Minagawa Uchiha Takes Action

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

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

That included Uchiha Sasuke, Uchiha Itachi's unsuspecting younger brother. Thus, he advised Uchiha Itachi to prevent it all in advance. As long as he helped wipe out the Uchiha Clan first, he could at least save his younger brother, and Konoha would take good care of Uchiha Sasuke.

Faced with Shimura Danzō's coercion and Obito Uchiha's proposal, Uchiha Itachi made up his mind. He agreed with Shimura Danzō to act tomorrow night, but Uchiha Sasuke's safety had to be guaranteed.

The following evening, at the Nanga River in Konoha's Uchiha Clan Compound.

The setting sun was blood-red. Standing beside Naka Shrine, Uchiha Itachi watched the fading sun cast its final splendor with a trace of sorrow. 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 an invisible fate until he could barely breathe, an inexplicable emptiness and loneliness rising within him.

As space twisted, Obito Uchiha's figure silently appeared behind Uchiha Itachi, who had been waiting there. Seeing Uchiha Itachi in such a state, he did not disturb him and simply waited in silence.

During that wait, whether influenced by Uchiha Itachi's emotions or stirred by the scene before him, Obito Uchiha recalled his days in Konoha as a youth—the warmhearted boy who could never return, the innocent shadow who was always late.

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

After briefly indulging in nostalgia, Obito Uchiha broke free from those useless memories. So long as his plan succeeded, all of it would come true. There was no need to grieve here.

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

"Uchiha Itachi, I knew I had not misjudged you. Having transcended the narrow confines of a single clan, you are destined for greatness."

Facing Uchiha Itachi, who had arrived early to wait for him, Obito Uchiha spoke first with praise, as though he did not care in the slightest about the unpleasant clash between them earlier.

In Obito Uchiha's view, Uchiha Itachi was someone who had transcended the narrow-minded beliefs between shinobi regarding relatives and clan members. What he sought was a greater vision, an ambition to stand atop the Ninja World. A person like him would surely play an important role in carrying out the Akatsuki Organization's plan, both in strength and temperament.

"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. He spoke as though describing something entirely ordinary.

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

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

Obito Uchiha was not as calm as Uchiha Itachi. Having been targeted and outmaneuvered time and again, he was burning with frustration. He still did not know how much intelligence the other party possessed about him, and his killing intent surged even higher as his tone turned colder.

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

"Then let's begin now. We'll force him out eventually."

After saying that, he ignored whether the Masked Man responded. He silently turned around, drew the short blade from his back, and quietly activated the Sharingan in his eyes before heading deeper into the clan compound.

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

Watching Uchiha Itachi's retreating figure, Obito Uchiha's lone eye beneath his mask narrowed slightly. 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 Uchiha Itachi succeeded, then he would likely be the next one surrounded and attacked.

Obito Uchiha chuckled and did not take Uchiha Itachi's little scheme to heart. Then, his entire body merged into a spatial vortex once more.

Just as Uchiha Itachi and the other 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 Uchiha Clan Compound. As the Uchiha Clan's meeting place—and home to the stone tablet left behind by the Sage of Six Paths—Naka Shrine was naturally one of Minagawa Uchiha's key areas of focus.

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

Moreover, Minagawa Uchiha's strength had now fully taken shape, so he was no longer afraid of exposing anything. He was only somewhat lacking in combat experience, but his intangibility eye technique was his trump card. Even if something unexpected happened, he could use Izanagi as a final measure. He was innately in an invincible position.

Thus, the moment he sensed Uchiha Itachi and the others beginning their operation, he immediately set off toward Naka Shrine. Fortunately, Minagawa Uchiha lived nearby and arrived at the scene in no time.

As soon as he reached 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 shinobi, who activated their Sharingan, used ninjutsu to resist, and furiously shouted at Uchiha Itachi.

But their strength was clearly no match for the two of them, and another clan member was about to fall into danger.

"Fire Style: Great Fire Dragon Technique!"

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

Sensing the aura of a powerful fighter from the youth who had appeared, the Masked Man, Obito Uchiha, watched with mild interest, waiting for Uchiha Itachi to test the youth's mettle so he could judge whether he was worth recruiting.