Uchiha Massacre Night, About to Begin!

Deep within the Root Base underground.

Under the dim lights, Danzo sat in the shadows, a fresh intelligence report spread before him.

The source of the intelligence was Itachi Uchiha.

[Uchiha You had been using the Mangekyo Sharingan frequently recently and was suspected of already suffering ocular power depletion.]

[Although the Uchiha Clan had begun making preparations, their integration was proceeding slowly.]

[Fugaku was still hesitating.]

[Although Shisui had wavered, he still had concerns for the village.]

[The transfer of the clan's women and children had yet to be completed.]

[There were still some conservatives within the Uchiha Police Force.]

Danzo stared at the final line, his gaze growing colder and colder.

"Just as I thought."

He spoke slowly, his voice hoarse.

"No matter how strong Uchiha You is, it comes at a price."

The Root ninja beside him lowered his head.

"Lord Danzo, should we immediately...?"

"Not yet."

Danzo interrupted him.

A sinister gleam flashed through his lone eye.

"He hasn't fully integrated the Uchiha Clan yet."

"We can't move directly yet."

"But the more forceful he is, the more it proves that he is exhausting himself."

"The Mangekyo Sharingan isn't a perpetual motion machine."

"The more frequently he uses it, the greater the drain on his ocular power."

"If we force him once more, he'll reveal an opening."

The Root ninja asked, "What about Shisui Uchiha?"

Danzo sneered.

"Shisui has already lost their trust."

"Although Uchiha You is dangerous, he hasn't had time to unite everyone into a single force."

"The best option now isn't to deal with You alone."

"It's to force Hiruzen into making a decision with us."

He slowly rose to his feet.

The newly transplanted Hashirama Cells on his right arm were still writhing slowly, carrying a scorching aura of life.

Though they were not yet stable, this new arm was at least usable now.

Danzo flexed his fingers, his gaze turning even colder.

"Uchiha You thinks he can stall for time."

"Unfortunately, he overestimates himself."

"Before he is fully prepared, I will strike first."

Konoha, Hokage Building.

Early morning.

The Third Hokage had just sat down when hurried footsteps sounded outside the door once again.

"Lord Hokage."

"Lord Danzo has arrived."

The Third Hokage frowned.

"Let him in."

Before long, Danzo entered the office with a cane.

He had only just undergone the arm transplant, and his face was still somewhat pale, yet his eyes were colder than before.

Like a venomous snake that had just crawled out of the mud.

The Third Hokage looked up at him and asked in a deep voice, "How is your arm recovering?"

Danzo replied coldly, "I'm still alive."

"That's enough."

The Third Hokage frowned.

"You came to see me about the Uchiha Clan?"

Danzo did not waste words and placed a Scroll directly on the desk.

"This is the latest intelligence sent by Itachi."

The Third Hokage unrolled the Scroll, and his expression soon darkened.

Danzo spoke in a low voice.

"Uchiha You's Mangekyo Sharingan is already showing obvious signs of depletion."

"He has been making frequent moves recently, which means he is forcing himself to endure."

"The Uchiha Clan's integration is slow."

"Fugaku is still hesitating, and Shisui has not completely sided with the clan."

"This is an opportunity."

The Third Hokage set down the Scroll and spoke slowly.

"What are you trying to say?"

Danzo stared at him.

"We can't delay any longer."

"If we delay any further, once Uchiha You recovers, the Uchiha Clan will truly become a united force."

"When that happens, taking action will come at a greater price."

The Third Hokage fell silent for a moment.

Of course he understood what Danzo meant.

But Shisui's matter had only just been suppressed.

If they moved against the Uchiha Clan now, the situation would likely spiral completely out of control.

The Third Hokage said in a deep voice, "This is not the most suitable time yet."

Danzo sneered.

"The most suitable time?"

"Hiruzen, how long do you intend to wait?"

"Until Uchiha You's Mangekyo Sharingan recovers?"

"Until Shisui completely turns toward the Uchiha Clan?"

"Until Itachi is pulled back as well?"

"Or until the Uchiha Clan Grounds become an impenetrable fortress?"

The Third Hokage's frown deepened.

