Itachi gazed into Fugaku's eyes, the complex emotions contained within those eyes.
The weight of the clan, his father's expectations, and that deeply hidden helplessness almost threatened to swallow him whole.
But a sliver of doubt remained in his heart. He took a deep breath and asked the most critical question one last time: "Father, please allow me to confirm this one final time, and please answer me truthfully… has our clan truly had no contact with that person from the Land of Stars, Uchiha Hikari?"
He paused slightly, deliberately emphasizing his words: "If she were to intervene, with her power, even just as a threat, the success rate of the coup would undoubtedly be greatly enhanced, right?"
Fugaku met his son's gaze without flinching.
He slowly, firmly shook his head, his tone carrying the pride and finality of a clan head: "The glory of the Uchiha does not need to rely on the strength of outsiders! Especially not a branch clan member who might be connected to that Uchiha Madara!"
"I, Fugaku, disdain asking outsiders to interfere in Konoha's internal affairs! The Uchiha's destiny should be seized by the Uchiha themselves!"
Itachi's eyes rested calmly on his father's face, scrutinizing every minute change in his expression. A long time passed, so long that the last sliver of daylight outside the window completely vanished, before he gave an almost imperceptible nod.
"I see... If Uchiha Hikari were truly involved, the situation would only be worse. It would mean complete loss of control and unforeseeable disaster. That Father hasn't contacted her is the best news."
"I understand, Father." He lowered his eyelids, concealing all the turbulent emotions in his eyes.
During that prolonged gaze just now, he had obtained the real answer.
His father truly had not been in contact with the woman named Uchiha Hikari. He had monitored the rebellion plan for so long and never detected any related information.
This made the taut string in his heart relax slightly, but it was followed by an even deeper chill.
Because he knew all too well that if Hikari were to intervene, it likely meant Shura would also intervene. That would signify the worst-case scenario.
The power of Hikari and Shura was enough to drag the entire Konoha into an abyss of eternal damnation… their destructive power far surpassed a rebellion confined within the village.
The current situation... perhaps still held a sliver of possibility for control amidst the despair.
"For the future of the Uchiha, I will do my utmost," Itachi said in a tone of flawless loyalty.
A look of mingled relief and expectation crossed Fugaku's face.
However, as Itachi turned and left the underground chamber of the Naka Shrine, all emotion rapidly drained from his face, leaving only icy resolve.
The heavy door closed behind him, cutting off the dim, warm light inside and his father's figure, heavy as a mountain.
Itachi did not linger. His figure quickly melted into Konoha's deepening night, leaping soundlessly towards the Hokage Building.
He had to report the confirmed intelligence of the rebellion to the Third Hokage, Hiruzen, and the high-level advisor, Danzo.
The atmosphere in the Hokage's office was even more oppressive than in the Uchiha Clan's compound. The air felt solidified, suffocating.
Smoke curled around the room. The Third Hokage, Hiruzen, held his pipe, the ember glowing intermittently, mirroring his dark, uncertain mood.
The two elder advisors, Koharu and Homura, sat with stern expressions.
Danzo, leaning on his cane, his single eye sharp as an eagle's, was the first to break the stifling silence.
"The situation is critical, Hiruzen!" Danzo's voice was hoarse, a cold light flashing in his single eye, "We must act decisively before the Uchiha launch their rebellion! If they strike first, civil war in Konoha will be inevitable! The damage caused will be even more devastating than the foolish rebellion of the Kaguya Clan in Kirigakure years ago! We cannot afford a second 'Nine-Tails Attack'!"
Sarutobi took a deep drag from his pipe, slowly exhaling a turbid smoke ring, his brow etched with weariness and struggle.
"Danzo, the Uchiha Clan are one of Konoha's founding clans, our former comrades... I still hope we can find a peaceful resolution through dialogue. Only as an absolute last resort, when there is no other choice, will I ever agree to raise a blade against our own people, to use force." His words still held a thread of hope, but his conviction sounded less than solid.
Homura adjusted his glasses, his gaze behind the lenses flickering with worry. He voiced the deepest fear in everyone's hearts: "Will others join the Uchiha Clan's rebellion? For instance... the Land of Stars?"
He paused, his voice dropping lower, "That man known as Shura, and... the Uchiha woman by his side."
The room fell into dead silence once more.
