At the Uchiha clan grounds, inside the Naka Shrine's ancestral hall, the memorial tablets of Uchiha forebears were enshrined.
After Konoha was founded, most Uchiha who died in the village's service were interred at the Memorial Stone for public remembrance. But those who had perished before the founding of the village had their ashes gathered and preserved here.
"Itachi, these are two of our clan's ultimate forbidden jutsu: Izanagi and Izanami," Fugaku said solemnly as he handed two scrolls to his son. "Izanagi can be taught to other clan members. But Izanami—you must keep that one for yourself."
"Yes, Father," Itachi replied respectfully, accepting the scrolls with both hands.
"And these… are the ashes of our ancestors." Fugaku kneeled reverently before the shrine, then turned serious. "Only Uchiha Madara left no body—just bloodstained garments buried in an honorary grave. But the others… their remains and ashes are all here. I hope they'll be of use to you."
He opened a sealing scroll. With a series of puff, puff, puff sounds, several urns appeared in front of Itachi. Each was carefully labeled: Tajima Uchiha, Izuna Uchiha, Kagami Uchiha, Shitori Uchiha.
Next, Fugaku's shadow clones brought in several bound and blindfolded prisoners—bandits, each forced to kneel before Itachi.
"Caught them just this afternoon. Scum of the land. Use them as you see fit," Fugaku said calmly.
"Thank you, Father," Itachi said, genuinely grateful.
"Don't thank me. I'm your father. If anything, I should be thanking you for coming back to stand with the Uchiha. Gathering the ashes and rounding up some criminals? That's nothing."
Nothing? Thanking me? Itachi froze. His nose stung. A father saying thank you to his child—how far off course had his past self gone to have once raised a hand against his own parents?
Worse than scum…
"Alright, that's enough emotion," Fugaku said with a small smile. "The others are waiting in the main hall. Let's finish up here."
"Yes, Father."
Itachi took out a scroll specifically designed for the Edo Tensei—the Reanimation Jutsu. He placed the urns and Madara's bloodied garments one by one, then, from another sealed container, let fall several drops of blood.
"Shisui's eye?" Fugaku asked, watching him closely.
Itachi nodded. "Before he died, Shisui entrusted me with his eye."
"My Mangekyō awakened when I witnessed his suicide with my own eyes."
"And the other one?"
"Danzo took it."
"…I see," Fugaku said quietly.
"You're saying you can perform Edo Tensei just with these ashes, clothing, and some DNA?" he asked, unable to hold back his curiosity.
"Yes. This version of Edo Tensei is one I've modified. It doesn't require flesh—just trace DNA," Itachi explained.
"Incredible… As expected of my son," Fugaku said with pride. Thankfully, it's Itachi who holds this version of the jutsu. If Konoha had it, any chance of a successful Uchiha rebellion would be gone.
"Let's begin." Itachi's expression turned serious. He clapped his hands together and called out:
"Impure World Reincarnation—Edo Tensei!"
Mystic seals uncoiled from the scroll and wrapped around the prisoners. Dust swirled, coating their bodies. Moments later, the dirt cracked and peeled away—revealing familiar faces from the past:
Tajima Uchiha, Madara Uchiha, Izuna Uchiha, Kagami Uchiha, Shitori Uchiha, and Shisui Uchiha—all successfully resurrected.
Tajima was the first to open his eyes. He spotted the Uchiha clan crest. Then his gaze drifted up—to a memorial tablet bearing his name—and his pupils narrowed.
Two voices rang out in unison:
"Descendant Uchiha Fugaku (Uchiha Itachi) greets Lord Tajima."
Father and son bowed deeply before him.
"Descendants of the Uchiha Clan?" Tajima murmured. "What era is this? Why was I summoned? Has something happened to the clan?"
"Please, Lord Tajima," Itachi said respectfully, "allow the others—Madara, Izuna, and the rest—to awaken first. I'll explain everything once you're all here."
"You are?" Tajima looked at Itachi curiously. The clan has declined so much that a child now stands as its representative?
"This is my son," Fugaku said. "Uchiha Itachi. As of tomorrow, he will be the new clan head."
"Itachi… the new clan head?" Tajima studied him. Fugaku is still in his prime—why pass on the mantle so early? Unless this boy is a genius… like Madara was in his youth?
Madara stirred next. His expression immediately turned grim.
This isn't the Rinne Rebirth… What happened to Nagato? He looked down at his hands. His strength hadn't fully returned.
"Tajima," he heard.
"F-Father?" Madara trembled. "You… you've been brought back too?"
"And so has Izuna," Tajima replied evenly.
"Brother! Father!" Izuna's eyes lit up with joy. He rushed over, overjoyed to see them both again.
"Izuna…" Madara whispered, stunned. His precious little brother… alive again? How is this possible?
Kagami opened his eyes, instantly analyzing his surroundings. "This technique… it's the Second Hokage's forbidden jutsu—Edo Tensei."
Shisui, now awakened, heard Kagami's words and let out a bitter chuckle. "So this is the fabled Impure World Reincarnation… I threw myself into the Naka River to avoid being used… and yet here I am, summoned back from the dead."
"You're the one who brought us back, aren't you?" Shitori turned to Itachi, her tone direct but calm. "Tell us—what do you want from us?"
Itachi turned toward his father.
Fugaku stepped forward and bowed. "Unworthy descendant Uchiha Fugaku greets our honored ancestors."
"The Uchiha are now on the brink of extinction. In desperation, I asked my son to use this forbidden jutsu. We have no choice—we must find a way to save our clan."
"Extinction?" Tajima's eyes narrowed sharply. "The Uchiha have fallen so far that we're facing annihilation? Who dares to threaten our clan?! The Senju? The Uzumaki?"
"No, Lord Tajima," Fugaku replied. "The Senju are already extinct. The Uzumaki have all but vanished."
"The ones who now seek our destruction… are the Sarutobi and the Shimura clans."
"…Sarutobi and Shimura?" Tajima repeated, confused. He turned to Madara and Izuna. "Those two clans—are they strong?"
"Not particularly," Izuna said, a bit awkwardly. "I remember we had them running scared during the Warring States era."
"To think our descendants have fallen so far… that you need to call upon us just to deal with them."