Konoha Village, Hospital Office.
Kakashi was reporting to the Third Hokage about what the Anbu investigation had uncovered.
"This afternoon, warning flares suddenly rose from within the Uchiha clan grounds. Immediately, all Uchiha elites rushed back to the clan."
"Uchiha shopkeepers in the food street said an enemy had appeared in the clan grounds, and they needed to suspend operations and guide all civilians to evacuate in an orderly manner."
"Although the shuttle carts in front of the Uchiha food street came to a halt, the villagers were safely and calmly evacuated by Uchiha members. No casualties occurred."
"Naruto and Sasuke were attacked on their way back to Konoha. The Anbu assigned to protect Naruto were all killed in action."
"We found only some white humanoid corpses at the scene. After losing activity, they quickly turned into wood. We have reason to suspect involvement of Wood Release."
At the mention of Wood Release, the Third Hokage's brows furrowed.
"Immediately send Yamato to investigate. Confirm whether it was Wood Release."
Yamato, in present-day Konoha, was the most familiar with Wood Release techniques.
"I've already assigned Yamato to the area," Kakashi replied.
The Third gave an approving nod. Kakashi had grown considerably and was now being groomed outside of Anbu for higher responsibilities.
"When we arrived, we found only Naruto carrying an unconscious Sasuke. Naruto was unharmed but surrounded in a Nine-Tails chakra cloak. However, he was fully conscious."
"If Naruto or Sasuke wakes up, notify me immediately. Bring in the sealing team to examine Naruto's seal."
"We must determine exactly why the Nine-Tails chakra leaked."
"Understood!"
---
Otogakure (Sound Village).
Uchiha Itachi, having just completed a series of checkups, stepped off the operating table.
As Orochimaru reviewed various data, Shisui suddenly entered.
"Itachi, there's been an incident in the clan."
Itachi and Shisui shared a summoning pact with messenger crows. To maintain information flow, they routinely reverse-summoned the birds to check for updates.
Itachi's heart tensed, Shisui wouldn't come unless the situation was urgent.
"Obito infiltrated the clan but fell into the Clan Head's trap. Fugaku underestimated his power, and many were seriously injured. Fugaku and Obito clashed in a battle of ocular power, both were gravely wounded."
Shisui didn't hide this from Orochimaru. After years of working together, trust had formed between them.
Orochimaru said nothing but was clearly surprised. Fugaku had always been indecisive, who would've thought he'd confront Obito in a Mangekyō duel?
"How's my father?"
Itachi's expression grew tense. A battle of ocular power was extremely dangerous, like using one's mind as a weapon. Mental damage could easily lead to death.
"Don't worry," Shisui said. "Kimei awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan, and thanks to his ability, the Clan Head's condition has stabilized."
This shocked Itachi. The clan had many elites, but Kimei was not among the top-tier combatants.
However, Kimei's talent was in sealing arts, and since awakening his three-tomoe Sharingan, he had improved quickly.
He never expected Kimei to awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan.
"Sasuke was also injured, but nothing serious, he's at Konoha Hospital now."
"To prevent further attacks, the clan plans to reverse-summon you and bring back a team to stabilize the situation."
"If necessary, I'll return as well."
Itachi turned to Orochimaru.
"Orochimaru-sama, I need to return."
Technically, Itachi and Shisui were part of Orochimaru's experiments, but over time, the three had built a bond.
Orochimaru was quite pleased with Itachi's respectful attitude. His tongue flicked out as he responded.
Of course, what intrigued him more now was Uchiha Kimei, a new Mangekyō user.
"Itachi, when you return, collect some of Kimei's cellular tissue for me. I'd like to study it."
"Your body can now handle the Mangekyō Sharingan, but under no circumstance should you overuse your ocular power."
Orochimaru handed Itachi a bottle of pills.
"In case of emergency, if you overuse your Mangekyō, take this. It's a newly formulated suppressant."
"Shisui will remain here for now. Summon him if needed."
Itachi accepted the bottle respectfully.
"Thank you, Orochimaru-sama. I will remember."
He then went to gather the clan members available in the Sound Village to see who could be summoned back to help.
---
Uchiha Clan Grounds, Summoning Platform.
Iori checked the time, the appointed moment had arrived.
She placed the crow onto the summoning array.
Even mute, non-signing summoning beasts could be reverse-summoned if the array was prepared in advance using their chakra as a medium.
"Reverse Summoning Technique!"
"Caw! Caw!" the crow cried out.
The summoning array on the ground lit up.
Boom!
Itachi appeared in full combat gear, reverse-summoned to the clan.
"Young Clan Head, welcome back," Iori greeted him.
Itachi glanced around, the clan had changed significantly.
"What's the current situation? How is Father? Where's Sasuke? Has Natsuki been notified?"
"Please follow me, Young Clan Head."
Iori led the way, explaining as they moved.
"The Clan Head and Designated Threat #3 suffered mutual injuries. He was on the brink of death but was saved by Kimei, who awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan."
To ordinary clan members, Natsuki had only disclosed Obito's identity as 'Threat #3.'
"Sasuke and Naruto were attacked near the food street, but the main target was Naruto. Sasuke is at Konoha Hospital with minor injuries."
"Anbu from the village have been probing our grounds openly. We've held them back."
"Kimei is unconscious, many are wounded, and our Barrier Team isn't functioning. Some Anbu are watching us, and we can't do anything about it."
"Elder Yangping has already sent word to Deputy Clan Head Natsuki. We expect a reply soon."
Iori moved quickly. Soon, she brought Itachi into a secret chamber.
Inside were full sets of vital-monitoring equipment and several Uchiha medical-nin.
However, the clan's medical capabilities weren't high, for someone in Fugaku's condition, all they could do was monitor his status.
It was thanks to Kimei's Mangekyō that Fugaku had survived.
Itachi stepped forward to check. Fugaku's face had been cleaned of blood. Apart from a pale complexion, there were no external signs of injury.
His vitals were stable.
At that moment—
At the summoning platform, a ninja cat stepped onto the array. With a slap of its paw—
Boom!
A figure appeared on the summoning platform.
"Where's Kimei!?" the newcomer yelled the moment he arrived.
It was Kimei's older brother, Uchiha Yoya, reverse-summoned back.
Led by clansmen to Kimei's recovery room, he was surprised to find Itachi there.
Yoya had been away on a mission, which is why Itachi hadn't seen him in the Sound Village earlier.
But since ninja cats were part of Yoya's pact, the clan summoned him back immediately.
"Ah, Young Clan Head, you're here too!" Yoya's voice boomed, then he suddenly remembered his brother was still unconscious and quickly covered his mouth.
That's when Kimei frowned slightly...
And slowly opened his eyes.