Chapter 243: Guarding Konoha’s Peace!
Itachi Uchiha stared into his father Fugaku’s eyes, the complex emotions contained within those double pupils.
The family’s heaviness, the father’s expectations, and that deeply hidden helplessness almost swallowed him whole.
But a trace of doubt still lingered in his heart. He took a deep breath and asked the most crucial question: “Father, please allow me to confirm one last time, and please tell me honestly… Has our clan really had no contact with that person from the Land of Stars… Uchiha Hikari?”
He paused slightly, deliberately emphasizing his tone: “If she were to intervene, with her power… even if only as a deterrent, the success rate of the coup would surely see a tremendous increase, right?”
Uchiha Fugaku met his son’s gaze without the slightest evasion.
He slowly, firmly shook his head, his tone carrying the pride and resolve of a clan head: “The Uchiha’s glory does not need to rely on the power of outsiders! Especially not a branch lineage that may be connected to that Uchiha Madara!”
“I, Fugaku, disdain begging outsiders to interfere in Konoha’s internal affairs! The Uchiha’s fate shall be seized by the Uchiha themselves!”
Itachi’s gaze quietly rested on his father’s face, scrutinizing every subtle change in expression. After a long time—so long that the last trace of daylight outside the window was completely extinguished—he gave a barely perceptible nod.
‘Yes… if Uchiha Hikari really intervened, the situation would only get worse. That would mean complete loss of control and unforeseeable disaster. Father not contacting her is the best news.’
“I understand, Father.” He lowered his eyelids, concealing all the surging emotions in his eyes.
In that long gaze just now, he had already obtained the true answer.
His father truly had not contacted that woman named Uchiha Hikari. During his long surveillance of this rebellion plan, he had never detected any related information.
This slightly eased the tension in his heart, but what followed was an even deeper chill.
Because he knew all too well that if Uchiha Hikari truly intervened, it would mean Shura was very likely to intervene as well—that would signal the worst-case scenario.
The power of Uchiha Hikari and Shura was enough to drag all of Konoha into an irredeemable abyss, its destructive force far surpassing a rebellion confined to within the village.
The current situation might still… have a slim chance of seeking control amid despair.
“For the Uchiha’s future, I will do everything in my power.” Itachi said in a tone of unwavering loyalty that betrayed no flaw.
A look of relief and expectation mingled on Fugaku’s face.
However, as he turned and left the underground secret room of the Naka Shrine, all emotions vanished from Itachi’s face, leaving only cold resolve.
The heavy door closed behind him, shutting out the dimly warm light inside and his father’s mountain-like heavy figure.
Itachi did not pause for a moment; his figure swiftly merged into the deepening night of Konoha, and with a few leaps, he raced silently toward the Hokage Building.
He had to report the confirmed intelligence on the rebellion to the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi and high council advisors like Shimura Danzō.
……
The atmosphere in the Hokage’s Office was even heavier than in the Uchiha mansion; the air seemed to solidify into a tangible entity, pressing down until one could hardly breathe.
Smoke swirled; the pipe in the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi’s hand flickered indeterminately, mirroring his currently obscure and troubled mood.
Advisor elders Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado sat solemnly to the side.
Shimura Danzō, leaning on his cane, his single eye sharp as an eagle, was the first to break the suffocating silence.
“The situation is urgent, Hiruzen!” Danzō spoke first, his voice hoarse, cold light flickering in his single eye.
“We must act decisively before the Uchiha launch their rebellion! If they strike first, Konoha’s internal chaos will be inevitable! The destruction it causes will be even more devastating than the foolish rebellion of the Kaguya Clan in Kirigakure years ago! We cannot afford a second ‘Nine-Tails Attack’!”
Hiruzen Sarutobi took a deep drag from his pipe, slowly exhaling a murky smoke ring, exhaustion and struggle etched between his brows.
“Danzō, the Uchiha are one of Konoha’s founders, our former comrades… I still hope we can find a peaceful resolution through communication. Unless it’s the absolute last resort, I will never approve raising the butcher’s blade against our fellow villagers or resorting to force.” His words still carried a trace of hope, but lacked full conviction.
Advisor Koharu Utatane adjusted her glasses, her gaze behind the lenses flickering with worry as she voiced the deepest dread in everyone’s heart: “Will others join the Uchiha rebellion? For example… the Land of Stars?”
She paused, her voice lowering further: “That man known as ‘Shura,’ and… the Uchiha woman by his side.”
The room fell into dead silence once more.
This name was like a boulder dropped into stagnant water, stirring up silent waves of shock.