"I have already said it. We cannot act rashly."

Danzo stared at him, his tone icy.

"Then how long do you plan to drag this out?"

"Uchiha You has already begun integrating the clan, and the Police Force is redeploying its defenses."

"Give them a few more days, and the entire clan grounds will become a porcupine."

"By then, whoever moves will die."

The Third Hokage's expression darkened.

Danzo continued to apply pressure.

"Besides, Uchiha You has been deliberately showing weakness recently."

"Itachi's intelligence clearly states that he has been using the Mangekyo Sharingan frequently and that the drain on his ocular power is worsening."

"What does that mean?"

"It means he can no longer hold on."

"It also means he is bluffing."

The Third Hokage remained silent.

Danzo sneered, his voice carrying undisguised pressure.

"Hiruzen, Uchiha You is not Shisui."

"Shisui hesitates. He considers the bigger picture."

"But Uchiha You is different."

"He is too sharp, and too dangerous."

"If we don't act while he hasn't truly integrated the Uchiha Clan, it will be too late for regrets once he recovers."

The Third Hokage closed his eyes.

He knew clearly that Danzo was not entirely wrong.

Uchiha You was indeed too forceful.

Forceful enough to begin changing the atmosphere within the Uchiha Clan.

If left unchecked, the consequences would be difficult to predict.

But on the other hand, the Third Hokage also feared that if they truly struck, the Uchiha Clan would retaliate completely.

Especially regarding Shisui.

Shisui was no longer as easy to control as before.

Although Itachi was still in ANBU, his stance had also become subtle.

If they fully joined forces, the balance between Konoha and the Uchiha Clan would immediately be shattered.

The Third Hokage said in a deep voice, "Wait another two days."

Danzo's expression darkened.

"Hiruzen!"

The Third Hokage looked at him.

"I said, wait another two days."

"At the very least, we need to confirm whether Uchiha You has truly reached his limit."

Danzo stared at him, and a cold glint passed through his lone eye.

Two days.

That was enough.

With just two more days, he could force the Uchiha Clan to the table.

And this time, he would not give them another chance to catch their breath.

Uchiha Clan Grounds.

The training field outside Naka Shrine.

Uchiha You sat on a high tree branch, idly turning a kunai in his hand.

Below, Uchiha Chuan was leading several clansmen as they continued setting up the Police Force's hidden lines.

Shisui stood on the other side, using Genjutsu to adjust the chakra fluctuations of the outer barrier.

Itachi was there as well.

He still appeared indifferent on the surface as he spoke with several members of the Uchiha Police Force.

Everything looked perfectly normal.

But Uchiha You knew.

Over at the Hokage Building, Danzo was already beginning to lose patience.

The system notification sounded in his mind.

[Danzo has confirmed the intelligence regarding the host's ocular power depletion.]

[Danzo has applied pressure to Hiruzen Sarutobi.]

[Konoha's upper echelon has accelerated the advancement of the "eliminate the Uchiha Clan" plan.]

The corner of Uchiha You's mouth lifted slightly.

"They're finally getting anxious."

He murmured softly.

Shisui, who was beside him, heard it and looked up at him.

"What is getting anxious?"

Uchiha You did not answer directly. He merely jumped down from the tree.

"There should be movement from the Hokage Building soon."

Shisui's expression turned grave.

"So soon?"

Uchiha You nodded.

"That old dog Danzo is best at kicking someone when they're down."

"He thinks my ocular power has been severely depleted, and the Uchiha Clan still hasn't fully unified internally."

"In his eyes, this is the best time to strike."

Uchiha Chuan's expression immediately darkened upon hearing that.

"Should we make a move first, then?"

Uchiha You shook his head.

"No."

"It's not time yet."

Itachi stood some distance away and gave him a cold look.

"What are you waiting for this time?"

Uchiha You glanced at him.

"For Danzo to place the blade in our hands himself."

Itachi's brows furrowed slightly.

Uchiha You did not explain further.

It was not yet time to make things clear.

He had to make Danzo believe that he truly was weakening, truly stalling.

Only then would the other man take the initiative to speed things up.

