The oil girl Ryoma's footsteps echoed lightly as he approached the Uchiha clan compound, halting just outside the great gate.
Only a few meters separated him from Fugaku and the gathered Uchiha, yet he did not dare to step further.
Even at night, behind those trademark sunglasses, his gaze was sharp. With a glance, he caught sight of Kakashi restrained within the crowd.
That single sight was enough—Danzo-sama's plan had failed.
At this moment—
"What do you Root dogs mean by gathering here at such a late hour? Are you preparing to wage war against the Uchiha with this formation?"
Fugaku's words were direct and cutting, his tone leaving no room for pleasantries.
Ryoma's face remained unchanged as he replied in a flat voice:
"Patriarch Fugaku, you misunderstand. We were ordered only to ensure the village's safety and to conduct routine patrols. We never once stepped into Uchiha grounds."
Fugaku narrowed his eyes. Without further argument, he retrieved a signal scroll from his sleeve and tossed it at Ryoma's feet.
"Then explain this. Why was such a thing found on Kakashi?"
"…This… I know nothing of it."
Ryoma shook his head slowly, his expression calm as his gaze locked with Fugaku's. "Patriarch Fugaku should be well aware—we serve Root, under Danzo-sama's command. Kakashi, however, is Anbu… and thus directly under Hokage-sama."
His words deliberately severed any association with Kakashi and subtly pushed suspicion toward the Third Hokage himself.
Fugaku's brow furrowed deeply. The reply was airtight—Ryoma had left no flaw to exploit. He knew he would gain nothing further from words.
Turning, Fugaku's gaze fell briefly on Duan. The latter gave no signal, but from his silence Fugaku understood well:
The Uchiha were not yet ready. To confront the village openly now would be premature.
With that thought, Fugaku gestured dismissively.
"You linger here at night, only to be caught by our police force. Misunderstandings are inevitable. Leave immediately."
"I see. My apologies then. We only fulfill our mission. I trust Patriarch Fugaku understands."
Ryoma's indifferent tone carried no trace of retreat.
That was when Fugaku's patience finally snapped. His eyes shifted, and with a whirl of tomoe, his Sharingan evolved instantly into the dreaded Mangekyō. His killing intent surged, bearing down like a storm.
Behind him—
Swish, swish, swish!
More than sixty Uchiha activated their Sharingan in unison. A sea of crimson pupils glowed in the darkness like a pack of predators baring their fangs.
Even the Third Hokage himself would falter under the crushing weight of so many Sharingan.
What chance did Ryoma have?
His composure shattered. With a sharp clap, his body dispersed into a storm of kikaichū insects, scattering frantically into the night sky.
The Root forces melted away as swiftly as they had appeared, vanishing into the shadows.
Danzo had known from the start—Root alone could not topple the Uchiha. His scheme was to use Kakashi's signal scroll as pretext, drawing Anbu into Uchiha territory and forcing a direct clash. From there, he could push Hiruzen into action against the clan.
But with Kakashi captured before the signal could be sent, and the Uchiha refusing to take the bait, Danzo had no justification to strike.
As Root retreated, Kakashi understood all too well. He was nothing but discarded bait.
And now the Uchiha had to decide—how to deal with him, the abandoned pawn.
After all, Ryoma had been right about one thing: Kakashi was the Hokage's Anbu.
"Duan, what do you think we should do?"
Fugaku turned the decision over to his brother-in-law.
Duan placed a firm hand on Kakashi's shoulder, his words heavy with meaning:
"Report everything you've witnessed tonight to Lord Third. Tell him—Uchiha has no wish to be enemies with the village. But… we will not be forced."
A delaying strategy.
Fugaku and the others grasped Duan's intent instantly.
At tonight's clan assembly, Shisui and Duan had clashed bitterly. Shisui lay severely injured, and Duan himself had spent vast chakra. The Uchiha were not ready for decisive battle. What they needed most now was time to recover their strength.
Terrifying Root was victory enough for tonight.
If open conflict erupted now, it would end only in Uchiha's downfall. Even Duan himself had no desire to linger—if war broke out, he would spirit his sister Mikoto away that very night.
So he chose instead to release Kakashi, sending Hiruzen a clear signal of restraint.
Kakashi blinked in surprise. That they would simply let him go—he had not expected it. Still, he dared not question their decision. He needed to leave before they reconsidered.
But fate rarely obeyed wishes.
Just as Kakashi stepped toward the gate, Uchiha Setsuna's voice cut sharply through the night.
"Wait!"
At once, the brothers Inabi and Tekka leapt forward, barring Kakashi's path.
"Elder Setsuna, what do you mean?" Fugaku asked, puzzled.
Setsuna's eyes flicked briefly to Duan. Seeing no objection, he steadied himself and spoke:
"Patriarch—you remember, after the Third Great Ninja War, we wished to reclaim Kakashi's Sharingan. But you argued Obito had fought bravely, and we must honor his will. Thus, we allowed Kakashi to keep it."
Setsuna's voice hardened.
"And now? Kakashi wields that very Sharingan against us, to spy on Uchiha! This alone proves your decision was a mistake."
His words burned, accusing Fugaku directly.
"I say this as an elder of the clan: Kakashi may leave… but Obito's Sharingan stays."
"Exactly!"
Many Uchiha voices rose in agreement. To them, it was only just. To let Kakashi walk free was one thing, but to reclaim their clan's eye—that was justice, and a warning to the Hokage.
"This…"
Fugaku faltered.
Kakashi, however, had already understood. Without hesitation, he answered calmly:
"I see."
Then, lifting his right hand, he reached for his left eye, prepared to gouge it free and return it.
Obito, forgive me.
His heart whispered the apology.
But at that instant—
Snap.
Duan strode forward, his grip like iron as he seized Kakashi's arm, halting the motion.
Kakashi froze, staring wide-eyed at him in shock.
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