Thump, thump, thump.
The sound of dense footsteps echoed from the rooftops as ninja after ninja leaped across the civilian houses.
Ordinarily, such an act would be considered rude, but the Hokage had just issued an order, placing the entire village of Konoha under a state of emergency.
As a result, ninjas could be seen vaulting over Konoha's rooftops everywhere, while the common folk hid in their homes.
At the residence of another of Konoha's prominent families—the Hyuga.
The clan's strongest warriors, Hiashi and Hizashi, were leading their elites toward the Uchiha territory.
Hizashi couldn't help but ask Hiashi, "Big Brother, is the Uchiha clan really going to rebel?"
Hiashi's brow furrowed. "Out here, you will address me as Clan Head."
Hizashi paused for a moment. "Yes, Clan Head."
Hiashi hesitated slightly, his tone softening a little. "The Third Hokage has ordered us to assemble and surround the Uchiha. We may be in for a tough battle tonight."
Hiashi was filled with worry. Internal strife always resulted in casualties. This was especially true when dealing with a clan like the Uchiha, one of the most powerful in the entire ninja world. Its members were all highly capable, and many of them were fanatics.
Hiashi glanced back at the two dozen Jonin following him. He wondered how many of them would make it back tonight. They were all precious assets to the clan.
"Hizashi, if a fight breaks out, you are to keep our clansmen steady. Do not charge to the front."
"But what about the Third Hokage's orders?"
Hiashi waved his hand dismissively. "If the Uchiha fall, we might be next."
A jolt of shock went through Hizashi. He glanced around before nodding silently.
...
"Lord Danzo, the Third Hokage has declared a state of emergency in Konoha."
"He has also issued a call to arms, ordering all ninja of Jonin rank and above to assemble for battle. Should we participate?"
"Oh?"
Danzo, who had just finished an inspection of his newly transplanted eye, finally seemed to come to his senses.
"What's happened?"
"All of the Uchiha's combat personnel are gathering."
Danzo stood up, touching the new eye in his right socket. It seemed the Uchiha problem would be resolved for good tonight. He wondered just how many Uchiha eyes he could collect.
Hiruzen, I told you long ago that the Uchiha couldn't be trusted. Good thing I made a pre-emptive strike and took out Shisui Uchiha.
"Take our men and head to the Uchiha territory at once."
"Yes, sir!"
...
The area before the main gate of the Uchiha clan compound was brightly lit. Countless Konoha elites had already surrounded it.
At the very front stood the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, along with Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado. Behind them were the clan heads and elites of the various great clans. The Hyuga, Akimichi, Nara, Yamanaka, and others had all arrived.
Nearly all of Konoha's Anbu and elite Jonin were concentrated here, forming layer after layer of encirclement around the Uchiha. Every face was grim. The various clan heads, however, were each nursing their own private schemes.
Creeak... The great gates of the Uchiha clan compound slowly swung open.
Several hundred fully armed Uchiha clansmen, led by Fugaku, walked out slowly.
In an instant, everyone's gaze fell upon Fugaku's face. Their expressions varied, but all were filled with surprise.
Fugaku was always a peacemaker. What had gotten into him today?
Seeing that they were surrounded by so many of Konoha's elite, the clansmen behind Fugaku began to stir restlessly. However, seeing their clan head remain silent, the commotion gradually died down. The atmosphere seemed to freeze.
Just then, a messenger bird flew down from the sky.
Fugaku received the message. A boundless killing intent flashed in his eyes before he quickly suppressed it. Under the Third Hokage's watchful gaze, Fugaku appeared perfectly composed, his eyes scanning the crowd. He narrowed his eyes slightly when he saw that Danzo had not yet arrived.
"Lord Hokage, for what reason have you surrounded the lands of my Uchiha clan?"
The Third Hokage scowled. "Fugaku! You've gathered this many of your clansmen, and you have the nerve to ask us? What are you planning?!"
Fugaku's expression was unlike his usual self, showing no respect for the Third Hokage.
"What am I planning? Shisui Uchiha went missing after going out today. We are now heading out to search for him. Is there a problem?"
The Third Hokage's brow tightened. He had considered countless excuses Fugaku might use, but he had never expected this one. Moreover, as far as he knew, Shisui was indeed missing. For a moment, the Third Hokage was at a loss for words.
At that moment, Homura Mitokado, standing beside the Third, spoke up. "Nonsense! Shisui Uchiha is missing, so you gather your entire clan? Do you take us for fools?"
Fugaku did not respond.
Just then, a path opened in the crowd of Konoha ninja. Danzo Shimura had arrived. As always, his forehead, right eye, right shoulder, and right arm were wrapped in bandages.
