"The flowers bloom at both ends, each showing a branch!"
A poetic phrase, but in the Uchiha compound tonight, it marked the division of the clan between fear and fervor.
The entire combat force of the Uchiha had mobilized. The hardliners wore expressions of barely concealed excitement, eager for what was to come. Meanwhile, the doves, though loyal to the clan, were deeply uneasy.
"Patriarch, all personnel are assembled and awaiting orders!"
The Fourth Elder's voice rang out sharply, thick with anticipation. A long-time hardliner, this was the moment he had dreamed of—his clan finally standing united.
The Fifth Elder, usually his loudest opponent, remained silent. In the face of a direct assault on one of their own—on Shisui, no less—even the doves could not justify hesitation.
Though Shisui's ambush had not yet been officially confirmed, no one doubted Andrew's words. The young man had climbed to the rank of Jōnin at an age where others were still trying to master their chakra. No one believed he would fabricate such a story.
Fugaku, stern and contemplative, narrowed his eyes. "We'll speak more when Andrew and the others return."
But his expression had changed. The wheels in his mind turned slowly, cautiously. Deep down, he knew—the village had already made its move.
"Lord Hokage, the Uchiha abruptly ended their clan meeting. Their combat forces are assembling. Seven of their Jōnin left the grounds earlier and haven't returned. Uchiha Shisui and Uchiha Itachi are absent."
An ANBU knelt before the Third Hokage, delivering a grim update.
Before Sarutobi Hiruzen could respond, a familiar, impatient voice rang out.
"Hiruzen! We can't delay any longer!"
"The Uchiha have bared their fangs—just like I warned! This cursed clan cannot be trusted!"
Danzo stormed into the Hokage's office, eyes alight with a dark satisfaction. Internally, he was thrilled. He had only just secured Shisui's eyes—and now the Uchiha were handing him an excuse to act.
"Tonight," he thought with barely contained glee, "I'll harvest a forest of Sharingan."
Hiruzen didn't respond. He merely sighed, then reached for the hem of his Hokage robe and pulled it away, revealing the shinobi battle armor underneath.
He had no illusions. If the Uchiha were indeed moving, it meant Shisui had failed. As Hokage, he had to be prepared.
"Issue the alert. Konoha is now in a state of emergency."
"Mobilize the Jōnin and Elite Jōnin from all major clans. The Uchiha compound must be surrounded immediately."
Night fell hard over Konoha. The air, usually calm and peaceful, was now thick with tension.
Ninjas moved swiftly across rooftops, their presence cloaked in silence and shadow. Civilians, sensing danger, stayed hidden behind closed doors, pretending to sleep.
At the gates of the Uchiha district, torches blazed. The heads of all major clans had gathered, flanked by their most trusted warriors. At the front stood Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen, flanked by Utatane Koharu, Mitokado Homura, and the ever-watchful Danzo Shimura.
The entire Uchiha district was encircled—three thick rings of Konoha's elite.
Tension hung in the air. Everyone knew: the Uchiha were powerful. Dangerous. Unpredictable.
Despite their poor reputation, no one in the village doubted their capabilities. If provoked, the Uchiha wouldn't go down quietly. They would retaliate with fire and fury.
A low creak broke the silence as the main gate of the compound slowly opened.
Under Fugaku's lead, hundreds of Uchiha shinobi marched forward, silent and proud. They stopped a fair distance from the Hokage's group, but the confrontation was palpable.
Some of the Uchiha stirred uneasily, noticing they were surrounded. But discipline held firm, and silence returned.
Fugaku ignored the Third Hokage's gaze. His eyes locked directly on Danzo.
"Lord Hokage," he said calmly, "why has our district been surrounded tonight?"
Several of the clan leaders murmured to one another. This was not the Fugaku they remembered—quiet, cautious, deferential. This Fugaku stood tall, authoritative, even defiant.
"Fugaku!" the Third Hokage called, his tone sharp. "You assembled a private army in the middle of the night. Explain yourself!"
Before Fugaku could reply, a messenger hawk swooped down from above, landing on his arm. He opened the scroll tied to its leg, and as he read, a wave of killing intent rippled from him like a shockwave.
"Then allow me to ask you, Lord Hokage—where is Uchiha Shisui?"
"He disappeared after being summoned this afternoon. My scouts confirmed he was ambushed and nearly killed. We demand an explanation."
Danzo stepped forward, a mock scowl on his face.
"Lies! I haven't seen Shisui all day. You people will say anything to justify treason!"
But inside, Danzo's heart skipped a beat. How could they know? He had taken every precaution… hadn't he?
"Impossible. No one should know what I did to Shisui. No one."
Just then, another voice broke through the night.
"Really? Then perhaps you can explain these men."
Andrew arrived, flanked by two other Uchiha carrying a stretcher. All eyes turned to him. On the stretcher lay a broken and battered Shisui, his body riddled with bruises, and his eyes...
Gone.
"Fugaku! What is the meaning of this?" Hiruzen demanded, his voice like thunder. "Your clan dares to attack village operatives?"
Fugaku didn't blink.
"You ask us what we mean?" he snapped. "Then let me ask—why was Shisui summoned to your office today, only to be attacked and mutilated?"
"He's missing both his Sharingan. Are you going to tell us that's a coincidence?"
Andrew watched silently, impressed. Fugaku wasn't folding under pressure. For once, the clan's leader was standing firm.
Around them, murmurs spread like wildfire.
"Those injuries are real…"
"Shisui… his eyes really are gone."
"Who would do such a thing?"
Then came the bombshell.
"Danzo stole Shisui's eyes!" someone shouted.
"That can't be! Danzo's the Hokage's assistant. He'd never—"
"Shut up! Watch your mouth—"
Shisui stirred. His voice was faint, weak.
"Lord Hokage... Danzo summoned me this evening."
"While I was reporting, he restrained me and... took my eyes. He ordered Root to hunt me down. If my clan hadn't found me..."
He didn't finish the sentence. He didn't have to. Everyone there understood what would have happened.
The silence that followed was deafening.
Dozens of eyes slowly turned to Danzo.
Theft of a Bloodline Limit was considered one of the greatest taboos in the shinobi world. It wasn't just unethical—it was warfare. An act of aggression so vile that no clan would ever forgive it.
And this time, the act had been carried out by a senior leader of the village.
Danzo's expression twisted, the smugness drained from his face.
This wasn't going how he planned.
Even Sarutobi Hiruzen, long his ally, said nothing. His jaw was clenched, eyes shadowed. Danzo had acted without authorization. And now, there was undeniable proof.
What happened tonight could not be erased.
Not with excuses.
Not with diplomacy.
Not with silence.
Danzo Shimura had made his move against the Uchiha. And the Uchiha had survived to tell the tale.