Chiba quickly received information through his hidden agents within Konoha's Anbu, each detail of what was happening in the village aligning perfectly with his predictions, as if everything had been meticulously planned and choreographed by his hands. A cold thrill ran down his spine; every move, every piece on the chessboard was exactly where it should be, and the true centerpiece was yet to reveal itself.
The Uchiha clan rebellion had begun earlier than expected. Under the command of Fugaku Uchiha, the elite forces of the clan advanced relentlessly toward the Konoha leadership, their steps echoing like the harbingers of blood and chaos. Yet before they could reach their targets, two names emerged as insurmountable barriers: Itachi Uchiha and the mysterious masked man. Both moved with precision and speed, intercepting the Uchiha warriors and preventing them from reaching the main targets. Even so, not a single one of these elite warriors could confront figures like Hiruzen Sarutobi, Danzo Shimura, or the leaders of the Anbu and Root without facing instant death.
All of this, of course, unfolded exactly according to the plan carefully orchestrated by Chiba. He smiled as he watched the natural order of chaos; every movement, every decision seemed to follow an invisible choreography that only he could perceive. But he knew that this alone would not be enough. His goal was not merely to observe the destruction but to control it and amplify it, ensuring that every consequence benefited Kirigakure.
He had three main objectives for this bloody night.
The first was to neutralize the masked man. This individual represented the most direct and dangerous threat to Kirigakure, someone who could not be allowed to interfere with his future plans. The second was to ignite a civil war within Konoha, weakening the village that was allied with Sunagakure and an enemy of Kirigakure. The more internal chaos, the more fragile Konoha would become, creating an opening for Chiba to consolidate power. The third and most calculated objective was to extract strategic gains, using the conflict to strengthen Kirigakure and expand his influence on all fronts. Every movement, every death, every victory served this purpose.
Yet there was even more tension in the air. Itachi and the masked man discussed silently how to divide their responsibilities:
"Choose your path, Itachi," said the masked man, his voice cold and cutting. "Will you go after the civilians, or confront the soldiers of your own clan?"
Itachi hesitated for a moment, feeling the weight of every decision. Within him, a storm of conflicting emotions raged Chiba the need to protect the innocent against the cruel duty his mission demanded. The masked man, sensing his hesitation, smiled with contempt:
"I see you cannot be completely ruthless. Leave the civilians to me. But remember, the soldiersChibaand especially your fatherChibawill not be easy to defeat. Be prepared."
With that, they separated, vanishing like shadows in opposite directions. Itachi moved silently along the path between the Naka Shrine and the Hokage Rock, determined to intercept and eliminate the main strength of the Uchiha clan alone. Each step was heavy, his mind a whirlwind of pain, guilt, and responsibility. He knew that every move he made could mean the death of thousands, and every hesitation could cost his own brother, Sasuke.
Just as Itachi was about to reach the ambush point, an unexpected presence blocked his path. He stopped abruptly, muscles tensed, senses alert.
"You… you are…" he muttered, recognizing the intruder.
Chiba stood before him, though not in his true form. His real identity remained concealed, yet the aura of his chakra was devastating. The pressure emanating from him was so terrifying that Itachi could only compare it to the moments he had felt from Shisui Uchiha, now magnified, refined, and mercilessly cold. He sensed the threat of someone who could not only defeat him but could crush his mind and soul if desired.
"Big prodigy of the Uchiha, Itachi," said Chiba in a glacial voice, a dark smile cutting across his face. "We finally meet."
Itachi furrowed his brow, tension tightening every fiber of his body. An internal conflict ignited, a silent battle between his will to fulfill his mission and the deep fear of the indescribable power standing before him. For a moment, he questioned himself: was he strong enough to face this threat and carry out his duty, or was he merely another piece in Chiba's dance?
The blood-red moon rose slowly in the sky, casting its crimson light over the village, reflecting in Itachi's eyes and the cold, calculating features of Chiba. That night would not just mark the beginning of a massacreChibait would be the first act of a conflict that would shake the entire shinobi world, blurring the lines between ally and enemy.
"Who are you?" Itachi Uchiha's voice was cold and firm, carrying a weight that seemed to pierce the shadows themselves. "What is your purpose here?"
