Time passed quickly.
In the blink of an eye, three days were gone.
That night, a full moon hung high—just like during the Nine-Tails incident. Pale moonlight washed over Konoha, and the chill in the air felt… unnatural.
Across the village, the major clans seemed to have received the same "notice."
Almost in unison, they issued a strict curfew to their members:
No matter what happens tonight, no one leaves the house.
To prevent any "accidents," ANBU were already mobilized—fully armed, fully alert.
Hokage Tower — The Long Night Begins
Inside the Hokage's office, the Third Hokage—Hiruzen Sarutobi—dragged hard on his pipe and let out a tired sigh.
"Another sleepless night…"
"Hahahaha—! The Uchiha brought this on themselves."
Elder Koharu Utatane was practically glowing with excitement. Beside her, Homura Mitokado wore the same satisfied grin—like they were watching a glorious page of history being written.
"Hiruzen," Koharu said, almost giddy, "we're finally finishing what the Second Hokage couldn't."
Homura nodded. "We should be celebrating."
Hiruzen exhaled a cloud of smoke and chuckled softly.
"Indeed."
He had always preferred to weaken the Uchiha gradually.
But since Danzō Shimura was willing to bear the blame?
Hiruzen could simply… enjoy the results.
And afterward—
how to deal with Danzō, and how to handle Itachi Uchiha—
he'd already decided.
Koharu leaned forward, smiling.
"Once the Uchiha are gone, the Konoha Military Police Force should be handed to the Elder Council."
Homura added cheerfully, "You have ANBU. Danzō has Root. Giving us the Police Force isn't too much to ask, is it?"
Hiruzen stared at them for a long moment.
Then he nodded.
"Fine."
They were all tied to the same rope now. No one was clean.
Koharu and Homura exchanged a glance—relieved, satisfied.
"Good. Then we'll wait for Danzō's good news."
Hiruzen's eyes narrowed slightly as he lifted the pipe again.
"It should begin soon…"
Uchiha District — The Knife Slips In
Meanwhile, the Uchiha District felt like it was balancing on the edge of collapse.
Shisui's sudden death had left a lingering shadow over the entire clan.
And under the moonlight, the streets looked like a city bracing for siege—storm clouds pressing down, ready to crush everything.
Because Root already knew the district's layout, patrol routes, and shift-change timing…
shadowy figures slipped inside like ghosts.
Worst of all—
the Uchiha's sensory ninja assigned to night watch had already been eliminated…
by Itachi.
So from start to finish, the Uchiha detected nothing.
Not a whisper.
Not a ripple.
Fugaku's Home — The Quiet Before the Collapse
Inside the district, at its center—Uchiha Fugaku's home—
the night unfolded like any other.
After dinner, Sasuke went to bed first.
At his bedroom door, he turned back, eyes bright, voice hopeful.
"Big brother… you'll take me to the Academy tomorrow, right?"
"I will." Itachi forced a small smile.
Sasuke beamed, bounced into his room, and shut the door—already imagining the perfect morning.
He idolized his genius brother.
He always had.
The moment Sasuke's door clicked shut—
Fugaku finally spoke, low and heavy.
"…Good child."
"But you still chose the village."
From the kitchen, Mikoto stepped into the living room, calm—almost serene.
"Itachi."
"You're going to do it, aren't you?"
Itachi froze.
"Father… Mother… I—"
His mind went blank.
He hadn't expected them to see through him so easily.
Mikoto smiled gently, shaking her head.
"Silly boy. We raised you. Of course we know."
"Whatever you choose… we support you."
Her expression dimmed, just slightly.
"The only one we can't stop worrying about… is your little brother."
Fugaku's voice was steadier than Itachi's shaking breath.
"I won't blame you."
"Because I'm your father."
"As clan head… I failed."
He and Mikoto exchanged a look—like they had already accepted the end.
Then Fugaku spoke again, quiet and final.
"Do it."
Itachi's eyes burned.
He swallowed hard, forcing back tears, and drew the short blade strapped across his back.
He didn't want to.
But the weight on his shoulders was crushing—the village, Sasuke, Shisui, and the deep disappointment he'd come to feel toward his own clan.
"I'm sorry…"
He lifted the cat-faced ANBU mask and put it on—hiding the agony on his face.
Then, with the blade in hand—
he moved.
No hesitation.
No mercy.
Root — Smiling in the Dark
At the exact moment Itachi struck—
as if it had all been timed—
the Root operatives hidden throughout the Uchiha District flashed cold smiles.
It begins.
But then—
something strange happened.
A sound, faint and wrong, crawled through the night.
And before anyone could react…
the air inside the Uchiha District—
cracked.
Like glass.
Right in front of them, thin fractures spread through empty space—spiderweb lines forming where nothing should exist.
A ripple.
A shiver.
And then—
more cracks.
As if reality itself was splintering.
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