Clan members out on missions received urgent recall orders from the clan one after another.
Regardless of whether the mission was S-rank or D-rank, or which country they were in, everyone returned at the fastest possible speed.
In just three short days, over ninety percent of the Uchiha Clan Members scattered abroad had returned.
Naka Shrine was completely sealed off, with cordons set up around its perimeter.
Three Three-Tomoe Elite Jonin personally led the guard detail.
Externally, it was claimed that the shrine’s underground palace was being expanded for a once-in-a-century grand ancestral sacrifice, and unauthorized personnel were strictly forbidden from entering.
The clan elders proficient in sealing techniques led their disciples in working day and night to set up a triple-layered sealing formation along the walls of the clan compound.
Ostensibly, it was to defend against external enemies, but in reality, it was to hold back Konoha’s pursuers at a critical moment.
The entire Uchiha Clan Compound appeared no different from usual, but in truth, it was already like a fully drawn bow, the string pulled taut, waiting only for the moment of release.
Naturally, such abnormal movements could not be hidden from the eyes of the Konoha higher-ups.
Smoke swirled in the top-floor office of the Hokage Building.
Hiruzen Sarutobi sat behind his desk, the light in his pipe flickering as his brow furrowed into a knot.
Standing before the desk were Homura Mitokado and Utatane Koharu, both looking quite grim.
In the shadows by the window, Danzo Shimura was wrapped in bandages, revealing only one sinister eye, his entire being radiating a hostile aura that warned others 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 in every way!”
“Suddenly recalling all clan members from abroad, selling off their properties across the country, sealing Naka Shrine, and setting up formations day and night—what exactly are they trying to do?!”
“What else could they be doing?” Homura Mitokado took over, his tone full of wariness.
“Shisui is dead; they no longer have anyone who can speak for them before the Hokage.
I’m afraid they’ve harbored rebellious intent for a long time!
These actions clearly show they are mobilizing for war!”
“Hmph, I’ve said it before: that pack of ungrateful wolves from the Uchiha will eventually become a disaster if left alone.” Danzo stepped out from the shadows, his voice raspy like a venomous snake’s hiss.
“Now is the perfect time.
Using this as a pretext, I’ll lead Root directly inside to control Fugaku and the core members of the clan.
We’ll search Naka Shrine and see what tricks they’re trying to pull.”
“No.”
Hiruzen Sarutobi tapped his pipe and said in a heavy voice, “The Uchiha are a founding clan of Konoha and the current Konoha Military Police Force.”
“Without any evidence, to have Root directly barge into the clan compound for a search and seizure—how would the other ninja clans see this?”
“What would the Hyuga, the Ino–Shika–Chō, and the Akimichi families think?”
“If even the founding elders can be moved against so casually, how long can their own positions last?”
He paused, his tone carrying a hint of exhaustion.
“It’s only been a few years since the Third Shinobi World War; Konoha’s vitality hasn’t recovered yet.
We absolutely cannot have internal strife at this time.”
“Once we have a falling out with the Uchiha, the other four great nations will definitely take advantage of the opening.
When that happens, Konoha will be in real danger.”
“Then are we just supposed to watch them cause such a stir?!” Utatane Koharu said urgently.
“If we wait until they are truly prepared for a full-clan rebellion, the consequences will be even more unthinkable!”
Hiruzen Sarutobi was silent for a moment before looking up at Danzo.
“Danzo, has your Root found anything specific?”
Danzo’s face darkened.
In the past half-month, he had sent three waves of Root agents to infiltrate the Uchiha Clan Compound.
The result was that they were either stopped by the Military Police as soon as they approached, or they went in and never came out again.
The Uchiha’s patrol density had tripled compared to before; even a fly would find it hard to get in, let alone gather intelligence.
He gritted his teeth and said, “The Uchiha have sealed their compound like an iron bucket.
They only claim to be holding an ancestral sacrifice; other than that, not a word of information has leaked out.”
Hiruzen Sarutobi’s fingertips lightly tapped the desk.
After a long while, he finally made a decision.
“Where is Itachi?” He looked toward the shadows where the Anbu were stationed.
“Have him come here.”
A moment later, Uchiha Itachi, wearing his Anbu uniform and a cat-faced mask, appeared silently in the office and knelt on one knee.
“Hokage-sama.”
“Itachi, stand up.” Hiruzen Sarutobi’s tone softened slightly.
“As you know, the Uchiha clan has been making big moves lately, and the Village is quite uneasy.”
“You are the Young Head of the Uchiha and an elite of the Anbu.
I want you to return to the clan compound and see what Fugaku and the others are actually doing.”
Danzo sneered from the side and added, “Itachi, don’t forget your identity.
The Village has given you its trust, and you must provide the corresponding value.
If the Uchiha truly dare to rebel, you should know what choice to make.”
Itachi’s body stiffened slightly.
His hand hanging at his side quietly clenched, and a flash of complex emotion crossed his eyes beneath the mask.
In the end, he only gave a low response: “Yes.”
He turned and exited the Hokage Office.
His footsteps on the hallway floor were as light as a whisper, yet his heart felt as if it were weighed down by a thousand-pound stone.
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 for a long time, nor had he asked him to pass on any more information.
Even when he went 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 the clan members looked at him had changed from the previous closeness to distance and wariness.
Even the Military Police patrols deliberately avoided the courtyard where he lived.
He knew that Shisui’s death had caused his father and the clansmen to become completely suspicious of him.
At dusk, Itachi took off his Anbu uniform, changed into casual clothes, and returned to the Uchiha Clan 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, and beside him sat the boy who was only eleven years old—Uchiha Xia Yin.
Shin looked up, his scarlet Three-Tomoe Sharingan slowly spinning.
His gaze fell upon Itachi with undisguised scrutiny and coldness, like a blade dipped in ice stabbing straight into the depths of his heart.
Itachi’s footsteps instinctively faltered.
A moment later, Shin gently placed his teacup on the wooden tray with a crisp, light click.
“Uncle, I have things to attend to.
I’ll take my leave now.”
“Alright, go ahead and attend to your business.” Fugaku nodded, his gaze passing over Shin to rest on the figure at the entrance, finally turning into a helpless, soft sigh.
No matter how much he didn’t want to believe it, he had to admit that Itachi’s various abnormalities during this period had long been like a thorn stuck in his heart.
Just as Shin rose to leave, Itachi, who had been standing at the door, suddenly spoke: “Father, since Shin is here, why not have him stay for dinner before he goes?”
As soon as these words were spoken, even the air seemed to freeze for a second.
VOTE for me!