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"Yes! I'll get to see Sasuke again soon!"
Sakura Haruno clenched her fists, her pink hair swaying excitedly.
"Sasuke doesn't like you," Ino Yamanaka rolled her eyes. "Forehead girl, you'd have better luck taking out Naruto—he's your biggest rival."
"Ino-pig! What are you even saying?" Sakura flared up. "Naruto's a guy! There's no way Sasuke would like him!"
"Who knows?"
Ino lost interest in the argument and turned to look out the window.
I wonder if that handsome guy, Sasame, is still around?
I forgot to ask where he lives…
"Something's off with you!" Sakura suddenly realized.
Today, Ino hadn't fought her over Sasuke's attention—a first in their long-standing rivalry.
The two had been best friends since childhood, with similar personalities and tastes, which was why they'd both fallen for Sasuke. But now, Ino was acting completely out of character.
"Hey, Ino-pig, what's going on with you?" Sakura asked, a hint of concern in her voice.
"Nothing's wrong," Ino replied, looking at her like she was the weird one.
Truthfully, her competition with Sakura over Sasuke had always been more about teasing—her way of showing friendship. At her age, she didn't really understand love.
Of course, Sasuke's good looks had played a part…
"…?" Sakura frowned. "Then why aren't you excited? You're usually even more worked up than me!"
"No, I'm not!" Ino denied immediately. "I'm just looking forward to school ending."
"You're lying!" Sakura narrowed her eyes. "Is this about that handsome guy from earlier?"
"No!" Ino answered without hesitation.
But Sakura knew her too well—Ino was being stubborn, refusing to admit the truth.
Still, this betrayal was way too fast!
One look, and she abandons Sasuke?!
Then Sakura realized something—if Ino wasn't competing with her anymore, then…
Wait!
There's still Naruto…
Ugh! Why does he get to monopolize Sasuke's time?!
Seeing that Sakura didn't press further, Ino secretly sighed in relief.
Honestly, she was a little confused herself.
But… he was just too handsome!
Ino's eyes sparkled with hearts.
Just then, the classroom door opened.
Their homeroom teacher, Iruka Umino, walked in carrying a stack of test papers.
Under the confused gazes of the students, he announced, "By emergency school order, classes are extended by two hours today. No one leaves until you finish this exam."
A chorus of groans erupted instantly.
Ino's heart sank.
My handsome guy is gone now…
Why couldn't this test wait until tomorrow?!
So annoying!
Meanwhile, on a cherry blossom tree not far from the school building…
Itachi Uchiha stood silently, his gaze fixed on Sasuke Uchiha.
After a long moment, he dissolved into a flock of crows and vanished into the sky.
Night fell.
As always, the Hidden Leaf Village was lively.
Itachi walked through the streets, his expression calm, though his eyes flickered with conflict and pain.
The number of passersby dwindled as he entered the Uchiha district.
Behind him, Danzo Shimura and Orochimaru emerged from the shadows.
"Set up the barrier!" Danzo commanded, unable to suppress his excitement. "No one leaves!"
Orochimaru glanced at him but said nothing.
Instead, his gaze shifted to Itachi, his tongue flicking out in anticipation.
Three Tomoe Sharingan won't be enough…
His plan was simple—while Itachi and Fugaku Uchiha fought, he would seize Itachi's Mangekyō Sharingan.
Promises? Those were Danzo's problem, not his.
Even if Hiruzen Sarutobi questioned him later, he had an excuse.
I didn't attack anyone. I just… picked up a discarded Mangekyō.
Besides, the old man would have bigger things to worry about.
Root operatives dispersed, preparing the barrier at key locations.
Once the fighting started, no one would escape.
Itachi sensed their movements but did nothing to stop them.
If you're going to cut weeds, pull them out by the roots.
He understood that well.
"Itachi, you're back! Everyone's waiting for you."
A middle-aged Uchiha guard greeted him warmly.
Itachi gave a cold nod—then drew his blade in a flash.
Blood sprayed as the man's throat was slit.
"Itachi… you—?!"
The guard's eyes widened in disbelief.
"Forgive me," Itachi said emotionlessly. "This is for Konoha."
He retracted his sword, activated his Mangekyō Sharingan, and stepped forward.
The massacre had begun.
"Itachi Uchiha, have you lost your mind?!"
"Damn it! Everyone, be careful!"
"Aaaah—!"
Screams echoed through the night.
Izumi Uchiha jolted awake.
Due to her age and status, she hadn't been involved in the coup.
She had been resting at home.
Itachi had started killing from the outskirts inward.
And Izumi's house was nearby.
The thick scent of blood made her heart pound. She grabbed a kunai and rushed outside.
Her mother, Hazuki Uchiha, stirred awake.
"Izumi, what's happening?"
"Stay here, Mother. I'll check."
Izumi sprinted through the streets—only to find corpses everywhere.
Then she saw a familiar silhouette and froze.
"Itachi?!"
Her voice trembled in disbelief.
Itachi paused mid-swing and turned to face her.
His face and clothes were drenched in blood.
The truth was undeniable.
"Itachi… what are you doing?!"
Izumi's emotions surged, activating her Three Tomoe Sharingan instinctively.
Itachi didn't answer.
His eyes flashed.
Tsukuyomi.
Forgive me. Die in your dreams.
He turned away, heading toward the clan's center—his own home.
Izumi stood motionless, trapped in the genjutsu.
Then—
The winterberry mark on her arm glowed faintly.
Sasame appeared abruptly.
Activating his Mangekyō Sharingan, he gripped Izumi's shoulder, flooding her with his own chakra and ocular power to break the illusion.
Genjutsu, at its core, was a battle of ocular strength.
And Itachi, newly awakened, was no match for him.
"Itachi!" Izumi gasped upon waking—but immediately realized it wasn't him.
"Take your mother and head northeast. Someone's waiting there," Sasame said, pressing a finger to her lips. "I'll deal with Itachi. If you don't hurry, Root will show up."
At the mention of Root, Izumi shuddered. Without another word, she turned and ran to find her mother.
Note: So far this story is published up to chapter 180 on my patreon, go check it out and remember that if we reach the goal of 55 power stones I will publish the next chapter.
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