Clang—
Uchiha Tsukikage's Mangekyō unleashed a surge of Yin Release Chakra, instantly invading the neural pathways of the nine ninja, severing their minds' control over their bodies.
"What's happening?! I can't move!"
"That's… the Mangekyō!"
On the tree branches, the nine cried out as their pupils turned scarlet, branded with the blade-shaped pattern of Tsukikage's Mangekyō.
This was Yachihoko—mind control!
"As long as my Yin Release Chakra surpasses theirs, I can brand them, controlling their minds and chakra. A brutally simple ability! Against ninja, it's a first-encounter kill. Ordinary people can't resist at all," Tsukikage mused calmly.
He effortlessly gained permanent control over the nine, at the cost of one-tenth of his Yin Release Chakra and a slight ache in his eyes.
The nine stood frozen on the branches, spines chilling. They had done nothing—just one glance, and they were all controlled!
This was Tsukikage's Mangekyō power? Utterly unfathomable!
"Everyone, I know some of you are confused, others furious, some itching to cut me down. The reason for this situation—you'll understand soon," Tsukikage said, wasting no time. Using Yachihoko, he commanded the nine to follow him with Body Flicker toward the village's edge.
He split off a Shadow Clone, sending it back to the clan grounds to act opportunistically.
Through the forest, the path led to the edge of the Hidden Leaf Village—a cliff with a clear view overlooking the Uchiha clan grounds' streets.
"Everyone, don't blink," Tsukikage ordered, positioning the nine in a line behind him, facing the clan grounds.
He planted his katana in the ground and sat at the cliff's edge.
The nine didn't understand his intent.
Uchiha Izumi and Uchiha Minamikaze were still grappling with why Tsukikage had killed so many clansmen. Was it just to awaken the Mangekyō?
Was there something more important than this horrific clan massacre?
Minamikaze swallowed hard, testing the waters. "Tsukikage, even with the Mangekyō, doing this… Clan Leader Fugaku… and Itachi… they won't let you go!"
"Itachi and Fugaku?" Tsukikage shook his head, silent.
---
Uchiha Clan Grounds.
Main Street Entrance.
The Masked Man gazed toward the eastern mountains, a sharp glint flashing from the single eyehole of his mask. "A rat slipped away. Our plan was discovered by other Uchiha."
"Only the village's top brass knew the plan. It's likely just a few sharp-nosed nobodies. After the massacre, I'll handle them," Itachi said, expressionless, drawing his katana from his back.
From this moment, for peace, for the village, he was willing to fall into hell, offering his soul to the devil.
"Let's begin," the Masked Man said coldly, his form vanishing like a ghost into the Uchiha streets. Per their plan, his target was the Uchiha Police Force headquarters—where the most Sharingan awaited.
Whoosh—
The autumn breeze swept through the streets, making the Uchiha's fan-shaped banners flutter wildly.
Tonight, the Uchiha clan grounds were eerily quiet.
Clang—
A shop door opened, and a cute, well-mannered Uchiha boy stepped out. Seeing Itachi, his face lit up.
Itachi was the clan's genius, an idol to the younger generation!
"Brother Itachi! It's you! Still on a mission this late? Come in for some sweets—Mom bought them at the market this morning!"
"Even if the mission's urgent, a few minutes' break won't hurt, right?" the boy said excitedly, grabbing Itachi's hand to lead him inside.
"Sorry…" Itachi unhooked his ANBU mask from his waist and put it on. His katana's blade reflected the family of three's final expressions—smiles of welcome, then stunned confusion.
"Aaahhh…!!"
A piercing scream echoed through the Uchiha grounds.
Crimson stained the shop's paper windows, the lantern light flickering. The house fell silent.
Uchiha Itachi stepped out, removing his blood-stained mask. Katana in hand, he moved to the next house.
Flap—
Countless crows swarmed, their wings beating as they circled above, as if sensing the aura of death or acting on some prearranged plan. They perched on walls, watching the Uchiha grounds.
---
The Cliff.
The nine Uchiha Police Force members snapped alert at the distant screams, heads jerking toward the clan grounds.
A black shadow darted between houses, each entry and exit accompanied by desperate wails.
They realized instantly: the clan grounds were under attack. Someone was slaughtering their people!
"Tsukikage, you have accomplices!!" Minamikaze's face drained of color, his voice shrill with uncontrollable emotion.
Izumi's large, beautiful eyes trembled, unwilling to believe the scene.
The silhouette slaughtering civilians was familiar.
"That's not my ally. The one butchering Uchiha civilians right now is the Uchiha Itachi you just mentioned," Tsukikage said calmly.
His words struck like thunder, pupils contracting across the nine.
Minamikaze shouted, "It can't be him! Impossible! It's impossible!"
"Why not?" Uchiha Tamao roared. "That Uchiha Itachi's been acting aloof and silent lately—obviously up to no good! If Brother Tsukikage says it's him, it's him!"
"It… it's Itachi," Izumi choked, tears streaming from her clear eyes, her body rigid as stone.
Despite the distance, she recognized the shadow's Body Flicker steps as Itachi's.
The other Uchiha Police Force members were dumbfounded. If anything could be more horrifying than Tsukikage's slaughter at the dungeon, it was Uchiha Itachi—the clan's hope—turning his blade on civilians!
"Why would Itachi do this?"
"It's genjutsu! It has to be!"
"My family… they live in that part of the clan grounds… Why… why would he…?"
Some members broke down, sobbing, muttering to themselves.
Text flashed in Tsukikage's mind:
[Main Mission]: Night of the Clan Massacre
[Options]:
1. Kill all other Uchiha.
2. Successfully escape the Hidden Leaf Village.
[Reward]: (Plunder) Steal another's Mangekyō Sharingan, absorb its power, and gain its abilities.
Tsukikage's expression hardened, analyzing the mission.
Killing all Uchiha was feasible for civilians and lesser ninja, but Fugaku, Itachi, and Tobi—collectively wielding two-and-a-half pairs of Mangekyō—were beyond his current strength.
The only viable option was the second: escape the Hidden Leaf Village.
He glanced at the forest's barrier edge. Even crossing it wouldn't count as a true escape—not with the village's forces and Itachi's pursuit to evade.
The reward suggested a future goal: plunder the Mangekyō Sharingan of Itachi, Tobi, and others.
"Captain… Tsukikage…" Izumi spoke woodenly.
Tsukikage turned, signaling he was listening.
"Why did you do this?"
"And why… is Itachi doing this?"
(End of Chapter)