Blood-Red Romance, Space Crushing

Huo Uchiha gazed solemnly at the village below, where flames had erupted everywhere. There was not the slightest concern in his eyes for the Uchiha Clan's current predicament; instead, he was extraordinarily excited.

"The clan has long since become riddled with holes, and Fugaku Uchiha is far too indecisive. The clan's thoughts have split into two. If this continues, I can see no future for the clan."

"Although the clan head's actions are overly risky, the Uchiha Clan has never feared battle. Now, you are the Uchiha Clan's savior. I will not be mistaken."

"You're right. The Uchiha Clan has never feared battle. Only through constant battle can the Uchiha Clan be reborn in blood."

Uchiha Kyu had not expected Huo Uchiha to see things so clearly. He had originally thought the man was merely a stubborn fence-sitter. It seemed he had misunderstood him.

Uchiha Itachi stood beside them, silently listening to their conversation, not daring to speak out of turn.

"Clan head, someone's coming this way. We've been discovered."

Uchiha Okamoto, who was in charge of keeping watch, pointed at the large group of ninja charging toward them from below Hokage Rock, his expression changing.

"Clan head, leave quickly! We'll cover your retreat. As long as you return to the compound, even Konoha will not dare attack us openly out of fear of our strength."

Seeing that this force clearly had ill intentions, Huo Uchiha hurriedly drew his weapon and stood beside Uchiha Okamoto, intending for the two of them to buy the clan head time to escape with their lives.

Uchiha Kyu watched the ninja steadily climbing up from below, a pleased smile appearing on his handsome face. These people had finally come.

"Huo, since they're here, I never intended to leave."

"This grand show has only just begun."

"Clan head, perhaps you don't understand the strength of Hiruzen Sarutobi and the others."

Huo Uchiha looked extremely anxious, afraid that the young and impetuous clan head would underestimate Hiruzen Sarutobi and the others.

What was more, the clan heads of those families were also down below. Their strength could not be underestimated.

"Clan head, I'm here."

The first to arrive was not Konoha's higher-ups, but Uchiha Haruto and his squad, whom they had sent out to carry out a mission.

Uchiha Haruto's mission was to stir up unrest in the village and tie up part of Konoha's attention.

The Sharingan could do many things. For instance, it could use genjutsu to control large numbers of ordinary people and even ninja. Using those people to set off explosions and fires was far too easy.

"I know the strength of Konoha's higher-ups better than anyone. Everything is within my plan."

Uchiha Kyu revealed an expression that showed everything was under control, immediately calming the latter's flustered heart.

Uchiha Kyu wished there were more people like Huo Uchiha in the clan.

Without knowing how many trump cards he possessed, the man had still been willing to protect him with his life. That was enough to prove his determination to stand with him.

"Did the mission go smoothly?"

Uchiha Kyu looked at Uchiha Haruto. Causing such a huge disturbance was not merely about showing Konoha's higher-ups his claws.

"Reporting to the clan head, there was a minor flaw along the way, but the mission is still proceeding smoothly."

At the thought that this operation would bring earth-shaking changes to the clan's status, Uchiha Haruto's entire body trembled with excitement. The Uchiha battle bloodline within him was boiling.

"Kyu, what exactly are you trying to do? Do you understand that this will drag the clan into an abyss beyond salvation?"

When Fugaku Uchiha, who had followed the Third Hokage up from below, saw Uchiha Kyu, the unease he had felt all the way here instantly plunged into despair. His bad premonition had finally been confirmed. Seeing that the other man had even taken his son hostage, he flew into a rage.

Watching Fugaku Uchiha stand beside Hiruzen Sarutobi and question him, Uchiha Kyu could not help bursting into laughter. He looked like a loyal dog defending its master.

"The Uchiha Clan has never had a clan head who bowed and scraped. Fugaku Uchiha, you truly are the first."

"Kyu, order your people to stop immediately. This can still be salvaged."

Fugaku Uchiha's expression was extremely grim, and his tone turned icy.

"Fugaku, do you still look like a clan head? Showing off your authority to your own clansmen before outsiders, treating outsiders more dearly than your own father."

Huo Uchiha looked at Fugaku Uchiha standing opposite him with utter disappointment.

Hiruzen Sarutobi stared thoughtfully at the young Uchiha man standing on the edge of Hokage Rock.

Hiruzen Sarutobi basically knew every member of the Uchiha Clan, and this young man was even on the list of those under special scrutiny.

Over the past year, the sudden growth in Uchiha Kyu's strength, even his awakening of the Three-Tomoe Sharingan, had not escaped the eyes of the Anbu.

However, the Three-Tomoe Sharingan alone was not enough for Hiruzen Sarutobi to secretly move against Uchiha Kyu.

Danzo, on the other hand, had repeatedly tried to act during that time. Unfortunately, Uchiha Kyu rarely left the Uchiha Compound, and even when he did, he was accompanied by many Uchiha clansmen, leaving Danzo unable to find an opportunity time and again.

Choza Akimichi stepped forward and shouted, "You damned Uchiha brat, do you have my clansmen?"

"What are you talking about? Don't falsely accuse me without evidence."

Uchiha Kyu put on a frightened expression. Beneath the night sky, the Three-Tomoe Sharingan in his eyes looked even more sinister.

In nighttime combat, Uchiha ninja, aided by the Sharingan, were far stronger than ninja of equal strength.

This was also one reason Uchiha Kyu had chosen to act at night.

"As expected of the evil Uchiha Clan."

Shimura Danzō arrived late at the scene, bringing many Root Organization ninja with him.

"Third Hokage, it seems this was all orchestrated by this young Uchiha man."

Shikaku Nara hid behind Hiruzen Sarutobi, his hands held in a seal as he secretly controlled his shadow, ready to strike at any moment.

"This young Uchiha man may be impulsive, but with so many people supporting him, he cannot possibly have no backup plan."

Hiruzen Sarutobi secretly glanced at Fugaku Uchiha beside him. He had never expected the man's control over the Uchiha Clan to be so weak.

"Take down these rogue ninja!"

Seeing that Hiruzen Sarutobi still had not acted, Danzo snorted coldly. With a wave of his hand, the Root Organization ninja obeyed and rushed forward.

After seeing Danzo make his move, Hiruzen Sarutobi instinctively lowered his Hokage hat, concealing the triumphant smile on his face.

"All of you, stand down."

Uchiha Kyu stopped Huo Uchiha and the others, who were about to charge into battle. The Three-Tomoe Sharingan in his eyes spun madly as he looked at the incoming Root Organization ninja, his gaze brimming with chilling killing intent.

In an instant, the Three-Tomoe Sharingan in Uchiha Kyu's eyes connected together, forming a bizarre and intricate pattern.

"Not good, those eyes are..."

The moment Hiruzen Sarutobi and the others noticed the change in Uchiha Kyu's Sharingan, their expressions changed drastically.

Thick, pure chakra surged wildly through Uchiha Kyu's body, gathering at the source: the Sharingan that had transformed from the Three-Tomoe Sharingan into the Mangekyō Sharingan.

Cold, violent, unsettling Yin-nature chakra surged within those Mangekyō Sharingan.

A flash of eerie red light suddenly appeared, especially conspicuous in the night.

The Root Organization ninja charging toward Uchiha Kyu and the others, whether Chunin or Jonin, seemed to encounter an irresistible force at that moment. The space around them was compressing their bodies.

The fragile bodies of ninja encountered terrifying spatial power at that instant.

Space Crushing.

Uchiha Kyu's voice, cold with killing intent, reached the ears of everyone present.