Destroy the Village!

"Okay, okay."

Uchiha Akira helplessly followed him back to the Uchiha Clan. All along the way, Yashiro kept grumbling, looking thoroughly disappointed in him.

Old man.

If I really became steel, I'd scare you to death.

The moment he entered the Uchiha Clan grounds, Akira sensed the oppressive atmosphere. Even Pancake Auntie, who was usually so kind, said nothing now, weighed down by heavy grief.

Further inside.

A furious roar suddenly rang out, the sheer killing intent making their scalps tingle.

"Itachi! You said you didn't kill Shisui? Then why did you know Shisui was dead? If you didn't kill him, who exactly was the murderer?!"

Uchiha Inabi and Tekka's eyes were bloodshot, their scarlet Three Tomoe Sharingan fixed on him.

"If you can't give us a reasonable explanation, then I'll consider you Shisui's murderer!"

Uchiha Tekka drew a kunai, its blade gleaming with chilling light.

His eyes held suspicion, but even more grief, indignation, and disbelief. Shisui had been such a good man. On the battlefield, he had saved so many Uchiha clansmen, even other Konoha ninja.

Uchiha Yashiro stepped forward and said gravely, "He was Body Flicker Shisui. Unless it was someone he trusted, even a Kage-level expert couldn't have kept him behind."

"Itachi, if you have any difficulties, you can speak now."

"I don't want to believe you're Shisui's murderer, but—please give us a reasonable explanation!"

The Uchiha clansmen.

Even if he hadn't been Body Flicker Shisui, he shouldn't have died so carelessly!

Itachi closed his eyes, his voice dry. "I have nothing to say."

At that moment, he understood why Shisui had nearly committed suicide. Danzo had clearly ambushed Shisui, yet for the peace between the Uchiha and Konoha, they couldn't name the true culprit.

He had to bear everything under the name of a "traitor"!

"This has nothing to do with Itachi."

At that moment, a clear, calm voice rang out. Everyone turned in astonishment, their gazes falling upon the lazy young man.

Uchiha Yashiro's expression changed slightly as he urgently said,

"Akira, do you know what you're saying?!"

The other Uchiha looked displeased. Uchiha Tekka said coldly, "Akira, Shisui is dead now. No one can use him as a joke. Do you understand?!"

"First, Itachi never saw Shisui. By the time he arrived, Shisui had already jumped off the cliff."

Uchiha Akira ignored him and said pointedly,

"Second, Shisui... never said who had ambushed him. But given how badly he wanted peace in the village, the murderer whose name he would rather die than reveal..."

He paused.

At the same time, everyone fell silent. That was indeed the kind of person Shisui was—someone who bore everything alone.

But they couldn't help continuing the thought.

"Shisui may not have said it, but who do you think it was? Could it have been those people at the very top of Konoha?!"

Uchiha Akira's voice suddenly rose like a thunderclap!

Their bodies trembled. Even Uchiha Yashiro stared wide-eyed at Akira, as though seeing this young nephew for the first time. Akira had always been quiet and inconspicuous, but the edge he revealed now made even Yashiro's heart quail!

"Damn it, who the hell killed Shisui?!"

Their faces were filled with fury and unwillingness. Even after thinking it over, they couldn't be certain, much less give a definite answer.

"Shisui may be dead, but we can't stop moving forward. And we certainly can't wait to be slaughtered."

Uchiha Akira spoke, drawing their attention. Uchiha Yashiro nodded. That was true—they couldn't just sit around and wait for death.

"Shisui is the one dead now, but next time, it might be you, Inabi. It might even be your younger brother, Tekka."

Uchiha Inabi's pupils shrank, and his expression changed drastically.

No one could hurt his younger brother!

As though he hadn't seen the change in Inabi's expression, Uchiha Akira continued,

"Should we... go to war against all of Konoha? Slaughter every last person in Konoha!"

His voice was seductive, like the whisper of a demon from hell.

The moment he opened his mouth, he wanted to drag everyone into hell.

"No, we can't!"

Cold sweat covered Uchiha Inabi's face as he hurriedly said,

"There aren't only bad people in the village. There are also higher-ups who support the Uchiha Clan. We can't condemn everyone with one stroke. They're living people too!"

His Adam's apple bobbed. "We must investigate this matter and find the truth. Until then, we absolutely cannot act recklessly. Especially you, Akira. Your thoughts are too dangerous. Itachi, you must keep an eye on him!"

Inabi's gaze was full of wariness.

Originally, he had thought Itachi was dangerous enough, perhaps even a threat.

But now.

He felt Akira was the truly dangerous one. At every turn, he wanted to destroy all of Konoha. He was practically a demon from hell.

None of them belonged to the Hawk faction.

Rather than seeking revenge at all costs, they wanted more to protect the Uchiha Clan.

"I-I understand."

Uchiha Itachi looked stunned. Was this really the same Uchiha Inabi who had just been demanding his life?

When he saw Akira wink at him, he couldn't help laughing. So that was it. Rather than trying to persuade the other Uchiha clansmen, it was better to blow the matter up and make them regain their senses.

Uchiha Yashiro, Inabi, and Tekka only wanted to find Shisui's killer.

But Akira had directly suggested destroying Konoha.

Now they were the ones refusing. They even thought Akira was somewhat insane...

"Akira, you really know what to do. Otherwise, I truly wouldn't have known what to do today."

After the others left, Itachi let out a sigh.

"Heh, so you were going to do nothing and bear everything yourself?"

Uchiha Akira curled his lip, looking at him as if he were an idiot. "Do you understand the principle that the noble do not walk alone? The stronger you are, the more you should hide among the crowd and gain the support of others."

Someone like Itachi.

He was the classic type who wanted to solve everything by himself.

In the end, he would work himself to the point of coughing blood, bleeding from his eyes, and dying at the hands of his little brother, Uchiha Sasuke—a lifetime of toil.

Itachi was silent for a moment before saying quietly,

"I understand. I'll pay attention in the future."

Oh?

Uchiha Akira raised an eyebrow. Shisui's life or death truly had a huge impact on Itachi. As long as Shisui lived, Itachi could still consider what was best for the Uchiha. If Shisui died, he would only think about Konoha.

Of course.

Itachi's thinking had now undergone a fundamental change. Barring accidents, he could no longer become like he had in the original story.

"Then I have a task for you."

Uchiha Akira chuckled. "Reveal your Mangekyō Sharingan, and recruit as many subordinates as possible who share our ideals. Remember, don't alert the enemy."

What?

Though Uchiha Itachi was startled, he still nodded. "I understand."

Akira nodded in satisfaction. Though this kid Itachi could be somewhat stubborn in his thinking, he was still very reassuring when it came to getting things done.

Meanwhile.

The two entered the clan assembly hall, where nearly all the Uchiha had gathered.

Uchiha Fugaku sat at the very top, his expression calm and unreadable. But when he saw Akira and Itachi enter, his expression stirred slightly, and he couldn't help glancing at Akira.

Hmm.

It seemed his son truly trusted Akira.

Even with Shisui dead, Itachi was still this calm after Akira had comforted him.

He was very satisfied!