Action Begins

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

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

Even within the Uchiha Clan, the Mangekyō Sharingan was a legendary eye. 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 of it.

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

Especially the elders. The Mangekyō Sharingan was their faith itself. One after another, they wept with joy. After waiting for so many years, Uchiha's ultimate power had finally returned to the world. This meant Uchiha's rise would be unstoppable.

"It's the Mangekyō Sharingan!"

"It's three pairs of Mangekyō Sharingan!"

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

For a time, excited cries rose without end.

Seeing the surrounding clan members cheering, Uchiha Fugaku did not stop them. He knew that ever since the Second Hokage took office, Uchiha had not been particularly welcome in Konoha. During the Third Hokage's rule especially, they had suffered severe suppression. They had been repressed for far too long. Now that they had finally seen hope for the clan's rise, their reaction was only natural.

Uchiha Setsuna's group, who had originally opposed the decision, no longer had any objections to Uchiha Itachi and Minagawa Uchiha being appointed to lead them after seeing their Mangekyō Sharingan.

Uchiha Inabi, Uchiha Tekka, and the others also understood why they had been taken down so easily before. It had not been the result of Uchiha Itachi catching them off guard. With the Mangekyō Sharingan awakened, Uchiha Itachi could easily defeat the three of them, who possessed only ordinary Three Tomoe Sharingan, no matter how they fought. No one understood the suppression of a Higher Tomoe Sharingan over a Lower Tomoe Sharingan better than they did. Thus, Uchiha Inabi's group now sincerely accepted Uchiha Itachi's strength.

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 were even more capable of accepting the change in Uchiha Itachi and Minagawa Uchiha's status.

"I truly never expected the Young Clan Head and Minagawa Uchiha to awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan at such young ages. Minagawa Uchiha especially—we hardly paid any attention to you before. Yet despite having so few resources, you still awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan at this age. That talent is practically comparable to Clan Head Madara's back then."

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

Uchiha Setsuna had already cast aside the dignity of a Radical Faction leader. He no longer cared about their previous unpleasantness and loudly praised Uchiha Fugaku's group without regard for appearances.

"Exactly! Uchiha Itachi and Minagawa Uchiha especially are already so powerful at their age. I now fully support letting the two of them lead us in creating Uchiha's glory once more!"

Uchiha Inabi and Uchiha Tekka, the two brothers, had now become fanboys of Minagawa Uchiha's group. Their admiration was plain for all to see.

Seeing this, a satisfied smile appeared on Uchiha Fugaku's face. At last, Uchiha Itachi's matter had been temporarily put to rest. However, a Great Enemy still watched them from outside. This was not the time to let the clan members celebrate. Time was of the essence. Uchiha Fugaku raised a hand to suppress the crowd's restlessness and continued making arrangements.

"This time, we only need to eliminate Shimura Danzō and the Root he leads. The injustice Uchiha has suffered, as well as the darkness within the village, has almost all come 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 territory and Konoha's citizens as our own clan members. Whoever dares harm our people or property, I will never show mercy."

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

The reason Uchiha Fugaku emphasized this repeatedly was to lay the groundwork for the later confrontation with the Third Hokage. He did not want any hotheads stirring up war at that time.

After finishing these arrangements, Uchiha Fugaku signaled to Uchiha Itachi and Minagawa Uchiha that they could begin the operation.

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

At this moment, the outskirts of the Uchiha Clan Compound were already 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.

However, despite standing guard here for a long time, they had not seen a single Uchiha flee. Aside from two Half-Body Giants attacking each other briefly at the beginning before stopping, there had not been the slightest movement.

The Sealing Barrier isolated the sounds from within, leaving the Anbu outside unaware of what was happening inside. To avoid alerting the enemy, they could only observe from close range to gather intelligence.

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

"It seems an unexpected change has occurred within the Uchiha Clan Compound. Assemble. Leave two teams behind to continue guarding the perimeter and prevent any survivors from escaping. The rest of you, come inside with me to assess the situation. Night Hawk, report this development to Hokage-sama immediately."

Seeing that events had deviated from expectations, the Anbu captain in command immediately prepared to enter and investigate while reporting the situation. The Root Ninja likewise prepared to report the change to Shimura Danzō. Just as the two groups of ninjas 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 cast a ninjutsu at 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 response while taking out Signal Flares to send a warning.

Just as one of them had drawn out a Signal Flare, Uchiha Itachi's genjutsu succeeded. In an instant, a large number of Anbu members collapsed to the ground, terrified expressions on their faces.

Yet some Anbu members stood motionless where they were. Clearly, these Anbu were Root members under Shimura Danzō's command. Only they could remain utterly expressionless even after falling under genjutsu. After all, under Root's brainwashing, they had long abandoned both their past and their future. Naturally, they had no emotions left.