At this moment, within the Hidden Leaf Village.
Inside the Uchiha Clan Compound.
A number of Uchiha members stood in the smoke-filled ruins, dazed and confused.
From the start of the fierce battle, to their clan leader's defeat, then to that Shimoku relative defecting—
All in all, it had only lasted about ten minutes.
And yet, more than half the buildings in the Uchiha Compound had been reduced to rubble?
This was totally outrageous!
But soon, these clansmen began noticing something else.
Many familiar faces among their kin were missing!
At a rough guess, over half of them had vanished!
Where could those people have gone?
Could it really be… that they had also defected?
Many remaining Uchiha members whispered such guesses amongst themselves, shocked.
After all, not long ago, some people had actually come around to sound them out about leaving Konoha.
Those who stayed behind had chosen not to join for various reasons.
Some even thought it had just been a joke.
But now, clearly—it wasn't a joke at all!
They really did defect!
Damn it!
If I'd known it was real earlier, I should've fled too!
In no time, many who were just beginning to recover from the shock found themselves overwhelmed with regret.
...
Meanwhile, across the expanse of scorched ruins,
A short figure darted swiftly through quick leaps and runs.
Before long, Itachi had crossed through layers of wreckage,
Arriving at the place where his father, Fugaku, had fallen.
Yet before he could even begin digging through the debris,
Fugaku Uchiha—who was covered in dust but full of spirit—rose from among broken beams of wood.
"Itachi, you're here!"
"Father! Are you okay?"
Seeing his father still alive, Itachi felt slightly relieved.
Tonight, after all, had originally been the night he would break away from both his father and the entire Uchiha Clan.
"I'm fine, I'm fine."
"That young Shimoku lad pulled back a little in the end. Otherwise..."
Fugaku brushed dust off himself with a sigh.
Then immediately realized he'd said too much, shutting his mouth tight.
The "battle performance" he and that Shimoku lad had put on absolutely couldn't be discovered by Konoha.
Hmm... Well, it really hadn't been fake fighting!
Look how many houses we destroyed... What a huge loss!
"Father, what exactly happened between you and Cousin Shimoku?"
Finally voicing his suspicions, Itachi directly asked the question on his mind.
"Shimoku? That kid took over half our clan members and betrayed Konoha!"
"Just now I tried to stop him, but unfortunately failed..."
With a sigh of feigned sorrow, Fugaku's eyes remained sharp, showing not the slightest true regret.
"What? Isn't he practically signing his death note?"
"If even he managed to defect successfully with half the clan, there's no way he can withstand the village's retaliation afterward!"
"And besides, with him betraying like this, the remaining clansmen will also bear heavy blame..."
Itachi was greatly shocked.
He couldn't understand why his cousin Shimoku would make such a reckless and foolish move.
"He must have his own considerations and countermeasures."
"But for him, staying in the village to wait for death wouldn't be worth it either."
"Everyone has the right to choose their own future."
"Itachi, you didn't make a mistake choosing to oppose your clan for Konoha and Sasuke."
"If Shimoku opposes Konoha for himself and his clansmen, he's also not wrong."
"You're both great Uchiha talents, even if you see things differently. The future belongs to you to create."
Fugaku rarely spoke like this.
He slightly lifted his head, gazing at the starry night sky.
The future of the Uchiha Clan... Right now, even he couldn't see it clearly.
"So, Father, you already knew..."
Itachi was startled, unsure how to respond.
Even with countless reasons,
betraying the clan and choosing to kill his own kin were undeniably unforgivable acts.
"There's no need to blame yourself. Given what's happened, you can put off your actions for now."
"Go check on your mother and Sasuke first. They should be safe enough..."
"All right!"
At hearing Sasuke's name, Itachi immediately felt slightly energized.
He hurriedly prepared to go see his younger brother.
However...
Just then—
Whoosh!
Another figure wearing the Konoha Military Police Force coat swiftly appeared beside them.
"Lord Fugaku, Master Itachi, my apologies for interrupting!"
