Seize the Mangekyo, Start the War! (Please Read on)

Naka Shrine.

The torrential rain pounded the tiled eaves of the Uchiha Clan Compound, gathering into streams that washed over the stone slabs.

Uchiha Fugaku stood silently beneath an eave, his face stern.

Just then, the jonin Yakumi broke through the curtain of rain and strode inside. He belonged to neither the hardliners nor the moderates; he was an aide loyal to the clan head.

He leaned close to Fugaku's ear and reported in a low voice, "Clan Head, Itachi left and hasn't returned. After the meeting, Shisui went home and spent some time alone. His whereabouts are now unknown."

Unknown?

Fugaku's expression immediately turned grave.

Had he thrown in his lot with Third Hokage Sarutobi completely?

"Heh. Our Uchiha really do produce traitors in abundance."

A trace of helplessness welled up in Fugaku's heart. Just as Shisui was wary of him and didn't dare act rashly, he feared Kotoamatsukami just as much, worried that his ocular power might not be able to resist it.

That was right. Fugaku already had a vague idea of what the Mangekyo with the shuriken-shaped pattern could do: control someone's thoughts.

One of his own key abilities focused on glimpsing an indistinct version of the future.

And the reason he'd decided to follow through with his plan, come what may, stemmed from a future he'd unexpectedly seen not long ago—

The result had been exceptionally clear and unmistakable. After the entire clan rebelled, an Uchiha with the Mangekyo and indistinct features would become Hokage, wearing a Hokage Haori emblazoned with the character for "five"!

That was more than enough.

"Did the Third Hokage think he could fob me off by tossing me a dog bone? Kagami, Obito—who among them lived long enough to reach the center of the village's power? I can't let Sasuke get hurt."

"Besides, Xiu wasn't wrong."

Fugaku murmured to himself. His vision blurred again, and a drop of blood trickled from the corner of his eye.

"One last confirmation. Hahaha, this is a good outcome. My blood wasn't shed in vain."

"..." Yakumi fell silent.

As a senior officer in the Konoha Military Police Force and the clan head's trusted confidant, he knew roughly what each use of Fugaku's Mangekyo technique cost him.

But Fugaku couldn't afford not to use it!

"Where's Xiu?" After composing himself, Fugaku brought up another key figure in tonight's uprising.

According to the hastily refined plan, the suddenly risen Uchiha Xiu would lead an elite force of eight clan jonin and sixteen chunin in the first assault on the Hokage Building.

That force alone could turn the tide on a major nation's front during a shinobi war. And yet it was merely the appetizer.

The main force would follow, led by Fugaku and Elder Setsuna, with the Konoha Military Police Force.

Kill Sarutobi!

The monkey had to die tonight.

As for whether the other clans would side against the Uchiha—Hiashi, you handled that Hyuga Clan matter terribly, old man. They'd only sit on the fence.

"Xiu disappeared after leaving the clan's archive chamber."

Yakumi replied helplessly, "He left a note saying there was no need to worry about him failing to show up. He went to track down Shisui."

"He also told everyone to act according to the situation. If they saw signs of a battle breaking out in the village, they were to provide support as quickly as possible."

"Good." Fugaku nodded, still composed.

Only a failed rebellion was called a rebellion.

What about success?

His confidence infected every uneasy clan member who passed nearby.

Just follow the clan head, the elders, and Xiu. Charge straight in, and that was that.

If they were confident, then so were the rest of them!

—The children who'd been attending classes at the Ninja Academy had already been escorted home safely by the Konoha Military Police Force.

—The clan had completed its full mobilization.

Not far from the shrine.

Deep within a mansion, the atmosphere in a Japanese-style room was tense. Uchiha Yashiro sat on his knees before a low table, tapping its surface with his knuckles without realizing it.

He was restless.

Bang!

Suddenly, a cloud of smoke burst into view.

A large ginger cat appeared.

"Elder Yashiro, sorry to keep you waiting." The big ginger cat spoke like a person, its voice carrying the languid drawl typical of a feline. Its glowing green, slit-pupiled eyes, however, were distinctly eerie.