That name was like a massive rock thrown into stagnant water, stirring up silent, towering waves.
The rise of the Land of Stars was mysterious and rapid. Its leader, Shura, possessed unfathomable power, having attacked Konoha Village twice and Kumogakure twice, moving freely in and out of both great villages alone, making him a figure of deep apprehension.
And the Uchiha Hikari by his side, who possessed the Mangekyo Sharingan, according to Shisui's report after his encounter with them, likely possessed power rivaling that of Madara in his day!
If Fugaku had made contact with them...
Itachi, who had been standing silently in the shadows, spoke up at the right moment, breaking the silence: "Based on my long-term surveillance and investigation, I have found no signs of any form of contact between the Uchiha Clan's head and the Land of Stars. I also personally probed the Uchiha Clan's head about Uchiha Hikari. His response was a firm denial, and he displayed a dismissive attitude towards the idea."
He repeated Fugaku's words, omitting his own judgment, "As of now, the Uchiha's actions remain confined within the clan."
Sarutobi's gaze swept over the faces of the advisors, finally settling back on Danzo.
"I understand. Itachi, thank you for your hard work," He said heavily, "I will consider our countermeasures carefully. You are all dismissed for now."
The report concluded, Itachi left the Hokage Building in silence.
But his heart did not feel lighter… instead, it grew heavier.
As he passed the famous temple on the outskirts of Konoha Village, Danzo stood there like a statue merged with the shadows, as if he had been waiting for a long time.
A bolt of lightning suddenly tore across the sky, ripping through the heavy curtain of night, momentarily illuminating the giant Buddha statue inside the temple.
In the interplay of light and shadow, the compassionate face of the Buddha seemed to reveal a somewhat ferocious, evil aspect, much like the complexity and unpredictability of the human's heart.
"Itachi." Danzo's voice sounded low, without any preamble.
Itachi stopped, his expressionless face turning towards the other man, "Danzo-sama, is there further instruction?"
"Not an instruction. It's a hope that you make your final choice."
"Faced with your clan's destiny, have you made your choice?" Danzo's voice was low and full of pressure, his single eye glinting in the dim light following the lightning flash, flickering between brightness and shadow.
"The Third Hokage speaks pleasantly enough. But once the situation truly spirals out of control, he will undoubtedly choose to protect the village and sacrifice the Uchiha Clan without hesitation. That is the Hokage's duty and ruthlessness." He took a step forward, his cane tapping lightly on the ground, knocking on the door of Itachi's heart.
"Now, only two paths lie before you: First, stand with the Uchiha Clan, follow them in launching the rebellion, and then... meet the inevitable outcome… the complete annihilation of the entire clan, leaving not a single blade of grass."
Danzo's words were icy to the bone, leaving no room for maneuver.
"Or…" he paused, his single eye locking onto Itachi's, "Stand on Konoha's side. Before the rebellion occurs, you personally eliminate all members of the Uchiha Clan. In exchange, we can make an exception and spare your younger brother Sasuke's life. This is... the only way to protect your brother, and to safeguard the village's peace."
Even someone as calm as Itachi felt his heart constrict violently upon hearing this bloody and cruel mission. The immense impact almost made it impossible for him to maintain the calm on his face.
A flash of lightning and a roar of thunder exploded in his ears.
"Kill... all the clansmen?" He subconsciously repeated those four words.
"Everything is to protect the village, to protect the hard-won peace and stability of Konoha." Danzo's tone carried a near-fanatic fervor.
"By any means necessary, the situation must be completely strangled before the rebellion occurs! This is not only to quell the internal strife but also to eliminate the risk of the Uchiha Clan, in desperation, recklessly seeking external forces to intervene in Konoha's internal affairs!"
"You should be well aware that there are at least two Uchiha Clan's Ninjas within the Land of Stars, likely descendants of a branch family scattered outside since Madara's time. If Fugaku changes his mind at the last moment and contacts them..."
A deep apprehension flashed in Danzo's single eye, "The power possessed by that woman named Uchiha Hikari alone is enough to bring devastating destruction to Konoha! It would be a catastrophe for the entire village!"
His voice dropped even lower, as if afraid of awakening some terrible nightmare, "Just like... Uchiha Madara in the past."
