RADG: Chapter 102/104

Chapter 102: The Strongest Attack and Escape Technique

Blue chakra flames surged into the sky like a tangible force, and fierce winds swept through the area. Even the large trees were uprooted and thrown into the air.

Samui and Pakura had never seen chakra of such magnitude before.

One of them was already a Kage-level powerhouse, standing at the peak of the shinobi world, and the other was a former direct subordinate of the Raikage who had witnessed many great events.

Samui felt that even Killer Bee in his tailed beast transformation didn't have chakra this overwhelming.

The two of them stopped dozens of meters away, unable to approach. The pressure from the chakra flames was simply too intense.

After several minutes, the transformation finally came to a halt.

The chakra flames gradually receded and eventually vanished. Yami opened his eyes, and his entire presence became restrained once more.

Only then did Pakura and Samui dare to come closer.

Pakura asked curiously, "What kind of ninjutsu were you just working on? That chakra was terrifying. I don't even think I could muster a tenth of that."

"Not working on any jutsu," Yami shook his head. "My body just went through some changes. It's become a little purer."

Pakura nodded in understanding.

She had always known that Yami had Senju blood, but she had thought it was nothing special, just that his chakra reserves were a bit higher than average.

Now it seemed… he truly was on another level.

Yami wasn't even an adult yet. Pakura couldn't imagine how much chakra he'd have once he matured.

At the same time, she finally understood why Senju Hashirama was called the God of Shinobi.

With chakra that immense, combined with the Wood Release kekkei genkai, the title was well-deserved.

The three fell into silence, while Yami began to ponder.

---

[Name: Shimura Yami]

[Gender: Male]

[Age: 12]

[Date of Birth: April 1, Year 46 (Konoha Calendar)]

[Chakra Attributes: Fire, Wind, Earth, Water, Lightning, Yang (Limit Break), Yin (Ultimate)]

[Total Chakra: 3 Narutos (1 Naruto ≈ 100 Kakashi, 1 Kakashi ≈ 5 standard Jōnin chakra)]

[Chakra Control Talent: Limit Break]

[Mastered Ninjutsu: Numerous]

[Nature Transformations: Wind, Fire, Earth (Limit Break), Water, Lightning (Ultimate)]

[Special Talents: Ōtsutsuki Bloodline (Normal), Senju Bloodline (Limit Break, Developing), Uzumaki Bloodline (Ultimate), Uchiha Bloodline (Ultimate, Three Tomoe), Byakugan, Sage Perception (Good), Swordsmanship Genius, Darkness of the Ninja World, Mother-in-law's Expectation, Space Talent]

[Bond Points: 3,694]

[Evaluation: The limit of mortals, no more no less. One step further, and you will be Kami, possessing decisive power.]

---

Yami's eyelid twitched slightly as he read the system's evaluation.

He clasped his hands together and began forming hand seals.

Suddenly, the ground cracked open, and thick acid gushed out, startling Pakura and Samui.

Yami still frowned.

What's missing?

He was sure that the vitality in his body was now comparable to Senju Hashirama's in his prime. Due to his age, it hadn't fully developed yet, but it shouldn't be far off.

And yet, despite all this vitality, he still couldn't use Wood Release.

It was as if something was blocking him. Like the world itself was rejecting the use of Wood Release.

After trying a few more times, that obstructed feeling only intensified. He was clearly just one step away from activating Wood Release.

But for now, he had no choice but to give up.

However… there was another power he could test.

Yami slowly separated his hands, and a translucent, conical crystal formed between his palms.

Pakura and Samui's eyes widened in shock, both exclaiming at the same time:

"Dust Release?!"

Dust Release—the secret technique of the Land of Earth—had only been mastered by the Second and Third Tsuchikage so far. It was a bloodline elimination technique that surpassed the bloodline limit.

"Let's test its power."

Yami aimed in one direction and pushed his hands forward.

Buzz~!

The conical translucent barrier surged out and erased everything in its path, reducing it all to fine dust. A wide, empty path appeared before them.

"It really is Dust Release…" Pakura murmured.