And to make Danzo believe it even more, he needed to put on this act once again.

Uchiha You raised a hand and pressed it to his brow.

"Training ends here today."

Shisui asked,

"You don't look well."

Uchiha You coughed lightly.

"A little tired."

The moment those words came out, both Shisui and Uchiha Chuan's expressions changed.

Even Itachi's gaze sharpened slightly.

Uchiha You slowly raised his head. Though his eyes still held their usual vitality, there was an obvious trace of exhaustion in them.

He did not overdo the act.

If it looked too fake, Danzo would not believe it.

It was enough to show just a little sense of "forcing himself to hold on."

Uchiha Chuan hurriedly said,

"You, go rest first."

Uchiha You waved a hand.

"It's fine."

"I've just been using my eyes too much lately."

As he spoke, he even deliberately rubbed the corner of his eye.

Yet that single gesture made Itachi's heart sink slightly.

He knew Uchiha You was acting.

But he was acting far too convincingly.

If he had not known the truth beforehand, even he might have believed it.

Shisui said quietly,

"Do you want me to continue handling the defenses for you?"

Uchiha You nodded.

"Sure."

"Also, starting tonight, expand the outer barrier by another two layers."

Shisui froze.

"Why?"

Uchiha You replied calmly,

"Because Danzo will think I can't hold on."

"Once he thinks that, he'll become more anxious."

"So let him be anxious."

Shisui quickly understood.

Uchiha You was deliberately creating the illusion that his ocular power was running low.

He wanted Danzo to think that if he just dragged things out, he could drag Uchiha You to death.

In reality, the longer things dragged on, the more stable the Uchiha Clan's position became.

Uchiha Chuan immediately said,

"I'll arrange it."

Itachi looked at Uchiha You and suddenly spoke.

"Are you really all right?"

Uchiha You turned back to look at him.

"What?"

"Afraid I'll die too early?"

Itachi: "..."

He had only asked out of instinct.

Yet after being snapped at like that, he was left somewhat speechless.

Uchiha You said blandly,

"Don't worry."

"I won't fall before Danzo dies."

With that, he turned and left the training ground.

But after taking only a few steps, his stride faltered slightly.

Then he braced himself against a tree trunk and let out a soft breath.

That tiny hesitation was seen perfectly clearly by Itachi in the distance.

Itachi's eyes shifted.

Was he truly exhausted?

Or was he still acting?

He could not tell.

But if Danzo's side received similar information, Danzo would likely become even more convinced that Uchiha You had begun to weaken.

That was enough.

Root Base.

Danzo received fresh intelligence.

[Uchiha You has used the Mangekyo Sharingan multiple times recently and has shown signs of fatigue afterward.]

[The clan's barriers have been expanded further.]

[The Uchiha Police Force has begun strengthening covert patrols.]

[Uchiha You is suspected of having begun reducing his public appearances.]

After reading it, a faint sneer slowly appeared at the corner of Danzo's mouth.

Just as expected.

That brat could not hold on any longer.

He had known it.

No matter how powerful a Mangekyo Sharingan was, it could not be used recklessly.

Especially those bizarre abilities.

Eroding chakra, contaminating chakra pathways, strengthening his own recovery.

Every one of them consumed an enormous amount of ocular power.

Uchiha You had continuously used the Mangekyo Sharingan at high intensity lately. It was impossible for him to be completely unaffected.

"Good."

Danzo spoke in a low voice.

"It seems the time is nearly here."

A Root ninja beside him asked,

"Lord Danzo, should we inform Lord Hokage now?"

Danzo pondered for a moment.

"No."

"Wait a little longer."

"I want Hiruzen to see with his own eyes that Uchiha You no longer has the means to keep delaying."

"I want him to understand that the Uchiha Clan, this hidden danger, must be dealt with."

The Root ninja lowered his head.

"Yes."

Danzo slowly leaned back in his chair, his single eye filled with cold calculation.

He could see things more clearly than ever now.

No matter how strong Uchiha You was, he was still only a young man.

A young man's greatest weakness was wanting too badly to hold on.

The more he did so, the more likely he was to reveal an opening.

And an opening was a fatal weakness.

