You Regret, I Shadow

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

The slaughter beneath the night sky quickly came to an end. The last Anbu ninja was jointly attacked by several three-tomoe Uchiha ninja, struck by multiple blades, and died on the spot.

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

Uchiha Ying vented the resentment that had built up in his heart over many years, an incomparably exhilarated expression appearing on his face.

"Captain, should we dispose of these corpses?"

An Uchiha Jonin studied the bodies on the ground. He casually wiped away the blood on his face, making his Sharingan appear even more sinister.

"Leave all these corpses here. Everyone, stay close and continue carrying out the mission. Let Konoha thoroughly feel the fury of the Uchiha Clan."

Uchiha Ying planted a foot on an Anbu corpse that had not yet gone cold, icy killing intent surfacing on his unruly face.

Meanwhile, Fugaku Uchiha, still unaware that something had happened at home, was being reprimanded in the Hokage Office Building. His submissive demeanor gave no indication that he was the clan head of the Uchiha Clan.

"Fugaku, you should understand our difficulties."

Hiruzen Sarutobi played his most familiar card, asking him to put the greater good first, leaving Fugaku Uchiha speechless and unable to think of a rebuttal.

"Lord Hokage, this was absolutely not done by the Uchiha Clan. Someone must be stirring things up in the shadows."

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

Why had everyone else lost clan members while yours remained safe and sound? Only a fool would believe you.

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

Danzo was even more aggressive from the side, forcefully striking the ground with his cane.

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

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

"Clan Head Fugaku, I believe you."

Minato Namikaze, who had previously sat motionless like a statue, spoke at just the right moment, as though he had been waiting for Fugaku Uchiha to yield.

"Thank you for your trust, Fourth Hokage."

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

"This is bad, Lord Hokage! A rebellion has broken out within the Uchiha Clan. Everyone we sent there has been killed!"

Suddenly, an Anbu member appeared before the group, 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 gone wide.

"Impossible!" Fugaku Uchiha denied it loudly, panic on his face.

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

A sharp glint flashed through Danzo's eyes as he immediately gave the order. Several Root Organization members appeared at his side at once, ready to act.

Everyone present instantly moved away from Fugaku Uchiha, afraid that he might strike back.

Hiruzen Sarutobi silently sat back down 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 viciously 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 during their meeting that day, and an indescribable look appeared on his face.

Boom!

Boom!

Boom!

A sudden incident erupted. A series of violent explosions rang out from outside, and the ground shook repeatedly.

"Notify every Anbu member to act at once and escort the villagers to safety."

The explosions erupting across the village outside the window left even Hiruzen Sarutobi unable 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 things together."

Hiruzen Sarutobi had seen countless people. If Fugaku Uchiha had truly instigated 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 suppress the unrest outside. Kill all troublemakers without mercy."

Hiruzen Sarutobi continued issuing orders.

"Yes, Lord Third."

Minato Namikaze habitually obeyed Hiruzen Sarutobi's orders and nodded instinctively.

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

Danzo grabbed Hiruzen Sarutobi, who was preparing to leave, his gloomy face suppressing a thread of rage on the verge of eruption.

"Danzo, I am the Hokage."

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked directly at his old friend, as though his words carried a reminder.

"Sarutobi, you'll regret this."

Danzo snorted coldly and stormed out with his men, slamming the door behind him.

Standing atop Hokage Rock, Uchiha Kyu gazed calmly at the village below, where flames rose everywhere beneath the night curtain.

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

Only when these 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 people forcibly bring Uchiha Itachi away from Uchiha Mikoto. He intended to personally guide him and avoid some disgusting future plot involving a traitorous brat.

"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 scornful laugh.

"Looks like taking you onto the battlefield did not teach you properly either, Fugaku. Fine. From now on, stay by my side. Watch more, learn more, and ask more."

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

"Clan Head."

Uchiha Okamoto ran over with a clansman who surprised Uchiha Kyu somewhat.

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

"All clansmen have received orders to remain honestly at home. The streets of the clan grounds have been placed under martial law, and no one remains outside."

"Very good."

Uchiha Kyu gave a satisfied response, waved for Uchiha Okamoto to stand aside, and turned his gaze toward Huo Uchiha.

"This subordinate, Huo Uchiha, greets the clan head."

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

"Congratulations on making the right choice."

Surprise appeared on Uchiha Kyu's face. This man had always kept an extremely low profile and rarely taken sides. He had not expected him to make a choice on his own today.