The rise of the Land of Stars was mysterious and swift; its leader “Shura” possessed immeasurable strength, having attacked Konoha twice and Cloud Village twice, moving freely between the two ninja villages single-handedly, inspiring dread.
And the Uchiha Hikari by his side, who possessed the Mangekyo Sharingan, had according to Shisui Uchiha’s report from their clash likely reached the level of strength of Uchiha Madara in his time!
If Uchiha Fugaku had contacted them…
Itachi Uchiha, who had been silently standing in the shadows, spoke up at the right moment, breaking the silence: “Based on my long-term surveillance and investigation, I found no signs of the clan head having any form of contact with the Land of Stars. I also personally probed the clan head about Uchiha Hikari; his response was a firm denial, and he showed utter disdain toward it.”
He repeated Fugaku’s words, omitting his own judgment: “As it stands, the Uchiha’s actions remain confined within the clan.”
Hiruzen Sarutobi’s gaze swept over the advisors’ faces one by one, finally returning to Danzō.
“I understand. Itachi, you’ve had a hard time.” He said heavily: “I will… carefully consider countermeasures. You all may leave for now.”
After the report ended, Itachi silently left the Hokage Building.
But his heart did not lighten; instead, it grew even heavier.
As he passed the famous Buddha hall outside Konoha Village, Danzō stood there like a statue merged into the shadows, as if he had been waiting for a long time.
Lightning suddenly tore through the sky, ripping apart the heavy night curtain, momentarily illuminating the massive Buddha statue inside the hall. In the interplay of light and shadow, the compassionate Buddha face even revealed a hint of ferocious malice, just like the unfathomable complexity of the human heart.
“Itachi.” Danzō’s voice rose low, without any preamble.
Itachi stopped, looking at him expressionlessly: “Lord Danzō, any further instructions?”
“Not instructions, but I hope you make your final choice.”
“Facing the clan’s fate, have you made your choice?” Danzō’s voice was low and oppressive, his single eye flickering in the dim light after the lightning, now bright, now dark.
“The Third speaks fine words. But once things spiral out of control, he will unhesitatingly choose to protect the village, sacrificing the Uchiha. That is the Hokage’s duty and its ruthlessness.” He took a step forward, his cane tapping the ground with dull thuds, probing Itachi’s heart.
“Now, you have only two paths: one, stand with the Uchiha Clan, join their rebellion, and then… face the inevitable outcome—total clan annihilation, not a blade of grass left.”
Danzō’s words were ice-cold and bone-chilling, leaving no room for compromise.
“Or,” he paused, his single eye locking dead onto Itachi’s: “stand with Konoha, and before the rebellion happens, personally eliminate all Uchiha clan members. In exchange, we can make an exception and spare your brother Sasuke’s life. This is… the only way to save your brother and protect the village’s peace.”
Even someone as calm as Itachi felt his heart clench sharply upon hearing this bloody and cruel mission directly.
Boom—
A thunderclap exploded beside his ear.
“Kill… all clan members?” He subconsciously repeated those four words.
“Everything is to protect the village, to protect Konoha’s hard-won peace and stability.” Danzō’s tone carried a near-fanatical zeal.
“No matter what, we must completely nip this in the bud before the rebellion occurs! This is not just to quell internal strife, but to eliminate the risk of the Uchiha Clan, in desperation, rashly contacting external forces to interfere in Konoha’s internal politics!”
“You should know full well that the Land of Stars harbors at least two Uchiha Clan ninjas, likely descendants of Uchiha Madara’s scattered branch lineage. If Fugaku changes his mind at the last moment and contacts them…”
A profound dread flashed in Danzō’s single eye: “That woman named Uchiha Hikari alone possesses power enough to deliver a devastating blow to Konoha! It would be a catastrophe for the entire village!”
His voice lowered even more, as if afraid to awaken some terrible nightmare: “Just like… Uchiha Madara back then.”
Finally, he threw the heavy choice back to Itachi: “Now, the only one with the ability and position to shoulder this heavy responsibility, avert the worst outcome, and protect your brother’s life is you, Itachi Uchiha. Tell me, will you… accept this mission? For Konoha.”
Another pale bolt of lightning split the night sky, followed by rolling thunder that shook the heart.
The Buddha statue’s face flickered in the lightning, compassion and ferocity alternating.
Itachi stood in place, thunder filling his ears, yet the world felt utterly silent, save for his own heavy heartbeat.
He did not answer immediately, merely gazing deeply at Danzō before slowly retreating, ultimately merging into the endless curtain of rain and darkness.
His answer did not need to be voiced at this moment.
……
The next day, haze still shrouded Konoha, and Itachi’s heart.
