Would he sacrifice his life to pave the way for his people and escort them safely out of Konoha?
Although it's unknown which faction the Uchiha Yashiro was allied with, this was the last resort.
Thinking of this, he turned to the Jonin and said, "You all gather the clansmen and defend the clan territory to the death. Don't go out, wait for me to return."
"Chieftain! Then you..."
"I'm going to find the Yashiro," Uchiha Fugaku said. "There are some things... that must be clarified in person."
Jonin seeing this, more than a dozen Jonin immediately returned to their clan's territory.
Just as Uchiha Fugaku was preparing to run towards the Forest of Death.
Uchiha Itachi suddenly stepped in front of his father, saying, "Father, you can't go. The Third has already given the order..."
"Get out of the way, Itachi." Uchiha Fugaku's voice was as cold as ice. "This is the clan head's order."
The moment when the father and son confronted each other.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's direct Anbu arrived, followed by a large number of ninjas.
He said with a face full of grief, "Clan Chief Fugaku, why, why did you do this?"
Uchiha Fugaku slowly turned around to face the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi, and the large number of ninjas he had brought.
" Third..." Uchiha Fugaku said, "If I said that none of this was my intention, would you believe me?"
Do you think I believe it or not, that they've made such a big fuss and even colluded with spies from other villages?
Hiruzen Sarutobi raised his hand, signaling the Anbu behind him to remain calm, and said in a deep voice, "Clan Chief Fugaku, it's not too late to stop now. Just order the Uchiha ninjas to cease their attack..."
It's too late.
Uchiha Fugaku gave a wry smile, his gaze sweeping over his clansmen who were still locked in fierce combat in the distance.
" The Yashiro elder has already led the elite troops out to fight his way out. Those who remain are just ordinary clansmen who are unaware of the situation."
Just then, screams of agony suddenly echoed from deep within the Uchiha Clan Compound.
Uchiha Fugaku and Hiruzen Sarutobi their heads at the same time and saw dozens of black figures moving rapidly through the clan's territory, with Uchiha clansmen falling wherever they went.
" Danzo!" Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression changed drastically. "He actually dared to..."
Uchiha Fugaku's eyes instantly turned bloodshot as he saw the true faces of those dark figures.
Those were all Root ninjas, and they were slaughtering his clansmen—the old, women, children... none were spared.
In another direction.
Another figure was also engaged in a frenzied slaughter, moving just as quickly as the dozens of Root.
"Father!"
Uchiha Itachi suddenly knelt down, his voice trembling as he said, "Please order a surrender immediately! The Uchiha might still have a chance to live, otherwise..."
Uchiha Fugaku ignored Uchiha Itachi's pleas and looked at the Third, the Mangekyō Sharingan pattern in his eyes spinning wildly.
" Third, is this Konoha's sincerity? Slaughtering women and children on our clan's territory?"
To be questioned in front of so many people.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's face turned extremely grim, and he could only manage a desperate attempt to explain, " Fugaku, this wasn't my order. I swear in the name of the Hokage..."
"Enough!"
Uchiha Fugaku suddenly roared, "Itachi, did you see that? This is the Konoha you're supposed to serve!"
Fire Style: Great Fire Annihilation!
A towering wave of fire instantly engulfed the entire street, forcing everyone to retreat.
Take advantage of this gap.
Uchiha Fugaku turned and rushed into the clan's territory, his eyes filled with a fierce killing intent.
Just as Uchiha Itachi was about to give chase, Hiruzen Sarutobi him, saying firmly.
"Itachi, go to the Forest of Death. Stop Yashiro and those traitors... This is the Uchiha's last chance."
Upon hearing this, Uchiha Itachi clenched his fists until they turned white, his nails digging deep into his palms.
He understood what the Hokage meant.
In the distance, the father's figure had disappeared into the depths of the burning clan territory, while in another direction, the Root ninja's blades were still being wielded.
"I see."
Uchiha Itachi immediately turned around, and Kakashi Hatake, under Hiruzen Sarutobi's instructions, followed with several Anbu.
The group leaped rapidly between rooftops, speeding towards the Forest of Death.
At the edge of the Forest of Death, the signs of battle became increasingly apparent.
A dozen or so corpses lay scattered at the gap in the barrier, some belonging to the Anbu and others to the Uchiha.
Most chilling were the three Root ninjas with ice spikes piercing their throats; this was clearly not the style of Uchiha Ninjutsu.
" The Ice Release of Kirigakure..." Uchiha Itachi said.
Kakashi crouched down to examine the wound. "It seems the ally the Uchiha Yashiro found is no ordinary person."
Boom boom boom--
At that moment, a violent surge of Chakra came from deep within the forest, followed by a series of explosions.
The two exchanged a glance and immediately sped off.
By the time they arrived, the bloody battle at the edge of the Forest of Death was nearing its end.
The ninja force led by the Uchiha Yashiro has suffered more than half casualties.
More than twenty elite Uchiha stood back to back in a circle, completely blocking the path leading to the gap in the barrier.
Dozens of corpses lay scattered on the ground, including fragments of Anbu masks, Root uniforms, and the Uchiha clan crest.
" Yashiro, they have safely passed through the barrier," a Jonin reported, panting heavily. His left arm hung limply, clearly broken.
The Uchiha Yashiro nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over the retreating troops in the distance.
More than fifty Uchiha clansmen were retreating in an orderly manner, with fifteen children protected in the center of the group and the remaining twenty-odd clansmen covering their rear.
"Hold on a little longer, we're all going to die anyway, let them go far away."
The Uchiha Yashiro plunged his long sword deep into the ground, blood dripping down the hilt.
He glanced around at the remaining twenty-odd Uchiha ninjas, each of whose Sharingan gleamed crimson in the twilight.
"Gentlemen! Today, we risk our lives to pave the way for our clan. One day, the seeds of the Uchiha will surely bloom anew in this Shinobi World."
More than twenty ninjas knelt on one knee in unison, right hand on their chest, and roared, "We are willing to Uchiha!"
Just then, a rapid whooshing sound came from the forest.
Uchiha Itachi charged out first, followed closely by Kakashi Hatake with nearly ten Anbu.
The surrounding Uchiha ninjas immediately became agitated.
I knew he was a traitor!
"How could this be...?"
"He actually dared to attack his own people?"
"..."
"Itachi... it really is you..." Uchiha Yashiro's voice was filled with disbelief and pain.
Although he had already learned from the information provided by the Bingkui that it was Uchiha Itachi who carried out the plan to exterminate the clan.
But when he actually saw this child standing on the opposite side of the clan, Uchiha Yashiro's heart still ached as if it had been pierced by Senbon.
"Why you... Itachi..."
Yashiro's voice was hoarse and barely audible, his hand gripping the sword trembling slightly, "I would rather it had been that old dog Danzo came..."
" Yashiro Elder, step aside."
Uchiha Itachi remained expressionless, but a hint of indescribable pain shone deep in his eyes.