Uchiha District – Fugaku's Residence
When Sasuke's voice echoed across the Uchiha compound, Fugaku and Itachi both turned toward the source. They didn't speak. Silence often said more than confusion ever could.
Uchiha Itachi narrowed his eyes, let out a slow breath, and took measured steps toward his younger brother.
This was not the right time.
He'd been mid-discussion with their father an important one.
Two outcomes were on the table.
First, Fugaku might be continuing down the path of stubbornness, insisting on Uchiha supremacy, rejecting compromise, and preparing for another misguided rise. If so, Itachi had no choice but to escort him personally to the Guard and submit the case to Captain Bai Ye by morning.
Second, Fugaku may have finally accepted reality that the Uchiha coup was a dead end, and that pride must be swallowed for the sake of survival. That perhaps it was better to confess the past to Bai Ye, offer reparations, and attempt to redeem the clan's standing before things spiraled.
Itachi had come to this meeting prepared to act. What he hadn't prepared for… was Sasuke's return.
He had hoped Sasuke would stay away a little longer, remain with Bai Ye, continue training, forging bonds with Naruto and others. He had found some peace in that.
And now…
As Itachi approached, Sasuke's lips curled into a smirk oddly calm, too composed for someone his age.
A coincidence?
He and Naruto had been wandering Konoha. Bai Ye was out of the compound today, and Sasuke had been feeling uneasy restless. Something had drawn him home.
He didn't expect to stumble upon such a delightful surprise.
Yes a golden opportunity.
The current Guard was not easy to enter. Since Captain Bai Ye took over, it wasn't just Uchiha anymore. Veterans from all over joined Hyuga, Aburame, Sarutobi, and even a few reformed Root members. The bar was higher than ever.
And anyone who wanted to join the reserves? They had to pass Cong's review.
Brother Cong, as people called him, had become notorious for his unwavering loyalty. If Bai Ye said "no backdoors," then even his cousin wouldn't sneak in.
Sasuke had made it on merit alone. He had the strength and the fire.
Itachi had been too caught up in clan politics lately to notice his brother's development.
But entering the reserves wasn't the end. To become a full-fledged Guard, one had to prove themselves. Field performance. Missions. Arrest records. Reputation.
Today, Sasuke saw his chance.
His older brother the infamous "traitor" of the clan and his own father the original coup leader standing together? This wasn't betrayal.
This was righteous enforcement.
If he arrested them both, his status would be cemented. Sasuke Uchiha. Age seven. Mangekyō user. Elite Guard. Legend.
Forget the Ninja Academy. That was kid stuff.
Why waste time learning about shuriken angles when you could wear the uniform and patrol with the best?
The rules were clear. If a relative endangered the village, the Guard must act.
Sasuke wasn't here to kill them. He believed in reform he'd grown up under Bai Ye, after all. He was only sending them to prison. Temporary reflection. They'd thank him later.
Besides, Fugaku had become unstable recently. His anger outbursts. His paranoia. This would calm him down.
But then…
Sasuke's eyes drifted from Itachi to his father.
"Father… be honest. Did you try to rebel because my godfather… stole your woman?"
Pause.
The words hung midair.
Itachi's face twitched.
He was mature enough to know that suggesting something like that to a proud Uchiha man… was pure provocation.
No. Sasuke couldn't finish that sentence.
He wouldn't let him.
In a blur, Itachi stomped the ground, gritted his teeth, and with a heavy heart, unleashed Tsukuyomi.
Sasuke froze mid-breath. His lips stopped moving.
Behind them, Fugaku raised an eyebrow.
"What did Sasuke just say? Godfather? What… green?"
Itachi closed his eyes briefly. Great. Now I've heard it too.
It wasn't about Bai Ye. Fugaku had changed for other reasons. Old wounds. Old failures. Itachi knew better than anyone.
He turned to Sasuke again. A pang of guilt surged through him.
He had sworn never to use Tsukuyomi on his little brother. It was too cruel, too dangerous.
But Sasuke's Sharingan had matured rapidly. Ordinary illusions no longer worked. His 3-Tomoe had exceptional resistance. He left Itachi no choice.
The moment passed.
Itachi exhaled, stepped forward, and gently raised a hand his signature gesture. A tap on the forehead.
A gesture that meant, I'm sorry.
"Forgive me… Sasuke…"
"This is the last Wait, what the hell?!"
Before his sentence could finish, Itachi felt a sudden shift.
Sasuke moved.
Quick.
Brutal.
He twisted Itachi's arm, brought him to the floor, and click snapped a pair of chakra-restraining handcuffs onto his wrists.
"I don't know what kind of genjutsu you used, Nissan," Sasuke said evenly, "but maybe next time use a little more chakra. That barely tickled."
His Mangekyō shimmered coldly.
Itachi blinked.
"You… broke Tsukuyomi?"
"That was it? Honestly, I expected more. I thought the so-called genius of the clan would be a little stronger."
Sasuke shook his head in disappointment.
"You're under arrest, Nissan."
Itachi lay there, wide-eyed.
Mangekyō? At seven?
Even for Uchiha standards, this was unheard of.
"Wait… Mangekyō?" he stammered.
Sasuke looked down at him with a frown.
"What's the big deal? My father probably has it too. Isn't this normal for our clan?"
From behind, Fugaku stepped forward.
"As expected of my son. I knew you'd stand with me."
Sasuke turned and gave his father a flat stare.
"Father, stop. Handcuff yourself."
The seriousness in his voice silenced Fugaku.
He looked at his sons one handcuffed on the ground, the other giving orders and felt a deep weariness settle in his bones.
Were these really his children?
A dark memory stirred. The doctor during the Third Ninja War. The wound. The whispers about infertility. Xiaohong at the custom shop rejecting him outright.
Was it true? Was none of this his fault?
Before he could drift deeper into his spiraling thoughts
"Fugaku Uchiha," Sasuke declared. "You're charged with plotting rebellion and conspiracy against the village. Surrender peacefully."
Fugaku's eyes narrowed.
3-Tomoe spun and then… clicked.
Mangekyō.
Two sets of Mangekyō met in midair.
Sasuke's expression didn't change.
"Told you. Mangekyō is just… average."
From the ground, Itachi stared at the ceiling.
Nothing made sense anymore.
His little brother just shattered his Tsukuyomi, pinned him like a child, and was now mocking Mangekyō like it was a basic jutsu.
Am I the one in an illusion?
Itachi curled into philosophical crisis.
Meanwhile, Sasuke adjusted his collar, serious again.
He'd done his duty.
Later, he'd report to Bai Ye. Maybe get a commendation. And with that… the door to becoming a full Guard member would swing wide open.
But for now?
He turned back to Fugaku.
"Don't make this harder than it needs to be. You too can change."
Fugaku sighed.
These weren't his sons.
They were monsters raised by another man.
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