Beginning the Operation, Hiruzen Sarutobi Senses Something Amiss

Clan members out on missions also received the clan's urgent recall order one after another.

Whether they were on S-rank or D-rank missions, regardless of which country they were in, all of them returned at top speed.

In just three days, over ninety percent of the Uchiha clan members scattered outside had returned.

Naka Shrine was completely sealed off, its perimeter lined with warning barriers. Three Three-Tomoe Elite Jonin personally led the guards. The official explanation was that the shrine's underground chambers were being expanded for a grand ancestral ceremony held once every hundred years, and no unauthorized person was allowed inside.

The clan elders proficient in Sealing Jutsu worked day and night with their disciples, setting up three overlapping sealing arrays along the walls of the clan district. On the surface, they were meant to guard against outside enemies, but in truth, they were intended to hold back Konoha's pursuers when the critical moment came.

The entire Uchiha Clan District looked no different from usual, yet it had long become like a fully drawn bow, its string taut, waiting only for the moment it was released.

Naturally, such abnormal activity could not escape the eyes of Konoha's higher-ups.

The top-floor office of the Hokage Building was shrouded in smoke.

Hiruzen Sarutobi sat behind his desk, the ember of his pipe flickering on and off as his brows twisted into a deep knot.

Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu stood before the desk, both wearing grim expressions. In the shadow by the window stood Shimura Danzō, wrapped in bandages, with only one sinister eye exposed. His entire body radiated a vicious aura that warned others to stay away.

"Sarutobi, you've seen it too." Utatane Koharu spoke first, her voice cold and harsh. "Everything the Uchiha have done these past two weeks reeks of something wrong!

"They suddenly recalled every clan member outside the village, sold off their businesses across the country, sealed Naka Shrine, and worked day and night on some kind of formation. What exactly are they trying to do?!"

"What else could they be doing?" Mitokado Homura took over, his tone full of vigilance. "Shisui is dead. They no longer have anyone who can speak for them before the Hokage. They've probably harbored rebellious intentions for a long time! These actions clearly show they're gathering forces and preparing for war!"

"Hmph. I said long ago that those ungrateful Uchiha wolves could never be tamed. Keeping them around would bring disaster sooner or later." Danzō stepped out from the shadows, his hoarse voice like a venomous snake hissing.

"Perfect timing. Using this as an excuse, I'll take Root directly into their district, seize Fugaku and the clan's core figures, search Naka Shrine, and see what tricks they can still pull."

"No."

Hiruzen Sarutobi tapped his pipe and said heavily, "The Uchiha are one of Konoha's founding clans, and they currently serve as the Konoha Police Force.

"If we send Root into their district to search and arrest people without any evidence, what will the other ninja clans think?

"What will the Hyuga, Ino–Shika–Cho, and Akimichi clans think?

"If even founding heroes can be dealt with so casually, how long will they be able to hold onto their own positions?"

He paused, exhaustion in his voice. "The Third Ninja World War ended only a few years ago. Konoha hasn't recovered its strength yet, and internal conflict must not break out now.

"Once we completely fall out with the Uchiha, the other four great nations will absolutely exploit the opening. Then Konoha will truly be in danger."

"Then are we just supposed to watch them carry on like this?!" Utatane Koharu demanded anxiously. "If they truly finish their preparations and the entire clan rebels, the consequences will be even more unimaginable!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi fell silent for a moment before raising his eyes to Danzō. "Danzō, has Root uncovered anything concrete?"

Danzō's face darkened.

Over the past two weeks, he had sent three groups of Root operatives to infiltrate the Uchiha Clan District. Either they were stopped by the Police Force the moment they approached, or they went in and never came back out.

The Uchiha patrols were three times denser than before. Not even a fly could get inside, much less anyone trying to gather intelligence.

He gritted his teeth. "The Uchiha have sealed their district tighter than an iron barrel. They only say they're holding an ancestral ceremony. Beyond that, not a word has leaked out."

Hiruzen Sarutobi's fingers lightly tapped the desktop. After a long while, he finally made a decision.

"Where's Itachi?" He looked toward the Anbu shadows. "Bring him here."

A moment later, Uchiha Itachi appeared soundlessly in the office, dressed in an Anbu uniform and wearing a cat-faced mask. He dropped to one knee. "Lord Hokage."

"Itachi, rise." Hiruzen Sarutobi's tone softened somewhat. "You know that the Uchiha have been making major moves lately, and the village is deeply uneasy.

"You are the Uchiha heir and an Anbu elite. I want you to return to the clan district and see what Fugaku and the others are actually doing."

Danzō sneered from the side and added, "Itachi, don't forget your identity. The village has given you its trust, so you must provide value worthy of it. If the Uchiha truly dare to rebel, you should know which side to choose."

Itachi's body stiffened slightly. His hand hanging at his side silently clenched, and a complicated emotion flashed through his eyes beneath the mask. In the end, he merely answered in a low voice, "Yes."

He turned and left the Hokage's office. His footsteps made no sound against the corridor floor, yet it felt as though a thousand-pound stone weighed upon his heart.

He had noticed long ago that something was wrong within the clan.

His father had not mentioned the conflict between the clan and the village to him for a long time. He had stopped asking Itachi to pass along information, and even when Itachi returned home, Fugaku only offered a few perfunctory words, never again telling him about any of the clan's arrangements.

The clan members' gazes had also changed from their former warmth to distance and wariness. Even the Police Force patrols deliberately avoided the courtyard where he lived.

He knew that Shisui's death had made his father and the clan members completely wary of him.

At dusk, Itachi removed his Anbu uniform, changed into ordinary clothes, and returned to the Uchiha Clan District.

The moment he entered the main gate, he saw two people sitting in the courtyard.

Fugaku sat in the seat of honor with a dossier in hand, while beside him sat that eleven-year-old boy—Uchiha Natsu.

Natsu looked up at him. His scarlet Three-Tomoe Sharingan slowly turned as his gaze settled on Itachi, carrying undisguised scrutiny and coldness. Like a blade tempered in ice, it stabbed straight into his heart.

Itachi's steps halted instinctively.

A moment later, Natsu gently set his teacup onto the wooden tray, producing a crisp, soft clink.

"Uncle, I have something to do, so I'll take my leave first."

"Alright, go on." Fugaku nodded. His gaze passed over Natsu and fell on the figure at the entrance, eventually turning into a helpless sigh.

No matter how unwilling he was to believe it, he had to admit that Itachi's many abnormalities during this period had long become a thorn embedded in his heart.

Just as Natsu rose to leave, Itachi, who had been standing at the entrance, suddenly spoke. "Father, since Natsu is here, why not have him stay for dinner before he goes?"

The moment those words were spoken, even the air seemed to freeze for an instant.