Hiruzen Sarutobi's pupils constricted slightly, though his smile remained unchanged.
Keeping his emotions hidden, the Third Hokage had perfected the art.
Hiruzen Sarutobi saw Itachi's body stiffen as he fell into a difficult dilemma.
Going meant choosing his clan in front of the Hokage.
Not going meant openly defying the new Clan Head's first summons.
"Go, Itachi."
Hiruzen Sarutobi took the initiative to speak, breaking the suffocating silence.
A gentle smile appeared on his face as he played the role of a magnanimous elder who understood his subordinate.
"Clan affairs are more important."
Itachi's body relaxed slightly.
Itachi gave Hiruzen Sarutobi a deep look, then bowed to take his leave.
Then, Itachi turned to Kenji and responded quietly.
"I understand."
With that, Itachi did not linger. His figure flashed, and he vanished into the night.
Kenji gave the Hokage an indifferent salute before turning and leaving as well.
Only Hiruzen Sarutobi remained on the training ground, standing alone beneath the cold moonlight.
The smile on Hiruzen Sarutobi's face slowly faded.
In its place was a deep wariness toward Uchiha Yao.
Uchiha Yao...
This new Uchiha Clan Head had not even needed to show himself.
Simply by sending a subordinate over, he had effortlessly dismantled Hiruzen Sarutobi's painstaking arrangements and placed him, the Hokage, in an immensely awkward position.
Naka Shrine.
Deep within the shrine, Uchiha Yao sat upright on the stone chair symbolizing the position of Clan Head.
Uchiha Fugaku stood at his side, half a step behind.
This subtle change in position announced an indisputable fact to everyone.
The Uchiha's core of power had completely changed hands.
All the jonin had arrived, save for Uchiha Itachi, but Uchiha Yao had no intention of waiting.
Uchiha Yao's gaze swept across the room before landing on Uchiha Touka, the former