Power, as a living entity, possesses a remarkably distinct and clear characteristic: as long as its authority can be exercised, it doesn't care how the execution process is completed.
If this abstract existence were to be likened to a living creature, then power itself would be its pulse.
Aizen Sōsuke sat quietly in the laboratory, sipping coffee, while the large screen in front of him displayed a chaotic scene of fighting outside, his expression as calm and peaceful as ever, without the slightest ripple.
It was by exploiting this characteristic that he was able to clearly understand Hiruzen Sarutobi's actions and still subtly interject the elements he desired.
This was not the future prediction that Uchiha Itachi imagined.
Even he couldn't do such an outlandish thing—if he really could, his research would be much simpler.
After all, if even the 'future' outcome was shaped and driven by his own hands, how could it be considered 'prediction'?
It was merely acting in accordance with the flow, with the advantage of a little extra information.
At this moment, Yakushi Kabuto, who had completed his performance task, stood by his side, also quietly watching the scene on the screen.
It was he who had struck the first blow in front of the Uchiha Clan Compound gate, completely escalating the conflict.
Of course.
This was merely following the orders of Danzo and Lord Aizen, and there was nothing wrong with it.
After watching for a while, Yakushi Kabuto seemed to remember something, his smile as fake as a snake poised to strike:
"Lord Aizen."
"That child, Uchiha Itachi, is ultimately an unpredictable factor."
"If, after this farce is over, he exposes your true identity to Hiruzen Sarutobi, that would not be good at all."
Aizen Sōsuke didn't turn to look at him, his gaze fixed on the screen, his tone still amiable:
"No need to be anxious, no need to rush."
"Just quietly wait for the drama to continue to unfold."
"What's more."
"After Itachi-kun personally eliminates the coup plotters led by his father, his biggest internal conflict will no longer be the issue of the Village versus the Clan."
The power of the Sharingan alone is enough to make emotions abnormal, and the awakening of the Mangekyo leads one completely to extremes... By then, even Aizen himself couldn't imagine the extent of Uchiha Itachi's hatred for this world.
And under the nourishment of such violent, rampant, yet constantly suppressed emotional power, what kind of eyes would he give birth to?
It was truly something to look forward to.
Thinking this, he shook his head slightly to clear these mixed thoughts and stood up from his seat:
"Let's go, Kabuto-kun."
"When the drama reaches its climax, the audience cannot be absent."
"Yes."
"Lord Aizen."
Yakushi Kabuto's face still held that fake smile, as he followed closely behind.
Before leaving, he turned to glance at the scene on the screen.
However, a chill vaguely rose in his heart.
Aizen Sōsuke.
This guy has truly mastered the human heart to the extreme.
What a terrifying fellow... "Kill—!"
Three crimson tomoe swirled incessantly in his eye sockets. Uchiha Setsuna appeared old and gaunt, but his movements were in no way inferior to the young people beside him.
His cold blade rose and fell, cutting down two Konoha Ninja in front of him in an instant, and he rushed towards the Anbu headquarters.
Most of those accompanying him were young members of the Konoha Military Police Force. The group formed teams of three, charging forward in an arrowhead formation towards the converging Konoha Ninja.
It was only in independent action that the Uchiha gained the fearsome reputation of 'one-on-one, always flee.' After several pairs of eyes combined, their power increased exponentially, more than the sum of their parts.
Regardless of whether the opponent specialized in Ninjutsu or Taijutsu, as long as they got close and kept their eyes open, they would never escape their combined genjutsu attack, and in just one encounter, they would end up with their throats slit or chests pierced.
It made no difference whether the approaching individuals were Chunin or Jonin.
Dozens of them united, and for a time, they seemed unstoppable, breaking through several defensive lines one after another.
The reason the Uchiha Clan was so proud was clearly not without basis.
They indeed possessed power that was difficult for ordinary people to match.
"Did you see that!"
"This is the power of the Uchiha Clan!"
Uchiha Setsuna stood on the front line, his white hair stained with blood, yet he continued to laugh loudly, and even his crimson eyes seemed to become purer under the immersion of blood.
