"Let's talk somewhere else," Namikaze Kirito said calmly.
"With this much noise, those old men won't be able to sit still."
Uchiha Fugaku nodded.
He turned and instructed Uchiha Mikoto to remain behind and stabilize the clan, then led Itachi and Kirito toward the Uchiha ancestral grounds.
Deep within the clan's territory, a massive Uchiha crest was carved into the stone wall. At the center stood an ancient stone tablet.
According to the records passed down through the clan, only those who had awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan could truly decipher its contents.
Of course, the tablet had long been tampered with.
But Uchiha Madara had believed it completely.
That belief—his distorted pursuit of "true peace"—had eventually led to the Eye of the Moon Plan.
The three figures stopped before the tablet.
"Namikaze Kirito," Fugaku spoke first,
"The news that Jiraiya took you away for treatment… that was false, wasn't it?"
"It was just a clumsy cover," Kirito replied indifferently.
"A trick cooked up by a few old men."
Fugaku's expression didn't change. It was exactly what he had expected.
As the orphan of the Fourth Hokage, Kirito's presence alone weakened the authority of the Third Hokage. There were still too many shinobi in the village loyal to Namikaze Minato.
Kirito leaving Konoha had been inevitable.
"So," Fugaku continued, "you've returned this time to become Hokage? To take control of the village?"
Before Kirito could answer, Itachi spoke up.
"…Is that your goal?"
"Hokage?" Kirito scoffed. "I'm not interested in that chair."
His eyes darkened slightly.
"I just want to make sure that when my parents return, what belongs to them… is still theirs."
"As for taking control of the village—"
He looked directly at Itachi.
"That part does interest me."
Then he asked softly:
"Itachi… when I asked you earlier—should I step into true darkness—what was your answer?"
Kirito wasn't foolish enough to believe he could suppress everything alone.
Not yet.
An organization was the most efficient path forward.
Especially when his ability allowed him to absorb Kekkei Genkai and even grant them to others.
To waste that potential would be stupidity.
"I won't betray the village," Itachi said, his expression conflicted.
"Betray the village?" Kirito laughed quietly.
"Then tell me—whose village is it?"
"Sarutobi Hiruzen's?"
"Or Shimura Danzō's?"
"For the sake of this 'village,' the higher-ups ordered you to slaughter your own clan."
"Is a village that forces you to kill your family really worth protecting?"
"Or tell me—aren't your family part of the village too?"
"I…"
Itachi clenched his fists. "I don't know."
He had already prepared himself to shoulder everything.
To become a traitor.
To destroy his own clan.
But Kirito's sudden intervention shattered the path he had resigned himself to.
Now… he didn't know what he was supposed to do.
"Itachi," Fugaku said quietly, pain flashing through his eyes.
"He's right."
"If negotiation were truly possible, our clan would never have reached the point of rebellion."
"Is there really… another solution?" Itachi murmured.
What was the meaning of all this sacrifice?
What was it all for?
"My parents will return soon," Kirito said calmly.
"And before that happens, I intend to wash Konoha clean."
"That's why I spared the Uchiha clan."
"…So," Fugaku said slowly, understanding dawning,
"We become your blades."
He felt no anger.
Compared to genocide, being used was a small price.
Especially when the one holding the hilt was the son of the Fourth Hokage.
Among the proud Uchiha, Namikaze Minato had always commanded respect.
"We agree."
"But, Father—!" Itachi started, only to be cut off by Fugaku's raised hand.
"Itachi, I never denied the path you chose," Fugaku said firmly.
"But now—for the clan and for the village—we must cooperate."
"Otherwise… do you really want to slaughter the clan again?"
"Even if you succeeded—do you think the village elders would trust you?"
That was the truth.
Danzō's cooperation with Itachi had already failed.
Root had been annihilated.
Danzō was paranoid by nature—after tonight, he would trust Itachi even less.
He would only see a traitor who chose his clan over the village.
There was no other explanation for what had happened.
"…So this was part of your plan," Itachi said slowly, looking at Kirito.
This wasn't the thinking of a ten-year-old child.
Whether it was power, insight, or control—
Kirito was far beyond him.
"If it were you," Kirito said evenly,
"You might've reached a different conclusion."
"I…"
Itachi exhaled.
"I agree."
He raised his head and looked straight at Kirito.
"Namikaze—no."
"My lord… what are your orders?"
"Just call me the leader."
Kirito nodded, satisfied.
"Danzō and Sarutobi Hiruzen will summon you soon. Ignore it."
"Take a few people and go directly to the Hokage Tower."
"Report that the Root shinobi were killed by the masked man."
"Say the Uchiha have no intention of rebelling and will continue serving Konoha."
"And warn the clan—keep a low profile."
"But will they believe it?" Fugaku asked.
Kirito smiled hearing that.
"Whether they believe it or not doesn't matter."
"They'll grind their teeth and swallow it."
"Sarutobi Hiruzen wants face. No matter what he thinks inside, he'll accept it on the surface."
"As long as you give him no excuse to move against you—you're safe."
He turned to Itachi.
"After this, I'll take you away."
"You have no future in this village."
"Tell Sarutobi you're investigating that organization. He already doesn't trust you—he'll be glad to let you leave."
Itachi nodded without hesitation.
"Yes… Leader."
Fugaku watched his son and finally let out a breath he'd been holding.
The fear that Itachi would lose himself was gone.
He had a new path now.
A clearer future.
After finalizing the details, Kirito vanished from the Uchiha grounds.
Uchiha Fugaku and Uchiha Itachi turned toward the Hokage Tower—
And stepped into the next stage of the storm.
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