Action Begins

The powerful chakra and dojutsu power that suddenly erupted in the field instantly silenced the noisy crowd. Everyone stood frozen, mouths agape as though struck by a Binding Technique.

Then, as they saw the unique patterns in the three pairs of eyes, delighted cheers instantly resounded throughout the entire Uchiha Clan Compound!

Even within the Uchiha Clan, the Mangekyō Sharingan was a legendary set of eyes. Ever since Uchiha Madara and his brother awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan during the Warring States Period, the clan members had heard no tales of any other Mangekyō Sharingan.

As for Uchiha Shisui, the information regarding his Awakening Eyes was classified, and only a small number of higher-ups knew about it.

But now, this legendary power, said to rival the Wood Style that had suppressed the Warring States Period and the First Hokage, had appeared once more within the Uchiha Clan. And it had appeared in three pairs at once. How could the Uchiha Clan members not be ecstatic and deeply honored?

The elderly in particular regarded the Mangekyō Sharingan as their faith. One after another, they wept tears of joy. After waiting so many years, Uchiha's ultimate power had finally returned to the world. This meant the rise of the Uchiha would be unstoppable.

"It's the Mangekyō Sharingan!"

"Three pairs of Mangekyō Sharingan!"

"Long live the Clan Head! Long live the Uchiha!"

For a time, excited cries rang out without end.

Seeing the shouts of the surrounding clan members, Uchiha Fugaku did not stop them. He knew that ever since the Second Hokage took office, the Uchiha had never been particularly welcomed by Konoha. Especially during the Third Hokage's rule, they had suffered severe suppression. They had been stifled for far too long. Now that they finally saw hope for the clan's rise, their reaction was understandable.

When Uchiha Setsuna and his group, who had originally opposed the decision, saw Uchiha Itachi and Minagawa Uchiha's Mangekyō Sharingan, they no longer had any objections to the appointment of the two to lead them.

Uchiha Inabi, Uchiha Tekka, and the others also understood why they had been so easily defeated before. It was not because Uchiha Itachi had launched a sneak attack. With the Mangekyō Sharingan awakened, Uchiha Itachi could easily defeat the three of them, who only possessed ordinary Three Tomoe Sharingan, no matter how they fought. No one understood better than them the suppression a Higher Tomoe Sharingan held over a Lower Tomoe Sharingan. Thus, Uchiha Inabi and the others were now thoroughly convinced by Uchiha Itachi.

Compared to the other clan members, this Radical Faction led by Uchiha Setsuna believed even more firmly in Power Supremacy and Respect for the Strong. Therefore, they found it easier to accept the change in status of Uchiha Itachi and Minagawa Uchiha.

"I never expected the Young Clan Head and Minagawa Uchiha to awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan at such young ages. Minagawa Uchiha especially—we barely paid any attention to you before. I never imagined that, despite having so few resources, you would still awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan at this age. Such talent is practically comparable to Clan Head Madara back then."

"Perhaps, under the leadership of your three pairs of Mangekyō Sharingan, the Uchiha will even surpass the glory they enjoyed under Clan Head Madara!"

Uchiha Setsuna had already cast aside the dignity of being the Radical Faction's leader. He no longer cared about their previous unpleasantness and loudly praised Uchiha Fugaku and the other two without any regard for his image.

"That's right! Uchiha Itachi and Minagawa Uchiha in particular are already this powerful at such young ages. I now fully support having the two of them lead us in creating Uchiha's glory once again!"

By now, the brothers Uchiha Inabi and Uchiha Tekka had become fanboys of Minagawa Uchiha and Uchiha Itachi, their admiration impossible to conceal.

Seeing this, a satisfied smile appeared on Uchiha Fugaku's face. At last, the matter concerning Uchiha Itachi had temporarily passed. However, a great enemy was still watching from outside, so this was not the time for the clan members to celebrate. Time was of the essence. Uchiha Fugaku raised a hand to quiet the restless crowd and continued making arrangements.

"This time, we only need to eliminate Shimura Danzō and the Root under his command. The injustice Uchiha has suffered before, as well as the darkness within the village, almost all came from his hidden black hand."

"Let me state this again: if Uchiha wants to reclaim the Hokage Seat, then we must regard Konoha as our own Clan Land and its citizens as our own Clan Members. Whoever dares harm our own people or property, I will never show mercy."

"As for those ninja who attack us, simply defeat and capture them. They will all become our subordinates. As for the Hokage Seat, I have other arrangements. Whoever disrupts the plan and acts on their own will commit suicide to atone for their crime."

Uchiha Fugaku repeatedly emphasized this because he was laying the groundwork for the coming confrontation with the Third Hokage. He did not want any hothead to provoke a war at that time.

After making those arrangements, Uchiha Fugaku signaled to Uchiha Itachi and Minagawa Uchiha that they could begin.

The two understood immediately and led their respective groups of clan members toward the Anbu sealing off the outskirts of the Clan Land.

At this moment, the outskirts of the Uchiha Clan Compound were surrounded by Anbu and Root Ninja. Each of them stared tensely at the Uchiha Clan Compound within the barrier, determined not to let a single Uchiha Clan Member escape.

Yet after standing guard here for so long, they had not seen a single Uchiha emerge. Aside from two Half-Body Giants attacking each other briefly at the beginning before it ended, there had not been the slightest movement.

The Sealing Barrier blocked the sounds within, and it also prevented the Anbu outside from knowing what was happening inside. In order not to alert the enemy, they could only observe from nearby to gather intelligence.

After such a long period without any movement, the Anbu members also sensed that something was wrong.

"It seems something unexpected has happened within the Uchiha Clan Compound. Assemble. Leave two teams to continue guarding the perimeter and prevent any survivors from escaping. The rest will enter with me to check the situation. Night Hawk, immediately report this development to Hokage-sama."

Seeing that events had deviated from expectations, the Anbu captain in command immediately prepared to enter and investigate while reporting the current situation. The Root Ninja were likewise preparing to report the development to Shimura Danzō. Just as the two groups of ninja entered the barrier—

"Genjutsu: Hell Viewing Technique!"

A young Uchiha appeared before them at that moment. With a pair of scarlet Sharingan bearing Four-Tomoe Pinwheel patterns, he formed hand seals and unleashed ninjutsu upon them.

"Not good! It's Uchiha Itachi! He betrayed us! Be careful not to look into his Sharingan!"

The Anbu reacted instantly, calling out a countermeasure as they took out Signal Flares to send a warning.

Just as he took out the Signal Flare, Uchiha Itachi's genjutsu succeeded. In an instant, a large number of Anbu members collapsed to the ground, terror written across their faces.

Yet some Anbu members remained standing perfectly still. Clearly, these Anbu were Root members under Shimura Danzō's command. Only they could remain completely expressionless even after falling under genjutsu. After all, under Root's brainwashing, they had long since abandoned both their past and their future. Naturally, they no longer possessed any emotions.