Everyone's Preparations

The Third Elder did not summon Uchiha Rei.

Although reports about Uchiha Rei had been coming in frequently lately, drawing the attention of Konoha's high-level officials, Hiruzen Sarutobi had yet to take action.

He already had a plan in mind.

Uchiha Rei would be dealt with after "that night." That night was the upcoming night of the Uchiha Clan Downfall.

Clearly, in the Third Hokage's eyes, Uchiha Rei had no direct connection to the ambitions of the Uchiha clan.

Uchiha Rei was loyal and composed, and had long since distanced himself from the Uchiha Clan.

But for that very reason, summoning him now could easily arouse suspicion in the village and even cause needless political repercussions.

On the surface, Uchiha Rei seemed like a drop of clear water untouched by ink. In truth, he was the hidden current at the heart of this storm. No one could tell what he would do when the crucial moment came. The stronger a Uchiha was, the more single-minded he became; and the more single-minded a Uchiha was, the stronger he became.

Originally, Uchiha Itachi was supposed to be the central figure in the clan's destruction. But now that Itachi had defected early, everything had changed.

Many people in the village had begun asking about his whereabouts. Some had even suggested using Sasuke to lure him out.

But every attempt had failed.

Night cloaked Konoha in darkness.

Uchiha Itachi stood atop a telephone pole outside the village, gazing down at the familiar yet strange streets.

According to the original plan, he was supposed to become a rogue ninja only after "saying goodbye" to his parents.

But the situation had suddenly changed, forcing him to leave early. Now, he no longer knew who he was doing all this for—or why he was fighting.

Konoha's high-level officials and Root were hunting him, intent on eliminating him. Yet he had once been the sharpest blade Konoha could wield to wipe out the Uchiha.

The Uchiha Clan was waiting for him to return and support their ambitions. But he had already resolved to destroy the Uchiha Clan with his own hands.

The contradiction gave him a headache.

"Itachi."

A familiar voice suddenly came from the darkness. Its tone was calm and held no hostility, yet Uchiha Itachi instinctively drew his weapon. He had been like a startled bird these past few days; whether Root or Anbu appeared, he was on edge.

He warily looked toward the voice, and when he recognized the person, he leaped lightly down from the telephone pole.

The newcomer was none other than his father.

Uchiha Fugaku.

Originally, Uchiha Itachi had planned to say goodbye to his parents on the final night. But now that the plan had been thrown into disarray, there was little point in worrying over such things.

In the night breeze, Uchiha Itachi knelt and said solemnly, "Father."

If Uchiha Itachi was a man full of contradictions, then the source of them all was the man standing before him.

Uchiha Itachi had first awakened his Sharingan after Uchiha Obito killed his companion. It was the first time in his life he had truly felt grief. But when Fugaku heard what had happened, he hadn't shared his son's pain. He had even felt pleased. That dead companion meant nothing to him.

The entire clan mattered less to him than his son.

That indifference seeped into Uchiha Itachi's blood like poison, little by little, shaping him into an equally cold heir.

The entire clan mattered less to him than his younger brother.

Beneath the night sky, father and son began to talk. It was a conversation between two madmen.

"I have the power to control the Nine-Tails," Fugaku said, gazing at the night sky, his eyes deep and inscrutable. "But my Mangekyo tells me that the Uchiha will be the ones to lose this war."

"Do whatever you want. Whatever you decide, I'll support you."

If Uchiha Itachi's love for Sasuke outweighed his love for the entire clan, then Uchiha Fugaku's love for Itachi likewise surpassed his love for the Uchiha Clan.

The irony was that neither the current Clan Head nor the Young Clan Head had ever cared about the clan's safety.

Uchiha Itachi nodded, and the confusion finally left his eyes.

He had made his decision.

Meanwhile, in the Root underground base in Konoha, another dark plan was quietly moving forward.

Danzo stood in the shadows, a flicker of obscure anger and resentment in his eyes.

Uchiha Rei had refused his offer.

Even the olive branch he had extended in good faith had failed to sway Rei.

Whether it was joining Root, the promised antidote, or a veiled threat, Uchiha Rei had remained unmoved.

"Of course. Sarutobi's meddling again." Danzo sneered, his voice thick with frustration. "Every time Sarutobi and I compete for talent, I'm the one who loses."

Why wasn't he Hokage? Why did all these gifted young people always choose Sarutobi?

Danzo gazed resentfully at the scroll in his hand. It contained an assessment of Uchiha Rei's medical abilities. Uchiha Rei had displayed astonishing talent in Medical Ninjutsu.

Medical Ninjutsu was extremely important to Konoha's political landscape. The powerful figures of the Land of Fire were always falling ill or getting injured. If Root had an outstanding Medical Ninja, it could bring the organization even more political capital.

It was said that Hiruzen Sarutobi had held the Hokage Position twice thanks in large part to the support of his prized student.

The legendary Medical Ninja Tsunade. Danzo had long understood that the political value of Medical Ninjas could not be overlooked.

And Uchiha Rei was undoubtedly another key asset who might change the balance of power.

"I should have a Tsunade of my own." Danzo's expression darkened. "But this time, he chose Sarutobi."

Still, there had been some good news lately.

Uchiha Rekka had agreed to join him. He was one of the very few members of the Uchiha Clan to approach him of his own accord.

More importantly—

Uchiha Rekka had brought him some crucial intelligence.

"Lord Danzo, please take a look." A Root subordinate handed him a special scroll. The moment its seal was released, the intelligence appeared before them. Danzo narrowed his eyes and read carefully. The further he got, the darker his expression became.

The scroll mentioned none other than the Akatsuki Organization.

More specifically, it spoke of the man wearing the Orange Swirl Mask.

He had briefly encountered that familiar mask at a secret meeting once. He had always assumed the man was some unknown ghost from the Ninja World.

Only now did he learn that this man was the one truly pulling the strings behind Uchiha Itachi.

So it had all been the Akatsuki Organization's scheme.

So Uchiha Itachi had never truly escaped their control.

"I actually naively thought Itachi had gone rogue." Danzo slammed a fist into the wall. The stone cracked at the impact. "But the truth is, it was all part of his plan!"

At last, he understood that he had been completely played.

He had treated Itachi as a pawn he could control. Only now did he see that he was the one being manipulated.

His anger did not burn for long. In an instant, it hardened into icy killing intent.

"I'll make everyone who deceived me... pay the price."

"The Masked Man is a Uchiha, and Itachi is a Uchiha, too... Not a single one of those evil Uchiha can be trusted."

Originally, Root's role on the Night of the Uchiha Clan Downfall had been limited to sealing off the surrounding area. But now, he had made up his mind.

Root would enter the fray in person.

At Danzo's low command, several figures immediately emerged from the darkness. They were all Root elites, their faces solemn.

"Lord Danzo, what are your orders?"

"Change the plan." He slowly uttered the four words, his voice cold and resolute.

"This time, Root won't just provide support. We'll eliminate them with our own hands."

Between his personal preferences and Konoha's interests, he chose the former.