A Conversation Among Three

Itachi froze.

Shisui also looked at Uchiha You.

Although Uchiha You had mentioned this earlier, saying it in front of Itachi now carried an entirely different meaning.

Itachi frowned.

"Continue staying in the ANBU?"

Uchiha You nodded.

"That's right."

"Not only do you need to remain in the ANBU, you also need to pretend to favor the village even more than before."

Itachi's gaze sharpened slightly.

"Why?"

Uchiha You said calmly:

"Because Konoha's higher-ups still think you are a blade they can use against the Uchiha Clan."

"If you suddenly side with the clan, they will immediately become wary."

"The Uchiha Clan Extermination Plan might be moved up, canceled, or even turn into a larger-scale siege."

"Then we won't be able to catch them by the handle."

Itachi's eyes widened.

He instantly understood what Uchiha You meant.

Uchiha You continued:

"So, you need to keep being that blade."

"But the blade's edge must be held in the Uchiha Clan's hand."

Shisui said gravely:

"Make Itachi an inside man."

Uchiha You nodded.

"Correct."

"If the higher-ups tell you to monitor the Uchiha Clan, then monitor them."

"If they tell you to report on the clan's situation, then report."

"But what you report to them must be what we want them to know."

"Mix real information with false information."

"Wrap real intentions in false information."

"Make them believe that the Uchiha Clan is still in chaos."

"That the clan head is still hesitating, that Shisui has wavered but has not fully taken a side, and that while I am dangerous, the clan has not completely begun listening to me."

Itachi fell silent.

Uchiha You looked at him, his tone frighteningly calm.

"We need Danzo and the Third Hokage to think they still have a chance."

"Only if they think they still have a chance will they continue pushing forward with the Uchiha Clan Extermination Plan."

"Only when they proceed with the Uchiha Clan Extermination Plan can we wipe out every participant in one stroke on the night they make their move."

Itachi's heart shook.

The Uchiha Clan Extermination Plan.

When those words came from Uchiha You's mouth, they were unbearably jarring.

But now, he could no longer wholly deny it.

Danzo's actions tonight had already shown just how deep the higher-ups' malice toward the Uchiha Clan ran.

If the situation continued to worsen, the so-called Uchiha Clan Extermination Plan might truly come to pass.

Itachi asked quietly:

"What if they really order me to attack my own clan?"

Uchiha You's gaze turned icy.

"Agree."

Itachi's pupils contracted.

Shisui's expression also changed slightly.

Uchiha You continued:

"Agree on the surface."

"Make them think you have been forced into having no choice but to carry out their orders."

"Put Danzo at ease."

"Make the Third Hokage stay silent."

"Let Root and the ANBU enter the Uchiha Clan Grounds according to the original plan."

"Once they enter..."

His voice paused slightly, and a grim smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.

"Then tell them."

"The blade changed hands long ago."

Itachi's heart jolted violently.

He finally understood.

Uchiha You did not merely want to win him over.

He wanted to turn him into a piece that would detonate from within.

The higher-ups believed that Itachi would be the executor of the Uchiha Massacre Night.

In reality, Itachi would become the key to turning the tables on the Uchiha Massacre Night.

When the time came, Root would think Itachi would help them open the gates to the Uchiha Clan Grounds.

But after they entered, what awaited them would not be an unprepared Uchiha Clan.

It would be a killing formation laid out long in advance.

This move was ruthless.

And perfectly suited for dealing with Danzo.

Shisui drew a deep breath.

"Itachi, this is dangerous."

Itachi said quietly:

"I know."

Uchiha You looked at Itachi.

"So you can refuse."

"You can keep believing in the Third Hokage."

"Keep believing that Danzo will not use Sasuke to threaten you."

"Keep believing that Konoha's higher-ups will suddenly grow a conscience at the final moment."

Itachi raised his head.

Uchiha You's voice turned cold.

"But if you lose that bet."

"It won't be only you who dies."

"It will be the entire Uchiha Clan."

"It will be your parents."

"It will be Sasuke."

At last, Itachi clenched his fists.

The name Sasuke was his final line.

He could sacrifice himself.

He could even bear every slander and disgrace.

But he could not accept Sasuke becoming a bargaining chip in Danzo's hands.

Still less could he accept becoming the murderer who destroyed everything Sasuke had.

After a long while, Itachi slowly closed his eyes.

When he opened them again, his gaze had changed.

There was no more confusion.

Instead, there was a trace of cold clarity.

"I can remain in the ANBU."

Shisui's heart jolted.

The corners of Uchiha You's mouth rose slightly.

The first step had succeeded.

Itachi continued:

"But I have conditions."

Uchiha You asked:

"Say them."

Itachi said solemnly:

"No innocent villagers can be harmed."

"Sasuke cannot be allowed to learn of this."

"The clan cannot be allowed to start a war on its own initiative."

Uchiha You nodded.

"Agreed."

"My target has never been ordinary villagers."

"Nor has it been all of Konoha."

"It is Danzo, Root, and everyone who truly participates in the Uchiha Clan Extermination Plan."

Itachi looked at him.

"Does that include the Third Hokage?"

Shisui also looked at Uchiha You.

This was crucial.

