The news that Senju Kenya had appeared outside the Konoha Gate.
Swept through the Konoha High Command like a hurricane, instantly causing an uproar.
Meanwhile, in another secluded corner of Konoha.
The Uchiha Clan's compound.
An entirely different, suffocatingly oppressive atmosphere hung in the air.
Outside Naka Shrine.
Uchiha Itachi stood silently in the shadows, dressed in his Anbu uniform.
His deep black eyes watched the clansmen who had just dispersed from the secret meeting at the shrine.
Without exception, their faces were filled with resentment, obsession, and deep-seated hatred for the Konoha High Command.
A coup...
Itachi silently repeated those words, feeling as though an invisible hand had gripped his heart tight.
Ever since the Nine-Tails incident, the higher-ups had forced the Uchiha Clan to relocate to this secluded corner.
The endless surveillance, suspicion, and ostracism they faced in the village.
Were like a slow poison, eating away at the Uchiha Clan's reason bit by bit.
And as a double agent for the Anbu and his clan, he was caught in the middle, enduring pain most people could not imagine.
On one side was the clan that had raised him; on the other was a village of countless innocent civilians.
Whichever side he favored, the outcome would ultimately be a tragedy with rivers of blood.
"Itachi."
A low, authoritative voice interrupted Itachi's thoughts.
Uchiha Fugaku, the head of the Uchiha Clan, had come to stand beside him at some point.
With his hands behind his back, Fugaku also watched the departing clansmen.
"Have the higher-ups made any moves lately?"
Fugaku's voice carried an unquestionable tone of command.
"Lord Third Hokage has been busy preparing for the Chunin Ninja Exams lately. For now, he hasn't taken any new measures against the Uchiha."
Itachi lowered his head slightly and answered calmly.
"As for Danzo..."
"Hmph. That mad dog hiding in the shadows will bite someone sooner or later."
Fugaku snorted coldly, a sharp glint of killing intent flashing through his eyes.
"The clansmen's patience is nearly exhausted."
"Itachi, you're the clan's only eyes within the Anbu."
"You must keep a close watch on their every move and report any sign of activity to me immediately."
"For the glory of the Uchiha, we cannot sit around waiting to die."
With that, Fugaku gave Itachi a long look, then turned and walked toward the clan head's residence.
Itachi remained where he was, motionless.
He knew that his father's so-called "glory" would ultimately drag the entire clan into an abyss beyond salvation.
Just then, the clear clash of shuriken came from the nearby training ground.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Seven-year-old Sasuke Uchiha was practicing throwing shuriken, his head covered in sweat.
His small body brimmed with energy, and he took every throw very seriously.
"Big brother!"
Sasuke's eyes lit up when he saw Itachi. He immediately dropped the ninja tools in his hands and ran over excitedly.
"Big brother, do you have time to practice shuriken with me today?"
Sasuke tilted his head up and looked at Itachi expectantly.
Looking at his little brother's innocent face, Itachi felt a flicker of tenderness, but even more than that, an indescribable sorrow.
If the coup really happened, how would someone as innocent as Sasuke survive in that cruel world?
Did he really have to do as Danzo had hinted.
And slaughter the entire clan with his own hands to keep Sasuke safe?
Itachi extended two fingers and gently tapped Sasuke's forehead out of habit.
"Forgive me, Sasuke."
"Next time."
Sasuke covered his forehead in disappointment, but soon smiled again.
"Okay, but next time, you have to teach me that really powerful Fire Style!"
As he watched Sasuke run back toward the training ground.
Itachi's eyes grew hollow and lost once more.
Fate was like an invisible net.
Trapping him and the entire Uchiha Clan firmly within this dark quagmire called "Konoha."
There was not a glimmer of light to be seen.
Just as Itachi was about to turn away and return to the Anbu to continue his suffocating work as a spy.
Several Uchiha clansmen who had just returned from shopping outside were whispering in hushed voices at a street corner.
Although they deliberately kept their voices low, Itachi's keen hearing still caught a few key words.
"Did you hear? Senju Kenya, the one who defected two years ago, is back!"
"You mean that monster who smashed Hokage Rock with one punch?"
"That's right! And I heard he made a fortune overseas. Now he's brought a bunch of people and is brazenly blocking the village entrance!"
"Those old bastards in the High Command must be pissing themselves right now! Serves them right!"
The clansmen's voices were full of schadenfreude and mockery toward the Konoha High Command.
Senju Kenya?
At that name.
The scene on the rooftop of the Hokage Building two years earlier instantly surfaced in Itachi's mind.
That young man, only a few years older than him, had stood before the Third Hokage with utter disdain and ferocity.
And pulverized the statue of the First Hokage, which represented Konoha's highest authority, with a single punch.
Then he had left an arrogant note and departed at his leisure.
It was absolute dominance that completely disregarded the so-called "Will of Fire" and every rotten rule in Konoha!
Senju Kenya... he's back?
Itachi's gaze sharpened slightly, and a ripple suddenly stirred his previously stagnant state of mind.
On the oppressive chessboard that was Konoha.
Everyone was following the rules laid down by the higher-ups, marching in lockstep toward destruction.
But Senju Kenya was an anomaly through and through.
He had not merely escaped the chessboard-he had outright flipped the table!
Now, this man who refused to follow the rules had returned with even greater power.
If it was him.
If it was this man who dared to shatter every shackle.
Could he become the sole variable in this hopeless game?
Could he use his unreasonable iron fists to smash a path to survival through this dark quagmire?
Itachi closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
Beneath his loose sleeves.
He gripped the cold kunai tightly.
His knuckles turned slightly white from the force.
He made up his mind.
He had to meet this man named Senju Kenya.