The next day, as dawn broke, Uchiha Itachi packed his belongings and prepared to leave.
Just before I was about to leave home, my father, whom I remembered as stern, stood silently outside the door.
The exchange between father and son began in silence and ended with a glance between them.
Itachi stepped forward without saying a word, when Fugaku suddenly spoke.
"Itachi! Whether it's you or Uchiha Huayue, no matter which side you stand on, the Uchiha bloodline and name continue because of your existence. This is an indisputable fact."
Itachi's expression remained unchanged, but his eyelids were lowered.
Isn't this the key factor that made you decide?
Even if the two of us... no, as long as Uchiha Huayue doesn't die, given the rumors circulating in the village, the Uchiha Clan will experience an even more glorious bloodline awakening after a brief disappearance.
The Eternal Mangekyō Mangekyō Sharingan, the strongest bloodline descendant inheriting the most outstanding talent and ability—this is your most crucial source of confidence.
You are gambling, gambling on the power represented by the name of the First patriarch in the mythical era, gambling on the existence that you regard as the source of your bloodline, which continues to branch out and flourish.
However, the day of reckoning is coming, and having him around might not be a bad thing; at least it can save...
"You still refuse to come to today's clan gathering?"
Itachi turned his head and met Fugaku's gaze. Neither of them could see what was hidden in Itachi's eyes.
The atmosphere between the two grew increasingly cold. Not far from the mansion, Mikoto looked at the father and son with concern, but she was unable to stop the invisible rift between them.
"I have a mission, a secret mission for the Anbu, I don't have time."
Turning away without a word, Itachi left the Uchiha clan compound. Staying any longer would only add to the sadness, so why say anything more?
Was the path he chose right or wrong? Itachi himself wasn't sure, but someone always had to sacrifice for peace. Why couldn't it be him, like Shisui...?
That evening, after leaving the Ninja Academy, Huayue raised an eyebrow and looked at the four highest-ranking members of Konoha who had come hand in hand with her.
"It's so late, why are the Third Hokage and all the Hokage Advisor here to see me? I wonder what brings you here?"
" Uchiha Huayue, there's something we want to talk to you about regarding Orochimaru's forbidden laboratories in the Land of Fire. As his disciple, you should know very well about them."
A quick glance revealed numerous Anbu hidden in the shadows behind them, among whom a head of purple hair stood out conspicuously.
Besides, the striking short brown hair and prominent bust in the corner, Utatane Koharu, made Huayue's smile even brighter.
"Okay, I'd also like to know, what exactly are you planning to do?"
On the surface, only four people left Konoha, but in secret, at least six elite Anbu squads followed them, including many excellent Kekkei Genkai ninjas and elite Jonin.
As the sun began to set, dozens of miles outside of Konoha, in a secluded mountain forest...
Uchiha Huayue remained silent. The Konoha F4 exchanged glances, and finally Sarutobi Hiruzen spoke first.
"After tonight, the pro-war faction within the Uchiha will be completely eliminated. Civilians and children who cannot use ninjutsu will be left untouched. You will succeed as the head of the Uchiha Clan."
"Furthermore, Konoha will not interfere in your private affairs, whether it is marriage or free entry and exit from Konoha. We will not interfere in any way."
These words caused a huge stir.
The other three Hokage Advisor also did not expect that Sarutobi Hiruzen would pay such a high price.
Normally, when two ninjas marry, one of them is destined to retire completely, and this usually happens to female ninjas.
This policy was implemented to prevent the extinction of a bloodline due to the inherent dangers of ninja missions, and also because the village was required to provide daily financial assistance to female ninjas after their term ended.
But once this door is opened, it will be hard to prevent some cowardly female ninjas from getting married right after graduation. Wouldn't that be a waste of the investment in the Ninja Academy?
Moreover, having set this precedent, even if the pro-war faction of the Uchiha Clan disappears, it is difficult to guarantee that Uchiha Huayue will not lead his offspring to become a pro-war faction again in the future.
"That's not enough. I also need Uzumaki Naruto and the Nine-Tails, as well as Uchiha Sasuke's life and freedom. Without any one of them, Konoha will perish immediately."
" Uchiha, you've gone too far!"
Mitokado Homura could no longer contain his anger and let out a fierce shout.
"The willfulness of the weak is called recklessness, while the willfulness of the strong can only be considered as a matter of course."
His words were cold and indifferent. He lightly touched her shoulder with his fingertips, and a terrifying, chilling chakra suddenly erupted, instantly making the group of Anbu tremble with fear.
"I am the one who set the conditions, and it is up to you to choose whether to abide by them. Although I do not like those arrogant guys, I do not mind starting a war because of the blood flowing in my veins and the eyes in my eyes."
In an instant, the surroundings fell silent. The Third Hokage and the other Hokage Advisor looked at each other, remaining silent for a long time.
As evening fell, Naruto left the Ninja Academy, puzzled by the impromptu class meeting convened by Iruka, the teacher of the neighboring class.
"Why was the class meeting conducted by a teacher from another class instead of by Brother Huayue? It took an hour and a half. What happened?"
As night slowly falls, a bright, flawless silver moon gradually climbs into the night sky.
On a telephone pole at the edge of the Uchiha Clan's territory, a pair of simple and clear Red Eye draped a red veil over the bright moonlight.
"For the sake of Konoha's peace, to avoid war, please forgive me... Father, Mother, Sasuke."
His tone seemed apologetic, but it was mostly cold and ruthless. After the figure disappeared, one Root ninja after another appeared.
The captain surveyed his surroundings, his words cold and ruthless.
"By order of Lord Danzo, except for Uchiha Sasuke, every single Uchiha Clan, regardless of age or gender, shall be executed!"
At the border of the Uchiha Clan, four invisible barriers rose out of thin air, with numerous Root ninjas stationed around the outer perimeter of the barriers, strictly prohibiting any unauthorized personnel from approaching.
A bloody and brutal massacre unfolded, and cries of agony filled the Uchiha Clan.
"You are... Itachi... Why!"
"Daddy, Mommy, no!"
The child, who had been protected in the shadows by his parents, was dragged out and his life, which had not yet begun, was ended with a swift and decisive cut.
"Who is it? It's so late. What's the matter? Is it Itachi...?"
thump!
The words that were not yet finished were abruptly cut off. After the old woman fell to the ground, the middle-aged man from the grocery store walked out of the door. A dazzling flash of light appeared, and the surroundings were plunged into eternal darkness.
The same thing keeps happening. Although the people wielding the butcher's knife may be different, the purpose of the butcher's knife is generally the same.
'As long as the Uchiha Clan exists, rebellion is destined to happen again. For the peace of Konoha, we must die!'