She had seen Ōnoki use it before. Its effect was exactly the same—everything caught in its range disintegrated into base molecules or even atoms. It was undoubtedly the most destructive attack ninjutsu.

If it weren't for the high chakra consumption and limited usage, Ōnoki would've stood far above the other Kage-level shinobi.

"Do you want to learn it?"

Yami lowered his hands and smiled at Pakura. "After more than a year of exploring, I finally succeeded."

"You already meet the requirements for wind and fire chakra control and nature transformation. As long as you train in Earth Release, you'll be close. You should give it a try."

Pakura was tempted and nodded. "Alright. I'll begin training in Earth chakra when I get back."

For most Jōnin, mastering two chakra natures was almost standard. Not everyone had them innately, but many developed them through training.

Given Pakura's talent, acquiring Earth chakra wouldn't be too difficult. The real challenge would be refining it enough to fuse into Dust Release.

Seeing Samui's envious look, Yami comforted her. "Can't be helped. You don't have all three attributes. Focus on training your Water chakra first, then you can try Storm Release later."

"Yes, Yami-sama."

In order to awaken Wood Release as soon as possible, Yami completely ignored the undercurrents brewing within the village.

He currently had two options: either fuse Hashirama cells, which—given his vitality—would make him another Senju Hashirama, or pursue the other path… Yamato.

As long as the [Wood Release Entry] was triggered, the effect would be the same.

More importantly… he wouldn't have to wear Hashirama's face on his own body!

So Yami chose the second path without hesitation.

At present, Yamato's fear-based bond had reached the second stage. Both Earth and Water attributes required for Wood Release had been unlocked, and from now on, Yamato's life would be nothing short of hell.

Less than six hours of rest per day, and countless missions awaited him at the Root.

Even on his rare days off, Yami would drag him out for training. It was a fate worse than death.

Somehow, Yamato didn't seem to hate it or perhaps he just had a good temper. After nearly a year of torment, the bond still hadn't reached the third stage.

Instead, he had been completely indoctrinated and now shouted every day about returning to Root.

Kakashi was speechless when he learned about this.

But what could he do?

He was just a small team captain—one who served under Yami. There was no way to restrain a superior.

More importantly… Yami could get him Jiraiya's signed edition of Icha Icha Paradise!

For the sake of his beloved book, Kakashi could only pretend not to see anything.

His Sharingan, conveniently hidden under his forehead protector, was just for show.

Good luck, Yamato.

—

Naka Shrine.

Uchiha Itachi walked out, body weary.

The family meeting had just ended, and everyone's patience with the village had worn thin. Other than the Police Force, not a single Uchiha held a post in any department of the village. They were crammed into a narrow street on the outskirts.

Inside and outside the street were like two separate worlds.

Even his father, who had always tried to maintain balance like him, had flames burning in his eyes.

It was rage… and a smothered ambition reignited.

When he returned home, Sasuke had already fallen asleep after school. Itachi silently watched his brother sleep for half an hour before quietly leaving.

At the same time, Uchiha Fugaku, lying in bed, opened his eyes and let out a heavy sigh.

—

In the Hokage Building, even though it was already deep into the night, the village elders led by Hiruzen were still in the office, silently waiting for someone to arrive.

Soon, that person came.

Seeing Uchiha Itachi kneel on one knee, a trace of relief flashed in Hiruzen's eyes.

This child… truly inherited the Will of Fire.

"What did Fugaku say at the clan meeting today?" Danzō was the first to speak.

After two seconds of silence, Itachi replied calmly, "The Uchiha clan's patience has reached its limit. Bloodshed is inevitable. The exact timing hasn't been decided yet."

Danzō snorted coldly and looked at Hiruzen. "What are you still hesitating for? We should gather our forces and suppress the rebellion tonight!"

"It hasn't reached that point yet."

Hiruzen shook his head. "Itachi, do you have a way to delay this? Konoha really can't afford a civil war right now."

At that moment, Uchiha Itachi's heart ached deeply. He finally understood how Uchiha Shisui had felt back then.

It was too difficult.

Should he sacrifice himself to delay the uprising?

But even if he died now, how long would that delay last?

