"Did you finish replacing his eyes? "
Returning home, Uchiha Fugaku turned to ask Uchiha Mikoto.
"Yes, they've been replaced."
Mikoto nodded, but worry clouded her face.
Itachi's betrayal—turning his back on the Uchiha clan to become the Third Hokage's informant—had struck her deeply.
"You don't resent me for taking away Itachi's Mangekyō Sharingan, do you? "
Fugaku asked calmly.
"No, I don't. You've already shown him enough mercy. It's he who did wrong."
Mikoto shook her head.
Another traitor, Uchiha Shisui, had already been executed by Fugaku according to clan law.
As for Itachi—also a traitor—he had been spared from execution and only stripped of his Mangekyō Sharingan. That was more than merciful.
If her husband had done nothing, it would have provoked outrage among the clan.
"I'm glad you understand."
Fugaku nodded slightly.
"Do you think he'll ever regret what he did? "
Mikoto asked, her voice tinged with worry.
"Don't worry too much. He's still young—likely misled by the Third Hokage. When he's older, he'll understand."
Fugaku tried to reassure her.
"I hope so…"
Mikoto sighed softly.
Heading to the backyard, Fugaku found Sasuke standing there in a daze.
The events of today had clearly shaken him to the core.
That shock was likely the reason he awakened the Sharingan.
Fugaku approached, calling out gently:
"Sasuke."
As the future pillar of his plans, a potential Six Paths-level force, Sasuke was vital. Fugaku had to handle this carefully—he couldn't let hatred grow between them.
"Father."
Sasuke turned, his small face etched with sadness.
"Thinking about Itachi? "
Fugaku asked softly.
"Father… why did Big Brother become like this? "
Sasuke's voice trembled with confusion.
He couldn't understand how the gentle brother who always treated him kindly—and who respected the clan—could betray them.
Fugaku was silent for a moment before replying:
"Because he was deceived by the Third Hokage."
"Deceived? You mean the Hokage tricked him? "
Sasuke tilted his head, trying to comprehend.
"Exactly. The Third Hokage fooled him."
"I only let him join the ANBU to gain experience in their ranks. But looking back… letting him join was a mistake."
Fugaku said bitterly.
"The Third Hokage is awful! "
Sasuke pouted, anger flashing across his young face.
"He's not just awful—he's cunning and dangerous. If you ever encounter him, be careful. Never trust a word he says."
Fugaku warned sternly.
"Understood."
Sasuke nodded quickly.
Satisfied that Sasuke bore no grudge over Itachi's punishment, Fugaku left for his study.
He penned a letter and handed it to a clan guard, instructing him to deliver it to the Hokage's office.
Hokage's Office
The Third Hokage sat at his desk, puffing leisurely on his pipe, his mood surprisingly good.
For the first time in days, he felt at ease.
He had lost Shisui, yes—but gained someone with even greater potential: Uchiha Itachi.
A fair trade. In fact, a win.
And the thought of using Itachi against Fugaku filled him with a twisted sense of satisfaction.
"Lord Hokage, a letter from Clan Head Fugaku! "
An ANBU operative entered respectfully, presenting a sealed envelope.
"A letter? "
The Hokage raised an eyebrow, accepting it and unfolding the contents.
But as his eyes scanned the page, his expression darkened.
Fugaku wanted Itachi to withdraw from the ANBU.
Absolutely not. There was no way he could allow that!
Itachi now possessed the Mangekyō Sharingan, making him ANBU's strongest operative after Shisui's death.
If Itachi left, ANBU would suffer a massive blow in power—and his plan to use Itachi against Fugaku would crumble.
Worse still, Itachi was still young and impressionable. Without ANBU's influence, under the clan's constant presence, his loyalties might shift.
"Why suddenly pull him out? Is it because of Shisui? Or… has Itachi's cover been blown? "
The Hokage's mind raced.
Perhaps Fugaku, wary after Shisui's betrayal, decided to recall his last man in ANBU.
Or worse—Itachi's role as a mole had been discovered, and he was already being detained.
Either way, one thing was clear: Itachi leaving ANBU could not be allowed.
The Hokage stood, his decision made.
"Assemble every available ANBU unit. Pull additional forces from guard duty as well. We're going to the Uchiha compound."
Soon, more than a hundred ANBU operatives had gathered, following the Hokage as he left the tower and strode toward the Uchiha district.
As a Hokage, his movements were always under watch.
Now, marching with such an overwhelming force, he became the center of the entire village's attention.
The major clans were alerted immediately, dispatching their own to observe.
"He's heading straight for the Uchiha district! "
"Something big is about to happen! "
"Go—report this to the clan leaders! "
Messengers dashed away, spreading the word.
Relations between the Uchiha and the Hokage faction had been bitter for a long time, with tensions boiling over into several recent confrontations.
Now, the Hokage was bringing a hundred ANBU to their doorstep.
This was no courtesy visit.
Everyone watching knew it: a major clash was imminent.
Inside the Uchiha compound, Fugaku received the news calmly. Surrounded by his assembled clansmen, he said coldly:
"They've come, just as expected. Let's go greet the Hokage."
He led his people toward the compound's entrance.
There, under the oppressive silence, the two forces met.
"Lord Hokage," Fugaku spoke first, a smile that didn't reach his eyes curling his lips. "To what do we owe the honor of your visit? "
"Clan Head Fugaku," the Hokage replied firmly, his sharp gaze unwavering. "I'm here about Uchiha Itachi's withdrawal from ANBU."
His voice hardened like steel.
"I do not approve."