He had endured a night of excruciating struggle and contemplation, barely sleeping.
The clan’s bloodline, the village’s survival, his brother’s innocent smile, his parents’ expectations, his companions’ trust…
Countless images intertwined, clashed, and shattered in his mind.
Itachi Uchiha stood silently atop a tall building near the Konoha Ninja Academy, his regular clothes gently swaying in the breeze.
He overlooked the wide playground below, where children were undergoing endurance running training.
His gaze instantly locked onto that familiar figure: Sasuke.
His brother was striking a cool pose while bickering with Naruto Uzumichi, who had bright golden hair and a defiant expression, as they ran.
The other children around, such as Shikamaru Nara, Choji Akimichi, Ino Yamanaka, and others, were all laughing heartily at them, the air filled with the youthful energy and carefree spirit unique to boys.
However, Sasuke’s gaze soon passed over Naruto, firmly locking onto the figure running at the front of the group: Menma.
That child whose grades were always top of the class, calm beyond his years.
Sasuke accelerated again, charging forward with a stubborn and challenging expression, initiating yet another contest with Menma.
Watching Sasuke bickering, getting angry, yet full of vitality among his companions over such a “
This warm and ordinary scene of everyday life, this smile of his younger brother that he longed to protect, formed an extremely cruel and stark contrast with the bloody path of rebellion planned by his father in his mind, as well as the ending of the entire clan’s annihilation foretold by Danzō.
At this moment, the fog that had been swirling in his heart for an entire night suddenly dispersed.
Itachi Uchiha’s gaze finally shifted from extreme pain and confusion to a bottomless, near-desperate determination.
He made up his mind.
So that Sasuke could continue living under this sunlight, so that he could protect this peace that seemed ordinary yet was incomparably precious, he was willing to bear all the sins and fall into the Avici Hell.
However, the realistic difficulties still loomed before them.
Relying solely on his own power to silently wipe out the entire Uchiha Clan overnight is undoubtedly a pipe dream.
Leaving aside the exact dojutsu hidden within his father Uchiha Fugaku’s unfathomable Mangekyo Sharingan, just the dozen or so Jonin possessing Three-Tomoe Sharingan in the Konoha Military Police Force alone were enough to pose a massive obstacle to him, even capable of holding him back for a very long time.
Once the battle time is prolonged, the other clan members in the Uchiha Compound will inevitably react, scattering and fleeing or organizing a counterattack.
The greater risk is that too much battle commotion will definitely alert the ninjas patrolling the village at night as well as the Anbu who react swiftly.
At that time, the clan extermination operation will completely fail, the fact of the Uchiha rebellion will be immediately confirmed, and what awaits the Uchiha will be a more thorough and more chaotic massacre, and Sasuke’s life will absolutely not be preserved.
Therefore, the operation must be completed within an extremely short time, so fast that the successive screams have no time to spread out of the clan territory, so fast that before the patrolling ninjas and Anbu notice any abnormality, everything must be settled.
He needed an assistant, a mysterious helper powerful enough to instantly overwhelm numerous Uchiha Jonin, with unsettling methods that could maximally seal off intelligence.
In an instant, a figure appeared in Itachi’s mind.
The mysterious Uchiha ninja who suddenly appeared several years ago, overwhelmed his Anbu squad with overwhelming strength, cruelly killed his team leader teacher and two teammates, and showed a strange interest in his Sharingan.
That man who calls himself… “Uchiha Madara”.
Only he possesses such ability and means.
……
That night, the moon was dark and the wind was high, with even the stars hidden from sight.
On the edge of Konoha, downstream of the Naka River, not too far from the shrine where the Uchiha held their secret gathering, there was an ancient ruin.
This place was once one of the gathering places of the Uchiha Clan during the Warring States Period, but now it has long been abandoned, leaving only ruined walls and overgrown wild grass, appearing especially desolate and eerie in the night wind.
Itachi Uchiha stood quietly in the center of the ruins like a stone statue, waiting.
His breathing was nearly stagnant, and all the chakra in his body was converged to the extreme, blending into one with the surrounding darkness.
After an unknown amount of time, the space in the ruins suddenly produced a strange distortion without any warning, like ripples slowly spreading on the water’s surface.
A figure wearing a dark cloak and an orange tiger-striped swirl mask on his face appeared out of thin air silently.
He seemed to be scrutinizing this ruins, a complex expression flashing in the only exposed eye as if recalling something indescribable.
Itachi’s heart skipped a beat.
It’s him!
He no longer hid, stepping out from the shadows on his own initiative, his footsteps sounding especially clear in the silent ruins.
