Everyone's Preparations

The Third Elder did not summon Uchiha Rei.

Although frequent news about Uchiha Rei had recently reached the attention of Konohagakure's higher-ups, Hiruzen Sarutobi had not taken any action.

He already had a plan in mind.

Uchiha Rei would be dealt with after "that night." That night, of course, was the soon-to-arrive night of the Uchiha Clan massacre.

Clearly, in the Third Elder's mind, Uchiha Rei was not directly connected to the Uchiha Clan's ambitions.

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

But precisely because of this, summoning him now would easily arouse the village's suspicion and even cause unnecessary political repercussions.

On the surface, Uchiha Rei appeared as pure as untainted water, but in reality, he was the deepest undercurrent in this storm. No one could predict what he would do at a critical moment. The stronger the Uchiha, the more paranoid they became, and the more paranoid the Uchiha, the stronger they were.

Originally, the protagonist of this clan extermination operation should have been Uchiha Itachi. However, Itachi had defected prematurely, and everything had changed.

Many in the village had begun inquiring about his whereabouts, and some had even suggested using Sasuke to lure him out.

But all attempts had failed.

The night was as dark as ink, blanketing the entire Konohagakure.

Uchiha Itachi stood atop a utility pole, outside the village, overlooking the familiar yet unfamiliar settlement.

According to the original plan, he should have become a rogue ninja only after bidding farewell to his parents.

However, the situation had changed abruptly, forcing him to leave earlier. Now, he no longer knew who he was fighting for or why.

Konoha's higher-ups and Root were hunting him, intending to eliminate him, yet he was precisely the sharpest blade Konoha had intended to use to purge the Uchiha.

The Uchiha Clan was anticipating his return, expecting him to support their ambitions. Yet, he had already resolved to personally bring about the downfall of the Uchiha Clan.

This conflict gave him a headache.

"Itachi."

Suddenly, a familiar voice echoed from the darkness. The tone was calm, without hostility, yet Itachi instinctively drew his weapon. He had been on edge for days, feeling jumpy at the slightest sound, whether from Root or the Anbu.

He warily looked towards the source of the voice and, upon confirming the identity of the newcomer, leaped lightly from the utility pole.

The person was none other than his father.

Uchiha Fugaku.

Originally, Uchiha Itachi had planned to say goodbye to his parents on the final night. But since the plan had been disrupted, any further hesitation became irrelevant.

In the night breeze, Uchiha Itachi knelt on both knees and said in a deep voice, "Father."

If Uchiha Itachi was an individual full of contradictions, then the source of it all was the man before him.

Uchiha Itachi's first Sharingan awakening was because his comrade was killed by Uchiha Obito. That was the first true sorrow in his life. However, Fugaku's reaction upon hearing this was not empathy for his son's pain, but rather a sense of satisfaction. The dead comrade held no weight for him.

The entire clan meant less than his son.

This indifference, like poison, seeped into Uchiha Itachi's blood, shaping an equally indifferent successor.

The entire clan meant less than his younger brother.

Under the dark night, father and son began to converse. This was the conversation of two madmen.

"I possess the ability to control the Nine-Tails," Fugaku gazed at the night sky, his eyes deep. "But my Mangekyo tells me that in this war, the Uchiha will be the losers."

"Do whatever you wish. Whatever decision you make, I will support you."

If Uchiha Itachi's love for Sasuke surpassed the entire clan, then Uchiha Fugaku's love for Itachi also surpassed the entire Uchiha clan.

Ironically, these current Clan Head and young Clan Head of the Uchiha had never truly cared about the safety of their clan members.

Uchiha Itachi nodded, his eyes no longer lost.

He had made his decision.

Meanwhile, in the underground basement of Konohagakure's Root, another dark plan was quietly progressing.

Danzo stood in the shadows, a certain unknown anger and unwillingness flickering in his eyes.

Uchiha Rei had rejected his invitation.

The olive branch he had extended with sincerity had failed to sway Rei in the slightest.

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

"It must be the Third interfering again," Danzo sneered, his voice laced with the frustration of gritted teeth. "Every time I compete for talent with Hiruzen, I'm the one who loses."

Why wasn't I Hokage? Why do these exceptionally talented young people always choose him?

Danzo looked unwillingly at the scroll in his hand, which recorded the medical ability assessment of Uchiha Rei. Uchiha Rei had displayed astonishing talent in Medical Ninjutsu.

Medical Ninjutsu was extremely important in Konoha's political landscape. The important figures of the Land of Fire would inevitably fall ill or suffer minor injuries. If Root had an outstanding Medical Ninja, it could bring more political capital to Root.

If Hiruzen Sarutobi was able to hold the position of Hokage twice, it was thanks to his proud disciple.

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

And Uchiha Rei was undoubtedly the next key pawn who could change the game.

"I should have my own Tsunade," Danzo's expression turned grim. "It's just that this time, he chose Hiruzen."

However, there was also good news recently.

Uchiha Rekka had accepted his recruitment. He was one of the very few from the Uchiha clan who had actively approached him.

More importantly.

Uchiha Rekka had brought an important piece of intelligence.

"Lord Danzo, please take a look." A Root subordinate presented a special scroll before him. The moment the seal was broken, the intelligence appeared before his eyes. Danzo narrowed his eyes and read carefully. As he delved deeper into the contents, his expression grew increasingly grim.

The scroll mentioned none other than the "Akatsuki" Organization.

More specifically. It was about the man wearing the Orange Swirl Mask.

That familiar mask, he had had brief contact with it during a secret meeting. He had always thought it was some unknown rogue ninja from the Ninja World.

Now he knew that person was the true manipulator behind Uchiha Itachi.

So, it was all the Akatsuki Organization's scheme.

So, Uchiha Itachi had never truly escaped their control.

"I actually naively thought Itachi had lost control," Danzo slammed his fist against the wall, cracking the stone. "But the truth is, everything was within his calculations!"

He finally understood that he had been thoroughly toyed with.

He, who had viewed Itachi as a controllable pawn, now saw clearly that he was the one being manipulated.

His anger did not burn for long, quickly turning into cold killing intent.

"I will make everyone who deceived me... pay the price."

"The Masked Man is Uchiha, and Itachi is also Uchiha... Evil Uchiha, not one can be trusted."

Originally, Root's role during the Night of the Uchiha Clan Downfall was merely to maintain the outer perimeter blockade. But now, he had decided.

Root would personally enter the fray.

Danzo gave a low command, and several figures immediately emerged from the darkness, all Root elites with solemn expressions.

"Lord Danzo, what are your orders?"

"Modify the plan," he slowly uttered four words, his tone cold and resolute.

"This time, Root will not just assist; we will eliminate them ourselves."

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