Clan members out on missions began receiving emergency recall orders from the clan.
Whether the mission was S-rank or D-rank, regardless of which country they were in, everyone returned at top speed.
In just three short days, over ninety percent of the scattered Uchiha clan members had returned.
The Naka Shrine was completely sealed off.
The perimeter was lined with warning tape, guarded by three elite Jonin with three-tomoe Sharingan personally leading the watch.
To the outside world, they claimed they were expanding the shrine’s underground crypt to hold a grand, once-in-a-century ancestral sacrifice, and unauthorized personnel were strictly forbidden from entering.
The clan elders proficient in sealing jutsu led their disciples to work day and night, laying down a triple-layered sealing formation along the walls of the clan compound.
On the surface, it was to defend against external enemies, but in reality, it was to block Konoha’s pursuers at the critical moment.
The entire Uchiha compound looked no different from usual, but in truth, it was already like a fully drawn bow, the string pulled taut, just waiting for the moment to be released.
Naturally, all these abnormal movements could not be hidden from the eyes of Konoha’s higher-ups.
Smoke swirled in the top-floor office of the Hokage building.
Hiruzen Sarutobi sat behind his desk, the pipe in his hand glowing and dimming, his brows furrowed into a tight knot.
Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu stood before the desk, both wearing ugly expressions.
In the shadows by the window, Shimura Danzo stood wrapped in bandages, revealing only a single, sinister eye, exuding a hostile aura that warned strangers to stay away.
“Hiruzen, you’ve seen it all.” Utatane Koharu spoke first, her voice cold and hard.
“The Uchiha’s actions over the past half-month have been suspicious at every turn!
Suddenly recalling all clan members from outside, selling off properties across the country, sealing the Naka Shrine, and setting up some kind of formation day and night—what exactly are they trying to do?!” “What else could they be doing?” Mitokado Homura chimed in, his tone full of wariness.
“Shisui is dead.
They no longer have anyone who can speak up for them in front of the Hokage, so they’ve likely harbored rebellious intentions for a while now!
These actions clearly show they are mobilizing for war!” “Hmph, I’ve said it before.
These Uchiha are ungrateful wretches; keeping them around will eventually lead to disaster.” Danzo stepped out from the shadows, his voice as raspy as a viper’s hiss.
“This is the perfect opportunity.
Using this as an excuse, I’ll lead Root directly inside, apprehend Fugaku and the clan’s core figures, and search the Naka Shrine to see what tricks they’re playing.” “No.” Hiruzen Sarutobi tapped his pipe and said in a deep voice, “The Uchiha is one of Konoha’s founding clans, and they currently serve as the Konoha Military Police Force.
If we let Root storm into their compound to conduct searches and arrests without any evidence, how would the other shinobi clans view this?
What would the Hyuga, the Ino-Shika-Cho, and the Akimichi think?
If even the village’s founding members can be touched so casually, how long will their own positions remain secure?” He paused, a hint of exhaustion in his tone.
“It hasn’t been many years since the Third Great Ninja War ended, and Konoha’s vitality has yet to recover.
We absolutely cannot afford internal strife at this time.
Once we completely fall out with the Uchiha, the other four great nations will definitely take advantage of our vulnerability.
When that happens, Konoha will truly be in danger.” “So we just watch them cause all this trouble?!” Utatane Koharu said urgently.
“If we wait until they are truly prepared and the entire clan rebels, the consequences will be even more unimaginable!” Hiruzen Sarutobi fell silent for a moment before looking up at Danzo.
“Danzo, has your Root uncovered anything concrete?” Danzo’s face darkened.
Over the past half-month, he had sent three waves of Root operatives to infiltrate the Uchiha compound.
As a result, they were either intercepted by the Military Police Force the moment they got close, or they went in and never came back out.
The Uchiha’s patrol density had tripled compared to before.
It was so tight that not even a fly could slip in, let alone gather intelligence.
He gritted his teeth and said, “The Uchiha have sealed their compound like an iron fortress.
They only claim to be holding an ancestral sacrifice.
Aside from that, they haven’t leaked a single word.” Hiruzen Sarutobi’s fingertips tapped lightly against the desk.
After a long while, he finally made a decision.
“Where is Itachi?” He looked up toward the shadows where the Anbu were stationed.
“Bring him here.” A moment later, Uchiha Itachi, dressed in his Anbu uniform and wearing a cat-faced mask, appeared silently in the office, kneeling on one knee.
“Lord Hokage.” “Rise, Itachi.” Hiruzen Sarutobi’s tone softened a bit.
“As you know, the Uchiha clan has been making major moves recently, and the village is very uneasy.
You are the young master of the Uchiha and an elite of the Anbu.
I want you to return to the compound and see exactly what Fugaku and the others are doing.” Danzo sneered from the side, adding, “Itachi, don’t forget your identity.
The village has placed its trust in you, so you must prove your corresponding worth.
If the Uchiha truly dare to rebel, you should know what choice to make.” Itachi’s body stiffened slightly, and the hand resting by his side quietly clenched into a fist.
A trace of complex emotion flashed in his eyes beneath the mask, but ultimately, he only gave a low response.
“Yes.” He turned and exited the Hokage’s office.
His footsteps fell upon the corridor floor without making a single sound, yet his heart felt as though it were weighed down by a thousand-pound boulder.
He had long since noticed that something was wrong within the clan.
His father hadn’t mentioned the conflict between the clan and the village to him in a long time, nor had he asked him to pass on any messages.
Even when he returned home, he was met with only a few perfunctory words; his father no longer shared any of the clan’s arrangements with him.
The way his fellow clansmen looked at him had also changed from their previous closeness to alienation and wariness.
Even the Military Police Force patrols deliberately avoided the courtyard where he lived.
He knew that Shisui’s death had caused his father and the rest of the clan to become completely guarded against him.
At dusk, Itachi took off his Anbu uniform, changed into casual clothes, and returned to the Uchiha compound.
As soon as he entered the main gate, he saw two people sitting in the courtyard.
Fugaku sat in the seat of honor, holding a scroll in his hand, and beside him sat that eleven-year-old boy—Uchiha Kain.
Kain looked up, his crimson three-tomoe Sharingan spinning slowly.
His gaze fell upon Itachi, carrying undisguised scrutiny and coldness, piercing straight into the depths of his heart like an ice-forged blade.
Itachi’s footsteps halted subconsciously.
A moment later, Kain gently placed the teacup in his hand onto the wooden tray, producing a crisp, light clink.
“Uncle, I still have matters to attend to.
I’ll take my leave first.” “Alright, go on with your work.” Fugaku nodded.
His gaze passed over Kain and landed on the figure at the door, ultimately turning into a helpless, soft sigh.
No matter how unwilling he was to believe it, he had to admit that Itachi’s various anomalies during this period had long become a thorn in his heart.
Just as Kain stood up to leave, Itachi, who had been standing at the door, suddenly spoke up.
“Father, since Kain is here, why not have him stay for dinner before he leaves?” As soon as these words were spoken, even the air seemed to freeze for a moment.