"Fugaku Uchiha, it is clear to me that your Uchiha clan intends to stage a rebellion tonight!"
Upon seeing Danzo, a flash of murderous intent crossed Fugaku's eyes.
He said in a low voice, "Danzo Shimura, you still dare to show your face before me? Itachi reported to me that Shisui Uchiha disappeared after you summoned him this afternoon. Are you saying you have nothing to do with it?"
Hidden in the crowd, Itachi frowned. He had made no such report to his father.
Danzo's face remained impassive. So, even Itachi was unreliable.
He then rebuked sharply, "Nonsense! I did not see Shisui at all this afternoon. That is pure slander."
Fugaku gave a cold smile. "Is that so?"
Fugaku's chakra surged, and his gaze grew even colder. The surrounding ninja clans grew tense.
While the crowd was still in an uproar, a path opened up behind them. Kawasaki Uchiha strode forward, leading a group of Uchiha clansmen.
[Ding! Mission updated: The Coup's Outcome]
[Mission Objective: Protect all Uchiha clan members, ensuring they remain unharmed during the coup.]
[Mission Reward: Dojutsu Amplifier x1, Uchiha Vice-Clan Head...]
There was no time to look at the rewards. Since the mission was to protect all clan members, he couldn't let a fight break out tonight.
Kawasaki walked alone at the front, his gaze sharp. The Uchiha behind him were silent, but the occasional glances they cast his way were filled with fervent admiration.
Two of them were carrying a stretcher, upon which lay none other than Shisui Uchiha. Several others dragged the corpses of a few Root members behind them. The bodies were covered in grievous wounds and were heavily mutilated.
The Third Hokage's face darkened. "Fugaku, what is the meaning of this?"
Kawasaki led his group back among the Uchiha clansmen, then turned to face the Third Hokage, directly shielding Clan Head Fugaku behind him.
Kawasaki sneered, "Third Hokage, are you still going to play dumb at a time like this? Danzo summoned Shisui this afternoon and stole his Sharingan! Our entire clan mobilized to search for the missing Shisui. What is wrong with that?!"
He then leaned down and whispered something in Shisui's ear. Shisui struggled to sit up. His body was covered in countless wounds, a fact obvious to any observer. The most severe injuries were to his eyes; only two empty, bloody sockets remained. His Sharingan had been gouged out.
A wave of shock rippled through the surrounding ninja clans.
"Danzo stole Shisui's Sharingan?"
"Shut up. Lord Danzo is the Hokage's advisor. Don't speak nonsense."
Shisui spoke weakly, "This evening, I received a message from Danzo telling me to meet him. I never imagined he coveted the Sharingan of our Uchiha clan. He caught me off guard and stole my eyes."
The Third Hokage had a close relationship with Shisui. Just that afternoon, Shisui had reported his plan to use Kotoamatsukami to stop the Uchiha coup. He never thought their next meeting would be like this.
Danzo's face had turned grim the moment Shisui sat up. He remained silent, his thoughts hidden.
The onlookers erupted in an uproar, their suspicious gazes turning toward Danzo. In the ninja world, stealing another's Kekkei Genkai was an unforgivable crime deserving of a blood feud, let alone doing it to a fellow villager.
Shisui was renowned as "Shisui of the Body Flicker." He had performed meritorious deeds for Konoha during the Third Great Ninja War and was a genius of the Uchiha clan. His reputation had always been stellar, and his words carried immense credibility.
The old Hokage's brow was tightly locked. He knew Shisui's temperament. For the sake of peace, Shisui would never have made such a public spectacle, even if something like this had happened to him. What had happened to him?
In truth, Kawasaki had quietly told Shisui that if he lied, the Uchiha clan would immediately rise in rebellion. But if he told the truth, Kawasaki guaranteed that no rebellion would occur tonight.
Danzo's expression shifted slightly before he regained his composure. "I had no intention of provoking a conflict between the Uchiha and the village, but since it has come to this... I did indeed summon Shisui tonight. However, he attempted to attack me. After I saw through his intentions, I was forced to act in self-defense."
Kawasaki looked at Danzo with a mocking expression. "Is that a story you tell to children?"
Danzo flew into a rage. "You are merely an acting elder! What right do you have to speak to me?"
Behind them, Fugaku was listening to a report from an Uchiha member. He learned that Elder Kawasaki had awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan, and his heart filled with both shock and joy. It had been many years since the clan had seen a warrior with the Mangekyo Sharingan, let alone one as young as Kawasaki.
Fugaku lifted his head and declared loudly, "Elder Danzo, for his great service in rescuing Shisui today, Elder Kawasaki has been appointed Vice-Clan Head. Is he qualified to speak now?"