Chapter 127: Different Choices — Fugaku vs. Shisui!
Following Shisui and Itachi, Oborotsuki arrived at the Uchiha clan's secret gathering place: Naka Shrine.
At that moment, Fugaku was leading a large group of clansmen as they emerged in a mighty surge from the underground exit.
The two sides ran straight into each other.
Without a word, Shisui prepared to unleash Kotoamatsukami on the entire clan—but before he could act, Fugaku flashed in front of him, blocking his path.
"What do you think you're doing, Shisui?"
Fugaku seized Shisui's wrist in a firm grip, glaring down at him with a stern expression.
This seemingly ordinary move actually prevented Shisui's chakra from flowing smoothly.
Shocked, Shisui looked up and met Fugaku's gaze, intending to cast Kotoamatsukami on him first—only to discover he couldn't do it.
"Lord Fugaku, shouldn't I be the one asking you that? What exactly are you planning?"
Realizing his plan had been seen through—though he didn't know how—Shisui felt a surge of shock deep inside.
But on the surface, he remained perfectly calm.
"Father…"
Beside them, Itachi stared in stunned silence at the sight of so many clansmen gathered with murderous intent.
It took him several long seconds to snap out of it. His gaze—filled with shock and uncertainty—turned toward Fugaku.
Fugaku only glanced down at Itachi. His brows furrowed slightly, but the overwhelming pressure he exuded softened a little.
"I didn't expect even you to come, Itachi."
"Since you're here, I'll tell you everything. After all, you're my son—you have the right to know what this operation is about!"
"Tonight's action will be recorded in history—etched forever on the Uchiha clan's stone tablet!"
With those words, Fugaku laid out the entire situation in detail.
From a distance, Oborotsuki watched the scene unfold, feeling deeply surprised himself.
Shisui was undeniably the strongest of the Uchiha clan's younger generation. His strength was exceptional, and the power of his Mangekyō Sharingan was not something ordinary people could counter.
Yet earlier, Fugaku had neutralized Shisui's ability to act with just one move.
"Is this the power of his Mangekyō Sharingan?"
Oborotsuki thought to himself, inwardly shaken.
Although Fugaku had the advantage of prior knowledge about Shisui's abilities and had prepared in advance, this still showed that Fugaku's strength was far from weak.
He might even be above Kage level.
Otherwise, he wouldn't dare take such an enormous risk and lead the Uchiha clan in open rebellion against Konoha at a time like this…
Oborotsuki continued observing silently.
Meanwhile, after hearing Fugaku's full explanation, Itachi was completely thrown into disarray.
For a moment, he didn't know what to say.
The village—simply to avoid angering Sunagakure—had decided to make the Uchiha clan take the blame.
Not only were they supposed to pay massive compensation, but they also had to hand over a nonexistent "culprit" and return the One-Tail Shukaku…
Even to the young Itachi, these demands sounded utterly absurd.
But from another perspective—from the higher-ups' point of view—it was a different story.
If they didn't sacrifice the Uchiha clan, Konoha might very well end up at war with Sunagakure.
And that could even draw in attacks from the other major ninja villages.
In that case, it wouldn't just be the Uchiha clan suffering…
Thinking of this, Itachi felt his head spinning.
No wonder his father had chosen such an extreme method to resolve the crisis. This really wasn't an easy problem to solve.
Itachi remained silent, deep in thought, while Shisui spoke first:
"Lord Fugaku, I can fully understand how you feel right now."
"But if you're willing to lose all reason over this matter and drag the entire Uchiha clan into betraying Konoha… then forgive me, but I cannot understand or accept your actions."
Shisui had been present during the negotiations with Sunagakure's envoys.
He had originally thought that with his reputation as "Shisui of the Body Flicker," he could make them show some face.
He had hoped they would at least accept the Uchiha handing over the "culprit" first, then gradually provide compensation funds and return the One-Tail later.
But the other side hadn't given an inch. Their attitude was domineering—borderline barbaric.
Even someone as mild-tempered as Shisui had nearly lost his composure—so he could understand Fugaku's anger and frustration.
But he could not understand Fugaku's decision to openly oppose Konoha at a time like this.
"Do not try to stop me. This is not my decision alone—it is the will of the entire Uchiha clan!"
"If you stand in our way, you are declaring yourself an enemy of the whole Uchiha clan, Shisui!"
Fugaku already knew what Shisui wanted to say. His tone was grave as he issued the warning.
Shisui only shook his head.
"I will not stand by and do nothing."
"I cannot simply watch everyone throw away their lives and wage war against our own village."
"Lord Fugaku, I'm sorry—I have already informed Lord Hokage of everything…"
Shisui calmly revealed this fact, causing Fugaku's expression to darken instantly.
"So there really was a traitor within the clan after all."
"Shisui—as the foremost genius of the Uchiha clan's younger generation—you have truly disappointed me!"
The moment Fugaku finished speaking, Shisui drew the short sword from his back and slashed toward Fugaku's neck.
The latter's expression turned sharp. He instinctively loosened his grip, allowing Shisui to break free.
Using Body Flicker, Shisui leaped backward, putting distance between them while his chakra flow returned to normal. He immediately began preparing to activate Kotoamatsukami again.
But at that instant, Fugaku was already in front of him:
"Did you think only you knew Body Flicker?!"
"Everyone—prepare to move immediately!"
"Kill anyone who stands in our way without mercy!"
"Itachi—show your father what you've learned recently!"
While countering Shisui, Fugaku also issued orders to the rest of the clan—and to his own son.
Itachi still stood frozen in place, staring blankly as his father clashed with the brother he respected most. His mind was in complete turmoil, unsure of what to do.
Shisui, facing Fugaku's counterattack, was deeply shocked:
"Lord Fugaku… you've hidden your strength very well!"
He hadn't expected Fugaku to master Body Flicker—and at a level that was in no way inferior to his own.
At this moment, Fugaku's eyes had already transformed from the three-tomoe Sharingan into the Mangekyō pattern, which shocked Shisui even more.
"Mangekyō!"
Before Fugaku's kunai could strike him, Shisui used Body Flicker to evade, simultaneously activating his own Mangekyō Sharingan.
Two pairs of Mangekyō stood locked in confrontation across the distance. For the moment, neither could overpower the other.
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