The news of the Sarutobi clan's coup had already reached the upper-level ninjas of Konoha.
For a moment, the ninjas who received this information all showed solemn expressions. This situation was different from previous coup intentions or preparations.
This time, it was an undeniable confirmation that action was imminent.
...
Inside the Konoha Security Division Office.
Minato Namikaze remained silent for a while, but eventually, a resolute look appeared in his blue eyes.
"Asuma! You know that I will never allow anyone to destroy the village!"
Standing before him, Sarutobi Asuma nodded silently.
"I understand. Likewise, I will not allow anyone to ruin the peace of the village!"
Looking out the window at the twisted, dissatisfied, and malevolent expressions within his clan, Asuma felt a wave of disgust in his heart.
Once the coup happens, the Hokage may mercifully spare more people, but Asuma knows one thing clearly:
Would hatred truly disappear?
Even among civilians, there were blood ties between individuals, and there were even brothers and friends on both sides. Hatred would only continue to spread, though it might remain hidden.
Thus, trying to preserve more members of the Sarutobi clan's bloodline would be extremely difficult.
"Leaving the roots intact only allows the weeds to grow back." Asuma understood this principle well—hatred spreads like wildfire.
"Hokage-sama, for the sake of the village, I will handle everything!"
As the sun set, Asuma stared out the window in the direction of the Hokage Rock, his expression resolute.
If something had to be done, it needed to be done thoroughly. He could not leave any lingering threats to the village. Otherwise, what would be the point of his actions?
In the forest surrounding the Sarutobi clan's territory.
After Asuma revealed the information about the three clans preparing for a coup, the surveillance previously in place had already been discreetly replaced by elite Jonin-level ninjas.
"Is this all the information on the ninjas within the three clans?"
From behind a tree, Sasuke gazed at the clan territories in the distance, a complex look in his eyes. Through his Sharingan, he could see the clan grounds from afar.
"Yes, this is all the information on the ninjas within the three clans," replied Itachi, who had been serving in the Anbu since he was thirteen. Beside him stood their captain, Shisui.
"Sasuke," said Shisui, breaking the heavy, oppressive silence. For once, his usual calm demeanor gave way to a serious expression. Lowering his head, he asked in a somber tone, "Can you tell us about the fate of the Uchiha clan in the other world?"
Shisui's question caused Sasuke to fall silent, while Itachi stood by, his outward calm betraying a hint of curiosity in his eyes.
They knew that in the alternate world, the Uchiha clan had been annihilated. But how it happened and why remained a mystery. Shirou had never mentioned the details, and they had never asked.
However, after spending time together in the Anbu, they noticed that the alternate-world Sasuke carried a deep grudge.
They even suspected that the Itachi from that world had played a negative role in the events, leading Sasuke to regard this world's Itachi with a complicated expression.
As someone who deeply valued the clan, Shisui was eager to know the truth. Itachi, too, wanted to understand what his alternate self had done to cause such a reaction in Sasuke.
"The clan..." Sasuke finally spoke, his voice hoarse, breaking the oppressive silence. Shisui and Itachi had thought Sasuke would refuse to explain, but his voice suddenly echoed through the air.
Sasuke gazed deeply at the distant clan grounds and began to recount the story he least wanted to revisit.
"It was very similar to this world, but also entirely different... It was as if this world was the mirror image of the other. No! It's more accurate to say that my original world was a distorted reflection. In that world, the Uchiha clan..."
As Sasuke spoke in a hoarse tone, he glanced down at the information in his hands. How similar it all was!
At that moment, it was as if he had uncovered the truth about his clan, yet it was so unbelievable. His emotions surged—anger, unwillingness, and suffocation!
...
Meanwhile, in the dark depths beneath the Hokage building,
A group of masked individuals clad in combat gear—members of the Anbu and Root—gathered.
"Everyone, prepare for suppressing the rebellion. Move out!"
Without hesitation, the Anbu and Root ninjas disappeared into the darkness at the command.
...
At the Konoha Police Department.
Uchiha Mikoto, holding the flame-patterned fan of her clan, displayed an uncharacteristic aura of killing intent. Her usually gentle demeanor was replaced with a fierce determination. The Mangekyo Sharingan spun in her eyes as she stood before the elite members of the Police Department.
Among them were Uchiha clan members, ninjas from other clans, and even civilian ninjas. After the Uchiha clan had been freed from their historical restrictions, the Police Department began recruiting members from other groups to fill its ranks.
