Chapter 1: Countdown to Genocide
It took a while for Fugaku to process the fact that he had transmigrated as Uchiha Fugaku.
After fully receiving Uchiha Fugaku's memories, Fugaku frowned in thought: "The Uchiha Clan was annihilated in Konoha Year 56. There's a gathering at Nanga Shrine tonight, so tonight might be the night of the clan's destruction!"
Fugaku's face turned pale with shock, and he instinctively touched his eyes.
Although he had the Mangekyo Sharingan, the other side also had three Mangekyo, one more than him. If they truly fought, it was uncertain who would win.
Therefore, he didn't plan to do nothing. It was only 2 PM, and there was still time for everything.
He called out in a booming voice: "Someone!"
As soon as his voice fell, a ghostly figure appeared at the window.
This person, Uchiha Ryoichi, had a calm and respectful demeanor and was Uchiha Fugaku's attendant.
"Ryoichi, go find Uchiha Hideki. Tell him I have an urgent matter and need to see him immediately."
Fugaku's expression was serious.
"Yes!"
Uchiha Ryoichi replied, and with a whoosh, he vanished from the window.
Fugaku gazed at the white clouds outside the window, rhythmically snapping his right fingers, producing a crisp sound.
This was a habit he had in his previous life when contemplating problems.
Not long after, Uchiha Ryoichi's figure reappeared at the window.
"Clan Head-sama, Uchiha Hideki is here."
Almost as soon as his words fell, there was a rush of footsteps from outside the room, accompanied by a voice.
"Clan Head-sama!"
"Enter!"
Fugaku responded in a deep voice, then turned to instruct: "Go find Itachi again. No matter where he is or what he's doing, tell him to return here immediately to see me."
"Yes!"
The moment Uchiha Ryoichi's figure disappeared, the door was pushed open, and a middle-aged man in a white coat, with a respectful expression, said, "Clan Head, you wanted to see me?"
"Sit."
Seeing this person, a trace of a smile finally appeared on Fugaku's serious face.
This middle-aged man in the white coat was named Uchiha Hideki, one of the few Medical Ninja in the Uchiha Clan, and he worked at Konoha Hospital.
Uchiha Hideki nervously sat down opposite the Clan Head-sama. Was he seeing things, or was the world about to end? The usually stern Clan Head-sama was actually smiling at him?
His mind raced with thoughts, but he couldn't figure out what had happened to make the Clan Head-sama smile at him.
He sat upright, pulling out a forced smile: "Clan Head-sama, you wanted to see me...?"
"Yes, I have something to discuss with you."
Fugaku didn't immediately get to the point; instead, he first poured Uchiha Hideki a cup of water.
Uchiha Hideki, flattered, quickly took it with both hands.
Observing the other party's expression, which remained very respectful, it seemed Uchiha Fugaku wasn't a complete failure as a person. Although he failed in raising his children, he still held weight in the hearts of these clan members.
Once Fugaku understood this, he spoke directly—
...
Hokage Building, office.
The four most powerful people in Konoha Village were gathered, and a young teenager knelt on one knee below them.
He was not old, and the two tear troughs on his face made him look much older. It was Uchiha Itachi.
Bang!
The noblewoman Utatane Koharu slammed the table and angrily said: "I have had enough. If they dare to stage a coup and seize power, we can only purge these Konoha traitors."
Danzo, with a bandage over his left eye, snorted coldly: "There's no need to wait any longer. They will betray us tonight. It's still not too late for us to strike first."
Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned: "Koharu, don't jump to conclusions easily." Hearing Danzo's words, he tapped his pipe on the table, expressing his displeasure: "How can we abuse force against the Uchiha, who fought alongside us? We should prioritize peaceful negotiations." As he spoke, he looked at Uchiha Itachi, who was respectfully bowing below, and reassured him: "I will come up with a perfect plan."
Uchiha Itachi, with a respectful expression, lowered his head. He had been conflicted, but hearing Lord Third Hokage's words brought him some peace.
Yes, Lord Third Hokage would definitely come up with a perfect plan. That way, the clan and the Village could still coexist peacefully, and Shisui's worries wouldn't come to pass.
'A perfect plan? How can you even say that?' Danzo watched coldly from the side, disdain in his heart.
He had already sentenced the Uchiha Clan to death in his mind. Hiruzen was always like this, wanting to be both a prostitute and a virtuous woman. He decided not to drag it out any longer; he would act tonight. It just so happened that the Uchiha Clan had a gathering tonight, giving him an opportunity to catch them all in one net.
Danzo's sinister gaze fell on Uchiha Itachi, and a strange smile curved his lips.
Uchiha Itachi could become a useful tool.
Knock knock knock.
A knock on the door.
"Enter."
Homura Mitokado, who was closest to the door, said with a strong voice.
An Anbu walked in and quickly came behind Hiruzen Sarutobi, whispering: "Hokage-sama, someone from the Uchiha Clan is looking for Uchiha Itachi outside."
Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes flickered, and he said: "Itachi, your clan member is looking for you. You go first and see what they want. If you have any difficulties, come to me, and we will discuss and resolve them together."
"Yes, Hokage-sama."
Hearing that someone from the clan was looking for him, Uchiha Itachi felt some resistance, but he had no choice.
He respectfully left the room and, as soon as he went downstairs, he immediately saw the Uchiha Clan member standing at the main entrance.
Uchiha Ryoichi, his father's attendant.
He recognized him at a glance.
"Young Master, the Clan Head-sama needs you urgently. Please come back with me quickly."
Uchiha Ryoichi, with sharp eyes, saw Uchiha Itachi and eagerly came forward to say.
Uchiha Itachi sighed inwardly and nodded silently.
The two, one in front and one behind, hurried towards the Uchiha Clan Land.
"Clan Head-sama, Young Master has returned."
"Let him in."
Uchiha Fugaku's voice came from inside the room.
A trace of complexity flashed in Uchiha Itachi's eyes. His father had called him back in such a hurry; he must be asking about the Hokage-sama's side again.
He felt a little tired. Between the clan and the Village, he didn't know how to choose.
At this moment, the figure of that mysterious person flashed in his mind, his devil-like tempting voice sounding as if it were yesterday.
Seeing Uchiha Itachi standing blankly at the door, Uchiha Ryoichi softly called out: "Young Master? Young Master?"
Uchiha Itachi came back to his senses, met Uchiha Ryoichi's gaze with a nod as a response, took a deep breath, and entered the room.
"Father."
Uchiha Itachi walked to the table with downcast eyes.
After waiting for a while, he didn't receive the usual inquiries. He looked up in surprise, meeting Uchiha Fugaku's scrutinizing gaze.
This left him somewhat confused, and he cast a questioning look at his father.
Fugaku said expressionlessly: "Come sit next to me."
Uchiha Itachi didn't think much of it and obediently sat next to his father.
Then there was another period of silence.
Uchiha Itachi noticed that his father seemed a little different from usual today, but he was also happy about it. On one hand was his father, on the other was the Village. He still couldn't bring himself to betray the Village's intelligence to his father.
"Do you think you're very strong?"
His father's faint words suddenly sounded in his ear.
Uchiha Itachi's expression didn't change, and he calmly replied: "No, Father."
Fugaku observed Uchiha Itachi. From the moment he entered, his expression had remained respectful, playing the role of an obedient child very well. If he didn't know the plot, it would be hard to connect him with Itachi, who killed the entire Uchiha Clan.
More words were useless. What was decided, he would not change. Itachi was already ruined, from the inside out. Whatever he told him now would just go in one ear and out the other.
He couldn't be bothered with the effort, nor did he want to take the risk.
"Look up. What is this?"