Returning Uchiha

Chapter 38: Returning Uchiha

Kagami sat on the ground, powerless. Three days. What should he do?

Head bowed, Kagami thought continuously. Should he commit suicide?

Meanwhile, Danzō quickly returned to the underground of Root and arrived before a prison cell. Inside, a man and a woman were held – Kagami's parents.

Danzō spoke coldly.

"Have you considered what I told you earlier?"

Uchiha Takashi stared intently at Danzō.

"Are the things you just said true?"

"Of course they are. Can't you see the current relationship between the Uchiha and the village? Your family has been captured. Do you still expect to walk out alive? Uchiha Kagami is a genius, I have high hopes for him, and I don't want to watch him die. That's why I intend to save him. As long as you two die in this prison, I doubt Hiruzen will make things too difficult for a child. Coupled with my plea, Uchiha Kagami can absolutely survive. But if you don't die, Uchiha Kagami won't be released. You are the primary targets of this capture operation; Uchiha Kagami is merely incidental.

Do you really think a child like that could kill two Root members? Don't be ridiculous. This is just a frame-up, all to find an excuse to arrest you and issue a warning to the Uchiha Clan.

Uchiha Takashi calmly shook his head.

"No, your words don't make sense. The village should be trying to ease the conflict between the Uchiha and the village, why would they issue a warning to the Uchiha at this time?"

Danzō's eyes narrowed, and he said coldly, "The news that you Uchiha are planning a coup, do you really think the village doesn't know about it?!"

Uchiha Takashi's eyes widened. If the village was aware of the Uchiha's intention to stage a coup, then issuing a warning to the Uchiha in their haste would be logical.

"But, there's still something I don't understand. Our family is just an ordinary family within the Uchiha Clan. Would arresting our family truly deter the Uchiha Clan?"

Danzō looked at Uchiha Takashi as if he were an idiot.

"Are you truly stupid? While it's a warning, it's still just a warning. Of course, we'd arrest an insignificant family. If we arrested an important family, wouldn't that mean an irreconcilable conflict with the Uchiha? In short, I have no interest and no need to lie to you. Your family's imprisonment means certain death. I just happen to admire Uchiha Kagami's genius and intend to save him. Whether you believe me or not is up to you."

After speaking, Danzō turned and left.

Yuko Uchiha looked at Uchiha Takashi with a face full of worry.

"Takashi, what should we do now?"

Uchiha Takashi was clearly frightened by Danzō's nonsensical talk, and he frowned.

"Our family has likely become a sacrifice in the struggle between the village and the Uchiha."

There was nothing he could do. Danzō's words were impeccable, and coupled with Uchiha Takashi's lack of access to outside information, he naturally began to believe Danzō's words.

"What about Kagami?"

Yuko Uchiha asked anxiously.

"He's probably been captured too. If we parents are arrested, Kagami probably can't escape."

"Then… then let's ask Danzō if it's okay for only me to die? I'll trade my life for Kagami's life. Kagami is too young, he can't have any accidents. I've lived a long life, I've experienced everything I should. I met you and gave birth to Kagami, I'm very happy, I'm content."

Uchiha Takashi gently rubbed Yuko's head.

"Silly Yuko."

The next day.

In the Hokage's Office.

Shisui found the Third Hokage again.

"Hokage-sama, I have something to discuss with you."

The Third Hokage nodded, signaling Shisui to continue.

A moment later.

The Third Hokage looked at Shisui in shock.

"You're saying you intend to use your Kotoamatsukami to change the minds of the Uchiha elders and prevent the coup?"

Shisui nodded.

"Yes."

The Third Hokage frowned.

"Are you confident you'll succeed?"

Shisui spoke calmly.

"The chances of success are very high."

"Will there be any negative consequences?"

"I will only use Kotoamatsukami to change their thoughts about the coup, not any other thoughts. There will be no negative consequences."

"If that's the case, then alright."

Another day passed.

Including the day Danzō met Kagami, this was the third day. Tomorrow, Danzō would come to see Kagami. Kagami had to make a decision today.

However, before Kagami, two others needed to make a decision.

Danzō looked into the pitch-black prison cell.

"Have you decided? Once today passes, even I won't be able to save Uchiha Kagato."

No one replied.

Danzō frowned and raised his voice.

"Are you not speaking because you don't want to save your son anymore?"

Still, no one replied.

Danzō seemed to realize something. He ordered the prison cell to be opened. It was too dark; he couldn't see anything clearly from outside. He needed to go inside.

Soon, Danzō entered. Then, he saw Uchiha Takashi holding Uchiha Yuko, lying quietly on the ground. Dried blood was clearly visible at the corners of their mouths. Here, an ordinary couple had died.

Perhaps they died too decisively, but—

"Hmph, saves me the trouble."

But Danzō had never intended to let Kagato's family leave alive. He had tricked Kagato's parents into committing suicide merely to have a good explanation for the Third Hokage.

Perhaps Uchiha Takashi realized Danzō's subtle killing intent, which led him to decisively choose suicide. This way, perhaps their deaths would truly soften the Third Hokage's heart, and he might spare Kagato.

In the end, what were they? They were just an ordinary, incredibly ordinary family in this world. A Chunin and his wife—this combination was too powerless against true powerhouses in the ninja world.

Before dying, Uchiha Yuko had asked Uchiha Takashi a question.

"Takashi, do you think we can get out of here alive?"

Uchiha Takashi shook his head.

"I know Danzō's character somewhat. Once we entered Root, it was basically impossible to get out alive. The probability is too low. I just don't know about Kagato. If that brat dares to die, I'll skin him alive!"

Uchiha Yuko smiled faintly.

"Ah, yes, Takashi. Kill me."

"Why?!"

"We're going to die anyway. I'd rather die by your hand. Besides, dying now means, at least in my heart, I died for Kagato. My death won't be meaningless."

"No! What Danzō said might sound reasonable, but it might not be true. If Danzō is lying to us, then our deaths will be meaningless!"

"Takashi, tell me, do we have a choice?"

Her words stunned Uchiha Takashi. Yes, as mentioned before, it was basically impossible for them to leave Root alive. In that case, since they were going to die either way, did they still have a choice?

Root was unlike the Anbu. Many people who entered the Anbu came out alive, but very few who entered Root did.

Danzō bent down. He remembered that Uchiha Takashi had the Sharingan. But just as Danzō's hand was about to pluck out Uchiha Takashi's eyeballs, he stopped.

Forget it. Although Danzō was arrogant, he wasn't brainless. If he openly took the Sharingan at this moment, the Uchiha's hatred towards him would likely skyrocket. He didn't want to become a target right now.

Let's wait a bit longer...

"Someone, clean up these two bodies and return them to the Uchiha. Say they couldn't bear the pressure of the prison and committed suicide."

"Yes!"

This part of the story might feel frustrating, but please bear with it. I want to portray the helplessness and sadness of the Uchiha clan members as they evolve their Sharingan. I believe the growth history of the Uchiha clan should not be filled with laughter and joy, but rather with tragedy and helplessness.

Regarding the end of this arc for Danzō, I'll tell you in advance. It will be in chapter 44. In that chapter, the protagonist will leave Konoha, and from then on, there should be no more such tragic and helpless plots.