A figure leaped across the rooftops.
Having just left the Hokage's Office, Uchiha Itachi felt the weight of something called "fate," heavy enough to crush anyone.
Itachi landed atop a tall tower at the edge of the Uchiha Clan Compound and looked down over it.
Many familiar faces walked through the streets, smiles on their faces. This was what the new clan head had brought to the Uchiha Clan.
Itachi's emotions were a tangled mess. Perhaps before long, this place would become a wasteland.
Just then, the space beside Itachi twisted strangely without warning.
A man wearing an orange Swirl Mask appeared silently at his side.
"What a touching sight."
The Masked Man spoke in a mocking tone, as though he were enjoying a tragedy whose ending he had known all along.
"For the village's peace, to protect your foolish little brother, you're willing to become a demon who slaughters his entire clan."
"Uchiha Itachi, you truly are a fine dog who inherited the Will of Fire."
Itachi's body tensed instantly.
The Mangekyō Sharingan in his eyes activated at once as he turned sharply toward the man beside him. The tomoe spun wildly, carrying bone-deep killing intent.
"Who are you?"
The Masked Man did not answer, merely continuing on his own.
"Hiruzen Sarutobi and Shimura Danzō gave you a reason you could not refuse."
"And I can give you a way to complete your mission."
Itachi's heart sank.
This man knew every detail of that top-secret conversation in the Hokage's Office.
"Why should I believe you?"
Itachi's voice was icy. A short blade had already slipped into his hand, its edge glinting with a chilling light beneath the moon.
"Because of this."
The Masked Man chuckled.
His body began to rotate and twist strangely around that single eye, as if