The clan members who were carrying out missions outside the village also began receiving emergency recall orders.
Regardless of whether the mission was S Rank or D Rank, regardless of which country they were in, every one of them was ordered to return as quickly as possible.
In just three days, more than ninety percent of the Uchiha Clan members scattered across the outside world had already returned.
Naka Shrine was completely sealed off.
A strict security perimeter was established around it, with three elite Jonin who possessed the Three Tomoe Sharingan personally leading the guards.
The official explanation was that the shrine’s underground sanctuary was being expanded in preparation for a once in a century ancestral ceremony.
Unauthorized personnel were strictly forbidden from entering.
The clan elders proficient in Sealing Techniques worked day and night alongside their disciples, erecting three overlapping sealing formations along the walls surrounding the clan compound.
On the surface, they were meant to defend against outside enemies.
In reality, they were meant to stop Konoha’s pursuers when the crucial moment arrived.
On the surface, the entire Uchiha Clan Compound looked no different from usual.
In reality, it had already become a fully drawn bow, its string stretched to the limit, waiting only for the moment it would be released.
Naturally, such unusual movements could never escape the notice of Konoha’s higher ups.
Inside the Hokage Building’s top floor office, smoke filled the room.
Hiruzen Sarutobi sat behind his desk, the ember of his smoking pipe glowing on and off as his brows remained tightly furrowed.
Standing before him were Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane, both wearing grim expressions.
Meanwhile, standing within the shadows near the window was Shimura Danzō.
Wrapped in bandages, only one sinister eye was visible, while an oppressive aura radiated from his entire body.
“Hiruzen, you’ve seen it yourself.” Koharu Utatane spoke first, her voice cold and firm.
“Everything the Uchiha have done over the past two weeks feels suspicious.” “They suddenly recalled every clan member from outside the village, sold off all of their businesses throughout the country, sealed off Naka Shrine, and have been working on formations day and night.
What exactly are they planning?” “What else could it be?” Homura Mitokado continued, his voice filled with caution.
“Shisui is dead.
They’ve lost the only person who could still speak to the Hokage on their behalf.
They’ve probably been harboring thoughts of rebellion for quite some time now.
Every one of these actions points toward preparing for war.” “Hmph.
I’ve said it before.” Danzō stepped out from the shadows, his hoarse voice hissing like a venomous snake.
“The Uchiha are wolves that can never be tamed.
Keeping them alive will only bring disaster.” “This is the perfect opportunity.” “I’ll lead Root into the clan compound myself, seize Fugaku and the other core members, and search Naka Shrine.” “We’ll soon find out what they’re really plotting.” “No.” Hiruzen Sarutobi tapped the bowl of his pipe against the desk before speaking in a deep voice.
“The Uchiha are one of Konoha’s founding clans.
They also command the Konoha Police Force.” “Without any evidence, if Root simply barges into their compound and begins making arrests, what will the other clans think?” “What about the Hyūga, the Ino Shika Chō, or the Akimichi Clan?” “If even one of Konoha’s founding clans can be treated this way, how long do you think the rest of them will feel secure?” He paused, exhaustion evident in his voice.
“The Third Shinobi World War ended only a few years ago.
Konoha still hasn’t recovered.” “This is the worst possible time for internal conflict.” “If we completely fall out with the Uchiha now, the other four Great Nations will certainly take advantage of our weakness.” “If that happens, Konoha will truly be in danger.” “So we’re just going to stand by and watch them continue?” Koharu asked anxiously.
“What if they finish their preparations and the entire clan truly rebels?
The consequences would be even worse.” Hiruzen remained silent for a moment before raising his eyes toward Danzō.
“Danzō, has Root uncovered anything concrete?” Danzō’s expression darkened.
During the past two weeks, he had sent three separate teams from Root to infiltrate the Uchiha Clan Compound.
Every attempt had ended the same way.
Either they were stopped by members of the Konoha Police Force before they could even get close…
Or they entered the compound…
And were never seen again.
The Uchiha’s patrols had become three times denser than before.
Even a fly would have trouble getting inside, let alone Root agents trying to gather information.
Grinding his teeth, Danzō said, “The Uchiha have sealed their compound tighter than an iron fortress.
They only claim they’re preparing an ancestral ceremony.
Beyond that, not a single piece of information has leaked.” Hiruzen Sarutobi gently tapped his fingers against the desk.
After a long silence, he finally reached a decision.
“Where’s Itachi?” He looked toward the shadows where the ANBU stood hidden.
“Bring him here.” A few moments later, Uchiha Itachi silently appeared inside the office.
Wearing an ANBU uniform and a cat mask, he knelt on one knee.
“Lord Hokage.” “Itachi, rise.” Hiruzen’s tone softened slightly.
“You already know that the Uchiha have been making a great deal of unusual movements lately, and the village is becoming increasingly uneasy.” “You’re both the Uchiha Clan’s heir and one of the ANBU’s finest.” “I want you to return to the clan compound and find out what Fugaku and the others are doing.” Danzō let out a cold sneer before adding, “Itachi, don’t forget who you are.” “The village has placed its trust in you.
It’s time for you to prove your worth.” “If the Uchiha truly intend to rebel…
you know which side you must choose.” Itachi’s body stiffened almost imperceptibly.
His hand quietly tightened at his side, and beneath the mask, a trace of conflicted emotion flashed across his eyes.
In the end, he merely replied in a low voice, “Yes.” He turned and left the Hokage’s office.
His footsteps were so light that they made no sound against the corridor floor, yet it felt as though a thousand pound stone was pressing down on his heart.
He had long since noticed that something was wrong within the clan.
His father had stopped discussing the conflict between the clan and the village with him.
He no longer asked Itachi to pass along any information.
Even when Itachi returned home, Fugaku would only exchange a few perfunctory words before refusing to mention any of the clan’s plans.
The way the clan members looked at him had also changed.
The warmth they once showed him had been replaced by distance and caution.
Even the Police Force’s patrol routes deliberately avoided the courtyard where he lived.
He knew why.
After Shisui’s death, his father and the rest of the clan had completely lost their trust in him.
By evening, Itachi had removed his ANBU uniform and changed into ordinary clothes before returning to the Uchiha Clan Compound.
The moment he stepped through the front gate, he saw two people sitting in the courtyard.
Fugaku occupied the seat of honor with a dossier in his hands.
Beside him sat the eleven year old boy.
Uchiha Shinsuke.
Shinsuke raised his eyes.
His crimson Three Tomoe Sharingan rotated slowly as his gaze settled on Itachi, carrying open scrutiny and unmistakable coldness, like a blade forged from ice piercing directly into his heart.
Itachi instinctively came to a halt.
A moment later, Shinsuke gently placed his teacup onto the wooden tray with a crisp click.
“Uncle, I still have things to take care of.
I’ll be leaving now.” “Very well.
Go ahead.” Fugaku nodded before looking past Shinsuke toward the figure standing at the entrance.
In the end, all that remained was a quiet sigh.
No matter how unwilling he was to believe it, he could no longer deny that Itachi’s strange behavior over the past weeks had become a thorn buried deep within his heart.
Just as Shinsuke rose to leave, Itachi, who had remained standing at the doorway, suddenly spoke.
“Father…
since Shinsuke is here, why not ask him to stay for dinner before he leaves?” The moment those words were spoken…
Even the air itself seemed to freeze.