Uchiha Hachidai, with gray hair and a bony face, quickly greeted them.
"Hachidai? Why have you come?"
"It's by Young Master Shimoku's request..."
"Hachidai! Ah... I never expected you'd actually side with that kid too?"
Fugaku expressed slight surprise.
After all, Hachidai was 45 years old—experienced, powerful, and a solid pillar within the Uchiha clan.
He was also Fugaku's trusted right-hand man in the Konoha Military Police Force, someone Fugaku deeply respected and relied upon.
Yet unexpectedly,
even this fellow had sided with young Shimoku?
Hachidai sighed softly and said honestly,
"Lord Fugaku, I simply wish to change our clan's current situation..."
"Compared to you, Young Master Shimoku is just... beyond normal comprehension. You supporting him isn't necessarily a bad idea."
This time, Fugaku indeed felt his age.
Looks like the future of the clan still needs to be fought for by the younger generation—by boys like Shimoku and Itachi.
As for himself, he would just contribute his remaining energy to support them!
"Did that kid send you here with some special instructions?"
"Yes, Young Master Shimoku has some words he wishes to leave for Master Itachi." Hachidai revealed his purpose.
"For Itachi?"
Fugaku looked puzzled.
Even Itachi standing beside him was momentarily taken aback.
Neither could imagine what message their formidable, deeply secretive cousin Shimoku might have left for Itachi.
In the next moment, Hachidai handed over a scroll.
Itachi accepted the scroll and, with Lord Fugaku's approval, opened and began reading it.
Shortly thereafter,
he finished reading the scroll.
Itachi couldn't help but tremble in shock, his eyes lighting up.
That heart which had long been cold and lifeless suddenly started pounding again.
Not for any other reason—but because the technique recorded on the scroll could very well let the surviving Uchiha in Konoha escape annihilation.
No need to be wiped out anymore! No need to clash with Konoha to the death!
"This is the backup plan left by Cousin Shimoku?"
"Definitely worth trying!"
Itachi breathed out with emotion, his mind already made up.
...
At the same time, elsewhere.
Hundreds of miles north of the Hidden Leaf Village, hidden deep within a secluded jungle,
a large group of Uchiha clanspeople had gathered here.
There were elders and children, the strong and the young, even those known for their beauty—altogether over 400 people.
Clearly, these were all Uchiha who had defected from Konoha.
Currently, under the leadership of several powerful clan members, they'd stopped here quietly waiting.
Soon enough.
In the center of everyone,
on the grass, even the small panda-shaped summoning beast—barely palm-sized—suddenly received instructions.
Hastily raising its two round paws, it immediately formed hand seals.
The next moment,
[Reverse Summoning Jutsu] activated!
Instantly transporting Shimoku from over a hundred miles away directly to this location.
After all, [Summoning Jutsu] itself was a form of time-space ninjutsu (shikō jutsu). Theoretically speaking, using it for reverse summoning was indeed possible.
And this was also one reason why Shimoku dared remain alone inside Konoha to cause chaos.
Otherwise,
escaping from Konoha's tight blockade wouldn't be easy at all.
"I'm back! Is everyone alright?"
From within the white mist, Shimoku shouted joyfully toward the gathered clanspeople.
Meanwhile, seeing Shimoku's safe return,
the hundreds of surrounding Uchiha instantly erupted into excited cheers.
"Lord Shimoku!"
"Young Master!"
"Great! The Young Master has returned!"
"We've finally escaped from Konoha!"
Waves of jubilant voices swelled higher and higher, each louder than the last, echoing their boundless delight.
Clearly, these Uchiha clanspeople, once oppressed and mistreated by Konoha,
now felt relieved and joyful after escaping their confinement.
After all, right now, Shimoku was their pillar of support—the guiding light leading them toward a glorious future!
Nothing brought them more joy than the safe return of their young clan leader.
Likewise,
Shimoku glanced around, taking in the joy on everyone's faces and the relaxed atmosphere now that they were free from Konoha. For once, he broke into a wide, genuine smile.
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