Yashiro jerked his head up. "Where's the merchandise?"

It stuck out its tongue to lick its paw and replied at an unhurried pace:

"Three thousand Explosive Tags, five thousand finely crafted Kunai, five thousand cross-shaped Shuriken, three hundred giant Fūma Shuriken, fifty special short blades that conduct chakra, and enough soldier pills and antidotes for five hundred people for three days."

"Meow, next time you're planning something big, tell us in advance so we can stock up~"

As it spoke, it summoned three huge scrolls, each as tall as a person, with Ninja Cat Summoning.

"Have a look, meow."

Yashiro didn't reach for them right away. He stared at the big ginger cat. "Your clan... are you sure you can stay out of this?"

The cat stopped licking its paw and met Yashiro's scarlet Sharingan gaze. With a sigh, it said, "Granny says the Ninja Cat Clan only makes deals. If there's money in it, we sell to anyone. That doesn't mean we're taking sides, meow."

"We've agreed on what to say: the Uchiha and Konoha's 'family business' is none of our concern. We have no intention of prying and no power to interfere. We don't know anything."

It paused, its tail tip brushing lightly over the damp tatami. "But... Elder, I hope you succeed, meow~"

"Well, who would've thought a refined-looking young man like Xiu could help the Uchiha make such a momentous decision, meow?"

Hearing the Ninja Cat mention the name that had impressed him, Yashiro drew a deep breath to calm himself. He took a stack of thick banknotes from his clothes, placed them in a pouch, and pushed it in front of the cat.

"No need to inspect the goods. This is the payment—double the price. After all... we really are making you take a risk. Every banknote can be used at any Bounty Station."

The talkative ginger cat hurriedly used its paw to deftly open the pouch. It took a peek inside, then began purring contentedly.

It picked up the money pouch in its mouth. "We'll remember the Uchiha's generosity."

"I hope... you get what you wish for, Elder Yashiro."

"Actually, Granny Cat would also like to meet that child, Xiu. She said that if anything goes wrong, the Ninja Cat Clan will use the Reverse Summoning Technique to save a few talented Uchiha. That's the limit of what we can do, meow."

With that, the hefty ginger silhouette vanished without a trace.

Only the three upright scrolls remained.

"Xiu, bring Shisui back as soon as you can. We'll be making our move before long."

Elder Yashiro gazed out the window, his thoughts in disarray.

"Don't worry. Before Xiu left... I gave him four Three-Tomoe Sharingan."

Uchiha Setsuna appeared with a Body Flicker Technique. As if he could read people's minds, he spoke in a low voice:

"They all belonged to clan members who died in battle over the years. Before they were cremated, they asked me to take their eyes, saying they wanted them to see the clan regain its glory and claim the place it deserved."

"Good. That puts my mind at ease. I'll go distribute the last batch of war supplies."

The Uchiha Hawk Faction wasn't a force that had only emerged after the Third Hokage took office.

As early as after Hashirama's death, when Tobirama served as the Second Hokage, the suppression of the Uchiha had already been laid bare.

"Four Sharingan mean four chances to use Izanagi, four periods of invulnerability. That'll be enough for Xiu."

Setsuna recalled a scene from five days ago: Uchiha Xiu had easily defeated Old Man Shin.

Just where were your limits?

At the same time, from people to cats, from the Uchiha to Konoha's High Command, and even among the heads of minor clans who were in the know, everyone kept repeating one name.

Forest of Death.

Dense woods stretched everywhere, and the roars of wild beasts echoed from time to time.

Root shinobi came and went, constantly reporting all kinds of intelligence to Danzo.

"Hmph, the Hyuga Clan!"

"At a time like this, Hiashi actually refuses to send Main Family members to take part in the operation... Once the Uchiha Clan is wiped out, the Hyuga will be Konoha's foremost clan. Short-sighted fools! Is there not a single smart person in that entire clan?"

