At this moment—
Outside Konoha, near the entrance of the Root organization's base.
"Lord Danzo!"
A figure dressed like an ANBU knelt on one knee.
Leaning on his cane, Root's leader Shimura Danzo asked coldly,
"Any movement from the Uchiha clan?"
"Not for the moment. The sudden return of Lady Tsunade, one of the Sannin, forced them to postpone their coup plans."
"That's only temporary."
Danzo's expression remained indifferent.
"The ambition of the Uchiha clan will not disappear because of that."
He looked ahead and said calmly,
"Itachi. Tell me your answer."
At that moment, the ANBU ninja raised his head.
He was still young, with tear troughs beneath his eyes and a handsome face.
In his eye sockets were two crimson Sharingan.
Within those scarlet pupils, three black tomoe rotated clearly.
"For the sake of the village, this sacrifice is necessary."
"The Uchiha clan has grown increasingly dissatisfied with the village and constantly plans to seize power through rebellion. They can no longer be allowed to exist."
Danzo looked down at the genius of the Uchiha clan before him and spoke quietly,
"But you still have a choice."
"If you are willing to take action and eliminate the rest of the Uchiha clan—removing this hidden danger to the village—your younger brother, Uchiha Sasuke, can live."
"Yes."
After hearing Danzo's words, Uchiha Itachi showed no visible emotion.
"I've already made my decision."
"Tonight…"
"The Uchiha clan will be ended by my own hands."
However—
The left hand resting on his knee was trembling slightly.
Veins bulged along the back of his hand.
Clearly, his heart was far from calm.
"Then I'll leave it to you."
…
Half an hour later.
Behind the Uchiha clan district.
In a quiet forest.
"Come out."
Itachi spoke calmly.
"Swish—"
The space before him suddenly twisted.
A masked figure appeared.
Looking at the expressionless Itachi, he spoke calmly.
"Looks like you've made your choice."
What was shocking was—
the single eye exposed behind the mask
was a Sharingan.
"I need your help."
Itachi said coldly.
Determination shone faintly in his eyes.
Though he was only thirteen years old, his voice carried chilling resolve.
"You handle the western police force sector."
"No problem."
The mysterious masked man rolled his neck casually.
"Just consider it some light exercise."
"Remember."
Itachi's voice was cold.
"You are not allowed to harm Sasuke. He is my spare eye."
"Relax. I won't touch your little brother."
The masked man shrugged.
"So when do we start?"
"Tonight. Eight o'clock."
"Alright."
…
Evening.
The night was dark, and the wind was strong.
The moon hung unusually full in the sky.
Yet the entire village of Konoha was filled with a strange oppressive atmosphere.
Ren and Tsunade had just left Konoha Hospital.
Both of them sensed something unusual.
"Hm?"
Tsunade suddenly stopped walking and frowned slightly.
"What's wrong, Lady Tsunade?"
Shizune asked in confusion.
Although she felt that the village atmosphere was strange, she hadn't noticed anything specific.
"It's coming from the direction of the Uchiha clan."
Ren shrugged slightly.
"A large number of ninjas have surrounded the area. Their chakra signatures aren't weak either. Something must have happened."
He glanced at Tsunade.
"Sister Tsunade, should we go take a look?"
With his powerful sensory ability,
Ren had already detected the situation around the Uchiha clan earlier.
A huge number of strong chakra signatures were surrounding the area.
Clearly—
the clan compound had already been silently encircled by many ANBU operatives.
Even a fly probably couldn't escape.
"The Uchiha?"
Tsunade frowned.
"What?"
Shizune's face filled with shock.
She remembered something the Third Hokage had said when he met Tsunade a few days earlier—
that the Uchiha clan had been restless.
Could this be related?
"Let's go."
Tsunade's expression gradually relaxed.
"Don't bother with that nonsense. Let them handle it."
Born into the Senju clan, Tsunade had never held much goodwill toward the Uchiha.
She had no interest in getting involved.
Turning to Ren, she said,
"You've worked hard all day. Go back and rest."
"Got it, Sister Tsunade."
"See you tomorrow."
Ren nodded seriously.
After saying goodbye to Tsunade and Shizune,
he headed toward the Akira residence.
"Finally… it's starting."
But no one noticed—
a faint smile had appeared at the corner of Ren's lips.
He wasn't some saint who wanted to save people.
From the very beginning,
he had already planned to take a share of the spoils.
Passing through a deserted corner of the street,
Ren appeared calm.
But beneath his feet—
no one could see
thin vine-like roots suddenly piercing through the ground like steel needles.
In an instant, they grew rapidly.
Transforming into several small humanoid figures.
Then—
one after another,
they silently slipped underground and began heading toward the Uchiha district.
Even more astonishing—
those small figures
quickly transformed.
Their appearances turned into white humanoid bodies.
They looked exactly like White Zetsu clones.
Mayfly Technique.
Impersonation Technique.
The abilities Ren had obtained earlier from devouring a White Zetsu clone
were finally being put to use.
"Since the Uchiha clan is doomed anyway…"
Ren's eyes flickered faintly.
"I'll gladly accept their inheritance."
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