In the courtyard, Kaito felt a sudden ripple in the air—a shift, unnatural and sharp.
A dome of chakra snapped into existence overhead, shimmering like glass, sealing off the Uchiha compound entirely.
He exhaled, low. "So it begins."
[Plot Triggered: The Uchiha Clan Massacre!][Select Mission:]
Abandon the clan and flee – Reward: Advanced Sage Body • S-Rank Ninjutsu Scroll
Betray the Uchiha, side with Konoha – Reward: Wood Release Kekkei Genkai • Wind Style Compendium
Lead the Uchiha resistance – Reward: Perfect Sage Mode • Mysterious Legacy Scroll
"No contest," Kaito said. "Option three."
[Mission Confirmed.]
A grin pulled at his lips as his left eye shifted—three tomoe spinning into the Mangekyo's complex, angular pattern.
He saw them: ANBU squads, black-clad and faceless, moving like shadows toward Uchiha homes. Among them, one unmistakable figure moved with precision—headed straight for Fugaku's house.
"Itachi..."
Kaito clenched his jaw. However close they'd once been, this was unforgivable. He'd let Itachi face the consequences alone.
But first: Root had to burn.
With a flicker, Kaito vanished from the courtyard and reappeared above a row of houses. Below, a swarm of masked operatives prepared to breach.
He cracked his knuckles.
"Danzo's dogs. Time to put them down."
His hands flew through seals.
"Fire Style: Great Blaze Annihilation!"
A wall of white-blue fire tore through the night, vaporizing anything in its path. Root ninja screamed as water-style jutsu fizzled uselessly, their defenses eaten alive by the blaze. When it cleared, nothing remained but scorched earth and charred stone.
Kaito's eye gleamed. "Beautiful."
He vanished again, appearing at the next flashpoint. One by one, he dismantled Root squads before they could regroup. Fire, wind, genjutsu—his entire arsenal unleashed with surgical precision.
But the enemy wasn't idle.
The explosion had given away the game. Root operatives launched their attack in force—no more stealth, no more games.
But they weren't ready for what greeted them.
From the shadows, Uchiha elites sprang into action. Sharingan flared crimson in the dark. Fireballs bloomed. Genjutsu shattered formations. Kunai struck without warning. Root's numbers dwindled fast.
Still, numbers weren't on the Uchiha's side. As the assault wore on, even their strongest began to fall.
Across the compound, Itachi halted mid-run.
Flames lit the sky. Screams echoed across rooftops. His Sharingan reflected chaos—and for a second, just a second, doubt clouded his expression.
He pushed it down.
Danzo and "Madara" can handle the resistance, he told himself. I need to finish this.
His eyes narrowed.
If I take down Father, the rest will crumble. Even Kaito won't be able to stop it.
He bolted forward.
Four guards blocked his path—loyal, alert.
"Identify yourself!" one barked.
Itachi answered with steel. In a blur of motion, his blade carved through them. Four strikes. Four bodies hit the ground.
"Unfortunate," he muttered.
"Unwise."
The voice came from above.
Itachi looked up—but the figure on the roof vanished in smoke.
A clone?
Panic surged. He sprinted for the main house. The real battle had just begun.
Inside, the compound was deathly silent. Too silent.
Then he heard it—a voice, calm and waiting.
"Here."
He followed it to a sliding door.
"Enter. No traps await you."
Inside, Fugaku and Mikoto sat facing away, calm as if sharing tea.
Itachi's voice cracked. "Father, I…"
Fugaku didn't turn. "So you've made your choice."
Mikoto glanced back, expression soft. "We understand, son. Just know—our pain ends quickly. Yours won't."
Fugaku squared his shoulders. "You may hate me, but you're still my son. And always my pride."
"Sasuke…" Mikoto whispered.
"…is in your care now," Fugaku finished.
Tears stung Itachi's eyes. His tanto rose—hands shaking.
Then—
BOOM.
The earth shook. Walls cracked. Dust rained from above.
"What—?!"
They rushed outside—and froze.
A colossal golden warrior loomed over the district. Towering. Radiant. Its armored frame rippled with skeletal flame. The very sky shimmered with its presence.
Itachi's breath caught.
"No way... That's—"
Fugaku's eyes went wide.
"…A perfect Susano'o."