Rescue Shisui

Fugaku's eyes snapped open, and everyone followed his gaze.

Only then did they realize that Uchiha Natsuki had arrived at the Clan Hall.

Natsuki had no idea how the identity of Acting Elder had been implanted into him.

Since he was back, and for the sake of his own life, he could only steel himself and walk up to Fugaku.

Fugaku spoke. "Natsuki, you are now the Acting Elder, so you have the right to speak. I want to hear what you have to say."

"What I have to say!?" Natsuki froze for a moment.

"Say what? Shisui is being hunted down right now, and you're still holding some damn meeting!" Natsuki snapped furiously.

Damn it, the blade is already at our throats, and they're still dragging their feet here.

Fugaku's pupils trembled.

"Natsuki, is that true?"

Natsuki waved his hand sharply. "There's no time to explain. Akira, Kōto, Yuta, bring your teams and come with me!"

"Izumi! You come too! We may need your treatment."

Shisui had a gentle temperament and quite a few friends within the clan. The people Natsuki named were all close to Shisui.

Several people sprang to their feet and ran out after Natsuki!

Fugaku remained seated in the head seat, his expression grim.

The Third Elder and Fourth Elder no longer had any interest in arguing either.

Although the Fourth Elder belonged to the Dove Faction, he was not the type to sit still without resisting when a blade was at his throat.

Fugaku was silent for a long while before slowly exhaling.

"Uchiha Takuya!" Fugaku barked!

"Yes!" The Third Elder jolted. That was his name.

His seniority was higher than Fugaku's, so under normal circumstances, Fugaku would call him Third Elder.

But once Fugaku called him by name, it meant he was acting in his capacity as clan head!

"You will mobilize and assemble every Uchiha combatant! Prepare for battle!"

The Third Elder's expression sharpened, as though he could already smell blood.

Naka River

Splash!

Water sprayed everywhere. The icy river water gave Uchiha Shisui a moment of clarity.

But his injuries were far too severe. With his heart already dead, he still worried about the clan.

Would his death be enough to change everything? Could Itachi fulfill the task he had entrusted to him...

Shisui's world gradually darkened as his body slowly sank into the rushing Naka River...

"We found him! Elder! Shisui is here!"

A burst of noise came from nearby. Two Uchiha leaped into the water and hauled the unconscious Shisui out.

"Elder! Shisui's eyes have been gouged out!"

Natsuki had expected this. "Izumi, immediately treat and examine Shisui. Make sure he survives."

Uchiha Izumi immediately stepped forward to treat Shisui. Because of Itachi, she was also Shisui's friend.

Seeing Shisui covered in wounds, Uchiha Izumi was deeply shaken.

Shisui was one of the clan's strongest, yet he had been injured this badly, and even his Sharingan had been taken. This was inside Konoha!

There had been no time to call for other Medical Ninja. Natsuki remembered that Uchiha Izumi knew Medical Ninjutsu.

Under the emergency treatment, Shisui's vital signs finally stabilized.

[Ding, Rescue Shisui completed]

The host has obtained Mangekyō Sharingan ocular power and unlocked Susanoo in advance.

Natsuki finally let out a breath of relief. He had rushed back from Outside the Village without rest for half a day.

He had finally saved Shisui's life.

Greater strength was also a guarantee of survival. He would claim the Mangekyo first.

After he clicked to claim it, a cold, sinister aura flowed into Uchiha Natsuki's eyes.

Is this Yin Release Chakra? Susanoo unlocked in advance? I don't even know what my ocular technique is yet.

Once the Uchiha who had come to rescue Shisui gathered around him and saw his empty eye sockets, they erupted into an uproar.

At this point, who would dare pluck the Uchiha's tiger whiskers? This was an utter humiliation!

"Bastard! They dared steal our Uchiha eyes!"

"They injured Shisui this badly! I'll never forgive them!"

"Elder! Who attacked Shisui!?"

As Natsuki's ocular power increased, so did his sensory ability.

