The sky over Konoha was heavy with dark clouds, hiding the moon's face behind its curtain. The tension in the village had reached an almost palpable level.
The soft whispers among the ANBU, the silence of the guards at the gates, and the unusually high number of patrols painted a clear picture — something was about to change.
Yet within the secluded Hokage building, a more important conversation was unfolding — one that would determine the fate of an entire clan.
In a private chamber lit only by the flickering glow of a small oil lamp, Itachi Uchiha stood with arms at his sides. His expression was composed, but beneath it, the weight of grief and moral conflict churned endlessly.
The pain of losing Shisui was still fresh, raw like an unhealed wound. But the gravity of what lay ahead demanded all of his discipline.
Before him sat the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, aged and weary, the heavy mantle of leadership weighing visibly on his shoulders. At his side was Danzo Shimura, composed as always, his expression impassive yet shadowed by an unmistakable hunger for power.
The tension in the air was suffocating.
"Itachi," Hiruzen began slowly, his voice weary, as if he had aged even more in the last few days, "I understand what Shisui meant to you. And I won't pretend to understand your pain. But… the situation with the Uchiha Clan has reached a point of no return."
Danzo interjected without hesitation, his tone sharp and assertive. "The Uchiha are planning a coup. We have proof. And if we do not act, they will start a civil war within the village. The consequences would be catastrophic. Innocent civilians would die, and Konoha would be vulnerable to attacks from other nations."
Itachi remained still. Silent. His eyes, however, were fixed on the table, the flickering shadows dancing across its surface reflecting his turbulent thoughts.
"I do not support the decision lightly," Hiruzen continued, his voice soft, "but it is no longer a matter of negotiation. The clan refuses to stand down. The village must be protected, even at the cost of great sacrifice."
Danzo leaned forward slightly. "This is where you come in, Itachi."
Itachi finally lifted his head, eyes glinting with quiet resolve. His voice was low, but steady.
"You want me to do it," he stated.
"To eliminate the Uchiha Clan before they start a civil war and destroy the village," Danzo confirmed without emotion. "You are the only one capable of doing it from within. Your loyalty to the village makes you uniquely suited for this mission."
"And my brother?" Itachi's voice grew low, colder. "Sasuke?"
"You may spare him," Danzo replied instantly, as if he had anticipated the question. "In fact, he must survive. His survival will serve a narrative. The clan went rogue. You, the loyal son, stopped them. Sasuke, the lone survivor, will be shaped by this story."
Hiruzen looked pained. "I would never ask you to do this, Itachi. But Danzo's right. The elders are unanimous. The coup must be stopped."
Itachi took a deep breath. His fists clenched tightly. His heart ached, but his mind had already decided. The village… must be protected.
"I will do it," he said slowly, every word dragging against his heart. "But under one condition."
Hiruzen nodded for him to continue.
"I will spare Sasuke. And I will take all the blame. I will become the traitor of Konoha. But… after that, I want to be allowed to monitor a certain organization."
Danzo raised an eyebrow. "What organization?"
Itachi looked straight at them. "Akatsuki. A mysterious group that is gathering dangerous rogue ninja. They're up to something… and they have a masked man who claims to be Madara Uchiha."
Both Hiruzen and Danzo stiffened.
"Madara?" Hiruzen's voice was almost a whisper. The ghost of a legend now active again in the shadows?
"He's powerful. Manipulative. And he had knowledge even I couldn't comprehend. If I infiltrate Akatsuki, I can keep an eye on him. On all of them. In exchange for my service… grant me this mission."
Danzo's expression was unreadable. Hiruzen leaned forward, conflicted.
"Do you know what you're asking, Itachi?"
"I do," Itachi replied. "I am asking to become a spy. To carry this burden alone. To live in disgrace. To protect the village from the shadows."
Danzo stood slowly. "Then the deal is made."
Hiruzen bowed his head in defeat. "You are making a great sacrifice, Itachi. One that no one will ever understand. I am… sorry."
Itachi didn't respond. He had already made his peace with it. The path ahead was clear, no matter how painful.
Silence fell.
The night outside deepened, as if mourning the pact made within those walls.
Meanwhile, in the Ninja Academy, Iruka Umino stepped into the classroom holding a clipboard. His voice rang through the rows of students.
"Alright everyone, listen up! Today we're holding an extra class, so settle down."
Groans filled the air.
"Extra class?! Again?!" Naruto shouted, slamming his hands on the desk, his spiky blond hair bobbing as he stood up. "Iruka-sensei, that's not fair!"
Iruka sighed. "Yes, Naruto. Because some of you have been slacking in taijutsu practice. If you want to graduate, you have to get serious."
In the corner, Sasuke Uchiha sat quietly by the window.
His eyes wandered to the sky.
Tonight, the moon seemed different — blood-red, looming like a silent omen.
He frowned. It wasn't just the color… it was the feeling. A foreboding chill.
Something felt off.
But he turned his gaze away, dismissing it.
Just another strange night.
He didn't know that the crimson moon was the prelude to a nightmare that would shatter everything he knew.
