever.
Kirito was momentarily surprised but then smiled slightly, leaning in close to whisper, "Then I'll be your groom."
Uchiha Izumi was stunned, her cheeks flushing even more deeply. Her face pressed against Kirito's arm, and there was no need for more words.
Soon after, they arrived at Uchiha Izumi's home.
Not long after they entered, just as Uchiha Itachi had hinted, Uchiha clan members came knocking at the door.
"Itachi-kun?" Uchiha Izumi asked in surprise upon seeing the visitor.
It was none other than Uchiha Itachi himself.
Uchiha Itachi nodded expressionlessly and looked toward Kirito. "Kirito, my father wants to see you."
"I understand," Kirito said, turning to Uchiha Izumi. "I'll be back soon."
"Come back before dinner," Uchiha Izumi responded, not questioning why the clan leader wanted to see him.
Kirito reassured her with a smile, gently patting her head, and then followed Uchiha Itachi out of the house.
Kirito soon found himself at the Uchiha residence, where he met Uchiha Fugaku, Itachi's mother, Mikoto, and their younger son, Sasuke, who had just returned from the Academy.
After a long discussion, it was agreed that Kirito would marry into the Uchiha family. In return, Kirito was expected to provide information to the Uchiha clan.
As time passed, the situation escalated to the eve of the Uchiha clan's impending downfall.
The sun was setting over Konoha Village in the Land of Fire, but a strange atmosphere loomed over the Uchiha clan's district.
Since Uchiha Shisui's death more than a year ago, tensions between the Uchiha clan and the Konoha leadership had grown. Dissatisfaction had reached its peak, and a coup seemed inevitable.
At that moment, in a secret meeting room in the Hokage Building, Konoha's leadership—Shimura Danzo, Homura Mitokado, Hiruzen Sarutobi, and Koharu Utatane—sat in their seats of power. Kneeling before them was Uchiha Itachi, dressed in his ANBU gear.
With his head lowered in shadow, Uchiha Itachi made a solemn decision. He spoke in a low, respectful tone: "In three days, the Uchiha clan plans to launch a coup during the clan's festival."
The four Konoha elders exchanged serious glances.
Danzo, who had long harbored a deep hatred for the Uchiha, was the first to speak. "We must strike before they rebel," he said, turning to Hiruzen.
Hiruzen, however, shook his head, looking troubled. "The Uchiha were once our comrades. I want to resolve this without bloodshed. There has to be a way to communicate with them."
Although he voiced this sentiment, it was clear that Hiruzen did not have a concrete plan in mind.
Danzo narrowed his eyes but held his tongue, knowing that Hiruzen, as Hokage, would not tolerate insubordination in front of the others. Still, he muttered to himself, "Hiruzen, you'll regret this."
After some tense silence, Hiruzen finally spoke again. "Itachi, you may go."
"Yes, Lord Hokage," Uchiha Itachi replied, his expression unreadable. He donned his ANBU mask and disappeared.
As Itachi left, Koharu turned to Hiruzen. "What do you intend to do, Hiruzen?"
Hiruzen hesitated. "I'm not sure yet, but I believe there is a way."
In truth, Hiruzen's primary concern was not the Uchiha clan, but Konoha's future—and, more specifically, his position as Hokage. A conflict with the Uchiha could lead to a weakened Konoha, vulnerable to outside threats, possibly sparking a Fourth Great Ninja War. Additionally, if he were seen as ordering the massacre of an entire clan, his legacy as Hokage would be forever tarnished.
Someone else would need to take the blame for what was to come.
Naturally, Danzo was the perfect candidate. Hiruzen knew that with Danzo's methods, the Uchiha clan could be eliminated without an open war.
As if reading his mind, Danzo took the opportunity to speak. "It seems you have no other solution, Hiruzen."
With a heavy sigh, Hiruzen lit his pipe, signaling his reluctant agreement.
Koharu and Homura, understanding that Hiruzen would not take further action, turned to Danzo.
"Danzo, what do you propose?" Koharu asked.
Danzo smirked, already formulating a plan. "Leave it to me," he said, knowing he would soon take what he wanted—the Sharingan, and the end of the Uchiha clan.
(End of chapter).
🖤John_smith| Patreon🖤
Visit our Patreon for more:
https://www.patreon.com/john_smith_
Extra Content Already Available.