After leaving the Hokage's office, Fugaku Uchiha returned to the Uchiha compound.
Although he had already decided to leave the village today, there were still preparations he needed to make beforehand.
Kunai, shuriken, explosive tags these were standard ninja tools essential for any mission, and he had to make sure they were ready.
In addition, if he was going to spend a night outdoors, a storage scroll was indispensable.
It could be used to seal a tent and food, making travel much more comfortable.
Before leaving, he had instructed Mikoto Uchiha to seal the tent and food into the storage scroll, so everything should now be in place.
Returning to the clan leader's residence, located at the heart of the Uchiha compound, Fugaku was slightly surprised.
It wasn't just Itachi standing in the courtyard—next to him stood another person.
A boy with short black hair and a short blade strapped to his back. It was Shisui Uchiha.
"Clan Leader!"
Shisui immediately noticed Fugaku as soon as he entered the yard and called out.
"Hm, are you here to see Itachi?" Fugaku's expression remained calm, but a faint tension stirred within.
As a ninja, hiding one's voice and chakra is almost instinctual, and he had instinctively concealed both just moments ago.
Yet Shisui detected his approach instantly. Clearly, his senses were extraordinarily sharp.
For a ninja who wasn't even specialized in sensory abilities, such keen perception meant Shisui's power had to be at the Kage level.
If before he had only suspected that Shisui had awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan, now there was no doubt.
Shisui had indeed activated the Mangekyō Sharingan.
"Yes. It's been a while since I last saw Itachi, so I came to check on him," Shisui answered respectfully.
Fugaku gave a slight nod and headed inside to retrieve his tools and storage scroll.
"Clan Leader, may I trouble you for a moment?" Shisui hesitated, his eyes flickering with uncertainty as he watched Fugaku's back.
"What is it?" Fugaku turned to face Shisui.
"I have some questions. I want to ask what you think a family is, and what a village is?" Shisui asked, looking Fugaku directly in the eyes.
Since learning of Fugaku's support for the coup more than half a month ago, Shisui had been unable to suppress the urge to question him.
Now that he finally had the chance to see the clan leader, he could no longer hold back.
"A family is a group connected by blood, and a village is a group formed by many families," Fugaku replied, returning Shisui's gaze.
From Shisui's question, he keenly sensed dissatisfaction.
In the past, Shisui had hidden such feelings well—but now, he openly displayed them.
"Which do you think is more important: the family or the village?" Shisui pressed further.
"Both are equally important," Fugaku said. "Because families exist, villages exist. And because villages exist, families are protected."
"I understand. Thank you, Clan Leader!" Shisui bowed and turned away without waiting for a reply.
His response was one of disappointment.
The village's importance should outweigh everything—even the family could not compare.
But the clan leader believed the family was as important as the village, a view Shisui could not accept.
He touched his eyes.
If one day the family truly intended to start a coup, he would use these very eyes to stop it.
"Shisui?!"
Itachi called out as Shisui suddenly turned and walked toward the courtyard exit.
Somewhat hesitant, Itachi hurried to follow.
Like Shisui, he was deeply disappointed by their father's answer.
Fugaku's vision was too narrow—nowhere near the foresight of the Third Hokage.
If everyone in the village shared the Third Hokage's vision, the village would be harmonious, without so much conflict.
"Hopeless," Fugaku sneered inwardly, watching the two walk away.
They were thoroughly brainwashed by the Third Hokage and no longer receptive to opposing views—there was no hope of changing their minds.
Without altering his plans, Fugaku collected his tools and storage scroll and headed for the village gates.
The guard department still controlled the village exits.
As captain of the guard, he passed through without questioning and stepped outside the village.
Once beyond the gates, he made his way straight toward the Land of Rain.
…
At Root headquarters, Shimura Danzo returned after leaving the Hokage tower.
"Fu," he called out.
A man with orange hair and a mask appeared.
"Danzo-sama!"
The man knelt on one knee and saluted respectfully.
"Follow Fugaku Uchiha since he left the village. Record everything—his movements, who he meets—nothing is to be missed."
Danzo ordered.
"Yes, sir."
The orange-haired man answered without hesitation and vanished.
Though tracking a clan leader violated village rules, the man had no questions or doubts.
As a Root member, he was drilled for absolute obedience and would carry out any order without hesitation.
Not only surveillance—if commanded to assassinate a clan leader, he would comply unfailingly.
After the man left, Danzo's exposed left eye reflected a thoughtful expression.
"Chū," he called again.
"Danzo-sama,"
Another masked man appeared, clad in black gloves and with a short blade on his back.
He too knelt respectfully before Danzo.
"Is there a bounty on Fugaku Uchiha in the black market?"
Danzo asked.
"Yes. Currently, Fugaku's bounty is 20 million ryo."
The man codenamed "Chū" replied.
Fugaku had fought in the early Ninja Wars and was the head of the legendary Uchiha clan.
Thus, the black market maintained a bounty on him.
"Increase the bounty by 10 million. Also, leak the news that Fugaku has left the village to the black market."
Danzo ordered.
"Yes, sir."
Without asking why, Chū acknowledged and left.
Danzo's expression darkened.
Though the Uchiha clan talked of a coup, Fugaku himself was not a staunch supporter.
Because of this, no real coup action had taken place, delaying any move against the Uchiha.
This displeased Danzo.
If Fugaku died and a more radical leader replaced him, the clan's rebellion would likely follow quickly, making the timing to strike near.
Until now, Fugaku's presence inside the village had made him untouchable.
But now, having left the village voluntarily, he was a prime target.