He didn't have Shisui's influence in the clan, and the people's patience had run dry. It wouldn't work.

Most importantly… if he died, what would happen to Sasuke?

The moment he stepped into the Hokage Building, Itachi had made his decision—he had to protect Sasuke!

—

In the end, Hiruzen and Danzō failed to reach an agreement. To avoid exposure, the meeting was adjourned, and Itachi was told to await further orders.

After leaving the Hokage Building, Itachi didn't return home. Instead, he went to the area near the Root base.

As expected, Danzō soon arrived with several guards.

This had become routine.

Every time after meeting the Hokage or the elders, Itachi would report to Danzō.

"Don't be fooled by the Third Hokage's kind words," Danzō said coldly. "When the time comes, he'll only protect the village."

"You understand that, don't you?"

"Yes," Itachi answered softly. "That's what a Hokage must do."

"You have only two paths."

Danzō narrowed his eyes. "First, stand with your clan and start a rebellion. Konoha will pay a price, but in the end, the village will win. The Uchiha clan will be wiped from existence."

"Second…"

Danzō paused slightly. Itachi raised his head and looked at him.

"Before anything happens, eliminate them yourself. Kill everyone in the know, root them out completely. Konoha will blame you alone. In exchange, the Uchiha name can exit the stage with dignity."

As Danzō finished, Itachi stood frozen in place like he'd been struck by lightning.

Without waiting for a reply, Danzō brushed past him.

"You don't have much time to decide. Come to me tomorrow once you've made your choice. I'll have Root seal the area so no one interrupts."

—

No one knew how much time had passed before Itachi finally returned home in a daze.

He sat on the floor all night, unmoving. When the morning sun finally shone in, a glint returned to his eyes.

"…Looks like you've made your decision."

Sensing Itachi's changed demeanor, Danzō understood immediately.

"I have one request," Itachi said.

"Go ahead."

"My brother, Uchiha Sasuke, is innocent. He knows nothing. I need him to survive. He must carry on the Uchiha name. That's all I ask."

Danzō nearly laughed.

Your brother is the only one who's innocent?

So all the other Uchiha children and civilians deserve to die?

This is politics. There's no such thing as innocence.

"Fine. I promise. The village will guarantee his safety."

Letting Sasuke live also ensured they had a leash on Itachi moving forward.

"Thank you, Danzō-sama."

Itachi appeared grateful, but he didn't trust Danzō's words. After everything was done, he planned to speak with Hiruzen directly.

"I'm not strong enough to kill the entire clan on my own. I'll need that masked Madara. I want to probe his true identity.

After betraying the village, I'll join the rogue organization he belongs to."

Danzō narrowed his eyes. "Fine. I'll have Yami go with you and provide support."

Itachi's heart turned cold.

He knew Danzō had sent Yami to monitor him.

But he had no right to refuse.

—

After leaving Konoha, Itachi arrived at a forest where he used to train as a child. He practiced shuriken throwing like always.

Even distracted, he never missed the bullseye.

"…How rare."

That familiar, low voice echoed behind him. "At a time like this, you're still playing childish games?"

Whoosh!

A kunai passed through Uchiha Obito's intangible body and struck the target dead center.

"I was just waiting for you."

Itachi stopped. "I agree to your terms. I'll join Akatsuki."

"Oh?" Obito clapped lightly. "That's great news."

"But I need your help."

"Come with me. Let's slaughter the entire Uchiha clan."

(To be continued.)

Chapter 103: Shisui's Expectations

Obito stood still.

"Alright… this is what I want to do."

"However, aside from revenge, I have other goals. But they have nothing to do with you."

"Don't touch Sasuke."

"Of course. I don't need a child without Sharingan."

Uchiha Itachi instantly understood his intention.

To use Izanagi?

Obito changed the subject, "What about Uchiha Fugaku? If you can't do it, I can do it for you. It's not a big deal."

"No need," Itachi coldly refused. "Just help me take care of the Security Division's forces."

Seeing the masked man fall silent again, Itachi took it as silent agreement and continued, "There's no time to lose. We move tonight."

"Alright."

After the brief exchange, Obito disappeared, leaving only Uchiha Itachi practicing his shuriken.

