The sound of knocking on the door in the rain jolted Ren awake.
"The Hokage wants to see you."
Ren opened the door to find a drenched Anbu standing in the rain, delivering the message.
As soon as the Anbu finished speaking, they vanished into the dark, stormy night with a swift body flicker.
"Ren?"
A sleepy voice came from behind—Tenten had been stirred awake by the commotion and groggily sat up on the bed, still half-asleep.
"What's going on?"
Ren shut the door and grabbed his clothes from the wall.
"Nothing, go back to sleep. I just need to go out for a bit."
"So late? What's going on?" Tenten glanced at the clock beside her.
Ren swiftly put on his combat gear, tied his forehead protector, and left without answering her question.
The Hokage calling him at this hour—something serious must have happened.
As he dashed through the rain, Ren had a growing sense of foreboding. Something felt off, as if unexpected events had begun to unfold.
The sky was shrouded in thick, dark clouds, and the fierce winds howled through the storm like an ominous presence wrapping the village in a malevolent grip.
Most houses had turned dark as Ren raced toward the Hokage's office, but suddenly, he noticed a shadow standing on a utility pole ahead.
He stopped abruptly, eyeing the figure.
The shadow was cloaked in a black raincoat that flapped in the wind, its hood concealing its face in darkness.
"Ren," the figure spoke, its voice hoarse and deep, like that of a middle-aged man.
When the man pulled down his hood, Ren's eyes widened in shock.
The man's face was hidden behind a mask with strange markings, revealing only one eye.
"Nice to meet you… for the first time," the man said in a chilling voice.
The cold wind whipped through the air, the rain stinging Ren's face as he narrowed his gaze.
"Who are you?" Ren asked, his voice steady.
"My name..."
"…is Uchiha Madara."
…
Uchiha Clan Compound
Itachi emerged from his room, his expression weary yet resolute.
"Itachi," his mother, Mikoto, called softly, unable to hide her worry as her son stepped out.
"Mother, Father," Itachi greeted his parents respectfully.
"Come with us, Uchiha Itachi," one of the Root members demanded, while two more operatives appeared beside him.
Uchiha clan members, noticing the Root operatives closing in, immediately jumped into the courtyard, ready to intervene.
"In the end, you're just following Danzo's orders," Fugaku said coldly.
"These accusations and arrests are nothing but baseless assumptions on your part."
"Without the Hokage's command, I don't recognize your authority."
Itachi was momentarily taken aback by his father's firm words.
"Father…"
The Root ninja leader faltered for a moment. If they resorted to force here, the Uchiha were indeed prepared to retaliate. However, now that things had escalated, he had no choice but to push forward. "Fugaku-sama, are you truly going to oppose us?"
Fugaku glanced at the Root members and sneered. "You think you're worthy?"
Were they about to fight?
If they clashed here, it would confirm the Uchiha's rebellion, and all the opportunities that had finally opened up would vanish.
But if they didn't act, could they really hand Itachi over?
If Danzo had uncovered Itachi's secret, the Hokage surely knew as well. No matter what, such a crime would not be forgiven.
What should they do?
"Father," Itachi interrupted, stepping in front of his father.
"I know what you truly desire in your heart."
"I cannot allow your hopes to be destroyed."
If they fought now, it would seal the Uchiha's fate as rebels. The only way out was to sacrifice himself…
Fugaku's expression darkened as he stood and grabbed Itachi's wrist in a flash.
"What do you know!" Fugaku's eyes bore into Itachi's with a low, intense voice.
"You think everything I've done is only for myself?!"
Itachi trembled at his father's words, staring up at him with wide eyes.
Fugaku pulled Itachi closer and whispered in his ear, "Do you know why I don't want a coup? It's not just for the village—it's for you and Sasuke!"
"Sacrifices are not for you to make. Rebellion or not, we are not afraid!"
Itachi slightly turned his head and saw the cold determination in his father's eyes, a side of Fugaku he had never seen before.
His resolve wavered.
"Why the tension?"
A familiar voice cut through the air, and everyone turned to see a young figure standing in the hallway.
"We're all part of the same village. Do we really need to fight?" The figure placed a hand on the Root ninja's shoulder, speaking calmly.
The Root member stiffened. He hadn't noticed the boy's presence at all until now. When he turned and met the boy's eyes, an inexplicable chill ran through him.
