Thump thump thump—
Footsteps thudded across the rooftops. Ninja silhouettes leapt from house to house in a dense stream.
On a normal day, dashing across roofs like this would be considered terribly rude. But with the Hokage's emergency order, Konoha had entered a state of crisis.
Ninja were now darting over roofs everywhere, and civilians had all hidden inside their homes.
In another of Konoha's great clans—the Hyūga—
The clan's strongest fighters, Hiashi and Hizashi, were leading their elite toward Uchiha territory.
"Big Brother, are the Uchiha really going to rebel?" Hizashi couldn't help asking.
Hiashi frowned. "Call me Clan Head outside."
Hizashi paused, then corrected himself. "Yes, Clan Head."
Hiashi softened his tone a little. "The Third has told us to surround the Uchiha. There may be a harsh battle tonight."
He was filled with worry. Internal conflict always meant casualties.
And the opponent was the Uchiha—one of the premier clans in the ninja world.
Uchiha members were all-rounders, and many of them fanatics.
Hiashi glanced back at the twenty-odd jōnin following him.
He didn't know how many would return alive. They were the clan's precious strength.
"Hizashi, if it comes to a fight, you must keep our clansmen steady. Don't rush them to the front lines."
"What about the Third?"
Hiashi waved a hand. "If the Uchiha fall, it may very well be our turn next."
Hizashi's heart lurched. He glanced left and right, then nodded quietly.
…
"Lord Danzō, the Third has declared a state of emergency in Konoha…"
"He's issued a mobilization order for all shinobi chūnin and above. Should we participate?"
"Oh?"
Danzō, who had just finished having his new eye examined, finally came back to himself.
"What's happened?"
"All of the Uchiha combat forces are assembling."
Danzō rose, touching his newly transplanted right eye.
It looked like tonight would see the Uchiha thoroughly dealt with. How many of their eyes could he harvest?
Hiruzen, I told you the Uchiha can't be trusted. Fortunately I struck first and got rid of Shisui.
"Take our men. We're going to the Uchiha compound."
"Yes, sir!"
…
The gate of the Uchiha compound blazed with light. Countless Konoha elites had the Uchiha surrounded.
Standing in the front rank were the Third Hokage, Homura, and Koharu.
Behind them gathered the heads and elites of all the major clans—
The Hyūga, Akimichi, Nara, Yamanaka, and others.
Anbu and nearly all of Konoha's elite jōnin were here, forming layer after layer of encirclement.
Everyone's expression was heavy.
The clan heads each harbored their own thoughts.
Creak…
The great gates of the Uchiha compound slowly swung open.
Hundreds of fully armed Uchiha stepped out behind Fugaku.
For a moment, every gaze fixed on Fugaku's face, each with a different emotion, but all of them surprised.
The usual peace-making Fugaku—what was he planning tonight?
The Uchiha behind him stirred when they saw the sea of Konoha elites outside, but when their clan head stayed silent, the noise gradually died down.
The atmosphere seemed to solidify.
Just then, a messenger bird swooped out of the sky.
Fugaku took the note and skimmed it. A flash of murderous intent lit his eyes before he smoothed his expression.
Under the Third's watchful gaze, Fugaku remained calm and composed, scanning the crowd.
When he saw that Danzō had not yet arrived, his eyes narrowed slightly.
"Hokage-sama, may I ask why the Uchiha compound has been surrounded?"
The Third frowned. "Fugaku! You gathered this many Uchiha and you're asking us what we're doing? What exactly are you planning?"
Fugaku's face held none of its usual deference. There was no respect in his eyes for the Hokage.
"What am I planning? Uchiha Shisui went missing after going out today. We're going out to look for him. Is that a crime?"
The Third's brow furrowed deeply. He had imagined a dozen excuses Fugaku might give, but not this.
And as far as he knew, Shisui really had disappeared. For a moment, the Third was speechless.
Homura stepped forward. "Nonsense!
"Just because your Uchiha Shisui went missing, you gather the entire clan? Do you take us for fools?"
Fugaku didn't answer.
The crowd parted and Shimura Danzō approached.
As always, his forehead, right eye, right shoulder, and right arm were wrapped in bandages.
"Uchiha Fugaku, you Uchiha are clearly planning a rebellion tonight!"
