Night of the Clan Extermination

Clang—

The Mangekyo Yin Release Chakra released by Ingetsu instantly invaded the neural pathways in the minds of the nine people, severing their brains' control over their minds and bodies.

"What's going on? I can't move!"

"That is... the Mangekyo!"

Amid their cries from the tree branches, the pupils of the nine turned crimson, branded with blade-like Mangekyo patterns.

This was Yachihoko!

Mental control!

As long as the Yin Release Chakra in one's mind is stronger than the opponent's, one can brand them and complete mental control. It can even control their Chakra. What a simple and brutal ability!

For ninja, it was an instant kill upon first encounter.

Ordinary people had no way to resist it at all.

Ingetsu's expression remained calm as he pondered.

He had easily gained permanent mental control over the nine of them. The price was ten percent of the Yin Release Chakra contained in his brain, leaving his eyes slightly sore and swollen.

The nine stood dumbfounded on the branches, chills running down their spines.

They had done nothing.

Yet in a single exchange, they had all been controlled!

Was this Ingetsu's Mangekyo ability?

It was simply unfathomable!

"Everyone, I know that some of you are confused, some are angry, and some can't wait to kill me on the spot. You'll soon learn what caused this situation."

Without wasting words, Ingetsu used Yachihoko to control the nine of them, flashing with them toward the edge of the village.

Along the way, he created a Shadow Clone and had it return to the compound to await an opportunity.

Beyond the forest, at the end of this path, lay the outskirts of Konoha Ninja Village and an open cliff.

From there, they could overlook every street in the Uchiha Compound.

"Everyone, don't blink."

Ingetsu controlled the nine into a line behind him, facing the compound.

He planted his ninja sword into the ground and sat at the edge of the cliff.

The nine could not understand his intentions.

Uchiha Izumi and Uchiha Nanpu were still immersed in the question of why Ingetsu had killed so many clansmen. Was it to awaken the Mangekyo?

At this moment, could anything possibly be more important than such an atrocious massacre within the clan?

Uchiha Nanpu swallowed and cautiously said, "Ingetsu, even if you possess the Mangekyo, after what you've done... Clan Head Fugaku, and Itachi, won't let you off!"

"Itachi and Fugaku?"

Ingetsu shook his head without answering.

Uchiha Compound.

Entrance to the main street.

The Masked Man looked toward the Mountain Peak east of Konoha. A sharp gaze shot from the single eyehole of his mask as he said calmly:

"Some rats got away. Other Uchiha learned of our plan beforehand."

"Only Konoha's higher-ups know the plan. They're probably just a few sharp-nosed minor characters. I'll deal with them after the clan is wiped out."

Expressionless, Itachi drew his ninja sword from behind his back.

From this moment onward, for peace and for the village, he was willing to fall into hell and offer his soul to the devil.

"Make your move."

The Masked Man spoke indifferently, his figure vanishing like a ghost into the Uchiha clan's streets. According to their agreed plan, his target was the Uchiha Police Headquarters.

That was where the most Sharingan were kept!

Whoosh—

The autumn evening wind swept through the streets, making the fan-emblazoned banners outside the shops flap loudly.

The Uchiha Compound was especially quiet tonight.

Bang—

A shop door opened, and an obedient, adorable young Uchiha boy stepped out. The moment he saw Itachi, his face lit up with delight.

Itachi was the genius of their clan!

He was the idol of the younger generation!

"Itachi, so it was you outside. You're still carrying out missions this late? Want to come in for some dessert? My mom bought it at the market this morning!"

"Even if the mission is important, taking a few minutes to rest midway should be fine, right?"

The boy spoke excitedly, taking Itachi's hand and leading him toward the house.

"I'm sorry..."

Itachi removed the ANBU mask from his waist and put it over his face. The surface of the ninja blade in his hand reflected the final expressions of the family of three—their welcoming smiles and bewildered shock.

"AAAAAH...!!"

Piercing screams rang through the Uchiha Compound.

A smear of crimson stained the shop's paper window red. The lamplight swayed and flickered, and no movement remained inside.

Uchiha Itachi stepped out through the doorway, removing the mask stained with warm blood. Ninja blade in hand, he rushed toward the next wooden house.

Flap—

At that moment, countless crows beat their wings as they circled overhead. As though they had caught the scent of death—or had planned this all along—they landed on the street walls and watched the entire Uchiha Compound.

Mountain Peak.

The nine Uchiha Police Force Members were jolted awake by the screams drifting over from afar, abruptly raising their heads toward the compound.

A dark figure darted back and forth between the wooden houses. Each time it entered and exited, desperate wails echoed through the compound.

They instantly understood that the compound was under enemy attack. Someone was slaughtering the Uchiha clansmen!

"Ingetsu, you have accomplices too!!!"

Uchiha Nanpu's face was bloodless and livid. Unable to restrain his emotions any longer, his voice turned shrill.

Izumi's beautiful eyes trembled incessantly, unwilling to believe what she was seeing.

That silhouette slaughtering civilians.

She knew it well.

"No, that isn't my companion. The one massacring Uchiha civilians right now is the Uchiha Itachi you just mentioned!"

Ingetsu said calmly.

The words exploded in the minds of the nine like a thunderbolt from a clear sky, and everyone's pupils contracted violently.

Uchiha Nanpu cried out, "How could it be him? Impossible! This can't be possible!"

"Why couldn't it be?" Uchiha Tamio roared. "That Uchiha Itachi has been arrogant and solitary lately, barely speaking to anyone. You could tell at a glance he was no good! If Big Brother Ingetsu says it's him, then it has to be him!"

"It... it's Itachi."

Izumi choked out the words. Torrents of tears streamed from her clear, beautiful eyes, and in that moment, she seemed to have turned to stone.

Though they were separated by a great distance.

She could still tell that the Body Flicker footwork of that dark figure in the compound was indeed Itachi's.

The other Uchiha Police Force Members were so shocked that they stood dumbfounded. If anything tonight could make their blood run colder than Ingetsu's slaughter of the shinobi in the Police Force dungeon, it was surely Uchiha Itachi—the one they had placed their hopes in—turning his blade against the civilians of his own clan!

"How could Itachi do something like this?"

"Genjutsu—it must be genjutsu!"

"My family! My family lives in that part of the compound... Why would he... do this..."

Some of the Police Force Members had already broken down emotionally, whimpering under their breath and muttering to themselves.

Several lines of text suddenly appeared in Ingetsu's mind.

[Main Quest]: Night of the Clan Annihilation

[Options]:

1. Kill all remaining Uchiha.

2. Successfully escape Konoha.

[Reward]: (Plunder) Seize another's Mangekyo, absorb its ocular power, and obtain that Mangekyo's ability.

Ingetsu's expression grew grave as he analyzed the quest.

At this stage, killing all the Uchiha—the civilians and shinobi alike—would be easy enough.

But Fugaku, Itachi, and Obito possessed a total of two and a half pairs of Mangekyo. They were not opponents he could Deal With right now.

He could only choose the second route for this main quest.

Successfully escape Konoha.

Ingetsu glanced at the edge of the barrier in the forest behind him. Presumably, even leaving the barrier would not count as successfully escaping Konoha.

He would also need to avoid Konoha's pursuit, as well as the subsequent pursuit of Uchiha Itachi and the others.

Judging from the reward.

This was to encourage himself to later seize the Mangekyō Sharingan of Itachi, Obito, and others.

"Ingetsu... Captain..."

Izumi spoke stiffly.

Ingetsu turned back, signaling that he was listening.

"Why did you do this?"

"Why did Itachi do the same?"