Shinobi World No. 1.
Autumn, Year 51 of Konoha.
Late at night. Thick clouds hid the moonlight, and Konohagakure lay immersed in darkness. Only a scattering of lamps still burned in the Uchiha Clan Compound. In those lit homes, some waited for their husbands to return, some waited for their children to finish training, and some waited for tomorrow.
They did not know this was the last night of their lives.
Itachi stood in a large tree at the edge of the compound, his tight black clothes blending into the night. His face was expressionless, his eyes held no tears, and he held Shisui's eye-it was sealed in a special container hanging at his waist. He looked down at the lights in the compound, at the lights he would soon extinguish with his own hands.
"Shisui."
He spoke softly.
"You said to use this eye to protect the Uchiha, to protect Konoha."
"I did. In my own way."
No one answered.
Itachi leaped down from the tree and landed at the entrance to the compound. His Sharingan was already active, three tomoe slowly revolving against scarlet. He was in no hurry to act. He stood there as though waiting for something. For dawn? For someone to discover him? For himself to change his mind?
No one came. No one discovered him. No one could make him change his mind.
He stepped forward and walked deeper into the compound.
He knew the family in the first house. A Chunin, surnamed Uchiha, though Itachi could not remember his given name. He only knew the man had two children, one attending the Ninja Academy and the other just learning to walk. The instant Itachi pushed the door open, the man jolted awake in bed. He froze for a moment when he saw Itachi's