When Fugaku saw Danzō, a flash of killing intent crossed his eyes.
He said darkly, "Shimura Danzō, you still dare show your face to me?
"Itachi reported that after Shisui met with you this afternoon, he vanished. And you say it has nothing to do with you?"
In the crowd, Itachi frowned. He hadn't actually reported anything to his father.
Danzō's face stayed blank. So even Itachi wasn't reliable.
He barked back, "Lies! I never saw Shisui this afternoon—that's slander!"
Fugaku gave a cold, mirthless smile. "Is that so?"
Chakra surged around him, his gaze turning icy. The surrounding clans grew tense.
While the crowd was still buzzing, the people at the back stepped aside once more—Uchiha Kawasaki led a group of clansmen in.
[Ding! Mission updated: Outcome of the Coup.]
[Mission objective: Protect all Uchiha clan members from harm during the coup.]
[Mission rewards: Ocular Technique Amplifier x1, position of Uchiha Deputy Clan Head…]
There was no time to study the rewards. Since the mission now demanded the safety of every clansman, they couldn't start a battle tonight.
Kawasaki walked in front alone, his gaze sharp like a blade.
Behind him, the Uchiha were silent. The occasional glance toward Kawasaki was full of fanaticism and reverence.
Two of them carried a stretcher—Uchiha Shisui lay upon it.
Several others dragged the mutilated corpses of Root operatives.
The Third's expression darkened. "Fugaku, what is the meaning of this?"
Kawasaki had Shisui returned to the clan members, then turned to face the Third, stepping in front of Fugaku.
He sneered. "Third Hokage, and at a time like this you're still playing dumb? Danzō summoned Shisui this afternoon and stole his Sharingan!
"We mobilized the entire clan to search for Shisui—what's wrong with that?!"
Then he leaned down and whispered something into Shisui's ear.
Shisui struggled to sit up.
His body was covered in wounds—anyone could see that at a glance.
Worst of all were his eyes. Only two bloody hollows remained where his Sharingan had been dug out.
The surrounding clans cried out in shock.
"Danzō stole Shisui's Sharingan?"
"Shut up. Danzō is the Hokage's advisor—watch what you say."
Shisui spoke weakly. "This evening, I received a message from Danzō asking me to meet him.
"I never thought he coveted the Uchiha Sharingan. While I let my guard down, he seized my eyes."
The Third had deep affection for Shisui. That afternoon, Shisui had reported his intention to use Kotoamatsukami to prevent a Uchiha coup.
He hadn't expected their next meeting to be like this.
Danzō had gone stone-faced the moment Shisui stood up, lost in thought.
The crowd erupted. Many eyes turned toward Danzō in suspicion.
Stealing another's kekkei genkai was an unforgivable crime in the ninja world—doing it to a comrade from the same village was beyond belief.
Shisui, famed as "Shunshin no Shisui," had made great contributions to Konoha during the Third Great Ninja War—a prodigy of the Uchiha.
He had a sterling reputation. His word carried enormous weight.
The Third frowned. He knew Shisui's character.
For the sake of peace, Shisui would never publicly make a scene like this—even if something like this had happened.
So what had changed?
In truth, Kawasaki had quietly told Shisui: if he lied and covered for Danzō, the Uchiha would immediately rise up in revolt.
But if Shisui told the truth, Kawasaki guaranteed there would be no rebellion tonight.
Danzō's expression twisted, then smoothed again. "I never intended to worsen the conflict between the Uchiha and the village, but since things have gone this far…
"It is true that I summoned Shisui tonight. He attempted to assassinate me. I had no choice but to defend myself."
Kawasaki looked at him with wide, mocking eyes. "And that's the excuse you're going with? Are you trying to fool children?"
Danzō flew into a rage. "You're just an acting elder—what right do you have to speak to me?"
At the back, Fugaku listened to reports from the clan members.
When he heard that Elder Kawasaki had awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan, he was shocked and overjoyed.
It had been many years since the clan had seen a Mangekyō.
And Kawasaki was so young.
Fugaku raised his voice. "Danzō-sama, Elder Kawasaki saved Shisui tonight. He has been unanimously recommended as Deputy Clan Head. I believe that qualifies him to speak."