Jin Uchiha's eyes narrowed. "My greatest tactical concern right now is the whereabouts of Shisui and Itachi. They have been entirely too quiet."
This silence was a severe anomaly. Both Shisui and Itachi were fiercely loyal to the village administration. Given the massive political damage the Uchiha Clan had recently inflicted upon the Hokage's faction, it was highly illogical for these two elite operatives to remain passive. Jin needed to know their exact positions before walking into Danzo's trap.
Upon hearing the question, the clan elders froze. They realized they hadn't seen or heard from either prodigy in days.
Fugaku hesitated, a look of dread crossing his face, before speaking up. "I may have an idea. They are both Anbu operatives. A few days ago, Itachi casually mentioned they were assigned a classified mission outside the village. However, that was only his word. I cannot verify it."
A heavy silence fell over the courtyard.
Jin processed the information instantly. "It is a lie. The global geopolitical climate is relatively stable; despite border tensions with the Hidden Cloud Village, neither side possesses the resources to initiate an immediate war. More importantly, with the internal conflict between our clan and the Hokage reaching a boiling point, Hiruzen is not foolish enough to send his two most valuable Uchiha loyalists away."
Jin's gaze turned icy. "Therefore, they never left Konoha. They are currently stationed within Danzo's Root Headquarters. And it is highly probable they will be deployed in the upcoming ambush against me."
The elders gasped, a cold sweat breaking out among them. Fugaku looked exhausted, his face contorted with the agonizing reality of his son standing on the enemy's side.
"Damn them!" Uchiha Yashiro cursed bitterly. "How can they be so blind to the village's persecution of our bloodline?"
Jin's Internal Monologue: Their presence at the ambush site is unacceptable. It is not a matter of combat fear; I can defeat them. It is a matter of political integrity. If I execute my own clansmen—even traitors—it will violate our most sacred taboo: kin-slaying. It would sow seeds of doubt and moral conflict among my supporters. Conversely, if Danzo's faction is responsible for Shisui's death, it will permanently radicalize the Uchiha into absolute unity. I must remove them from the immediate battlefield.
Jin's mind raced, formulating a countermeasure. He turned to the former Patriarch.
"Fugaku," Jin commanded, his tone leaving no room for argument. "You will go to the Hokage's office immediately. You will publicly reveal your Mangekyo Sharingan—the pinnacle of our visual prowess—to Hiruzen."
Fugaku looked up, surprised but attentive.
"You will deliver this exact ultimatum," Jin continued smoothly. "Tell Hiruzen that political maneuvering, bureaucratic warfare, and even physical assassinations between our factions are acceptable rules of engagement. I am willing to face Danzo's forces head-on. However, 'Uchiha must not kill Uchiha.'"
Jin leaned forward, his killing intent flaring. "Demand that Hiruzen immediately recall Shisui and Itachi from Danzo's command. If he refuses, or if those two appear at the ambush site, tell him that the moment I die, the entire Uchiha Clan will initiate a suicidal military rebellion. We will burn Konoha to ash before we are exterminated."
Fugaku did not hesitate. The usually passive man nodded, his eyes burning with unprecedented fury.
"Understood," Fugaku growled. "The administration weaponizing my own son against our bloodline crosses the final line. I will force Hiruzen to summon them to his office, and I will personally seal their chakra pathways to ensure they cannot fight. If Hiruzen resists, I will kill him myself."
The elders stared in shock. The village's relentless cruelty had finally broken Fugaku's pacifism, transforming him into a ruthless combatant.
Jin's Internal Monologue: Excellent. Fugaku projecting the catastrophic threat of a Mangekyo Sharingan will instantly force Hiruzen to capitulate. Hiruzen is too terrified of a civil war to risk keeping Shisui and Itachi in the field.
Before anyone could speak further, a Uchiha patrol guard sprinted into the courtyard. "Elders! A Root operative dropped this at the compound gates. It is addressed directly to Elder Jin."
"Give it to me," Jin ordered calmly.
He unrolled the scroll, his expression completely indifferent as he read the contents. After a few seconds, he placed the letter on the table.
"Precisely as I predicted," Jin announced. "Danzo has ordered me to proceed to the Forest of Death alone. If I bring backup, or if I refuse to appear, he will execute my parents."
He passed the letter to Yashiro. As the elders read Danzo's extortion, their anger reached a fever pitch.
"Give the order, Elder Jin!" they roared, drawing their weapons.
Jin stood up, his presence dominating the courtyard. "Fugaku, proceed to the Hokage Tower now and neutralize Shisui and Itachi. The rest of you, mobilize two-thirds of our elite Jonin forces. The moment my battle in the Forest of Death begins, you will breach Root Headquarters and secure my parents. Move out!"