He abruptly turned and looked toward the forest behind the clan members.

The urgent sound of bodies tearing through the trees rang out. In the blink of an eye, four Anbu in white clothing burst from the woods.

The moment one white-clad Anbu rushed out of the forest, he saw a large group of Uchiha standing by the riverbank, while the target he had been desperately searching for lay on the ground receiving treatment.

But why were there so many Uchiha Clan Members here!?

The man gave a tactical hand signal, stopping the three Anbu behind him!

"Root!"

The Uchiha's expressions hardened. They knew exactly what this organization was for.

They figured it out almost instantly!

Shisui must have been hunted by Root!

They drew their blades and charged at Root.

The Root squad captain at the front felt his heart sink. There were more than ten Uchiha Clan Members, and three were elites with Three Tomoe Sharingan.

They probably would not last until reinforcements arrived.

Lord Danzō's will had to be carried out!

The squad captain gestured, and the members behind him wore equally resolute expressions!

Rather than retreat, the four advanced toward the Uchiha.

They constantly shifted through crossing formations, making their intentions impossible to discern.

Several people quickly closed in.

Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique!

Two Uchiha rapidly formed hand seals.

Before the two sides clashed at close range, they fired Great Fireballs as a feint.

Using the flames as cover, they swiftly closed the distance.

The other Uchiha also threw Shuriken one after another.

Earth Style Wall!

The Root members quickly joined forces to raise an earthen wall, blocking the Great Fireball Technique and the Shuriken. The four hid behind the wall.

When they leaped out again, they threw ten Explosive Tags.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

At such close range, the explosions were essentially a thousand points of damage to the enemy for eight hundred to themselves.

The Uchiha Clan Members emerged from the smoke somewhat disheveled.

They had not expected Root to be so reckless with their lives.

The Root members were no better off. They had been closer and suffered greater damage from the blasts. The four charged out with bloody wounds all over their bodies.

They tangled with the Uchiha in what was practically a suicidal assault.

Then the Root squad captain was cut into smoke by an Uchiha blade!

Damn it, a Shadow Clone!

Bang!

The ground exploded open. He leaped out from beneath it, Explosive Tags plastered all over his body and hissing.

With a resolute aura, he lunged toward Shisui, who lay on the ground.

"Let's die together!!"

At that moment, only Izumi and Natsuki stood beside Shisui. The other Uchiha had no time to return to his aid.

Boom!!!

The massive explosion blasted all the other Uchiha Clan Members away.

"Elder!"

"Elder!"

As the smoke cleared, a golden skeletal frame could be seen shielding Shisui and Izumi firmly behind it.

Surging Chakra spread outward like a whirlwind.

Natsuki stood within it with his arms folded, the Mangekyō Sharingan in his eyes slowly turning.

"Su... Susanoo!"

"It's the Susanoo from our Uchiha legends!"

"The Elder has a Mangekyō Sharingan!"

Gundam really was cool. Natsuki nodded in satisfaction. It would be even better if it were the Eternal Mangekyo that doesn't cause blindness.

Natsuki treasured his ocular power. Seeing that the danger had passed, he immediately deactivated his Mangekyō Sharingan.

His ocular power had only just increased, and he had not yet had time to learn what his ocular technique was. Fortunately, Susanoo had been unlocked in advance.

Meanwhile, Uchiha combatants in the clan compound gradually assembled.

The Uchiha of the Hawk Faction wore feverish expressions as they hurried about, gathering their equipment and putting on their combat uniforms.

Fourth Elder Uchiha Yohei's mouth felt dry. How many Uchiha Clan Members will die tonight? Can we really succeed?

The Uchiha Clan Members of the Dove Faction were distracted. At the thought that they might fight the village, unease filled their hearts.

Third Elder Uchiha Takuya could barely suppress the excitement on his face. "Clan Head, the combatants have assembled! Please give the order!"

Fugaku clasped his hands tightly. "Wait for Elder Natsuki to return first."

By now, Konoha should have made its move, right?