Itachi's Resolve

Although the Uchiha's hundred-plus members were outnumbered, they had Fugaku's controlled Nine-Tails as backup.

They still fought the opposition to a standstill.

Hiruzen Sarutobi, at the cost of his own life, used the 'Reaper Death Seal' to seal the Nine-Tails once again.

In the end, Konohagakure, with a pyrrhic victory, successfully killed all the members of the Uchiha clan.

The grayish-white scene shifted, Mingyou's eyes regained clarity, and his vision returned to reality.

"Mingyou, the annihilation of the entire clan is the consequence of the Uchiha's rebellion."

"This is also the future of the Uchiha that my Mangekyo Sharingan ability, 'Shatter,' can foresee."

"The destruction of the entire clan is not the end of this matter; the Uchiha will ultimately bear a permanent stigma."

"Mingyou, I... cannot allow such a thing to happen."

Fugaku's expression was grave as he slowly voiced his inner thoughts.

[You have copied a Mangekyo Sharingan dojutsu ability, 'Shatter'.]
[Notice: Because your Mangekyo Sharingan has not yet been activated, the 'Shatter' ability will be temporarily retained.]

"Dad, do you mean you want to prevent the Uchiha clan from rebelling?"

Hearing Fugaku say this, Mingyou could roughly guess his thoughts.

Since rebelling also leads to death, why add another crime to the Uchiha's name?

Fugaku nodded slightly:

"That's right. The Uchiha clan members don't know about my Mangekyo Sharingan."

"If they knew I possessed the Mangekyo, the rebellion might have already happened sooner."

"As the head of the Uchiha clan, I hope the Uchiha clan members can survive."

"As your father, I even more so don't want you to die at such a young age."

"I know that the day the Uchiha clan is destroyed will come sooner or later."

"Itachi joining Anbu was something I arranged."

"As for my purpose in doing so, it was to have him gain Konohagakure's trust as a spy."

"Only by doing this can he protect your and Sasuke's lives when the Uchiha crisis arrives."

"To leave behind the only remaining bloodline of the Uchiha clan."

What?

Itachi joining Anbu was arranged by Fugaku?

That is to say, Fugaku had foreseen Itachi's massacre of the village through the Mangekyo Sharingan, so he deliberately did this?

Hearing this, Mingyou understood just how much painstaking effort his father had put in.

For the future of the Uchiha, just how much was his father carrying on his shoulders...

"Dad, have you thought about other solutions?"

"We can take the Uchiha clan members and leave Konohagakure."

Mingyou voiced what was on his mind.

Since Konohagakure cannot tolerate the Uchiha clan, wouldn't it be fine for the Uchiha to sever ties with Konohagakure?

That wouldn't be considered bearing the stigma of betrayal, right?

"Haha, you're still too young; you think about problems too simply and one-sidedly."

"Under such constant surveillance, is it so easy for the Uchiha to escape?"

"Even if the Uchiha's hundred-plus members could escape, they would face Konohagakure's endless pursuit in the future."

"Konohagakure has a large population and great power; the Uchiha would ultimately still face an inescapable death."

Fugaku shook his head with a wry smile, disagreeing with Mingyou's view.

"Dad, can you believe in me?"

"I have the ability to take the Uchiha clan away."

"Moreover, I will have the ability in the future to guarantee the safety of the Uchiha clan members."

"As long as you gather the Uchiha clan members back now."

Mingyou looked at Fugaku with urgency, saying these words very seriously.

Mingyou's system copying ability is powerful; he only needs a short amount of time to collect enough eye power to activate the Mangekyo Sharingan.

Moreover, collecting the abilities of hundreds of clan members would probably allow Mingyou to step into the Kage-level strength in one fell swoop.

"Mingyou, this kind of thing is not something to joke about."

Mikoto's eyes showed reproach, clearly not believing what Mingyou said.

Fugaku recalled the copying ability Mingyou had mentioned before, and looking at his son's sincere gaze, he seemed to see a glimmer of hope for the future of the Uchiha.

He pondered for a long time, and finally decided to bet on his son.

"Mingyou, do as you said."

With that, Fugaku raised his hand and snapped his fingers.

With a whoosh, an Uchiha clansman wearing a silver vest appeared.

"Clan Leader, what are your orders?"

Fugaku slowly raised his eyes and said, "Go and issue a clan gathering order, telling the clansmen to gather at the Uchiha Shrine in one hour."

"Yes! Clan Leader." With a whoosh, the silver-armored ninja disappeared in a flash.

After a long period of talks, the sky had already turned pitch black.

The night was already deep, and the ordinary villagers of Konohagakure had already turned off their lights and gone to sleep.

Inside the Hokage's office building.

Hiruzen Sarutobi exhaled a thick smoke ring, looked at Itachi kneeling on one knee in front of him, and slowly said:

"Itachi, have you made your decision?"

"Yes, Third Hokage." Itachi slowly raised his head, his eyes full of indifference.

"Alas~~" Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed a long sigh, his eyes also somewhat helpless.

"Itachi, you are a child who understands the greater good."

"This way, Konohagakure and the Uchiha will avoid civil war, and at the same time, Konohagakure can avoid being invaded by the other few ninja villages that are eyeing it covetously."

"But don't worry, according to what you said before, we will definitely take good care of Sasuke and ensure his safety."

"So that he can become a ninja who can stand alone as soon as possible, which can also be regarded as preserving a trace of bloodline for the Uchiha."

"But from now on, you will also bear the infamy and become an S-rank rogue ninja who destroyed the Uchiha."

"At the same time, you will also face endless pursuit from Konohagakure."

"Third Hokage, thank you very much." Itachi nodded slightly, stood up, jumped out of the window, and disappeared.

Making such a decision, Itachi's heart was as painful as if it were being twisted by a knife.

He was a precocious person, and he knew very well that the Uchiha's rebellion would not have any good results.

Instead of that, it would be better for him to be the executioner and slaughter all the Uchiha clansmen.

At least that way, his most beloved younger brother could survive.

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Itachi's departing back, and then waved his hand at the void.

"Go and get ready."

"Yes! Third Hokage." More than a dozen figures flashed out, bowed to Hiruzen Sarutobi, and disappeared with a whoosh.

Those people were all Anbu captains, and they would lead their subordinates to sneak into the Uchiha's territory for encirclement and surveillance.

If Itachi failed to complete the task of slaughtering the Uchiha, they would also lead people to complete this task.

In short, regardless of whether Itachi completed the slaughter of the Uchiha clan, he would definitely bear the crime of slaughtering the entire clan tonight.