Chapter 7: The Turning Point
"Itachi, I know you've been leaking information to the Third Hokage... and his predecessor."
There was a long pause.
"I'm sorry," Itachi said quietly.
"There's nothing wrong with your desire for peace," the elder continued. "But your method was flawed."
The tone softened. "We have much to manage within the clan. Resign from the ANBU and come home. We need you."
But stepping away from the ANBU wasn't that easy. ANBU agents held many of the village's most dangerous secrets. The Hokage wouldn't let someone like Itachi leave so easily. Even so, Itachi's heart now leaned toward his clan. He would find a way. And after today's revelations, it was unlikely the Hokage would ever fully trust him again.
So, Itachi agreed.
Fugaku, who had been silently observing, exhaled a sigh of relief. For too long, both Shisui and Itachi had drifted from the clan. Years ago, it had been Fugaku himself who urged Itachi to join the ANBU—to gather inside information. But he hadn't anticipated his son would become a double agent for the Hokage.
Thankfully, everything had turned around—thanks to Kaien.
In fact, Fugaku had been seriously considering stepping down and naming Kaien as the next Patriarch.
[Ding! Force Template Loaded]
Kaien opened his interface.
At the top were his name and Uchiha Fugaku's. Below were icons and portraits of every Uchiha clan member.
He tapped Itachi's profile.
Loyalty: High Specialties: Combat, Espionage
Detailed stats followed—Taijutsu, Ninjutsu, Genjutsu—all exceptional.
There was even a separate section dedicated to Mangekyō Sharingan abilities.
Next, he opened Fugaku's profile.
Instead of "loyalty," it displayed Affinity, also marked high. Their profile layouts were identical, but Kaien noticed something significant—he could now view the strengths of every clan member.
That meant he could finally start utilizing the clan efficiently.
He browsed the elders next.
The Fourth Elder handled internal affairs. The Third Elder specialized in administration and military matters.
Kaien turned to them and spoke plainly, "We have a long road ahead. I'll need your support."
The two elders bowed.
"Deputy Patriarch, we're yours to command."
A plan formed in Kaien's mind.
The clan needed capital. Other clans had long established business ventures:
The Akimichi ran prosperous yakiniku chains. The Nara managed medicinal herbs vital to Konoha's healthcare. Even the Inuzuka bred and sold ninja dogs.
But the Uchiha? Nothing.
Besides a contract with the Land of Cats for weaponry, the Uchiha had no major economic contribution to Konoha.
In the Warring States era, they had survived by force. But now, raiding villages would only start wars.
As time passed, their old riches faded.
The core issue? Lack of economic talent.
They had elite warriors, not businessmen. No one studied trade, production, or economics.
But with Kaien's Force Template, that could change.
"I've glimpsed the future through my Mangekyō," Kaien began. "Konoha will not remain peaceful. Disaster is coming."
He looked around at everyone present.
"We must act before others do. First, we step down from the garrison."
There was immediate murmuring.
"Garrison?" someone echoed.
"Yes," Kaien said. "Our role as Konoha's enforcers has turned us into scapegoats. The people don't see us as protectors—they see us as oppressors."
Fugaku nodded. "Speak your mind, Kaien. You have our full support."
With that, Fugaku had effectively handed over the clan's authority.
The elders didn't object. Kaien had already proven his strength, intelligence, and leadership.
Kaien tapped his temple.
"My eyes have shown me more than just combat. I've seen blueprints for the future—business models, alliances, new strategies."
"We must build an economic foundation. Once we have wealth, we can negotiate from a position of power."
The elders were stunned. They hadn't expected such a strategic shift.
Yet, the concept of economic independence intrigued them.
"This will take time," Kaien continued. "But we begin by relinquishing power strategically."
He paused. "The Uchiha threat theory exists because we hold too much authority. If we want peace and growth, we must eliminate that perception."
He explained the theory thoroughly. By the end, the elders nodded in understanding. His logic was airtight.
"First, we withdraw from the garrison completely."
Kaien turned to the Fourth Elder.
"Danzo will retaliate soon. Start recalling Uchiha officers who've received complaints. Reassign them to the compound. If questioned, stall."
The elder smirked. "Leave it to me. I'm a master at bureaucratic delays."
Kaien turned to the Third Elder.
"You once believed we could seize the Hokage seat by force. But now, after glimpsing the future, how do you feel?"
The elder sighed. "I saw the outcome. Even the Sharingan controlling the Nine-Tails wasn't enough. The coup still failed."
He paused, haunted by the memory of the Shinra Tensei.
"I've abandoned that dream."
"Good," Kaien said. "Then we must go further. Fugaku—step down as police chief."
He looked at everyone.
"Our authority makes us targets. Let them believe we've fallen. Only then will they lower their guard."
He turned back to the Third Elder.
"I need you to gather all radicals in the clan. Those who won't accept retreat."
The elder frowned. "Why?"
Kaien's eyes gleamed.
"Because we need a rebellion—and a sacrifice."
The room went cold.
Kaien continued. "Only then can we erase the Uchiha threat theory once and for all. The rest of us can thrive without suspicion."
"But they won't listen," someone muttered.
"They will," Kaien said, glancing at Shisui.
Shisui stepped forward silently. "I have the Mangekyō too. My ability is Kotoamatsukami—it lets me alter thoughts without the target ever realizing."
Everyone was stunned.
Two Mangekyō Sharingan users in one generation?
Fugaku's heart pounded. With Kaien, Shisui, and himself, there were three Mangekyō users.
And if he knew Itachi at all, then…
Four.
A terrifying force Danzo could never comprehend.
After the meeting, Kaien turned to Itachi.
"Give me Shisui's left eye."
Without hesitation, Itachi summoned a crow.
Inside its beak, a jar containing the eye emerged.
Shisui looked on in silence.
"You'll be the key to this clan's survival," Kaien said. "Rest, recover. When the time comes, we'll move together."
"Yes, Deputy Patriarch."
This was the path Shisui had always wanted—to protect the clan without bloodshed.
"Oh, and Itachi," Kaien added, "we're being watched."
Itachi's gaze sharpened. "The one at the shrine?"
Kaien nodded. "He's tampered with the Uchiha Stone. Don't trust anything written there. It's a trap."
"…Understood."
That night…
Itachi walked out into the quiet compound. Thoughts swirled in his mind.
There, beneath a dim lamp, sat Izumi. She had fallen asleep on the bench.
A strange warmth bloomed in Itachi's chest.
He remembered her—dying in the nightmare world of Tsukuyomi.
He approached and gently tapped her shoulder.
"Izumi."
She stirred. "Itachi?"
"I didn't expect you here."
"I was just… never mind. I'll go."
She stood to leave, flustered.
"…Izumi."
She turned. In the soft moonlight, she looked more beautiful than he remembered.
"…Let's eat something together.''
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Translated By – Ancient Lores
TL Note:If you're enjoying the story, don't forget to show your support by leaving a review and letting us know what you think!
And if you'd like to see more chapters released faster, send us some Power Stones for extra chapters—your support really helps us keep the translations coming!
Thanks for reading, and stay tuned for more!— Ancient Lores Translation Team