He had waited for this day for decades!
As early as when Lord Madara led the entire clan to join Konoha, he was unwilling in his heart, but out of respect for Lord Madara, he dared not object.
The Sengoku period was truly the era when the Uchiha Clan had absolute authority, and everyone had to prostrate themselves at their feet.
What Sarutobi, Shimura, Hyuga, Ino–Shika–Chō, they were all just like ants. Only the Senju Clan was worthy of being compared to their clan.
But now, even the monkeys of the Sarutobi family had become the 'Hokage-sama' standing above them!
How could he acknowledge that?!
If Konoha wasn't the Uchiha's Konoha, then what meaning did it have to exist?
"Lord Setsuna!"
"Konoha reinforcements have appeared to the west, moving very fast!"
Hearing the reminder from the person beside him, Uchiha Setsuna reined in his smile and said sharply, "Everyone, keep advancing! First, destroy the Anbu headquarters and dig out the evidence of the Konoha Leadership's research on Bloodline Limits!"
"The Fourth Company will cover the main force's retreat. The rest of you follow me."
"The Konoha Leadership is acting so perversely, other Ninja Clans will not help them. We only need to face the Anbu directly under the Hokage and the Village Defense Force!"
"Once the evidence is revealed, everyone will stand on our side."
Uchiha Setsuna's tone was incredibly certain.
This was the plan they had agreed upon earlier with Uchiha Fugaku.
In his eyes, the so-called 'everyone' was, of course, limited only to Ninja Clan Ninja.
The inheritance of Bloodline Limit Jutsu was always their most important concern.
As for civilians?
From the Sengoku period onwards, they had never been categorized under the word 'people.'
"Yes!"
The surrounding Uchiha clansmen all responded.
Only a few looked worriedly at the corpses on the ground around them.
Although the Uchiha were brave, they were not invulnerable iron men.
Under the desperate struggles of the Konoha Ninja, many had, after all, fallen on the path forward.
However, seeing the increasingly fanatical expressions of those around them, not a single person spoke up.
When everyone was going to extremes, not being extreme enough was itself a crime.
And the rest of the journey, just as Elder Setsuna had said, although their numbers were slowly dwindling, the power of the Uchiha was indeed unstoppable.
Under the night sky, Konoha Village, in a state of wartime, was silent, only their sounds of fighting and wailing became increasingly clear.
Finally, the group fought their way to their initial target.
The Anbu headquarters.
However, the person blocking their way made everyone present freeze.
Uchiha Setsuna stood rooted to the spot, his gaze at the person in front of him filled with genuine disbelief.
After a moment of silence, what erupted from the old man's mouth was a roar like a bellow:
"Shisui!"
"You coward!"
"Despite being treated like that, are you still going to be the loyal dog of the Konoha Leadership, standing against the Uchiha Clan?!"
The one who appeared before them was indeed Uchiha Shisui.
Now equipped with another Sharingan, both his eyes were complete, and his gaze towards Setsuna and the others was a cold indifference, frozen to the core, like ice.
He drew his blade.
One of the Sharingan in his eye sockets had already, under the influence of his ocular power, slowly formed into a four-pointed pinwheel shape.
It was the ultimate secret of the Uchiha Clan's bloodline.
The Mangekyo Sharingan.
Precisely because they took pride in their own bloodline, everyone present felt an incredible sense of pressure when facing these eyes.
In front of the Mangekyo Sharingan, their eyes were no different from those of ordinary people.
Uchiha Shisui looked at them, his tone cold:
"Elder Setsuna."
"The hatred between the Uchiha and the Village ends with this generation."
He stated a reality that had already been determined.
The moment his words fell.
Around the Uchiha, dense figures appeared one after another, surrounding them in the center of this narrow basin.
Uchiha Setsuna looked at this scene, his previously fanatical expression gradually turning pale.
Uchiha Shisui's gaze grew even colder.
The next moment.
Boom—
Under the night sky, a dark green giant stood between heaven and earth.
Cleansing all impurities.