A few kilometers away, Obito stepped out of Kamui's space.

If anyone could see beneath his mask, they'd see a twisted face filled with unease.

"Uchiha Itachi… is he really that ruthless?"

Even White Zetsu poked his head out from Obito's body. "Madara, is it possible that Itachi's lying to you? He actually wants to kill his own parents?"

Even White Zetsu, as simple-minded as he was, understood what parents meant. But Itachi still planned to kill them?

It made everyone uncomfortable.

"It's not impossible…" Obito said quietly. The more he thought about it, the more unnerving it became.

Putting himself in that situation, he'd have to kill his grandmother who raised him. Or expect Kakashi, that failure, to kill Hatake Sakumo.

Even after turning down a dark path, he couldn't do something like that.

Even when he launched the Nine-Tails Rebellion, he had his reasons. Revenge on Namikaze Minato for always being late, and to weaken Konoha's power in preparation for taking the Nine-Tails.

But Itachi… what exactly does he want?

Even if it's for the sake of the village, isn't this too much?

Obito forced himself to calm down.

"Tonight, everything will be clear. Even if it's a trap, they can't stop me."

—

Anbu

At the Third Battalion's training field, Yami was training Yamato.

The formerly flat field was now a complete mess, covered in trees. Yamato was struggling to use Wood Release to block Yami's ferocious attacks.

It was just a basic C-rank Great Fireball, but from Yami's mouth, it felt like a miniature sun crashing toward him.

No, multiple suns! His Wood Release defenses were like dry kindling, burning away instantly.

Soon, the trees scattered across the field were reduced to ashes.

Why hasn't the system triggered yet! It's been nearly a year, and the third-stage reward still hasn't come.

Yami's patience had reached its limit. He closed in and began beating Yamato with pure taijutsu.

Within a few punches, Yamato was flat on the ground.

Just as he thought the torment was finally over, he saw Yami raise a claw-like hand and reach for his head.

That was killing intent! Yamato's pupils shrank, and his hair stood on end.

No matter how much Yami had beat him before, he had never exuded killing intent. But this time… it was different.

If that hand landed, he would really die!

Just as Yamato's mind went blank, the system's notification finally chimed.

[Bond between host and 'Yamato' has reached third stage: Despair. Rewarding Special Talent: Wood Release.]

Boom!

The falling palm froze midair. The pressure of the strike still dented the ground several centimeters deep.

Finally! It finally triggered!

Yamato was dumbfounded. The hand hung just centimeters from his face. He didn't dare speak or move.

Only after Yami retracted his hand did Yamato realize his clothes were soaked with sweat, and even the floor beneath him was damp.

"I'm really disappointed," Yami said coldly. "I trained you for the sake of Wood Release, so that you could better serve the village. But in the end, it seems you're just wasted potential."

"Forget it. You don't have to come anymore."

Yamato, thoroughly scolded, didn't care at all. Instead, he asked excitedly, "R-really? Official dismissal?"

Yami waved his hand impatiently. "Get lost. Or I'll give you another beating."

Whoosh!

Yamato instantly performed the fastest Body Flicker of his life. He disappeared from the training field, not daring to look back. Faint sounds of his tearful laughter echoed from a distance.

—

Back in his office, Yami couldn't wait to examine the changes in his body.

Once Wood Release fused into him, he felt like he had become a tree.

More precisely, he had become a seed, taking root under the nourishment of massive vitality, sprouting, and growing vigorously.

What broken Wood Release? All it needed was a primer. With enough vitality, it would soon mature into a full-fledged Wood Release.

Yami pressed his palms together and muttered softly:

"Wood Release."

The windowsill cracked open, and a young sapling sprouted from the soil.

Though small, the difference was clear.

One was just wood.

This one was a tree with life.

This was the true Wood Release.

Just as Yami was about to inject more chakra to test its limit, a Root ninja arrived.

"Yami-sama, Lord Danzō requests your presence."

Yami frowned slightly, but replied, "Understood. You may leave."

"Yes, sir."

Once the Root ninja left, Yami plucked the sapling from the soil, activated Flying Thunder God, and appeared at the Root base in a flash. A few steps later, he entered Danzō's office.