“Who?!” Obito was clearly startled, instantly turning around alertly, his Sharingan emerging behind the mask.
Seeing Itachi Uchiha’s face, he was horrified in his heart. In just a few short years, Itachi Uchiha’s strength had actually advanced to such a level that he could approach to such a distance without him noticing at all!
“Hey, I want to ask you for a favor.” Itachi’s voice was terrifyingly calm, without any small talk or preamble. He stared directly at the masked man’s eerie Sharingan and got straight to the point.
“……Oh?” Obito suppressed the surprise in his heart, his tone returning to that feigned casual eerie drawl.
“How rare. A genius youth of the Uchiha Clan actually coming to ask for help from me, this ‘dead man’? Speak up.”
When he heard Itachi state the request “Assist me in killing everyone in the Konoha Uchiha Clan” in the most concise and calm language, Obito’s eyebrows behind the mask raised, and a thick, distorted light of interest instantly burst forth in that single eye.
“Interesting… truly too interesting!” He chuckled lowly, the laughter echoing in the empty ruins, filled with madness and pleasure.
“Alright, I’ll help with this favor!”
……
At the Konoha Ninja Academy while Itachi Uchiha was talking with Obito.
After today’s classes ended, the teachers suddenly notified all students to stay on campus temporarily and not leave.
As night fell, the atmosphere in the Classroom became somewhat subtly uneasy.
Iruka-sensei stood on the podium, his face unprecedentedly heavy and serious, even faintly pale, with fine beads of cold sweat seeping from his temple.
He announced the notice of an upcoming sudden nighttime shelter drill and began explaining the precautions in detail.
His appearance was completely unlike facing an ordinary drill; instead, it was as if he had returned to that terrifying “Nine-Tails Attack” night when he lost his parents.
Most students, although feeling it was somewhat sudden, did not think too much about it, after all, evacuation drills were one of the routine training exercises at the Ninja Academy.
Only a few sensitive children, such as Hinata Hyuga, vaguely noticed the hidden unease of Iruka-sensei, but she just timidly lowered her head and said nothing.
In the corner of the classroom, Menma was originally looking outside the window absentmindedly.
When he heard the words “evacuation drill” and that all students were required to delay returning home, his gaze suddenly turned to Sasuke Uchiha sitting in the front row.
Delay all students’ time to go home…
Could it be tonight?
This thought had just flashed through his mind when Menma’s body trembled ever so slightly, almost imperceptibly.
Far away near the Uchiha Naka Shrine, a Shadow Clone hidden using special runes and Nature Energy voluntarily dispelled the jutsu.
A massive amount of information surged back into his mind instantly.
The Shadow Clone kept Kagura Shingan activated continuously, its vast sensory network like the most precise radar, ceaselessly monitoring all chakra fluctuations within several kilometers of the Naka Shrine and the entire Uchiha Clan Territory.
Just a short while ago, the Shadow Clone clearly captured two extremely special chakra fluctuations making contact and merging in the downstream ruins area of the Naka River, and they had a brief conversation.
One of them, cold, sharp, and familiar, was Itachi Uchiha.
Another one, distorted, obscure, filled with profound malice and a sense of spatiotemporal chaos.
Obito Uchiha!
The two pieces of information combined together, and the truth illuminated Menma’s mind like lightning.
“It’s tonight… the Night of the Uchiha Clan Downfall has begun.” Menma whispered in his heart, a glint of ‘the show begins’ flashing instantly in his deep blue eyes.
He immediately sent the highest priority command through the Engraving Chakra Network to the Star Capital far away thousands of miles away.
The command was simultaneously conveyed to several specific targets: Uchiha Hikari, Uzumaki Kushina, and… Shisui Uchiha and others.
……
Star Capital, Military Zone.
This place is filled with a futuristic tech feel, completely different from Konoha’s traditional style.
Deep underground in the Military Zone’s transmission room, a massive energy portal, like a calm lake surface, was operating steadily, emitting a faint blue light.
This is the teleportation passage linking the Moon and the Otsutsuki Clan to Earth and the Moon, which can greatly shorten the distance between the two locations.
Shisui Uchiha relied on the engraving’s sensing to arrive here at the fastest speed.
When he stepped into this huge teleportation preparation room, even though he had already seen many wonders of the Land of Stars, the scene before him still filled him with shock.
In front of the portal, more than twenty “Star Ninja” wearing unified standard Chakra Armor with the Land of Stars symbol had already assembled. They silently formed three neat square formations, each one emanating a sharp and powerful aura, with sharp eyes and synchronized movements.
