The Night of the Uchiha Clan's Annihilation

The sea before a storm is always unexpectedly tranquil.

Just like Konoha at this moment.

Inside a dim basement, an elderly man with one eye, his head and hand wrapped in white bandages, sat in an old rattan chair, eyes closed in repose.

He seemed to be waiting for something.

Just then, a figure hurried in from outside, knelt on one knee, lowered his head, and whispered with great respect:

"Lord Danzo, Itachi Uchiha has decided to act tonight."

This old man was none other than the leader of Root, the shadow behind Konoha's greatest power—Danzo Shimura.

As the figure's voice faded, Danzo's eyes slowly narrowed. After a moment, he spoke:

"Understood. Withdraw, continue your surveillance, and report back at any time."

"Yes!"

The figure retreated quickly and closed the basement door.

But a moment later, a swirling aura of chakra suddenly appeared in the air of the basement, and a figure manifested out of the vortex.

He wore a loose black robe and an orange Spiral Mask with a single eye hole.

It was the mysterious Masked Man from the Akatsuki.

"Yo... Danzo Shimura, you are unexpectedly... calm."

The moment he appeared, the Masked Man spoke with a low chuckle.

Danzo lifted his eyes to look at him, as if he had anticipated this all along. His gaze was cold as he replied indifferently:

"The existence of the Uchiha Clan is the greatest threat to Konoha today. Eliminating them is a necessary procedure. Everything I do is for the sake of Konoha."

As he spoke, Danzo stood up from the rattan chair, stared intently at the Masked Man, and continued:

"And aren't you the same? You seem unusually calm about this mission to annihilate your own kin tonight—Madara Uchiha."

Danzo enunciated the name almost syllable by syllable.

The Masked Man, having heard these words, did not seem to show any emotional fluctuation. Instead, he continued to chuckle in that low tone:

"Oh—for the sake of Konoha, is it? That is truly an admirable and noble character..."

"Then, regarding this clan you despise so much, you shouldn't have any need for their Sharingan, should you?"

The Masked Man stared at Danzo Shimura, speaking in his mocking, low-pitched tone.

"..."

However, as soon as the words fell, Danzo's aged face stiffened.

He had never expected that the Masked Man would suddenly steer the conversation in this direction.

What did he mean by that?

Saying I don't need the Sharingan?

Is this guy suddenly thinking of keeping them all for himself?

I may not like the Uchiha Clan, but I never said I didn't want their bloodline, did I?

"Hmph!"

Danzo let out a cold snort, narrowed his eyes in a feigned display of anger, and retorted:

"Madara, do you intend to go back on our previous agreement?"

The reason Danzo Shimura wanted to wipe out the Uchiha Clan, aside from the superficial pretense of the greater good for Konoha, naturally hid some selfish motives.

That was... the Sharingan.

The exclusive bloodline limit of the Uchiha Clan.

It possessed a powerful ability that drove the entire ninja world to madness.

And Danzo first truly felt its power because of a forbidden technique.

Izanagi.

A forbidden illusion capable of freely interchanging dreams and reality.

The moment it is activated, for a very brief period, all unfavorable factors—including the damage received by the user and even death—are converted into a dream.

At the same time, the user's attacks and all events favorable to them are converted into reality!

As long as it is used reasonably, one can perfectly avoid any death!

It is truly the power of immortality!

However, while this technique is incredibly strong, the cost is equally immense.

Once Izanagi is used, that eye will permanently lose its light, becoming unable to perform any techniques ever again.

It is precisely for this reason that it was classified as a forbidden technique by the Uchiha Clan.

But now, things were different.

Once the Uchiha Clan was wiped out, Danzo would be able to obtain a large number of Sharingan!

From then on, there would be no need to worry about the cost of losing one's sight; he could use the forbidden technique Izanagi repeatedly!

This meant that he would become an absolute "immortal."

And this was the true selfish motive behind Danzo's insistence on destroying the Uchiha.

It was true that he did it for Konoha.

It was equally true that he did it for the Sharingan.

"..."

Seeing Danzo display such an excited expression, the Masked Man couldn't help but sneer inwardly.

He, of course, knew Danzo's true purpose.

Because his own goal was, in fact, much the same.

"Rest assured, Danzo Shimura."

"Our agreement remains in effect for the time being."

"After the operation is complete, I will give you the share you deserve."

The Masked Man said in a low voice.

Then, he placed his hand over his right eye, and Kamui activated.

He gradually disappeared into a swirling vortex of darkness.

The operation was about to begin.

At this moment.

Amegakure.

"Ding, system notification!"

"Main quest has officially begun!"

"Participate in the major event: Uchiha Clan Downfall Night (0/1), incomplete, reward unknown."

Chen Xiaoxi, who was lying at home reading a book with great interest, suddenly heard this notification sound in his mind.

He sat up instantly, his eyes brightening, and a look of pleasant surprise immediately appeared on his face.

"Is it finally here?"

The notification sound he had been looking forward to for so long had finally appeared.

It seemed that tonight was indeed the Uchiha Clan Downfall Night!

Chen Xiaoxi stood up with a smile, calmly taking a black spherical item out of his system inventory.

He then quickly injected his own Reiatsu into it.

The next moment, a flash of white Reiatsu erupted, and the spiritual power within the black sphere rapidly expanded and solidified, ultimately transforming into a clone identical to Chen Xiaoxi.

It was the Portable Reigai he had used before.

"Hoo..."

Chen Xiaoxi exhaled, a faint smile appearing on his face.

Now then, it was time for the main event to begin.

Chen Xiaoxi raised his hand, his fingertips instantly condensing a golden Reiatsu that radiated a soul-shaking power.

The next moment, he tapped his finger lightly against the air.

A shattering sound erupted instantly, and like a broken mirror, countless cracks appeared in the air!

In the next instant, these cracks seemed to be torn apart by an invisible, immense force, revealing the endless darkness within the fissure!

This was... the "Garganta"!

Having long since prepared, Chen Xiaoxi did not hesitate in the slightest, leaping directly into the Garganta.

In the air, all the cracks began to contract instantly.

Finally, they converged into a single point.

And vanished.

The room was deathly silent, as if nothing had ever happened.

Meanwhile, the Reigai Chen Xiaoxi smiled, sat back down, and continued reading the book beside him.