"Old man, who do you want me to kill this time by using Anbu?"

Over the years, Yami had taken on multiple positions. The Third Battalion of Anbu didn't have many missions, so he occasionally helped Danzō with troublesome tasks.

"This time, it's not one person," Danzō said calmly. "It's… the entire Uchiha clan."

Yami was momentarily stunned. He hadn't paid much attention to village affairs lately. Just the Wood Release issue alone was enough of a headache.

Now that he thought about it, it had already been a year since Shisui's death.

Time for the loyal son to show his true colors.

"The village is finally making a move on Uchiha?"

"Not the village. It's Uchiha Itachi," Danzō corrected. "He realized the sins of his clan's bloodline. For the sake of justice and to preserve Uchiha's honor, he's prepared to kill his kin and minimize the village's losses."

Yami chuckled. "For once, I think the old man's Will of Fire is useful. But if he's going to do it himself, what am I supposed to do?"

"You will monitor him… and collect a batch of Sharingan for me."

Thinking of his greedy research partner, Danzō was annoyed. But there was nothing he could do. The man's scientific ability was unmatched.

After a brief pause, Yami nodded. "Got it. When does it start?"

"Tonight at 8. Root will set the stage for Itachi."

—

Yami left the Root base and went directly to Izumi's home.

Uchiha Izumi was chatting with her mother Kiyomi when Yami suddenly arrived.

"Don't ask. I'm taking you somewhere."

Yami created two shadow clones to surround the two, then activated a Flying Thunder God formation.

In an instant, the three of them appeared at a secret base hundreds of kilometers away from Konoha.

It was an abandoned Root facility. The builder had cut corners, and the construction hadn't met Danzō's standards. Yami had cleaned the place out himself later, essentially recycling the waste.

He took over the base and renovated it. It was now filled with traps, barriers, and anti-sensory seals—a solid safehouse.

"Yami, what's going on?"

Izumi had never seen Yami so serious before, much less send her to a safehouse.

Yami kept it brief. "The Uchiha clan is preparing for a rebellion. Uchiha Itachi… he inherited the Will of Fire and intends to stop it. He's going to kill his relatives for the village's sake."

"I'm not worried about him, but his assistant calls himself Uchiha Madara. His abilities are strange. I'm worried he'll target you."

Izumi and Kiyomi were both stunned.

A Uchiha rebellion. Itachi killing his own family for justice… and the legendary Madara?

It all sounded insane.

But there was no time. Yami had other things to handle, so he gave them a quick rundown, reminded them not to leave, and left the base.

He arrived at another hidden base.

After forming hand seals to open the barrier, Yami stepped into a long, dark corridor. After walking for a while, a faint light appeared.

A large underground chamber was bathed in green light. In the center stood a massive tank connected by several tubes.

Inside was a person everyone believed to be dead—Uchiha Shisui.

At this moment, Shisui was sealed with various sealing arrays and floating unconscious in nutrient fluid.

Yami released him and partially deactivated the array. Before long, Shisui regained consciousness.

"You're awake?"

Shisui blinked and stared blankly for a while before speaking in confusion:

"My… my eyes?"

Didn't Danzō take one of his eyes, and the other was entrusted to Itachi?

Why could he see clearly?

"These aren't your eyes," Yami said calmly. "Just ordinary chūnin eyes. But try to see if you can awaken another pair of Sharingan. That way, I'll have a stable supply moving forward."

Shisui didn't know what to say.

Was he a seedbed for Sharingan now?

"...Ugh."

Shisui changed the topic. "How long have I been unconscious? What's the current state between the village and the Uchiha?"

"Truly a great man," Yami said with a sigh. "Wakes up, and the first thing he asks about is the village and his clan. No need to say more, Shisui-senpai."

"Yami-kun, please stop teasing me," Shisui smiled bitterly. "Just tell me."

"Fine. Waking you up is part of the reason, anyway."

"After your 'death,' the Uchiha's ambitions were suppressed. A year has passed since then. Things are still peaceful on the surface."

