As Shisui disappeared from sight, Itachi stood quietly, his mood turbulent. He gazed into the distant mountains and sighed deeply.
Shisui's eyes were the legendary Mangekyō Sharingan, possessing the terrifying ability to alter a person's will.
If true peace between the Uchiha clan and the village could be achieved, Itachi wouldn't oppose Shisui using his powers to control their father.
But the grudge held against the village's leadership wasn't just a personal vendetta—it was a collective resentment born from long-term discrimination and marginalization.
Even if their father's will was changed, other clan members would inevitably reignite their hostility toward Konoha's leadership.
It was practically a deadlock.
Unless the entire clan willingly gave up their control over the Police Force and abandoned their obsession with producing a Uchiha Hokage—something that was clearly impossible.
Shisui was too idealistic, clinging to the hope that the clan and the village could coexist peacefully.
But Itachi had seen the truth.
After joining the Root Division, he had witnessed firsthand the scheming between ninja villages. Having seen the darkness, he abandoned those naive dreams and resolved to protect the light from within the shadows.
Leaving the cliffside, Itachi headed toward the Root headquarters, preparing himself for a game of wits with Danzo, the organization's cunning leader.
After traveling some distance, Itachi suddenly stopped, sensing something.
A ripple distorted the air near a large tree ahead.
From within a swirling vortex, a figure wearing a tiger-striped mask slowly emerged and stood atop the tree, gazing at Itachi like an artist admiring a masterpiece.
Instantly on alert, Itachi stared warily at the masked man.
This was the man who, during a mission to protect the Daimyo of the Land of Fire, killed Itachi's teammate—an act that awakened the Sharingan in him through overwhelming grief.
There were few who dared to target the Daimyo, but what Itachi truly cared about was the Sharingan beneath that mask.
If that eye wasn't stolen, it meant this masked man also carried Uchiha blood.
But why had he done all this? To help Itachi awaken his Sharingan? And why was he now near Konoha? Was he planning to assassinate the Third Hokage?
Itachi had countless questions, but the masked man gave him no chance to ask. He vanished back into the vortex, leaving Itachi even more puzzled about his intentions.
After Itachi left, the masked man reappeared from the vortex, silently watching Itachi's retreating figure, lost in thought.
At that moment, a strange figure emerged from the ground, sandwiched between two pitcher plant-like leaves, and looked up at him.
"You came to Konoha just for that Uchiha brat, Tobi?" the eerie figure asked.
The masked man shook his head. "Not exactly for him. But I admit, his growth is... surprising. Just twelve years old, and he already sensed my presence. I was right not to kill him back then."
Black Zetsu emerged fully and chuckled, "And that's thanks to you. Killing his teammate helped him awaken his two-tomoe Sharingan. He's now in the Anbu, running around with Shunshin Shisui."
"Shunshin Shisui?" the masked man—Obito—paused at the name and his gaze deepened.
Over the years, he'd heard of Shisui's exploits—like how he once scared off an elite Mist ninja squad with a single glance. Obito had long held a quiet wariness toward this peer of similar age.
He even suspected that Shisui's Sharingan had evolved beyond three tomoe—into Mangekyō Sharingan.
Because of this fear of Shisui's unknown ocular powers, Obito had reduced his activity in Konoha, slowing down his plan to weaken the village.
But based on the intel from Zetsu, Konoha seemed to be tearing itself apart without any external help.
Obito had to admit—Konoha had a real talent for self-destruction.
Snapping out of his thoughts, Obito turned to Zetsu and said, "That's enough watching for today. Time to report back to Nagato. It's not a good time to strike Konoha."
"What, are you scared now? That's not like you…" Zetsu teased.
Obito gave him a long look and replied coldly,
"Scared? Hardly. No one in Konoha is my match. But if my appearance causes the Uchiha and the village to temporarily unite, then we'll lose the chance to enjoy their internal conflict. Weakening Konoha is a strategic move, a setup for collecting the Tailed Beasts later."
Zetsu chuckled. "Never expected you to be so ruthless toward the village and clan that raised you."
Obito snorted. "Aren't you the same, Black Zetsu? You helped unleash the Nine-Tails on Konoha. Because of you, the Uchiha were treated like traitors for decades."
Black Zetsu, who claimed to carry Madara's will, realized he had overstepped and fell silent.
Obito took one last look at Konoha's lights twinkling in the distance. For a moment, he seemed nostalgic—but it quickly faded.
His gaze turned steely.
"This pointless world has nothing worth holding on to. I must create a new one—a world where Rin lives."
Elsewhere, Fugaku Uchiha walked the streets alone, having just left Naka Shrine.
The small clan meeting just held had revolved around plans for a coup against the village leadership. Even if they didn't act yet, the plan had to exist—it was the Uchiha's last resort.
They would use force to reclaim what was rightfully theirs.
The reason was simple: Konoha's upper echelon had treated them with nothing but cold contempt.
Despite their long-standing contributions and immense strength, the Uchiha were left with only the unpopular Police Force, while most power and rewards went to the Hokage's allies.
If this continued, the Uchiha would only face more marginalization—and never produce a Hokage of their own.
Soon, Fugaku arrived home. After being cared for by his wife Mikoto, he frowned and asked, "Where's Itachi now?"
Mikoto gently patted Sasuke's head. "He went out on a mission."
Fugaku snorted. "He's not on a mission—he's out leaking secrets to Hiruzen and Danzo again. He always puts the village before the clan. He's forgotten he's an Uchiha."
Mikoto softly responded, "The Uchiha are part of the village too… but yes, Itachi does seem more aligned with outsiders."
Fugaku's expression eased a little. He then asked, "Is Sasuke asleep? He's been doing well—he even made friends with the Jinchuriki. His talent may not match Itachi's, but at least he's loyal to the clan."
Mikoto nodded, then said reproachfully, "Sasuke's still a child. Don't talk about loyalty or betrayal so soon. And Naruto is Kushina's son—he has a name."
"Hmph. But how many in the village even know he's the Fourth's son?" Fugaku said with disdain. "Still, I support Sasuke becoming friends with him. Tell him to invite Naruto over more. The Uchiha welcome him."
"You welcome him? Or are you just trying to use the Nine-Tails to gain leverage?"
Fugaku gave her a long look. "And what of Hiruzen? Hasn't he used Naruto the same way—deceiving him, using the Jinchuriki to prop up his position as Hokage?"
"If I were Hokage, the least I'd do is tell Naruto the truth: he's the son of the Fourth Hokage."
(End of Chapter)
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