"Effective immediately, the Police Department will enter the highest state of emergency. The Sarutobi, Mitokado, and Utatane clans have conspired with the mysterious individual who controlled the Nine-Tails, intending to stage a coup. The evidence is irrefutable..."
"All members of the Police Department, prepare for combat and suppression. Move out!"
"Yes!"
Following Mikoto's cold and commanding words, the elites of the Police Department were initially stunned but quickly responded with anger and determination.
This time, the approach to the three clans would not mirror the treatment of the Uchiha in the other world. Back then, despite the obvious truth behind the Uchiha massacre, the blame had been forced upon Itachi, and the clan had been left to clear its name posthumously.
Now, with solid evidence, the Konoha ninjas—still bitter over the Nine-Tails' attack and the years of tension in the Security Division—were filled with both old and new grievances.
Shirou had no intention of covering for the three clans. They had planned a coup, and he had no qualms about exposing them.
He informed all of Konoha's jonin: the three clans were staging a coup, and Konoha was entering its highest state of alert.
...
In the Hokage's Office.
As the sun set, the jonin gathered in the office wore grim expressions, their demeanor filled with killing intent.
"Everyone," Uchiha Shirou began, his voice heavy, "the Sarutobi, Mitokado, and Utatane clans have long harbored dissatisfaction and grudges. We now have conclusive evidence proving that they colluded with the individual who controlled the Nine-Tails during its attack on the village.
Furthermore, Danzo Shimura, who was imprisoned in the jail, has been rescued by a mysterious figure. This individual possesses both Sharingan and Wood Release. The Danzo in the prison was merely a Wood Clone!"
As Shirou's grave words filled the room, the severity of the situation became clear to all.
"Minato Namikaze," Shirou said, turning to Minato, "you are the only one in the village who has fought this mysterious figure. Share with us the information you have about him."
At Shirou's request, Minato stepped forward, his yellow hair shining faintly in the dim office light. His expression was somber as he addressed the gathered Jonin.
"Hokage-sama, everyone... I have fought the person who controlled the Nine-Tails. He specializes in space-time ninjutsu. His combat style and abilities are…"
As Minato detailed the information, the Konoha ninjas felt a chill run down their spines. This opponent was immensely troublesome—no wonder even Minato had failed to capture him.
"Hokage-sama!" Minato said after finishing his report, his expression even more serious as he looked back at Shirou.
As Konoha's Hokage, Shirou scanned the room, his gaze sharp as he addressed the jonin.
"Everyone, Konoha has grown to become the undisputed leading village in the ninja world. We have earned the right to stand proudly above all others. Yet now, some wish to destroy everything we've worked so hard to build!"
"Tonight! All the Jonin, prepare for battle. At the same time, a barrier will be activated around the perimeter. Your mission is to protect the village—under no circumstances can the flames of war reach it!"
"Yes!" The Konoha Jonin responded in unison, their voices heavy with determination. Even they were filled with rage at such a vile act of rebellion.
...
The Sarutobi Clan's Grounds.
As night gradually descended, Sarutobi Asuma calmly held a cigarette between his lips, gazing at the clan grounds before him with a tranquil expression.
"Haha, Asuma, it seems you don't trust your Hokage, do you?"
A mocking voice echoed as ripples appeared in the space behind him, revealing the figure of Uchiha Obito wearing his signature tiger-patterned mask.
"You've moved the timeline forward by more than an hour."
Uchiha Obito looked at the rugged Sarutobi Asuma in front of him with a mocking gaze.
The original plan was to start at 8 o'clock, but now it wasn't even 7 yet.
However, facing Uchiha Obito, Sarutobi Asuma let out a cold laugh and rasped:
"It's not that I don't trust him—I'm afraid that if we wait until the agreed time, Konoha will have surrounded this place, and by then, you'll be too cowardly to show up!"
Once Konoha's ninja forces encircle this area, the mysterious man would certainly not dare to appear. This would lead to casualties in suppressing the rebellion of the three clans.
By acting early, however, Asuma could gather intelligence on the mysterious man while also bearing the brunt of the attack to reduce casualties for the village.
Under Sarutobi Asuma's mocking gaze, Obito's eyes briefly flashed with anger, but he responded with a cold chuckle.
"Well then, let tonight's feast begin!"
"Yes, I've already put chemicals into the clan's water supply. Let's get started!"
As the still-smoldering cigarette butt fell onto the grass, both their figures vanished from the spot.
The next moment, the lights flashed violently. Dark red blood splattered against the windows.
Gripping his knives, Asuma charged coldly into the premises, his figure flickering in and out of the houses.