Shisui showed a look of relief. It seemed his sacrifice had been meaningful.

"A year, huh? I didn't feel a thing while unconscious. Just like a long sleep."

"Don't celebrate just yet," Yami reminded him. "It's not wise to pop the champagne at halftime."

Shisui's smile faded. "Champagne? What do you mean?"

"The honeymoon's over. Your sacrifice wasn't enough to stop the tide. The Uchiha have planned everything. They're preparing to rebel in the next few days."

"No, I have to stop—ugh!"

Shisui had just gotten up when a sharp pain immobilized his body.

"Sorry, Shisui-senpai."

Yami stood before him, forming a hand sign. "Rather than calling this your body, you should consider yourself my puppet now. Without my permission, you can't do anything."

"Yami!"

Shisui was anxious. "I'm doing this for Konoha! We must stop the rebellion, or the other villages will take advantage of it!"

"Don't worry. There's someone who sees farther than you."

Yami dropped his hand and explained, "Itachi went to my old man and volunteered to resolve everything. I'll be supporting and monitoring him tonight."

"You haven't seen the outside in a while, so I thought I'd bring you along."

"Itachi…" Shisui's eyes softened, but he still felt uneasy.

"Let's go. It's getting late. If we're too slow, we'll miss the show."

Yami walked out of the chamber first. Shisui followed, hesitating only briefly.

Before leaving, he equipped a spare set of Root gear just in case.

Though he had no Sharingan or Mangekyō, his chakra and jutsu were intact.
He still had strength.

Looking up at the sunlight he hadn't seen in a long time, Shisui squinted.

"Itachi… If you're making this choice, then you must be able to resolve it all, right?"

Pfft.

Hearing his quiet murmur, Yami couldn't hold back.

He laughed.

(To be continued.)

Chapter 104: Shisui’s Collapse

Yami brought Uchiha Shisui back to Konoha with Flying Thunder God.

Night had fallen, and a full moon hung in the sky. If one looked closely, they'd notice the moon seemed unusually alluring tonight.

Ninja Academy.

The principal suddenly received an order—every student had to participate in a practical exercise, and classes would be delayed.

Though confused, the messenger was from the Hokage's personal Anbu division. The principal dared not object and quickly organized the teachers to carry out the exercise.

The students were thrilled by the sudden activity, buzzing with excitement as they speculated about what kind of enemies they would face. Only Uchiha Sasuke sat with a gloomy expression.

"Tch… what's going on? I wanted to go home and train with Nii-san…"

"Sasuke! Come here!"

Just as he muttered, Naruto suddenly rushed over and pointed at him. "I'm definitely going to beat you in today's practical!"

Since entering the academy, the two had been sworn rivals, often paired in combat practice. They had fought countless times.

"Tsk, dead last."

"Damn it! Who are you calling dead last?!"

"So annoying."

Karin, who was chatting with Ino and Hinata nearby, was irritated by the shouting. She yelled, "Naruto! Shut up already! Or I'll beat you down later!"

Naruto shrank his neck, glared at Sasuke, then ran off.

There was no one in the school he feared, except for Karin. If she beat him, she'd even report him to Yami and get him scolded again for "bullying girls."

Naruto really wished Yami-nii could come to school just once. Then he'd see what Karin was really like. She practically ran the place.

"Karin, you're amazing."

Ino looked at her with admiration. "Naruto's such a pain, and only you can keep him in line."

"That's just because he's scared of Yami-sama," Karin said modestly.

"Yami-nii…" Ino's eyes sparkled. She clearly remembered the handsome older brother. She used to greet him whenever he picked up Karin. But lately, she hadn't seen him.

"Karin, is Yami-nii super busy?"

"Of course. Yami-sama manages Anbu. He's busy every day."

"Will he come pick you up today?"

"Probably not," Karin said, uncertain.

Ino's eyes lit up with a mischievous idea. "Karin, since Yami-nii works so hard every day, why don't we treat him to a meal sometime? Show our appreciation."

Even Hinata, the quietest among them, couldn't help but softly agree. "I… I think that's a good idea…"

—

Night had completely fallen, and the red hue in the sky had grown more intense.

