Minagawa Uchiha Makes His Move

Uchiha Itachi had just stepped out of the Hokage Building when he encountered Shimura Danzō, who had been waiting for him.

Just as in the Original Work, Shimura Danzō explained that the Third Hokage was merely putting things nicely. If anything happened, he would protect Konoha at all costs. In that case, as Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen would spare no effort; even if he had to resort to extreme measures and wage war, he would wipe out the rebelling Uchiha Clan.

That included Second Pillar, Uchiha Itachi's unsuspecting younger brother. He therefore suggested that Uchiha Itachi stop it all in advance. As long as he helped him destroy the Uchiha Clan beforehand, at least his younger brother could be spared, and Konoha would take good care of Second Pillar.

Faced with Shimura Danzō's coercion and Obito Uchiha's proposal, Uchiha Itachi finally made up his mind. He agreed with Shimura Danzō to act the following night, on the condition that his younger brother's safety be guaranteed.

The following evening, Nanga River, Uchiha Clan Compound, Konoha.

Bathed in the blood-red afterglow, Uchiha Itachi stood beside Naka Shrine, gazing sorrowfully at the setting sun as it released its final splendor. It was as if he saw the once-prosperous Uchiha Clan about to descend into its final madness. He felt like a drowning man, crushed by invisible fate until he could barely breathe, and an indescribable emptiness and loneliness rose within him.

As space twisted, Obito Uchiha's figure silently appeared behind the waiting Uchiha Itachi. Seeing his state, he did not disturb him and simply waited in silence.

As he waited, perhaps influenced by Uchiha Itachi's emotions, or perhaps moved by the sight before him, Obito Uchiha recalled his days in Konoha as a boy—the warmhearted youth who could never return, the naive shadow who was always late.

"Grandma, Teacher Minato, Sister Kushina, and Rin, wait for me. It won't be long. I will definitely create a world with all of you in it. There, we will meet again, just as before, and live happily together forever!"

After a brief moment of reminiscence, Obito Uchiha broke free from those useless memories. As long as his plan succeeded, all of it would come true. There was no need to linger here in sorrow.

Having composed himself, Obito Uchiha ignored Uchiha Itachi's mood and directly shattered the tranquil scene.

"Uchiha Itachi, I knew I hadn't misjudged you. Having transcended the limitations of a single clan, you are destined for greatness."

Seeing Uchiha Itachi, who had arrived early and waited here, Obito Uchiha spoke first with praise, seemingly unconcerned that their previous encounter had ended unpleasantly.

In Obito Uchiha's eyes, Uchiha Itachi was someone who had transcended the narrow-minded ideals among ninja of family and clan. What he pursued was a greater capacity, an ambition to stand atop the Ninja World. Whether in strength or character, such a person would surely play an important role in completing the Akatsuki Organization's plan.

"Madara, the person who impersonated you last night attacked the Hokage Building again while we were confronting each other. He also stole the Scroll of Seals."

Uchiha Itachi paid no attention to the Masked Man's praise. Nor did he show the slightest emotional reaction to the fact that every move his side made had been thoroughly anticipated by the other party, as though he were merely describing something utterly ordinary.

After all, for Uchiha Itachi now, what could possibly be more painful and heartbreaking than personally slaughtering his own clan?

"Heh, it seems our actions have been entirely within his calculations. But no matter how many little tricks he has, we only need to know that he is a member of the Uchiha Clan, and that he still cares about the Uchiha. That is enough."

Obito Uchiha was nowhere near as calm as Uchiha Itachi. Having been targeted and outmaneuvered time and again, he was seething with anger. He still did not know how much information the other party possessed about him, which only caused his killing intent to surge. His tone grew several degrees colder.

Sensing the killing intent emanating from the Masked Man, Uchiha Itachi's eyes flickered before he spoke.

"Then let's begin now. Sooner or later, we'll force him out."

Without waiting to see whether the Masked Man would respond, he silently turned around, drew the short blade from his back, and activated his Sharingan. He then headed into the Clan Land.

"Heh, just as expected of you. You really are cold and decisive! Impersonating me and plotting against me? Let me see who you really are—and how capable you are."

Watching Uchiha Itachi's retreating back, Obito Uchiha narrowed the single eye behind his mask. How could he not know that Uchiha Itachi was deliberately provoking his anger, hoping to make him confront that person and use the opportunity to gauge his strength? If the other party truly succeeded, he might be the next one to be surrounded and attacked.

Obito Uchiha gave a soft laugh, paying no heed to Uchiha Itachi's little scheme. Then his entire body merged into a spatial vortex once more.

Just as Uchiha Itachi and the other man began their operation, Minagawa Uchiha, who had long been resting and gathering his strength at home, received the news immediately.

By now, Minagawa Uchiha had planted countless spores throughout the entire Uchiha Clan Compound. As the Uchiha Clan's gathering place and the location of the Stone Tablet left behind by the Sage of Six Paths, Naka Shrine was naturally one of Minagawa Uchiha's primary points of attention.

"Although the Night of the Uchiha Clan Downfall came unexpectedly soon, since things have already reached this point, there is only one path left: face them head-on."

Furthermore, Minagawa Uchiha's strength had already taken shape, so he was not afraid of exposing anything. He was only somewhat lacking in combat experience, but Intangibility served as his trump card. Even if something unexpected happened, he still had Izanagi as a final measure. He was inherently in an unbeatable position.

Thus, the moment he sensed that Uchiha Itachi and the others had begun to act, he immediately set off toward Naka Shrine. Fortunately, Minagawa Uchiha lived nearby, and it did not take him long to reach the scene.

The moment he arrived in the area, several people had already fallen beneath Uchiha Itachi and the other's blades. Their slaughter had also drawn the attention of nearby Uchiha ninja. With their Sharingan blazing, they fought back with ninjutsu while furiously shouting at Uchiha Itachi.

Yet their strength was clearly no match for the two, and more clan members were about to fall into danger.

"Fire Release: Great Fire Dragon Technique!"

Suddenly, an angry, icy shout rang out. A massive dragon-shaped blaze descended from the sky, forcibly driving Uchiha Itachi back and halting his continued slaughter.

Sensing the aura of a strong person from the youth who had appeared, the Masked Man, Obito Uchiha, watched with mild interest. He waited for Uchiha Itachi to test the youth's mettle so he could determine whether he was worth recruiting.