The following evening.

Inside the Hokage Building, the Third Hokage, Utatane Koharu, Mitokado Homura, and Danzo held another small closed-door meeting.

On the table lay the latest "Uchiha intelligence" compiled by Root.

Danzo pushed the Scroll to the center and spoke in a deep voice.

"Hiruzen, we can't delay any longer."

The Third Hokage picked up the Scroll and skimmed it, his frown deepening.

Its contents were almost identical to what Danzo had said before.

Uchiha You was suspected of having expended too much ocular power.

The Uchiha Clan Grounds had yet to be fully unified.

Shisui and Itachi had not completely sided with the Uchiha Clan for the time being.

Fugaku was still wavering.

This was an opportunity.

The Third Hokage remained silent for a long time before finally speaking.

"If we are truly going to act, we must ensure the Uchiha Clan's entire core is eliminated."

A glint of coldness flashed through Danzo's eyes.

"Of course."

"Fugaku, Uchiha You, and Shisui must be dealt with first."

The Third Hokage asked,

"What about Itachi?"

Danzo replied gravely,

"Itachi can continue to be used."

"He is our last key to entering the Uchiha Clan from within."

Utatane Koharu frowned.

"But Itachi's relationship with Uchiha You seems to have become complicated again lately."

Danzo sneered.

"That is merely on the surface."

"Itachi is still passing along intelligence according to plan."

"And he understands Sasuke's importance better than anyone."

"As long as Sasuke is there, he cannot escape."

The Third Hokage closed his eyes and spoke slowly.

"One final confirmation."

"If the Uchiha Clan shows no signs of a coup, no large-scale action is permitted."

Danzo did not argue.

But his silence had already said everything.

As long as he believed the Uchiha Clan was going to rebel, he could strike first.

Who was to judge?

Of course, he was.

The Third Hokage understood this perfectly well, but he did not pursue the matter further.

Because Danzo had swayed him as well.

Uchiha You's existence was indeed too dangerous.

If he were allowed to continue consolidating the Uchiha Clan, the situation would only become harder to contain.

The Third Hokage said quietly:

"Then make the preparations."

"First, organize all the evidence."

"Then have Itachi confirm the situation within the clan once more."

"If everything is as you said..."

He opened his eyes, his gaze complicated.

"Then we must make a decision."

Danzo nodded.

"I understand."

The meeting ended.

As Danzo walked out of the Hokage Building, the night wind rushed against him.

He looked toward the Uchiha Clan Grounds, cold killing intent gleaming in his one eye.

Uchiha You.

You had put on a fine act.

Unfortunately, I had already seen through your weakness.

Now, it depended on how much longer you could keep pretending.

Uchiha Clan Grounds.

On a rooftop.

Uchiha You stood in the wind as the system notification sounded once again.

[Konoha's higher-ups have entered the final evaluation stage.]

[Danzo has concluded that the host's ocular power has been severely depleted.]

[Hiruzen Sarutobi has begun to waver.]

[The Uchiha Eradication Plan has entered formal preparations.]

[Main quest: Prevent Uchiha Massacre Night. Progress increased.]

A cold gleam flashed through Uchiha You's eyes.

"So you've finally made up your minds."

He said softly.

"Good."

"The more desperate you are, the closer you are to your graves."

The wind swept through the clan grounds.

One by one, the Police Force's patrol lights came on.

Shisui Uchiha set up Genjutsu nodes along the edge of the barrier.

Uchiha Chuan checked the transfer list.

Itachi remained outwardly aloof, but secretly continued feeding Danzo false intelligence.

Deep within the clan grounds, Fugaku began truly mobilizing the last of their elite forces.

Everything was tightening.

Like a net that had long since been spread.

And Danzo was walking step by step toward its center.

Uchiha You looked toward the Hokage Building, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly.

"Danzo."

"You think you've seen through the weakness of the Mangekyo Sharingan."

"But you only saw the opening I wanted you to see."

"The day you truly make your move..."

His gaze was deep and shadowed, the black-and-red Mangekyo Sharingan slowly turning in his eyes.

"I will show you."

"What it means to lift a stone only to smash your own head."