Itachi's Resolve

Although the Uchiha Clan's hundred-odd members were outnumbered, they had the Nine-Tails under Fugaku's control as backup.

Even so, they fought the enemy to a standstill.

At the cost of his life, Hiruzen Sarutobi used the Reaper Death Seal to seal the Nine-Tails once more.

In the end, Konoha won a pyrrhic victory and successfully wiped out every member of the Uchiha Clan.

As the gray-white scene shifted, clarity returned to Mingyou's eyes, and his gaze returned to reality.

"Mingyou, the annihilation of the entire clan is the outcome of the Uchiha rebellion."

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

"The destruction of the entire clan is not even the end of this matter. In the end, the Uchiha will bear an eternal stigma."

"Mingyou, I... cannot let that happen."

With a grave expression, Fugaku slowly voiced the thoughts in his heart.

You have copied a Mangekyō Sharingan ocular technique ability: 'Shatter.'

Notice: As your Mangekyō Sharingan has not yet awakened, the 'Shatter' ability will be retained temporarily.

"Father, are you planning to stop the Uchiha clansmen from rebelling?"

Hearing Fugaku say this, Mingyou could roughly guess what he was thinking.

Since rebellion would lead to death anyway, why add another crime to the Uchiha's name?

Fugaku nodded slightly.

"That's right. The Uchiha clansmen do not know that I possess the Mangekyō Sharingan."

"If they knew I had the Mangekyō, the rebellion might have begun long ago."

"As the head of the Uchiha Clan, I hope the Uchiha clansmen can survive."

"As your father, I hope even less that you will die at such a young age."

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

"I personally arranged for Itachi to join the Anbu."

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

"Only then, when the Uchiha crisis arrives, will he be able to preserve the lives of you and Sasuke."

"To leave behind the Uchiha Clan's last remaining bloodline."

What?

Fugaku had arranged for Itachi to join the Anbu?

In other words, Fugaku had foreseen Itachi's massacre of the clan through the Mangekyō Sharingan long ago, which was why he had deliberately done this?

Only then did Mingyou understand just how painstaking his father's arrangements had been.

For the Uchiha's future, how much had his father been carrying on his shoulders?

"Father, have you considered any other solution?"

"We can take the Uchiha clansmen and leave Konoha."

Mingyou voiced what was on his mind.

Since Konoha could not tolerate the Uchiha Clan, then the Uchiha could simply sever their ties with Konoha, couldn't they?

That way, they would not have to bear the stigma of betrayal, right?

"Haha, you are still too young. You are looking at this too simply and one-sidedly."

"With surveillance everywhere, do you think the Uchiha could escape so easily?"

"Even if the Uchiha's hundred-odd members managed to flee, they would still face Konoha's endless pursuit in the future."

"Konoha has overwhelming numbers. The Uchiha would ultimately still face a fate they could not escape: death."

Fugaku gave a bitter smile and shook his head, disagreeing with Mingyou's view.

"Father, can you trust me?"

"I have the ability to lead the Uchiha Clan away."

"And in the future, I will have the ability to ensure the safety of the Uchiha Clan's members."

"As long as you gather the Uchiha clansmen now."

Mingyou looked at Fugaku eagerly and spoke these words with utmost seriousness.

Mingyou's system-copying ability was powerful. He only needed a short time to collect enough Eye Power to awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan.

Moreover, if he gathered the abilities of all those hundred-plus clansmen, Mingyou might be able to step directly into Kage-level strength.

"Mingyou, this is not something you can joke about."

Mikoto looked reproachful, clearly not believing Mingyou's words.

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

After pondering for a long time, he ultimately decided to place a bet on his son.

"Mingyou, we'll do as you say."

As he spoke, Fugaku raised his hand and snapped his fingers.

With a whoosh, an Uchiha clansman wearing a silver-armored vest appeared in a flash.

"Clan Head, what are your orders?"

Fugaku lifted his eyes and said slowly, "Issue the clan assembly order. Have every clansman gather at the Uchiha Shrine in one hour."

"Yes, Clan Head!" With a whoosh, the silver-armored ninja vanished in a blur.

After their lengthy discussion, the sky had long since turned pitch-black.

The night was already deep, and Konoha's ordinary villagers had long extinguished their lights and drifted into sleep.

Inside the Hokage Administration Building.

Hiruzen Sarutobi exhaled a thick cloud of smoke and looked at Itachi, who was kneeling on one knee before him, before slowly speaking.

"Itachi, have you made your decision?"

"Yes, Third Hokage." Itachi slowly raised his head, his eyes filled with indifference.

"Ahh..." Hiruzen Sarutobi let out a long sigh, his eyes equally full of helplessness.

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

"This will allow Konoha and the Uchiha to avoid civil war, while also preventing Konoha from being invaded by the other ninja villages watching us like tigers."

"But rest assured, as you requested before, we will certainly raise Sasuke well and guarantee his safety."

"We will ensure that he becomes a ninja capable of standing on his own as soon as possible. This can be considered preserving a trace of the Uchiha bloodline."

"But from this day onward, you will also bear infamy and become an S-rank rogue ninja responsible for the destruction of the Uchiha."

"At the same time, you will face Konoha's endless pursuit."

"Third Hokage, thank you very much." Itachi nodded slightly, rose to his feet, and leapt out through the window, vanishing from sight.

Having made such a decision, Itachi's heart felt as though it were being twisted by blades.

He was mature beyond his years, and he knew very clearly that the Uchiha rebellion would not have any good outcome.

Rather than that, it was better for him to become the executioner and slaughter every Uchiha clansman.

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

Hiruzen Sarutobi watched Itachi's departing figure, then gestured toward the empty air.

"Go make your preparations."

"Yes, Third Hokage." More than ten figures flashed into view, bowed to Hiruzen Sarutobi, and vanished with a whoosh.

Those people were all Anbu captains. They would lead the subordinates under their command to infiltrate the outskirts of the Uchiha compound, surround it, and keep it under surveillance.

If Itachi failed to complete the mission of slaughtering the Uchiha, they would also lead their men to complete it.

In short, whether or not Itachi completed the massacre of the Uchiha Clan, he was destined to bear the crime of slaughtering his entire clan tonight.