Uchiha Itachi crouched atop a telephone pole at the edge of the Uchiha compound. Like a panther ready to pounce, he locked eyes on his prey.

Swish.

Yami suddenly appeared on a nearby telephone pole. Behind him stood a Root member wearing a mask.

"You came," Itachi said calmly.

"Was I not supposed to?" Yami replied.

"No… but this seems different from what Danzō told me," Itachi answered, still not turning around.

Yami glanced at Shisui. "He's my subordinate. Just here to run errands. The tenth man won't affect anything, will it?"

Itachi didn't respond. Silence was agreement.

But Shisui's unease only grew stronger. The cold air, the tension, Itachi's unfamiliar aura—everything felt wrong.

What was Itachi planning?

Wasn't he supposed to use the eye Shisui entrusted to him?

He wanted to speak, but his chakra and even his tongue were under Yami's control. He couldn't even twitch a finger.

He could only stand there like a lifeless background prop.

At that moment, Obito appeared below and looked up at Itachi on the pole, nodding slightly.

He glanced at Yami, hesitated for a moment, then walked into the Uchiha Guard headquarters without another word.

"Who are you?!"

Slash!

"Enemy attack! Enemy attack!"

Screams erupted from the building.

Itachi sprang into action, leaping off the pole like a hawk and diving into the Uchiha district.

Several familiar faces greeted him warmly, only to be met with a blade to the head.

Yami smiled and brought Shisui to a higher vantage point.

It was just a simple Light-Weight Boulder Technique. He'd mastered it casually.

Shisui stared in disbelief, his body trembling.

Every scream signified the death of a clansman.

Itachi and the masked man were slaughtering the Uchiha, indiscriminately killing men, women, and children.

This was Itachi's plan?

If all Uchiha were dead, then no one would rebel?

No… this wasn't right!

Shisui's eyes burned red, darker than any Sharingan.

"Yes. This is the solution Uchiha Itachi chose," Yami said softly beside him. "A road to death, called salvation."

"All Uchiha will meet their end at the hands of these two."

"Oh, except for one."

Yami turned to Shisui. "Uchiha Sasuke. Itachi's beloved younger brother. He'll live, at the cost of the entire clan's blood."

"That was his only condition to the village."

"Stop… stop talking…"

The seal on Shisui's body had weakened at some point. He managed to speak.

He dropped to his knees, sobbing. "Yami… please… save them. Those kids, the women… they're innocent! They're not even shinobi! Why is Itachi killing them?!"

His spirit was shattered. Shisui nearly bit off his tongue.

Blood and tears flowed together, impossible to tell apart.

If he could return to the night he jumped from that cliff, Shisui would have used his last Kotoamatsukami on Itachi—and pulled him down with him.

Even if it meant rebellion—so what?

Even if the village triumphed, other clans would never approve the slaughter of innocent Uchiha civilians!

"Enough, Shisui-senpai. You're already dead."

"Why the grief? Isn't your life already absurd enough? You placed your hope in a lunatic."

Shisui sobbed silently. His hoarse voice trembled, "Yami… let me save them. Just the children and elders…"

"I was wrong. I see that now… please…"

Uchiha Itachi was terrifying in this way. He had driven a Kage-level shinobi to collapse… no, beyond collapse.

Even Yami couldn't help but respect him.

"How will you save them?"

Yami lowered their altitude, letting Shisui hear the screams and pleas more clearly.

"Everything happening tonight was set in motion years ago. It's not something I can stop alone."

"Senju Hashirama brought the clans together, but never cared about the aftermath.

The Uchiha betrayed Madara and refused to leave with him.

The Second Hokage distrusted them and forced them into the Police Force.

The Third Hokage continued the policy.

My old man followed the Second Hokage's example to the letter."

"Everyone wanted the Uchiha dead. Every one of them is a killer. What can I do?"

Yami's voice was soft, but every word pierced Shisui's heart like a dagger.

Shisui continued to kowtow, his forehead bleeding. "Yami-sama, you must have a plan. You knew Itachi would do this. That's why you saved me and brought me here, right?"

"I'll agree to anything. I'll follow any order."

