Night deepened.
Inside the home of the Uchiha clan's Great Elder, the old man suddenly stood up in shock.
"Kaede, can you swear that every word you just said is true?!"
Kaede answered calmly, his face composed:
"You know me well. I never act without certainty—especially when it concerns the future of the entire clan."
After using the Hōgyoku to strengthen himself, Kaede had come straight to Uchiha Setsuna's house.
He had revealed everything: the leak of their plan, the conspiracy of Konoha's higher-ups, Itachi's betrayal, and even Fugaku's silent acquiescence.
In this life, Kaede's parents had died during the Third Shinobi War. Since childhood, he had been raised by Setsuna.
Among the Uchiha, Setsuna was the person closest to him.
Moreover, Setsuna had served as the Great Elder for decades. His prestige within the clan surpassed even that of many former Uchiha clan heads.
Only by convincing him could Kaede hope to unite the clan's strength.
After all, their enemy… was the entirety of Konoha.
Staring into Kaede's earnest expression, the Great Elder couldn't help but believe him.
He had watched Kaede grow up. He knew his character better than anyone.
"So… it's really happening," Setsuna muttered, his eyes flickering with complex emotions.
Kaede sighed. "Get ready. I estimate they'll move within the next few days."
"Our only option is to strike first. If we gather all able fighters and break out of Konoha, we'll have the best chance of preserving the Uchiha clan."
But hearing this, worry flashed across Setsuna's face.
"With Shisui dead, Itachi a traitor, and that bastard Fugaku silently complying, the Uchiha's strong fighters are down to just a few of you."
"Do we really have the strength to stand against Sarutobi Hiruzen and the others?"
Kaede merely smiled and slowly closed his eyes.
"Of course we do."
When he reopened them, his pupils gleamed with a strange pattern—
The Mangekyō Sharingan!
"In the Uchiha clan, there's nothing that speaks of power more than a Mangekyō Sharingan."
The level of one's Sharingan determined one's status.
The pressure from the vast gap in dōjutsu strength made Setsuna instinctively activate his own Sharingan.
"Ma… Mangekyō?! You actually awakened the Mangekyō?!"
"When did this happen?!"
Kaede chuckled lightly. "It must have been right around the time I uncovered Hiruzen's conspiracy."
"Good! Good! Excellent!"
At this moment, Setsuna's smile bloomed like a flower.
"Hahahaha… I always knew your talent rivaled Shisui's—but I never expected you to awaken the Mangekyō so quickly!"
"To awaken it at just fifteen… your talent surpasses even that of Madara in his youth!"
"I'll send the order immediately—gather all the clansmen!"
...
The night deepened. Within Konoha, lights were going out as civilians drifted to sleep.
Upon a shadowy rooftop…
The Third Hokage puffed out a smoke ring as he looked down at the kneeling figure of Itachi.
"You've made your decision, then?"
"Yes, Sandaime-sama," Itachi said coldly, lifting his gaze.
The Third sighed and spoke in a heavy tone:
"I want to thank you. Because of you, we'll avoid civil war. The village will remain at peace."
"It's a shame—I couldn't find any better solution."
"But rest assured, I'll take care of your little brother. I'll train him well so he can become a capable ninja."
The clansmen were "overreaching," trying to shatter Konoha's peace—yet the Hokage still showed such generosity to spare his brother.
Itachi was clearly moved. He nodded deeply.
"Thank you, Sandaime-sama."
The Third continued, "After tonight, only I will know the truth of what happened."
"From now on, you'll be branded an S-rank missing-nin responsible for your clan's extermination—hunted by Konoha without end."
Itachi slowly donned his cat-faced ANBU mask. "I've been prepared for that."
With that, he vanished.
Watching Itachi's retreating figure, the Third muttered, "Begin preparations."
"Yes!"
More than a dozen shadowy figures suddenly emerged.
After bowing to the Third Hokage, they all rushed in the direction of the Uchiha district.
Sarutobi Hiruzen looked up at the full moon, exhaling another smoke ring.
Tonight's operation would be executed by Danzō leading Root in cooperation with Itachi.
As the Hokage basking in the sunlight, Sarutobi didn't need to get his hands dirty—Danzō would take care of the darkness.
Still, to avoid accidents, he had deployed his most trusted ANBU to oversee the mission.
Like Root, this ANBU squad followed only the Hokage's commands without question.
So Sarutobi had no fear they'd leak any of this.
"Uchiha… a clan that once dominated the Warring States era…"
"After tonight, you'll be nothing but history—just like your old rivals, the Senju."
...
Meanwhile, having left the Hokage Tower, Itachi arrived at a secluded forest.
As if he had been expected, a masked man was already waiting.
"I need your help," Itachi said heavily.
"Oh?" Obito, hidden beneath the mask, smirked faintly.
"So you've made up your mind?"
Itachi nodded. "A clan this arrogant and reckless will only destroy the peace Konoha fought so hard to build."
"Hehehehe…"
Obito chuckled deeply.
Was he mocking Itachi? Or mocking the betrayed Uchiha?
Or perhaps… laughing at the tragic fate about to befall them?
After a while, Obito said coldly, "Of course I'll help—but I want something in return…"
"I know," Itachi interrupted. "After this, I'll join your organization and follow your lead."
"Very good," Obito replied with indifference.
With things settled, Itachi turned and headed toward the Uchiha compound. Obito vanished into space with Kamui.
...
Inside the Great Elder's vast training hall—
Over a hundred Uchiha clan members knelt in readiness.
Kaede stood at the front, holding Kyōka Suigetsu, waiting for word from Setsuna.
He had just used his strength and dōjutsu to subdue the unruly crowd.
The Uchiha revered strength—especially those with superior Sharingan.
Once Kaede revealed his Mangekyō, not a single person questioned his claims again. All of them declared their loyalty to him.
After all, he was now the only known Mangekyō wielder in the clan.
Itachi and Fugaku were still keeping theirs hidden.
Kaede didn't have to wait long. Setsuna soon arrived.
He stepped up and reported:
"Everything's been arranged. Shujin and a dozen others have quietly relocated most of the elderly and children to Konoha's outskirts."
Kaede nodded. "Then we have no more worries holding us back."
"When the operation begins, Great Elder, follow the escape route I gave you and get them out of the Land of Fire as quickly as possible."
"Don't worry—I'll lead the remaining clansmen to safety too."
Setsuna nodded solemnly. "If things go wrong, don't hesitate. Retreat immediately."
"As long as you live, we'll eventually trample Sarutobi Hiruzen beneath our feet."
Then he turned to the others.
"All of you, remember—no matter what, even if you all fall, you must ensure Kaede survives. He is the hope of the Uchiha!"
"Yes!" the crowd responded with burning determination.
They clenched their fists, clearly already eager for battle.
...
(End of Chapter)
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