Chiba smiled lightly, tilting his head with an almost teasing air. "Who I am… isn't important. As for my purpose? I just wanted to have a little chat with you."
Itachi's heart skipped a beat, a sudden shiver running down his spine. "Y-you… you want to block my path!" he realized instantly, the weight of the truth pressing against him. "If this happens… the Uchiha Clan and Konoha's leadership will clash to the death!"
Chiba's smile widened slightly, a hint of admiration in his eyes. "As expected of Itachi Uchiha. Your mind… it's sharp, very sharp indeed. It's a pity… that it's already been brainwashed."
Itachi's voice erupted with anger, echoing through the tense air. "Step aside!"
Chiba let out a soft sigh, his tone calm but cutting like ice. "Kill your own clan… kill your own parents… and yet, you're so eager to do it?"
Itachi froze for a moment, his chest tightening, his eyes burning with conflicting emotions. "I…" he struggled to speak, a tremor in his voice.
"It's none of your concern. This… this is my choice," he finally declared, voice low but firm. "Step aside!"
Chiba only smiled silently, letting the words hang between them like a blade suspended in midair.
Itachi's gaze hardened, the cold red of his Mangekyō Sharingan flaring to life. "Then don't blame me for being merciless," he said through gritted teeth.
In an instant, the scarlet light of the Mangekyō Sharingan burst forth, illuminating the darkness with a terrifying intensity. Chiba's lips curved into a faint, knowing smile. "If you want to get past me… Itachi Uchiha, you'll have to prove your strength."
The tension snapped taut, and the battlefield was set. The fight between them was inevitable, the clash of wills about to ignite.
…
Under the blood-red moon, in the shadows of the night, the front of the Hokage Office bristled with alertness. ANBU, Root, the Sarutobi clan, the Shimura clan, and Konoha's elite secret forces were all prepared, standing silently but deadly, waiting for the moment to strike.
Inside the Hokage Office, Hiruzen Sarutobi puffed his pipe, smoke curling around him like a protective shroud, while Shimura Danzō's expression remained unreadable. Koharu Utatane and Genma Shiranui stood silently as well, their senses alert to every slightest tremor of danger.
Among the ANBU, young Yamato quietly approached Kakashi, his voice barely audible over the tense silence. "Senpai Kakashi… has the Uchiha Clan really rebelled? Are they… really coming?"
Kakashi's face remained impassive, the mask hiding any trace of emotion, though his sharp eye betrayed a flicker of concern. "Who knows? All we're doing is following orders. There's no guarantee of anything else."
Yamato let out a slow, heavy sigh, shaking his head. The tension in the air was suffocating.
Inside the Hokage Office, Shimura Danzō's voice was sharp and demanding. "Why aren't we taking the initiative?! Can Itachi Uchiha really stop the entire Uchiha Clan on his own?!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi remained calm, his tone steady yet carrying unshakable authority. "Believe in him… and believe in our trust. He will succeed. The Uchiha rebels cannot reach this point. They will never face us directly… not fully."
Yet, in the very next moment, the ground seemed to tremble violently, as if the earth itself were screaming. The air was filled with an overwhelming surge of chakra, raw aggression, and the screams of battle tearing through the night, shattering Konoha's fragile peace.
Sarutobi's pipe slipped from his mouth with a sharp clatter, his eyes widening in shock, face pale. "This… this is…"
The Uchiha rebel army, thanks to Chiba's interference, had bypassed Itachi Uchiha entirely, striking straight toward the front of the Hokage's tower.
Shimura Danzō let out a cold, sharp laugh. "It seems you miscalculated entirely, Sarutobi. Itachi Uchiha is unreliable!"
"Fortunately, we were prepared. This battle… it cannot be avoided!"
Sarutobi's mind raced, the weight of responsibility pressing down. "I never wanted this war… but now, even our own forces are at risk. This will be a battle that spares no one. Both sides… will bleed heavily."
Koharu Utatane and Genma Shiranui exchanged a glance, their eyes reflecting the sheer terror and rage of the approaching Uchiha army. They could only sigh softly, the bitter knowledge settling in. "It seems… it is already beyond our control…"
This night… would change the entire shinobi world.
Chiba had intercepted Itachi. The course of destiny had been altered. The Uchiha army and Konoha's leadership were about to collide in a decisive, unprecedented battle…