Despite everything, Shisui was still more stable than most. His mind quickly recalibrated, analyzing the situation with renewed clarity.

"What if I asked you to kill Uchiha Itachi?"

"I'd tear him apart right now!"

"What if I wanted to be Hokage?"

"That position should've always been yours!"

"…What a clever man."

Yami slowly raised his sword. "Don't expose your identity. I'll only allow you to save children and elders—those uninvolved in the rebellion."

"If I find out you've revealed yourself, I'll kill you and all those you saved. I'll pin it all on the Uchiha."

Yami had already decided to spare some of the Uchiha. They would be useful later, both as helpers and pawns.

But this was only a trial selection. If any bore resentment, he'd have them eliminated and reunited with their clan.

The seal activated again. Shisui felt as if his heart were being crushed. His body convulsed, his face pale.

Still, the moment the seal lifted, he charged off unhesitatingly.

Every second lost meant another life gone to Itachi's blade.

As Shisui vanished into the shadows, Yami began his own operation.

He openly appeared before Itachi.

At that moment, Itachi was killing an elder's family. The elder had awakened the three tomoe, and had wounded him slightly.

"Uchiha Itachi, my companion worried you wouldn't be able to kill women and children. So he kindly lent a hand."

Itachi paused briefly, then carried on.

"Shimura Yami! Uchiha Itachi! You'll die horribly!"

The elder cursed with his dying breath, though he was slain by Itachi's hand. Still, Yami gained the bond rewards he sought.

He then continued following Itachi closely, collecting Sharingan for Danzō.

Of course, he killed some himself.

Like the elders who had pressured Izumi to return to the clan, and those who had insulted him in Root reports.

Meanwhile, with Yami's help, Shisui managed to rescue many women and children who met the criteria.

Before long, Itachi noticed something was wrong.

The numbers didn't add up.

He knew the exact count of Uchiha families, the number of people in each household, their ranks, everything.

Thanks to him, the higher-ups also had detailed information.

Some elite fighters were assigned to the Guard, which made sense. But the missing ones were women and children.

Something wasn't right.

His expression darkened.

If there were survivors, how would he emphasize Sasuke's uniqueness? What leverage would he have to protect him?

"Shimura Yami. Did your people take them?"

"I wouldn't know," Yami shrugged. "Root has many talents. Maybe someone's just good at hiding corpses."

Itachi clenched his fists, his attacks growing more ruthless. With each kill, he made a point to toss the corpse near Yami, a twisted way to reaffirm his loyalty.

Yami, of course, didn't mind. He'd collected many different types of Uchiha bloodlines tonight, and planned to fuse them later.

The moon above grew more radiant. The blood-red hue spread across the sky, strange and chilling.

Outside the Uchiha compound, Root had already erected barriers. No sounds could escape.

The villagers had no idea that, on this seemingly ordinary night, a world-shaking event was unfolding.

The remaining Uchiha fled in panic, instinctively heading to the clan head's house in hopes of aid from Fugaku.

As Itachi neared his home, his heart wavered—but only for a moment.

There was no turning back now.

Meanwhile, Obito had finished clearing the Uchiha Guard headquarters.

Though fewer in number, it housed the strongest Uchiha fighters.

Most of the elite had joined the Guard, many awakened the Three Tomoe Sharingan.

This was the foundation of the clan's confidence in launching a coup.

Every pair of Three Tomoe eyes represented Jōnin-level power.

If they could strike first, they had a real chance.

But Obito's sudden attack and unknown ability left them helpless. All were slain.

Now, he happily collected Sharingan. But his fear of Itachi deepened.

Other killers couldn't compare. Uchiha Itachi was a wolf.

No tricks, no traps. He'd simply invited Obito to wipe out the Uchiha together.

Even White Zetsu murmured, "Madara… Uchiha Itachi might be darker than you…"

"So what? He's just another piece on the board." Obito said, but his tone lacked conviction.

He no longer dared underestimate Itachi because of his age.

"Let's go. There's still plenty of Sharingan in the compound."

Obito entered Kamui space and warped to the Uchiha district.

But when he arrived, his face darkened.

(To be continued.)