Finally, he threw the heavy choice back to Itachi, "Now, the only person with the ability, the position, and the will to bear this heavy responsibility, to prevent the worst outcome, and to protect your brother's life... is you, Uchiha Itachi. Tell me, are you willing... to accept this mission? For Konoha."
Another pale bolt of lightning split the night sky, the rumbling thunder rolling in, shaking one's very soul.
The Buddha's face alternated between light and dark under the lightning, compassion and ferocity appearing in turns.
Itachi stood in place, the thunder filling his ears, yet the world seemed deathly silent, leaving only the sound of his own heavy heartbeat.
He did not answer immediately, only looked deeply at Danzo for a moment before his figure slowly retreated, eventually merging into the endless curtain of rain and darkness.
His answer did not need to be spoken aloud at this moment.
The next day, gloom still hung over Konoha, and over Itachi's heart.
He had endured a night of agonizing struggle and contemplation, almost entirely sleepless.
The blood ties of the clan, the survival of the village, his brother's innocent smile, his parents' expectations, the trust of his comrades... countless images intertwined, collided, and shattered in his mind.
Itachi stood silently atop a tall building near the Konoha's Ninja Academy, his casual clothes fluttering slightly in the breeze.
He looked down at the broad training ground below, where children were undergoing endurance running training.
His gaze instantly found that familiar figure… Sasuke.
His younger brother, with a look of trying to act cool, was running while bickering with a blond boy, Uzumaki Naruto, who had a fiercely competitive expression.
Other children around them, like Shikamaru, Choji, and Ino, were laughing heartily at their antics. The air was filled with the unique vitality and ease of youth.
However, Sasuke's gaze soon shifted past Naruto, firmly locking onto the figure running at the front of the pack… Menma.
That child whose grades were always top-notch, who was calm beyond his years.
Sasuke accelerated again, charging forward with a stubborn, challenging expression, initiating another contest with Menma.
Watching Sasuke amidst his group of friends, competing over such 'trivial' matters, getting angry, yet full of life, seeing that innocence, so well-protected and utterly unaware of the cruel fate approaching… a sharp, stabbing pain suddenly gripped Itachi's heart.
This warm, ordinary scene, this smile of his brother's that he longed to protect, formed an unbearably cruel and stark contrast with the bloody path of rebellion his father had planned and the annihilation of the entire clan that Danzo had foretold.
At that moment, the fog that had been swirling in his heart all night suddenly cleared.
Itachi's eyes finally shifted from extreme pain and confusion to a deep, almost despairing resolve.
He had made his decision.
For Sasuke to continue living under this sunlight, to protect this seemingly ordinary yet precious peace, he was willing to bear all sin and fall into the endless hell.
But the practical difficulties still lay before him.
Relying on his strength alone, to quietly eliminate the entire Uchiha Clan in a single night was undoubtedly a fantasy.
Not to mention his father Fugaku's deeply hidden Mangekyo Sharingan and whatever Dojutsu it concealed, just the ten to twenty Elite Jonin with Three-Tomoe Sharingan in the Konoha Military Police Force were enough to pose a significant obstacle, potentially delaying him for a long time.
Once the fight was prolonged, the other clansmen in the Uchiha Clan's compound would inevitably react, scattering and fleeing or organizing a counterattack.
The greater risk was that prolonged combat would definitely alert the night patrol Ninja and the rapidly responsive Anbu.
At that point, the clan extermination operation would fail completely, the fact of the Uchiha Clan's rebellion would be immediately confirmed, and what awaited the Uchiha Clan would be an even more thorough and chaotic massacre. Sasuke's life would be absolutely impossible to spare.
Therefore, the operation had to be completed in an extremely short time… so fast that the successive screams wouldn't have time to spread beyond the compound, so fast that the patrolling Ninja and Anbu wouldn't detect any abnormality before everything was settled.
He needed a helper. A helper powerful enough to instantly crush numerous Uchiha Clan's Jonin, with mysterious methods capable of sealing off information to the greatest extent possible.
Instantly, a figure appeared in Itachi's mind.
That mysterious Uchiha Ninja who had suddenly appeared years ago, attacked his team with overwhelming force, brutally killed his team leader and two teammates, and shown a strange interest in his Sharingan.
The one who called himself… 'Uchiha Madara'.
Only he possessed such ability and methods.