Shisui keenly sensed that these ninja had extremely strong strength, probably at least at the Special Jonin level at minimum, and among them, the chakra amounts of the few leaders were comparable to Elite Jonin!
Including people he knew like Uzumaki Kushina, Natsuhi, Hotaru, Kimimaro Kaguya, and many others he didn’t recognize, but he could clearly feel their powerful ninja, such as that guy with a shark face who had a group of masked ninja behind him—is he the Anbu of the Star Ninja?
This was an utterly terrifying force; even in the Third Great Ninja War, it would be enough to sway the victory or defeat of a large-scale battle!
Uchiha Hikari was standing at the front of the team. She wore a deep blue Uchiha Clan Robes, her stunning face a sheet of coldness, only her pair of crimson Mangekyo Sharingan swirling with eerie luster under the base’s light.
She was giving the final mission briefing to the Star Ninja about to depart, her voice clear and cold.
Shisui’s arrival caused a small stir, as everyone turned to look at this Uchiha ninja with a Konoha headband tied on his forehead.
“Oh? Isn’t this Shisui? It’s been a long time.”
Before Shisui could digest the impact brought by this powerful troop before him, a slightly hoarse and playful voice sounded from beside him, making his whole body jolt, almost unable to believe his ears!
Shisui abruptly turned his head and looked toward the voice.
He saw Orochimaru, in the form of a pale woman, looking at him with great interest.
The two people chatting beside Orochimaru included Kushina Uzumaki, whom he had seen at Shura’s house!
And the blond man beside her, wearing a Konoha Jonin vest and a gentle yet somewhat illusory smile, was actually… the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, who should have long died in the Nine-Tails Attack?!
“Lord Fourth?!” The immense shock left Shisui speechless for a moment, his brain nearly stopping its thinking.
The Fourth Hokage and Kushina resurrected from death?
And Orochimaru, why was he here?
“Shisui, long time no see.” Minato Namikaze nodded mildly at Shisui, his eyes carrying a hint of apology and complexity, but he did not explain further.
Kushina tightly held the struggling little Nine-Tails in her arms, her eyes filled with anger toward the events about to unfold.
Orochimaru’s golden snake pupils flickered with interested light as he licked his lips and chuckled lowly: “Heheheh… it seems tonight’s script will be far more exciting than anyone could imagine.”
What made Shisui’s scalp tingle even more was that slightly farther behind the Water Gate couple and Orochimaru, two figures cloaked in white cloaks and hooded stood quietly.
They emanated a deathly still, cold yet immensely powerful chakra fluctuation, utterly different from the living.
Orochimaru followed Shisui’s gaze, a glint of malicious amusement flashing in his golden snake pupils as he rasped lowly: “Heh heh… looks like you sensed it too. That’s right, those two are also special ‘audience’ members. It took quite some effort to invite them. I’m sure tonight’s ‘performance’ will make them… feel quite ‘gratified’.”
Shisui felt a chill run up his spine.
‘Special audience’?
At that moment, Uchiha Hikari’s mission briefing seemed to have ended.
She turned around, her Mangekyo Sharingan sweeping over everyone present, her gaze finally landing on Shisui as she nodded slightly.
“Prepare to depart.” Her words were concise and forceful, without any superfluous emotion: “Act according to the predetermined plan. In case of unexpected situations, contact me promptly or execute the backup plan!”
“Understood!” Everyone acknowledged the order.
The massive portal’s light began to fluctuate violently, like the surface of a lake with a giant stone thrown in.
The deep blue light reflected on everyone’s faces, expressions varied, yet all carried a resolute determination toward an unknown fate.
The first Star Ninja squad stepped into the portal first, their figures instantly swallowed by the blue light and vanishing.
Next came the second squad, the third squad…
Orochimaru examined the portal with great interest, pondering its operating principles, licked the corner of his mouth, then smiled at the two cloaked “audience” members behind him: “Please… a wonderful drama about where the Will of Fire will lead is waiting for us to enter and critique.”
The two Edo Tensei Hokage silently stepped forward toward the portal.
Orochimaru let out a low, delighted laugh and followed closely behind.
Uchiha Hikari, Minato Namikaze, and Kushina Uzumaki also followed closely, stepping into the portal.
Shisui took a deep breath, suppressing all the shock, doubt, and surging emotions in his heart.
He knew that from the moment he chose to be saved by Menma and stay in the Land of Stars, he had already set foot on a completely different path.
‘Itachi… don’t let me down…’ Shisui touched his right cheek, his Sharingan eyes, which had evolved to three-tomoe after the transplant, showed no hesitation as he strode toward that portal leading to his homeland, to the Night of the Uchiha Clan Downfall.
