Inside the Hokage Building.
When Sarutobi Hiruzen received two letters from the front lines, he seemed to age several years in an instant. For the first time, he felt exhausted being Hokage and even considered retiring early.
The two letters were from his beloved students. One was from Orochimaru, and the other was from Tsunade.
Though they were on the front lines, as time passed, they had learned of the drastic changes in the village.
The incident involving Ryun could not be kept secret, no matter how hard they tried to suppress the news.
Both Orochimaru and Tsunade declared that if anything happened to Ryun, they would return from the front lines to hold him accountable.
Hiruzen knew this was just a threat. He understood that even if Konoha abandoned Ryun, these two would still fight for the village until the war ended.
However, receiving these letters deepened Hiruzen's anguish. As Hokage, he had no choice but to sacrifice his disciple's student, even if it pained him.
"Hokage-sama, the Uchiha First Elder requests an audience," a masked Anbu reported.
"Let him in," Hiruzen replied weakly, placing the letters in a drawer.
"Hokage-sama," the Uchiha First Elder greeted.
"Sit wherever," Hiruzen responded absentmindedly.
Seeing Hiruzen's exhausted demeanor, the elder could tell his spirits were low and went straight to the point:
"After discussions among our Uchiha elders, we have found a perfect solution to resolve Ryun's situation!"
"Hmm?"
Hiruzen initially responded indifferently, but then he suddenly processed the elder's words and shot up from his seat.
"What? Say that again!"
"I said we've found a perfect solution to this matter!" The Uchiha First Elder chuckled at Hiruzen's reaction.
"Tell me, quickly!"
Hiruzen hurried over, as if standing closer would help him hear better.
"The solution is... to face death to find life!"
Nightfall.
Konoha Detention Center.
An elderly man in his sixties walked straight toward a solitary confinement cell.
"I wish to speak with Uchiha Ryun alone. Please step aside. This is the Third Hokage's order."
Uchiha Yo, the Fifth Elder, handed a written order to the Anbu squad leader guarding Ryun.
"The order checks out. Let him through."
The Anbu squad leader confirmed its authenticity and allowed passage, providing them privacy.
He wasn't worried about Ryun escaping. If the boy truly wanted to flee, none of them could stop him.
"Let me introduce myself. I am Uchiha Yo, the Fifth Elder of the Uchiha Clan. I'm here tonight to save you."
Yo cut straight to the point, stating his purpose for meeting Ryun.
"The clan is aware of your situation. Since the Kumo-nin won't relent unless you die, why not fake your death for them?"
Hearing this, Ryun's expression shifted to surprise.
"The Uchiha Clan possesses a forbidden technique called 'Izanagi.' Using this technique, one can alter unfavorable reality and change their own fate."
At these words, Ryun's pupils constricted to pinpoints. He never expected the Uchiha Clan to propose such an unbelievable plan.
They intended for Ryun to sacrifice a Three Tomoe Sharingan to cast 'Izanagi,' faking his death to deceive the Kumo-nin delegation.
It was undeniably a brilliant solution, with a high chance of success.
"The clan... has gone to great lengths."
Ryun rarely expressed gratitude, but given the circumstances, the Uchiha Clan's efforts deserved his appreciation.
"You are the pride of the Uchiha Clan. Helping you through this ordeal is our duty. Let me teach you how to use the 'Izanagi' technique."
"However, while this technique is powerful, it has limitations and severe side effects."
Yo explained the restrictions and consequences of Izanagi.
Ryun was already aware of these, including the cost of blindness, but he listened quietly.
"To ensure the Kumo-nin are fooled, you should preset the technique in your Sharingan."
"After your death, the pre-set technique will activate after a set duration. You will lose one eye, but it will reverse your death!"
As Ryun heard this, his mind flashed to the Valley of the End battle, where Uchiha Madara used 'Izanagi' to fake his death against Hashirama and Tobirama, deceiving the entire shinobi world.
"The method to preset 'Izanagi' and its hand seals are..."
Before Yo could finish, Ryun suddenly lunged forward, his hand shooting toward the elder's thin neck.
But he abruptly stopped and lowered his head.
For a moment, Ryun suspected this man might be Uchiha Madara or his agent, triggering his killing intent.
After all, in the original story, only Madara had employed such a method.
But then he recalled that 'Izanagi' had once been widely abused within the Uchiha Clan, so it made sense for them to know this application.
The original story never stated that presetting 'Izanagi' was Madara's invention.
Even Itachi had preset a Mangekyō technique in Sasuke's eye.
Thus, Ryun restrained himself, not wanting to harm a potential ally.
"What are you doing?" Yo stepped back warily.
"My apologies. Please continue." Ryun bowed slightly in apology.
"..."
Yo was puzzled but proceeded to teach Ryun the complete method of using Izanagi.
Shortly after Uchiha Yo left the detention center, the Third Hokage arrived to meet Ryun.
That night, the two Hokage Advisors finally received Hiruzen's orders and formally announced to the Kumo-nin delegation that Uchiha Ryun's execution would take place at noon the next day!
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