Chapter 90 - 20

Chapter 20: Multi-wife, Multi-blessing! The Uchiha Clan Massacre!The background fell into a long silence.The moonlight moved slowly, illuminating the subtle changes in Sai's expression.It was an expression mixed with surprise, confusion, and a deeper, more complex emotion.He scrutinized Naruto as if seeing this six-year-old boy for the first time, with only one thought in his mind!He really is only six years old!?After a long while, Sai slowly exhaled."I understand," he said, his voice carrying a trace of imperceptible fluctuation. "I will convey your words exactly as they are."He took a step back, merging back into the shadows, his figure beginning to blur."Uzumaki Naruto," Sai said at the very last moment before disappearing, "You are... much more interesting than the report said. Take care."Naruto stood where he was, unmoving for a long time. He slowly unclenched his fist, his palm already marked with deep crescent-shaped nail prints.Root... Danzo... have they already started acting? Then the Uchiha..."A good answer."Another voice came from above.Naruto looked up sharply and saw someone sitting on the high beam of the auditorium, though he didn't know when they had arrived.Silver-white hair, a forehead protector covering the left eye, and a black mask. Although he was much younger, Naruto would never mistake that lazy yet sharp aura.Kakashi Hatake."Kakashi... senpai?" Naruto asked tentatively.Seventeen-year-old Kakashi leaped lightly from the beam, landing without a sound. He shoved his hands into his pockets, his exposed right eye curving into a smile: "The Fourth Hokage asked me to keep an eye on you during this time. It seems that was unnecessary; you handled it quite well yourself."Naruto breathed a sigh of relief: "Dad, he...""He is very worried about you." Kakashi walked to the window and looked at Konoha under the moonlight, "The activities of 'Root' have become more frequent recently, and their goals are very clear. Today was just a probe; there might be more direct contact in the future."He turned his head, that right eye fixed on Naruto: "Was your answer just now sincere?"Naruto nodded without hesitation: "Yes.""Even knowing that the clan might really pose a threat to Konoha?""Then we find a way to solve the problem without sacrifice." Naruto's voice was firm, "If I can't do it now, I will become strong enough to do it. If one person can't do it, then we will think of a way together with our companions. There will always be a way... Before trying every possibility, I do not accept the answer that'sacrifice is the only way'."Kakashi was silent.Under the moonlight, his gaze was somewhat dazed, as if he were seeing a distant, golden figure through Naruto."...I have heard someone say something like that before," he said softly, his voice carrying a rare, genuine emotion, "He said that in the Ninja world, those who break the rules are trash, but those who do not cherish their companions are worse than trash."Naruto knew who he was talking about.Obito.A name that would cause countless tragedies in the future, but was still a hero of Konoha at this moment."That person... must have been a great Ninja," Naruto said.Kakashi smiled, a bit bitterly: "Perhaps."He shook his head, returning to his usual lazy demeanor: "Alright, it's very late. I'll see you home. The Fourth Hokage and Kushina-sama must be getting worried."The two walked out of the auditorium one after the other. The moonlight stretched their shadows very long.When they reached the school gate, Kakashisuddenly said: "Naruto.""Hmm?""Keep your current way of thinking." Kakashilooked toward the Uchiha Clan district in the distance, his voice very light, "This world... needs more people like you who are willing to seek light in the darkness."...Three days after the school festival ended, at night.The Uchiha Clan district was unusually quiet.At this time, there should normally be clansmen patrolling, children playing in the streets, and elderly people sitting at their doors chatting.But tonight, there was nothing.Doors and windows of every house were tightly shut, and the streets were empty. Even the streetlights seemed dimmer than usual.Uchiha Izumi finished her training with Ivy and hurried back to the clan district.Along the way, the unease in her heart grew stronger and stronger.Pushing open the door to her home, the house was pitch black."Brother? I'm back."No response.Izumi turned on the light and saw her brother sitting in the living room with a pile of documents spread out in front of him. His face was pale, and there were bloodshot eyes."Brother? What's wrong with you?"Her brother raised his head, and seeing Izumi, his pupils constricted: "Izumi? Why are you back? Didn't I tell you to stay the night at Naruto's place today?""I, I forgot something and came back to get it..." Izumi was frightened by her brother's reaction, "Brother, what exactly—"Before she could finish, a short, sharp scream came from outside.Although the sound was quickly extinguished, both Izumi and her brother heard it. It was the voice of a clansman.Her brother stood up abruptly and grabbed Izumi by the shoulders: "Listen, Izumi. Leave the clan district immediately, go to the Hokage Building, or go find Uzumaki Naruto! Do not look back! Go!""But brother,""No buts!" Her brother's voice was trembling, but his eyes were resolute, "This is my last request. Live, Izumi. For the future of the Uchiha, live!"He pushed Izumi toward the back door. Just then, the front door was knocked on.It wasn't a normal knock, but a rhythmic, cold tapping.Her brother's face changed drastically: "Go quickly!"He shoved Izumi into the secret passage at the back door, an escape route that every Uchihafamily possessed.The moment the secret passage door closed, Izumi saw her brother's last smile, so sad, so gentle.The secret passage was narrow, only allowing crawling. Izumi crawled forward, crying; she could hear the sounds of fighting, screaming, and some kind of... fire burning outside.She didn't know how long she had crawled, but finally, she saw the exit. An abandoned warehouse on the edge of the clan district.Pushing open the secret door and crawling out, Izumi had just caught her breath when she froze.Someone was standing at the entrance of the warehouse, with their back to the moonlight."Who?""It's me, Izumi."The person turned around. It was Uchiha Shisui.But at this moment, Shisui was completely different from the one in Izumi's memory. He was covered in wounds, and the Three-TomoeSharingan in his eyes glowed with a blood-red light in the darkness."Shisui-nii! What on earth is going on?""No time to explain." Shisui's voice was exhausted but firm, "Izumi, you are a good child. You have precious bonds with the Village. The future of the Uchiha... needs seeds like you to survive."Izumi gripped the scroll tightly, her fingers trembling: "Shisui-nii, what exactly happened? In the clan...""Go quickly." Shisui gave her a push, "Do not go back to the clan district, go find Naruto. Wait until dawn; if the Hokage-sama is still alive, you will be safe. If..."He didn't finish, but Izumi understood.Tears welled up again, but she wiped them away forcefully and bowed deeply to Shisui: "Shisui-nii, take care."Then she turned and rushed out of the clan district.She ran fast, using all the stealth techniques she had learned. But the Uchiha Clan district was too large, and her home was in the very center.Along the way, she saw too many sights she didn't want to see.Clansmen lying in pools of blood.Burning houses.Suddenly, she stopped in her tracks.In front was the Naka Shrine. Standing on the open ground in front of the shrine were two people.One was her brother, covered in wounds, but still standing.The other... was Itachi.