Chapter — The Silent Pact: Itachi's Final Choice (Complete)
... [Part 1 remains unchanged and included above] ...
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Part 2: Indra's Preparation — Night of Red Moon
As the crimson moon cast its eerie glow over the Hidden Leaf Village, Indra Uchiha stood motionless on the balcony of his secluded compound. The moonlight washed over the sharp edges of his armor, painting him in a pale, blood-tinted glow. His gaze pierced the heavens, but his thoughts were firmly grounded in the chaos to come. Tonight, Konoha would burn beneath silent screams, and Indra would ensure his legacy was carved into its ashes.
Behind him, footsteps broke the heavy silence. Turning slightly, he saw four familiar figures approach — Uzuki Yugao, Yuhi Kurenai, Samui, and Kushina Uzumaki. Each carried worry in their eyes, but none spoke first.
"You all must leave now," Indra stated, his tone calm but absolute. "Toru will take you to the secure safehouse outside the eastern residential block. You are not to leave until I return."
Yuhi Kurenai stepped forward. "What's happening, Indra?" she asked, her brows furrowed with concern. "Why the urgency?"
Indra stepped closer, gently brushing his fingers against her cheek. "Tonight… is not for questions. It is a night painted in blood. You'll be safe, I swear it."
Kushina moved to his side, her voice more resolute. "We're kunoichi too. We can fight beside you—"
"No." Indra cut her off, firmly but not harshly. "You are important to me. That's why I can't let you be in the middle of this storm."
Samui, quiet as ever, gave a small nod of understanding, her arms crossed but eyes locked onto Indra's. She knew when not to argue. Yugao exhaled heavily, brushing strands of hair from her face. "We'll wait for you. You better return."
Indra gave a faint smile. "I will."
He turned toward the main entrance where Toru Uchiha waited in full gear, his black flak jacket reinforced and sword strapped tight.
"Escort them to the safehouse. No one else is to enter. If even a shadow moves wrong — eliminate it."
"Yes, my lord," Toru replied, bowing. The four women hesitated for one last glance before departing under Toru's protection.
Indra watched until they vanished from sight, then turned his gaze back to the sky.
"The blood moon has never looked so poetic," he whispered. "A perfect backdrop for tonight's slaughter."
Moments later, he walked briskly toward the underground war hall beneath the Uchiha Clan's traditional shrine. There, several elite members of his inner circle were already gathered.
"Toru," Indra said as the shinobi returned, "relocate every civilian to the eastern wing. Use the subterranean routes if needed. I want no civilian casualties — not a single one."
"Yes, sir. The eastern housing sector will be sealed off by midnight," Toru confirmed.
"Any resistance?" Indra asked.
"None so far. Most of them are confused, but we told them it's for emergency training protocol."
"Good." Indra nodded. "What about our trained shinobi?"
"All in position. Reinforced squads stationed near the main road. Our sensory unit has detected no incoming activity from Konoha's ANBU."
Just then, a shadow stepped into the room. It was Uchiha Setsuna — Indra's grandfather and former head of the hawkish faction. His presence still carried undeniable authority.
"You brat," Setsuna said with a half-hearted chuckle, "I told you not to get involved in politics. Now look at you — leading a rebellion without lifting a sword."
Indra gave a sideways glance, expression half amusement, half steel. "You taught me well."
Setsuna's wrinkled hand landed on his shoulder. "Come back alive. That's all I ask."
Indra nodded silently. No more words were exchanged between them — only mutual respect forged in the fires of generational hardship.
He turned toward the massive map etched into the stone table, pointing at key chokepoints across the compound.
"These three roads must be sealed when the time strikes midnight. ANBU or Root may attempt infiltration. I want our traps ready."
"Understood," Toru replied.
"One more thing." Indra paused, his eyes darkening.
"What about Fugaku and Mikoto?"
Toru hesitated before responding. "They've stayed home. Mikoto lit candles in front of the family shrine. Fugaku hasn't left the compound. They're waiting… they know what's coming."
Indra exhaled slowly. "They won't resist. It's almost tragic."
He turned away from the table and walked to the far corridor. Before stepping into the shadows, he asked, "And the girl… Izumi Uchiha?"
"She refused to support us," Toru answered with a heavy tone. "She believed Itachi wouldn't betray the clan. She's gone to find him. Maybe to warn him."
Indra chuckled quietly. "How innocent."
Toru asked the lingering question. "Do you want us to intercept her?"
"No," Indra replied, his voice sharp. "She's beautiful. Talented. And she still holds influence over Itachi. Let her meet him."
Then Indra smirked.
"But don't forget… bring her the surprise I prepared."
Toru raised a brow. "Are you sure Boss?"
"The very one," Indra confirmed. "She'll find herself drowning towards the abyss if she see the suprise."
"As you command."
With final orders given, Indra walked into the courtyard, his eternal Mangekyō glowing under the blood-red moon.
The night had begun.
And the Uchiha Clan's fate was sealed.
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End of Chapter
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