Three ANBU ninja wearing tanuki masks were hiding at the top of a tree.
Below them lay the Uchiha Clan, the largest clan in Konoha.
Their mission was to monitor the Uchiha.
One of them was Itachi Uchiha, who had already become an ANBU squad captain.
After witnessing the battlefield during the Third Shinobi World War, he decided to completely change the world.
To achieve that goal, he aimed to become the first Hokage from the Uchiha Clan.
He wanted to live in peace with the people he loved.
During his time in the Ninja Academy, he met Shisui Uchiha. Then he became a Genin, later a Chunin, and soon joined ANBU.
At first, he thought he could start acting immediately.
But his father forced him to become a spy for the Uchiha Clan inside the Hokage's side.
The balance between the clan and the village began to collapse.
At this time, the Uchiha Clan had built a new ancestral hall.
"Why were we not involved in the Nine-Tails incident?"
"Because they feared we would use the Sharingan to control the Nine-Tails!"
"That's not enough! Some even say WE caused the incident!"
"They pushed us to the edge of the village and restricted us!"
"We've been isolated all this time, and after the Nine-Tails incident, we were practically exiled!"
"Even after all these years, the village still treats us the same!"
"They even assigned people to watch us! It's been six years!"
"Captain! All we want is justice! Hiruzen Sarutobi has abandoned the First Hokage's ideals for power!"
"Hokage! The title comes from our mastery of Fire Style! So why has no Uchiha ever become Hokage?!"
Fugaku Uchiha looked at the emotional clan members and realized—
the conflict between the Uchiha Clan and Konoha's leadership could no longer be resolved.
For years, he had suppressed their anger for peace.
But as the leadership grew more ruthless, his efforts were failing.
Suddenly, Fugaku frowned.
"Where is Shisui? Wasn't he notified?"
Everyone froze.
"That's impossible! I personally informed him!"
"He said he would come!"
A bad feeling spread among them.
"What's going on? I worked so hard to convince Shisui!"
"He's our strongest! Without him, our chances drop!"
"Look, Itachi isn't here either!"
"He's ANBU, but shouldn't he stand with the Uchiha first?"
"Has he become Hiruzen Sarutobi's dog?"
"Maybe he's spying on us! He hasn't sent any information for half a year!"
Fugaku's expression darkened.
Even if he didn't want to admit it…
he already understood his son's choice.
Outside the ancestral hall,
Itachi suddenly frowned while observing.
He sensed a violent fluctuation of chakra from a certain direction!
He immediately shouted to the two ANBU behind him:
"Keep watching. I'll go check it out!"