You Regret, I Shadow

Flashing blades and flying swords, blood staining the long night.

The slaughter beneath the night sky ended swiftly. The last Anbu ninja was attacked by several Uchiha ninja with Three-Tomoe Sharingan and died on the spot after taking several blades.

"I've wanted to do this for a long time. Tonight, I finally got my wish."

Uchiha Kage vented the resentment that had built up in his heart over the years, a look of incomparable satisfaction appearing on his face.

"Captain, should we dispose of these corpses?"

An Uchiha Jonin surveyed the bodies on the ground, casually wiping the blood from his face. His Sharingan looked even more sinister.

"Leave the bodies. Everyone, stay close and continue the mission. Let Konoha thoroughly experience the Uchiha Clan's wrath."

Uchiha Kage planted a foot on an Anbu corpse that had yet to go cold, icy killing intent surfacing on his unruly face.

Unaware that trouble had broken out at home, Fugaku Uchiha was being reprimanded in the Hokage's office building. His submissive demeanor gave no hint that he was the head of the Uchiha Clan.

"Fugaku, you should understand our difficulties."

Hiruzen Sarutobi played his most practiced card, putting the greater good first, leaving Fugaku Uchiha speechless and unable to think of a rebuttal.

"Lord Hokage, this absolutely wasn't done by my Uchiha Clan. Someone must be stirring up trouble behind the scenes."

Fugaku Uchiha's explanation seemed exceedingly pale and powerless at this moment. No matter how he explained himself, everyone wore expressions of disbelief.

Why was it that every clan had members disappear, while yours remained safe and sound? Only a fool would believe you.

"The Uchiha Clan must hand over the culprit. The village is not above the law."

Danzo was even more aggressive, forcefully striking the floor with his cane.

"Elder Danzo, please give me a chance to uncover the truth and clear my Uchiha Clan's name."

Fugaku Uchiha was sweating profusely. He bowed deeply to Danzo with great humility.

"Clan Head Fugaku, I believe you."

Minato Namikaze, who had previously been sitting as still as a statue, spoke at precisely the right moment, as though he had been waiting for Fugaku Uchiha to compromise.

"Thank you for your trust, Fourth."

Fugaku Uchiha looked at Minato Namikaze with gratitude, becoming even more convinced that his choice had been the right one.

"Bad news, Lord Hokage! An internal rebellion has broken out within the Uchiha Clan! Everyone we sent over has been killed!"

Suddenly, an Anbu member appeared before the crowd, looking extremely flustered.

"What?"

Minato Namikaze and Hiruzen Sarutobi were both startled. As they rose in shock, they simultaneously looked toward Fugaku Uchiha, whose eyes had widened.

"Impossible." Fugaku Uchiha looked panicked as he loudly denied it.

"I said long ago that the Uchiha Clan harbored wolfish ambitions. Men, seize this traitor, Fugaku Uchiha!"

A glint flashed through Danzo's eyes as he immediately gave the order. Several Root Organization members appeared at his side at once, preparing to make their move.

Everyone present instantly put distance between themselves and Fugaku Uchiha, afraid he might counterattack.

Hiruzen Sarutobi sat back down in silence and smoked, his expression blank as no one knew what he was thinking.

"Wait."

Minato Namikaze instantly stepped in front of Fugaku Uchiha, stopping Danzo's subordinates from acting.

"Minato Namikaze, what are you doing? The evidence is conclusive. The Uchiha Clan has already prepared to turn against us."

Danzo glared fiercely at Minato Namikaze. Even the Fourth Hokage could not stop him.

"Lord Fourth, I truly know nothing. Please allow me to return and take charge of the situation."

Fugaku Uchiha recalled what his cousin Uchiha Kyu had told him when they met today, and an indescribable look appeared on his face.

Boom!

Boom!

Boom!

A sudden development occurred. A string of violent explosions came from outside, and the ground shook repeatedly.

"Notify all Anbu members to move immediately and escort the villagers to safety."

The explosions breaking out everywhere beyond the window made it impossible for Hiruzen Sarutobi to remain silent. He hurriedly issued rescue orders to the Anbu.

"Clan Head Fugaku, I believe this was not your intention. The Uchiha Clan still needs you to hold the situation together."

Hiruzen Sarutobi had judged countless people. If Fugaku Uchiha had truly initiated the rebellion, he could not possibly still be here.

"Yes, Lord Hokage."

Seeing that the Third Hokage was willing to believe him, Fugaku Uchiha was deeply moved.

"Minato, lead the other clan heads and immediately quell the unrest outside. Kill all troublemakers without mercy."

Hiruzen Sarutobi continued issuing orders.

"Yes, Lord Third."

Minato Namikaze was accustomed to obeying Hiruzen Sarutobi's commands and nodded instinctively.

"Sarutobi, even if Fugaku Uchiha was not the mastermind behind the Uchiha Clan's rebellion, he must know the inside story. We should seize him immediately."

Danzo stopped Hiruzen Sarutobi as he was about to leave, a thread of barely restrained rage lurking beneath his grim expression.

"Danzo, I am the Hokage."

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked directly at his old friend, his words seeming to serve as a reminder.

"Sarutobi, you'll regret this."

Danzo snorted coldly and slammed the door behind him as he left with his subordinates.

Standing atop Hokage Rock, Uchiha Kyu watched the village erupt in flames beneath the night sky, his gaze utterly calm.

Nagato had been right about one thing: only by experiencing pain could one understand pain.

Only when those ignorant villagers experienced the suffering of war would they cherish the hard-won peace.

"Itachi, do you know what I'm doing?"

Uchiha Kyu had someone forcibly bring Uchiha Itachi away from Uchiha Mikoto's side. He intended to teach him personally and avoid that disgusting traitor storyline.

"Uncle, you're seizing power."

Watching explosions erupt throughout the village, Uchiha Itachi asked worriedly, "Why drag these innocent people into this?"

At that, Uchiha Kyu gave a disdainful laugh.

"Looks like Fugaku took you onto the battlefield without teaching you properly. Fine. From now on, stay by my side. Watch more, learn more, ask more."

Uchiha Itachi hung his head. Without the strength to resist, he could only endure it passively.

"Clan Head."

Uchiha Okamoto came running over with a clansman who surprised Uchiha Kyu somewhat.

"This subordinate has completed the mission. Fugaku Uchiha's forces stopped resisting in order to protect their families and have been placed under strict guard by our men."

"All clansmen have received orders to remain obediently in their homes. We have imposed martial law on the clan compound's streets, and no one remains outside."

"Very good."

Uchiha Kyu voiced his satisfaction and waved for Uchiha Okamoto to stand aside, then turned his gaze toward Huo Uchiha.

"This subordinate, Huo Uchiha, pays respects to the Clan Head."

Without the slightest hesitation, Huo Uchiha knelt and pledged his loyalty to him.

"Congratulations on making the right choice."

A look of surprise appeared on Uchiha Kyu's face. This fellow was usually extremely low-key and almost never took sides, yet today he had unexpectedly made his choice of his own accord.