Danzo grew increasingly irritable. "They're only sending two branch-family members with the Caged Bird Seal to temporarily join Anbu, where they'll protect and monitor the Jinchuriki from the perimeter. Heh, Monkey, you actually had the nerve to pinch your nose and accept that!"

But when he thought of the person he was about to meet, Danzo forced himself to calm down.

Before long,

a figure appeared like a ghost in a clearing deep inside the Forest of Death.

Shisui knelt on one knee, rainwater running down his Forehead Protector.

"Lord Danzo."

"I beg you to join the two advisors in urging the Third Hokage to give the Uchiha one more chance. Give Xiu one more chance, too. He's still young... he doesn't know any better."

"Fool."

Deep inside a nearby rock, Uchiha Xiu wore an expression that said, I knew it.

A dog never changed its spots.

The fence-sitter was still sitting on the fence.

Even after awakening the Mangekyo and gaining Kage Level strength, he was still weak-kneed, always ready to get down on his knees.

"I don't need you to plead for me. A rebellion isn't a dinner party, and do you think that old dog Danzo would suddenly grow a kind heart?"

Earth Release: Rock Hiding Technique—a high-level technique that let its user move freely through rock, leaving a trail that was difficult to detect.

As long as I didn't get too close, there was no reason I'd be noticed.

Especially now, since this was an impromptu meeting. Root hadn't deployed enough high-level sensor shinobi to thoroughly search the area.

Danzo leaned on his cane, his heart burning with excitement. The Three-Tomoe Sharingan hidden beneath his bandages turned. "Shisui, I understand your loyalty."

His withered hand slowly rose, as if to comfort him—

But the instant it touched Shisui's shoulder, it turned into a snake-like grab!

"But the Uchiha's loyalty is worthless!"

With a wet squelch, his fingertips, wrapped in Wind Release chakra, forcibly gouged into Shisui's right eye.

Blood mixed with rain spattered across the rotting leaves.

"Gah—!!"

Caught off guard by a shameless sneak attack from a Kage Level powerhouse, Shisui instinctively screamed.

As the agony tore through his nerves, he saw greed filling the single eye exposed on Danzo's face.

But... he was Kagami's grandfather's comrade! They were both pupils of the Second Hokage and inheritors of the Will of Fire.

Why?

The next instant, the surrounding trees exploded!

More than a dozen masked shinobi sprang out like wraiths.

Uchiha Xiu's voice surfaced in Shisui's mind:

"You still had illusions about Konoha's High Command? Shisui, your naivety is laughable!"

"Seek peace through compromise, and peace will perish."

—So I really was a fool.

"Danzo!!!"

The Mangekyo in Shisui's left eye spun wildly. A green ribcage burst out from his body.

Susanoo's massive arm swept across the field, sending the capable jonin-level Root shinobi flying like trash.

But the strain of using Susanoo with only one eye left him like a candle flickering in the wind.

"Struggling at death's door." Danzo retreated with a cold laugh. He clutched the warm, blood-teared Kotoamatsukami in his palm, feeling as if he were floating on air.

Only I deserve to wield this power~

Just as he was getting carried away, a mud-covered hand suddenly burst out of the ground and seized Danzo's wrist with perfect precision.

"Wha—?" Danzo's pupils contracted.

Uchiha Xiu sprang out of the mire and swung his other hand straight at Danzo.

Blue light shimmered in his palm.

A hand-seal-free ninjutsu: Rasengan!

The mantis stalked the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind it. This thing was mine...

A powerful blow smashed into Danzo's face. The eyeball he hadn't even had time to warm up changed owners on the spot.

At the same time, Uchiha Xiu spun around and flung three Kunai fitted with Explosive Tags straight at Danzo's face.

"Boom—!"

Amid the flames of the explosion, Danzo—whose body had already been injected with Hashirama Cells—barely managed to save his own life. His face was left bloody and mangled.

The last person to take a Rasengan to the face and survive had been Uchiha Obito.

The two had one thing in common:

They were both beneficiaries of Hashirama Cells.

