When Uchiha Fugaku returned to the clan compound with the members of the Military Police Force.
He immediately noticed that there were more Anbu stationed around the compound. The area was eerily quiet, and even the Military Police Force members sensed that something was wrong.
"Clan head, should we head back now?"
Uchiha Fugaku was unconcerned by the Anbu lying in wait and replied at once.
"Let's go back. The Great Elder and the others are waiting at the entrance to the compound, so we'll be fine."
Reassured by Uchiha Fugaku's confidence, the clan members in the Military Police Force finally relaxed. They cautiously made their way toward the compound.
Hokage Building
Watching the Uchiha returning through the Crystal Ball, Sarutobi Hiruzen couldn't help feeling another flicker of hesitation.
Had he really made the right choice this time?
But Sarutobi Hiruzen quickly suppressed his doubts.
As Hokage, he had already made his choice. How could he waver now? Besides, he was following his teacher's plan.
The clans had to disappear and become part of the village. Even the Senju Clan had already integrated into the village; the Uchiha Clan should have disappeared long ago.
For the sake of peace in the village, this sacrifice was necessary.
At the thought, Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression grew more resolute.
After returning to the compound with the rest of the Uchiha, Uchiha Fugaku found himself at a loss as he looked at the many clan members.
This was his mistake. There were too many people.
But Uchiha Fugaku quickly made arrangements, sending all the younger and weaker clan members back to rest.
He left behind only the elders, some Uchiha eager for battle, and the Uchiha Clan's jonin with Three-Tomoe Sharingan.
Watching Uchiha Fugaku's arrangements, Uchiha Setsuna couldn't help feeling concerned.
"Clan head Fugaku, if the village is set on wiping out our clan, this arrangement could put us at a disadvantage."
Hearing Uchiha Setsuna's question, Uchiha Fugaku immediately gave him an answer.
"If even I, with these eyes, can't stop them, then bringing more ordinary clan members into the fight would be like trying to stop a chariot with a mantis."
"And if a battle breaks out, the weaker clan members will only hinder me."
"Besides, they're the future of our Uchiha Clan."
Hearing Uchiha Fugaku's reply, Uchiha Setsuna didn't object further. Fugaku had a point, and he had already made his arrangements. Picking a fight with him now would be unwise.
Uchiha Itachi, dressed in an Anbu uniform and holding his Anbu mask, slowly approached the Uchiha Clan Compound.
Itachi's heart was filled with hesitation and pain. Although he had lost all faith in his clan, he still had precious memories of it.
Izumi Uchiha. His younger brother, Sasuke.
At the thought of Sasuke, Uchiha Itachi's resolve hardened once more. He continued toward the Uchiha Clan Compound with renewed determination.
"For the peace of the village, and for my younger brother's safety."
Uchiha Itachi was surprised to see the compound gates standing open. He could tell from the footprints outside that a large group had just passed through.
Had the coup already begun?
But why hadn't Danzo told him?
At the thought, Uchiha Itachi quickened his pace and headed inside the compound.
As soon as he passed through the gate, he came face-to-face with the person he least wanted to confront.
"His own father—Uchiha Fugaku."
Uchiha Fugaku had been waiting there for a long time.
"Itachi, so in the end, you chose the village?"
"You were never suited to be a shinobi. Take off that Anbu uniform and come home with me. We can still work this out."
"Otherwise, as your father, I'll have to give you a proper lesson."
Uchiha Fugaku spoke calmly, though he was secretly a little excited. After all, this was Itachi, one of the most popular characters in Naruto.
But Uchiha Itachi wasn't going to abandon the decision he had already made just because his father said a few words.
Seeing his father standing in his way, Uchiha Itachi understood that the greatest obstacle in this mission had appeared: his father, Uchiha Fugaku.
Seeing that Uchiha Itachi's resolve hadn't wavered in the slightest, Uchiha Fugaku realized he really wasn't any good with words. He'd have to use physical force to knock some sense into his unfilial son.
Itachi, let me make up for all the fatherly love I never gave you.
Let me show you the greatness of a father's love.
With that thought, Uchiha Fugaku said plainly,
"Then let's fight. I'll show you the difference between us."
"I'll show you that your father is still your father."
Uchiha Itachi didn't understand what his father meant by that last line, but he understood the first one.
"Then let's fight."
Without hesitation, Uchiha Itachi rapidly flung several shuriken toward Uchiha Fugaku's vital points.
Looking at where the incoming shuriken were aimed, Uchiha Fugaku couldn't help commenting,
"You really are a devoted son. You're not holding back at all."
Then the Demon Blade Thousand Edges appeared in Uchiha Fugaku's hand. It broke into fragments and blocked the incoming shuriken.
"Take this seriously. Let your father see what you can do to think you have the right to decide the fate of an entire clan."
Hearing this, Uchiha Itachi didn't hesitate. He activated his Mangekyō Sharingan and began casting his strongest Genjutsu ability, Tsukuyomi, on Uchiha Fugaku.
Seeing that his son hadn't chosen to use Amaterasu, Uchiha Fugaku couldn't help making a rare comment.
"At least you've got a little conscience, Itachi. I'll go a little easier on you later."
Then the two of them entered the Tsukuyomi Space.
"Father, give up. You're no match for me."
Looking at the fine young man before him, Uchiha Fugaku couldn't help laughing.
"Are you so sure?"
At Uchiha Fugaku's words, Uchiha Itachi immediately realized something was wrong.
Somehow, he had been tied up with a rope.
Then the world spun around him, and he found himself hanging upside down.
Only then did Uchiha Itachi realize that he had somehow lost control of the Tsukuyomi Space. He was now at Fugaku's mercy.
But Uchiha Itachi had already made up his mind. He wasn't about to give up now. He summoned his ocular power again, trying to wrest control of the Tsukuyomi Space.
Looking at his fine young man, Fugaku stopped teasing him and stepped down from the cross.
"Itachi, take a good look at my eyes."
"Remember how I told you that the Mangekyō wasn't the limit of the Sharingan?"
At these words, Uchiha Itachi couldn't help freezing.
????
Only when Uchiha Itachi looked at his father's Sharingan did he realize that its appearance had changed.
Given what his father had said, how could Uchiha Itachi not guess that his father's Sharingan had evolved again?
He just hadn't told him this time.
Watching his son stop struggling, Uchiha Fugaku conjured a whip. Grinning at Itachi, he said,
"Let your father make up for all the love he never gave you."
"I'll give you a complete childhood."
"I've wanted to beat you up for ages, but you were too well-behaved. I could never find an excuse."
Uchiha Fugaku made up excuses as he started whipping Itachi mercilessly.
"I can't believe you'd copy Shisui of all people!"
"Even Shisui never planned to wipe out the clan, but you actually dared to do it?"
"Izumi was such a beautiful girl, and you actually abandoned her?"
"..."
Before you continue