One house after another lit up.
"Something's wrong! Sarutobi Asuma has started acting ahead of schedule!"
The nearby ANBU, who had been monitoring the situation, immediately realized something was amiss and began sending messages, while also activating the barrier to seal off the three clans.
Sasuke, Shisui, and Itachi appeared on the outskirts of the Sarutobi Clan, their faces dark. Their Sharingan, with three tomoe spinning, locked onto the massacre unfolding before them.
"The Hokage has ordered us not to act on our own. Wait for reinforcements to arrive!"
"Do not provoke a backlash from the three clans!"
As the orders were passed, the ANBU watched the bloody night unfold.
Inside the clan, screams of pain echoed as blood flowed like rivers.
Under the blood-red moon, atop the tallest electrical pole in the Sarutobi Clan, Sarutobi Asuma crouched coldly, his gaze carrying a silent warning. Then, in an instant, he leaped into the heart of the clan grounds.
"Asuma!"
"You beast! You're a beast, Asuma!"
"Sarutobi Asuma, you traitor!"
"No! Please, no… Asuma, I even treated you to a meal once! Don't kill me… ah—!"
As Sarutobi Asuma and Uchiha Obito ruthlessly slaughtered, the three pairs of Sharingan outside the clan grounds stared intently at the growing pile of corpses.
"Has Asuma gone mad? The Hokage explicitly ordered not to harm civilians—only to target the rebels!"
For Shisui and Itachi, the scene before them was shocking.
However, for Sasuke, witnessing this familiar blood-soaked night, his expression twisted beneath his mask. The three tomoe in his Sharingan spun wildly, and the scenes before him overlapped with his painful memories.
"This… this is the fate of the Uchiha Clan. And now, it's happening again…"
Under the crimson moon, the night of annihilation played out once more. For Sasuke, the horrifying experience wasn't directed at the Uchiha this time—but it led him to consider another possibility. This realization caused his mental defenses to crumble.
In the shadows, a pair of Mangekyo Sharingan watched the three of them, calm and unmoving. Shisui and Itachi, still stunned by the unfolding massacre, were jarred back to reality by Sasuke's description.
In that brief moment of distraction, a surge of spiritual energy invaded their minds.
...
The Sarutobi Shrine.
With blood-soaked hands trembling, Asuma pushed open the shrine doors. Inside, a figure seemed to have been waiting for him.
"Asuma, you've finally come."
Sarutobi Hiruzen knelt inside, his back against the door. He was dressed in the robes of the Hokage, complete with the Hokage's hat.
When the screams had first erupted within the Sarutobi Clan, Hiruzen had known. Yet he remained unmoved, calmly changing into the attire he had long prepared for this moment.
Seeing his father fully prepared, Asuma's bloodstained face twisted into a grotesque smile.
"Father, as you wished, for your warped and twisted Will of Fire, I have personally destroyed our clan. I will now become Konoha's sinner. And you, Father, you will finally be satisfied!"
"You will exit the stage as a heroic Hokage!"
Tears streamed down Asuma's face as he roared at his father in fury.
"Why? We had a chance! If you had acted from the beginning to cut down the ambition within the clan, none of this would have happened!"
As Asuma's voice broke with rage, Hiruzen, still wearing the Hokage's hat, shouted coldly:
"Asuma, I am the Third Hokage of Konoha! I failed to prevent the evil of the Uchiha from shrouding Konoha in darkness. That is my failure!"
Looking at his father's stubbornness, Asuma laughed bitterly, his smile filled with grief.
His father loved himself, loved being the Third Hokage—a hero—more than he loved his clan, his village, or anything else.
In Hiruzen's cloudy eyes, there was a hint of relief.
Finally, he would no longer have to endure this pain.
In his mind, this rebellion by the three clans would serve as a massive political stain for Uchiha Shirou, who would never allow the truth to come to light. Instead, it would be explained as Sarutobi Asuma conspiring with a mysterious figure to destroy the Sarutobi Clan.
Thus, Hiruzen would exit the stage as a hero.
He believed his son was merely infiltrating the enemy for the sake of the village.
In the future, when the truth was revealed, Hiruzen imagined he would be remembered as a Hokage who had died heroically by his son's hand, sacrificing himself for the village.
This distorted, extreme belief truly existed.
"Where leaves dance, the fire burns eternal. The fire will continue to illuminate the village and cause new leaves to sprout..."
With blood splattering everywhere, Asuma collapsed in tears, trembling as he looked at his blood-soaked hands and the lifeless figure of his father lying in a pool of blood.