"Shisui!"
"Shisui, you're here!"
"Shisui, they're trying to take Itachi away!"
The Uchiha clan members immediately recognized him and greeted him enthusiastically, many showing visible relief at his arrival, indicating his high standing within the clan.
Fugaku released Itachi, his sharp gaze focused on Shisui. "So, you've come."
If there was a mastermind behind all of this, it was Shisui.
Fugaku couldn't believe Itachi had orchestrated something as bold as the Mist's attack on the village. Shisui's involvement made sense—it was still shocking, but at least understandable.
"Shisui," Itachi's expression relaxed upon seeing his trusted friend, visibly relieved.
Shisui calmly walked into the room, approaching Fugaku, Mikoto, and Itachi. He was the only one so far to step forward amidst the tense standoff.
"I'm aware of everything," Shisui said as he gently patted Itachi's shoulder, offering reassurance. Then, he turned to Fugaku.
"Fugaku-sama, leave this to me."
Fugaku's expression remained serious. "How do you intend to handle this?"
Shisui looked back at Fugaku, his eyes steady. "Fugaku-sama, do you trust me?"
Silence filled the room.
Fugaku stared at Shisui without a hint of emotion.
"I trust you," Itachi spoke up, his voice filled with sincerity.
Fugaku's gaze flickered for a moment.
"…Very well."
Shisui nodded, then turned his attention to the Root operatives standing in the hallway.
"You can leave now. We'll present ourselves at the Hokage's office in ten minutes."
The Root members exchanged uncertain glances but remained hesitant to move.
"Do you think I would break my word?" Shisui asked, his eyes locking onto the lead Root ninja.
The Root leader felt his breath catch in his throat. "We'll trust you this time, Shisui."
"Withdraw!" he ordered, and as the Root operatives began to retreat, the Uchiha clan members stepped forward.
"Let them go," Fugaku commanded.
The Root operatives were allowed to leave without further confrontation, and the courtyard quickly filled with Uchiha clan members.
"Captain! We can't let them off so easily!"
"Yeah, it's clear the Hokage is targeting us Uchiha!"
"We're not afraid of them!"
"We can't let Itachi be humiliated like this!"
Shisui addressed the growing tension. "Rest assured, I won't allow Itachi to be slandered."
"But now is not the time to fight. I promise you that today's events will be handled properly."
Itachi remained silent, trusting his friend's judgment.
Fugaku finally turned to the crowd. "Everyone, rest assured, the Uchiha will not back down from this."
"But for now, I ask that you return home. Let's not give anyone an excuse to accuse us of conspiring against the village."
The crowd quieted.
"Captain, don't bow down to them!"
"We'll follow your lead!"
"If you give the order, we'll be ready!"
After showing their support, the Uchiha members gradually dispersed, leaving the courtyard empty once more.
"Fugaku-sama, are you coming with us?" Shisui asked.
"Of course," Fugaku replied calmly.
"Shisui, you're the mastermind behind all of this, aren't you?"
Shisui simply smiled without responding.
Itachi remained silent, deep in thought.
"Let's go meet the Hokage."
With that, Shisui turned and leaped onto the rooftops.
Itachi quickly followed, but just as he was about to leave, he heard the sound of a door opening.
It was Sasuke, stepping out.
"Brother…"
Itachi gave him a warm smile. "It's alright, Sasuke. Father and I will be back soon. Go get some rest."
With those words, Itachi disappeared into the night.
Fugaku turned to Mikoto, who looked worried. After a moment of thought, he said, "Find Yashiro and have him secretly send people to locate the jinchūriki."
Mikoto was startled. "Fugaku, you…"
"There are things happening tonight that I cannot fully predict. I fear something might go wrong," Fugaku said in a low voice.
"But remember, no matter what happens, do not take any action without my order!"
The night rain poured down relentlessly.
Itachi caught up with Shisui as they both leaped in the direction of the Hokage's office.
"Shisui, I've been used," Itachi said quietly.
"Mm."
"I've been deceived."
"Mm."
"He's the one who orchestrated all of this from the shadows."
"Ah, I know."
"…Izumi is dead too."
"…"
"Shisui, what am I supposed to do?"
Itachi's voice trembled as he looked at Shisui beside him. But all he could see in Shisui's eyes was an eerie stillness, devoid of life.
"Don't worry, I won't let anything happen to you."
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