However, the technology Orochimaru had used on Danzo wasn't very mature. Green sprouts began to emerge from his face—a side effect of the cells going out of control and over-repairing his body.

"Xiu... you..." Shisui staggered to his knees as Susanoo vanished.

"Shut up, fool! Get out of here first!" Uchiha Xiu casually tossed him a test tube. "Or we can start the resistance right here..."

Shisui raised his bloodied hand and caught it without thinking.

A Three-Tomoe Sharingan was suspended in the solution.

Why wasn't it my original Mangekyo?

A flicker of understanding crossed Shisui's mind. Someone like me really didn't deserve this power.

As soon as the Three-Tomoe Sharingan went into his eye socket, his still-living optic nerve connected itself to it.

The value of hot-swapping was undeniable.

It wasn't as good as the original, but it stabilized his condition and restored his combat strength to the level of a weak Kage.

If I fought with everything I had, taking out one Kage Level fighter from Konoha would be no problem!

Fight for peace through struggle!!

"Earth Release: Earth Flow River."

Beside Shisui, Uchiha Xiu, who had just acquired a Mangekyo, finished forming his Hand Seals. A torrent of mud immediately swallowed more than a dozen figures.

The Root shinobi swept away by Susanoo were dead!

Furious, Shisui used the Body Flicker Technique and charged forward.

A flash of steel, and three heads aligned along a diagonal flew off their necks and into the air.

"Tsk, tsk. When that fool stops thinking about politics and focuses on killing, he really is an unparalleled weapon."

"Even without the Sharingan, his mastery of the Body Flicker Technique alone is enough to make people wary..."

After stowing the spoils in a storage scroll, Uchiha Xiu casually kicked to the left.

The rain instantly turned to mist.

The Taijutsu-style Root shinobi who had charged at him was sent flying backward.

Forget a mere Chunin—even an ordinary Jonin without a powerful Kekkei Genkai to rely on would be... only slightly stronger than a stray dog in front of me.

The torrential rain washed over the blood-soaked forest.

"Sir, are you all right?"

At that moment, a shinobi wearing a special mask that exposed only his mouth appeared with the Body Flicker Technique and shielded Danzo.

"Kill them! Torune, kill them! My eyes!!"

Danzo crawled out of the mud, his whole face twisted into a bloody, indistinguishable mess, and let out a furious, unhinged roar.

At the very same moment.

In a shadowy corner, Yamanaka Fu, delayed after his forces were reassigned, raised a hand and focused his mental energy into a single point. He aimed his hand sign at Uchiha Xiu from afar.

"Got you. Enemy, become my tool."

"Mind Transfer Jutsu!"

An immense, invisible force of mental energy shot out.

Splash!

Uchiha Xiu, who had just displayed his power, turned into a puddle of water and blended into the curtain of rain.

"I was expecting you, Yamanaka Fu."

Uchiha Xiu, who had learned the Root higher-ups' secrets in advance, emerged from a muddy pool not far from him.

"Earth Release: Earth Spear."

A pitch-black fist swung out with tremendous force.

Yamanaka Fu was locked rigid from using the Mind Body Switch Technique and couldn't fight back at all.

Thud! Against a body capable of smashing anything to pieces, his head burst apart.

Splat!

Sticky, foul-smelling, hot liquid sprayed everywhere.

"Ninja are so fragile when the enemy has the advantage of knowing their secrets."

"Fu!"

Having lost his comrade in an instant, Aburame Torune spread both arms—

"Secret Technique: Rinkaichu."

"Bzzzz—"

Countless individual Nano-Sized Venomous Insects, too small to see with the naked eye, poured from his sleeves and coalesced into a vast, eerie gray fog in the torrential rain!

In the rain, the poisonous mist didn't disperse. Instead, it spread rapidly, carried by the moisture.

"Insect Sphere: Bind."

One cloud of gray fog encircled Danzo's location, while another took the form of two Poison Dragons that coiled toward Shisui Uchiha and Uchiha Xiu.

Everywhere they passed, the grass and trees rapidly withered and turned black.