Thump, thump, thump!
From the rooftops came the sound of countless hurried footsteps. One after another, ninja leapt across the village houses.
Normally, this would be considered rude behavior, but the Hokage had just issued an emergency order—Konoha was now under martial law.
Shinobi swarmed across the rooftops, while civilians stayed locked inside their homes.
At the Hyūga compound, the clan's strongest warriors—Hiashi and Hizashi—led their elite toward Uchiha territory.
Hizashi asked quietly, "Brother, could it be true? Is the Uchiha clan really going to rebel?"
Hiashi's brow furrowed. "When we're outside, call me Clan Head."
Hizashi paused, then bowed slightly. "Yes… Clan Head."
Hiashi softened his tone. "The Third ordered us to surround the Uchiha. Tonight, we may see a fierce battle."
His heart was heavy. Internal conflict always meant casualties—especially against the Uchiha, one of the strongest clans in the shinobi world.
Every Uchiha was a capable fighter, and many were fanatically loyal to their clan.
Hiashi looked back at the twenty or so jōnin following him. He didn't know how many of them would return alive tonight. Each was an irreplaceable strength of the Hyūga family.
"Hizashi, if fighting breaks out, keep our people steady. Don't let them rush the front lines."
"And what about the Third Hokage?" Hizashi asked.
Hiashi waved his hand grimly. "If the Uchiha fall tonight, then we might be next."
Hizashi's eyes widened. He glanced left and right, then silently nodded.
Elsewhere, inside Root headquarters—
"Lord Danzo, the Third has declared a state of emergency in Konoha. All jōnin and higher are being summoned to prepare for battle. Shall we participate?"
Danzo had just finished checking his newly transplanted eye. Slowly, he rose to his feet, touching his bandaged right socket.
"So… tonight, the Uchiha problem will finally be solved. How many Sharingan can I harvest, I wonder?"
He sneered inwardly. Hiruzen, I warned you the Uchiha could never be trusted. Good thing I acted first and eliminated Shisui.
"Gather our men. We march to the Uchiha compound—now."
"Yes, sir!"
At the gates of the Uchiha compound, torches blazed. Konoha's finest had gathered, completely surrounding the clan.
At the very front stood the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, with Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado at his sides.
Behind them were the heads and elites of every noble clan: Hyūga, Akimichi, Nara, Yamanaka, and more.
Almost all of Konoha's ANBU and elite jōnin were present, forming layer upon layer of encirclement.
Every face was grave. Each clan head carried private worries of their own.
Creak…
The massive gates of the Uchiha compound slowly swung open.
Hundreds of fully armed Uchiha stepped out in formation, led by Fugaku.
All eyes locked on him. Surprise flickered across many faces—Fugaku, usually the peacemaker, now stood at the front in grim defiance.
The Uchiha behind him murmured anxiously at the sight of so many enemies, but when Fugaku remained silent, the noise gradually faded.
The air grew heavy.
Suddenly, a messenger bird descended from the sky. Fugaku read the note. For a brief instant, killing intent flashed in his eyes before he forced his expression calm again.
Hiruzen watched closely as Fugaku scanned the crowd. His gaze narrowed when he noticed Danzo was absent.
"Lord Hokage," Fugaku called evenly. "Why have you surrounded the Uchiha?"
Hiruzen's brow furrowed. "Fugaku! You've mobilized your entire clan and dare to ask me why? What are you planning?!"
This time, Fugaku showed none of his usual courtesy. His voice was cold.
"What am I planning? Shisui went missing after leaving the village today. We are searching for him. Is that a crime?"
Hiruzen froze. He had expected countless excuses—but not this. And truthfully, Shisui had gone missing. The Hokage was momentarily at a loss.
Homura stepped forward angrily. "Nonsense! Shisui disappears and you mobilize your entire clan? Do you take us for fools?"
Fugaku did not reply.
At that moment, the crowd parted—Danzo finally arrived, his head, eye, and right arm wrapped in bandages.
"Fugaku, stop pretending. The Uchiha are clearly plotting rebellion tonight!"
Fugaku's eyes flashed with killing intent. His voice dropped to a growl.
"Danzo Shimura… you dare show yourself here?"
"Itachi told me Shisui disappeared after you summoned him this afternoon. Do you claim this has nothing to do with you?"
In the shadows, Itachi frowned slightly. I never told Father anything…
Danzo's expression didn't change. So even Itachi can't be trusted anymore.
"Ridiculous! I never saw Shisui today. You slander me with lies."
Fugaku's cold smile cut through the tension. "Is that so?"
Chakra surged from his body, his eyes freezing cold. Around them, other clans stiffened, readying themselves for battle.
The atmosphere was on the brink of exploding—
Then the rear ranks of the Uchiha parted, and Kawasaki stepped forward at the head of a group.
[Ding! Quest Updated: Fate of the Coup]
[Objective: Protect all Uchiha clan members from harm during the coup.]
[Reward: Ocular Amplifier x1, Uchiha Deputy Clan Head…]
Kawasaki didn't have time to check the full reward list. The mission was clear: if the task was to protect everyone, then he couldn't let the clan start a war tonight.
He strode forward alone, eyes sharp, while the Uchiha behind him followed in reverent silence. Their gazes on him burned with fanatic admiration.
Two carried a stretcher. On it lay Shisui—alive, but bloodied.
Others dragged several Root operatives' corpses, broken and battered.
The Hokage's expression darkened. "Fugaku, what is the meaning of this?"
Kawasaki delivered Shisui back into the Uchiha's ranks, then turned to face the Hokage, deliberately stepping in front of Fugaku.
He sneered. "Third Hokage… even now you play dumb? Danzo summoned Shisui this afternoon and stole his Sharingan!"
"Our clan mobilized only to search for him. What's wrong with that?!"
He leaned down, whispering to Shisui. Moments later, Shisui forced himself upright, trembling.
His body was covered in wounds, but the most horrifying were the empty sockets where his Sharingan had been.
A collective gasp swept through the crowd.
"Danzo… stole Shisui's eyes?!"
"Impossible—he's the Hokage's advisor!"
Shisui's voice was weak, but steady. "This evening, I went to meet Danzo at his request. He coveted the Uchiha's Sharingan… and while I was off guard, he stole my eyes."
The revelation shocked many. Shisui, famed as "Shisui of the Body Flicker," was not only a genius of the Uchiha but also a hero of the Third Great Ninja War. His words carried great weight.
The Third Hokage's face twisted with grief. He knew Shisui's gentle character well. Even if betrayed, Shisui would never slander someone in public.
For him to speak out now meant it was true.
Danzo's expression darkened. Calmly, he countered: "I did summon Shisui, yes. But he tried to strike at me first. I merely defended myself."
Kawasaki laughed coldly. "That excuse wouldn't fool a child."
Danzo's temper flared. "You're nothing but a temporary elder. You think you have the right to speak to me like this?"
At the rear, Fugaku received word from his clansmen and was stunned to learn—Kawasaki had awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan. Joy surged through him. Their clan hadn't seen such a power in years, and Kawasaki was still young.
Fugaku raised his voice so all could hear. "Danzo, enough! Elder Kawasaki saved Shisui and has been chosen as Deputy Clan Head. His words carry authority!"