Uchiha Fugaku knew exactly how dangerous Yoru's situation was.
He had killed Sarutobi Hiruzen's own son.
No father could ever forgive that.
If it were his son—Uchiha Itachi—who had been killed…
He would have lost his mind entirely.
But…
Lately, Itachi had been spending more and more time with Uchiha Shisui and Hiruzen.
Could it be…?
Fugaku shook his head, forcing the thought away.
Itachi was enigmatic—even to his own father.
But he was still a good kid.
With a grim expression, Fugaku led a squad of clansmen toward the ANBU prison, moving at full speed.
He had to warn those ANBU dogs—if they laid a finger on Yoru, there would be hell to pay.
"Clan Head… Do you really think Hiruzen will order Yoru's execution?"
Uchiha Inahoshi's voice was tight with worry as he kept pace.
Fugaku didn't answer.
He didn't need to.
The silence alone made everyone's blood run cold.
Faster.
They had to get there now.
But then—
"Hm?"
Fugaku skidded to a sudden halt.
The Uchiha police force stumbled behind him, confused.
"Clan Head? What's wrong?"
They were close—so close—to the prison.
But ahead, blocking their path…
A squad of masked figures.
ANBU.
And the man at the front, his chakra chillingly familiar even beneath that eerie mask—
Fugaku's eyes widened in disbelief.
"You… You're—"
The figure slowly removed his mask.
"Clan Head."
The Uchiha police force froze.
Uchiha Shisui.
Fugaku's voice was raw with shock.
"Shisui… You joined the ANBU?!"
Shisui exhaled softly.
"More than that."
"I am now the ANBU Captain."
Fugaku's world tilted.
"What?"
"This was the Hokage's will," Shisui said calmly.
Fugaku's fury ignited.
He understood Hiruzen's game perfectly.
What he didn't understand was—
Why would Shisui agree?!
For years, the Uchiha had tried—and failed—to infiltrate the ANBU.
And now, on the brink of open war, Hiruzen suddenly promoted an Uchiha to ANBU Captain?
This wasn't an olive branch.
It was a knife in the clan's back.
And Shisui—
The Uchiha's strongest warrior.
The one man even the radicals believed was essential for any coup to succeed—
Had just become Hiruzen's loyal hound.
Fugaku's rage burned white-hot.
"Shisui… Have you betrayed the Uchiha?!"
Shisui's expression didn't waver.
There was no hesitation left in him.
"No, Clan Head."
"I am saving the Uchiha."
"You once said you wanted our clan to rise within the ANBU, to prove our worth to the village."
"Now, the Hokage has not only allowed it—he has made me its leader."
"Even after Yoru killed his son."
"Does that not show his faith in us?"
Fugaku snarled. "Are you out of your mind?!"
Shisui's voice was ice.
"I have never been clearer."
"First, I am a shinobi of Konoha."
"Second, I am ANBU Captain."
"And only then…"
"Am I an Uchiha."
"You see only the clan, Fugaku-sama."
"My vision has long since risen above it."
"All for the greater good."
"All for…"
"The Will of Fire."
Fugaku didn't feel anger anymore.
Just grief.
That an Uchiha—his Uchiha—could stand with the very people who wanted them erased…
And call it justice.
Behind him, the police force erupted in curses, hurling insults at Shisui's lineage.
But Shisui didn't react.
And that was when Fugaku noticed it—
The same cold fanaticism in Shisui's eyes that he'd once seen in Yoru's.
Two men.
Two paths.
Fugaku took a slow, steadying breath.
Shisui was lost.
Yoru was their only hope now.
"If this is your choice, I won't stop you."
"But I am going to that prison to see Yoru—to hear the truth from him."
"Step aside."
Shisui didn't move.
"I can't do that."
The Uchiha police force tensed, hands flying to their weapons.
Fugaku's Sharingan flickered dangerously.
"Uchiha Shisui… Are you declaring war on your own clan?"
"That is the last thing I want, Clan Head."
"But if I must…"
"I will."
Fugaku's fists clenched.
Chakra surged around him like a gathering storm.
The police force mirrored him, poised to strike.
Shisui and his ANBU stood ready.
One spark—
And Konoha would burn.
Fugaku's rage boiled over.
Hiruzen was using an Uchiha to slaughter Uchiha.
Unforgivable.
Then, Shisui glanced at the setting sun.
The last golden light faded behind the horizon.
"Even if I let you pass, Clan Head…"
"It's already too late."
Fugaku's blood turned to ice.
"What?!"
Shisui's voice was almost gentle.
"The sun has set."
And Fugaku understood.
"YOU BASTARD—!"
In that instant—
His Sharingan erupted in crimson fury.
——
Meanwhile, deep within the ANBU prison…
The last sliver of daylight vanished.
Darkness swallowed the corridors whole.
And in the deepest cell—
The monsters stirred.
"Brothers! This bastard's a Konoha jōnin! Uchiha police scum!"
"He's killed dozens of our men!"
"Now's our chance—RIP HIM APART!"
A tidal wave of murderous intent crashed toward Yoru.
Fangs bared. Blades raised.
And in that moment—
Yoru opened his eyes.
The prison's blackness shattered—
As his Mangekyō Sharingan blazed to life.
The hunt had begun.