Uchiha You fell silent for a moment, then said calmly:

"If the Third Hokage merely turns a blind eye, he can live."

"But he must pay the price."

"If he personally gives the order."

"Then there will be no Hokage, only an enemy."

Itachi did not argue.

Before tonight, he would certainly have considered those words treasonous.

But after tonight, he could no longer view Konoha's higher-ups through the eyes he once had.

Shisui said quietly:

"For now, only the three of us know about this?"

Uchiha You nodded.

"The clan head can be allowed to know part of it, depending on the situation."

Itachi frowned.

"My father?"

Uchiha You said:

"The clan head must know that you have not truly betrayed the Uchiha Clan."

"Otherwise, the clan's hostility toward you will spiral out of control."

"But he cannot know every detail."

"The more he knows, the less natural his reactions will be."

Itachi was silent for a moment, then nodded.

"Fine."

Uchiha You continued:

"Starting tomorrow, you need to act more distant."

"Keep your distance from the clan's arrangements."

"If necessary, you can even question me openly."

Shisui froze.

"Question you openly?"

"Of course."

"If Itachi suddenly says nothing at all, that would be even stranger."

"He is ANBU by nature."

"He has always stood between the village and the clan."

"Now Shisui has wavered, I have risen, and the clan is on guard."

"If Itachi shows no reaction whatsoever, Konoha's higher-ups will become suspicious."

Itachi understood immediately.

"So, I need to keep playing the ANBU member whom the clan doesn't trust."

Uchiha You nodded.

"Not only that."

"You also need to make Danzo think you and I are at odds."

Itachi looked at him.

The corners of Uchiha You's mouth lifted.

"Better yet, make him think you're willing to stand against me for Sasuke's sake."

Itachi's gaze darkened slightly.

"You want me to use Sasuke?"

Uchiha You looked at him.

"It's not about using Sasuke."

"It's about using Danzo's belief that he can use Sasuke."

Itachi fell silent.

The wording was a little roundabout.

But the meaning was clear.

Danzo would definitely use Sasuke to threaten him.

Since that was the case, they might as well make Danzo believe the threat worked.

As long as Danzo believed Itachi was restrained by Sasuke, he would feel more at ease entrusting the Uchiha Clan Extermination Plan to Itachi.

This was sowing discord.

And luring in the enemy.

Itachi took a deep breath.

"I understand."

Uchiha You said,

"There's more."

"If ANBU calls you in for a talk, don't appear too agitated."

"You can show shock over Danzo taking the eyes, but you can't show outright disgust."

"You must continue to show respect toward the Third."

"As for the Uchiha Clan, you need to show concern, even disappointment."

"If necessary, submit intelligence on the clan's radicals to the Hokage Building."

Shisui frowned.

"Wouldn't that harm our clansmen?"

Uchiha You shook his head.

"Give them the intelligence we prepared."

"For example, a few radicals who were already under ANBU surveillance."

"Make them believe Itachi is still faithfully carrying out his ANBU duties."

"But the real combat squads, the routes for evacuating women and children, and the secret shelters—not a single word can be revealed."

Itachi nodded.

"I'll handle it."

Uchiha You looked at him calmly.

"Itachi."

"From this moment onward, every word you say and every expression you make will affect the fate of the entire Uchiha Clan."

"You aren't acting."

"You're fighting Danzo for the blade."

Itachi said in a low voice,

"I know."

Uchiha You suddenly smiled.

"Good."

"Then the first act begins tomorrow."

Itachi asked,

"What act?"

Uchiha You said lightly,

"In the clan compound, have a public argument with me."

Itachi: "..."

Shisui: "..."

Seeing their expressions, Uchiha You's smile became even more pronounced.

"What?"

"Don't know how to argue?"

Shisui gave a wry smile.

"Itachi might genuinely be bad at it."

Itachi stared expressionlessly at Uchiha You.

Uchiha You waved a hand.

"It's fine."

"Just act naturally."

"Keep a cold face and say I'm too radical, that I'll bring disaster upon the Uchiha Clan."

"Then I'll call you a blade raised by the Hokage Building."

"After that, turn around and leave."

"Remember to make your expression look uglier."

Itachi: "..."

For some reason, he suddenly felt this plan was absurd.

Uchiha You continued,

"ANBU will definitely report this matter."

"When that happens, the Third will breathe a sigh of relief."

"Danzo will think he still has a chance to win you over."

"The clansmen will also continue believing that you and I are at odds."

"Only then will Uchiha Massacre Night continue moving in the direction we need."

Shisui looked at Uchiha You and could not help saying softly,

"You."

"You've accounted for everyone."

Uchiha You said lightly,

"Not everyone."

"At least, there are still some people I haven't finished accounting for."

Shisui froze.

"What?"

Uchiha You did not explain.

Some things were not yet time to tell them.

He merely looked at Itachi.

"Remember."

"Right now, you don't need to make Konoha believe the Uchiha Clan is harmless."

"You need to make Konoha believe they still have a chance to wipe out the Uchiha Clan."

Itachi's gaze darkened slightly.

Those words were cruel.

But he knew they were the most effective approach.

If your enemy believed you were invincible, they would hide.

If your enemy believed you could be killed, they would walk into the trap themselves.

Danzo was best at schemes.

Then let him die in one of his own.